If Perry's so scary to independents, why is he doing so well among them?

Ryan Streeter
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Peggy Noonan is the latest to issue Rick Perry a warning that he needs to watch his bravado lest it turn voters away. In her words, "His primary flaw appears to be a chesty, quick-draw machismo that might be right for an angry base but wrong for an antsy country. Americans want a president who feels their anger without himself walking around enraged."

Jonah Goldberg expresses a related sentiment, namely that conservatives like Perry reflect an "identity-politics problem" that is starting to afflict conservatism. Overt cultural distinctives such as Perry's become the subjects we defend rather than they things candidates say they're going to do, and so we find ourselves defending their characteristics rather than their ideas.

Both writers may be right in the long run. Perry's gun-slinging Texas Christian federalism might start to wear on people. It's too early to say.

But right now, it doesn't seem to be wearing on anyone too much except for elites.

Let's not forget that just this week:

• Perry polled ahead of Obama among independents and nearly on par with Romney.

• As many registered voters (and not just Republicans) said in a Pew poll there was a chance they'd vote for Perry, while many more said there was "no chance" they would vote for Jon Huntsman - whom the media loves to portray as the Republican adult in the room. See below.

The media is determined to portray Perry a certain way, and Perry has certainly contributed to the profile they want to pin on him with his unwise Bernanke comment. But he's clearly getting through to voters who aren't "chesty, quick-draw machismo" types.

Comments

[Dawn Carpenter]

Peggy Noonan isn't the "media" or the "elite". Whatever she does in this life, she will always be the woman who was Ronald Reagan's favorite speechwriter, the woman who wrote the phrases we remember him speaking, and we should take a moment to listen to her. Reagan was capable of deep anger and outrage, but it is his utterly heartfelt smile that we think of when we think of him.

America is an optimistic nation, and the American people want a leader who projects joy and hope.

When a cheerful man becomes indignant and angry, people take note just because they have seen a change. If he walks around in a state of high dudgeon, who will take notice when he tries to get others to share his outrage?

Peggy Noonan is giving the man sound advice. He has to know when to lighten up and speak the lamguage of hope and when to darken down and give warning.

A one-note persona will begin to irritate when he needs to inspire.