Congressman Michele Bachmann has won the Aames Straw Poll and the Texas Governor, Rick Perry, has made it official that he seeks the Republican presidential nomination.
The Bachmann victory is somewhat expected. But it is not necessarily a sign that she will win the Iowa Caucus next year or the Republican nomination. But it is a sign that will give her credibility and probably a bump in the polls.
But one thing is that some candidates just stayed away from Aames, including the front-runner, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Also not taking an active role is the former Utah governor and ambassador to Red China under the Dear Leader, President Obama, Jon Huntsman, Jr. And the former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich did not make a serious effort.
Congressman Ron Paul finished second. Many expected crazy Uncle Ron to finish first. So it is not all that surprising that he finished in at least the top two.
A distant third place went to former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. He really should have been one of the top two. But I do not think this should tell him to get out of the race.
The surprise was the fourth place finisher, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Considering all of his effort, and the thought that he would not do as well, this is a good sign that he too should stay in the race.
The real surprise is the latest candidate in the field, Gov. Perry. He finished with 718 write-in votes and good for sixth place.
And that leads to the worst kept political secret of the year.
That Gov. Perry made his campaign official.
Gov. Perry is a solid conservative on most of the issues. Ironically, Gov. Perry could have some trouble with the constituency he needs the most. Social conservatives.
In 2007, Gov. Perry issued an executive order that made the HPV vaccine available for young girls in Texas. Now many social conservatives did not like that there was a mandate for girls to get the vaccine. However, there is a provision that included and opt-out clause. Some on the left believe that this was some kind of political payoff to a big drug manufacturer. Look for this to get some serious scrutiny.
But, Gov. Perry has been a much more consistent conservative governor than his predecessor, the eeeeevvviiiiilllll George W. Bush. On fiscal and most social issues, Gov. Perry has been to the right of Gov. Bush.
But, Gov. Perry may be seen as a lot like Gov. Bush to many people. And that may be a lot for some to digest. Again, the Perry record is very much to the right of the Bush record.
The Republican race may be in for another potential candidate.
And that would be the former Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin.
I am looking for it to be 75-25 that she will enter the race for president and probably around Labor Day. Do not have any information other than what she has been saying lately. And that indicates she is not all that impressed with the current Republican field.
But, with a Michele Bachmann win in the Aames Straw Poll and Rick Perry entering the race, one thing is for certain.
That Republicans can not complain there is not a candidate for anyone in the party.
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