What would it take for a Rick Perry comeback?

[Likely Voter]

Rick Perry clearly is going to run again. As I have said before he has no reason not to, plus he is good on paper. Evangelical governor from low regulation, low tax, low unemployment state that shunned Obamacare. He was the instant front-runner in 2012 because of this. Plus GOP like to nominate people who have run before. He can blame 2012 stumbles on getting in late and unprepared. And of course he has his new hipster glasses.

He seems to be edging up in some polls, like 3rd place in latest CNN national (2nd place in the South). He had a good speech at CPAC. He was funny on Jimmy Kimmel (daring to appear in the People's Republic of Austin).

I think that if he can pull off two good debate performances, he can move back into the "taken seriously" category.

[SPC]

Isn't that going to create some problems given the likely candidacy of his state's junior Senator as well?

[badgate]

Isn't that going to create some problems given the likely candidacy of his state's junior Senator as well?

Wow if it came down to Perry vs Cruz and the Texas primary played the same role it did for Obama v Clinton in '08...that would be fun to live here.

[Mr. Morden]

Isn't that going to create some problems given the likely candidacy of his state's junior Senator as well?

It's the buddy system of presidential campaigns.  Like Bush-Rubio and Ryan-Walker in 2016, or Cain-Gingrich and Paul-Perry in 2012.

[Mr. Morden]

Isn't that going to create some problems given the likely candidacy of his state's junior Senator as well?

Wow if it came down to Perry vs Cruz and the Texas primary played the same role it did for Obama v Clinton in '08...that would be fun to live here.

Texas will be on Super Tuesday in 2016 (and of course, it has the most delegates of any Super Tuesday state), so yes, it'll presumably be important, regardless of whether Cruz or Perry is in the race at that point.

[CountryClassSF]

I think Perry has already started his comeback.  The Texas miracle should be felt throughout our nation - I would love for him to run and win. It was very disappointing last time with the debate performances, those have to be improved, rather handily

[Eraserhead]

He'd either have to stop taking drugs or start taking more of them.

[Torie]

A brain transplant.

[NewYorkExpress]

It's a good question...

1st; Cruz and Walker probably cannot run, and Bush and/or Rubio need to not run/flop

2nd; He needs to win Iowa and both Carolinas

3rd; He needs to win Florida and Texas

4th; He needs to be in the top three in New Hampshire.

No "White Knight" Candidates Run (John Thune, Kelly Ayotte etc.)

If I had to call a head to head matchup with Christie today, Christie would be the nominee, but by November 2015, January 2016 Christie could have fallen well out of favor with the GOP base.

[PiMp DaDdy FitzGerald]

Considering how the only jobs available in Texas are ones at Dairy Queen, I'm skeptical of the "Texas Miracle." If that is his record, then he is doomed unless the Democrats nominate a radical like Sanders or a hick like Schweitzer.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

An endorsement from Jesus.

[Bojack Horseman]

Hell to freeze over

[pbrower2a]

Reincarnation with more intelligence and rationality -- and a conscience.

[DINGO Joe]

Getting 239 prominent Republicans booked on a flight out of Malaysia.

[nuclearneo577]

Obama to actually start acting like a liberal.

[whanztastic]

I think Perry has already started his comeback.  The Texas miracle should be felt throughout our nation - I would love for him to run and win. It was very disappointing last time with the debate performances, those have to be improved, rather handily

You still believe in the "Texas miracle"?

[Indy Texas]

Isn't that going to create some problems given the likely candidacy of his state's junior Senator as well?

They don't like each other. Neither of them are going to be fazed by the fact that the other is running.

Expect Perry to try to distinguish himself from Cruz by being somewhat more populist on economic matters (kind of like when he called Mittens a "vulture capitalist"), being more conservative on social issues and mocking Cruz's shutdown antics. Expect Cruz to hit Perry on crony capitalism, his failed '12 campaign, and the various scandals during his tenure as governor.

[SteveRogers]

Whatever this Texas miracle may be, it is apparently something that can only be witnessed and comprehended by those outside of Texas.

[SPC]

Isn't that going to create some problems given the likely candidacy of his state's junior Senator as well?

They don't like each other. Neither of them are going to be fazed by the fact that the other is running.

Expect Perry to try to distinguish himself from Cruz by being somewhat more populist on economic matters (kind of like when he called Mittens a "vulture capitalist"), being more conservative on social issues and mocking Cruz's shutdown antics. Expect Cruz to hit Perry on crony capitalism, his failed '12 campaign, and the various scandals during his tenure as governor.

I was thinking more due to overlapping donor bases, but if they truly have mutually exclusive supporters within the Texas Republican Party that wouldn't be an issue.

[ajackson]

He was supremely unprepared in 2012 and it showed, but he didn't do anything that screamed "end of career". Choking in a primary debate or four isn't fatal, no huge "comeback" is needed.

[badgate]

He was supremely unprepared in 2012 and it showed, but he didn't do anything that screamed "end of career". Choking in a primary debate or four isn't fatal, no huge "comeback" is needed.

I agree.

While I think he will ultimately be drowned out by Cruz, Paul, Walker, and Christie, there's an outside chance he could do as well as he might have in 2012 had he been prepared.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

He lost in 2012, because of the rise if the tea party candidacy of Rick Santorum. If he can make the case against Paul or Cruz as the electable one, he can clearly make a run. However, it is very inconceivable, he won't beat Hilary, because of his anti amnesty rhetoric. He has to hope, to be prez, she doesn't run.

[President von Cat]

He lost in 2012, because of the rise if the tea party candidacy of Rick Santorum. If he can make the case against Paul or Cruz as the electable one, he can clearly make a run. However, it is very inconceivable, he won't beat Hilary, because of his anti amnesty rhetoric. He has to hope, to be prez, she doesn't run.

I think he lost because he jumped in at the last minute without much preparation and was horrible in the debates.

Re: OP question, nationwide amnesia.

[nolesfan2011]

He'd either have to stop taking drugs or start taking more of them.

This, he has no chance unless every candidate more likely to win than him totally stumbles in some manner or another. He'd run, place third or worse in Iowa and South Carolina and then drop out, just like 2012.

[Mister Mets]

He has to prove he's not a dum dum.

I wonder if that's why he's taken to wearing glasses.