Rick Perry’s really bad day

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Donald was so impressed with Governor Goodhair Rick Perry that he couldn't remember his name.

Rick Perry is "proud" of his record 234 executions as governor of Texas; he was hoping to put another notch in his belt today. But Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia — yes, Scalia — issued a rare stay of execution from the U.S. Supreme Court. Daily Kos: Justice Scalia helps prevent a Rick Perry execution:

[T]he question isn't whether Duane Buck was guilty: he was. It's whether the process used to determine his sentence complied with the Constitution's guarantee that even murderers receive equal protection of the laws.

* * *

Because Texas in in the Fifth Circuit, emergency petitions to the Supreme Court go to Justice Antonin Scalia.  (See this helpful So You Think You Might Be Executed primer which the Supreme Court makes available.)

And rather than deny the application himself—which he can do and you might have expected—Justice Scalia referred the case to the full Court and at around 9 PM last night, this Order issued:

The application for stay of execution of sentence of death presented to Justice Scalia and by him referred to the Court is granted pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari. Should the petition for a writ of certiorari be denied, this stay shall terminate automatically. In the event the petition for a writ of certiorari is granted, the stay shall terminate upon the sending down of the judgment of this Court.

Translation: a majority of the Court believed that there was a reasonable probability that at least four of them would want to review the merits of the case, that irreparable harm would occur if no stay was granted, and that there was a fair prospect that the Court would conclude, on review, that the decision below was wrong. If it turns out that there aren't four votes to review the case, then the Court will lift the stay and Rick Perry can do what he sees fit.

Then there is his Texas "jobs miracle" (mostly government jobs) that Rick Perry has been touting. Just as I've posted several times previously debunking this myth, the Texas "jobs miracle" is just a heat stroke-induced "mirage." First Read – Latest Texas jobs figures shows net jobs loss, unemployment highest in 24 years:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's efforts to tout his record on jobs and the economy as a centerpiece of his presidential campagn took a hit today with new figures from one of his own state agencies: They show the Texas unemployment rate increased to 8.5% in August — the highest level in more than 24 years and more than twice the rate when Perry took office in December 2000.

The new unemployment rate for Texas is still below the national average of 9.1%. But the new figures from the Texas Workforce Commission included some disturbing trends: There was a net jobs loss of 1,300 in Texas during the month of August, even worse than than the latest national figures showing zero job growth.

While the private sector did add 8,100 jobs in Texas during August, this was more than offset by a shrinking public sector resulting in the loss of 9,400 government jobs, state figures show. 

That's what your budget cutting "austerity" will do to your so-called "jobs miracle," Governor. Those numbers will continue to grow worse as budget cuts take effect.

Rick Perry's doubling down on his assertion that social security is a Ponzi scheme — he did it again today ‘Ponzi’ Is Back! Perry Doubles Down On Social Security Attacks In Iowa (VIDEO) – demonstrating that he is an economics ignoramous, is costing him support in a head-to-head matchup with President Obama. Perry’s Problem: Move To The Right On Social Security, Move To The Bottom In The General Election: 

Gallup released new data on Friday that shows self-identified independents and even some GOP voters are cool to Perry’s statement that Social Security is a “ponzi sceme”: 32 percent of independents said Perry’s characterization make them less likely to vote for him, and 19 percent of GOP voters said the same. Their polling also showed that a plurality of both populations said this postion on the popular program will hurt Perry’s chances in the general election, essentially reaffirming the decades old adage that it’s the Third Rail of American politics.

* * *

The polling has shown that Perry’s rise to the front of the GOP pack has not been a flavor of the month situation. He’s entrenched himself with key conservative and tea party constituencies, and has built a lead in state polling of first primary/caucus states like Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina. The Texas Gov. has also shown his credibility as a hard right conservative on social issues as well, something inherent to his southern Republican status and form fitting to the GOP mold.

But this latest run of tepid support for his statements on Social Security has called into question his electability against Obama. That’s why its made such good fodder for previous frontrunner Mitt Romney: it’s a win for him to push back against Perry for support within the GOP primary, but supporting Social Security also makes him much more appealing in the general election.

So it seems that getting to know Rick Perry has forked: he’s shown his conservative chops and captured some lightning in the GOP race, but he’s doing so at the risks of poisoning his prospects in a general — if he can get there. And it’s only September… of 2011.

Governor Goodhair's support from Tea-Publicans is based upon their belief that he is most electable against Obama. But if Perry continues to slide in polls against Obama, his "electability" will be called into question and become a liability. And Tea-Publicans will again go in search of yet another savior.