At last minute, Perry pulls out of DeMint forum - Organizers shocked

[jefferson_dem]

NOTE: Right wing nutbag source below but figured that would be a good place for perspective on this latest turn in the right wing nutbag nomination process.

At last minute, Perry pulls out of DeMint forum
by Byron York Chief Political Correspondent

COLUMBIA, S.C.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry surprised the organizers of today's Palmetto Freedom Forum by withdrawing from the event just hours before it is scheduled to begin. Put together by Sen. Jim DeMint, who is widely acknowledged as a kingmaker in the Republican race in South Carolina, the event, set for 3 p.m. today, will feature candidates Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich in an unconventional question-and-answer format with DeMint, Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King, and Princeton University professor Robert George.

According to several sources familiar with events, the chairman of Perry's campaign in South Carolina, former Republican party chief Katon Dawson, called organizers this morning to say that Perry needs to return to Texas to deal with quickly-spreading wildfires. Event organizers offered to move the schedule around -- the candidates were scheduled to speak in alphabetical order at the forum, which would have put Perry second-to-last -- and waited for Perry's response. The first definitive reports they heard on Perry's decision came from the media. In the meantime, Perry was participating in a town hall event in Myrtle Beach, S.C. organized by Rep. Tim Scott. Perry was scheduled to speak personally with DeMint at 11:15 a.m., at which time he would officially withdraw from the forum. Perry has a plane waiting in Myrtle Beach to return him to Texas.

Organizers were shocked at the turn of events. "This is a big disappointment to me," says Rep. King. Meanwhile, rival campaigns are careful in what they say, even on background. Some of Perry's rivals have predicted for quite a while that he would perform unimpressively when up against his fellow candidates, both here in South Carolina and at the Reagan Library debate on Wednesday. From that perspective, they viewed Perry's decision as a move to avoid a problem. On the other hand, the fires in Texas are serious, and as governor Perry has a responsibility to his state's citizens, and they do not want to criticize a governor for doing his job.

In any event, Perry's absence will change the dynamics of DeMint's event. Romney initially declined to attend but later changed his mind after Perry made quick gains in support among Republicans both in South Carolina and nationwide. Would Romney have decided to come if Perry hadn't? That seems unlikely. What remains to be seen is whether Romney and the other candidates will criticize Perry's decision or let his absence speak for itself.

http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/last-minute-perry-pulls-out-demint-forum

[jefferson_dem]

1. Jim DeMint "disappointed" that Perry is skipping his forum

Jim DeMint tells me he is "disappointed" that Perry is skipping his forum and that those attending the forum will be disappointed too.

DeMint says he understands Perry needs to get back to TX to deal w/ fires, but offered a sked change that would have only delayed him 1 hr

http://twitter.com/#!/jonkarl

[GoCubsGo]

2. I was wondering why the stench down here got a wee bit lighter.

I live on the other side of the state from Myrtle Beach, and I can smell their stink from here.

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Why would this be unrec'd?

:shrug:

The New DU, where only Democrats are dumped on. :eyes:

[gristy]

6. Horrible, horrible, horrible!!

:P

[TexasTowelie]

4. But the wildfires are on the other side of Austin from where his rental mansion is located. nt

[GreenStormCloud]

11. There are over twenty wildfires at many locations in Texas

You can find them on a map here: http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=31.48489&lon=-100.41504&zoom=6&type=map&units=english&top=fire&rad=0&wxsn=0&svr=0&cams=0&sat=0&riv=0&mm=0&hur=0&fire=1&fire.sat=1&fire.smk=1&fire.day=1&fire.day=7&fire.hrmin=0&fire.hrmax=24&fire.opa=70&fire.mode=0&tor=0&ndfd=0&pix=0&dir=0&ads=0&tfk=0&ski=0

The ones with smoke trails are really big. The one by Bastrop is has a 16 mile front and is six miles deep.

[jefferson_dem]

5. Haha... Ooopsie... Flip-Flop: Perry trying to participate in DeMint forum from Texas

Perry trying to participate in DeMint forum from Texas

By: CNN Political Reporter Peter Hamby

Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry is returning home to handle the growing threat of wildfires there, but his campaign says he is still trying to make arrangements to participate remotely in Sen. Jim DeMint's presidential forum in South Carolina.

"It is my understanding that he has tried to speak with Sen. DeMint and we are trying to make arrangements to do this from Austin," Katon Dawson, Perry's South Carolina campaign chairman, told CNN.

Perry spoke in South Carolina on Monday morning at a town hall hosted by Rep. Tim Scott but had to cancel his appearance at the afternoon DeMint forum because of the fire situation in Texas.

"Rick Perry is certainly the governor of Texas first and foremost and a candidate for president second," Dawson said. "The circumstances surrounding this impending catastrophic event in Texas have changed and Gov. Perry is returning to Texas."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/05/perry-trying-to-participate-in-demint-forum-from-texas/

[Politicalboi]

7. I bet Perry will

Be busy till Thursday fighting the fire himself. He will probably miss Wednesday's debate too.

[COLGATE4]

9. No- he wants to be on via webcam, so he can be seen in his

shirt sleeves rolled up, fighting the wildfires in Texas himself.

[MadMaddie]

12. Ah the ole raking the brush thing...

cept Perry fought to cut funding for those that fight wildfires...yea, not working out so well for him

[beac]

8. He's trying to get some of the Palinesque quitter-no-show mojo! n/t

[Melissa G]

10. Perry is a CHICKEN and terrified of debates

Ask Bill White whom he never debated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaw-Ayuj7v0

[GreenStormCloud]

13. Take a look at this DU thread about the fires.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1882522

[Bake]

14. True on two levels ...

Demented wants to be a "kingmaker," and the GOP wants a KING.

Bake

[mwb970]

15. I figured Perry had to go home and pray the fires away. /nt

[leftynyc]

16. Wont be surprised

if he uses this excuse to get out of the debate on Wed.

[notGaryOldman]

17. That'll cost him.

DeMint has never been accused of having a small ego.