Probably Not The Best Way To Get A Vote

Before I begin writing I just want to add a disclaimer. The views expressed in this ad are very far from my own so I would ask that if you watched the link above and you disagree you do not aim your attacks at me.  I posted this because there is a personal story tied to this advertisement. Some might find it comical others offensive so for those of you out there who are afraid of conflict this isn't the blog for you.

Alright so now that that is out of the way I shall begin.  For those of you who haven't yet done so I would ask that you click on the link above and watch the video above. Alright now assuming that you have done so let me introduce to those of you who don't already know him, Texas Governor Rick Perry.  Gov. Perry is in the race to gain the GOP nomination for the 2012 presidential race.  He is an outspoken opponent of the Obama administration, a staunch conservative, and as we can see, a very poor rhetor.

Before I go further into that previous statement I want to tell you the story of how I discovered this.... how should I put this... unusual piece of political propaganda.  My roommate and I were sitting in our dorm one day, some weeks ago watching TV.  Both of us consider ourselves republicans but neither are very conservative, swaying more towards the moderate view of things.  We don't discuss politics often, although the subject has been broached on occasion so we both know each others view. So needless to say that when this commercial popped up on the screen, the two of us both turned to stare wide-eyed at the other. This was followed by a sudden burst of laughter, and then a deep discussion of the usual, "what is this country going too?" "its people like that, that's going to drive us back to the dark ages" "are you going to eat that"... you know the important questions one asks after witnessing such an event as this... piece of work.  Needless to say neither of us were very much impressed with Gov. Perry. My roommate being a navy man himself, found this especially amusing as it seems the dear Governor was trying to appeal to those in the military.

Needless to say as a rhetor Gov. Perry is no expert. He not only succeed in pushing away the audience he was trying to target, he proceeded to insult and segregate the 17% of non-christian Americans as well as the 4% that identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual (abc.com news pole). Though these numbers seem insignificant by secluding these groups Perry gives Obama a 21% lead, providing he is the GOP candidate.  Besides this he has refused to take into account people like my roommate and I who clear see this commercial as a very intolerant and rather frightening foreshadowing of what is to come, if he becomes president.  He is not only driving off a large portion of the voting intentionally, he unintentionally drives off the very people he should be trying to sway to his position. Conservatives will already vote for him so wouldn't the politically smart thing be to try to sway the vote of the moderates who make up a large percentage of his own party?  This commercial is a perfect example of why it is wise to choose your wording carefully.  Perry has focused on a very small and very secluded group of christian conservatives, simply by using the incorrect wording.

Today Governor Perry is no real contender in the race. After making ignorant and rather offensive comments on the Turkish involvement in global Terrorism, he is being called to drop out of the race by many, including those from his own state of Texas. Yet another slip up for the Gov and all because he doesn't understand the importance of proper rhetoric.