Texas Gov. Rick Perry continues to lead in the polls since entering the GOP field of presidential candidates. Boston University social science professor Tom Whalen, an expert in American politics and the American presidency, gives his view on what Perry’s surge means:
“I think the Perry surge is more about Mitt Romney dropping the ball politically. He was the front runner and now, all of a sudden, Rick Perry occupies that space in the Republican Party. And the reason is that GOP voters are not satisfied with Romney as an alternative or Michele Bachmann. Rick Perry, by default, is the front runner because conservatives in the party feel familiar with him, comfortable with him as a candidate.”
Contact Whalen at 978-888-3131; tjw64@comcast.net
