'Felt good, felt great': Rick Perry dismisses accusations he was intoxicated during animated New Hampshire address

A video of Texas Governor Rick Perry’s Friday speech in New Hampshire became a popular online and cable television attraction, with viewers drawn in by the Republican presidential candidate’s animated performance.

Footage of the unusually expressive, rambling and sometimes even incoherent address prompted concerns from his fans and criticism from his opponents.

But the governor said today he 'felt good, felt great' during the weekend event, suggesting the video could have been manipulated to smear his image.

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Thumbs up: Rick Perry was unusually expressive and waved his arms enthusiastically when he gave his speech in New Hampshire

Hiding: Participants said he appeared drunk or on some form of medication as the pitch and tone of his voice changed

Speaking to reporters at Drake’s Diner in Des Moines today, Perry said: 'It was a great crowd. Good response, and I guess you can do anything you want with a video and make it look any way you want, but I felt good, felt great. I think the message got across very well, so it was a good speech.'

Audience members at the speech to the Cornerstone Action group said the Texas governor appeared extremely excited when he talked about the tax code, Herman Cain, the New Hampshire state slogan and even at one stage maple syrup.

Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas told Huffington Post after the speech: 'It was different', but added he had never seen anything like it before.

A Perry spokesman explained in an e-mail: 'The Governor is passionate about the issues he talks about.'

But those in attendance said that passion is not a word to describe his performance - off the wall, bizarre and rambling though, were more adequate.

Mimics: He joked with the audience and seemed very energetic and off the wall with some of his comments and actions

Uncanny: Sweat glistened from his forehead and at times he appeared uncomfortable and incoherent

One Republican operative who watched the video called it 'strange and peculiar', and said it could prove fatal to Perry's campaign.

Others questioned whether he was on medication or if he had had a few drinks before he came on stage.

Nevertheless, the governor appeared uncomfortable and erratic in parts and sweat glistened on his forehead, his tone and pitch verge from the manic to the sombre and subdued as he put on strange voices and waved his arms in the air during the 20-minute speech.

Cornerstone Executive Director Kevin Smith, however, told The Hill Perry drank 'only water' in the period leading up to his address, and was shocked by the reaction from those who criticised the performance.

He said: 'When I started seeing all of the blog stuff going up on Sunday and the video going viral it caught me by surprise. He was definitely more animated than we’ve seen him during the campaign but the reports that he was buzzed or whatever never crossed any of our minds.'







