“Oops.”

I can already see this word being repeated consistently within the media now that Rick Perry has put himself in the running to be the Republican candidate for President in 2016. This, of course, refers to Perry’s cringeworthy brain-lapse during the 2012 Republican debates.

“Oops” is a small word that will haunt Perry in a big way. Typing “Rick P” into the YouTube search bar causes that word to pop up almost instantly, but it’s a word that follows him around because that’s how you could accurately sum up his first attempt at a Presidential campaign. Between that embarrassment, an angry confrontation with Ron Paul, and his “Strong” campaign promo that did him no favors – especially within the realm of pop culture – Rick Perry’s toughest opponent to overcome for his desired 2016 job will be Rick Perry.

But Perry, by no means, should be written off. Before his loss in ’12, Perry had never lost. He even began his political career as a Democrat, and switched over to being a Republican without losing any momentum. He became governor of Texas in 2000, and remained in that position until earlier this year, making him the longest-serving governor in Texas history, and one of the best at knowing how to wield it.

During his time as governor, Texas experienced one of the largest financial booms in the nation due to his courting of private industry and keeping taxes very low, while improving Texas infrastructure dramatically. Perry is also an advocate of personal freedoms typically not seen in Republicans, like decriminalizing marijuana.

Perry is an advocate for states’ rights. He’s also been huge on second amendment freedoms, and proved it to a coyote that attacked his daughter’s dog while out on a jog.

Despite his accomplishments, Perry is haunted by more than just “oops.” He once forced vaccinations for HPV on girls, but later retracted that as a “mistake.” He then went on to sign a bill that allowed parents to opt out of vaccinating their children should they choose to. Many still believe that Perry advocated for Texas’s secession from the U.S., and though this was proven a mischaracterization, it’s not something that was corrected very publicly. Perry also increased Texas’s public sector debt exponentially.

Many of the things I listed above can be viewed as good or bad, depending on where you sit on certain issues. You can find reasons to love and hate him. He’s a man that has the approval of both Jeb Bush and Rand Paul, who sit on two different sides of the right-wing spectrum.



Source: Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

The thing to remember is that Perry didn’t get to be the longest running governor in Texas (and arguably most powerful in the U.S.) because of dumb luck. Perry made mistakes and, as he has said himself, he’s learned from them. The abilities that made him a good politician may very well overpower his previous errors if he plays his cards right. He has a powerful platform as the overseer of one of the most successful states in a nation plagued by bad federal policies. He has establishment AND Tea Party fans. His libertarian sensibilities on certain social issues are starting to shine through, which will make him and his hipster glasses more attractive to millennial voters. He may very well be this election season’s Republican dark horse.

I do think there’s this nebulous feeling about voting for Perry. Many would readily elect him, but only should their first picks fall through. As the likes of Paul or Bush battle it out, Perry will likely sit as an understudy for both in the minds of a good share of Americans. Texans themselves either love him or hate him, but even some of those I’ve talked to who hate him tend to end their conversations with: “But I’d rather see him in office than X.”

I’m too hesitant to write off or have confidence in Perry’s 2016 run. He’s too ornery of a politician, and he’s hired some real Republican muscle. This might help him, and he’ll need it. He doesn’t want 2016 to look anything like 2012. He’ll need to make that a different Perry in the minds of many.

Despite the hype and/or hate, Perry will be one of the more interesting candidates to watch this coming primary.

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Brandon Morse has been writing about politics and culture across many websites for the last six years, with a heavy emphasis on anti-authoritarianism. Aside from writing articles, he is also known for voice acting and authoring scripts. He is an avid gamer, dog person, and has a bad habit of making vague references to things no one has heard about or seen. Follow him at @TheBrandonMorse on Twitter.

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