(Image Source: Zuma Press)
BY ZACH TOOMBS
It’s goofy, it’s puzzling and, now, it’s gone viral. Footage of Rick Perry’s weekend speech in New Hampshire has pundits scratching their heads. CNN has the highlights.
“I mean, this is such a cool state. I mean, come on. Live free or die? You gotta love that, right?... I mean, everybody’s got a little slogan right? Mine’s cut, balance and grow. Get that... That little plan that I just shared with you doesn’t force the Granite State to expand your tax footprint, if you know what I mean.”
So what’s the explanation behind Perry’s loopy behavior? Several pundits, including a couple on FOX News, are speculating Perry might have been under the influence.
“That reminded me of me when I take an Ambien on a plane and have a Scotch... He is uncomfortable when he speaks in public. He has a problem debating -- we know this. What do you do? You lighten up, you loosen up with a couple of drinks. Maybe he was there a little too long, had three --”
“That looked much more like shrooms than it did alcohol.”
But Robert Costa of National Review says the rather animated speech might not have been a bad thing for the Perry campaign at all.
“It’s a little probably too humorous to continue at this level, but Rick Perry, if he can continue to have this kind of energy, he could connect in Iowa and see some momentum, because this is the Perry that did connect in Texas and that could connect in the early primary states, and we haven’t seen it in his stiff persona throughout these debates.”
Whether Perry was under the influence or just showing some enthusiasm, the speech provided plenty of ammo for late night comedy show hosts, including Jon Stewart of The Daily Show.
PERRY: “Today has been awesome, girl! -- are that! 20 percent flat tax. Put it on there, take your deductions off, send it in!”
STEWART: “Best case scenario: that dude’s hammered. Worst case scenario: that is Perry sobered and every time we’ve seen him previously he’s been hammered.”
But the director of the conservative group hosting the event told The Hill Perry was stone cold sober and not nearly as silly when he stepped off stage.
"I can tell you unequivocally he wasn’t drinking at the event and he hadn’t been drinking prior to the event. I was sitting with him, and I found him to be very engaging with all of the people he was talking with, he was very articulate."
Perry downplayed the speech’s goofiness Tuesday, telling CBS News he was simply showing a newfound energy on the campaign trail.
“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... I would suspect you’re going to see me very energized, very focused talking about a flat tax and being a consistent conservative and not a conservative of convenience.”
