Rick Perry, in Silicon Valley, defends NH speech

[alp227]

Source: SF Chron

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, on a fundraising swing in Silicon Valley, spoke at length for the first time today about his eyebrow-raising address in New Hampshire last week that's gone viral on the Internet, saying it was "a pretty typical speech for me" and flatly denying suggestions that he seemed to be on medication or under the influence of alcohol.

On the spot that's become a hit on California-based YouTube, Perry, a Republican candidate for president, deadpanned that "we tried to recruit them to Texas, you know - as we did Facebook and eBay."

The clip shows Perry mugging, joking and playing with the audience as he describes New Hampshire's motto, "Live Free or Die" as "cool" and appears to collapse in giggles over a gift of maple syrup.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Chronicle in his suite at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose before a pair of fundraisers, Perry said: "I've probably given 1,000 speeches. There are some that have been probably boring, some that have been animated, some that have been in between."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/02/MN4M1LP682.DTL&ao=all

[russspeakeasy]

1. He had two choices; defend it, or say he was drunk.

He picked the wrong one.

[No Elephants]

4. I recommend that Democrats take him at his word.

[Little Tich]

2. Well, he appears to be drunk to me.

I could almost smell the fumes through the computer screen.

[No Elephants]

3. I believe ya, Rick. That is who you are all the time. A pandering, clueless clown.

Exactly why you shouldn't be President of anything.


Not only should you drop out of the Presidential race, you should resign as Governor. '''

[chalky]

5. If I were you, I'd plead intoxication, Rick.

I mean, do you REALLY want America knowing that's the real you?

[callous taoboy]

6. Seems to be channeling Jack Nicholson's "Shining" character at times.

Perry is one weird, moronic fellow.

[Martin Eden]

7. I thought a commentatator was spot-on when he said ...

... it looked like Rick Perry was doing an impression of Will Ferrell doing an impression of George W Bush :crazy:

[sarcasmo]

8. Deny, the only way the republicans know how to defend a scandal.