Rick Perry shows up in new glasses at RedState gathering

By Wayne Slater

August 3, 2013—New Orleans--Rick Perry didn’t look like the same politician of two years ago at the RedState conservative blogger conference on Saturday.

For one thing, when the Texas governor showed up in New Orleans, he was wearing black horn rimmed glasses that are new to his appearance.

Gee, we hardly noticed. Nice try, Grover, but stupid is stupid with or without an astigmatism.

For another, he was wearing dress shoes.

Two years ago, when he launched his presidential bid with an announcement at a summer RedState gathering, he wore his trademark cowboy boots.

But back surgery has made him cut back on the boots.

Did it affect his eyesight, too?

Rick Perry, sporting new horn rimmed glasses, addresses RedState gathering Saturday.

Oh, I get it! He just can't stop reading the Classics well into the night, causing eye strain. Right, Grover?

If Perry looked a little different, some things don’t change--like recalling numbers or geography.

Touting Texas, Perry declared, “There are many other states that embrace those conservative values, the approach we’ve taken over the years. I’m in one today—Florida.”

No! No! Perry, don't mention the state!

“We’re in Louisiana,” someone shouted.

Too late!

Perry is considering running again for president in 2016 and his speech Saturday sounded a lot like a man trying to hold his place in line.

S**t! He probably figures if Bush pulled it off he can.

In elections to come, he said, Americans will have to make a decision which direction they want to go–a blue state path like California and New York or a red state path like Texas.

Good! He's got his colors memorized.

“I think there are some extraordinary men and women in our party that are going to be able to go out and explain that in a powerful and dynamic way over the course of the next few years as we lay out the vision for America. Which one of these do you want? I’m going to do my part.”

RedState founder Erick Erickson praised Perry to activists attending the two-day conference as the governor who shot a coyote while jogging and “made Wendy Davis sit down.”

Davis’ filibuster helped kill an abortion bill, forcing Perry to call lawmakers back for another legislative session to pass it.

If Erickson’s introduction was warm, some delegates clearly had doubts about Perry’s prospects should he decide to run for president again.

Why?

“The media will tear him apart,” said Al Jeanfreau of Tammany Parish north of New Orleans.

Oh, don't be such a worry wart. Relax.

Ronny Potts, a retired military officer who recently moved to Florida from Corpus Christi, doesn’t see Perry as a serious contender for the GOP nomination next time.

Comic relief?

“I don’t think he has a chance,” said Potts. He predicted 2016 on the GOP side will come down to a choice between Ted Cruz and Ron Paul.

Even if he runs as Clark Kent?