Despite Media Hype Governor Rick Perry Still Leading The Pack

By Susan Duclos

As a voter, a conservative, I believe that when looking for a candidate to throw my support behind, I must determine what I see as important issues, very important issues and extremely important issues.

In other words, I prioritize.

Governor Rick Perry, by all accounts, underperformed in his debate appearances, which has led to the mainstream media prematurely announcing his political demise, but according to CNN polling, being a great debater may not fall under the "extremely important" category for more than just myself.

According to the survey, which was released Monday, 28 percent of Republicans and independents who lean towards the GOP say they support Perry as their party's presidential nominee, with Romney at 21 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is at ten percent, with Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who's making his third bid for the White House, former Godfather's Pizza CEO and radio talk show host Herman Cain, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, all at seven percent. The poll indicates that Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is at four percent, with former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania at three percent and former Utah Gov. and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman at one percent.

In 2008, America voted in a great debater, a smooth talker, a man who could give a good speech despite having no executive experience.... what we got was Barack Obama.

I seriously doubt the majority of Americans are happy with what has followed. In fact, polling averages show the majority disapproves of Obama's job performance and 72 percent of the country, on average, believes the country is on the wrong track.

We hear quote a bit about how Perry's stance on immigration is a huge disadvantage for him, a problem, but when looking at polls which ask respondents to prioritize, immigration falls well behind unemployment, economy, federal budget deficit and healthcare.

By The Numbers:

CNN/ORC Poll. Aug. 5-7, 2011. N=1,008 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.
"Which of the following is the most important issue facing the country today? The economy. The federal budget deficit. Health care. The situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Illegal immigration. Terrorism. Policies toward gays and lesbians." Options rotated
			%
	The economy		60
	The federal budget deficit		16
	Health care		9
	Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya		5
	Illegal immigration		4
	Terrorism		3
	Policies toward gays, lesbians		1
	Other (vol.)		1
	Unsure		1

Bloomberg National Poll conducted by Selzer & Company. June 17-20, 2011. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.
"Which of the following do you see as the most important issue facing the country right now? Unemployment and jobs. Government spending. The federal deficit. Health care. The war in Afghanistan. Gas prices. Immigration. Taxes." Options rotated
			%
	Unemployment and jobs		42
	Government spending		17
	The federal deficit		13
	Health care		10
	War in Afghanistan		5
	Gas prices		4
	Immigration		3
	Taxes		1
	Other (vol.)		2
	Unsure		3

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). May 15-17, 2011. N=910 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.
"Which one of the following issues do you think the president and Congress should focus on right now? The economy and jobs. The deficit and government spending. Health care. Terrorism and national security. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Immigration." Options rotated
			%
	Economy and jobs		50
	Deficit and government spending		22
	Health care		8
	Terrorism and national security		5
	Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan		4
	Immigration		2
	All (vol.)		7
	None/Other (vol.)		1
	Unsure		1

CBS News/New York Times Poll. Sept. 10-15, 2011. N=1,452 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.
"What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?" Open-ended
			%
	Economy		59
	Budget deficit/National debt		8
	Health care		3
	Partisan politics		3
	Poverty/Homelessness		2
	War/Iraq/Afghanistan		2
	Politicians/Government		2
	Big government/Bureaucracy		2
	Other		18
	Unsure		1

Poll numbers above obtained from Polling Report.


More numbers from Gallup and Rasmussen.

Need I continue?

Immigration may be Perry's weak suit and he may not be a great debater, but if he stays strong on the issues that the majority of Americans consider to be priorities, he will do just fine.

I disagree with Perry on his immigration stance but my priorities are unemployment, national deficit and government budget.

No candidate is going to perfectly match your opinion on every single topic, so determine your priorities then decide accordingly as to which candidate you are going to support.

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