ANOTHER RUMBLE, ANOTHER SHOW – AT 8:33 A.M. ET:  There will be another Republican debate this week, Thursday night to be exact.  It will be on Fox, and will mark the third outing for Rick Perry.

Perry was less than overwhelming in his last debate, often failing to present a coherent picture of his views, and appearing to lose steam as the debate progressed.  But he is known as a fast learner in campaigns, and we will be looking to see an improved performance.

Perry continues to lead in GOP polls, but we sense, in stories across the internet, that he's now beginning to get greater scrutiny, both positive and negative.  On the positive side, Perry comes off as genuine, strong-willed, and, yes, often compassionate.  On the negative side, both pundits and Republican insiders wonder about his electability.  He is, on paper, easy to run against – with a series of controversial statements about Social Security and Medicare, and a tendency to wear religion on his sleeve.  For many independents that may, unfairly or not, mark him as "strictly Texas."  From The Politico:

Last weekend, at a meeting of Pennsylvania Republicans in Harrisburg, there were unmistakable concerns that Perry atop the ticket could make life harder for candidates running down-ballot in the southeast region of the state, which encompasses Philadelphia and its vote-rich suburbs.

Most agreed that Romney would be an easier sell to the fiscally conservative, socially liberal voters who play an outsize role in deciding both statewide and swing district congressional races.

“I don’t think Rick Perry is going over real well in the southeast,” said suburban state Sen. John Rafferty, who’s running for state attorney general. “Romney would do better.”

Michael Meehan, the Philadelphia GOP leader and influential state party southeast caucus chairman, deadpanned of a Perry-leading ticket: “It wouldn’t be the first time that it’s every candidate for himself.”

Other Republicans from traditionally competitive states echo these concerns — but are hesitant to say so on the record out of fear of offending the potential nominee.

“I think Perry is just too hot,” said a longtime Ohio strategist, suggesting that Obama couldn’t scare swing voters about Romney the way he could with the Texan.

And yet, on the other hand, some Republicans say this is a "big theme" election, and that Republicans must nominate a man who paints with broad strokes, as Ronald Reagan did in 1980.  They point out that the Republican establishment was afraid of Reagan as well.

The problem, of course, is that Perry isn't Reagan.  Whether he can grow during the primaries is an open question.

As for Romney, he is on the attack, and he comes off well.  One thing about Romney, he is well prepared.  This will be a fascinating debate, with Romney hoping to level the field and Perry hoping to hang onto his lead.  Neither man, at this stage, has a lock on anything.

September 19, 2011