Wayne Slater -
wslater@dallasnews.com
DEWITT Iowa When George W. Bush launched his presidential campaign in Iowa a decade ago his plane was dubbed Great Expectations." For Rick Perry its low expectations.
As Perry looked for voter support on the sidewalks of DeWitt on Tuesday a reporter asked whether he would continue the race if he doesnt finish at least third in Iowa in two weeks.
Im moving on" Perry said making it clear he intends to keep campaigning no matter what happens. Id like to finish first thats my goal. But where I finish is not as important as that we leave here and go to New Hampshire."
Perry brought what amounts to his Keep Hope Alive" tour to eastern Iowa this week a red white and blue bus festooned with the words Jobs. Faith. Freedom."
Perrys hope is to be a surprise finisher in Iowa. Once a front-runner himself until dismal debate performances relegated him to political purgatory Perry wants to beat expectations. Finishing third would allow him to make the case hes the comeback kid a Republican redeemed.
To that end hes engaged in a 44-town tour doing retailing campaigning.
This is what he does best. Hes in the zone" said Perrys regional field director Mike Thom.
Bill Nichols a 56-year-old B-52 pilot agreed. He comes across so much better one to one than he does on stage" said Nichols who chatted with Perry about airplanes at a DeWitt restaurant.
At a historic hotel in Maquoketa 61-year-old Len Ditch sat in the front row wearing a Perry for President sticker. He said he liked Perrys commercials in Iowa especially one recommending that Congress be made part-time. He liked another one advocating prayer in schools but questioned why Perry had included a reference to gays serving openly in the military.
I dont believe in the gay world. But I believe live and let live" he said.
Maquoketa resident Susan Ray came to hear Perry and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal who joined Perry on Tuesday for the bus tour. She left still leaning toward Romney.
At one point Perry stumbled over an explanation of his own tax-reform proposal that advocates a 20 percent flat tax and the elimination of numerous deductions. When a woman asked whether his plan would eliminate the $12500 standard exemption for individuals and dependents Perry said it would. Jindal threw him a lifeline whispering that in fact it doesnt.
Its always good to have Bobby here to correct me" Perry said.
Another voter grilled Perry on federal agricultural subsidies including ethanol which is politically popular in the corn-growing state. Perry doesnt support it which wasnt the answer many wanted to hear.
At one stop a man in a red seed-corn cap praised Perry for not tearing the Republican Party" apart by attacking his fellow Republicans. An hour later standing by his campaign bus and surrounded by media cameras Perry attacked fellow Republicans.
Newts been on the inside. Hes practically the grandfather of earmarks" he said then threw Romney in the mix. They both were for individual health care mandates at some point in time."
Perry said theres nothing wrong with attacks if theyre true. He also knows that if hes going to beat expectations hes going to have to beat somebody.
