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The Hill Reports: Rick Perry Challenges Nancy Pelosi To A Debate

by Tommy Christopher | 9:34 am, November 17th, 2011

» 53 comments

I literally had to triple-check this to make sure it wasn’t some spoof site set up to look like The Hill, but it is the real deal. The Hill‘s GOP12 blog is reporting that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has challenged House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to…a debate. Yes, that Rick Perry.

It gets better, though. The site has obtained a letter from Gov. Perry, to Leader Pelosi, in which he challenges her to said debate on Monday in Washington, or if that doesn’t work…someplace in Iowa.

Here’s Perry’s invitation to Pelosi, via GOP12:(full letter here)

“I am in Washington Monday and would love to engage you in a public debate about my Overhaul Washington plan versus the congressional status quo.

I think it would be a tremendous service to the American public to see a public airing of those differences. Let the people decide.

If Monday doesn’t work, perhaps we could find a time in Iowa over the course of the next month to discuss these issues in front of the people of America’s heartland.”

Perry’s plan, which calls for Congress’ pay to be cut in half, along with their time in Washington, drew sharp criticism from House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer. He accused Perry of “pandering to the Tea Party,” and questioned the seriousness of the plan. Perry’s letter to Pelosi is pegged to Hoyer’s “outburst over my ‘Overhauling Washington’ plan.”

Aside from the dubious merits of his plan, this debate idea makes about as much sense as 1986-era Bill Buckner challenging Ozzie Smith to a nationally televised game of pepper. The thing Perry should least be trying to remind people of, at this point, is his performance in debates, and there’s really no upside to such a challenge.

If he’s serious about this, which means he thinks Pelosi actually will drop everything on Monday (fingers crossed), and that he can beat her in such a debate, the best case scenario is that he pulls off a Bayonne Bleeder-style upset against an opponent he’s not even running against. More than likely, Pelosi blows him off, and he just looks weak and desperate. Worst case: Pelosi accepts, and destroys him like a womp rat.

On the other hand, if this is just a publicity stunt, it serves only to remind people of his weakness in debates, and fosters a perception that he’s trying to look tough next to someone he’s not even running against.

Perry’s plan is an obvious ploy to exploit record dissatisfaction with Congress, and it might have had some political impact if he hadn’t gotten sidetracked into a feud with Steny Hoyer. Instead, he’s punching down at members of the House minority, and losing.

(h/t TPC)

Nancy Pelosi, Rick Perry, Steny Hoyer, The Hill

Anonymous

Bad idea Rick. What are you going to debate on? Looks? Hairdresser or shampoo choice?
http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

Amazing. This crew is priceless.
Anonymous

*sigh* she’ll really just embarrass him.
Anonymous

Good idea Rick, you have proven yourself to be a master debater.
Concerned Citizen

Another day another hit piece on republicans by DNC member Tommy Christopher. Tommy here is a challenge, I know you think liberals/Obama can do no wrong but how about trying to do some stories about your side ie; (Solyndra emails, prez thinking he is in asia, fannie freddie bonuses Obama has no problem with, fast and furious and the fact that over 40 congressman have called for Holder to resign, how about the radical lawyers that are representing the OWS movement). But you MO is you will do maybe a negative story on libs/dems a week but not really have any contempt in your writing and then say “Look I’m fair, I write about both sides”. You are a joke and a big part of what is wrong in America.
Jonathan Cantor

I could see him losing and then challenging her to a duel.
groundmosfet

I think, Perry may have touched a freaking nerve ahhhhh.

You are forgiven, now go and take a cup of coffee to clear your head.
Anonymous

Yeah Perry has had some debate flubs … but it’s not like Pelosi is good at making a case for her policies in a debate setting.

Remember “We have to pass the healthcare bill in order to see what’s in it” Oh Pelosi… you make me laugh. Its hard for her to laugh cuz of all the botox, though. Her face is frozen.
Anonymous

A Chuck Wepner and Bill Buckner reference . Yesterday, there was a mention of Lawrence Welk and Fred Flintstone . This is why I never miss a T.C. article.
Anonymous

This actually makes a lot sense, since neither appear to seriously be running for President.
http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

Lol!! Perry is kidding right?? He better be, because Pelosi would mop the floor with Perry in a debate!!
Anonymous

Don’t hold your breath…Tommy is probably the most biased wannabee journalist in the lame stream!!

He is on a seek and destroy mission to earn atta boys from the DNC!!

We have all just learned to take anything he says with a biased grain of a salt!!

Seriously, does anyone give Tommy ANY credibility anymore?
Norbit

And she’ll have to have the debate, before she knows what’s in the debate.

Kick her a-s Rickster!
Norbit

SHE’LL COWER! – like any other snivelling Demo9crat, and let their whore media get her out of it!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Larson/1589499840 Eric Larson

Get the popcorn! May be the best comedy of the year!
Anonymous

Yes, that’s it, Perry touched a nerve. Kinda like how libruls made fun of ParaSailing because we were afraid of her.
Anonymous

Yup, TC is a HUGE part of what is wrong with America.

Hannity/Limbaugh/Levin/etc. are shining examples of all that is wonderful about this country. And as American as Apple Pie.
Anonymous

Yawn.
Johnnyohness

Pelosi would make him look like stewed chicken, and have him for lunch.

That’s one debate I would pay to see.

If they decide to debate invest in pop-corn stock. It’s going to go through the roof.

Extra butter anyone?
http://twitter.com/TommyBennett Tom Bennett

god, you are a loser. I’m mean you, norbit, not god.
http://twitter.com/TommyBennett Tom Bennett

I would love to see that. hilarious.
Johnnyohness

Look if you want to hear the Dems slammed, just turn on Fox or most any radio talk show. True they make it up as they go along,…but there you have it.

Just because this reporter revels Perry’s challenge to Pelosi you call it a hit piece?

I guess just mentioning what Rep’s say and do is so embarrassing just exposing it is an considered a hit?.
groundmosfet

ahhh you are writing out of emotion instead of reason. Wobbler .
Johnnyohness

Pelosi is a walking talking encyclopedia on policy and political history. She has to much class to publicly emasculate this Texas idiot.

I would throw the biggest party you’ve ever seen to watch it though.

I said,…..more popcorn anyone?
Anonymous

“ahhh”

I, for one, don’t want to know what you’re writing out of.
One pissed off liberal

He may debate the merits of reading a bill prior to passing it.
groundmosfet

I think I might have touched a freaking nerve.

Ahhhhh, that’s why you should go and cool your head. You seem to be angry all the time.
One pissed off liberal

They don’t claim to be journalists..fool.
Anonymous

If you need coffee to clear your head, them am sorry to bust your bubble. I think you might have a problem.
Anonymous

Tommy’s late to the game. It’s already be stated that Nancy denied Perry.

http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2011/11/17/pelosi-rejects-perrys-debate-invite/
Anonymous

Rent-free.
Anonymous

Nerve struck.
Anonymous

Hey buddy!
Texan

Nancy will be busy at the botox salon.
Anonymous

Huh? Wtf? He wants to run for president by debating the house minority leader? Clearly the guy has no idea what is going on. LOL.
Anonymous

Why would Rick Perry want to debate Nancy Pelosi? Is he running for the speaker job in congress or the president of the US?
Anonymous

Holder must be doing a pretty decent job if ONLY 40 REPUBLICANS in congress asked him to resign. Actually, those 40 republicans are probably part of the ‘insider trading’ group that Holder might be exposing at any time.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000830775854 Leon Elledge

Great ! The two worst speakers in the least watched debate. A broadcasters nightmare.!
Just some Blow Hard…

Biased? So you don’t like biased reporting or the ones where the bias disagrees with yours?

Also wannabe journalist? Last I checked, he gets paid. So that makes him a journalist. Unlike some who post right biased comments on message boards with out being paid.

Just sayin.
Just some Blow Hard…

yeah, he will totally kick her ass. He has done so well in the republican… uh… um… oops.
Anonymous

Another scrotumless little man self-destructs.
LarryLinn

Perry would lose in the duel as well!
AliveStillKickin

I’ll bet you 10 to 1 that you can’t post “Pelosi” and “class” in the same sentence with a straight face.
That would be like calling her an attractive ogre..
Nick O’Teen

Perry wouldn’t stand a chance in a debate with Pelosi, even if he brought that gun he’d loose.
Anonymous

Breaking News: Token Cain has challenged Gabby Giffords to a debate.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_U7T5LVIQK7AMIBM5WI765VDVDQ smald4lib

Both parties are bought and paid for……………When Pelosi was in charge Congress had a 40% favorable rating and when the TP down grade came into office, well, it’s at 9%. Quite a difference when government is working, wouldn’t you say? Rock on 99………………..You have a chance with the Dems but they are still in the tank with the corporate party of 1%.
Anonymous

A Perry-Pelosi debate would be like Kim Kardashian debating Terri Schiavo.
Anonymous

What? Perry debating Pelosi? HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa – Cough! HaHaHaHaHaHaHa- Hack!-HaHaHaHaHaHa- Choke!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IC7HRBJRXKA7IKTTZS5W3UIECQ Agent of Truth

He really just wants to get her in bed with him. Thats all…..
Anonymous

Kind of misleading. It spiked up to near 40% for a short time. From 1999 to 2006 it was above 40% most of the time. 2006 the steady decline begin. Congressional disapproval presently is around high 80′s for both parties. And that’s key – both parties and independents. So you could make the argument that under Pelosi the real downward trend began.
Anonymous

Yes Pelosi is a real scholar: “we have to pass it to see what’s in it.” Is the CIA lying? “ah, ah, yes.” But facts show otherwise. She did know and she convenietly forgot…again.
http://societyfordaintydamsels.wordpress.com Fennel

Good luck Rick you’ll need it. A headless chicken could beat in a debate.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Weiss/100000817744695 Jeff Weiss

Oh please let this happen! I’ll watch it. Rick just wants to debate three things. His plan to overhaul Washington. The increase in the national debt. And……umm,….. umm,…. (crickets) EPA! ….oops.