This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Had I not been aware of National Review writer Rich Lowry's right-wing lunacy, I might have thought he was actually satirizing the GOP's latest presidential frontrunner, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, instead of praising him ("Perry gives GOP race adrenalin shot," Opinion, Sept. 17).
For example, for a highly complex job that requires tact and diplomacy, Lowry claims Perry has an "allergy to nuance." While Lowry calls Perry's debate performances "uneven," he takes solace that Perry "never shies away from a fight" (great, another bellicose Texas governor).
Though Lowry admits Perry often makes "incendiary comments," he says Perry "never apologizes or sweats the details" (two traits we definitely want in a leader). Lowry does recognize that to become president, Perry will need to reach out to those "persuadables who don't value outrageousness for its own sake."
Most of these characterizations have to do with Perry's style; what about his policies? Well, Lowry blithely says that so far Perry's "campaign has no policy except generalized statements celebrating Texas and condemning the federal government."
And Perry's weaknesses? His biggest weakness, Lowry says, is when he's attacked and "can't fight back with brassy, crowd-pleasing one-liners."
Boy, with friends like Lowry …
Keller Higbee
Salt Lake City