Perry in Perry

If an Iowa town shares a candidate's last name, you can bet the candidate will make an appearance there. Rick Perry did exactly that last night at Hotel Pattee in Perry, IA. The event was well-organized and was the first I attended that wasn't just a meet and greet; Perry would actually be speaking. In the hotel lobby, supporters could pick up signs and stickers, before entering a small ballroom.

I found Perry to be a very compelling speaker in person. When he controls the room as opposed to being forced to think on his feet, he does quite well. Perry has an intense, laser-like gaze and really gets into what he is saying. He gesticulates and makes side comments to those up on stage, sometimes even walking over to them and putting his hand on their shoulder.

Perry was joined at the early evening rally by a wide cast of characters. Country artist Larry Gatlin started the festivities, strumming his guitar and working the crowd for 30 minutes before Perry's entourage arrived. Accompanying Perry on stage were two current governors, two congressmen, his lieutenant governor (currently a candidate for U.S. Senate), the Texas comptroller, a war hero, and assorted family members including his wife, Anita.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal introduced Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who introduced the Texas governor. Perry gave a forceful speech that brought a few in the audience to tears. He started off with boilerplate rhetoric he has used throughout the campaign: make congress part-time, balance the budget, cut regulations, offer an optional flat tax. Then Perry transitioned to taking care of veterans and told two dramatic war stories.

The first story Perry told was that of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell who fought off hundreds of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan and won the Navy Cross. Perry ended the story with, "And he's here with us..." introducing the bearded man on stage as Luttrell. The second story was about a veteran with extensive burns who was brought to a Texas hospital that Perry got to know personally. He also was in attendance and introduced on stage by Perry.

Perry ended the speech by likening himself to the prophet Isaiah. He insisted the election wasn't about him, but that he'd been thinking about what Isaiah had said to God, "Here I am. Send Me." After the speech, Perry didn't spend much time gladhanding the crowd. He shook hands with a few people standing directly in front of the stage (myself included).

When I shook his hand I asked him if I could get a photo. Perry agreed so I thrust my iphone into the hands of the nearest person, who turned out to be a member of the candidate's security detail. Apparently, they aren't supposed to take photos because when I handed him my phone he acted coldly as if he were breaking protocol but Perry said, "Go ahead, it's ok." With the governor's permission, the man snapped a photo and I thanked them both profusely before rushing on to the rally for Mitt Romney 40 minutes away in Clive, IA.