The essay about “An ugly start to Rick Perry’s campaign” involves two major personalities; Rick Perry and Ben Bernanke. The essay generally revolves around Rick Perry, the Republican Governor and Ben Bernanke, albeit briefly. The writer indicates that Mr. Bernanke’s economic decisions were motivated by patriotism and determination to see the U.S economy regain its footing after the global recession. He did not therefore side even with the Republican candidate John McCain in 2008.
About Mr. Perry, the writer indicates that “Maybe he could have done better; we’ll be interested to hear about his economic program in the days to come.” On the same note, the writer maintains that Mr. Bernanke and his team have done as much as the Fed should do to get the economy moving again. In fact he/she goes on to say that if Mr. Perry has evidence that contradicts his/her opinion on Bernanke’s economic decision, then he should present it. If not, he should apologize.
Mr. Rick Perry is directly quoted in the essay. In the opening paragraph, he is quoted saying, “If this guy prints more money between now and the election, I don’t know what you’d do to him in Iowa, but we would treat him pretty ugly in Texas,” in reference to Bernanke. He is also quoted saying “Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treacherous or treasonous.”
The writer supports his/her opinion about Mr. Bernanke’s economic decision by arguing that that the Chairman of Federal Reserve Board is always motivated by patriotism and determination to see the progress of the U.S economy. That is why he was endorsed by both the Republican and the Democrat presidents. He is thus not playing partisan politics.
The central point in the article is that Mr. Perry, being a Republican, seeks to roll out his presidential campaign on the basis of ugly and dirty allegations against the democrats and their economic policies. The writer seeks to expose the tension that is already building between the Democrats and the Republicans especially with respect to U.S economic policies as the political landscape develops before the next elections.