Scotch? Roofies? Muscle relaxants? Your guess is as good as mine.

October 31, 2011 10:05 PM

Rick Perry's drunken speech (SLYT)
posted by OverlappingElvis (34 comments total)

Just high on life death.
posted by 2bucksplus at 10:11 PM on October 31, 2011

My guess: barbiturate and Buttershots smoothie.
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 10:19 PM on October 31, 2011

Is this real life? /D
posted by Dodecadermaldenticles at 10:23 PM on October 31, 2011

It's good to see someone enthusiastic about New Hampshire.
posted by ChuraChura at 10:23 PM on October 31, 2011 [4 favorites]

Trying to get the alcoholic vote is a risky plan, but you know, fortune favors the bold.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 10:24 PM on October 31, 2011 [3 favorites]

"Prescription medication", I'm guessing. Nothing like chewing up a Xanax and washing it down with a cold shot of bourbon to get you ready for OMG YOU GUYS TAXES ARE LIKE AWFUL AND STUFF BUT I HAVE A CARD WITH A PLAN ON IT CHECK IT OUT DUDE THESE LIGHTS ARE LIKE STARS REALLY REALLY CLOSE STARS.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:25 PM on October 31, 2011 [7 favorites]

I expected a hearty rendition of To Anacreon in Heaven at the end.
posted by unliteral at 10:25 PM on October 31, 2011

Now I kind of like Rick Perry, dammit.
posted by fshgrl at 10:25 PM on October 31, 2011 [5 favorites]

Good lord. I've been watching excerpts of this all day, but what the hell is up with him? I assume he's trying to play it loose, but he really seems out of it for real. I'm guessing he's drunk, and thinking he's doing a really great job. The shoulder shrugs and giggles seem to confirm that.
posted by Gilbert at 10:31 PM on October 31, 2011

Here's the full speech.
posted by John Cohen at 10:33 PM on October 31, 2011

He seemed pretty likable if you didn't actually listen to what he was saying
posted by KokuRyu at 10:34 PM on October 31, 2011

"A Perry spokesman said in an email: 'The Governor is passionate about the issues he talks about.'"
(source)
posted by ooklala at 10:35 PM on October 31, 2011

Just as long as he makes sure to save some pretzels for the gas jets, he should be fine.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:35 PM on October 31, 2011 [6 favorites]

Come on, who among us hasn't held forth on the state of the world whilst off our tits? Admittedly usually in the bar, but principle holds.
posted by Abiezer at 10:36 PM on October 31, 2011 [5 favorites]

Yeah, he was drunk. The problem is that in America, being visibly intoxicated may actually be an endearing selling point, rather than a demerit. It certainly is in Texas, anyway.
posted by Avenger at 10:37 PM on October 31, 2011

Also, notice his Marlboro man accent (a relatively new development in his speaking style) slips a LOT in this video. My mother suggests the accent and his general stiffness are a part of him trying to butch it up for the national race*, and that he was too drunk here to hold that together.

*For anyone unaware of why that might be necessary, suffice it to say there have been rumors in Texas for years about Governor Goodhair's extracurricular activities.
posted by katemonster at 10:38 PM on October 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

It gives me that anxious, uncomfortable, edgy feeling...watching somebody embarrass themselves. I don't necessarily feel that for Mr. Perry. I feel it for our country.
posted by nickjadlowe at 10:38 PM on October 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

Does Perrry frequently quote Langston Hughes? Has the irony been commented upon?
posted by silby at 10:40 PM on October 31, 2011 [4 favorites]

Because uh, that's a whole lotta irony.
posted by silby at 10:42 PM on October 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

In vino veritas?
posted by Rhaomi at 10:46 PM on October 31, 2011

*For anyone unaware of why that might be necessary, suffice it to say there have been rumors in Texas for years about Governor Goodhair's extracurricular activities.

I have to admit I know little about this man, and only watched for the giggles of a politician making an ass of himself, but that idea popped into my head real quick. Weird that.
posted by Jehan at 10:50 PM on October 31, 2011

Oh yeah. He's drunk. Definitely juiced. What's made Milwaukee famous has made a fool out of Rick.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:01 PM on October 31, 2011

I'd buy a mattress from that guy!
posted by Horselover Phattie at 11:06 PM on October 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

Still more rational than Palin.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:06 PM on October 31, 2011

Oh, wait. That was a speech?
posted by Horselover Phattie at 11:07 PM on October 31, 2011

This seems as good a place as any to post Herman Cain's "Yellow Flowers" ad, which is really a real thing that is real.
posted by mek at 11:09 PM on October 31, 2011 [4 favorites]

I think he's just tying to be folksy and fun but he comes across more like The Joker than anything he might have had in mind.
posted by bonobothegreat at 11:09 PM on October 31, 2011

A teachable moment over a few cases of beer?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:10 PM on October 31, 2011

Any reason why a politician's closeted homosexuality is relevant? If he opposes gay marriage, talk about his opposition to gay marriage (a stance that is inherently wrong no matter what), rather than his sexuality.

The remarks about Perry's sexuality seem to be more about calling him a fag than anything else.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:10 PM on October 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

This seems as good a place as any to post Herman Cain's "Yellow Flowers" ad, which is really a real thing that is real.

That's a purdy link you got thair, mister.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:11 PM on October 31, 2011

"In NH we call it liquid gold..."
Based on Perry's reaction, I'm imagining that he's imagining receiving something other than syrup...perhaps cylinder of liquor. Although cursory Googling unveils many other possibilities. I don't know this candied date well enough to give him the benefit of the doubt.
posted by obscurator at 11:12 PM on October 31, 2011

Any reason why a politician's closeted homosexuality is relevant?

Perry is against repealing DOMA and he supported unconstitutional sodomy laws in Texas. If he's gay, his public activities make his private sex life relevant to a discussion about what kinds of laws he would push and sign as President, and how those laws and policies would affect Americans.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:19 PM on October 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

He doesn't seem like he's on anything to me, more like giddy, like when Howard Dean was excited when he yelped a few years ago. Still makes more sense than Herman Cain in this clip.
posted by not_on_display at 11:21 PM on October 31, 2011

Any reason why a politician's closeted homosexuality is relevant?

What Blazecock said. Also, hypocrites are not to be trusted. That the object of his hypocrisy is his sexuality is incidental.
posted by troll at 11:23 PM on October 31, 2011