But finally I will with regard to Rick Perry. It's scary that someone who makes such dangerous statements and makes unsubstantiated promises can be so popular among about 30% of the electorate. What has Perry said?

--The practice of monetary policy by the Fed chairman is "treasonous". He offers no alternative, but it sounds good to partisans.

--"Social Security is an attack on core American values." Again he offers no alternative to what has been a successful, albeit not financially, program for decades. What would he do, cancel the whole program? He never explains.

--"Marriage is only between a man and a woman." OK, I believe that myself. But what do you do about all the Americans who are gay or lesbian and who aren't going to change? Should they be treated as lepers? Again, no alternatives from Mr. Perry.

--And his claims that he's created so many jobs? Most analyses that I've seen show that about have the jobs created in Texas are government jobs, and another significant proportion are minimum wage jobs. At the same time, Perry has presided over a state that is one of the largest recipients of federal funding and whose state budget is badly in deficit, and like the federal government survives on the issuance of state debt.

Remember that 30% of the electorate that support Perry. His problem--the problem of the GOP--is that he's aggravated or frightened such large blocks of voters, that he's unelectable in a General Election. He's gotta get more than 50% and his crazy and unsupported statements and campaigning almost guarantee that can't happen.

If the GOP doesn't come up with a candidate who can be supported by more than only the extreme right wing religious and fiscal fringe of the party, they're guaranteeing the re-election of Barack Obama. I sure hope someone comes to their senses--and soon!