Sorry, Rick Perry, But You're No Bill Clinton

There are no second acts in American lives, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote. Fitzgerald was clearly wrong about it since his reputation rebounded considerably after his death in 1940 -- and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is clearly hoping the great writer was mistaken.

Perry sat down to talk with Dan Balz of the Washington Post and showed his interest in running yet again for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 despite a poor showing in 2012. Based on the interview, Perry intends to focus on economic issues next time out and point to Texas growth under his watch. Perry probably should have pounded that theme harder in 2012 instead of social issues, but his campaign -- as Balz notes -- will be remembered mostly for the candidates procession of gaffes.

Perry pointed to an unlikely source of inspiration -- Bill Clinton. In his national debut, giving a speech at the Democratic convention in Atlanta that nominated Mike Dukakis, Clinton gave a mind-numbingly long speech and was a target of late-night hosts, pundits and comedians. But Clinton laughed it off. When Johnny Carson gave him the longest introduction in Tonight Show history, Clinton was a good sport about it. Perrys oops moment will define him in ways Clintons speech didnt.

In the 1992 election cycle, Clinton defeated one of the weakest Democratic primary fields ever. Doug Wilder quickly dropped out. Bob Kerrey imploded. Tom Harkin got nowhere outside of Iowa. Clinton ended up battling for the nomination against Jerry Brown, written off as a has-been after years in the wilderness, and Paul Tsongas who was more conservative on fiscal issues and answering questions about his battle with cancer. Clinton made more than his share of mistakes -- which explains why Tsongas beat him in New Hampshire and Brown won Maine, Colorado and Connecticut -- but, with such weak competiton, he could bounce back.

Perry faced one of the weakest Republican primary fields ever in 2012 and went from contender to pretender. The likes of Herman Cain and Rick Santorum quickly eclipsed Perry despite his decade of experience as governor of the largest red state in the nation. Perry entered late, to be sure, but his 2012 bid ranks as one of the biggest flops American politics has seen in recent decades. Perry will face lower expectations in 2016 but he should face much tougher competition if he makes a second presidential bid. Hes not even the top choice of Texas Republicans as they seem to be leaning toward U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

To be sure, Republicans generally prefer to give their presidential nominations to whoever is next in line. But Perry had a good shot at the nomination in 2012 and frankly blew it. Based on his 2012 showing and lingering popular perceptions, Perrys task in 2016 will be much harder than Mitt Romneys in 2012, John McCains in 2008, Bob Doles in 1996, George Bushs in 1988, Ronald Reagans in 1980, even Richard Nixons in 1968.