Looking back at Perry's debating past

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Tough questions are sure to come for Governor Rick Perry In next month's Republican presidential debates. Three are on the books... two in Florida and one in California. So far, Perry has said yes to two.

"Such a strong showing early without having had to prove anything,” said Texas Monthly's Paul Burka.

Even with Perry's lead in the polls, Burka said debates can change the game, though – if played right – he believed Perry could win the primary.

“Perry is not the best debater that we've seen,” Burka added. “That's one reason why he wouldn't debate Bill White. He clearly would have been chewed up on state issues."

"His handlers appear uncomfortable about allowing him to appear unscripted,” former Houston Mayor Bill White said in 2010.

In last year's gubernatorial election, Perry refused to debate Democrat White, because White would not release some of his tax returns.

Before that, many insiders said one of his GOP opponents in the primary, Debra Medina, won that debate, which was 19 months ago - the last time Perry has been on such a stage.

The 2006 gubernatorial debate had plenty of fire with opponents Carol Keeton Strayhorn, Chris Bell, and Kinky Friedman. But Perry remained above the fray.

"We had 650,000 new jobs created in this state,” Perry touted back then, a familiar theme as he heads into the 2012 election.

The first GOP debate for this presidential cycle, which was in Iowa earlier this month, came just before he was a candidate.

"I'm very pleased that he's coming in, because he represents the status quo,” said opponent Congressman Ron Paul, R-Texas.

Now voters will finally see how he handles himself against other presidential candidates. Before the debates though, he has several campaign stops. He will hit Iowa this weekend. Then next week, it is on to Louisiana, Oklahoma, and back in Texas.