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Obama advisor Gibbs sees a ‘very, very close’ race

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Maybe Rick Perry is light on foreign policy credentials. And perhaps he hasn’t quite refined his answer on Social Security’s past, present and future. But President Obama’s campaign advisors aren’t writing off the Texas governor.

Robert Gibbs, Obama’s former press secretary, said in an appearance here Tuesday night that Perry has another quality that counts for something in presidential politics.

“You can say a lot about Rick Perry,” Gibbs told an audience on the University of North Carolina campus. After a pause, he added: “He looks very comfortable in his boots. That’s worth something.’’

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Gibbs gave an assessment of the 2012 race toward the end of his presentation titled, “Communicating Through the Chaos.’’

He predicted the contest would be “very, very close.’’ How could it not be?

“In the most ideal conditions’’ in 2008, he said, “we got 52.7% of the vote.”

Addressing an auditorium of students, faculty and guests, he added: “Doesn’t leave a ton of margin for error. And I think it’s pretty obvious that we’re not operating in ideal conditions.’’

Fifteen pounds lighter and looking more rested now that he’s sleeping with his BlackBerrys turned off, Gibbs didn’t seem to be pining for the daily grind of White House briefings and serial crises. He does take part in regular campaign conference calls.

It’s clear the slumping economy will be the overriding issue in the campaign. But Gibbs said people will face another important question. Voters will render a verdict, he said, “on what you think and how you believe government can act in our society.’’

Gibbs didn’t divulge campaign secrets in the course of his hour-and-a-half visit. But he did suggest that one Republican would make for the perfect opponent.

“I would love to run against Sarah Palin, I will say that,’’ Gibbs said.

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