From Politico:
Rick Perry intends to use a speech in South Carolina Saturday to make clear that he’s running for president, POLITICO has learned.
According to two sources familiar with the plan, the Texas governor will remove any doubt about his White House intentions during his appearance at a RedState conference in Charleston.
It’s uncertain whether Saturday will mark a formal declaration, but Perry’s decision to disclose his intentions the same day as the Ames straw poll—and then hours later make his first trip to New Hampshire— will send shockwaves through the race and upend whatever results come out of the straw poll.
UPDATE: Asked to confirm or deny the Politico report, Perry spokesman Mark Miner e-mails this statement to National Review Online, “The Governor is not a candidate for Office at this time. With President Obama’s dismal economic record, and Texas’ success in creating jobs and balancing our budget, Governor Perry continues to consider a potential run for The White House. Stay tuned.”
Yowza.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, now we've got a horse race.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, "shockwaves" is a another overstep by this Politico effort. Perhaps they want to overplay the entry to create a little letdown upon the entry.
Mr. Perry is a healthy inclusion. The GOP ranks grow with his participation. The famous Prayer was a sign however, of making a political distraction for himself. Prayer is healthy and positive - no doubt. But already Perry has changed the subject from the disastrous economic fiasco created by Democrats, not wise politically.
He better do better, or he will end up like Fred of the last run. All hype, and a lukewarm reality.
I expect more to entertain the idea of running, as they see Obama's mess is heading towards depression. A market tanking today is a real nightmare for all.
2012 must be won. Whoever the GOP selection is, we have to get the job done, period.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI think the next several weeks will be fascinating to watch. Considering his college transcripts have leaked before he even announced, it's clear that the media is afraid of him, and it's going to come after him with both barrels.
I wonder when he'll give his first Sunday morning interview. And, I wonder how he'll do. If he can somehow find a way to repel the comparisons to Bush, and not make some of the same mistakes that Bachmann has made, I think the chances of him winning the nomination are excellent. Those of course, are very big "ifs". His chances in the general, are something entirely different. It will also be interesting to see how his appeal develops with moderate/independents. I doubt he can do worse than Obama's current 37% (I hope).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGood point re Perry's transcripts. MSM must be shaking in its collective boots, especially considering that Perry's cumulative GPA was higher than Obama's!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWith all due respect to the current field, a Perry announcement give me hope for the first time that we might actually make a very defeatable Obama a one-term POTUS.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTo all those concerned about the media and liberals (BIRM) coming after Perry with both barrels...
Rick Perry is a Honey Badger.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFor those who don't get the above honey badger reference, watch this and smile:
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat's the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Crying from laughing so hard. And it lifts my spirits to think of Perry as a bad A Honey Badger.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOkay. That's just wrong, but let's hope that it is indeed an apt analogy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHenry, captcha was "get out" like Elaine on Seinfield.
Hilarious. I hope that was not you as commentator. I laughed at this video, thank you. Any animal that can kill snakes, much less cobras is ok with me as president.
Rick Perry shoots coyotes while jogging. The Won? He wears saddle shoes to golf.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis morning, I had the not exactly original thought that, "It's the economy, stupid." And I had the follow-on thought that Mitt is the man. Suddenly I don't care about any of the issues that I have been very inflamed about like immigration, gay marriage, even heathcare. Well, I ~do~ care. But we've got to choose a man who can manage our economic issues.
Then I thought about Perry, who irritated me with his excessive show of religiosity this weekend, particularly because it reminded me of that other Texan. BUT...Perry is widely credited for the great economy in Texas (and I am more or less buying it, although he may just have been in the right place at the right time...I don't know that much about it).
Anyway, from what I know now, Perry would also be completely acceptable to me today, however much I am put off by his resemblance to Bush (even though they don't like each other).
Palin is out and I am strongly downgrading Bachman because these times call for a strong leader who has a chance to unite the country and guide the recovery. I like Bachman, and I acknowledge that she has been a very constructive voice on the TP side, but she is not ready for the big job, IMO. And Pawlenty looks petty with his snipping at her.
Romney or Perry...at least that is how it looks to me today.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGet ready to hear "Gardasil" and "Trans-Texas Corridor" about as often as you've been hearing "balanced approach" and "tea party downgrade" lately.
Perry's not perfect, but he's done a good job here. The thing conservatives will love as much as anything is that he is most definitely in the "They'll hate me anyway, so no need to sugarcoat my comments" camp.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI am simply not understanding the controversy over that HPV vaccine. What am I missing here? I got vaccines in school as a kid in the mid 70's. Against diseases I had not the first clue of the cause, severity, anything.
It's a huge stretch to me to make the leap that getting that vaccine will make a girl more inclined to engage in sex. At least in handing out contraceptives in school the relationship is more clear-cut and can be seen as a sort of encouragement. But any parent who gets up in arms about this needs to find other things to worry about, IMHO.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe mantra on the left will be that Perry was paid off by Merck to push Gardasil. The truth won't matter - it's fair to argue it wasn't the right thing to do, but the merits or lack thereof will get drowned out in the "Perry owned by Big Pharma" frenzy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs below, I often post before reading what others have said. Then I read through everything and may make some responses. As I read through what others were saying here, I must say that I was struck at the high quality of the conversation. I am proud to be a part of this little community.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou've been taken off suicide watch accordingly.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFor the first time in your adult life?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseExcellent (queque Mr. Burns). I, for one, am grateful that the field is expanding. I'm praying that whoever becomes the nominee has, at least, a clue about actual budget cuts, regulatory reform for job creation.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMaybe some competition from the center-right will halt the leftward drift of the Romney campaign.
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