So reports Peter Hamby of CNN via Twitter:
Rick Perry will drop out of the Republican presidential race today, two sources tell CNN.
Updates: Perry just scheduled an 11 a.m. press conference.
Via HotAir, Perry will endorse Newt.
Things are moving fast:
The Daily Caller has learned that 100 tea party leaders from 25 states will announce Thursday that they are supporting Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and will form a coalition called Tea Partiers With Newt.
Perry to campaign with Newt:
I’m told reliably that Governor Perry will head up a 10th Amendment project for Speaker Gingrich to rally Governors and state legislators toward a plan of devolving power from Washington. This project will include helping shape the Republican platform for the general election, something small government conservatives have been concerned about.
Governor Perry will also campaign for Speaker Gingrich in Texas. Texas has more than enough delegates at 155 (and they are winner take all) to offset Newt Gingrich not being on the Virginia ballot, which only has 49 delegates.
Perry news conference: “I ran for President because I love America.”
“Our objective is not only to replace President Obama, but to replace him with a conservative.”
“I believe Newt is a conservative visionary who can transform our country …. Newt is not perfect but who among us is … I believe in the power of redemption.” “”There is forgiveness for those who seek God.”
What a class act, his tribute to his wife was very moving: “”As I head home, I do so with the love of my life by my side. The woman who makes every day good…my wife Anita.”
“I’m not done fighting for the cause of conservatism… as a matter of fact I have just begun to fight”
Wow, what a speech. I’ll post the video and text link as a separate post.
Ann Coulter keeps it classy:
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Comments
I guess because of the ex-wife issues he will not be endorsing Newt. Lets just say this, I like Perry, I supported him first and he still was my second, but he killed his own campaign.
Now politically it makes sense for Perry to endorse Romney, but it would be best for the part to go with Newt. In the end its going to be how cynical you are.
OMG, I was so depressed last week that Romney was going to be our nominee for sure! In my old age, I see that there are at least some politicians that aren’t entirely self centered.
Thank you Perry for giving us a chance to choose our nominee instead of the media! You will always have my support should you run for higher office again.
Although it will not this time around, Rick Perry has demonstrated why in the future he is going to be President of the United States!
I think it unlikely that Gov. Perry will run again unless Obama wins the reelection and the 2016 field has no incumbent. Perry will be 62 in March. That puts him at 70 leading into the 2020 election cycle.
Now, to be fair, Gingrich will be 69 in June, but that year / year-and-a-quarter age difference at a crucial point in the campaign may be the difference between what allows Newt to run now but may prevent Perry from running later. Gingrich’s health has held up very well for a man of his age.
Of course, that’s 8 years from now, and medical advances by then might make 80 to be the new 40 for all I know.
The only reason he jumped into the race was Newt’s early campaign was a disaster. Perry even lent him his team and Newt went on a cruise.
Perry is already an historic governor of Texas who has made a difference.
America has been saved from Gardisil and bruised hearts…Time will tell if Newt can beat the onslaught.
I have my doubts.
Obama will fold he Texas economy into his stump speech of “We’re turnin’ things around folks!” and after Newt is gone nobody will stop Obama from winning 4 more years.
Sad, if true; he was my preferred candidate and, I believe, the only one with a record that could stand in sharp and positive contrast to Obama. Ah, well. Perhaps I’ll devote myself to Operation Counterweight.
Well done Governor Perry!
Like Teh Fred in 2008, we’ve somehow managed to *not* select our best and most conservative candidate out of the field.
(Sigh) I need a drink.
The only person to blame for that is the candidate. Like Fred, Perry ran an awful campaign*. The MSM and the DNC (but I repeat myself) didn’t have to “do him in.” He did it himself. And I say that as someone who supported both men.
Very frustrating.
*(Other than their video ads, which were top-notch.)
I agree, totally, that the ultimate blame for the course of a campaign lies with the candidate. Its a rare occassion that an aide or spouse blows one up (and even then, the candidate ultimately made choices that allowed it to happen). Perry came in with a wildfire at his back and managed to piss it all away with some horrible initial debate performances.
But,
This is a republic, and voters are the ones that pick who runs things. As such, we get the leaders we deserve, because we’re the ones choosing them. It doesn’t mitigate Perry’s responsibility for poor debate performances to point out that in the Republican Party, and it would seem particularly so in Iowa and NH, we’ve got a lot of godawful fools casting votes and support to godawful candidates with near religious zeal. And we should know better.
So what we’ve managed to do, in all our eagerness to find the newest most non-establishment guy evah!- be it Palin, Paul, Bachmann, or Cain- is managed to winnow the field down to the two most establishment men in the race. (I say that because I doubt Santorum wins anything else, and given the 19 point thumping he took in his last race, God help us if he does).
So we’re left with two viable candidates who are good at debates, at least to some degree questionable in their native conservatism, each of which brings considerably glaring vulnerabilities into the general election. Look, I’m going to throw my support to Newt. But I’m not happy about it by a long shot.
“It doesn’t mitigate Perry’s responsibility for poor debate performances to point out that in the Republican Party, and it would seem particularly so in Iowa and NH, we’ve got a lot of godawful fools casting votes and support to godawful candidates with near religious zeal. And we should know better.”
Y’know, I couldn’t agree more. :/
From the perspective that it takes something close to a perfect storm to defeat an incumbent President, the greater-than-expected drop in jobless claims is noteworthy.
Wisconsin had the largest drop in the nation, which is positive news for Scott Walker.
I don’t see Romney as either a great or a disastrous President, whereas Gingrich could be either. I am tentatively persuaded by Bill that a bet on Gingrich is worth the risk. However, if the economy seems to be mending and no shoes have dropped by November, the electorate may not share my attitude.
If Obama is reelected–IMO his prospects are better than most people think–, I want him mitigated by a Republican Congress.
My concern, based on recollection of Gingrich’s unpopularity during the Clinton years, is that he could hurt down-ticket Republicans more than Romney would.
I would have voted for Perry. There is an upside. If Newt wins, we are done with the bimbo eruptions, and we can instead turn to talking about policy in our election campaigns. Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
I like Newt, and he’s my preferred candidate.
That being said, we’re not going to have bimbo eruptions, we’re going to have ex-wife eruptions (see the smear job that ABC is purportedly going to run tonight). It’s going to get ugly for a while, and the Obama administration is going to go after Newts “social Conservative” standing with the “he cheated on his first wife, then his second wife, and now he’s on number 3.”
You’re going to hear a phrase that the Liberals loathe to say repeated ad nauseum: “family values.”
I always felt Governor Perry was a gentleman, a patriot and far sharper guy than many understood. I also felt he was disgusted with Romney’s unctuousness.
Yep. He just seems like a very decent man who doesn’t have the public-speaking chops (at least at this point) that it takes.
Well, Professor, I guess you are just about the happiest man in the nation right now, you and that foul Erick Erickson who called for Perry to get out yesterday, but today is saying he tried to talk Perry out of it. What a hack!
The nation just lost its best chance to see the actual turning back of the clock on its rapid descent into third world status. You voters now have a choice; a certifiable nut case; a man who has no core values except what he thinks voters want to hear at the time but governed far left; a man who loved big government while in office but could not even retain his seat in his own state; or a man
whose personal life has been one violation of moral standards after another.
Congratuations. You turned your back on someone who actually helped 25 million people have jobs with his “get the government out of the way of the job creators” beliefs; who balananced a budget not by raising taxes as the Democrats demanded, but by cutting state spending; who has kept the tax base low and who actually has done something about our ever porous border. No matter how hard anyone dug, they could not find ONE hint of impropriety in a man who has served his nation in uniform, not because he was drafted, but because he joined, who understands what it is like to be a farmer, and have to really work for a living, who knows the hardships of the everyday man in America. Whose love for this nation, and our military, is unequal in any candidate.
You refused to look at the records of each candidate, instead wanting someone who was a graducate of the Dale Carnegie School of Public Speaking. Fifteen second sound bits were more important to you that actual records of doing what they claim they will do now that they want your vote. You compared Rick Perry to George Bush who was a total disappointment to you, because you were not smart enough to know that the Bushies didn’t support Perry because he is not like George Bush.
Today, the nation lost. But Texas won. And we will continue to produce jobs so that when you lose yours, there is a place you can go to find one. We will continue to support the nation, getting back less than what we send to D.C. in taxes. As other states fail, and increase their debt that they place on you, ours will continue to decrease. Texas will remain the last best example of personal freedom in the nation, and two years from now, you will be wondering why your chose candidate didn’t come up to your expectations.
I have no sympathy for you.
I will not vote in the primaries. The disasterous pick by Republicans last time forced me to hold my nose and I said “Never again.” I meant it. Let the distruction rest on your heads, not mine. I will now try to work with Governor Perry to run again, in 2014, for governor. And have him continue to show all of you what real leadership is.
Just as you rejected Fred Thompson, a brilliant man, because of his laid back Southern ways, you rejected Rick Perry for the same reason, and please, do not try to deny it. You complained because he was not Clint Eastwood on stage, because you are too lazy to actually look at how each candidate has stood for their entire careers and how they defended conservative values.
Obama will now win a second term. And you have no one to blame but yourselves because you did not get behind the man who actually had the record and who was actually willing to fight for this nation, either in uniform or in office.
My disappointment is not in Rick Perry. My disappointment is in my fellow conservatives who are more influenced by American Idol than they are by Dakota Meyer.
yup, us heartless bastards lose out…oh well I’ll deal with it. seemingly better then you will.
Heartless? No, stupid. Too stupid to know a REAL conservative who has put those values into practice and instead will chose someone who talks pretty and smacks down a Democrat hack.
Get back to me when Obama wins again.
I thought Bachman was the only real conservative?
or wait maybe it was Ron Paul…
no wait its Newt…
crap wrong again it was Hunstmen.
noooo thats not it…got it. a persons favorite candidate is ALWAYS the ONLY conservative in the race.
meh…perry ran because he was expected to run. this all started in late 2009.
besides…he is the one making the decision to quit so stop blaming the voters..most of us have not yet had a chance to vote for anyone.
I blame the voters because they listen to the talking heads. Tell me ONE reason why Mitt is leading with his absolute dismal record of conservatism. Because people listen to the talking heads are are too lazy, or too stupid, to research the candidates for themselves.
Bachmann? One trick pony (Obamacare)
Paul? Certifiable
Huntsman? Conservative? Check his record.
Gingrich? Will wander off the farm first chance he gets.
Romney? Governed far left, but hey, don’t let his record stand in the way of his b/sing you.
Santorum? Won’t carry his own state and was definately a big government supporter when he had a chance to be otherwise.
Yes, it is your fault that we are going to wind up with another McCain. But hey, we have to go with the heir apparent, right? The loser from last time can be our new loser this time.
Jeepers … deja vu.
In 2004, when there was first a whisper that Kerry & Edwards would finally concede by Jim Geraghty at NRO, I emailed him: “Yes, but will Dan Rather concede?” which he then quoted to his readers.
Perry has quit in a dignified manner. Is retire05 capable of the same?
Okay, tell us the truth. You’re really scottinwisconsin/reliapundit, aren’t you?
Thank you, Rick Perry.
I hope the nominee takes Perrys energy policies to heart, he had a lot of good stuff there.
If Perry endorses Newt heads will explode over at NRO …
also Dr. K will have a stroke but I’m sure he’ll find a way to make it about “attacking capitalism” …
Professor, I just changed my homepage to your site. It was my de facto homepage anyway. I had had Drudge as homepage since 9/11, when his coverage of breaking events was head and shoulders above the rest. Now the site buries the lede on the biggest story of the day (and tends toward news of the weird). Fuggediboudit.
While watching the Fox debate the other evening, when Perry really did well, I thought that perhaps there would be a next time for him on the national stage. He has a great record, just took too long to find his sea legs.
[…] Bill Jacobson is right in saying that things are moving fast: Updates: Perry just scheduled an 11 a.m. press […]
Once again, Perry does the classy thing.
Santorum? Not so much.
Now, let’s nail Romney’s coffin shut.
Man, can I pick them or what. First I liked Bachmann, Cain and Santorum. I was starting to rethink my earlier reservations about Perry but of course he isn’t on the ballot in Virginia so it doesn’t matter much.
Santorum isn’t on the Virginia ballot either though so my only opportunity to vote for him will be in November should he somehow manage to pull this off.
Not sure who this helps the most in South Carolina though.
And then there were four…
And Gingrich isn’t on either the Virginia ballot or the Missouri caucus ballot. He can’t win.
Well then you should be jumping for joy when he doesn’t take the nomination. I hope you’ll share with us all your happiness on that day.
the thing i fear from some romney followers is that they wont back newt when he wins nomination. we see how spiteful establishment types are when their guy loses. angle odonnell murkowski. they forever bring up those losses but ignore their multitudinous losses. they always tell us to fall in line but i see no evidence of reciprosity
DRUDGE is incredible. I would never have believed how in the tank he is for the establishment til today. Now is the time for someone to come to the forefront and replace him. If you guys have nominations on the best DRUDGE REPLACEMENT from here, please let me know.
Besides the past 24 hours, Drudge has wasted more space on unflattering photos of Michelle and Hillary, Amish tragedies, and news of the weird. His crew doesn’t update the site very often, either.
Oh, gosh, yes please! Done with Drudge!
Outstanding and graceful speech by Perry. I hope he comes back to the national stage–better prepared!
Drudge–meh! I’m really weary of his headlines and their obvious slant. It used to be my go-to site, now if I visit once a day, that’s a lot. What a shame, ge used to be so credible.
Gov. Perry always was a class act Professor…But us dumb hicks in Texas already knew that.
What’s sad about Perry leaving the process is how short our memories are. As a non Texan, I think back to the Katrina days when Perry and Texas were about the only entities that had an act together.
There are Im sure 1000’s of folks that owe their very lives to the kindness and organization displayed by Perry and Texans.
Texans are lucky to have the guy.
Exactly.
Not to mention that new Orleans got rid of a whole underclass. They went to Houston .
This lot of genii kept Louisiana down at number 50 . Now Louisiana is no 47 & Texas 50.
Still thanks to Obama Texas is no last . There are apparently 7 worse.
Sooooo. I guess this means Mr. Jacobson won’t be taking any more of those cheap swipes about being “heartless”?
At least we won’t be hearing more whining about how Perry needs to drop out to prop up poor ol’ Newt. Of course, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more posts about how poor ol’ Newt needs Santorum to drop out.
Yup, that sinks it, I’m not sure who’ll even be on the ballot this Saturday, but I sure won’t be voting for Mitt or Newt. Enjoy.
Bye.
Rick Perry drops out, endorses Newt. WyBlog 0 for 2 in the presidential picker dept….
So, no sooner had I put the Rick Perry for President banner up there on the top left when the wheels started coming off his campaign. It’s the WyBlog curse, because Rick Perry is calling it quits….
Little Annie Coulter showed her true colors. They aren’t red, white or blue. Instead, they rhyme with witch.
[…] Legal Insurrection, Governor Rick Perry has ridden off into the sunset. The race is down to Romney and Gingrich (1), […]
Is there anybody in this who’s done more damage to himself or herself than Ann Coulter?
Yes. retire05.
Dang! You beat me to it … only because my wife pulled me away to go to Costco.
Henry = 267 lbs. Mrs. H = 104 lbs. She’d need block and tackle…..
[…] Bill Jacobson is right in saying that things are moving fast: Updates: Perry just scheduled an 11 a.m. press […]
[…] Legal Insurrection, Governor Rick Perry has ridden off into the sunset. The race is down to Romney and Gingrich (1), […]
I salute you Rick Perry, you are the MAN !!!
The America you believe in supports you.
God Bless You Sir !!!
Ann Coulter has really turned the guns on fellow republicans. Does she seriously, truly think Romney would be against illegal immigration? The former governor of a state that wellcomed illegals with open arms? Romney would go with the flow because he would want to leave a “legacy” like Clinton wanted to but couldn’t.