Iowa finish could knock Perry out of SC debate

Washington Examiner ^ | 01/03/2012 | Joel Gehrke

[Rational Thought]

Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, appears doomed to a fifth-place finish in Iowa. Unless he drops out, that would make South Carolina his last stand against Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney.

The problem is that he might not receive an invitation to an upcoming South Carolina debate (given the debate criteria).

Candidates can qualify to participate in the CNN/Southern Republican Leadership Conference debate January 19th (two days before the South Carolina primary) in one of four ways. First and second, they can place in the top four in either Iowa or New Hampshire. Third and fourth, they can qualify by averaging seven percent support in three polls conducted nationally or in South Carolina by certain approved media and polling organizations.

Either Newt Gingrich or Rick Perry, it appears, will receive the debate invitation that comes with a fourth place finish in Iowa. With 31 percent of precincts reporting, Gingrich is in fourth place (13 percent) and Perry is in fifth place with ten percent support.

[lquist1]

“Perry should stay in. He has a good shot to catch fire. He would be a much better choice than Romney.”

I’d like Perry to stay in too-but I also believe he will do what he believes is best for the conservative movement. If he doesn’t see a path to victory, then he may conclude he is only fracturing the anti-Romney vote. I truly believe that Perry, like Newt, is more motivated to bring down Romney, and is not as concerned if he is the one to do it or not. So whatever Perry decides, it will be after much prayer and consideration, and he will be seeking to follow God’s direction.