FIRST ON CNN: Perry to drop out Thursday

CNN ^ | January 19,2012 | Peter Hamby

[Hojczyk]

Charleston, South Carolina (CNN) - Rick Perry is telling supporters that he will drop his bid for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday, two sources familiar with the plans told CNN.

[xzins]

I was a Perry supporter a full year before he announced in that I thought he would be a natural and that his electoral promise was second to none.

He came out of the gate very badly. I’d say he blew it. And even though he’s much better, it’s too late.

I think pulling out now leaves him as the odds on challenger the next time around. I hope he runs for the Senate seat in Texas.

I’m hearing he’ll endorse Gingrich. His decision to endorse Gingrich is huge. Perry is a known, accepted Christian conservative governor. He is serving notice that Gingrich is the “right” man to support.

I think he’s also royally hacked at Romney. Romney’s dirty tricks department has now been ID’d as the background backstabbers that have harrassed every candidate from the beginning.

I’m beginning to think Romney is evil....not just a liberal rino...but evil.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Let Perry supporters grieve and get over it. It’s the decent thing to do. When Sarah announced she wasn’t running, her hardcore supporters needed time to vent and finally accept her decision. Perry supporters need to do the same.

When Perry spporters get over it, they’ll pick themselves up and move forward with y’all.

Please & Thank you.

Respectfully,
Tex

(Perry has always been my first choice. I will now go all-in for Newt.)

[MissMagnolia]

God bless you, Rick ..... a gentleman to the end and you did the right thing for America.

[LostInBayport]

He was excellent in the last debate. That was a good note on which to depart the stage.

It was amazing how poorly he did in debates, yet excelled and inspired in one-on-one interviews and speaking to audiences. He seems to be an honest, engaging person. I hope he will be considered for a cabinet position by Newt or Santorum.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

The reports are that he will endorse Newt, but until we hear it from Perry, I don’t count it as a done deal.

It would surprise me and disappoint me if Perry endorsed Romney or Santorum.

[butterdezillion]

I just told my husband how much I hate politics. I hate the games and ugliness.

But what I do love is when people who genuinely love this country lay down their own ambitions for her sake. Newt had said before that if he didn’t win SC he would throw his support behind another conservative to make sure we get a conservative candidate. Perry didn’t say that out loud but it appears that it’s what he’s going to do. Regardless of any bad blood between the candidates, those who are patriots enough to put the country first have my deep respect and thanks.

Perry is an honorable man. A godly man and a manly man who is willing to stand up for his country. I, too, wish he had been able to gain traction. And if Newt had taken a hit because of the ex maybe Perry would have risen, but he must have decided it was time to have ANY conservative rather than letting the establishment and leftist media choose Romney for us.

If the leftist media showing their hand and their spite causes the conservatives to coalesce and rise to the challenge, then maybe the leftist media can realize just how much a big portion of the public despises them as the prostitutes they are and that their manipulation will always backfire. I hope and pray that will be the case.

[presently no screen name]

Hey Santorum - we found the most conservative and it’s NOT you! Perry did this for HIS COUNTRY! PATRIOTISM rocks - way to go Perry!

[Minus_The_Bear]

People keep saying this... but how can Ron Paul get on the ballot?

I don't think he can.

[sheikdetailfeather]

I second your post. My heart goes out to all those who loved Perry and saw his strengths. Many people appreciated his stand for states rights and border control. He has shown his love of America and his ability to hold his own in debates as well as taking Obama head on. People will not forget him and he may well be a rising star very soon!

[TexasFreeper2009]

I am sad to see him go... yet ... it was necessary if we are to have any chance at stopping Romney.

Perry was my first love in this race, but the dynamics of this particular race with literally dozens of debates did him in. I wish him the best of luck in the future.

God Bless Texas

[patriot08]

Our handsome Texas governor is twice the Conservative of RINO-voting Santorum.

I hope Newt choses him as his VP running mate.

[Future Useless Eater]

THANK YOU GOVERNOR! That is a super-important and responsible thing to do.

The reason is, SC is WINNER-TAKE-ALL and if Romney wins the first 3 out 3 primaries
EVERYONE will declare the primaries OVER, and crown Mitt!

Here is what I have been saying for days....

---

* Before Monday's debate, Mitt was losing ground, and his debate performance was weak / below average
* Before Monday's debate, Newt was GAINING ground, and his debate performance was fantastic
* Rick Perry gained into upper single-digits but his debate performance was mediocre
* Rick Santorum was losing ground rapidly, AND his debate performance was mediocre
* Jon Huntsman's support was ONLY 1% in the latest poll, and that support won't ALL go to Romney so don't sweat him
* Ron Paul takes more support away from Romney than others, so don't sweat him

SC voters: If you liked Rick or Rick, THINK ABOUT THIS before voting....

Each congressional district will have 2 delegates given to the winner-take-all within the district (that's 14 delegates total)

And Statewide, there will be 11 delegates given to the winner-take-all at the state level

So let's assume Romney is still barely in 1st place in the polls just before the vote.
Let's assume there is only ONE close NON-Romney in 2nd place (Newt).

Maybe YOU would prefer Rick or Rick....

But, IF YOU Vote for Rick or Rick, you have most likely helped award ALL delegates TO ROMNEY because it is WINNER TAKE ALL!!!!

The ONLY way to NOT hand your SC delegates to ROMNEY is to consolidate all conservative votes behind the LEADING NON-ROMNEY

[mikhailovich]

Well, Rick Perry is a great person and leader. I’ll be officially onboard the Newt train with this announcement. Feeling a bit of relief, certainly some disappointment, but also excited that maybe we can elevate Gingrich over Romney and put a conservative in the White House. Newt was actually my guy before Perry announced he was running.

[StarFan]

Hope Santorum falls way behind Newt in S.C.

It is also my hope Santorum exits the stage however with the ex-Mrs. coming out against Newt, it may have the reverse impact in SC. If the rumor that he wanted multiple partners in his marriage is confirmed, I don't think it will bode well for him with voters.

[PapaBear3625]

He is a good man, sincere and Conservative. That he isn’t the best candidate or conservative is irrelevant. He certainly has leadership skills. He would be an asset to any administration, a great personaility, far better than the boring suits in power now.

When Perry first entered the race, I thought he would be the most logical nominee: as the governor of a major state which was prosperous under his administration, he had the needed executive experience.

[StarFan]

His decision to endorse Gingrich is huge

Huge? He's polling at 5%. Every little bit helps I suppose but huge is not the word I'd choose.

[presently no screen name]

He did not fail! Conservatives are proud of this patriot - it’s about his country, not him. And he kicked mitt and each time he did - he did it for us/America.

[ishmac]

I concur with everything you said. I am glad to have him as governor. Looks like it’s Newt or bust!

[katiedidit1]

Perry never ran a dirty campaign. He has endorsed Newt. God bless Rick Perry.

[wolfcreek]

Sad to see him suspend his campaign but, He’s still my Governor till at least 2014.

[left that other site]

Good Analysis of the situation.

[Grunthor]

“If the rumor that he wanted multiple partners in his marriage is confirmed, I don’t think it will bode well for him with voters.”

You mean Newt has always been a horny old man? Wow, never woulda thunk it.

(sarcasm from one who lost a marriage to the swinging/partying life.)

[Lady Lucky]

Why would a governor, and a governor of Texas at that, want to hang around in DC, preside over the Senate, and go to funerals as needed?
I can just hear him saying, “Take that job and shovel it.”

[JDW11235]

I have heard that another party is already in the works, but I don’t know anything about that, or even which party, libertarian maybe? If you think that legally he can’t because he will have lost the primary, that doesn’t apply in presidntial races, just the lower ones.

If he does run (I cannot imagine him winning, but I never say never), I think he’ll draw more voters from Obama, than Newt. The democratic Party is far larger than the Republican Party (Last I read, something like 70 Million to 55 Million or so, but both have been losing members for about a decade, very fast since 2008), so it will be up to the Independents to decide the election. They already don’t like Obama, so it will be up to the Republican to prove he’s going to be a significant enough of a change to support him. I think Newt would, Romney certainly wouldn’t.

[Grunthor]

That 5% could put Gingrich ahead right before the vote.

The impotance IS huge.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Bret Beir is saying Perry and Newt had been talking for about two weeks. I had noticed how friendly they were laughing and talking during the last debate.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Thanks, FRiend. That is very much appeciated. Onward we go.

Go Newt!!!!!

[rintense]

Amen.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Crap. I understand, but crap.

[GOPsterinMA]

Yeah, he failed in the first several debates. If he didn’t most likely he’d be the frontrunner.

That being said, he did MUCH better the last couple debates, so he goes out on an uptick.

[Pan_Yan]

It's at times like this that all conservatives need to unite and do what we know needs to be done: panic and throw our support behind Buddy Roemer. They'll never expect it.

[katiedidit1]

Newt stood up for Cain. Cain tried to blame the Perry folks for the allegations and they blamed Perry without any proof.. if Cain was decent he would stand up for Newt now. Perry has MORE true grit. Thank you Gov. Perry for supporting Gingrich. I won’t forget this and neither will Newt and his supporters.

[xzins]

Romney did not win Iowa. That was revealed this morning.

What also was revealed is evident shenanigans in a simple vote count in Iowa that in the past has been completed in just a few hours.

I’m convinced because of the scorched earth policy of the Romney camp that they are responsible for attempting to falsify the vote in Iowa. Therefore, I’m convinced Romney lost in Iowa and that Santorum won.

I’m proud of Perry. He’s doing the right thing, and even though I supported him from the beginning, I found it necessary to reconsider. He has seen that too. Also, he’s figured it out in terms of debate, and that makes Perry an extremely viable candidate for the future...I hope he runs for the Texas US Senator slot after his governorship is completed.

I believe he was unfairly attacked by Bachmann over the gardasil thing, but I believe Romney operatives spread that far and wide. Bachmann had no money to do such a thing.

[VanDeKoik]

less stress, bigger paycheck?

But I guess Texas does have better weather and food.

[MestaMachine]

That is absolutely right. If not Newt, it WILL be mitt and then he seems virtually unstoppable...and he MUST be stopped.

[TexasFreeper2009]

my nightmare scenario at this point...

Perry's name will still be on the ballot... if it's a close race and Romney squeaks out a win... and the votes for Perry would of been the difference... I think i’ll have an aneurysm.

[snippy_about_it]

It’s a shame. I was hoping he would gain traction here. I was going to vote for him on Saturday. At least if he does drop out it will be before the vote unlike Fred Thompson.

[butterdezillion]

Just looked at your profile. Congratulations on your new baby boy! What a blessing!

As they say, a baby is God’s vote that the world should keep going on. He hasn’t abandoned us individually and my prayer is that He doesn’t abandon our country to its own putrid infection either.

[StarFan]

if Cain was decent he would stand up for Newt now

A few weeks ago he said he might endorse before the SC vote so I wouldn't be surprised to see him surface soon.

[Fishtalk]

I sure don’t think it’s all over for Perry. He can throw his hat into the ring again in the future, he’s a possible VP candidate, or even a cabinet slot.

This wasn’t the year for Perry....first he was up against mighty Mittens. Then he had the other candidates surging and falling, sucking out his oxygen. For sure the media didn’t want Perry.

This action alone will bode well for his political future, not badly at all.

[RockinRight]

I wonder if he struck a deal with Newt, actually.

[RockinRight]

+1

[xzins]

His polling now is relevant, of course, but it’s his reputation that is huge. If you recall, he had something like 41% support on entry.

That is because of his position as a leading Christian conservative governor.

So, Perry is well-liked and he’s a social conservative. That is what’s huge. Additionally, the timing couldn’t be better in terms of the bitter ex-wife dumping her personal puke from Peyton Place all over the country tonight.

[sheikdetailfeather]

You are right. It takes courage to support Newt when the establishment, the media, the left and all of Fox news is bashing him. RICK PERRY IS A REAL MAN AND A REAL LEADER WITH COURAGE AND HONOR. WE WILL NEVER FORGET THIS! WHOOHOO!

[going hot]

The impotance IS huge.

Best be wearing a tuxedo tonight.

[Pan_Yan]

Perry might have his eyes on a bigger prize. If Rommney gets the nomination and Obama is reelected then Perry might become the President of the Second Republic of Texas, or maybe President of the Second Confederate States of America. As long as they don’t use the same stupid flag again.

[Lady Lucky]

Man Rick shows Boy Rick how it’s done.
Let’s hope Boy Rick will soon stand up and do the right thing.

[Grunthor]

I consider my new (18 months) wife and baby both to be gifts from on high for turning from a life of staggering debauchery and sin.

I’ve truly never been happier.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

I am glad you are with Newt. I do hope all Perry and Cain fans will see what is going on. The establishment is trying to pick our next president AGAIN. We must stop them and take back control of our country. We don't need someone who is perfect, we need someone who can fight, not just bloody Obama’s nose, but WHO CAN TAKE HIM OUT.

Round one is Romney. Round two is Obama. The final round will be to take out the good old boy political establishment in DC, and restore our country. GAME ON!

[txhurl]

Any FReeper who continues to trash Perry should be banned, IMO. Perry is not only supporting Newt, he’s gonna HELP him.

We now have three significant MO factors: Newt’s out-of-the-park debate, Mitt NOT winning Iowa (those sluts), Newt gaining on Mittens in SC polls AND Perry getting behind him when it matters.

We’re not going to be handed this sort of momentum again, so let’s not screw it up. GO NEWT! GO PERRY! BURY MITT! BURY ZERO!