UPDATEDx2: Rick Perry quits presidential race, endorses Newt Gingrich

by Emily Ramshaw of The Texas Tribune, Jay Root of The Texas Tribune

The inevitable is finally happening.

Photo by Bob Daemmrich

Network cameras record almost every move of Rick Perry as he talks to a resident of Greer, S.C. during a downtown walk on January 18, 2012.

Rick Perry will end his bid for the White House today.

A news conference has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Central time.

The decision comes a day after spokesmen defiantly said that Perry was "in it to win it" and called talk of a surrender "nuts." Perry made the decision overnight and informed top aides Thursday morning.

"He is pulling out," a top adviser told the Texas Tribune.

Sources say Perry will endorse former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

UPDATE at 10:13 a.m.: Perry is holding a news conference right now.

Photo by Bob Daemmrich

Rick Perry gives a thumbs up as he leaves after suspending his bid for the U.S. presidence on January 19, 2012.

UPDATE x2: Gov. Rick Perry dropped out of the Republican presidential race on Thursday morning, saying he knows "when it's time to make a strategic retreat."

"As I've contemplated the future of this campaign," Perry said in a morning press conference, "I've come to the conclusion that there is no viable path forward for me."

Flanked by his wife and his son, Perry endorsed former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, then said he would leave the trail and head home to Texas.

"The journey leads me back to Texas, neither discouraged nor disenchanted, but instead rewarded highly by the experience, and resolute to remain in the arena and in the service of my country," Perry said.

Perry's decision comes a day after a spokesmen defiantly said that Perry was "in it to win it" and called talk of a surrender "nuts." Perry made the decision overnight and informed top aides Thursday morning.

During Thursday morning's press conference, Perry said he got into the race to ensure President Obama was defeated. Despite his differences with Gingrich — Perry has long attacked him for being an out-of-touch Washington insider — the Texas governor called the former House speaker a “conservative visionary who can transform our country.”

“We’ve had our differences ... and Newt is not perfect,” Perry said. “But who among us is? The fact is, there is forgiveness for those who seek God.”

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lisaltx, anonymous:

So this means we are stuck with him indefinitely?

1 year, 4 months ago
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Jason Rice, verified:

Rats.

Maybe some bright spark in LA will think he's built up enough name recognition for his own talk show instead. TV is easier to switch off and ignore than day to day governance.

1 year, 4 months ago
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Sarah Blaskovich, staff:

Writer Erick Erickson of the "right of center blog" Red State is a big Rick Perry fan who says it's his time to go. The blog post is worth a read -- like a eulogy for the guy he wanted to win.

In part:

"Rick Perry does not want to be seen as a quitter. But quit he will. I do not want him to quit. I urged him to stay in the race. But sadly his campaign has been unable to get the second look I thought it deserved.

"... I introduced Rick Perry at the 2011 RedState Gathering as the next President of the United States. He remains the best qualified man to be President. I would be thrilled to have him as my President. But he is polling in last place and there are three days to go. It isn’t going to happen."

1 year, 4 months ago
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vickie, anonymous:

I like the talk show idea. Or, Fox News could find a spot for him on one of their shows.

1 year, 4 months ago
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