Perry Said to Withdraw From Republican Race
Rick Perry
David Goldman/AP
Former Republican presidential candidate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry embraces Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, former U.S. Navy SEAL and Vietnam War veteran Michael Thornton, during a campaign event, on Jan. 18, 2012, in Greer, S.C.
Former Republican presidential candidate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry embraces Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, former U.S. Navy SEAL and Vietnam War veteran Michael Thornton, during a campaign event, on Jan. 18, 2012, in Greer, S.C. Photographer: David Goldman/AP
Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Texas Governor Rick Perry, who has acknowledged his previous Republican presidential debate performances were subpar, had an embarrassing moment in last night's debate in Rochester, Michigan. Asked to identify the three federal agencies he would eliminate to help cut government spending, specifics Perry talks about on the campaign trail, he could name just two. Erik Schatzker reports on Bloomberg Television's "InsideTrack." (Source: Bloomberg)
Jan. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Texas Governor Rick Perry will withdraw from the Republican Presidential race and endorse rival Newt Gingrich, said an aide who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly. Peter Cook reports on Bloomberg Television's "InBusiness With Margaret Brennan." (Source: Bloomberg)
Texas Governor Rick Perry will withdraw from the Republican presidential race and endorse rival Newt Gingrich, said an aide who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
Perry, who has lagged below 10 percent in public opinion polls since the New Hampshire primary, scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference today in South Carolina (BEESSC), site of the next primary election Jan. 21. Gingrich declined to comment on Perry’s planned exit as he entered a campaign event in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Perry was the last candidate to enter the presidential race, on Aug. 13. His tenure in Texas (BEESTX) and standing with social conservatives who place emphasis on opposition to abortion and gay marriage raised expectations for his candidacy, as did his fundraising prowess.
An NBC News-Marist College poll today showed Gingrich gaining support in his challenge to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who leads in South Carolina.
Perry’s early surge in national polls after he entered the race was hurt by what he acknowledged were poor debate performances. He also drew criticism after making disparaging comments about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and Social Security.
‘Sorry. Oops’
During a November debate, he couldn’t remember the name of the third government agency he would eliminate if he became president.
He named two, the departments of Commerce and Education, and then said he couldn’t remember the third. “I can’t. Sorry. Oops,” he said.
Perry on Aug. 15 said things could get “ugly” for Bernanke in Texas if he tried additional, “almost treasonous,” monetary stimulus before the next presidential election.
Perry touted economic gains and job creation in Texas during his 10 years as governor and portrayed himself as a Washington outsider.
In an effort to distinguish himself from others in the contest, Perry proposed giving individuals the option of paying a 20 percent flat tax on their income as part of his economic plan. He also proposed lowering the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent.
To contact the reporter on this story: John McCormick in Bluffton, South Carolina at jmccormick16@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net
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