Rick Perry still undecided on Presidential run

### July 27, 2011

Texas Governor Rick Perry

By Jimmy Ardis

AUSTIN, Texas: Another sign towards a Rick Perry presidential campaign surfaced on Tuesday when the fiscally conservative group GrowPac, based in New York and led by economist David Malpass, announced their support for Perry by launching a radio campaign in Iowa urging people to write in Perry as a candidate on the August 13th Ames Straw Poll.[1] A positive showing in the influential straw poll would build positive campaign momentum for the Texas Governor, who has yet to formally enter the race. Part of the 60-second ad that Iowans will hear on their radios as the Ames Straw Poll approaches reads:

> Texas Governor Rick Perry has a proven track record of controlling spending and creating jobs. He succeeded in Texas by believing in less government, not more.

> Rick Perry understands the 10th amendment and has the backbone to bring an upheaval to Washington.

> Iowa has a chance to turn things around for America.

> At the Ames Straw Poll write in Rick Perry, he can win and make America secure again.

> [1]

Perry, a star amongst the Tea Party and conservatives, has long deflected calls from groups and activists across the nation to throw his hat in the presidential ring. Supporters cite his consistent conservative record and Texas's strong economic performance under his leadership as two of their many reasons for backing Perry. He began hinting at a potential 2012 bid for the US Presidency in May. Reversing his previous insistence that he was not interested, Perry fielded a question concerning his presidential intentions on May 27th with "I'm going to think about it. I think about a lot of things."[2] The governor stated he wanted to wait until the Texas State Legislature adjourned before making a decision on a presidential run.[2]

If Perry does end up running, the Texas economy could become even more of a national focus, given the prolonged economic recession in the United States. As The Washington Post reports "nearly four out of 10 of the jobs created in this country since the recovery began have been in the Lone Star State. As of May, Texas was one of only three states (plus the District) that have rebounded to their pre-recession employment levels, according to statistics provided by the Federal Reserve Board of Dallas."[3] The struggling national economy has been one of President Obama's weaknesses since taking office, and some Republicans see Perry's success in Texas as valuable firepower come 2012.

Prospects for a Perry Presidential campaign remain high, but are still uncertain. One of Perry's top advisors told CNN today that "Rick Perry is not a half-in kind of person on anything, ever. If he decides to move forward he'll be all in. If he is out, he'll be out just as quickly. But we have not made any hard decisions yet."[4] When recently asked by the Des Moins Register about his plans, Perry said “I’m not ready to tell you that I’m ready to announce that I’m in. But I’m getting more and more comfortable every day that this is what I’ve been called to do. This is what America needs.”[1]

The stars seem to be aligning for Rick Perry's presidential ambitions, but it looks like everyone will have to wait a little longer to see if he pulls the trigger.

## See also

* Rick Perry
* Texas

## Footnotes

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Daily Caller, "Perry radio ad debuts in Iowa," July 26, 2011
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Winnipeg Free Press, "Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry says he will consider running for president," May 27, 2011
3. ↑ The Washington Post, "Will Rick Perry run for president?" July 1, 2011
4. ↑ CNN "Exploratory committee not likely for Perry," July 27, 2011

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