After Perry’s withdrawal, his team worked hard for Gingrich

Boston Herald ^ | January 22, 2012 | Dave Montgomery

[Cincinatus' Wife]

GREENVILLE, S.C. — After Texas Gov. Rick Perry bowed out of the presidential race last week, his senior campaign leaders in South Carolina set to work closing down the three campaign offices, collecting yard signs and dismantling staff.

But their most important assignment from Perry, said state campaign chairman Katon Dawson, was to go to work immediately to help former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in his battle to upset former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the state’s critical first-in-the South primary.

Perry’s decision to drop out of the race and endorse the former speaker helped contribute to Gingrich’s decisive victory in the Palmetto State, although the exact degree was still being determined as results continued to come in Saturday.

Gingrich called Perry after his victory and later told supporters that Perry was “very generous” in extending his endorsement.

“His passion is implementing the 10th Amendment,” Gingrich said of his former adversary-turned-supporter. “We’re going to work with him to return power to the states to local governments and get it out of Washington, D.C.”

All but one of the 22 state officials who endorsed Perry early in his campaign transferred their loyalty to Gingrich after Perry pulled out of his race and bestowed his remaining South Carolina political capital on Gingrich. Dawson, a former state GOP chairman, and other political heavyweights formerly aligned with Perry worked their contacts to help marshal support for Gingrich.

In a statement after the primary, Perry congratulated Gingrich on his “big win” in South Carolina and described him as the “conservative standard-bearer” in the Florida primary and beyond.

“Newt Gingrich is the conservative change agent we need to contrast, debate and defeat President Obama in November,” said Perry.

[lquist1]

“If Newt wins Florida’s 9, suddenly he vaults into 1st place, 34-33.”

Are you sure Florida only has 9 delegates? It seems like they should have a lot more than that, unless they’re being penalized for moving up their primary.

[ngat]

What segment of the Republican Primary voting population is it that is so attracted to Romney?

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

I already am calling our victory in SC as a Landslide.

I think that after Newt gets National exposure, he will win in a Landslide resembling the second Reagan Term. At least, I hope so.

[lquist1]

“We need to unite and help Newt, Rick and company make that happen!”

I am fully behind Newt now, but I still can’t help wishing Perry would have waited a couple months and been fully prepped with his A campaign team in place before jumping in. For me, it’s a personal preference I guess. I see Newt & Perry as basically the same from a policy standpoint, but it’s just tough for me to overlook all of Newt’s baggage-not the personal stuff, but his flirtations with the Eisenhower wing of the party.

But that’s all water under the bridge now. As tough as it is for me to accept, you’re right in saying Perry hasn’t found his true calling yet. I really hope he is as deeply involved with Newt’s administration as is being reported.

[w4women]

Perry and Newt both sticking it to The Establishment!

[ROTB]

That was a very classy thing for Perry to do. I wish him well in all his endeavors.

***

Indeed. The cause is bigger than the man ... which paradoxically makes the man bigger.

[susannah59]

Rick Perry has plenty of first-hand experience with what one local talk radio host calls Obama's "War on Texas." (I live in Texas). This administration seems determined to grab power and run roughshod over the states (in other words, the people) everywhere but they seem to have a special animosity towards Texas.

Everything from the EPA's trying to shut down our power supply, to DOJ's unnecessary interference in congressional redistricting, to ignoring requests for disaster funds after wildfires, and more, the Feds seem determined to kill Texas' economy and interfere in everything possible in the state.

Perry understands why we have to win this election in a way that not everyone does. It's not an abstract idea for him.

[Erik Latranyi]

Perry and Gingrich both share a hatred for Mitt Romney.

Romney plays dirty and his speech last night was not gracious, but full of anger.

Santorum does not like Romney, either.

The Tea Party and conservatives are uniting on one side against the moderate GOP, the MSM and Mitt Romney on the other.

This battle has just begun and we MUST win to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America!

[snippy_about_it]

We were ready to vote for Perry, sad as it was to have him drop out, when yesterday morning arrived we supported Newt.

[TwoSwords]

I’m in Oklahoma, so I pay close attention to what happens in TX. Hate to say it but it’s a race issue with zero. It’s obvious but no one will outright say it. He uses white people, I doubt he likes any of them. His mother is the template of white weakness. White guilt, while stupid, is alive and well. And killing us.

[Kenny]

I really hope Perry is VP.

Secretary of Defense. He nipped that crap about the marines peeing on the dead guy in the bud. Passionately explained the true definition of despicable.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P12/events.phtml?s=c

This site is handy to get stats and info on the primary numbers and rules.

[Walrus]

Perry’s supporters worked hard, not so much for Newt, but for AMERICA. God bless them.

And, yes, Newt is embracing all those ideas of the other candidates which resonate with the American people. His victory speech last night was brilliant.

C’mon, Florida. You know in your heart that Newt is the only man who can defeat Obama and restore our country. Give him a big victory and keep the wave building.

[muffaletaman]

And how about NOT placing one of the retired space shuttles on display in Texas?

One goes on display at Kennedy in Florida... OK.

But the other two plus the Enterprise, go to Virginia, New York and California?

Right...

[Flintlock]

NEWT/RICK in ‘12!!!

Sound good?

[Flintlock]

NEWT/RICK in ‘12!!!

Sound good?

[paintriot]

It really shows what a class act Perry is and I’m sure he will have a top spot in the administration should Newt win.
Now if we can just get Santorum to do the sane/same thing.

Rombama must be defeated.

[Kit cat]

CW I was so sorry to see Perry leave the race, he really is a great
man, but of course you already know that!!!!!! God speed, I know how
difficult it must have been to see him leave the race, the people of
Texas however will get to keep their GREAT governor.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Now we move on and adopt Perry’s plan:

_________________________________________

Make what Americans buy.

Buy what Americans make..

and sell it to the world!

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

My hats off to Rick Perry and company for understanding the real threat(romney)and throwing in with Newt.Santorum needs to get on board as well.Hope he sees the light soon.