Posted on 01/22/2012 4:07:26 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bostonherald.com ...
Gov. Perry is a class act and a patriot. I wish him well and see him as a major part of Conservative politics for a long time.
I just asked a couple of simple questions, but you’re the one who is always bent out of shape, whether the topic is Sarah Palin or your favorite candidate. I’m sorry I’ve wasted my time trying to get an answer.
Well said.
Govenor Perry increased the content of his charicture considerbly with these actions.
I really hope Perry is VP.
He deserves the VP slot.
He is a good Christian man and a solid Conservative.
Since 2000 he has led the second largest state in the union on to be the most successful economically.
Perry stated that in his administration he would start all countries getting U.S. foreign aid at ZERO, until they proved to be our allies.
He was also the first to bring the war on religion to the forefront.
Thank you for this post. Very statesmanlike and grown-up of Perry. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Remember when Newt’s staff jumped for Perry? Welcome back!
“So, please tell me what sank his campaign, if not his defense of giving in-state tuition to illegals? That’s all that comes to mind, unless it was his overreaching with government power and Gardisil.”
I think the key moment was when he tried to go after Romney’s flipflopping. He just fumbled that one big time. We had 8 years of Bushisms and nobody was in the mood for another Texas governor who wasn’t articulate.
Yes, those were some cringe-worthy moments. It’s too bad he wasn’t a confident debater.
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