Texas Governor Rick Perry is apparently polling voters outside of his home state to gauge his chances of capturing the Republican presidential nomination next year, reports National Review’s Robert Bryce.Perry’s advisors immediately denied that they were gearing up for a White House run. “We have done no polling in any state other than Texas, period,” Perry aide Dave Carney told Politico. “Nor have we seen any polling that anyone or entity did in any other state. Unequivocally.” Still, Rick Perry, should he choose to run, could be a serious contender in what many have argued is a weak Republican field. http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailycaller/20110118/pl_dailycaller/isrickperryrunningforpresident
Some would say that that's exactly what politicians who are trying to win another term as governor of their state MUST say.
Others would point out that many who are on the list have not given a straight-up, clear answer.
If Rick Perry breaks his promise to the people of Texas and runs in 2012, you can color me not surprised. He is first, and foremost, a politician - not a constitutional conservative (although he makes a lot of the right noises to please the crowd).
Should he make some strong indication that he is indeed going to seek the nomination, then we'll see how his presence in the field affects the other likely contenders' chances.
My guess, is that he would indeed make a strong showing in the southern states. However, I still don't believe that the American people are ready for another president from Texas, yet.
We'll see.