Man, remember when Perry was the GOP Messiah, the Guy Who'd Take It All The Way, the charismatic governor with the spotless conservative credentials and the sparkling state economy?
Bookmark those memories for 2015. There is no automatic candidate for the party not in the White House.
Perry was hurt both by the size and variety of the GOP field (with several others campaigning for the zany wing nomination) and, more importantly, by his own gaffes. He might have pushed through either half of that equation, but the two together doomed him.
I doubt his dropping out will help Gingrich that much — his polling numbers were already close to nil, and a lot of that had gone to Gingrich anyway. What I'll be curious to see is what happens in Texas now. Will Perry's crappy showing in the presidential race and his obvious flaws hurt him politically? Will he run for Governor next time out? Or maybe Senator? Will he fade softly and silently away? Should be interesting to see. #ddtb
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AP sources: Perry abandoning bid, backing Gingrich – The Denver Post
CHARLESTON, S.C.—Texas Gov. Rick Perry will abandon his presidential bid and endorse Newt Gingrich, two Republican officials said Thursday, a move coming just two days before the pivotal South Carolin…