Rick Perry Suspends Presidential Campaign

Governor Rick and Anita Perry

Bill Smith, Editor, ARRA News: Another candidate retires before the South Carolina voters pick their candidate. Rick Perry suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed former Georgia Rep. Newt Gingrich. Only 2% of South Carolina republican voters were showing an interest in Gov. Perry.

Rick Perry was the only active governor in the top tier in the race for the republican nomination. As the governor of one of the largest states and economies in the United States, it appears he found his time and energies too divided. Perry entered the race late based on encouragement by his supporters that a right-wing state's right alternative was needed.

Gov. Perry burden of carrying on two fronts, governing Texas and campaigning for President  appears to have been too much to bear. He often made gaffes. In addition, when Perry spoke, he reminded many people of another Texan, former president George W. Bush. As such, some feared voters being reminded of the arguments by Barack Obama that "it is Bush's fault." Perry if elected would have been a strong advocate for the U.S. military having been an former Air Force pilot and the present Commander-in Chief for the Texas National Guard, one of the largest in the United States.

Anita Perry at NFRA
Pix By Bill Smith

One of Rick Perry's greatest assets was his conservative wife, Anita Perry, who often stood in for him as a speaker. In Iowa, during the 2012 NFRA Convention, many people expressed their support of Anita Perry who spoke on behalf of Gov. Perry at the convention. Anita would have been a great first lady and would have evidenced both a respect for the White House and the Constitution that would have been appreciated by the American public.

As for Rick Perry endorsement of Newt Gingrich, many social conservatives have to be very surprised. A candidate much closer to Perry's stated personal beliefs is former Senator Rick Santorum. If Perry endorsed Gingrich because of his debating skills and because as he said in his endorsement that "he believes in forgiveness" which obviously meant not holding Newt's prior "sins" in his marriages against him, then such an endorsement evidences another good reason that Perry has withdrawn as a candidate. Indeed, the endorsement did not appear to be much of an endorsement for Newt Gingrich. An endorsement should consider ones' record, conduct, capabilities, beliefs and vision for the future. If Perry meant more than he said, his lack of recalling and sharing those points is more evidence that Gov. Perry was indeed very tired.

In conclusion, if Newt wins the South Carolina primary, it will not be because of Perry's endorsement. However, it may be because voters were influenced by the comments by another voice. Sarah Palin stated that the race for the GOP nomination should not be over at the end of the South Carolina primary. Three states do not represent the votes of the entire United States. She opposed choosing one candidate at this point in time to represent the Republican voice. She encouraged South Carolina voters to vote for Newt Gingrich not because he is the better candidate but to force the continuance of the debates, discussions, and votes in other states on who should be the final Republican candidate. Obviously, time will tell.

We wish Governor Rick Perry the best as he and Anita return to Texas and appreciate his support of the 10th Amendment.

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