(CNN) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be joined by his family in South Carolina this weekend for a major speech in which he will strongly signal his intention to run for president, two GOP sources told CNN.
Perry is not expected to make a formal campaign announcement on Saturday in Charleston, but people familiar with the planning say that Perry's speech to the RedState Gathering, a convention of conservative activists, will erase any doubt about his presidential ambitions.
During his visit to the key early primary state, Perry will also meet privately with dozens of South Carolina Republican leaders. Perry will then travel to New Hampshire where he will meet with party activists there.
The Texas governor has been meeting with donors and talking to activists in key caucus and primary states for weeks as he lays groundwork for a potential campaign.
A formal declaration of candidacy is expected sometime before Labor Day, but Perry's advisers have not revealed a specific announcement date.
From CNN Politics
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Go ahead and run....nobody who is 1/2 sane will vote for you! Especially those who can think beyond the bible.
This man will be the next President of the U.S.
Yes, the last governor from Texas worked out so well that we definitely need another one. not.
So what is Prophet Rick Perry going to do for us that no one else can't?
Be warned, America. Rick Perry has been a joke in Texas, but he'll be a disasterfor the country.
Just what this country needs...another fool from Texas.
What is this nonsense about "strongly signaling an intent to run." If you're going to do it – JUST SAY IT! Here we go – another spineless, windsock politician.
God's not in before then to give him a sign?
Please, please, please run for president Gov Perry. What this country really needs is another Texas governor! Will you be bringing GW to all your rallies to remind people how Texans really know how to reduce deficits!?
If GOD has told Rick Perry to be our next next presdent – who are we to stand in the way of the will of GOD....?
This guy actually has suggested that Texas secede from the union. Where does the Republican party get these people? One is more bizarre than the other. It is the party of circus clowns.
This country does not need another know-nothing from Texas.
Thanks for the warning.
I live in Texas. And let me tell you, people are crazy here. You don't want to elect anyone from Texas. I promise you. You think George W. Bush was bad? Sure, he wasn't very bright. But his intentions were mostly good. Rick Perry is bad, REALLY bad. If he gets elected, you can forget about freedom of religion. He's crazy.
A religious zealot from Texas with an agenda? Hasn't that already been done?
Can't believe a man with so much controversy would even think about running for president...
Great, just what we all need is another crazy person running for President. I'm not even religious and I want to shout God help us all.
Read my lips ... "No new Texans [for president]."
He's brought minimum, wage jobs to Texas, slashed funding to education, health care, and the elderly. We are 24 billion in debt. He is a career politician. He has no busiess running for president.
His intentions have always been clear. Lie, lie, lie. Take the white house. Steal, rob, take bribes and milk it for all it is worth. Retire and write books about what a great man he is. Go to heII and burn for eternity.
just what America needs, another C-D student Governor from Texas who believes that he has a direct line to God.
another christian loser that will just hurt this already crippled country
We need Perry to restore credibility and leadership in Washington. He makes you proud to be an American.
Just what we need, another George W. Bush as president. We are a laughing joke. I'm sure Osama and Saddam are laughing in Hell.
I'm not a huge Perry fan, but I can honestly say that jobs and the economy here in Houston is doing quite well. He would definitely have more wisdom behind him than Obama ever will.