[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/18/art.0918-1.jpg caption="Gov. Rick Perry is currently battling Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for the GOP nomination."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry was originally included on 2012 Presidential Straw Poll ballot at this weekend's Values Voter Summit in Washington, but his staff requested that his name be removed.
A spokesman for Perry's re-election campaign told CNN that the request was made because the two-term governor is not thinking about running for President, but is instead "focused on running for governor." Perry is currently battling Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for the GOP nomination.
The governor, however, is still attending the conference and is slated to speak on Saturday.
The potential Republican candidates on the straw poll ballot are: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
Four of the Republicans on the ballot will actually attend the event.Pence, Huckabee and Pawlenty will address the conference on Friday morning, while Romney will deliver remarks on Saturday.
This is so typical GOP – make a big fuss with nothing but lies and distortion, slander and slurs, then when push comes to shove – run the opposite direction.
KBHutchison is a lying skank. How quickly people forget – go back and read some of her writing during the campaign and how she lied over and over about Obama and Hillary.
I will NEVER trust a Republican. So glad I don't live in Texas or the south.
Romney can't win because his state promoted a healthcare plan similar to that of Pres. Obama's. Also, Pawlenty, what?
Be very afraid of this man. He's not right.
Isn't this the clown that wants Texas to secede from the U.S.? What's he waiting for?