FIRST ON CNN: Sources: Perry dropping out of GOP race
Charleston, South Carolina (CNN) - Rick Perry is telling supporters that he will drop his bid Thursday for the Republican presidential nomination, two sources familiar with his plans told CNN.
The Texas governor will make the announcement before the CNN debate in South Carolina, the sources said.
Tune in Thursday at 8 p.m. ET for the CNN/Southern Republican Presidential Debate hosted by John King and follow it on Twitter at #CNNDebate. For real-time coverage of the South Carolina primary, go to CNNPolitics.com or to the CNN apps or CNN mobile web site.
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The move comes two days before the South Carolina primary and hours before the final debate ahead of the voting, which will take place on CNN Thursday night.
The campaigns of Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum reached out to the Perry campaign Thursday morning in an "aggressive effort" to get his endorsement, according to a source close to Perry.
Perry will indicate his support for Newt Gingrich but will not explicitly endorse him, a source with knowledge of Perry's decision told CNN.
To follow the latest developments on Perry, follow the Ticker's update here.
Perry placed fifth in Iowa and last in New Hampshire - a state in which he did not actively compete - and had said he would launch a bid to win in South Carolina.
"South Carolinians are looking for a conservative candidate that will get this country back working again and I am it," Perry told CNN last week.
On Wednesday, CNN asked Perry about a poll that showed him with only 6% support among likely voters in the South Carolina primary.
He insisted he was continuing with the effort to have a strong showing in the state.
"We're convinced that that's our goal, so the idea that we're going to do anything else, other than try to impact this election is - that's why we got in it. We didn't get in it because it was our purpose in life to be the president of the United States. We did it because it was our purpose to serve this country, and that's what we've been called for, and that's what we're going to continue doing."
When Perry entered the race in August, he immediately did well in the polls. But a series of gaffes, particularly at debates against his rivals, sent his support plummeting.
On Thursday, his campaign website continued to say "help Rick Perry win South Carolina and get America back on track."
Perry's official campaign Facebook page was filled with posts, largely from disappointed voters.
- CNN's Josh Levs contributed to this report.
Also see:
Polls: South Carolina primary tightening hours before crucial debate
Gingrich as compares Romney's 'desperate' attacks to 2008 campaign
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Another one bites the dust! Perry finally figured it out, Big Money buys the GOP candidate and he does not have the bank account that Romney has. Santorum will be next. So much for democracy, HA! It's all about the MONEY
Thirsty and Obama 12 !
Now all Romney has is a backyard win in a tiny state and a giant tax headache. He's fallen from presumptive nominee status. Republicans are well versed in the rough and tumble art of political character assassination, but can they accomplish anything constructive?
Ummmmm, who cares?.
I always wonder about how these politicians come out strong as believing and going to be doing one thing only to totaly reverse course in a few days. How are we suppose to have trust in what they say??
Can you please keep him... out of Texas. I swear the IQ of Texas went up several points since that genius when on the campaign trail.
Go Perry! Get out of the way. The conservative vote is far greater than the Romney vote, but up until now it's been divided. NOW if either Gingrich or Santorum would step aside, we'd have a TRUE CONSERVATIVE to go against Obama, and it would be bye bye Romneycare/ Obamacare.
I am sorry he's leaving. I thought he was by far the best of the candidates.
One more down
Here is another Idiot politician gone from the political circus of GOP-TeaParty joke. These candidates are embarrassing for this great nation.
Another one bites the dust! Glad he finally had a good debate Monday, but definately the right thing to do to move on. Best of luck to you in Texas.
Hopefully, Rick goes in for a medical exam. There is something wrong with him, and I am not joking.
He looks tired.
So, I guess the Christian sky-fairy who he claimed told him to be President was just a voice in his head.
About time.
A most enthusiastic Good Riddance, along with a boot in the rear for good measure.
Another one bites the dust, another one bites the dust do da, do da
God told you it's futile.
oh this is so sad:-)
"Please allow this letter to certify we will accept the funds in H.R.1, the stimulus, and use them to promote economic growth and create jobs in a fiscally responsible manner that is in the interest of the Texas taxpayers."And in that letter, the governor did say he opposed the stimulus, but he took the money. Yet, months later and right up to this day, he continues to speak out against federal money and the state officials who take it.
Some of those people boosting the Texas economy come illegally across the border. According to the Texas Association of Business, illegal immigrant labor pumps in about $17 billion a year which in turn also creates more jobs. Another job creating factor is federal stimulus money, either going straight into state and local construction projects, or as it did in the last two years, to cover 97 percent of the state's budget defict
Rick Perry= Bush 3.0
People are sick of the Bush family brand and the world is moving away from them.
Hallelujah!!!...wait, does this mean he's coming back to Texas. Crap...
So, I guess the Christian sky-god, who he claimed told him to be President, was just a voice in his head.
I'll miss his thoughtful, eloquent, and articulate exploration of important issues. 😉 It was such good fodder for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Let's see if the Newtster can puff himself up some more.
Good riddance! One less religious nut to worry about.
Now Perry can go back to the business of seceding Texas from the Union!