Tag Archives: senator-rick

Rick Perry Drops Out Of Race, Endorses Newt Gingrich

‘I know when it’s time to make a strategic retreat,’ former GOP presidential hopeful says. By Dan Montalto Rick Perry Photo: Getty Images Rick Perry announced Thursday (January 19) that he is suspending his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and throwing his support behind former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Perry made the announcement at a news conference in Charleston, South Carolina, saying, “I have come to the conclusion that there is no viable path forward for me in the 2012 campaign. I know when it’s time to make a strategic retreat.” The Texas governor’s announcement came just hours before the final debate leading up to Saturday’s South Carolina primary, in which he had been polling in the low single digits. Perry finished fifth in both the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary . Upon entering the race, Perry initially surged in the polls, but his support quickly dwindled following several gaffes during the Republican debates. In explaining his support for Gingrich, Perry stated, “I believe Newt is a conservative visionary who can transform this country,” adding that Gingrich has the “heart of a conservative reformer.” With recent polls showing Gingrich closing in on Romney’s lead in South Carolina, Perry’s timing and endorsement could have an impact on Saturday’s primary. Perry’s endorsement of Gingrich also comes on the same day that a recount of the Iowa caucus results erased Romney’s razor-thin victory, putting former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum at the top of the vote count. Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary races and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season. Related Videos New Hampshire Primary Sparks Youth Conversation

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Rick Perry Drops Out Of Race, Endorses Newt Gingrich

Rick Santorum Surges in Iowa Poll, Lays Into Ron Paul

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum surged into third place in a new Iowa, and the Republican Presidential hopeful took this piece news as an opportunity to slam one of the two people ahead of him: Ron Paul. A CNN survey showed Santorum with 16 percent support in Iowa, in advance of the January 3 caucuses. Mitt Romney has 25 percent and Paul 22. Santorum, who struggled to gain traction for an entire year, finally has in part due to Newt Gingrich’s collapse. Asked about Paul’s support, he said : “Ron Paul says he’s going to eliminate five departments. Ron Paul passed one bill in 20 years. What give you the idea that he can eliminate anything?” “I mean, he has absolutely no track record of building any kind of coalition to get anything done anywhere,” Santorum said. “I understand the appeal that Ron Paul has: it’s simple, it’s short – but there’s no track record there.” “What people in Iowa like about Ron Paul is all of his economic talk which requires Congress to act of which he has showed no ability to get them to do.” “What they don’t like about Ron Paul is this craziness about cutting the military in half and getting our troops out of everywhere. He can do that. He can actually order that on day one – all our troops around the world to come home.” Santorum called Paul’s foreign policy “far to the left of President Obama.” “I mean he’s out in the Dennis Kucinich wing of the Democratic Party. Don’t laugh! That’s where he is. This country is not going to elect Dennis Kucinich President. I don’t care how much government he wants to cut.” He said the “danger” of Paul’s policies “should just chill every Iowan.” “People say, ‘Well he won’t really do that.’ Well he’ll be 78 years old. How many 78-years-olds say – after saying this for 30 years – change their mind?” “Let’s just be honest. By then you are sort of set in your ways. It’s not like this is new, so let’s get serious about what message Iowa is going to send to the country, and the message has to be that we want a responsible conservative.” Just a few observations here: Paul is actually 76, FYI. Paul’s supporters will likely be more energized the more people go after him. Santorum lost his Senate seat by 17 points in 2006. When you Google Ron Paul, this doesn’t happen .

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Rick Santorum Surges in Iowa Poll, Lays Into Ron Paul