2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Newt Gingrich Statement on Governor Rick Perry Endorsement

Gingrich Statement on Governor Perry Endorsement

Beaufort, SC - Newt Gingrich released the following statement responding to Governor Rick Perry's suspension of his campaign and endorsement of Gingrich and withdrawal from the race.

“I am humbled and honored to have the support of my friend Rick Perry.  His selflessness is yet another demonstration of his deep sense of citizenship and commitment to the cause of limited government, historic American values and greater freedom for every American.

“Governor Perry will continue to be a leader for the cause of conservatism, especially for more American energy and for implementing the 10th Amendment across the country.

“South Carolinians have a chance this Saturday to nominate a bold Reagan conservative who will offer a dramatic contrast with President Obama this fall in the general election.

“I ask the supporters of Governor Perry to look at my record of balancing the budget, cutting spending, reforming welfare, and enacting pro-growth policies to create millions of new jobs and humbly ask for their vote.”

Text of Gov. Rick Perry's Remarks In South Carolina Announcing Suspension of Campaign and Endorsement of Newt Gingrich for President

Text of Gov. Rick Perry's Remarks

1/19/12, North Charleston, S.C.
 
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - Below is the text of Gov. Perry's speech today.

*NOTE: Gov. Perry sometimes deviates from prepared remarks.

Thank you. As I have stated numerous times on the campaign trail, this campaign has never been about the candidates.

I ran for President because I love America, our people and our freedom.

But the mission is greater than the man.

As I have traveled across this great country: from New Hampshire to California, from Iowa to Florida, and to numerous states in between, I have discovered a tremendous purpose and resiliency in our people.

They have never lost hope despite current circumstances.

They haven't stopped believing in the promise of America or the American Dream.

Americans are down, but we can never be counted out. We are too great a people.

What is broken in America is not our people, but our politics.

And what we need is a Washington that is humbler, with a federal government that is smaller so our people can live freer.

I entered this campaign offering a unique perspective: a governor who has led a large state leading the nation in job creation, an executive leader who has implemented conservative policies, a son of tenant farmers born with little more than a good name, but who has experienced the great possibilities of freedom.

But I have never believed that the cause of conservatism is embodied by any one individual.

Our party, and the conservative philosophy, transcends any one individual.

It is a movement of ideas that are greater than any one of us, and that will live beyond our years.

As a former Air Force pilot, I know we can't lose track of the ultimate objective in carrying out our mission, and that objective is not only to defeat President Obama, but to replace him with a conservative leader who will bring about real change.
 
Our country is hurting with more than 13 million unemployed, nearly 50 million on food stamps and a debt of more than $15 trillion and growing.

We need bold, conservative leadership that will take on the entrenched interests and give the American People their country back.

I have always believed the mission is greater than the man.

As I have contemplated the future of this campaign, I have come to the conclusion that there is no viable path to victory for my candidacy in 2012.

Therefore, today I am suspending my campaign and endorsing Newt Gingrich for president.

I believe Newt is a conservative visionary who can transform our country.

We have had our differences, which campaigns inevitably bring out. And Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?

The fact is, there is forgiveness for those who seek God and I believe in the power of redemption, for it is a central tenet of my own Christian faith.

And I have no question Newt Gingrich has the heart of a conservative reformer, the ability to rally and captivate the conservative movement and the courage to tell the Washington interests to take a hike if it's what is best for the country.
As a Texan, I have never shied away from a good fight, especially when the cause was right.

But as someone who has always admired a great Texas forefather -- Sam Houston -- I know when it is time for a "strategic retreat."

So I will leave the trail, return home to Texas and wind down my 2012 campaign organization. And I will do so with pride knowing I gave myself fully to a cause worthy of our country.

And as I head home, I do so with the love of my life by my side, a woman who makes every day a good one when she is by my side, my wife Anita.

Thank you Anita for all you have done.

I also want to thank my son Griffin, my daughter Sydney, and my daughter-in-law Meredith for standing with us in this great effort.

With a good wife, three wonderful children, and a loving God in my life, things will be good no matter what the future holds.
 
I'm proud of the policies we put forward to the American people and believe they provide the right path forward for our party and our nation: overhauling Washington and returning power to state and local governments and to the people, creating energy jobs and energy security, cutting spending and eliminating unnecessary federal agencies and cutting taxes to a flat, fair 20 percent.

And I will continue to fight for these conservative reforms because the future of our country is at stake and the road we are traveling today - President Obama's road - endangers our future.
 
I want to thank some wonderful individuals who have stood by my side in this state: Katon Dawson, Ambassador Wilkins, and a strong and good man serving you in Congress, Mick Mulvaney.

I want to thank all my supporters from across the country, in particular Governor Bobby Jindal, Steve Forbes and Governor Sam Brownback, as well as Senator Jim Inhofe, Congresswoman Candice Miller and Congressman Sam Graves.
 
And I want to say a special thanks to three distinguished veterans who have joined me on the campaign trail: Medal of Honor awardee and Navy SEAL Mike Thornton, Navy Cross recipient Marcus Luttrell and Purple Heart recipient, Marine Captain Dan Moran.

I began this race with a sense of calling.

I felt led into this arena to fight for the future of this country.

I feel no different today than I did then, knowing a calling never guarantees a particular destination, but a journey that tests one's faith and character.
 
So now the journey leads us back to Texas, neither discouraged nor disenchanted, but instead rewarded for the experience and resolute to remain in the arena and in the service of a great nation.

Our country needs bold leadership and a real transformation.

We must rise to the occasion and elect a conservative champion to put our nation back on the right track.

And this I know, I am not done fighting for the cause of conservatism. In fact I have only begun to fight.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

This Donor Was Spotted On The Rick Perry South Carolina Splash Page This Morning

Gov. Rick Perry Today Will Hold a Press Conference in North Charleston, South Carolina

Gov. Rick Perry today will hold a press conference in North Charleston, SC.

Thursday, Jan. 19

11:00 a.m. ET - North Charleston, S.C.

Hyatt Place
Meeting Room
7331 Mazyck Road
North Charleston, SC 29406

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule January 18-19, 2012 *Updated

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule Wednesday, Jan. 18 - Thursday, Jan. 19

As Gov. Perry continues his campaign tour across the state of South Carolina, please see an updated schedule of events below.

*NOTE: Event details are subject to updates; All events listed in Eastern.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

11:30 a.m. - Greer, S.C.

Main Street Walk

Wild Ace Pizza
109 Trade Street
Greer, SC 29651

12:30 p.m. - Greer, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Southern Thymes
219 Trade Street
Greer, SC 29651

7:00 p.m. - Greenville, S.C.

Personhood USA's Presidential Pro-Life Forum

Hilton Hotel
45 West Orchard Park Drive
Greenville, SC 29615

Thursday, Jan. 19

11:00 a.m. ET - North Charleston, S.C.

Hyatt Place
Meeting Room
7331 Mazyck Road
North Charleston, SC 29406

? 8:00 p.m. - Charleston, S.C.

CNN/SRLC Debate

North Charleston Coliseum
5001 Coliseum Drive
North Charleston, SC 29418

Rick Perry Campaign Statement on Tonight's Fox News Presidential Debate In South Carolina

Gov. Rick Perry Calls for An End to Obama’s War on the States, Promotes Low Flat Tax, Overhaul of Washington Bureaucracy and Investment in American Jobs
Gives strong, confident performance at South Carolina Fox News Debate
 
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Texas Gov. Rick Perry stood out as a solid conservative and the only true Washington and Wall Street outsider left in the GOP race, and decried the Obama administration war on South Carolina and other states’ efforts to pass Voter ID, immigration and other laws and policies.
 
“This administration is out of control,” Gov. Perry said. “The state of Texas is under assault by federal government. South Carolina is at war with this federal government and with this administration. What this Justice Department has done, not only have they taken them to task on Voter ID, they’ve also taken them to task on their immigration law, and then the most egregious thing is the National Labor Relations Board coming into a right-to-work state and telling the state of South Carolina, ‘We’re not going to let a private company come in here.’ That is irresponsible, I will suggest to you it’s unconstitutional, and when I’m the president of the United States, the states are going to have substantially more rights to take care of their business and not be forced by the EPA, or by the Justice Department for that matter, to do things that are against the will of the people.”
 
During tonight’s debate, sponsored by Fox News, The Wall Street Journa l and the South Carolina Republican Party, Gov. Perry laid out his commitment to overhauling Washington, cutting taxes to a flat and fair 20 percent and sparking American job creation. The debate highlighted Gov. Perry’s experience creating more than a million net new jobs during the last 11 years as the governor of the state of Texas, which is the 13th largest economy in the world.
 
In response to the bickering between the other candidates on the stage, Gov. Perry said, “This is a great example of the insiders that are having a conversation up here, and the fact of the matter is this: Washington, D.C., needs to leave the states alone and let the states decide this issues and don’t do it from Washington, D.C.”
 
Over the last several months, Gov. Perry has traveled the country sharing his plans to get America working again and emphasizing his commitment to bringing the change the American people want to see to Washington, D.C., as president. The governor’s Uproot and Overhaul Washington plan establishes a part-time Congress, and calls for cutting congressional sessions, staffs and salaries in half. The plan puts an end to bailouts and earmarks, and is designed to stop the out-of-control Washington spending that has put our nation more than $15 trillion in debt.
 
Gov. Perry also touted his Cut, Balance and Grow plan, which creates a simpler, flatter and fairer 20 percent personal and corporate tax rate; reigns in federal spending; and calls for a federal Balanced Budget Amendment. He has also laid out an Energizing American Jobs and Security plan designed to take advantage of our domestic energy resources, making the cost of electricity and fuel cheaper and more predictable, revitalizing manufacturing and reducing our country’s dangerous dependence on hostile foreign oil sources.
 
“We need to cut the tax rate down to where people feel confident that they can risk their capital and have a return on their investment,” Gov. Perry said. “That’s the reason that I’ve laid out a simple and flat tax of 20 percent with their home mortgage deduction and charitable deduction and local taxes deducted, get rid of capital gains tax, get rid of the tax on Social Security benefits and then take 20 percent of that and mail your check in. Even Timothy Geithner can get his taxes in on time with that type of a system.
 
“Getting America back to work again — that’s what I’ve done for 11 years as the governor of the 13th largest economy in the world. A million jobs that have been created in my state because we have created that climate where job creators know they can go out and risk their capital and have a return on their investment.
 
“As the president of the United States, that’s what I’m going to do. Walk into Washington, D.C., work towards a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution and work to make Congress a part-time body so they stay less time in Washington, D.C., go back home and get a real job like everybody else has, and live under the laws that they pass.”

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule January 14-20, 2012 *Updated

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule Saturday, Jan. 14 - Friday, Jan. 20

As Gov. Perry continues his campaign tour across the state of South Carolina, please see an updated schedule of events below.

*NOTE: Event details are subject to updates; All events listed in Eastern.

Saturday, Jan. 14

9:00 a.m. - Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Page's Okra Grill
302 Coleman Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

12:00 p.m. - Charleston, S.C.

Huckabee Forum

College of Charleston
Sottile Theatre
44 George Street
Charleston, SC 29401

3:00 p.m. - Georgetown, S.C.

Main Street Walk

Rice Museum
637 Front Street
Georgetown, SC 29440

*NOTE: The walk will begin at The Rice Museum.

Sunday, Jan. 15

8:30 a.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

South Carolina GOP Faith and Freedom Coalition Prayer Breakfast

Sheraton Convention Center
Grand Ballroom
2101 North Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Monday, Jan. 16

11:00 a.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Café Moms Townhall Meeting hosted by Frank Luntz and Lindsay Ferrier

Fresh Brewed Coffee House
933 Broadway Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

9:00 p.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

FOX News Debate

Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2101 North Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Tuesday, Jan. 17

9:30 a.m. - Murrells Inlet, S.C.

Townhall Meeting

VFW
4359 Highway 17
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

5:00 p.m. - Columbia, S.C.

BIPEC Forum

The Marriot
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201

8:00 p.m. - Greenville, S.C.

The Response

TD Convention Center
1 Exposition Drive
Greenville, SC 29607

*NOTE: The event begins at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

11:30 a.m. - Greer, S.C.

Main Street Walk

Wild Ace Pizza
109 Trade Street
Greer, SC 29651

12:30 p.m. - Greer, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Southern Thymes
219 Trade Street
Greer, SC 29651

7:00 p.m. - Greenville, S.C.

Personhood USA's Presidential Pro-Life Forum

Hilton Hotel
45 West Orchard Park Drive
Greenville, SC 29615

Thursday, Jan. 19

8:00 p.m. - Charleston, S.C.

CNN/SRLC Debate

North Charleston Coliseum
5001 Coliseum Drive
North Charleston, SC 29418

Friday, Jan. 20

12:00 p.m. - Lexington, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Hudson's Smokehouse
4952 Sunset Boulevard
Lexington, SC 29072

4:30 p.m. - Spartanburg, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Wade's Restaurant
1000 North Pine Street
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Perry Campaign Releases 60-Second Ad in South Carolina: "President of Honor," Featuring Decorated Veterans Talking Leadership and Character

Perry Campaign Releases 60-Second Ad in South Carolina: "President of Honor," Featuring Decorated Veterans Talking Leadership and Character

AUSTIN - The Perry campaign today released a 60-second television advertisement entitled "President of Honor," which will air on South Carolina broadcast and cable. .

The ad features highly decorated former military personnel, some of who are traveling with Gov. Perry on the campaign trail. Rick Perry is the only candidate in the race for president who volunteered to serve in the U.S. military. He was a USAF officer and pilot between 1972-1977.

"The decorated military veterans in this TV ad speak strongly for Gov. Perry's character, faith and leadership," said Perry campaign spokesman Ray Sullivan. "These vets know Rick Perry's pro-American, pro-job and pro-veteran record. Additionally, Gov. Perry is the one true Washington outsider left in this race and has an unparalleled record of job creation, having created more than one million net new jobs while in office."

"President of Honor" Script:

Jim Livingston: "My name is Jim Livingston. I am a retired major general."

Text: Marine Maj. Gen. Jim Livingston Awarded Medal of Honor, Rick Perry Supporter

Daniel P. Moran: "Governor Perry - he is the best person to serve as commander in chief."

Text: First Lieutenant Daniel P. Moran Awarded Purple Heart, Rick Perry Supporter

Dakota Meyer: "Any veteran that I knew needed help, Governor Perry always told me whatever he could do to care of them he would do it."

Text: Cpl. Dakota Meyer Awarded Medal of Honor, Rick Perry Supporter

Marcus Luttrell: "Governor Rick Perry -he is one of the most honorable men I've ever met."

Text: Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell Awarded Navy Cross, Rick Perry Supporter

Michael E. Thornton: "This is about how we can lead this nation. Rick Perry is that leader."

Text: Navy Seal Michael E. Thornton Awarded Medal of Honor, Rick Perry Supporter

Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, the next President of the United States."

Gov. Perry: "Washington's broken. Replacing one Washington insider with another won't change a thing."

Text: The Only Candidate That Created Over 1 Million Jobs Bureau Of Labor Statistics

Gov. Perry: "I'm the outsider who's willing to step on some toes. We can surely recapture what is great about America. And we can restore this nation to its preeminence in the world as a beacon of individual liberty and economic prosperity. And there is no greater cause in our time."

Daniel P. Moran: "You can't tell me America is not exceptional. You can't tell me that because I've seen it."

Text: Proven Leadership

Text: Integrity

Text: Trust

Gov. Perry: "I'm Rick Perry and I approve of this message."

Text: Approved By Rick Perry And Paid For By RickPerry.org, Inc.

Gov. Rick Perry on New Hampshire and South Carolina

Gov. Rick Perry on New Hampshire and South Carolina

LEESVILLE, S.C. - Gov. Rick Perry tonight issued the following statement:

"Tonight's results in New Hampshire show the race for 'conservative alternative' to Mitt Romney remains wide open. I skipped New Hampshire and aimed my campaign right at conservative South Carolina, where we've been campaigning hard and receiving an enthusiastic welcome. I believe being the only non-establishment outsider in the race, the proven fiscal and social conservative and proven job creator will win the day in South Carolina.

"South Carolina is the next stop. I have a head start here, and it's friendly territory for a Texas governor and veteran with solid outsider credentials, the nation's best record of job creation, and solid fiscal, social and Tea Party conservatism."

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule January 11-16, 2012

Rick Perry South Carolina Schedule Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Monday, Jan. 16

On Sunday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry began a campaign tour across the state of South Carolina. Destinations are listed below. Event details are subject to updates.

All events listed in Eastern.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

9:00 a.m. - Lexington, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Lizard's Thicket
4616 Augusta Road
Lexington, SC 29072

1:10 p.m. - Columbia, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Doc's Barbecue and Southern Buffet
1601 Shop Road
Columbia, SC 29201

3:30 p.m. - Aiken, S.C.

Main Street Walk

The Gun Rack
213 Richland Avenue West
Aiken, SC 29801

*NOTE: The walk will begin at The Gun Rack and end at Lionel Smith Ltd.

4:30 p.m. - Aiken, S.C.

Townhall Meeting

Municipal Building Conference Center
215 The Alley
Aiken, SC 29801

6:15 p.m. - North Augusta, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Al's Family Restaurant
611 Atomic Road
North Augusta, SC 29841

Thursday, Jan. 12

9:00 a.m. - Blythewood, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Lizard's Thicket
711-1 University Village Drive
Blythewood, SC 29016

12:00 p.m. - Orangeburg, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Duke's Barbecue
789 Chestnut Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115

2:00 p.m. - Summerville, S.C.

Main Street Walk

Murphy Law Firm
136 West Richardson Avenue
Summerville, SC 29843

*NOTE: The walk will begin and end at Murphy Law Firm.

4:00 p.m. - Walterboro, S.C.

Main Street Walk

Coffeehouse Books
213 East Washington Street
Walterboro, SC 29488

*NOTE: The walk will begin at Coffeehouse Books.

5:00 p.m. - Walterboro, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Fat Jack's Grillin' and Chillin' Restaurant
308 Ivanhoe Drive
Walterboro, SC 29488

Friday, Jan. 13

9:00 a.m. - Hilton Head, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Hilton Head Diner
6 Marina Side Drive
Hilton Head, SC 29928

12:30 p.m. - Bluffton, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Squat 'N' Gobble
1231 May River Road
Bluffton, SC 29910

5:00 p.m. - Charleston, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Charleston Crab House
145 Wappoo Creek Drive
Charleston, SC 29412

Saturday, Jan. 14

9:00 a.m. - Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Meet and Greet

Page's Okra Grill
302 Coleman Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

12:00 p.m. - Charleston, S.C.

Townhall Meeting

College of Charleston
Sottile Theatre
44 George Street
Charleston, SC 29401

Sunday, Jan. 15

8:30 a.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Faith and Freedom/SCGOP Event
2101 North Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

2:00 p.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

South Carolina Tea Party Convention

Springmaid
3200 South Ocean Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Monday, Jan. 16

9:00 p.m. - Myrtle Beach, S.C.

FOX News Debate

Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2101 North Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

*NOTE: Additional dates and details of the tour are forthcoming.