Rick Perry Drops Out Of 2012 Presidential Race Ahead Of South Carolina Primary

Texas Gov. Rick Perry dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday ahead of South Carolina's primary election.

Perry addressed his decision to abandon his campaign at a press conference in North Charleston. He said he came to the conclusion that there was no longer a "viable path" forward in the contest and added that he knows when it's "time to make a strategic retreat."

"I ran for president because I love America," he explained. "What's broken in America is not our people. It's our politics. And what we need in Washington is a government that's humbler."

Perry endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the race for the Republican presidential nomination during his remarks.

He said, "I believe Newt is a conservative visionary who can transform our country" and added, "Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?"

Gingrich addressed the endorsement in a statement.

"I am humbled and honored to have the support of my friend Rick Perry," he said. "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."

On the heels of a disappointing fifth-place finish in the 2012 Iowa caucus, Perry said he was heading back to Texas to reassess his bid for the White House. The Wednesday after the Jan. 3 event, Perry wrote in a tweet, "And the next leg of the marathon is the Palmetto State... Here we come South Carolina!!!"

Perry surged in the polls after announcing his candidacy for president last August. A series of missteps led the Lone Star State Republican's campaign to take a turn for the worse; however, and Perry struggled to recover.

After speculation began to swirl on Wednesday that Perry could exit the race, aides to the Texas governor signaled to HuffPost's Howard Fineman that the buzz was untrue.

Ray Sullivan, Perry's communications director, said the Republican hopeful will be at Thursday night's debate in South Carolina. He added, "He's not dropping out."

After news broke of Perry's decision to exit the race on Thursday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told reporters, "He's a great man. He made a real contribution. He already has to his state and to our country."

(Scroll down for Perry's prepared remarks via the Texas governor's campaign.)

Below, a slideshow of memorable missteps and gaffes made by Perry over the course of his campaign.

Loading Slideshow

• "Oops"

  At the CNBC debate on November 9, Perry <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/10/rick-perry-oops-video_n_1085336.html" target="_hplink">famously forgot</a> one of the government agencies he would eliminate if elected: <blockquote>"It's three government agencies when I get there that are gone: Commerce, Education and the um, what's the third one there. Let's see," Perry said. He turned to Texas Rep. Ron Paul, looking for some help, but got nothing but a remark from Paul that he would eliminate five agencies. "Oh five," Perry said. "So Commerce, Education, and, uh, the uh, um, um." "EPA?" offered former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. "EPA, there ya go," Perry said as the room exploded in laughter. CNBC moderator John Harwood honed in and pressed Perry: "Seriously? Is EPA the one you were talking about?" "No sir. No sir. We were talking about the, um, agencies of government," Perry said. "The EPA needs to be rebuilt." "But you can't name the third one?" Harwood persisted. "The third agency of government," Perry said. "I would do away with the education, the um, Commerce, and let's see. I can't think of the third one. I can't. Sorry. Oops."</blockquote>

• Voting Age Flub

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/rick-perry-gets-voting-ag_n_1119126.html" target="_hplink">During a campaign stop</a> at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, Perry got both the voting age and the date of the 2012 presidential election wrong. "Those of you that will be 21 by November the 12th, I ask for your support and your vote," he said to the students. The legal voting age has been 18 since the 26th Amendment was adopted in 1971. The general election is scheduled for November 6, 2012.

• New Hampshire... Caucus?

  During a November <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/rick-perry-new-hampshire-caucus_n_1120304.html" target="_hplink">interview </a>with Fox News, Perry mistakenly referred to the New Hampshire "caucuses." When asked about the emergence of front runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, Perry responded, "Americans haven't decided yet at all who they want to lead the Republican nomination, and we're going to be talking about that and we're going to be talking about it in harsh and strong terms over the course of the next four to five weeks as we get ready for those New Hampshire caucuses." New Hampshire holds primaries, not caucuses.

• Minimum Age To Run For President

  While speaking to Catcher Jones, a seven-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina in December, Perry flubbed the minimum age to run for president. "I'm glad you're not 21," Perry told Jones, who was wearing a t-shirt that said "Future President: Accepting Campaign Donations Now." Perry realized his mistake and added, "Or actually 35."

• War With Iran

  After a woman in South Carolina asked Perry what he thought about current United States military operations, Perry mistakenly started talking about the wars in Afghanistan and Iran. When an audience member alerted Perry to his error, he joked that his comment "will be on the front page."

• Revolutionary War

  Following a debate in New Hampshire, Perry met with fraternity brothers at Dartmouth College. When someone asked him about the issue of states' rights, Perry said that one of the "reasons we fought the revolution in the 16th century was to get away from that kind of onerous crown." The Revolutionary War occurred in the 18th century.

• Decade Mix-Up

  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OMK7La2721Y" target="_hplink">In an interview</a> with CNN last year, Perry got stuck in a time warp. "Washington has abused the Constitution. You go back to the, a decade ago, with Woodrow Wilson..." Wilson was president from 1913 to 1921.

• Bizarre Campaign Speech

  In October, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/29/video-rick-perrys-unusual-speech-performance_n_1065571.html" target="_hplink">an unusual performance</a> at a speech in Manchester led many to question the candidate's sobriety. Perry later made a statement to dispel rumors that he was drinking or using painkillers during the speech.

• Bush Was Good At "Defending Us From Freedom"

  During an interview with the <em>Today Show</em> last November, Perry told host Meredith Viera that "Bush did an incredible job, in the presidency, defending us from freedom."

• "Montomayor"

  While speaking with the editorial board of the <em>Des Moines Register</em>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/09/rick-perry-gaffe-sonia-sotomayor_n_1139541.html?1323463939" target="_hplink">Perry struggled</a> to remember Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's name: <blockquote>"Do you really think he [President Barack Obama] is waging a war on religion?" asked an editorial board member, referring to Perry's recent ad pledging to "end Obama's war on religion" and "fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage" as president. "I do because when you see his appointment of two -- from my perspective, inarguably -- activist judges, whether it was," he said, then trailing off for about six seconds trying to recall her name. "Montomayor," he said. Someone on the editorial board said Sotomayor's name. "Sotomayor and [Elena] Kagan, who are both activist judges," he continued.</blockquote>

Below, Perry's remarks as prepared for delivery.

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.

Comments

[stape45]

04:02 PM on 01/31/2012

No need to point at your head, Rick. We understand. In fact, we're way ahead of you. :-(

[RepublicanDepression]

06:33 PM on 01/22/2012

Rick Perry will go back to Texas and cuddle up with his SUPERGAY Brokeback coat from the anti-gay ad and listen to the music from the anti-gay ad by SUPERGAY composer Aaron Copeland in what is the SUPERGAYEST anti-gay commercial of all time.

Except for any ad featuring Rick Santorum.

[Zork4]

06:21 PM on 01/21/2012

I wonder if he gets to keep his cute Brokeback coat?

[GUITFIDDEL]

04:37 PM on 01/21/2012

I don't know everything but, I would think; JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE FINALLY, that the American People as a whole, no matter what Party affiliation, even if it's as ridiculous and absurd as the Tea Party or the Republicans would at least want a President that has a decent grade point average coming out of college with the exception of the IGNORANT, SELF-RIGHTEOUS, BLASPHEMOUS RELIGIOUS BIGOTS in TEXAS. I'm pretty sure that MEMORY would be another thing to consider also. SO, YES RICK! Take your dumb ass back to Texas where you and all of your fellow "Beware of the Sun Goddess" and "Oprah Winfrey is the mistress of SATAN" folks can wreak havoc among the NORMAL AMERICAN PEOPLE there. We really don't need anymore "TEXAS MISTAKES". That's why were attacked on our own soil, had our surplus squandered, had 4,758 of our Kids sent home in BODY BAGS on top of the 3,469 innocent Americans murdered, 4,000+ wounded during 9/11 and had this country thrown into the worst recession since the Great Depression. I would say "SEE YA" but, you know how that goes.

[ccliniqc2596]

01:45 PM on 01/21/2012

Well at this point I truly feel that most of these candidates have yet to be proven fit to become President. The GOP really had their time in 8 years to figure out a plan if they wanted to get the American people attention from the last backlash that the U.S suffered.

Now I have watch Ron Paul in action and even though I am a democrat I like Ron Pauls approach and how he reveals what is truly going on in the Government and how he plans to change it if he is elected.

Most of these candidates are eliminating themselves because of the lack of knowledge that they possess in foreign affairs, the environment, and politics in general, etc. Also, when the won the House and the Senate they promised the American people jobs they didn't come through with that bill. Then they wanted to cut Unemployment Benefits.

All I say is that people should not listen to what people say, but look at their track record of what they have achieved or done out here in the world. Watching the debates are better than watching Jeopardy. Maybe most of those contestants on Jeopardy can tell them a thing or too.

[GUITFIDDEL]

05:35 PM on 01/21/2012

ccliniqc2596---"Maybe most of those contestant­s on Jeopardy can tell them (GOP presidential LYING, delusional, nimrod candidates) a thing or too."

My Grandmother told me when I was very young that there's hardly anything worse than being a FOOL because, they don't know nothing and, they don't want anyone to show them or, tell them anything (Right Wing). I also learned in my brief and painful but, rewarding interest in boxing while in the Navy from my trainer that it becomes very difficult and, most times impossible to defeat your opponent when you are apprehensive or ANGRY because, it clouds your mind and obstructs your thoughts with EMOTION therefore, only leaving you with an AGENDA without the intelligence required to attain a VICTORY. Lacking good judgement, FEAR because of ignorance, being uninformed, misinformed breeds HATRED which is primarily what the Right Wing and their voters have for President Obama as some of the Right Wing want his DEATH. That's really sad in this day and age for a country I fought for but, they will be DEFEATED!!!

President Obama 2012!!

[The Accountant]

11:53 AM on 01/21/2012

A strategic retreat? A little late for that, isn't it Ricky?

[94613]

01:17 AM on 01/21/2012

It's Cow Paddy Curtain Calls for the "Travis" in all of us. This P-T Politician figured out Presidential Politiks is a Full-Time Position.

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

01:04 AM on 01/21/2012

Good-bye, Little Ricky......We will miss your weekly senior moments, your odd ramblings, your complete misinterpretation of historical events, etc. You have kept us progressives and most moderates gleefully entertained, knowing, even though you could not see it, that we could enjoy your awkward political flailings without any fear that you would someday become POTUS.

When you deboard at the DFW airport, you will be lucky if the greeting crowd is not armed with tar and feathers, for all that you have done to perpetuate the national impression of Texas as the home of ignorant, misguided, rube politicians. If you are prudent, which you most likely are not, you will heed your advisors and consider resigning from the Governor's office, to spare you and Texans additional misery for two more years....

[myplenny]

10:10 PM on 01/20/2012

Hes gone hunting with his fishing pole. What a mind has he.

[mstevens96]

07:06 PM on 01/20/2012

What joy! Four to go!

[l78lancer]

05:04 PM on 01/20/2012

This was a really silly waste of time and effort. When he lost in Iowa he said that he would reassess his campaign, much to the dismay of his own staff. The next morning he said that the race was on and was going to South Carolina. For the past two weeks he has campaigned there and waited until 72 hours before the election to pull out.

Why didn't he just stay home and continue to jog?

[gfm975]

04:55 PM on 01/20/2012

I'm confused. How does one drop out of a race you were NEVER really in?

[bananapuddin]

03:04 PM on 01/21/2012

quitted! now you are too funny lol!

[fauxnews lol]

04:32 PM on 01/20/2012

and then it was four ...........lol .......................obama 2012

[ALECTRO]

02:20 PM on 01/20/2012

Perry is just a low IQ ignoramus.Not suitable to be Pres. He is only Texas gov because he is so dumb, he can be used by business to do whatever they want.

[fauxnews lol]

04:34 PM on 01/20/2012

hahaha ....do not forget george w was the governer there to........lol.......obama 2012

[bananapuddin]

03:09 PM on 01/21/2012

hold up! don't bash us texans, so hard lol! the lonestar state have a lot of intelligent people, come on!!!

[Steve Brian Davis]

01:48 PM on 01/20/2012

Free-dumb.
Free-dumb.
Free-dumb.

Get ur Free-dumb here.