Texas Governor Rick Perry spoke to reporters on Thursday in North Charleston, South Carolina and stated he was dropping out of the presidential for office. His announcement came only two days before the South Carolina primary and hours before the debate in Charleston.
Mr. Perry also endorsed former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich for the presidency who is currently surging in South Carolina and in national polls but also embroiled in a conflict with his second wife, Marianne, who gave a two hour interview with ABC’s Brian Ross and revealed details about their former marriage that could damage Mr. Gingrich’s campaign before South Carolinians go to the polls on Saturday.
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In his endorsement for Gingrich, Gov.Perry remarked, “We need bold conservative leadership which will take on the entrenched interests and give the AMerican people their country back. I always believed the mission is greater than the man.” Perry then said, “Therefore, today, I am suspending my campaign and endorsing Newt Gingrich for president of the United States.”
“I believe Newt is a conservative visionary who can transform our country. …Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?”
Finally, in what could be thought of as a hint of the background noise surrounding the Gingrich campaign within ABC News interview tonight, Perry said in his endorsement of Speaker Gingrich, “There is forgiveness for those who seek God and I believe in the power of forgiveness.”
