Perry Begins Crucial Week in South Carolina
Photo by KUT NewsTexas Governor Rick Perry takes the stage tonight for the first of two debates leading up to the South Carolina presidential primary. Without a strong showing in Saturday’s primary election, Perry may end his presidential bid.
South Carolina is where Governor Perry launched his campaign. Many pundits believe it could be where he ends it. Perry had hoped South Carolina’s Southern evangelical base would give him a boost. But over the weekend a large group of religious leaders announced they would back former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.
Also giving out an endorsement today: former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. He announced this morning that he was dropping out of the GOP race and throwing his support behind former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
If Perry does survive South Carolina, he’ll still need a court decision to get on the ballot for the Virginia primary. Perry’s campaign is asking a federal appeals court to overturn a lower court’s ruling blocking Perry and several other candidates from the Virginia primary.
Only Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul met that state’s criteria for getting on the ballot. The Virginia primary isn’t until March 6th.
