Texas Governor Rick Perry Could Be Surprise Late Entry in the Presidential Race

In reference to Texas Governor Rick Perry, back in January, White House 2012 wrote , “Governor Rick Perry has in the past, stated that he will not run for President. He probably meant it at the very moment of each specific time he said so. But politics is as changeable as the weather. A slight shift in a weather front could turn a sunny forecast into a cloudy day and for politicians the most modest alterations of political reality could change their mind on a dime.”

That statement was presented upon our disclosing that Governor Perry had apparently begun to do some polling outside of Texas. What those polls indicated are unknown. By law, the Governor and his camp,are not obliged to release those results unless they make any public reference to them. So far, no one from Team Perry has made any mention of them. Now, nearly four months later, Real Clear Politics reports that sources close to Governor Perry claim thathe sees a void in the Republican presidential field that he believes he can fill. In light off this sentiment, the Governor anticipates being called upon to seek the Republican presidential nomination. It is further reported that Perry has been examining the political environment within Iowa which holds the first in the nation presidential caucus.

Perry has repeatedly stated that he has no interest in running for President. But as noted by White House 2012, politicians can change their minds quite quickly. In Perry’s case though, it may not be so much a change of mind, as it is a change of chances. With all the talk about a so-called “weak” Republican field, Rick Perry, or at least those around him may feel that he has the record and personality that could fill what they see as an existing void and dominate the field. Such thinking would not be very far fetched. While I disagree with the notion that the still emerging Republican presidential field is weak, I do not deny that there is room for someone with natural and immediate star qualities to enter the race. Rick Perry has such star qualities. He is excellent on the campaign trail, easily likeable, and possesses a conservative record of successful policy initiatives and governance in Texas.

On the economy, Perry has presided over a state economy that is one of the strongest in the nation. He has cut taxes and spending and balanced its budget with a surplus left over. His strong positions on states rights once prompted him to evoke thoughts of secession, a thought that appeals to many who are fed up with a federal government that they see treading on their rights. His lead in opposing oppressive and constitutionally questionable federal EPA laws will also provide him with some mileage.

Perry is one of the few incumbent office holders who has a record that can still appeal to the anti-establishment, sentiments possessed by much of the TEA Party and the anti-government mentality that has often been the key to Republican electoral success (i.e.: Ronald Reagan). The only other potential candidate that can approach Perry’s appeal to both the political establishment and anti-establishment Tea Party elements, and who has a record on the economy as strong as Perry, is Indiana’s Mitch Daniels. That fact could account for these new murmurings from the Perry camp.

Mitch Daniels should be making his decision regarding a run for President any day now. If for some reason he declares that he will not be running in 2012, Perry may end up being the strongest possible surprise entry in to the 2012 Republican presidential nomination contest.

For months now, pundits and politicos have suggested that there may be some surprise entries in to the race. Conservative South Carolina Jim DeMint has gone so far as to say that he fully expects a surprising late candidacy to come from within the ranks of Republican Governors. Many have, and still continue to suggest that that person will be New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. I contend that short of a massive national draft effort unlike anything we have ever seen before combined with a total rejection of every Republican who winds up running for the nomination, Christie will not be running in 2012. Rick Perry however is a different story. If there is going to be any surprise late entry in this race it will be Perry. This will be even more likely to happen if Mitch Daniels surprises us by not running.