Texas governor Rick Perry fueled speculation of a presidential campaign Saturday, delivering a fiery speech to supporters at the Republican Leadership Conference in Louisiana.
“It saddens me when sometimes my fellow Republicans duck and cover in the face of pressure from the left,” Mr. Perry said in his speech to supporters. “Our party cannot be all things to all people. It can’t be. Our loudest opponents on the left are never going to like us, so let’s stop trying to curry favor with them.”
The Texas Republican slammed President Obama and Democrats, saying it is time for Republicans to regain control and move the country in a different direction. The Texas Republican touted his staunchly conservative social views and pro-business economic policies.
“It’s time to reconnect with the greatest attributes of our nation, to regain that resilient spirit and recapture that love of freedom,” Mr. Perry told the crowd.
Mr. Perry, who has expressed interest in seeking the Republican presidential nomination, has quickly built a national presence as Republicans seem to remain disenchanted with the current field of Republican presidential candidates.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who said earlier this year that he would not seek the Republican nomination, said the Texas governor would “be a serious candidate, if he chooses to run,” because he’s “relatively well known for somebody just now thinking about running.”
Yet, a Perry presidential campaign will likely have to overcome some serious hurdles if it is expected to be successful. Among the hurdles facing Mr. Perry include recent polls which show the Texas Republican trailing current and potential Republican candidates, including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. A recent poll out of Texas found less than 10 percent of Texas residents would support a run by Mr. Perry.
