Rick Perry exploring presidential run.

[RandySF]

As many grass-roots Republicans remain in search of a conservative candidate with the pizazz to go toe-to-toe against President Obama, a man from deep in the heart of Texas who was tea party before the tea party was cool, appears to be giving the presidential race some thought.

Gov. Rick Perry has insisted on multiple occasions that he has no interest in the presidency, but RCP has learned that political associates have begun to nose around quietly on Perry's behalf.

A Texas pol who is close to Perry has been telling a few key strategists that the nation's longest-serving governor sees a vacuum and is waiting to be summoned into the race. This source believes that could happen by late summer. Without fellow Southerners Haley Barbour or Mike Huckabee in the race -- and with Newt Gingrich's early troubles raising further doubts about the current lineup -- there could be a glaring niche for Perry to fill.

According to another well-connected Republican, at least one Perry confidant has been very quietly making inquiries about the political terrain in the nation's first voting state of Iowa. A third Perry associate, RCP has learned, has been heralding a small contingent of Iowans with the time-tested line that is often used by would-be candidates who are leaving their options open: "Keep your powder dry."

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/05/17/rick_perry_presidential_push_quietly_gains_steam_109894.html

[Bicoastal]

1. This is starting to turn into a clusterfuck.

If it wasn't already.

Besides, wasn't this guy "not opposed" to Texas secession a little while ago?

[Enrique]

2. president of which country?

the U.S. or Texas?

[seabeyond]

3. after listening to maddow last night i was going thru head for all the viable repug candidates

and i told hubby, perry.

no way he says

ya, a clown, but bushie boy made it and perry been gov a couple terms....

i am thinkin

and the lookie what i see. so funny

[Solomon]

4. Well, he does have better hair than Trump.

[seabeyond]

10. which reminds me. there are those rumors. nt

[KamaAina]

5. So, let me see if I've got this straight. He doesn't want to be part of the country

unless he gets to run it? :wtf:

[lunatica]

6. Cool!

I hope he does.

[Ilsa]

7. Rick Perry, former Texas A&M yell leader, is hated even by

Diehard Aggies. He's trying to turn TAMU into a less than Tier 1 university by getting research refunded. Professors there despise him. I don't know of anyone who likes him.

[Dappleganger]

8. That would be great for Texas, hopefully he'll resign as governor.

No doubt that there will be plenty of Texans who will happily help him pack his bags to go On The Road.

[onehandle]

9. Now that would be a dumbfuck, true teabagging SOB President. nt

[Ishoutandscream2]

11. Run, fucking Goodhair

And get your ass kicked. And a great way to get you out as governor in the process.