Report: Texas Gov. Rick Perry to “Make Clear” He is Running for President Saturday in South Carolina Speech

Significant news on the Rick Perry front this evening. Politico reports that Perry will make it clear he is running for President this coming Saturday during a speech in South Carolina:

POLITICO: Rick Perry intends to use a speech in South Carolina on Saturday to make clear that he’s running for president, POLITICO has learned.

According to two sources familiar with the plan, the Texas governor will remove any doubt about his White House intentions during his appearance at a RedState conference in Charleston.

It’s uncertain whether Saturday will mark a formal declaration, but Perry’s decision to disclose his intentions the same day as the Ames straw poll — and then hours later make his first trip to New Hampshire — will send shock waves through the race and upend whatever results come out of the straw poll.

Immediately following his speech in South Carolina, Perry will make his New Hampshire debut at a house party at the Portsmouth-area home of a state representative, Pamela Tucker, the Union Leader reported Monday. Tucker was among the Granite Staters who went to Texas last week to encourage Perry to run.

Perry is expected to head to Iowa in the days following his New Hampshire trek, too, POLITICO has learned.

He’s expected to make a formal kickoff in Texas, possibly next week, sources familiar with the planning said. . . . Read More

Perry will speak to the “RedState Gathering,” headed by RedState’s Erick Erickson. At their website, Erickson said he only knows what is being reported in the media, but says he hears that several networks will carry Perry’s speech live on Saturday at 1:30 PM ET:

“. . . I know nothing. My information comes from these same news reports.

The RedState Gathering is the same day as the straw poll in Ames, IA.

If the Governor announces or, as Reuters suggests, “strongly hints” well then that’s just cool and fine with me.

See, I told you people you should have registered for the Gathering. It is my understanding that his speech will be carried live by several networks. He will speak at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 13th. . . . Read More