Outgoing Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who will hand over the reins of the Lone Star State this week after more than 14 years in office, says he’s prepared to take another run at the White House in 2016 if he ultimately decides to enter the race.
“I don’t shy away from the fact that I have been preparing. Preparation’s done. I’m ready,” he told The Associated Press. “But I will announce at the appropriate time my intentions.”
Mr. Perry has been trying to lay the groundwork for a serious bid after an ill-fated 2012 campaign in which he famously could not recall all three federal agencies he planned to shutter during one GOP debate and dropped out before the South Carolina primary.
He also said he was wrong to think he could give 100 percent to his campaign as a sitting governor.
“You can’t give 100 percent of your time to both,” he said. “There are maybe some people who are a little bit arrogant that think they can do that, and you’re looking at one of them.”
Mr. Perry was one of several GOP hopefuls to address the Republican National Committee’s winter meetings in California last week, as was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Another sitting governor, Chris Christie of New Jersey, is also seriously weighing a bid, as is Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
Other sitting governors, including Mike Pence of Indiana and John Kasich of Ohio, are seen as possible dark horse candidates for the GOP nomination in 2016. Along with the other governors, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez are also included on the Republican National Committee’s GOP presidential straw poll that includes 34 potential nominees.
As other possible GOP contenders have done when asked about 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Mr. Perry said it doesn’t change his strategy. Mr. Romney has recently signaled that he’s seriously considering a third run at the White House in 2016.
“I got 14 years of preparation as governor running the most successful state in the nation,” Mr. Perry said. “I spent the last 23 months in deep preparation on monetary, domestic, foreign policy. I’m ready.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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