Why Rick Perry Stayed In

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was planning on dropping out of the 2012 presidential race following his disappointing fifth-place showing in Iowa.

Why did he decide to stay in?

Several theories have been floated, but well-placed sources tell FITS that Perry was conned by his political consultants – who apparently weren’t ready for their “Perry pay day” to end so soon.

“He was told ‘you’ve got the money, you’ve got the organization …’ why not go for it?” a national GOP fundraiser with close ties to Perry’s organization told FITS. “They played to his ego to keep the money flowing into their pockets.”

Also, a South Carolina elected official who previously endorsed Perry’s candidacy tells FITS that the Texas governor’s consultants convinced him that U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann’s decision to drop out of the race would provide a spark to ignite his Palmetto State candidacy.

“They convinced him he would pick up Bachmann’s support,” the official said.

Finally, Perry was convinced that the unusual volatility of the 2012 race afforded him the opportunity for a “second surge.”

Perry’s campaign – led by former SCGOP Chairman Katon Dawson – has been mired in the single digits for months after its hot start. Shortly after announcing his candidacy in August, Perry shot to the front of the GOP pack – enjoying a twenty-point lead in South Carolina at one point.

A series of poor debate performances as well as questions about his conservative credentials ultimately doomed him, though.

What’s Perry’s campaign up to in South Carolina these days?

Pissing people off, apparently …

This week, Team Perry was busy bashing former U.S. Speaker Newt Gingrich for sharing the stage with U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) at a home builders’ rally in Columbia, S.C.

Specifically, we’re told that Perry’s consultants leaked this story to The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper about Gingrich’s appearance at this event.

Obviously this website is no friend to Gingrich, but what The State story neglects to mention is that the former Speaker won’t actually be sharing a stage with Clyburn. The story also neglects to mention that numerous GOP and Tea Party luminaries are also attending the nonpartisan event.

“Republican consultants in South Carolina have got the mainstream media chasing the rabbit trail again,” a source close to Gingrich tells FITS. “Newt wisely chose to address an audience of 500 homebuilders, realtors, chamber of commerce leaders along with Tea Party favorite Curtis Loftis, SCGOP chairman Chad Connelly and Republican House and Senate leaders.”

In fact, we’re told that Perry’s attempt to embarrass Gingrich by zeroing in on this particular event has rubbed a lot of those people the wrong way.

“People might cut him some slack if (Perry) had a prayer,” one GOP House members told FITS. “(But) this is a desperate punch that has hit a bunch of unintended targets.”

In addition to Dawson being blamed for the “collateral damage,” we’re also told that Adam Beam – the reporter who bit on the story – has been cut off by several attendees at the event.

***