Perry bows out of GOP race, seeing 'no viable path to victory'

Texas Gov. Rick Perry abruptly quit the Republican presidential race Thursday and threw his support behind Newt Gingrich, a move aimed at slowing Mitt Romney's drive toward the GOP nomination.

"I have come to the conclusion that there is no viable path to victory for my candidacy in 2012," said Perry, his expression taut as he read from a prepared statement before an audience consisting of reporters who rushed to scene for the surprise announcement.

Acknowledging past differences with Gingrich, Perry nevertheless described the former House speaker as "a conservative visionary who can transform our country."

The election Perry said, in a seeming poke at Romney, was not just about defeating President Obama, but replacing him "with a conservative leader who will bring about real change."

"I have no question Newt Gingrich has the heart of a conservative reformer, the ability to rally and captivate the conservative movement and the courage to tell the Washington interests to take a hike if it's what is best for the country," Perry said.

In a seeming allusion to Gingrich's controversial past -- admitted adultery and a series of marriages -- Perry cited his Christian beliefs. "The fact is, there is a forgiveness for those who seek God," the governor said, "and I believe in the power of redemption."

Surrounded by grim-faced family members, Perry announced his decision just over five months after he launched his candidacy a few miles away in historic Charleston.

For all intents, Perry's hapless campaign peaked that day. Indeed, he may have a greater impact in leaving the GOP presidential contest than he did while running.
 
By exiting two days before the South Carolina primary, Perry narrows the competition among those vying to be the alternative to the front-running Romney. Up to now, the former Massachusetts governor has benefited greatly from the splintering of that vote among several candidates.
 
The candidate with the most to gain is Gingrich, who has been rising in South Carolina polls as he battles former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul for the anti-Romney mantle.
 
In a statement issued moments after Perry spoke, Gingrich praised his former rival and urged conservatives to rally behind his candidacy.
 
"I ask the supporters of Governor Perry to look at my record of balancing the budget, cutting spending, reforming welfare, and enacting pro-growth policies to create millions of new jobs and humbly ask for their vote," Gingrich said.
 
Perry entered the contest buoyed by high expectations and for a time was the leader in national opinion surveys. But a series of poor debate performances -- notably one in which he froze and failed to remember the third of three federal agencies he vowed to eliminate -- turned him into something of a national punch line.