Perry Explains Gaffes to Leno

But candidate has chosen a code name, he tells Jay Leno

(NEWSER) - Ron Paul has a Secret Service code name all picked out, but he doesn't want to use it, Politico reports: The presidential candidate doesn't want Secret Service protection because "it's a form of welfare," he told Jay Leno last night. "You know, you’re having the taxpayers pay to take care of somebody and I’m an ordinary citizen and I would think I should pay for my own protection and it costs, I think, more than $50,000 a day to protect those individuals. It’s a lot of money." As for that code name? "Bulldog," he revealed, because "I go after the Fed and all that big spending." Click for Mitt Romney's and Rick Santorum's code names . More»

After failed presidential bid, Texas governor's popularity plunges

(NEWSER) - Rick Perry's presidential campaign went so badly that not only did he drop out, but his home state isn't exactly welcoming him back with open arms. His approval rating in Texas is his lowest in more than a decade at just 40%, lower than President Obama's ; another 40% disapprove of the job he's doing. A whopping 37% of Texans say they view him less favorably now than they did before he ran for president, according to the latest Dallas Morning News poll, and 45% think his campaign hurt Texas' image. More»

But the former presidential candidate notes 'who among us is?'

(NEWSER) - "I've always believed the mission was greater than the man," said Rick Perry this morning, as he announced that he is no longer the man for the mission. Perry officially bowed out of the GOP race for the presidential nomination in an 11am press conference, and threw his support, as expected, behind Newt Gingrich, praising him as a "conservative visionary who can transform our country." In what could be a nod to some of Gingrich's personal issues , Perry noted that "Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?" He continued, "I believe in the power of redemption." More»

He will endorse Newt Gingrich, sources say

(NEWSER) - And then there were four: Rick Perry will drop out of the GOP race this morning, sources tell Politico . He will make the announcement at an 11am press conference, in which he is expected to endorse Newt Gingrich. The move fulfills 50% of Gingrich's hope that both Ricks drop out, and Politico notes that Perry's exit will likely give the surging Gingrich a boost in tonight's debate and Saturday's primary. More»

Strong performance leaves Gingrich looking like top anti-Romney

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney emerged largely unscathed from last night's Republican debate in South Carolina, while consensus pegs Newt Gingrich as the best of the rest. A breakdown of the chatter:

• This was Gingrich's "best debate of the entire race," decides Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post . The former House Speaker "let ‘er rip tonight," he writes, winning applause from the boisterous audience for calling President Obama the "food stamp president" and for slamming "elites" and "liberals" who don't want to help poor people find good jobs.
• Writing at Hot Air , AllahPundit agrees, citing Gingrich's bold responses to Juan Williams and Ron Paul among his shining moments. "I’m thinking he might have turned South Carolina from a solid Romney lead into a nailbiter. Has any candidate at any debate had the crowd more riled up than this?" (Watch videos at left.)