Rick Perry: Back Pain 'Fatigued' Me in Debates

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»

And back Newt ... Santorum is not enthused

(NEWSER) - Newt Gingrich must be reading all those positive reviews from last night's debate: He said today it would be a swell idea if the two Ricks dropped out and backed him, reports CNN . "From the standpoint of the conservative movement, consolidating into a Gingrich candidacy would in fact virtually guarantee a victory on Saturday," Gingrich said of the South Carolina primary. "And I'd be delighted if either Perry or Santorum wanted to do that." 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.)

Republican candidates stage new assault on front-runner

(NEWSER) - A new day, a new Republican presidential debate. Mitt Romney's opponents took another whack at him this morning after letting him off easy last night. A few takeaways:

• Most Romney attacks missed. Mitt held off assaults from Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, rarely getting flustered, Politico reports.