Rick Perry’s presidential ambitions have run into a formidable obstacle in his home state: fellow Texan Ted Cruz. This situation has been developing for some time, ever since Cruz defeated David Dewhurst in their race for U.S. Senate. The state’s outspoken junior senator has eclipsed Perry in popularity and has a much higher national profile.
During the recent Republican primary election, an endorsement from Cruz propelled attorney general candidate Ken Paxton to victory. Cruz won a straw poll at the recent Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans with 30.33% of the votes, barely edging out GOP activist (and neurosurgeon) Dr. Ben Carson, who received 29.38%. Perry came in fifth, at 4.9%. There is no doubt that Cruz is the lead dog in Texas now, and maybe beyond. This leaves Perry with nowhere to go, except to travel around the country recruiting businesses to come to Texas.
(AP Images | Cruz: Bill Haber; Perry: Brandon Wade)
