Perry Quits, Endorses 'Not Perfect' Gingrich

"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."

Perry noted that he will return home to Texas "with pride ... with the love of my life by my side," but vowed to stay in the public eye. "I'm not done fighting for the cause of conservatives; as a matter of fact, I have just begun to fight. God bless ya, and God bless this great country of America." (More endorsement stories.)