By Ben Philpott, KUT News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-980995.mp3
Austin, TX – Some political watchers expect Governor Rick Perry to announce his presidential intentions as early as this week. KUT's Ben Philpott reports that now that Gov. Perry's day-long prayer gathering in Houston is behind him, there's time to concentrate on national ambitions.
The event, called the Response, did exactly what it was supposed to do. It brought together around 30-thousand people to pray for the United States. And - it tightened Governor Rick Perry's grip on a very key demographic in the GOP. People like Response attendee Duffy Johnson from Dallas.
Johnson: "For me it just reaffirms who he is. And why we vote for him. And if that propels him to a Presidential candidacy...then I would definitely vote for him."
According to SMU Political Scientist Cal Jillson - that's exactly what Rick Perry needs.
Jillson: "He needs people to be focused on whether he's going to run. And indicating that they hope he will. So he enjoys this tease."
Jillson says positive feedback from political pundits and potential voters can keep momentum behind a Perry for President campaign. But the governor can't wait forever says Reid Wilson.
Wilson: "Now's the time for Rick Perry to really start putting together the team that can carry him on to a Presidential win."
Wilson is Editor in Chief of National Journal's Hotline...based in Washington DC. In its June GOP Presidential Power Rankings, Perry was in 3rd place - behind former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Wilson says the next ranking will be out in a week or so. And don't be surprised if Perry moves up.
Wilson: "He can talk to social conservatives in Iowa. He can talk to fiscal conservatives up in New Hampshire. He can talk to the 10th Amendment - Tea Party types down in South Carolina. That is a path to the nomination that nobody else has. Rick Perry can be the candidate for almost everybody."
That sounds a lot like the GOP nomination is Perry's to lose. But lose it he could. The 3-term Texas governor has never been tried on the national political stage, where pitfalls come fast and furious and can derail even the most sophisticated campaigner. Newt Gingrich was a name to beat as recently as May.
Now, pundits are betting on not "if" -- but "when" he'll drop out of the race.