…”someone needs to take one for the team”, “someone needs to drop out”, those were the words of Sarah Palin to Sean Hannity Tuesday night.    Into that narrative rides the patriotic texan Rick Perry who puts country before party and opportunity ahead of ego.

(Newsmax) Rick Perry bowed to the inevitable on Thursday dropping out of the Republican presidential race after consistently finishing at the bottom of the pack in all polls in the run-up to Saturday’s South Carolina primary.

In quitting, Perry endorsed Newt Gingrich, who this week urged both him and fellow conservative Rick Santorum to drop out to give him a clear shot at front-runner Mitt Romney.   “I believe Newt is a conservative visionary who can transform our country,” he said as he announced his decision in Charleston, S.C.

“We have had our differences which campaigns will inevitably have,” Perry said. “Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?”   Gingrich said he was “humbled and honored” to receive Perry’s endorsement. “His selflessness is yet another demonstration of his deep sense of citizenship and commitment to the cause of limited government, historic American values and greater freedom for every American.”

The former House speaker said Perry “will continue to be a leader for the cause of conservatism, especially for more American energy and for implementing the 10th Amendment across the country.”   Pollster Scott Rasmussen told Newsmax that the main effect of Perry’s dropping out will come in Thursday’s debate when the four remaining candidates, Gingrich, Romney, Santorum, and Texas Rep. Ron Paul, will each have more time to get their points across. Gingrich generally has been seen as a better debater than his opponents.

In his speech announcing his decision to “suspend” his campaign, Perry said, “I have never believed the cause of conservative is embodied by one individual. Our party and the conservative philosophy transcends any one individual. It’s a movement of ideas that are greater than any one of us and will live long past any of us in our lives.”

The objective at the election is not only to defeat President Barack Obama but also “to replace him with a conservative leader who will bring about real change,” Perry said.
Perry said that he had come to the conclusion “that there is no viable path forward for me in this 2012 campaign.”  (read more)