And then there were four, Rick Perry Drops out

[Mr Bean]

CNN

Charleston, South Carolina (CNN) - Rick Perry is telling supporters that he will drop his bid Thursday for the Republican presidential nomination, two sources familiar with his plans told CNN.

The Texas governor will make the announcement before the CNN debate in South Carolina, the sources said.

The move comes two days before the South Carolina primary and hours before the final debate ahead of the voting, which will take place on CNN Thursday night.

The campaigns of Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum reached out to the Perry campaign Thursday morning in an "aggressive effort" to get his endorsement, according to a source close to Perry.

Perry will indicate his support for Newt Gingrich but will not explicitly endorse him, a source with knowledge of Perry's decision told CNN.

To follow the latest developments on Perry, follow the Ticker's update here.

Perry placed fifth in Iowa and last in New Hampshire - a state in which he did not actively compete - and had said he would launch a bid to win in South Carolina.

"South Carolinians are looking for a conservative candidate that will get this country back working again and I am it," Perry told CNN last week.

On Wednesday, CNN asked Perry about a poll that showed him with only 6% support among likely voters in the South Carolina primary.

He insisted he was continuing with the effort to have a strong showing in the state.

"We're convinced that that's our goal, so the idea that we're going to do anything else, other than try to impact this election is - that's why we got in it. We didn't get in it because it was our purpose in life to be the president of the United States. We did it because it was our purpose to serve this country, and that's what we've been called for, and that's what we're going to continue doing."

When Perry entered the race in August, he immediately did well in the polls. But a series of gaffes, particularly at debates against his rivals, sent his support plummeting.

On Thursday, his campaign website continued to say "help Rick Perry win South Carolina and get America back on track."

Perry's official campaign Facebook page was filled with posts, largely from disappointed voters.

We are now left with Ron Paul, Mittens, Santorum and Newt. And then there were four left on the stage. And that's not the only news breaking in advance of the final pivotal debate as if Newt wins this since Santorum won Iowa that will give us three contenders who each won a state and one who always finishes second.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Have to say this is a real surprise.
I guess there comes a point when these people realize howmuch of a Joke they look liek for staying in long, long after they had any chance of winning.

With Perry gone It will come down to Mitt and I THINK Newt. Santorum is just too late in to pick up thigns, but with how crazy the far right is, who can tell. Paul of course is not even worth considering.

[Themightytom]

hey look, Rick Rolled.
I've been waiting all season to say that.

[D.Turtle]

Well, it turns out that Rick Perry did endorse Newt Gingrich after all. This, together with polls coming out in South Carolina showing Newt Gingrich closing on - or even leading - seems to indicate that the anybody-but-Romney vote is coalescing around Newt Gingrich.

[JME2]

Aidos, muchacho. Glad to see him go.