Governor Rick Perry sounded a strategic retreat on Thursday ending his campaign the day of the second South Carolina debate. Thankfully the needed winnowing of the traditional Republican field is continuing apace. Most significantly, Perry endorsed Gingrich on his way toward the exit, something that has provided Gingrich an added tailwind to sustain his second primary season surge in as many months. It's not so much that Perry's voting block was significant (he was polling only 2% in South Carolina according to Rasmussen) but Perry's support contributes to the sense that Newt is the man on the rise which Sarah Palin's earlier quasi-endorsement also suggested.  Perry's endorsement of Gingrich was also much more heart-felt than Huntsman's endorsement of Romney was a few days earlier.  This seems to be the real problem with the Romney candidacy: no one supports Romney or his positions enthusiastically, not even himself.  We would all feel more comfortable with Romney if...(Read Full Post)