Tim Pawlenty Drops Out - Governor Rick Perry Steps In

The vocal candidate Tim Pawlenty is no longer a candidate for President, as he expectedly stepped down from the race. During the Republican debates in Iowa, he verbally attacked Michelle Bachmann, but it seemed to backfire. It appears that the voters of the straw poll in Iowa decided to back his competitor Michelle Bachmann, as she narrowly won over Ron Paul. Tim Pawlenty was a distant third in the straw poll. He knew he needed a strong showing in the poll to be able to stay in the race, and he did not receive it.
Bachmann secured 4,823 votes, narrowly besting Paul, who had 4,671 votes. Pawlenty was chosen on 2,293 ballots.
On another twist Texas Governor Rick Perry now joins the race for President. I suspect now that three of the candidates will spar off next year against each other in verbal attacks to win the nomination. The three candidates I feel that will make it to the end are Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Perry. If a straw poll amongst both democratic and republican voters were to take place today, to include Barack Obama, it most likely would be a no contest with Barack Obama winning the poll and then winning re-election.
In my opinion on the other hand, Michelle Bachmann will be no match to the last three candidates to make it through next year. Also I have stated in the past that Newt Gingrich also has no chance for nomination, and if he gains the republican nomination, President Obama will defeat him. Mitt Romney has more baggage, and he may need his money to fight a battle against Rich Perry to gain the nomination. Rick Perry may finally get the nod to run against Barack Obama, but will the country be able to withstand another showing of a governor of Texas as president of the country. People soon forget as Rich Perry followed George W. Bush in the governors mansion. He does not have the speaking ability, and charisma of our present President Barack Obama.