Rick Perry To Make Presidential Bid Official

Governor Rick Perry (R-Texas) is planning to throw his hat into an already crowded GOP presidential field in a Saturday speech in South Carolina.

On the heels of Thursday’s GOP presidential debate, Perry’s announcement will preclude Saturday’s Ames Straw Poll and could affect the results former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) are expecting, given that the Minnesota duo may be the strongest candidates in the state.

In an excerpt from his presidential announcement speech, Perry calls on a widespread effort by all Americans to vote for the change they want.

“The change we seek will never emanate out of Washington” Perry’s draft reads. “It will come from the windswept prairies of middle America; the farms and factories across this great land; the hearts and minds of God-fearing Americans — who will not accept a future that is less than our past, who will not be consigned a fate of LESS freedom in exchange for MORE government. We do not have to accept our current circumstances. We will change them. We’re Americans. That’s what we do. WE roll up our sleeves, WE get to work, WE make things better.”