Conspicuously absent from the Ames Straw Poll was Texas Governor Rick Perry. The sharp looker nicknamed Governor Goodhair was keeping busy though, making his big announcement in South Carolina. After months of rumors, Perry declared his run to be the Republican Party's candidate for president. The four-term governor is seen as a formidable threat to those leaders of the straw poll. He has significant backing from the GOP establishment and the Tea Party. It's reckoned he could raise a lot of funding to take on President Obama. So it's a good time to learn more about Perry. For instance, did you know he started his political career in Texas as a Democrat? He also had a contentious relationship with George W. Bush. What’s the story there? What's Perry’s track record? Who is in his corner and who wants to knock him out? Who is Rick Perry? And why does he want to be your president?

Guest:

Paul Burka, Senior Executive Editor, Texas Monthly

Robert Stein, Professor of Political Science, Rice University and Fellow in Urban Politics, James Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University