Perry calling Iowa activists as potential donors convene

The first donors most likely to be contacted would be from oil and gas after what Obama has done and is trying to do to that industry between the EPA, Energy, Interior, and now we learn the Secretary of State Clinton sitting on approval for the pipeline from Canada to Oklahoma and Port Arthur, Texas.  There is no one already in the race who understands what the oil and gas industry has been going through since Obama took office.  The Gulf is still not back to where they were before the spill as getting permits has been a slow and tedious process.  EPA is trying to shut down drilling in part of the Permian Basin of Texas because of a lizard and some beatles.  What next?  Is the EPA going to call the fire ants an endangered species since they are being eradicated?

With the Governor now making calls to gauge support, this is probably a slam dunk he is running.  He is going to hear from activists around the Country that they are not happy with the current field for the Republican primary.  None of them are talking about state's rights and how the Federal Government keeps trying to run states with mandates and regulations.  The newest is the EPA (AGAIN) and their new air regulations.  If they had their way people would leave Texas and Oklahoma and turn it over to the insects, spiders, and lizards.  Also not one of the candidates has taken on the Federal Government directly like Gov Perry has been doing over a long list of items starting with Border Security, Clean Air, Oil and Gas Drilling, Endangered Species Act, and the list goes on and on. 

Governor Perry who has shown what it takes to grow jobs in Texas to make sure the economy keeps growing.  With a balanced budget in hand for Texas and a growing rainy day fund, there is no candidate better positioned to take on the American economy than Perry. 

Looking forward to when Governor Perry says "I am running for President!" and there will be a collective sigh of relief among Republicans all across the Country.

Perry calling Iowa activists as potential donors convene

By JONATHAN MARTIN & MAGGIE HABERMAN | 7/8/11 6:47 PM EDT Updated: 7/9/11 8:10 AM EDT

Rick Perry has started calling Iowa Republicans and a former RNC finance chairman is helping to convene a meeting of national donors later this month in Austin to discuss financing a potential 2012 campaign — signs that the Texas governor and his allies are stepping up their exploratory efforts.

The developments come as Perry is being watched by a string of donors, early-state voters and elites who say they're disenchanted, and in search of a stronger candidate.

Republican activist Joni Scotter told POLITICO she got a surprise phone call this afternoon from Perry, asking about the political landscape as it relates to him.

"It was just a surprise," said Scotter, of Marion, who's well-known for her frequent appearances at Iowa Republican events and is a coveted worker bee on presidential campaigns. She said she didn't know how Perry got her number.

"He sounded great and just asked if he should run," she said. "And I said, of course." She said he said he hadn't made up his mind.

Scotter declined to reveal more about the roughly 20-minute conversation, saying, "I feel like I am violating a trust...it is an honor that he even considered calling. It was a wonderful conversation."

Dave Carney, Perry’s top strategist, confirmed that the governor had been reaching out to Republican caucus-goers.

“He is calling some folks, returning some calls and listening to what folks have to say,” said Carney.

Asked if it was activists or elected officials, he described the calls as going to “a mix of folks.”

At the same time, Peter Terpulek, a top bundler who President Bush appointed as ambassador to Luxembourg, has begun planning a gathering of some of the party’s top uncommitted donors for later this month in the Texas capital.

It’s unclear if Perry will attend the get-together, but a well-connected Texas Republican confirmed that the meeting was taking place and said it was part of an ongoing effort among the governor’s allies to determine “what is available on the financial side.”

“This isn’t the first or last meeting,” this source said, noting that there are also “other meetings in other states” in the works.

Terpeluk declined to discuss, or even confirm, the meeting.

At the same time, although not coordinated with Perry or any of his advisers, a pro-Perry group is trying to gather support for the Texas governor at next month's Ames Straw Poll. The group has hired Craig Schoenfeld, who until recently was with Newt Gingrich and is a veteran operative in the state, to lead the effort.

Speculation about Perry's plans has reached a fever pitch within the GOP. Increasingly, Republican insiders believe that the Texan will run. But those close to him say he has not yet decided and isn't rushing toward a decision.

Read more: Politico.com about the 2012 elections