The Coverage of the build up to the
South Carolina Republican primary, as Rick Perry pulls out of the presidential race, Rick Santorum is declared the Iowa winner after recount and Newt Gingrich's wife gives an explosive interview for this news
Jon Swaine had this take on Perry hanging up his spurs:
After an excruciating few months, Governor Rick Perry just gave a glimpse of why he once raised such high hopes among Right-wing Republicans determined to prevent Mitt Romney from becoming their presidential nominee.
"I ran for president because I love America," he said, in a more powerful articulation of his principles than he has managed in ages. "I love our people, I love our freedom. Matter o' fact this mission is greater than one man."
But then, aptly, his speech began to drag on and meander. "As a former air force pilot, I don't get confused," he said, before promptly appearing to forget what he was supposed to say next. The speech encapsulated the infuriating paradox Mr Perry has presented: great on paper, pretty lousy on the campaign trail.
16.37 (11.37) Gingrich is speaking in Beaufort now, with wife Callista at his side, dressed in black and staring intently at him as she always does. He says he watched the Perry endorsement from his campaign bus and is "humbled and honoured" by his support.
Gingrich says he has asked the governor to head up a task force on state's rights. Not clear if he's going to wait to be elected president before setting the group up.
16.30 (11.30) As thrilled as Gingrich will be with the Perry nod, all the attention in his camp is zeroed in on this interivew by his ex-wife Marianne Gingrich. We're expecting real fireworks and here's one snippet: the former speaker allegedly asked her if they could have an open marriage so he could continue to see his then-mistress and now wife, Callista.
