Perry to Announce Presidential Run in Charleston

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has taken a modest grassroots gabfest this weekend in Charleston and turned it into a turning point for the 2012 GOP Presidential Primary.

That "modest" description isn't ours — it's how the national RedState Gathering has been pitched: a no frills forum where politicians speak to and speak with followers of the popular conservative website and its editor, Erick Erickson. There is no stage and no podium and speakers are expecting to hang out and mingle with the crowd afterwards.

According to CNN, Perry will use this conservative rotary meeting to announce he's in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Out of necessity, the decision needed to come soon, says College of Charleston Adjunct Political Science Professor Jeri Cabot, but Charleston also provides an important primary election backdrop.

"South Carolina is a very hospitable state for the type of politics he represents," she said.

That type of politics includes a mix of fervent and frequent references to his faith and his executive experience in Texas. Perry has also been working behind the scenes, and some might argue harder than candidates already in the race, to secure support in South Carolina and he could roll out advisers and state-level staff in short order.

Amazed at what little time other candidates have been spending in the Palmetto State, Berkeley County Republican Party Chair Tim Callanan applauded Perry for his choice of venues.

"He's got his priorities straight," Callanan said. "He knows how valuable South Carolina is."

Gathering Strength

Perry's planned announcement is a testament to the importance of the RedState gathering and the RedState website, said Colin Hanna, executive director of the conservative nonprofit Let Freedom Ring and a presenter at this weekend's event.

"RedState has become a daily stoppping point for everyone," Hanna told Patch, singling out Erickson's work as editor-in-chief. "He's got one or two articles or perspectives that no one else has and it inevitably shapes the debate."

Much like the RedState website, these annual gatherings have been a platform for RedState favorites.

Gov. Nikki Haley, who benefited from Erickson’s early support in her gubernatorial campaign, was a speaker at last year’s event and will be hosting a private reception for attendees Friday night.

Several time slots in this year's gathering will be offered to some aspiring Nikki Haley’s out there: Senate candidates Ted Cruz of Texas, Don Stenberg of Nebraska, Adam Hasner of Florida and Richard Mourdock of Indiana, as well as House candidate Michael Williams of Texas.

Policy wonks will also get their fill on conservative initiatives like a state fair tax or Hanna panel on building a balanced budget amendment.

Cabot notes that web-savvy politicos will take this weekend seriously, but it's still a little too far from the 2012 elections for the general public.

"Folks online will be paying attention," she said. "But Charleston? It really is just a backdrop."