Perry Set to "Remove Any Doubt" He's Running

Gov. Rick Perry will make it clear he's jumping into the 2012 presidential race during an appearance this weekend in South Carolina, Republican sources said Monday.

Politico first reported the story, saying Perry will make his intentions clear during a speech to the RedState convention on Saturday in Charleston. Perry is scheduled to speak in the early afternoon.

Perry's South Carolina appearance coincides with another major development in the presidential race — the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa — on the same day. Perry's name won't appear on the ballot in that nonbinding contest, but by revealing that he is running for president, Perry will become a major focus of the news media on Saturday.

One source who spoke to the Tribune said the Perry will "remove any doubt" that he was running. It's unclear whether Perry will actually have a federal fundraising committee in place by the time he speaks to the RedState conference.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner issued a statement that neither confirmed nor denied the pending declaration from the long-serving Texas governor.

'The Governor is not a candidate for Office at this time. With President Obama’s dismal economic record, and Texas’ success in creating jobs and balancing our budget, Governor Perry continues to consider a potential run for The White House," Miner said. "Stay tuned."

According to CNN, Perry is planning to fly to New Hampshire, site of the nation's first presidential primary and the home of his political consultant Dave Carney, a few hours after speaking in South Carolina.