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Perry Turns Some Heads on Iowa Bus Tour

Gov. Rick Perry kicked off his two-and-a-half week, 40-stop Iowa bus tour today in an effort to rejuvenate a campaign that has been down in the polls for several weeks. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.

Rick Perry walks with a supporter after his speech in Council Bluffs Iowa

Gov. Rick Perry kicked off his two-and-a-half week, 40-stop Iowa bus tour today in an effort to rejuvenate a campaign that has been down in the polls for several weeks.

Perry emerged from a bus with "Faith, Jobs and Freedom" written on its side to a packed room of about 75 people. Perry delivered a mash-up of his standard campaign stump speeches, ending with an acknowledgment that he’s an underdog in Iowa.

Audio: Ben Philpott's story for KUT News

“I hope some of you are taking a second look," Perry said to the crowd in Council Bluffs, "saying, 'You know what, this guy does in fact lay out the plan to get this country back working.'"

Connie Clark of Council Bluffs said she likes Perry because he looks voters in the eye and tells the truth. “I give him a second, third and a fourth look," Clark said. “I’m impressed. I like his honesty. I’m with him. Somebody needs to go into D.C. with a bulldozer and clean house."

Perry made three tour stops Wednesday before flying back to Des Moines for an anti-abortion forum hosted by Mike Huckabee.

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