Governor Perry A Candidate For Vice-President?
The following is commentary from CBS 11's political reporter Jack Fink:
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Some Republicans are buzzing after a report by Fox News late Sunday that Newt Gingrich's campaign is considering naming Texas Governor Rick Perry as its Vice-Presidential running-mate before the Republican National Convention in August.
Both the Gingrich campaign and Governor Perry are denying there have been any talks about the topic.
An aide to Rick Santorum, one of Gingrich's opponents, said he believes Gingrich's campaign is trying to generate excitement before Tuesday's crucial primaries in Alabama and Mississippi.
Gingrich needs to win both Southern states to show he's still a viable candidate. Already, there have been calls by Santorum and others for Gingrich to drop out. Gingrich has vowed to stay in.
Some analysts believe if Perry joined the ticket, it would help Gingrich among social conservatives.
But at this point in the race, it's very doubtful Gingrich will make it to the convention. He trails Santorum and Romney in the number of states and delegates he's won.
Perry's name hasn't surfaced as a potential Vice-President recently.
Much of the speculation centers on Florida's junior U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. He's seen as a young, rising star in the Republican party, is a Tea Party Conservative, and is from an important swing-state the Republicans will need if they want to recapture the White House this fall.
OTHER POLITICAL NOTE
In another political story developing Monday, the U.S. Justice Department has rejected Texas' new law requiring voters show a photo ID when they head to the polls.
The Republican-dominated Texas legislature passed the measure last year, and Governor Perry signed it.
The Justice Department finds the new law may disenfranchise as many as 800,000 people who may not have a photo ID such as a drivers license -- that includes Latinos and the elderly.
