Iowa Republican Picks Perry

Picking Perry: Now that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has said, again, that he won't run for president in 2012, a prominent Iowa Republican who tried to recruit him to the race, said he will back Rick Perry for president. Businessman Gary Kirke, of West Des Moines, just sent out a statement saying he will back Perry. Kirke said, "I believe Governor Perry offers the skills, ideas and conviction we need to be victorious in November."

Kirke was one of 7 Iowans who flew to New Jersey this summer to recruit Christie. Kirke told me shortly after he returned to Iowa he felt Christie was thinking about the possibility.