Quick Thoughts: Perry Drops Out of the Race, Endorses Newt Gingrich

And then there were four. The Republican Primary field has gotten much smaller now that John Huntsman and Rick Perry have decided to dropout of the race. Huntsman followed his campaign exit with a full endorsement of Mitt Romney, and Rick Perry did the same for Newt Gingrich. Despite these endorsements both Romney and Gingrich have been fending of attacks. Romney has had to deal with the notion that the reason he has not yet released previous tax returns is because he has something to hide. Gingrich has had to respond to his ex-wife’s claim that he presented her with the proposition of becoming a part of an “open marriage” prior to their divorce. Although these issues may seem apolitical on the surface, I think that are certainly relevant. The personal characteristics of presidential candidates such as how they treat their loved ones and how they make their money is simply fair game; they speak to the person that the eventual nominee would be should the actually defeat President Obama in November. As the field gets smaller, we are getting closer and closer to that point where one candidate will be able to go toe-to-toe with Romney in this nominating contest. Gingrich called for Santorum to dropout; however, in last night’s debate Santorum pointed out that he has placed higher than Gingrich in the last two contests, and that Gingrich’s contention was foolish. It’s a four-man race. Ron Paul is doing pretty well; although no one really expects him to be the nominee. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Romney.