Perry not a presidential candidate, but he likes Palin

Texas Governor Rick Perry told Real Clear Politics in a Tuesday interview to cross him off of its list of potential dark horses in the 2012 presidential election.

"No," he said bluntly when asked if he had any interest in a White House run in three years "My interest is in Texas."

The governor said that he hopes to see a substantial number of Republican governors who share his conservative values elected in 2010, and that the Republican Party in 2012 nominates a candidate who will be elected to the presidency to work in partnership with the states to rebuild the United States economically.

Which presidential candidate did he have in mind?

Perry had high praise for a former colleague, Sarah Palin, saying she would be a "very, very talented and incredibly focused candidate" should she decide to run. But, "I think it's a bit premature for us to be proclaiming her - I'll allow her the privilege of making that decision," he added.

RCP promises more from its Perry interview before the end of the week.

- JP