Perry Will 'Think About' Prez Bid

Dallas Morning News reports:

In his strongest statement yet about running for president, Gov. Rick Perry said day he will consider running for president after Legislature adjourns. "I'm going to think about it," the Republican governor said today. In the past, Perry has effectively ruled out a race for president, saying he doesn't want to go to Washington. But his tone has shifted in recent days with aides saying he has "no intention" of running. But Perry's name is an increasingly hot property in the political world as nobody in the Republican field seems to have emerged as a clear front-runner.

Perry told reporters after a bill signing of legislation that will require votes to have a photo ID that he's still focused on the Legislature, which adjourns on Monday. But when asked if he'd think about it after the session ends on Monday, he said, "Yes." Then, as if to maintain the ambiguity that has surrounded his future plans, Perry added, "I think about a lot of things." He joked that one person who is encouraging him to run is Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is seen as a possible successor should Perry leave office.