

Texas Gov. Rick Perry gives the closing address at 'The Response,' a call to prayer for a nation in crisis, an event at Reliant Stadium that drew roughly 30,000 people in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 6. Mr. Perry attended the daylong prayer rally despite criticism that the event inappropriately mixed religion and politics. Erika Rich/The Daily Texan/AP
Gov. Rick Perry autographs his book 'Fed Up' prior to speaking at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver on July 29. Ed Andrieski/AP
Gov. Rick Perry signs the sonogram bill at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on May 24. The Texas law requires doctors to conduct a pre-abortion sonogram and describe the fetus's features to pregnant woman. Doctors who don't comply would face loss of their medical license and possible prosecution. The law doesn't allow women to opt out, with exemptions for cases of rape or incest. Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman/AP/File
Gov. Rick Perry, joined by State Senator Leticia Van De Putte, from left, St. Philip's College President Adena Williams Loston, Texas Workforce Commissioner Ronny Congleton, far right, and members of the military, signs a bill to help military veterans gain college credit for their service, at St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas, on July 14. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News/AP/File
Gov. Rick Perry hugs a supporter after his speech to the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans on June 18. Lee Celano/Reuters/File
Gov. Rick Perry speaks during a United For Life event organized by a Hispanic anti-abortion group at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles on June 12. Richard Vogel/AP/File
Gov. Rick Perry looks at pistols under a display case after a campaign event at a gun shop in Dallas on Sept. 16, 2010. Mr. Perry, touting his pro-gun credentials in his re-election campaign, was on hand to pick up the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. LM Otero/AP/File
Gov. Rick Perry and his wife Anita exit the senate floor in Austin, Texas on Dec. 21, 2000. The Ross Volunteers, of Texas A&M University, form a canopy of swords for the couple. The group is the official honor guard of the state of Texas. Tom Pennington/Fort Worh Star-Telegram/Newscom/File
Film Director Ron Howard meets with Gov. Rick Perry to discuss his plans for a movie based on the story of the Texas Revolution and the critical battle of the Alamo, in Austin, Texas, on Mar. 19, 2002. Mr. Howard was in Texas with two Hollywood producers to research the project, which was suggested to him by actor Russell Crowe. Peter Silva/ZUMA Press/Newscom/File
Gov. Rick Perry talks to Alabama legislators Kurt Wallace and Mike Jones before speaking at the Republican summer dinner in Birmingham, Ala. on Aug. 12. Butch Dill/AP
Gov. Rick Perry waves to the crowd after announcing his presidential bid in Charleston, South Carolina on Aug. 13. Maryann Chastaine/Reuters
Gov. Rick Perry points at a friend as he walks to his car after attending a house party hosted by State Representative Pam Tucker in Greenland, N. H. on Aug. 13.
Gov. Rick Perry speaks at his first campaign event in Greenland, N.H. on Aug. 13. He had announced his entrance into the competition hours earlier. Evan Vucci/AP
Gov. Rick Perry high fives a child at the Black Hawk County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner in Waterloo, Iowa on Aug. 14. Charles Dharapak/AP
Gov. Rick Perry talks to visitors at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa on Aug. 15. Charles Dharapak/AP
While walking with his wife Anita at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Aug. 15, Gov. Rick Perry eats a vegetarian corn dog. Charles Dharapak/AP
Gov. Rick Perry talks with locals in a cafe during his visit to downtown Portsmouth, N.H. on Aug. 18. Cheryl Senter/AP
Lt. Gov. Rick Perry, Laura Bush, and Gov. George W. Bush wave to the crowd at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Tex., on Nov. 3, 1998. Mr. Bush easily defeated Democratic opponent Gary Mauro to retain the Governor's seat. Carolyn Bauman/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Newscom/File