Rick Perry, Texas Governor and GOP Presidential Possible, Shakes the Newport Beach Money Tree


Will he or won't he?

It's the question close watchers of the Republican Party's presidential prospects want Texas Gov. Rick Perry to answer.

Before he can, however, Perry has to come to Newport Beach today to ask the moneymen a question of his own:

Should I?
]

Like, if the Big Wallets on Orange County's Gold Coast are already committed to, say, Mitt Romney, what's the point?

Proving that not all campaign cash comes from one Southern California basket, Perry is scheduled first to meet with Rolex- and diamond-bracelet shakers in Beverly Hills.

After the private meeting somewhere in Newport Beach, Perry heads up the middle of the state (which should remind him of the nicer parts of Texas) to Sacramento.

Fueling much of that will-he-or-won't-he talk: Today marks Perry's second visit to the Golden State in two weeks.

Hell, Schwarzenegger didn't even spend that much time here.

A Perry spokesman denied to the Associated Press that the governor is here on behalf of a 2012 presidential run, maintaining that the visit is associated with official Texas business. But it sounds like Shawn Steel, a Republican National Committee
member and Palos Verdes attorney, would have liked to have measured the spokesman's nose while the denials were aired.

“I sense that he is beyond considering running for president. He is
now planning to run for president,” Steel is reported to have said, adding the Texas governor's California swing “has everything to do with 2012.”

Steel will get to ask the man of the hour himself, as he plans to attend the Newport Beach gathering.

By the way, announced GOP candidates Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Newt
Gingrich
and Jon
Huntsman
have already come to Orange County for their own private meet-and-greets–presumably with hats in glad hands.

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