Perry to Join September 7 GOP Debate at Reagan Presidential Library

AUGUST 25, 2011
Perry to Join Sept. 7 GOP Debate

By Danny Yadron

Texas Gov. Rick Perry will participate in the Sept. 7 GOP presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

It will be Mr. Perry’s first time with all of the major 2012 Republican hopefuls since he announced his candidacy Aug. 13. Also on the stage: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, pizza magnate Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.

The debate is sponsored by the Reagan Presidential Foundation, NBC News and Politico, which reported the lineup Thursday.

The dynamic to watch: How Mr. Romney, long considered the race’s front-runner, reacts to Mr. Perry. In past debates, Mr. Romney has largely ignored his primary rivals as they took swipes at him and each other. But a Gallup poll released Thursday showed the Texas governor with a 29% to 17% lead over Mr. Romney.

Some have already started to call Mr. Perry the contest’s co-front-runner, if not the front-runner.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/08/25/perry-to-join-sept-7-gop-debate/