Perry staying in race, holding out for "actual primaries"

Rick Perry pauses on caucus night Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in West Des Moines, Iowa, while announcing his decision to "reassess" his campaign.

/ AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Updated: 1:03 p.m. ET

Rick Perry on Wednesday said he will take his Republican presidential bid to the South Carolina primaries, despite speculation he would suspend his campaign in the wake of a disappointing fifth-place finish in Tuesday's Iowa caucuses.

In remarks to reporters in West Des Moines, Iowa, the Texas governor called the Iowa caucusing process "loosey goosey" and said he was looking forward to competing in "actual primaries."

"This wasn't a hard decision," Perry said. "[Iowa] is a quirky place, a quirky process to say the least and we're going to go into places where they have actual primaries and there are going to be real Republicans voting." 

"I'm excited about getting out with real Republicans and laying out --- and not that there aren't Real republicans here in Iowa, but the fact it is was a pretty loosey goosey process and you had a to of people who were there that admitted they were Democrats voting in the caucuses last night," he continued.

Earlier on Wednesday, Perry indicated his decision via a post on Twitter.

"And the next leg of the marathon is the Palmetto State...Here we come South Carolina!!!" he tweeted.

The Palmetto state is key for Republican primary voters. Since 1980, the winner of the South Carolina primary has gone on to win the Republican nomination every time.

The candidate, who earned just 10 percent of the vote in Iowa Tuesday night after spending millions of dollars campaigning there, announced last night that he would be returning to Texas to "reassess" the best way forward for his campaign, fueling speculation he would drop out.

Perry communications director Ray Sullivan said Tuesday night that the campaign would be considering donor and grassroots support, as well as the South Carolina field, when deciding the path forward. He also said not to expect an official decision before Thursday.

Ultimately, it could come down to money. Many believe Perry would have an edge among southern voters, and a strong South Carolina finish could give the longtime Texas lawmaker a much-needed boost in momentum

and financial support. But the candidate spent heavily in Iowa with little return; whether or not he will be able to bring in enough cash to sustain his campaign going forward remains to be seen.

Rebecca Kaplan contributed to this report.

[ProgressNow]

Ok Rick...with Michele gone, we're relying solely on you for GOP comedy relief...! Think you can handle it???

[baileyccc]

This is really good news. I really love it when republicans are attacking each other. I hope Newt stays in to the end as well, now that is a man of low character.

[scotttx]

And now the true light of Perry shine on, I guess Perry think Iowa is not a real state, it just a "loosey Goosey state" I am starting to wander was Perry born in the United States of America? We need to send this nut case to back where he came from, and it not from under a Rock either, I have more respect for rock's. Oh Please Texas keep your nut case at home. Hey South Carolina we found out that 10% of Iowa was under educated we will soon find out how under educated your population is.

[credibility2]

While it's his call, it's still a bit early...Iowa isn't really that relevant...

[Ben37221]

Every one knows he has no prayer. My guess is that he is staying in the race for the following reason
1. So as to use his money to go after Romney, thus becoming a buffer for Rick Santurum.
2. Or, to work with Romney's team to take votes away from Santurum.
Either way, he is in it for what he can eventually extract from the eventual nominey.

[matrix0900]

This guy should definitly keep going, he above all the others really represents the average Republican voter.

[VictorAshesLoveChild]

Uh...right.

[Lindag10]

"he above all the others really represents the average Republican voter".... Now that's scary.

[inbethlehem]

Darn, just when we thought there was going to be a little extra leg room in the GOP clown car.

[PourpaixPourpaix]

Iowa is a "quirky" place because they wouldn't vote for Perry? Well, color me quirky.

[VictorAshesLoveChild]

"I find it more than a bit amazing that -- in this case -- Michele Bachmann has proven herself smarter than Rick Perry."

Let's bring this one to the top.

Jaylah54 hits one out of the park.

[Chuck77474]

Good thing for him it's not HIS money he's pissing away...

[credibility2]

..yeah like all of the money Obama will be frittering away from all of his duped supporters, which is why he wants one billion to fund his re-election bid...