AP:  Austin, TX (excerpts):  Texas Governor Rick Perry is running for president, a spokesman confirmed Thursday, a move certain to shake up the race for the GOP nomination much to the delight of conservatives looking for a candidate to embrace.  Perry Spokesman Mark Miner said the governor would make his intentions known on Saturday while visiting South Carolina and New Hampshire just as most of his presidential rivals compete in a test vote in Iowa.  Official word of Perry's entrance into the race came just hours before eight candidates, including GOP front-runner Mit Romney, were to appear on stage during a nationally televised debate.  It wasn't much of a surprise.  The longest-serving governor in Texas history has flirted with a presidential run since spring and has spent the past few months courting Republicans in early voting states and laying the groundwork for a campaign.  He met privately with potential donors from California to New York and gave rousing speeches to party faithful, casting himself as a fiscally responsible social conservative.  His intentions became even clearer over the past few days when officials disclosed that he would visit an important trio of states, a campaign-like schedule timed to overshadow the debate and the Iowa straw poll and, perhaps, wreak havoc on a field led by Romney.  Unlike others in the race, Perry has credibility with the at-times warring camps of the GOP's primary electorate.  The pro-business tax cutter who has presided over Texas's recent economic growth also is a devout social conservative with deep ties to some of the nation's evangelical leaders and Christians who dominate the pivotal Iowa caucuses.  He may face fierce opposition from secular groups and progressives who argue that his religious beliefs violates the separation of church and state and that his belief that some groups, such as the Boy Scouts of America, should be allowed to discriminate against gays is "bigoted."  Perry, who has been governor for 11 years has touted his business-friendly job-creation skills in Texas as evidence of fiscal wisdom, giving him a chance to drain support from Romney, whose conservative record is burdened by the health care plan he implemented as governor of Massachusetts.  Social conservatives already support Perry in equal numbers to Bachmann, who has never held an executive office and who some republicans consider too far right to beat President Barack Obama.  In polls conducted before he joined the race, Perry was in a statistical tie with Bachmann and within striking distance of Romney.  A career politician with 27 years in elected office, Perry calls his economic track record in Texas a model for the country, arguing that low taxes, little regulation and tough law suit restrictions help create jobs and attract business.  Texas has fared better than most states during the Great Recession, though it has the highest rate of uninsured residents and among the poorest populations in the country.  Perry is a full-throated critic of both Democratic and Republican politics in Washington, advocating a weaker federal government with smaller entitlement programs and greater states' rights.  He recently signed a pledge to cut spending, place a cap on future government expenses and balance the budget.  Democrats will highlight what they say are Perry's "extreme right beliefs," such as opposing the national income tax and the direct election of US senators.  States' rights is one of Perry's biggest issues and he has said individual legislatures should decide matters such as gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana.  Those stances could draw conservative opposition - unlike his well-known love of guns.  Perry told an Associated Press reporter last year that he carries a laser-sighted pistol while jogging and that he used it to shoot a coyote that threatened his daughter's dog that came along one day for a run.  Texans touted what they call a heroic act, and gun manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. issued a "Coyote Special" addition of its Ruger .380 caliber pistol complete with "A True Texan" emblazoned on the side.  How such stories play on a national stage could determine whether Perry can secure the GOP nomination.     

Commentary:  "Texans touted what they call a heroic act" sounds a bit sarcastic by the writer.  I suppose he might think it much better if the coyote had attacked and killed the pet, then the governor, or severely injured both!  There is a place for weaponry in today's society among those who want to defend their homes and their families.  Jesus said to the disciples before the Roman invasion, "...he who does not own a sword, let him sell his garment and buy one" Luke 22:36.  Jesus never said it is a Christian's duty to be attacked and killed by thugs, or watch helplessly as their families are attacked and killed by thugs, or wild animals for that matter.  Conservatives and Christians need to get away from the mentality that just because other people abuse something doesn't mean it is bad for everyone else and it doesn't have a place in society.  I recently sent Rick Perry an email, before he announced his intention to run, applauding his openness, in publicly giving honor to God.  Later, after I heard about his national day of prayer and fasting recently, as the economic crisis played out between Congress and the president, I was overwhelmed and hoped he would run for president.  He is a conservative; Texas is, in fact, a model for the nation economically and has among the lowest unemployment rates per capita in the nation (en.wikipedia.org).  Rick Perry loves the Lord and has no problem sharing his faith publicly.  He is not only open about his faith in God, but his life exemplifies his faith.  As long as he continues to walk uprightly before the Lord, Governor Rick Perry has my vote.  "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord and the people whom He has chosen for His inheritance" Psalm 33:12.  If you want this nation to be blessed, vote for a man or woman of God; one who has faith in the Lord, lives an exemplary life and prays.