My current prediction is that Perry waits until just a couple of days after his controversial "prayer day" on August 6 to enter the race. I think he gets in just in time to participate in the August 11th debate in Iowa.
That would also be just late enough that he'll have an excuse not to "officially" compete in the Iowa straw poll. But his name will still be on the straw poll ballot, and he won't stop some of his allies (who won't be officially affiliated with the campaign) from organizing for him there. That way, he can have his cake and eat it too. If he manages to show a pulse at Ames, then great. Otherwise, he wasn't officially making an effort there, so it doesn't matter.
If he doesn't enter the race in time to participate in the August 11 debate, then that probably means he's not seriously interested in this.
He's got file for it by July 29. Can he file for the Ames Debate if he isn't a candidate?
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