AMES, Iowa — You’d almost think Rick Perry was on the stage.
The Texas governor, who is signaling his intention to join the race for the White House, didn’t participate in Thursday night’s Republican debate. But participants mentioned his name more than a few times.
Aides to Perry, who for months has denied he was eyeing a run, said the Texas politician plans to announce his intention to contend for the GOP nomination on Saturday, at a conservative gathering in Charleston, South Carolina.
“I’m very pleased he’s coming in, because he represents the status quo,” said Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a Republican running for president. “And I feel like I’m always separated from the other candidates with my strong belief in liberty and limited government, and [a] different foreign policy.”
Also participating in the Fox News-sponsored debate were Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.
“Welcome to the contest,” Cain said about Perry. “From my perspective, it doesn’t bother us or my campaign. That’s just one more politician, and that makes this business problem-solver stand out that much more.”
Others made jokes about Perry, or avoided acknowledging him directly.
“We all need prayers,” Huntsman said, in reference to a prayer rally the Texas governor hosted last week, “and I hope he offers a whole lot for everybody on this stage.”
Gingrich was more complimentary: “Governor Perry has a great record of job creation in Texas. I think he’s a very formidable person.”