Iowa defeat leaves Perry in unfamiliar role: loser

By Will Weissert

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Jan. 6 2012 1:31 a.m. MST

In this Jan. 3, 2012, photo, Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry pauses on caucus night in West Des Moines, Iowa. Perry did something in Iowa he’s never done in three decades of public life: He lost. Those who have known Perry for years expect him to take his fifth-place finish in Tuesday’s Iowa caucuses in stride, even as his chances of winning the presidential nomination shrink.

Evan Vucci, Associated Press

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Summary

Rick Perry did something in Iowa he's never done in three decades of public life: He lost.

AUSTIN, Texas — Rick Perry did something in Iowa he's never done in three decades of public life: He lost.

Those who have known Perry for years expect him to take his fifth-place finish in Tuesday's Iowa caucuses in stride, even as his chances of winning the presidential nomination shrink.

But others say the Iowa loss has probably had a deeper personal impact than Perry is letting on.

Iowa ended an unbeaten electoral streak for Perry that stretched back to 1984, when he won a Texas House seat as a Democrat.

He switched parties and won as agricultural commissioner before being elected lieutenant governor and ascending to the governorship when George W. Bush left for the White House in December 2000. Perry has since won three full terms.

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