Reports: Rick Perry To Drop Out Of GOP Presidential Race

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is going to drop out of the Republican race for the White House, sources are telling The New York Times and CNN.

NPR has not independently confirmed the news.

We'll pass along more as the story develops. Perry is expected to hold a news conference at 11 a.m. ET.

Update at 10:25 a.m. ET. Tonight's Debate May Be A Factor In Announcement's Timing:

It appears, NPR Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving tells our Newscast desk, that Perry wants to withdraw before tonight's scheduled CNN Southern Republican Presidential Debate in South Carolina (at 8 p.m. ET). And, Ron adds, Perry likely wants to get out before Saturday's primary in the Palmetto State because he's getting only about 4 percent support in the latest polls of South Carolina Republicans.

Update at 10:15 a.m. ET. Gingrich Has Been Moving Up In Polls:

Adding to the reporting about a likely Perry endorsement of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's bid for the GOP nomination, The Wall Street Journal notes that such support would come "just as polls suggest that Mr. Gingrich is closing in on front-runner Mitt Romney in South Carolina as voters prepare to cast ballots here Saturday."

At RealClearPolitics.com, the latest "RCP Average" of polls from South Carolina shows Romney 7.6 percentage points ahead of second-place Gingrich in the state.

Update at 10:05 a.m. ET. More On Possible Endorsement Of Gingrich:

Politico says its sources have confirmed that Perry met yesterday with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to discuss Perry's exit from the campaign and an endorsement of Gingrich's bid by the Texas governor.

As Politico says:

"Gingrich will be hoping the move gives him a boost as [he] tries to consolidate conservative support ahead of Saturday's primary [in South Carolina], aiming to unite the voters who had been splitting between him, Perry and Rick Santorum."

Update at 9:55 a.m. ET. Will He Endorse Gingrich?

The Associated Press is now reporting it's been told that the Texas governor will endorse former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's presidential bid. The wire service says its sources are "Republican officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting Perry's announcement,"

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