Texas Gov. Rick Perry suspended his failing presidential campaign Thursday and announced his support of Newt Gingrich two days before the South Carolina primary.

“I believe Newt is a conservative visionary who can transform our country. We’ve had our differences, which campaigns will inevitably have, and Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?” Perry said at a press conference in Charleston, S.C. “There is no viable path forward for me in this 2012 campaign.”

From the beginning to the end of his campaign, Perry stood alone against other GOP contenders for the 2012 presidential nomination. Several others – including Gingrich – entered the race and went full speed ahead, passing Perry in preliminary polls.

Basically, the beginning of the other GOP candidates’ campaigns was the end of Perry’s.

When he first announced his candidacy, Perry was compared to George W. Bush in more ways than one. Whether he knows it or not, he’s been doomed ever since.

Perry just hasn’t been able to completely convince the American people – specifically the 20-somethings of America – that he would make a great leader of this country. So we agree with you Perry; you have no future in the 2012 campaign. With Perry and Bachmann out, let the real presidential race begin.

The above editorial is the consensus of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board.