Perry joins 2012 presidential race

Texas Governor Rick Perry has joined the 2012 Republican race for US president.

He told South Carolina voters in a conference call today that he wants to win his party’s nomination and take on President Barack Obama.

Mr Perry said that: “I full well believe I’m going to win.”

Word of his entry into the race came before a planned speech in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was kicking off his campaign.

During the call with supporters, he criticised Mr Obama on foreign policy and said he would do better at creating jobs.

Mr Perry said he would go to Washington to do his duty and not make friends.