Rick Perry Headed to Orlando to Speak at AFP Event

Once and perhaps future Republican presidential hopeful Gov. Rick Perry of Texas will be speaking at Americans for Prosperitys (AFP) Defending the American Dream Summit in Orlando in August.

Tim Phillips, the president of AFP, announced on Wednesday night that Perry will be speaking at the event which will be held from Aug. 30-31. Despite a lackluster and gaffe-filled bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, Perry has opened the door to making a second bid. Earlier this month, Perry announced he would not seek another term as governor which increased speculation that he would shoot for the White House in 2016.

Phillips had kind words for Perry in his announcement. Thanks in large part to Perrys fiscal conservatism and free-market mindset, Texas ranks No. 1 in job creation, No. 1 in exports, and has been named Best State for Business nine years in a row by Chief Executive Magazine, Phillips wrote. We look forward to hearing Governor Perry describe how the Texas recipe for success can be applied in every state and ultimately nationwide.

During the governors time in office, Texas has emerged as an economic powerhouse where the American dream is alive and well, Phillips continued. Even the worst recession since the Great Depression couldnt derail Texas rapid job growth and expanding economy. Over the last decade, a third of all jobs created in the U.S. were created in Texas. Known for his straigh-forward, no-nonsense style, Governor Perry is a great addition to our already celebrated speaking lineup.

Perry joins three other possible presidential candidates -- fellow Texas Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana -- who will be speaking at the AFP event.