Santorum aide: ‘I thought Texas governors were supposed to be tough’

{mosads}Perry’s campaign floated the possibility Wednesday night that their candidate might not compete in the full schedule of GOP debates over the next few months.

Perry told Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly earlier this week that it might have been a mistake to do the debates “when all they’re interested in is stirring up between the candidates instead of really talking about the issues that are important to the American people.”

Perry and his staff have also doubled down on the idea that a 30-second or one-minute response cannot effectively convey Perry’s ideas.

“This just shows he doesn’t have what it takes to lead the American people in taking back our country in 2012,” said Gidley.

According to Perry’s communications director, Ray Sullivan, Perry will not stop participating in debates alltogether but will consider debates on a “case by case basis.”

Perry has committed to participate in the Nov. 9 debate hosted by CNBC in Michigan.