Governor Rick Perry (TX) is expected to drop out of the race for the Republican nomination for President.  Washington news website Politico said Mr Perry would hold a news conference at 11:00 am ET on Thursday, at which he’s expected to announce his decision.

When Governor Perry previously returned home to Texas, many thought his run was over. He surprised many as he returned to the campaign field. Governor Perry’s plan hinged around creating a strong finish in South Carolina but as polls have come in, his chances have kept getting slimmer.

Multiple websites have announced that it is expected that Governor Perry will endorse Newt Gingrich as the anointed Not-Romney candidate. [WSJ, CBS, ABC, BBC, Politico]

So that brings the Republican choices to Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.

I find it interesting that Newt Gingrich has begun showing how Romney is the current party establishment choice while failing to mention he is the second establishment choice.

According to a recent Zogby Poll “One-in-Four Voters Say They Are Likely To Support Third-Party Candidate.” This is a wonderful opportunity for Libertarian candidates. I am excited to see the field of potential Libertarian candidates. In addition if Representative Ron Paul does not get the nomination, I could see many of his supporters being swayed to vote for a Libertarian candidate as a protest vote.

In California we know the Electoral College delegates are going to go to a Democrat. It is a wasted vote for them to not vote third party, if their conscience dictates that they should. This is the election that disenfranchised members of both Democrat and Republican parties should consider voting Libertarian.