Perry Visits AshlanRick Perry said that he “truly believes America is only a few good decisions and a leadership change away from the best days of America.”

However Perry, who was the keynote speaker at the 30^th annual John M. Ashbrook Memorial Dinner, never said that he was the leader America needed.

Perry spoke for 40 minutes in the Upper Convocation Center in front a group of more than 500 that included Ashbrook students, members of the media and supporters of the Ashbrook center.

While Perry has not officially announced his intentions to run for the oval office, Robert E. Murray, CEO of Murray Energy, introduced Perry as a “potential candidate for the office of president of the United States.”

Murray also told the audience, “To pay attention to Rick in late May and early June.”

Perry, former governor of Texas from 2001-2015, touted his accomplishments in the Lone Star State, mentioning that despite an economic downturn in the U.S. economy, Texas actually added jobs during Perry’s time in office. Perry also mentioned his incentivized education and manufacturing programs, that he believed greatly helped the state.

Perry, who launched a failed bid for president in 2012, said he believes that to get America on track, the U.S. will need a president “who will let the states compete against each other.”

Before speaking at the dinner, Perry talked with Ashbrook students for over an hour. The dinner is annual benefit for the center, which draws students from across the country to Ashland.

“I believe the federal government should only do a few things but do them well,” Perry said. “The federal government should support a strong military, and protect our borders. Almost everything else should be left up to the states and the individuals.”

On the topic of how to attract Latinos to the Republican Party, Perry said, “People come to America to be free. The Republican Party should support that.” 

When asked about President Barack Obama during the Q&A session, Perry said, “We survived the Jimmy Carter years and we will make it through the Obama years.”

Perry’s message was warmly received by those in attendance at the dinner.

“I know the future is bright for America for two reasons,” Perry said. “One is the resiliency of the American people and the second is the fact that I know the American people will elect a Republican president.”