'Our country's in trouble,' Perry tells Richmond crowd

2:08 p.m.

In a press huddle after the event, Perry was asked about McDonnell as a potential running mate.

"That is thinking too far ahead," he quipped.

Perry also said last night's victory for Republicans in New York -- in which the party took the seat vacated by Democrat Anthony Weiner -- was a clear sign that Democrats are "on the ropes."

Perry was also asked about rival Mitt Romney. He conceded that Romney had been a "great private-sector job creator," but suggested that record had not translated to the public sector when Romney became governor of Massachusetts.  

"If Americans' big issue is getting back to work... I'm the candidate to do it," he said.

-- Wesley P. Hester

1:42 p.m.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said the current administration’s “tax and spend” agenda is “re-energizing conservatives.”

 He said the GOP did not need a nominee who could bridge divides between Republicans and Democrats.

 “We need a nominee who draws a clear and distinct contrast,” he said, adding that the difference between himself and President Barack Obama couldn’t be more clear.

 If elected, Perry vowed to “wipe out as much of Obamacare as I can” on day one of his term.

 “There is nothing ailing America that can’t be cured with the rebirth of freedom,” he said.

 Perry also praised McDonnell for rejecting a proposed tax increase by former governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Timothy M. Kaine.

Wrapping up his speech, Perry said: “Our people reject the idea of a Western European caretaker state. We yearn to be free.”

-- Wesley P. Hester

1:35 p.m.

“We live in the greatest nation that’s ever been created, but out country’s in trouble,” Texas Gov. Rick Perry said at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, decrying regulatory burdens placed on businesses by the Obama administration.

 “This campaign is about freedom,” he said, drawing applause.

 "The voters are getting the message," he said. "The voters of New York sure got the message."

Noting that Virginia topped Texas this year in CNBC's “Best State for Business” rankings, after Texas won the year prior, Perry told Gov. Bob McDonnell: “You’re going back to number two”

In introducing Perry, McDonnell praised the Texan's record but stopped short of an endorsement. McDonnell reiterated his desire to see a governor in the White House. He has said he would not endorse a presidential candidate until November if at all.

McDonnell, who served on the Republican Governors Association with Perry, said he talked to Perry three months ago about speaking at this GOP fundraiser.

-- Wesley P. Hester and Olympia Meola

1:08 p.m.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has entered the room with Gov. Bob McDonnell.

-- Wesley P. Hester

1:03 p.m.

Also notable at the Perry event is who's not here: Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who chairs Mitt Romney's campaign in Virginia, and U.S. Senate candidate George Allen.

-- Wesley P. Hester

12:56 p.m.

The GOP fundraiser at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, featuring Texas Gov. Rick Perry,  is under way, with 1,080 people in attendance and 54 media outlets from across the world.

-- Wesley P. Hester

12:53 p.m.

Ray Reed of The News & Advance in Lynchburg reported on Perry's address this morning to the convocation at Liberty University. Reed reports:

Republican presidential front-runner Rick Perry urged Liberty University students to find their own purpose in life today and avoided any mention of the political issues that have dominated the eight GOP candidates’ debates recently.

“Don’t leave it to a bunch of Washington politicians to tell you how to live” your life, he told students who filled LU's Vines Center for a convocation.

“This is your future we are debating today,” Perry said, and asked the students to speak up about issues.

Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. introduced Perry to the audience and summarized some of Perry’s record as a pro-life governor of Texas who introduced a loser-pays tort law that, Falwell said, led to lower malpractice insurance premiums for doctors.

Falwell said he remembered his own days as a student listening to Ronald Reagan speak at Liberty during a time of national economic malaise and how the nation was strengthened during the Reagan presidency.

“I have a feeling today that history is about to repeat itself,” Falwell said.

Falwell told reporters before the convocation that he doesn’t have a personal favorite among the Republican candidates.

 “Any of them would be better than what we have now,” Falwell said, although he added that he thinks two of them, including Ron Paul, are not electable.

-- Ray Reed

12:37 p.m.

Many local Republican leaders are on hand at the convention center,  including Chesterfield County Supervisor Dorothy A. Jaeckle and Goochland County Supervisor Malvern R. "Rudy" Butler, both of whom are seeking re-election.

Jaeckle said she is still deciding between the candidates for president and wants to hear Perry's views in person. 

"I like what I've heard from him so far," she said. "And I do think that governors make the best presidents."

Butler said he is about "90 percent" sold on Perry as his candidate of choice.

"I think he really speaks his mind -- kind of like me," he said. "I'm hoping he'll talk a little about his plan for jobs and getting the deficit down."

-- Wesley P. Hester

12:26 p.m.

Matt Geary, Republican nominee for Henrico County commonwealth's attorney, is in the crowd for Texas Gov. Rick Perry's speech at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, as is Sen. Steve H. Martin, R-Chesterfield.

-- Olympia Meola

12:15 p.m.

Barbecue is on the menu for the crowd here to hear from the Texas governor and GOP presidential candidate. 

The crowd has entered the ballroom after stocking up on food at a buffet.

-- Wesley P. Hester

12:01 p.m.

A couple of hundred well-dressed conservatives are awaiting entry into the Republican Party of Virginia's Grassroots Luncheon, where GOP presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry will serve as keynote speaker.

Audrey Tatum, of Amelia County, said she came to get a feel for Perry.

"I like something about all the candidates," she said, "but if I had to vote today, I'd vote for Mitt Romney." 

Tatum said she was looking for someone she believed could provide answers to the nation's economic woes.

"I'm not saying Rick Perry's not that man, I just don't know enough about him," she said. 

One thing that has troubled Tatum so far has been Perry's aggressive style. The Texan has suggested, for example, that the Federal Reserve's actions are treasonous and has likened Social Security to a Ponzi scheme. 

"While he's speaking the truth, he just says it wrong," Tatum said.

-- Wesley P. Hester 

11:53 a.m.

Some current and hope-to-be state legislators are milling around the crowd at the Greater Richmond Convention Center ahead of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's arrival.

Del. Robert B. Bell, R-Albemarle and Sen. Mark D. Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg are here; the latter is scheduled to give the invocation.

Ben Loyola, the Republican nominee in the 6th state Senate district, is shaking hands and making his pitch. Loyola is taking on Sen. Ralph S. Northam, D-Norfolk.

-- Olympia Meola

11:34 a.m.

Crowds are  starting to file in at the Greater Richmond Convention Center for a luncheon that will feature Texas Gov. Rick Perry.  The Republican Party of Virginia expects 1,100 people to attend the party fundraiser.

This morning Perry addressed the convocation at Liberty University in Lynchburg. 

-- Olympia Meola

10:45 a.m.

George Allen's U.S. Senate campaign is welcoming Republican presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry to town with a bit of friendly criticism on his Social Security views.

To welcome Perry, the Democratic Party of Virginia has released a video hammering Perry for calling Social Security a "Ponzi scheme" and linking his views to those of Allen, a former senator and governor.

As a member of the U.S. Senate, Allen supported a Bush-administration proposal to privatize social Security.

But asked for comment, Allen campaign spokesman Bill Riggs said Allen's views are substantially different than Perry's.

"George Allen doesn't characterize Social Security that way. George Allen believes that we need to work together to protect it for seniors and those nearing retirement and preserve it for future generations," Riggs said. "Social Security is funded by working people and employers and the federal government should keep its promises to retirees. The American people expect leaders to address problems and challenges like these, not just use them for political fodder or the next fundraising effort."

Jamie Radtke, a tea party candidate challenging Allen for the Republican nomination added: "The commotion about what to 'call' Social Security is a red herring. What do I call Social Security? I call it an unsustainable program facing looming shortfalls which, unless it is reformed, will fail our seniors and our children."

Tim Donner, another GOP contender, said on his Facebook page that he agreed with Perry that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme, but wanted him to elaborate.

"Watching the Republican debate, it struck me that even the least of the eight candidates would represent a dramatic improvement over the current resident of the White House. My hope is that Governor Perry will explain more effectively WHY Social Security is a Ponzi scheme — because the federal government has raided the social security trust fund for the unauthorized purpose of reducing the federal deficit every year, which if done in the private sector would result in prison terms," he wrote.

Perry is the keynote speaker today at the Republican Party's Grassroots Luncheon at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Gov. Bob McDonnell, who last month succeeded Perry as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, also will speak.

-- Wesley P. Hester