RAKING IT IN

Perry ‘Best in Country’ at Fundraising

Aims to raise $10M within weeks of entering 2012 race.

Republican fundraisers are never going to know what hit them. As Texas Gov. Rick Perry enters the 2012 Republican field, sources say he aims to raise some $10 million within a few weeks of entering the race. It’s no surprise Perry wants to bring in so much money: he’s been called the “most successful fundraiser in the history of Texas politics.” “He may be the best in the country,” said Texans for Public Justice Director Craig McDonald. “He will have no trouble raising the money he needs for his presidential campaign.” In his three campaigns for governor, Perry raised $102 million, and he also brought a record $22.1 million for the Republican Governors’ Association, of which he is the chairman. Perry will hold events to bring in money in nine cities from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, according to an email sent to top donors Thursday afternoon.