Republican presidential hopefuls former senator Rick Santorum (L), former Massachusetts...

Republican presidential hopefuls former senator Rick Santorum (L), former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (C) and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R) arrive on stage prior to the CNN Southern Republican Leadership Conference Town Hall Debate in Charleston, SC. (Jan. 19, 2012) Credit: Getty Images

Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. He then endorsed Newt Gingrich, adding a fresh layer of unpredictability to the campaign two days before the South Carolina primary by narrowing the slate of GOP candidates.

While the ultimate impact of Perry's decision was unclear, it reduced the number of conservative challengers to front-runner Mitt Romney, leaving Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

Which candidate do you think is going to win the GOP presidential nomination?

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Preview of Hochul/Blakeman debate ... Man dies in motorcycle crash ... Let's Go: Kerber's Farm Credit: Newsday

Village eases path for housing near casino ... Preview of Hochul/Blakeman debate... Men ID'd in fatal toll booth crashes ... Working Moms: Postpartum support

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