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Outgoing Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday made clear to national Republicans that he is considering a second White House run during a speech highlighting his leadership on wide range of national issues.

“I know this may surprise you, but I’ve been thinking a lot about 2016," Perry said in an address to the National Republican Committee's winter meeting.

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Perry, whose 14 years as governor of Texas will be coming to an end in a few days, pointed to last year’s influx of unaccompanied minors streaming across the southern border and the Ebola outbreak as domestic issues where he has led and the White House has failed.

“I got to thinking about it; maybe the president just wanted to give me a head start on doing federal duties,” Perry said.

The failed 2012 presidential candidate has made clear he is considering another run. Potential rivals Ben Carson and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker addressed the RNC on Thursday, and Mitt Romney will speak Friday night.

IN-DEPTH

-- Andrew Rafferty