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This news nugget is going to set liberals a-twitter: Gov. Rick Perry spoke at a private summit in Colorado Sunday hosted by Charles and David Koch, billionaire businessmen who have liberally funded conservative, pro-energy and anti-union causes.

The guest list and precise location of the four-day Vail summit are secret, the Denver Post reported, but Perry and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell have acknowledged attending.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner said Perry’s participation had nothing to do with a possible presidential run.

‘The governor was invited to attend a private meeting of business leaders and believed it was an opportunity to talk about the economic success in Texas. This was no different than other speeches the Governor gives talking about job creation and the economy in Texas,” Miner said.

Nancy Pfotenhauer, a spokeswoman for Koch Industries, said the summit was designed to bring together job-makers to discuss the American economy.

“Our nation is at a crossroads, and the purpose of this conference is to develop support for the kind of free-market policies and initiatives that can get our country back on the path to economic prosperity and sustained job creation,” Pfotenhauer said.

The Koch brothers have made billions of dollars in a wide range of industrial and energy investments, but they are publicity-shy. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker made headlines earlier this year when he engaged in a profane, politically charged conversation with a liberal “gonzo” journalist posing as David Koch.

Perry has headlined a number of speaking gigs around the country this month. He touted Texas’ economic growth at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials; spoke about Texas’ balanced budget at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans; blasted President Barack Obama’s economic policies as the keynote speaker at a New York City Republican fund-raising dinner; and discussed God at an anti-abortion rally at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

Political speeches in Perry’s future include an Aug. 12 speaking engagement at a Alabama Republican Party’s summer fundraising dinner, an Aug. 13 appearance at the RedState blogger conference in South Carolina and a Oct. 28 keynote speech Cornerstone Action’s annual awards dinner. He is schedule to speak at a non-political “Champions of Scouting Dinner” in San Diego tomorrow night.

Perry and his top political advisers say he will decide whether to seek the presidency after the conclusion of the Texas Legislature’s special session.

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Want to learn more about Rick Perry and his presidential prospects? Visit TxPotomac’s Perry Watch pages for the latest polls, media hype, issues, supporters and critics and details of the Rick Perry explor-a-tour.

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