>> jamie: perry is not the only candidate with that message. steve centanni joining us live in washington. how is rick perry doing with the tea party voters? >> reporter: well, with perry entering the race suddenly becoming the front-runner, tea party power broker jim demint, the south carolina senator was asked about perry today, especially about his moderate views in the past, including his once support pore the hillary clinton health care plan in the 90s. demint says he welcomes perry in the race but is not picking favorites yet. >> i'm going to withhold any endorsement or support for several months. it is important to me to see how these candidates respond to the big issues of the day. >> reporter: demint seen as potential gop kingmaker because of his successful role promoting tea party candidates in 2010. this week he holds a forum attended by romney who first declined. michelle bachmann, ron paul,