Perry not on major straw poll ballot

(CNN) – Despite the increased spotlight on Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is flirting with a possible presidential candidacy, he will not be on the straw poll ballot at a major gathering of Republicans in New Orleans this weekend.

Perry, who recently said he is thinking about a run for the White House, will speak Saturday at the Republican Leadership Conference, just a few hours before results of the GOP presidential nomination straw poll are announced.