Gov. Rick Perry is strongly urging Mike Huckabee to drop his Republican presidential bid.

Mr. Perry told a Washington, D.C., TV station last week, "It's over for the Republican nomination. And I respect Mike, but it's time for us as a party to get behind Senator [John] McCain," who has an overwhelming delegate lead and is close to securing the GOP nod.

Mr. Perry has called Mr. Huckabee urging that he drop out of the race, but the comments are the first time he has done so publicly. Mr. Huckabee has expressed confidence that he can win Texas' March 4 primary and still compete for the nomination.

Mr. Huckabee, noting Mr. Perry initially supported Rudy Giuliani in the Republican contest before backing Mr. McCain, said Saturday, "Rick has made his second choice already in the race, and it is sad that he doesn't seem to want the Republicans in Texas to even get to make one choice."

From wire reports