Jonathan Martin reports that Texas Governor Rick Perry will become the new chairman of the Republican Governors Association, a move that would up Perry's already respectable stock, as the governor has, in the past two years, attracted media attention for his criticism of Democrats and won re-election despite a challenge from Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Martin reports:

Perry recently released a book taking aim at the federal government and both the subject of the tome, "Fed Up!," and his promotion of it have fueled speculation that he is eyeing a presidential bid.

But his appointment to helm the RGA heading into 2011 -- when three states will hold governors' races -- amounts to the first concrete evidence that the Texan is serious when he says he has no interest in pursuing the White House. It would be nearly impossible to raise money for the committee and help direct the gubernatorial contests in Louisiana, Mississippi and Kentucky while running for president.

Perry's move does, though, jibe with his oft-stated intent to serve as a leader of state-level opposition against President Barack Obama and the federal government.