Rove: Palin acting like 'a candidate', Ryan getting 'pressure' to run

Republican strategist Karl Rove said he thought it more likely than not that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) would jump into the Republican presidential race.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Rove said he would "put a little more money that she gets in than if she doesn't."

He noted that Palin’s schedule of events next week in Iowa makes her look like she may jump into the race. “The schedule she's got next week in Iowa, it looks like that of candidate, not celebrity,” said Rove.

Speculation has grown that Palin will enter the Republican presidential contest.

Her political action committee web video Friday featuring footage of her at the Iowa State Fair. In the video Palin promised supporters to "see you again September 3rd." Palin has said she will make a decision in September about her intentions, and organizers for a Tea Party event she will keynote Labor Day weekend in Iowa moved her event to a larger venue.

Rove said the Palin web video looked “pre-presidential.”

He cautioned though that if she doesn’t enter into the race next week, she will lose likely donors and supporters as they begin to commit to other presidential candidates. 

"Her difficulty is, if she doesn't get in shortly after next week, then I think people are going to basically say she's not in, she won't be in, if she gets in, I'm not going to be for her," warned Rove. "You can only tease so many times in the political process, and I think she is getting to the end of that."

Rove was also asked about reports he had discussed a possible presidential bid with House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.). Rove demurred when asked if Ryan would run. “I don’t know, it’s up to Paul to decide,” he said.

He added that there were many “serious people” urging Ryan to enter the race. "All I know is that from talking to people around the country who picked up the phone and called him and told him what they think, that there are a lot of serious people," said Rove. "He is getting a lot of pressure, as is Governor Christie of New Jersey."

Rove also defended Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a recent entry into the GOP primary field. Perry has taken criticism for his claims that Texas's economy boomed under his leadership as governor.

Rove though spoke positively about the state's economy. "People are voting with their feet and moving to Texas because of the robust economy," he said.

This report was updated at 1:00 p.m.

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