Perry talks jobs at Cedar Rapids company

"I'm going to be spending a lot of time in your state," Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry told workers at D.C. Taylor Roofing Co. in northeast Cedar Rapids this morning.

Perry, 61, toured the company's offices and warehouse, then spoke to employees and guests for about 20 minutes before leaving aboard his campaign bus with his wife Anita, son Griffin, and Griffin's wife.

"I'm ready to get America working again," Perry said, calling for a six-month moratorium on "government regulation."

Perry criticized President Barack Obama for "two-and-a-half years of government creating jobs. It's time to put the private sector back to work."

Besides continued tax cuts and deregulation, Perry promised to repeal health-care reform.

Maureen Saul of Cedar Rapids and her friend Judith Underwood, visiting from Washington state, came over at the last minute after hearing of Perry's visit.

"We were going to drive to Dubuque, but then we found out he was going to be here," said Saul, 66.

Saul said she wrote in Perry's name at last weekend's Republican straw poll in Ames, but she hasn't yet committed to any candidate for this winter's caucuses.

"I think he's got a good chance," she said. "So far I like him, but we'll see how he does. He's probably my first choice so far."