Perry frequently attributes his missteps to painkillers he was on from back surgery he underwent six weeks before entering the race.

On Friday, he also said he simply didn’t lay enough groundwork before jumping in.

But now, he has “spent a lot of time in preparation,” he said.

“That’s not to say I’ve made the decision I’m going to run,” he added. “I haven’t. But the reason I don’t choose to run will not be because I’m ill-prepared.”