Greenland, New Hampshire (CNN) -- Rick Perry aimed Saturday to shift attention from Iowa's straw poll to New Hampshire and South Carolina, where he told conservative activists he is seeking the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. The Texas governor addressed a group of voters in Greenland, New Hampshire, a state where he is expected to launch an aggressive campaign. "It's time to get America working, folks, and that's the reason I am announcing my candidacy today to be president of the United States," he said, as supporters cheered. Perry came in sixth as an unofficial write-in on the nonbinding Ames Straw Poll. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as expected, took the top three positions in the vote.The candidate tries to shift attention from the Iowa straw pollThe Obama campaign criticizes Perry's policiesThe governor announces his presidential bid to conservatives in South CarolinaHe will make a big push to win the crucial primary there and in New Hampshire
He addressed _ directly during his speech, telling the president: "You can't win the future by selling it off to foreign creditors." His entry into the race will shake up the Republican field, putting Perry into direct competition with _ for core right-wing support.