Coronado , California ( CNN ) Rick Perry used his final public address as Texas governor on Friday to sharply criticize President Barack Obama 's stewardship of the country and called on fellow Republicans to articulate a plan to voters explaining how the GOP will turn the country around . `` What is needed at this time in history is a clear vision for the world with America leading again , and freedom on the march again , '' Perry said Friday afternoon in a speech to the Republican National Committee . `` What is on the ballot in 2016 is a choice whether we are going to ... rise to the challenge of defending Western values or accept the decline of Western civilization , because those who had the most to lose did the least to preserve freedom . '' Perry , who delivered his remarks from behind a podium , reading from prepared notes , was at times halting in his speech . But he delivered heaps of political red meat to the state party leaders and activists sitting in the audience . Not once did Perry , who is considering a possible White House run , mention any of his possible opponents for the Republican nomination during his speech , and he refrained from doing so when he spoke afterward to reporters . `` I 'm not going to go back and rehash the 2012 campaign , '' Perry said when asked what was Mitt Romney 's biggest mistake as presidential nominee . `` I am not sure that is particularly of great utility . We need to be talking about the future and laying out a good bright vision for this country and how to get people back working again , how to get Washington to focus on the few things it needs to do and do rather well . Get our foreign policy back to where our allies know we are going to be standing with them and our enemies fear us . That is what we need to focus on . '' Perry sidestepped a direct question about what type of candidate Romney would be if he decided to seek the GOP nomination again . `` Whenever someone becomes a certified official candidate I 'd be more comfortable making a statement about him , '' Perry said . `` I think whether it is Jeb [ Bush ] , or it is Mitt or whoever it might be , adding quality people to the field raises the level . '' In his speech , Perry did not necessarily present policy solutions , but rather critiques of Obama on everything from the President 's handling of the economy and energy policy to foreign affairs . The Texas governor specifically chastised Obama for failing to travel to France for a unity march that drew leaders from around the world , who came come together to condemn the slaying of 12 people by terrorists at Charlie Hebdo magazine . `` When leaders of the world gather to stand against terrorism , the president of the United States needs to be there and he needs to be standing in the front of that march , '' Perry said . Perry did highlight the Texas economy and held it up as an example of how jobs should be created and copied throughout the nation . `` Our formula for success is simple : Keep taxes low , implement smart regulations , '' he said . `` You have an educated workforce and stop lawsuit abuse at the courthouse . That is the formula . It is simple . '' Before heading into a private reception to meet people attending the RNC 's Winter Meeting , Perry , who is leaving office in a few days , was asked what his next job would be . `` I will call you when I get that all figured out , '' he said .
Outgoing Texas Gov . Rick Perry speaks to the Republican National Committee . He delivers plenty of red meat to his audience , but gives no clues about his 2016 plans .