MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WACH/AP) – The GOP presidential field continues to become more focused, with the official word that former Governor Sarah Palin and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will not seek the White House in 2012.

The focus now is on Mit Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who has been shoring up support among long-time party leaders, and Rick Perry, the Texas governor who has had a rocky few weeks that have stoked concerns about whether he's ready to take on President Barack Obama.

Romney is scheduled to return to the Palmetto State later today, speaking to veterans Thursday on the hanger deck of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.  He will remain in Charleston until Friday, when he plans an address on foreign policy in front of the military cadets at The Citadel.

South Carolina's GOP primary is the first in the South. State party officials this week agreed to hold the voting on Jan. 21.

(The AP contributed to this story.)