I've become interested in a potential Perry run in the past month as the speculation has intensified. While I think Perry has impressive positive arguments he can make, it's the negatives that need to be addressed.
From what I can gather, there seems to be three major bones of contention. The Guardasil E.O., the Trans Texas Corridor, and illegal immigration.
Perry will have to be able to deflect all three with compelling explanations, because it's obvious his detracters will unload on him. The passion displayed by a number of freepers, and notably a small but vocal segment of the Texas contingent, shows that to be the case.
I believe Perry would trounce Obama on the immigration issue, although he would probably have to defend some of his actions in the primaries.
He could probably deflect TTC as an internal state matter than voters outside of Texas won't focus on, although he would have to be ready to state his position on imminent domain vs. individual property rights.
The Guardasil E.O. is his biggest liability, as I see it. He'd better be ready for that one. When you start messing with children's health and parental rights you better have your ducks in a row. Particularly in Texas, where individual liberty is taken seriously by so many, as it should be but isn't elsewhere.
The opt-out feature and the built-in 18 month delay in implementation are probably politically to his favor.
Putting aside the charges that he and his staff were joined at the hip with Merck, it could be argued that his intentions were good, but he didn't let his head catch up with his heart. Nevertheless, what he did was boneheaded, unilateral, and was later learned to be dangerous. Hopefully he learned from the experience and has the character to admit it.
I've no doubt left alot out, considering Perry's long history, but the three points I mention seem to be the highest flying red flags.
All said and done, and given the existing Republican field, I'm not prepared to dismiss Perry at this point. My main goal is the defeat of Obama in 2012, and I'll support the most conservative candidate who has the best chance of doing that.
Perhaps it would behoove you to learn what it is you are talking about first.