[KansasGirl]

That is a really risky strategy. I really don’t see the point.

[RoosterRedux]

From another point of view...a man cannot throw the first swing in a fight without assuming a huge risk (i.e. that he might be a bully). This is the theme of all the Rocky stories and films. He takes a beating and then recovers.

If Perry had come out too strong initially, he runs the risk of looking like a bully...particularly in responding to attacks by Bachmann.

Decent folks expect a gentleman to take a few blows from a lady...and then respond gently.

From a man like Mitt, Perry still (since he is from Texas) needs to take a few blows before coming back.

Not risky at all...anything else is risky.