Yup that is my take too, Perry.
Logically, the “cream of the crop” reference would have to be to someone who has not yet been in the top tier. That leaves out Perry, Cain, and now Gingrich (Romney goes without saying). So could she be looking even further down the roster? Santorum? Bachmann? Don’t know. But I doubt it’s Perry. He’s had his shot at the top and let it slip away.