There are certain candidates just working for the GOPe.
Perry is one. He is not serious. Graham and Fiorina are others.
They each have a role. Perry is meant to siphon as many votes as possible from Cruz in the Texas primary.
Graham’s role is the same for S Carolina.
Fiorina was to do this against Palin or Bachman, but they ended up not running.
I suspect you’re right. There’s Carson, too, to help split the conservative vote and make the GOP look diverse—but like the others (e.g., Huck, Santorum), his ego may not have needed a nudge to run.
You are right. Perry did the most vicious verbal attack on Trump, unprovoked. This is from a politician who received used to beg Trump for campaign donations in the past. He was obviously commanded by the GOPe to take Trump out.