Perry got in late. Maybe it does take preparation of years to adequately run for president. Once again, that is a sorry statement about what the process has become. Basically, the most ambitious, the guys you DON'T want having the power, are the ones with the capability to win that power.
I still say his record is stellar compared to the others
All of them have pros and cons, except that Romney is largely a con job.
In primary season, folks take the cons and beat them over the head of the other side repeatedly. That happened with all of the candidates. It can be self-destructive, but, then again, negative campaigning usually works - to a point.
Perry’s entry messed up Palin’s plans, whatever they were at that time. We’ll have to wait on the book to know.