Respectfully, I think the argument at this stage is about ideological purity. While we are still in the process of selecting a nominee, we should be making every effort to get the most conservative electable candidate we can. Perry does have the edge right now in terms of electability, but is he the most conservative electable candidate? I think that is, at best, an open question.
As far as who a conservative should vote for in the general election: ANYONE BUT OBAMA!!!!! G-d help us.
The Democrats run candidates that appear centrist ( with a wink and a nod to the MSM'ers) that, immediately upon election, run as fast as they can to the left.
Now the Republicans do the opposite. The R party runs candidates that appear conservative to the MSM'ers (not to real conservatives because we see right thru it) but in fact are RINO's. Upon election they run to the center as fast as they can, "reaching across the isle" in a show of bi-partisanship and true "leadership".
It is a very effective system set up by the MSM/Democrat complex to minimize damage to the welfare state. So this ingenious system setup by the leftist/Marxist that control the country, ensures that at worst they get stuck with a milquetoast "moderate" and at best a Commie(Obama is a prime example). It completely blocks out the 70% who call themselves conservative from the political process.
It is a great system for the left. A tough nut to crack.