I believe you said that in good faith, but I have to respectfully disagree with you. Cain, Bachmann, and Santorum would not have the background to dismantle the federal government and restore a Constitutional-style smaller federal government like Rick Perry could do.
I think any Washington D.C. establishment that depends on Washington D.C. for their power, prestige, and pocket money would be more fearful of a Perry Presidency than a presidency of any of those others.
While Perry has some good qualities, he has shown himself to be a nanny-state governor, which is what LMSM and the GOP establishment, like.