Its because people want "someone who can beat Obama in a debate."
That has to be the most shallow statement. Sadly, its the driving force behind our fleeting support, which darts around like a flock of chickens following a grasshopper. The flock gobbles up the grasshopper and darts over to the next most popular one, dumb as a box of rocks.
Like it or not; that is a factor. This is not 1904. Televised debates are done; and they influence voters.
I still find Perry's fumbling around to be odd. He has to fairly articulate to get elected and successfully govern one of the largest states.