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.
Dr. Jack Wheeler knows Rick Perry pretty well...and he says Perry will eat Obama up in debates. Obama is not a good debater at all. Without his teleprompter he proves to us all he is an uneducated fool. That is affirmative action for you.
I'm from the midwest and thought so as well. He has a bit of a southern accent and speaks at a different cadence then you see and hear from the east coast types. What I really like about him is his record as Gov. His record is solidly conservative and he has a great understanding of the issues.
For example zeroing out the budget for foreign aid is a game changer. It places the emphasis on those asking for aid to explain why they should get it, not our representatives fighting to take it away from those that seek to harm us. It's a simple change that is brilliant.