I dislike the failed ‘establishment’ class of the GOP as much as anyone, but as you said, like it or not, there are portions of that apparatus that are critical to success. Fundraising, organization, etc are vital to any candidate.
Perry is not the first, second or third choice of the DC branch of the GOP. They love Romney, Daniels, Jeb Bush, even Huntsman. Many were ready to saddle up with the first two, but it has been obvious that Romney isn’t getting any traction and Daniels sat it out. Many probably realize that the candidate needs support from the base/grassroots, and Perry has become a favorite of the tea party class for some time. I think some of them are settling on Perry, just as many hard core twa party fans are also feeling like Perry might be a good option.
I don’t believe Perry is an ‘establishment’ guy or one of them like Romney or McCain are. This would be like dismissing Kasich in Ohio last year because he got a lot of DC support. DC support isn’t an automatic disqualifier. As grassroots conservatives, we have do the trust but verify when these situations arise. I believe Perry might be a good fit for 2012 in a year where we will need every bullet in our gun to win against the media machine.
I am very open to Perry and anxious to see if he gets in and how he performs on the trail. He is a guy I could get excited about, and had the perfect narrative to defeat the Obamanation.
Ditto and well said