The Governor has more power than you understand, but it is also true that the Lt. Gov. is far more powerful than is typical because of his legislative role. I don’t know what your sources are, but the debates occurred while he was still recovering form the surgery. He was no more addicted to pain pills that you or I are. I had a roommate in graduate school who had been a QB at Division I school. He had back problems less severe than recovering form spinal surgery, and I have never seen someone so incapacitated.
I didn’t forget about McConnell; I just don’t see it as being nearly as important as you do under circumstances. If I were going to criticize Perry, I’d pick something better, such as the HPV vaccine episode. Perry is great on 2nd Amendment, abortion, spending (to the extent he can restrain the RINOs in Austin), taxes, and state’s rights. The WSJ has an editorial today in which a Perry appointee to the UT Board of Trustees is being gone after by the “good old boys” because he has exposed corruption. Perry is standing with him (as the WSJ points out) against the University of Texas. For a politician to oppose UT in this state takes courage.
I still prefer Cruz, and maybe someone else really good will come along. Perry, however, is far better than he is given credit for on this forum. It was the circular firing squad mentality that gave us Mittens. There is too much mindless enthusiasm for candidates and too many mindless attacks on reasonably good, but flawed, conservative candidates on FR.