Ducking for cover I would say. He's suddenly got a race on his hands because the media and leftists are determined to see this worthless rerun Bill White win. Perry is scrambling to stay in front.
And yes, I live in Texas. And yes, as much as I hate to admit it, even here to get elected you have to win some of the fencepost sitting nitwits that are liable to vote either way in any election. We still have a lot of people down here with their heads screwed on right - but sadly not enough to win outright.
If you liked W you will love Perry, Perry is W all over again but without a spine or a brain. FYI, I am from Texas.