In recent days, I’ve made my feelings known on Bachmann. I could never trust her based on what I’ve learned about her.
As for Perry, I do not believe he can beat Palin in the primaries if both are in, but I’m going to hold fire until I find out for sure what he’s up to. From the standpoint of political philosophy he’s no Reaganite but — after years of watching him and watching people I respect express their personal admiration for him — I’ve never felt he’s a backstabber. Doesn’t mean I’m right about that but it tells me I need to know more.
We’ll see what happens with him. You’re absolutely right about the help Palin provided for him down here (although Medina may have self-destructed to some extent) and I think that’s a prime reason that the Bush family and Karl Rove despise her so much.
My intuition says Bachmann and Palin will fail on their own records. As Sarah waits to announce, I think many will self-destruct. When she gets in there will be a clear choice.