Yes, it will hurt some. Just because it may remind people of Bush who is so disliked by most of the public that he wouldn't even help candidates in deep red districts.
Still, Perry is a much better communicator than Bush. Much better. After 4 years of the intellectual egg head Harvard types led by Hussein failing utterly in Washington, I rather suspect the public will be open to a common sense, clearly outside the beltway conservative (even if his may sound a little too much like Bush).
Of course, the dirty little non-secret is that Obama is far from bright. I cannot wit for when Perry's reported poor grades are brought up, that he declares that the people want to see the pResident's transcripts
Rick Perry is the Ronald Reagan of 2012. Folks, you have just listened to our next President.