If I was ranking Rick Perry SOLELY on electablity (rather than overall ablities), he'd end up alot lower on that list. Perry's vote totals are pretty mediocre considering he has the fortune to run a super safe Republican state. George W. Bush was MUCH more popular in Texas, and he only got 271 electoral votes nationally. The only reason Perry keeps "winning" in Texas is he's lucky enough to have token opposition that's even worse. If he had to run for Governor of a state like Michigan or Wisconsin against a well-funded Democrat, I'm pretty sure he would have gotten crushed.
I suppose Cain and Gingrinch might be weaker when it comes to the "electablity" factor, but that's about it.
The general election is going to be whomever we choose and 0bama. This election is about the economy period. People aren’t going to be ready to trust those without experience after the utter failure of 0bama and his policies. Perry does have the most experience out of all the current or possible candidates in governing three plus terms of the 2nd most populous state with the world’s 15th largest economy.
Who else on the list is even close to know what all it takes to run a large state and economy? Experience does matter this election.