RINO is a meaningless word as used here, an epithet replacing actual debate.
Rick Perry is a Hard-Core conservative
Actually, you might be right -- since we argue the typical republican is a moderate squish who should be replaced by people with tea party conservative principles, maybe Perry IS a republican "in name only", being someone who "is true to conservative principles even when others think the party needs to go a different direction"
Don't take my word for it -- that's a direct quote from Sarah Palin. Maybe you think she's a RINO too.