Frankly I don’t mind the fact that he was once a Dem, as peoples’ views do occasionally mature and evolve with time. But, yes, do be wary of Perry. I’ve followed him for a dozen years here in Texas, and first and foremost, he’s an absolute, through-and-through “politician” (and that ain’t really meant as a compliment). It would be wise to ignore what he says, and judge him solely on what he’s done. Just my unsolicited advice for FReepers.
That would make a great bumper sticker!
I can't speak for Texas, but in Georgia being a Democrat even as late as the 1990's was quite different from being one today.
Georgia didn't elect it's first GOP governor until 2002--just 9 years ago. Prior to that, every governor going back to the Civil War era was a Democrat. As a practical matter, for all of that time Georgia was a one party state. Democrats controlled all the levers of power in Georgia. If you were serious about being in politics and actually getting anything done you became a Democrat.
Consequently, Georgia produced a lot of conservative Democrats. Zell Miller is the perfect example. Probably more conservative that 80% of Republicans, he was in many ways the typical Georgia Democrat.
I don't have a problem with a southerner that was once a Democrat. That's just the way the history of the south worked.