Perry claims to know the difference between State power and responsibilities and Federal power and responsibilities under the constitution. So as governor he could do what he did legally - under the constitution. The people of the State dealt with his bad decision on the vacine as is their responsibility under the constitution.
But as President, he could not act as if he is running Texas from on High. He would have to cede to the States decisions that are not in the Federal purview and he would have to enforce immigration law which is one of the few duties of the Fededal government.
So it would behoove him to educate the public about the lost tenth Amendment and how he sees his role as President versus how he sees his role and power as Gov. of Texas.
People are booing his actions as Gov. as if he is going to do those things as President. Maybe he is planning to do that. That is what we need to find out from the candidates.
You make a good point and I’m not disputing the legality of the legislation he sponsored but the fact that such things as the DREAM Act are completely antithetical to conservatism. It’s not the legality but his wisdom that I question. By the way, I love the Tenth Amendment but federal courts have superior jurisdiction over any state law. With respect to the vacine, this definitely gives the appearance of arbitrary rule by fiat. Not only was it mishandled by ignoring the legislature but his chief of staff was a Merck lobbyist. We all know that in politics appearance is often more important than the action itself. I can’t read Perry’s mind but I think that he’s already got too much baggage to be seriously considered as a presidential contender.