If I had to guess, it's a psychological ailment which defies logic. A phenomena the Perry campaign has figured out. Where folks will support him in spite of his record, as well as his in your face cronyism.
I figure the Perry managers learned it from the likes of Jimmy Swygert and Jim Bakker. It's a fact, many Americans are suckers. In this case, they are yet again proving Swygert and Bakker right. Many Americans are suckers.
Simply show them some flash, swagger, and authoritative presence, then set back to watch them jump on board like flies on an outdoor picnic.
"...who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world, and through all time..."--The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom
--Thomas Jefferson, 1786
Meet the New Boss, same as the Old Ba'al--The Who?