It rather goes against the meme that Perry is racist because of where and when he grew up in Texas.
This is somehow the tepid brand of conservatism she suggests he left behind:
“Crucially, they recognize that the problems they — and the country — face right now transcend cultural differences, and can’t be solved by the talk and ideas that excite the Tea Party base.”
I believe the author is trying (desperately) to drive home the point that “opposites attract.” So she must portray them as holding opposing views. She wants Perry to be Tea Party “evil.” She fails miserably in her feeble attempt. Rick and Anita can not be molded by this anti-American living in Paris, into characters that fit her feminist story line.