I agree our top priority should be to defeat Obama.
I have serious doubts about Perry's ability to win against Obama. There are too many things the media can twist (unfairly) such as parallels to Bush and his grades at a time when the economy is top priority. He lacks charisma. During the debates Bachmann did great, also Romney was good and Paul came across as a strong person. The image projected is what too often counts with the voters.