To 6 - Are Palin, Limbaugh, Levinu; Inhofe lying when they attest to Perry’s conservative bona fides?
Some people have a negative personality, sometimes called a "Masochistic Personality Disorder", where defeat and loss is the only goal so they, often without reason, will tear down anything and everything no matter if it is good, bad or benign. Markers include this habit of aggressive provocative conduct - in this case, constantly sniping and deliberately antagonizing.
If you understand the symptoms and the underlying cause, then you can decide whether to ignore or enable continued antisocial behavior from them.
Gee Doctor Theo, who could you possibly be talking about???
(BTW, I think you nailed it....)