I honestly don’t know how you came to believe Perry is a statist. Everything I’ve read and seen of his record indicates that he’s the most pro-state’s rights candidate running.
Do the “ask a liberal” test. Find a true-blue Obama supporter and say: “I hear that Rick Perry fellow is a liberal, illegal-loving, hold your kid down and jab them with Gardisil left-wing statist.” Would you vote for him?
Imagine the laughter.
Perry is held with disdain on the left: They think he’s a bible-thumping, gun-toting right-wing cowboy nut.