President 2012: Does Texas Governor Rick Perry Have a Path to the GOP Nomination?

Perry would sort of be damned if he does (enter Iowa and lose to Bachmann and/or other opponents) and damned if he doesn’t (Bachmann or Pawlenty gain momentum heading into Iowa). And New Hampshire is probably the least friendly early primary state for him. He’s strong on social issues; many in the Granite State lean libertarian. He slams the Democrats and weak-kneed Republicans; New Hampshire allows independents and Democrats to vote. Perry gives fiery speeches, but he’s not known as a policy maven; New Hampshire-ites expect loads of town halls and coffees where they can quiz the candidate on everything from the flat tax to waste and abuse in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What then would be his first clear shot — South Carolina? It’s sounding a little bit Rudy Giulianish (waiting too long to impress takes you out of contention).

Then, there will be questions about his SQUISHY conservatism while pandering to Hispanics and his Texas state budget deficit. His record of stealing jobs from California and then boasting about it will not endear hm to California GOP voters.

I don’t see how Perry can attract enough donors to support a candidacy all the way to South Carolina, where he may still lose to Romney and Bachmann.

So, I don’t really think Governor Perry enters the race.