It is absurd to state the economy is the way it is despite Obama's policies. That indicates his policies are ineffective, at best.Eddie, budd, you can try to paint the numbers anyway you want, but nearly everyone I know tells me that their lives were a LOT better under Bush than they are under the Community Organizers...
"Nearly everyone I know" is a rather horrible statistical sample. I care how my friends are doing, but they aren't a representative sample of the populace, and I doubt your friends are either. It is true that the economy has been much worse under Obama than under Bush, but this is more despite Obama's policies than because of them.
Returning to the thread topic, I think Perry would be very formidable in the general election. He's less gaffe-prone than Bachmann and more likable than Romney. He certainly presents a clear contrast to Obama, though equally certain he is far to the right of the median voter.
The truth is the economy is the way it is because of Obama's policies. Either way, it doesn't look too good. He is either ineffective or destructive. Take your pick.
Perry has more executive experience than Obama does today. He connects well with voters. He genuinely likes people and that comes through. Obama genuinely feels superior to people, and that comes through too.
Perry has a vision of the US as one of limited government with more power to the states. After the nightmares of obamacare and his reg a minute regimes, the public will find that attractive.