You're right, that's exactly what we don't want, another George Bush. Being from Connecticut, that's what he was and he gave us millions of illegals.
There's no reason to believe that Perry will be any different. He's against almost every effective measure to solve the problem, although he does talk a good game, just like Bush. But then if he actually made illegals leave as Alabama and Arizona are doing then cheap labor lovers and political donors such as Bob Perry might complain.
You raise an interesting point. I would agree with you that the "patrician class" part of his character stopped him from aggressively pursuing solutions to illegal immigration, social security, and fannie/freddie. He did propose solutions to all these things and then backed off.
There's no reason to believe that Perry will be any different. He's against almost every effective measure to solve the problem, although he does talk a good game, just like Bush.
This is where being a "right fighter" and having absolute litmus tests gets in the way of getting solutions to problems. There are a couple key differences between Perry and Bush. Whereas Bush grew up in an elite environment Perry did not. Bush attended northeast prep schools and then an ivy league college. Perry did not. Environment does play a role in the development of a persons personality. I believe Perry is a bit tougher.
As far as the educating of illegals children I believe Perry did the right thing.