Perry and Palin both generate foaming at the mouth hatred. They both seem to be strong in the face of opposition. Plus she supported him in his last election even as all the other big wigs in the GOP (plus all the Bushs) endosed Kay Baily.
I agree with your basic point, but the hatred Palin evokes is much greater around where I live, among liberals and independents, both of whom we need to win. Perry does not seem to evoke anywhere near the same visceral dislike as Palin. He gets lumped with “all Republicans” among those who blindly hate Republicans but he does not evoke the hatred that I have seen on FR.
Saw a woman wearing a Perry button last night. First one I have seen. OK, it was a Tea Party meeting.