Perry probably started off as a conservative democrat, like most Texans used to be (except my father). He changed to Republican when he realized that he was more in line with them. I see that as a good thing. As far as the Gardisil thing, he listened to the shouts of NO NO NO and he dropped the idea. That is what I want a politician to do...... listen and act on what he heard the citizens say.
The Gardisil incident showed where his heart is.
If Texas is doing better, it's only to the extent that the government gets the heck out of the way and lets the people and the market work.
Abbott will be a better governor, in that he won't start out with liberal ideas and try to push them.
/johnny