I have seen Perry trashed here on FR but that is par for the course these days.
Uh...that was the Texas Freepers...
I also read the other thread, and as a Texas Freeper, I have my own viewpoint.
There is a lot of stuff to say about Perry. Where to start? There are people more conservative than he is, especially in Texas. I am one of them. But, on a national spectrum, he is quite a ways to the right.
His major flaw, I believe, is that he is a career politician. As such, he is too enamored with what government can do for people and not concerned enough about what government does to people. Hence, some of his big government schemes like the Trans-Texas Corridor. But he is solid Texan by culture and has a lot of leave-me-alone instincts. He is an Aggie, and any Freeper would feel right at home politically at A&M.
On a ten point scale with McCain a 2 and Reagan a 10, I would put him around 6-7. Romney as a 2, Palin and Herman Cain as 9's, Pawlenty as 5-6. I would find it very easy to vote FOR him in the general, and might vote for him in the primary.
As was said on the other thread, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.