Then how do you explain the fact that Perry voted for Bush in 1988? Kind of blows your "logic" all to heck...
No, if after he lost his bid to end the Reagan Revolution with Al Gore, and after seeing the writing on the political wall, Perry switched to Republican (remember that Reagan pulled 64% in Texas), that has nothing to do with his prior political activism, passions, and dedication.
You forget that Perry wanted the Reagan Revolution to be burned down by replacing Reagan with Al Gore.
What “conservative” could desire such a result, did you, do you think that is normal?