Love him or hate him, Rick Perry’s track record shows he’s tough to beat

CORPUS CHRISTI — Gov. Rick Perry’s name on a 2012 presidential ballot may mean a boost to state-level GOP campaigns next November, but it will be a drawn-out roller-coaster ride for Republicans till then, political experts say. Rep. Todd Hunter,R-Corpus Christi, has publicly supported Perry’s presidential hopes in the weeks since the legislative session ended. Hunter said Perry’s name on the presidential ballot means a surge for Republicans both in voter participation and fundraising. “If you follow history and a Texan runs for president — Bush, LBJ — the party of that candidate sees a surge,” he said. “More people go to the polls.”{read more}