Perry didn't "fool" Texas, Texas is a GOP political machine. No one gives a , they just go out and pull the lever marked 'R'. If you make promises to the right people, and just get on the ballot, you're in. If Jesus came back to Earth in all his glory, and ran in TX with a 'D' after his name he'd lose for two reasons: one, the 'D', and two, they'd think he was a Messican.
This is the first time he's actually had to compete. Deep down, I think he doesn't want to run, but his monied backers forced his hand. When you make someone do something they don't want to do, they tend to do a half-assed ty job.