Perry’s Biggest Threat May Come From Right

In the wake of Monday’s Republican presidential debate, much of the commentary has focused on the conflict between front-runner Rick Perry and his main challenger Mitt Romney. But the Texas governor’s main threat may come not from the moderate former Massachusetts governor, but rather from opponents on the right, Politico reports.

Michele Bachmann went after Perry Monday for his implementation of a mandatory HPV vaccine for girls in Texas against a sexually-transmitted virus that can cause cancer. Rick Santorum attacked Perry for his opposition to a border fence and his support of Texas legislation to give the children of illegal immigrants in-state college tuition. And Ron Paul took him to task over whether taxes have increased in Texas with Perry as governor.

Those issues are important for conservatives, so the support of the party’s base for Perry may be undergoing a serious challenge.