A national Gallup poll now shows Rick Perry in third place among GOP presidential candidates, behind Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. The Republican nominating convention meets in Florida a long nine months from now, and many unforeseen fireworks, and much unloaded candidate “baggage,” could shift popular opinion dramatically. Thus, in spite of some gaffes this fall, Perry remains a tenacious contender, and might well emerge the victor in Florida.