Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry–who famously implied in 2009 that his state should consider secession because of Obama’s economic policies–has long been floated as a potential anti-Romney primary presidential candidate, especially after a bunch of prominent possibilities dropped out.

But the mass defections in the Gingrich campaign have re-energized the chattering class, in part because close advisers like strategist Dave Carney and campaign manager Rob Johnson, were working for Newt. Now they’re free agents again. [Politico]