It was amusing to see Politico try to portray Gov. Perry’s APP gala speech as indicating “A new more, moderate Perry.” It was even more amusing when Drudge called Politico on it, linking to the article under the far more accurate headline: “Perry pumps up conservatives at DC Confab.” (That would be our gala).

Perry gave a great and conservative speech.  But I noticed both at APP’s gala, and perhaps even more oddly at Steve King’s Iowa Freedom Summit on Jan. 24, Perry eschewed speaking at all about life, marriage or religious liberty, the classic “social issues.”

He may see himself as running in the money primary, as donors are increasingly being misled to believe abandoning Reagan’s three-legged stool is the key to victory. But what set up Romney’s loss in what should have been a good year for the GOP was that his massive win in the money primary was not matched by gaining the affection of voters.

Candidates be wary of the conventional wisdom, again.