What's Rick Perry waiting for?

Those close to Perry say despite the strong hints that both he and his high command are dropping in conversations with senior Republicans—hints that have left party elites in Texas and beyond convinced that Perry will enter the race—the country’s longest-serving governor has not yet made up his mind. Questions about money and infrastructure remain. Not only that, he isn’t in a rush to decide…

Perry doesn’t have a Mitch Daniels problem. The Texan’s wife, Anita, is enthusiastic about a run, according to multiple sources. If he were to opt out it would be more for reasons along the lines of why Barbour decided not to pull the trigger — a lack of total commitment and more practical concern about whether it’s feasible at this relatively late stage in the process.

“Is there the time available and is real money still available?” asked Carney, explaining their assessment. “It’s not very wise to just say, ‘Hey, lemme get in the race’ and just jump and not have an idea if there is the political support, the financial support. It’s a matter of trying to make a prudent decision.”…

Several sources involved in New York fundraising said Perry has gotten mixed feedback about how many bundlers in the city that functions as the nation’s political ATM would embrace his candidacy. While there is a raft of Texas money that would almost certainly be available to him, it’s less clear how he would fare among the Wall Street and business elite of Manhattan.