Evan Smith arranged a dinner Thursday night at Curra’s for media folk. Mark Halperin was in town and the subject was Rick Perry. Others present were Emily Ramshaw, Jay Root, Ross Ramsey, Patti Hart, Evan, and myself. No one thought Romney could win the Republican nomination. He is vulnerable on jobs (he cut jobs at his company to increase profits; Perry added jobs) and health care, and on social conservative issues. Perry has his weak spots, but most of them are general election issues. Nothing in his management of the state is likely to hurt him in a primary. Bottom line of the discussion: Perry will win the election if the economy stays in the dumps. Virtually no dissent on this.