The odds that Rick Perry becomes the Republican nominee are improving by the day.

Why?

Because he knows how to walk the line between conservative and libertarian. He knows how to oppose something (gay marriage) without calling for a federal ban, leaving to the states instead — on Constitutional grounds.

He knows how to take the soccer mom stance (oppose drug legalization) without also alienating libertarian-leaning folks (he supports somewhat-regulated medicinal marijuana) too much.

He avoids pissing-off Hispanics by saying Arizona’s specific approach isn’t right for Texas, yet manages to also seem strong on border enforcement by insisting on a solution to the porous border and illegal immigration.

Plus, that job-creation record of his. Will Republicans pass on the chance to put against Barack Obama a governor who can say his state, under his leadership, created nearly half of all jobs in America over the past two years?

Barack Obama inherited George W. Bush’s policies. That’s true. But so did Rick Perry, who succeeded Bush as governor. Perry, unlike Obama, created a crapload of jobs despite that. Texas flourished.

Unless Perry manages to totally screw this up, he’s now odds-on favorite for the Republican nomination. And that will leave Barack Obama worse off politically.