The Republican primary just got serious. Rick Perry is in.

You know it's serious, because he's got those glasses now.

You know it's serious, because he's got those glasses now.

Former Gov. Rick Perry is in. "Perry's official site unveiled a Perry for President logo Thursday morning." He has a website and a logo, what else does he need? The actual announcement comes at 11:30 in Dallas, on Thursday. And the national media is underwhelmed.

Most memorably, during a CNBC primary debate, he forgot the third of three federal agencies that he pledged to abolish, punctuating the moment with an awkward "oops."

Backers say Perry is more prepared for a run this time and has brushed up on issues such as foreign policy.

CNN says he "has nowhere to go but up." A columnist in The Hill suggests that he's not actually in this to win, but for "political redemption" to make people forget the fiasco that was his 2012 campaign. Maybe he can get that much, "at least" the writer says.

Good luck with that, when there's an internet and things like this, his anti-gay ad in which he accuses President Obama of waging war on religion. He's got a new video in which he trades the redneck barn coat for those black-rimmed glasses and much hipper Patagonia fleece. This new video is filled with enthusiastic looking young people, as the captions on screen tout his humble beginnings and military service (take that Lindsey Graham) and his ability to be a bridge between the tea party and business wings of the party (take that Ted Cruz). This is a new and improved Perry. He's got glasses now.