Perry seeking to edge out Bachmann with rally?

Rick Perry is taking a lot of heat over the big prayer rally he's hosting in Houston today, due to the controversial nature of several scheduled speakers and questions about whether the event crosses the separation of church and state line.

But Dallas Morning News Senior Political Correspondent Wayne Slater says the Texas governor, widely viewed as a likely Republican presidential candidate, actually has his eye on evangelical voters in other states, and on one already-announced candidate in particular - Iowa Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Slater told CBS News Congressional Correspondent and fill-in "Early Show on Saturday Morning" co-anchor Nancy Cordes there are two ways to look at the flack Perry's getting over the rally.

"It's his event," Slater said. "He's conceived of it. He's convening it. The people associated with it, in one way or other, many have exotic religious views, so it's perfectly fair to attribute some of this to Rick Perry.

"On the other hand, he said, rightly, he doesn't share the same religious views of everybody associated with this, and that everybody can agree, he says, on the commitment of prayer -- at least almost everybody."

Some Republican strategists, Cordes pointed out, say Perry should draw attention more to his economic credentials than his social ones since, they says, he already has the vote of evangelical Christians in the bag.

"He doesn't necessarily have it locked up," Slater replied. "It's a constituency he needs. The white conservative Protestant evangelical born-again Christians in Iowa and South Carolina represent, in those caucus and primary states, 60 [ercent of the early vote, so he wants to focus on these, so he gets these votes from someone popular in the party, Michele Bachmann.

"What he's really doing is sending a dog-whistle, saying, 'I'm one of you,' to these Christian conservatives, who will be crucial.

"Then, he believes, he can focus on the economic issues, and that's what this race is going to be about, ultimately -- the economy. He'll talk about that in the primary. But If he becomes the nominee, that's exactly what he'll focus on in the general (election)."

On "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," CBS News Correspondent Karen Brown explained what all the controversy over the prayer rally was about:

[JV1970]

I think Perry would be wise to ask Bachmann to be his running mate or she should ask him to be hers if one of them becomes the GOP nominee because a Perry/Bachmann or a Bachmann/Perry ticket would be hard to beat! They would win over Obama/Biden in a landslide!

[doctor_know]

So if perry becomes president, will he let texas secede?

[busterdawggy]

I posted this on another forum, but it bears repeating, so bear with me.


Perry is clearly mixing politics and religion.

The Founders could be a bit ambiguous at times. So it is with the concept of separation of church and state. Yes, they were ambiguous, but the concept, though confusing, is ultimately clear. Consider the First Amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The first phrase is referred to as the Establishment Clause. About this, Jefferson wrote:

"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their "legislature" should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,, thus building a wall of separation between church and State."

We see what Jefferson believed. But it wasn't until 1947 that the Supreme Court ruled finally on the issue. In Everson v. Board of Education the court ruled the concept of separation constitutional, saying: "The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable. We could not approve the slightest breach."

Perry, in his official capacity as governor - he signs the letter with his title - writes in the official website promoting the event, "As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles, and thank Him for the blessings of freedom we so richly enjoy. . . . I sincerely hope you'll join me in Houston on August 6th and take your place in Reliant Stadium with praying people asking God's forgiveness, wisdom and provision for our state and nation." He is expressing the melding of Christianity and government, and that clearly is not constitutional, as defined in the First Amendment and affirmed by the Supreme Court. A state sponsored religion is what we as a nation shed blood to defend against.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

Neither one has Romney's Magic Underwear , so they really don't stand a chance.

(yes, google "mormon magic underwear", if you haven't already)
.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

If a candidate thinks an invisible friend communicates with them, they should be barred from running for office, and have their head examined.

.

[fedup12]

OK Truce Slappy? I apologize for my earlier comments and I do agree with your original thought here.

I dont get the whole magic man did it religion thing.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

Indeed, truce. How about next time letting me know which points you disagree with? I am always up for a discussion, and unless being lectured by someone like Mortar, am usually up for learning something new.

[grantmacdonald1]

The asylum has released the lunatics!

[bantamei]

The hate filled Amrican Family Associatin is a much greater threat to our civil liberties than any muslim.

[fedup12]

I think they are both equal threats.

[slappy-mcjohnson]

Can you do anything other than just respond to others' posts, fedup12? Can you manage an original post, troll?

[fedup12]

Do we really want Evangelicals telling us what to do?

[slappy-mcjohnson]

Are you capable of an original thought, troll?

[fedup12]

Slappy are you bitter that I called you on the carpet. Must be eating you up.

[westerly1]

Rick Perry is an opportunist, egotist, hot dog, panderer, etc. Please vote for him in the Republican Primary so we can get him the H out of Texas.

[retiredgustav]

Even if he wins the primary he will not have to leave the governorship until he takes office. That means we will have him until the polar icecaps completly melt.

[JV1970]

westerly1 You'd still have him as resident. He'd probably keep his home in Texas as use it in the same way that Bush and Lyndon Johnson used their ranches when they were president. They were their Texas Whitehouses.

[jasperlily]

Typical. If all else fails, manipulate "religion" and use it to your advantage. The song of the south gulps down this kinda stuff. Pathetic. Mention Jesus and you must be a good person LOL LOL