Replies

[snip]...."And Perry, who was raised a Methodist but now attends a non-denominational megachurch in Austin, could seize an opening in the current GOP field by emphasizing his faith. Bachmann is well liked by both tea party activists and evangelicals, two powerful blocs in the GOP, but viewed as a weak general election candidate by many more moderate and business-oriented Republicans.

But the trio of former governors whom moderate Republicans favor, former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Pawlenty, aren’t as strongly embraced by Christian conservatives or tea party activists.

As Perry has flirted with a run, some influential tea party activists, evangelicals and economic conservatives have said they would back him, giving him the potential for a candidacy that would unite the GOP.

“I think a lot of evangelicals feel very positive about Rick Perry,” said Warren Smith, associate publisher at World Magazine, a Christian biweekly. “He’s got an economic story to tell that will tap into the ‘it’s the economy, stupid’ theme, but he’s also got a real story to tell when it comes to social issues, and this event is a real example of that. It’s possible that this could make him the candidate of evangelicals.” Source