Rick Perry is risking his reputation with a huge Christian rally, writes EWEN MACASKILLin Washington
RICK PERRY, one of the leading Republican contenders for the 2012 White House race, is under fire after organising a huge Christian evangelical rally to be held today at a football stadium in Houston, Texas.
Although he has not yet formally declared his intention to stand, Perry is in second place in some polls behind Mitt Romney. But critics say he is risking his reputation on the planned day of prayer and fasting that he has declared in response to the economic and moral crisis facing the country.
Perry, the governor of Texas, has been accused of mixing politics and religion, and faces questions over the organisation financing the rally, which has been described as a “hate” group by discrimination monitors. Atheists filed an unsuccessful lawsuit to have the rally stopped and Perry’s involvement declared unconstitutional.
Perry, in a message inviting Christians to the rally, said: “America is in crisis. We have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism and a multitude of natural disasters. As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us.” He called on Christians to join him at the 71,000-seat Reliant football stadium for the seven-hour rally, “with praying people asking God’s forgiveness, wisdom and provision for our state and nation. There is hope for America. It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees.”
He is to announce either this month or next whether he will seek the Republican nomination. If he stands, he could well become the front runner, provided today’s rally does not rebound on him. He has won the governorship of Texas three times and the state has a strong record on employment, accounting for about a third of new US jobs, providing him with a good platform in a country where unemployment is the number one issue.
Although the rally, called “the Response”, has created dissent, it could help Perry win over Christian evangelicals. They make up about half of the Republican grassroots support and an even higher proportion in key caucus and primary states such as Iowa and South Carolina.
But the New York Timesreported this week that only about 8,000 people had signed up for the event.
The American Family Association, formerly known as the National Federation for Decency, is financing the rally. The organisation runs about 200 radio stations. The Southern Poverty Law Centre, which tracks discrimination, described it as a hate group.
The Houston Clergy Council, in a letter to Perry, said: “The American Family Association and its leadership have a long track record of anti-gay speech and have actively worked to discriminate against the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.” It added: “We ask that Rick Perry leave the ministry to us and refocus his energy on the work of governing our state.” – (Guardian service)