Rick Perry 2

http://www.washingtonpost.com/on-faith/evangelicals-line-up-behind-rick-perry/2011/09/23/gIQAsE8HrK_story.html

     This article focuses on the vast amount of Christian support, particularly evangelicals, that Gov. Rick Perry has accrued since declaring his candidacy. Perry is very public in his Christian beliefs and has "suffused his campaign with religion building on strategies honed for years in Texas politics." Some evangelical leaders are going as far to say that Gov. Perry is the second coming of Ronald Regan in that Perry is a big state governor, staunch conservative, and devout Christian. Perry's religiously fueled campaign has earned him enormous support from elder evangelical leaders. One particular benefactor, Donald Wildmon, reportedly donated $600,000 to Perry's prayer rally, The Response, and has also instructed his following of 60,000 pastors and  180 Christian radio stations to support Perry's campaign. Wildmon, like many other evangelical leaders are directing dollars and votes towards Gov. Perry. If Perry succeeds to unite evangelicals and Christians alike behind his cause, he would have an enormous advantage that could propel him to the Republican nomination.
     This article details the immense financial and electoral power of evangelical Christians. As Fowler described in this weeks readings, Evangelicals will play a major role in the upcoming election. The article notes that in states like Iowa and South Carolina, Evangelicals make up half of the GOP votes. This article also highlights Fowler's point that a smaller dedicated group of supporters are more beneficial than appealing to the masses. As Espinosa cited in his chapter, the GOP as evidenced by Perry and Bachman are making a strong push to win the support of Christian and evangelical leaders. Perry also displays a religious journey very similar to that of Lincoln. Both Perry and Lincoln found Christianity later in life as young adults. Perry claims that "He was spiritually lost as a young man before turning to God at age 27." Lincoln turned to God and the Presbyterian Church after the death of his son. I am by no means implying that Perry may be the next Lincoln, but with the overwhelming support of Evangelicals and Christians alike, he may find himself the next Republican in the White House.