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Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on the growing support for conservative candidates in the 2012 presidential field.
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Turning now to the president's job approval rating which is plummeting dropping even farther today.
Now at 38% in the latest Gallup daily presidential tracking -- this is the lowest approval rating ever for president -- -- And it is welcome news for the 2012 Republican presidential candidates here to tell us -- evangelicals are working through support.
Is Tony Perkins president of the family research council joining us live from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Tony thanks for being here this -- these numbers.
For President Obama are.
Are not are not helpful to anyone but of course the Republicans candidates.
Presumptive nominees if you well.
Oh who is it that you believe at least evangelicals are going to be most likely to support.
Well Lou first off I would suggest that Barack Obama -- -- U -- to go behind that big bus he's been -- around and think it's a it looks like the the public is turning against his big government programs and what I'm saying is there is there is a rally.
Around a candidate taking place but it's a rallying to remove a candidate Barack Obama from office.
I think there's there's have a crowded field of conservative candidate and if you now with Rick Perry and that -- kind of a whole new ball game to get Rick -- Michelle Bachmann.
Rick Santorum.
You have -- your Romney's still running strong they are there for candidate these categories as you know worked candidates -- competitive obviously governor Romney.
Actually beating.
President Obama governor Perry tying him Michelle Bachmann and Ron Paul -- Are within four points.
These are the four strongest candidates of the field -- -- not.
Well look in their office -- they are all conservative all staked out very socially conservative positions and when you consider that for almost 45% of Republican primary voters are social conservatives are evangelicals.
That there's a reason for that.
But what's happening -- is the pendulum is swinging back and President Obama.
It's not just left of center he's far left and the pendulum is swinging back that's why you see such enthusiasm for Michelle Bachmann and why you see Rick Perry.
Staking out very conservative in clear positions.
Before candidates as you know all -- are conservative I would assume that all four would would satisfy the evangelical right in this country conservative view.
Conservative -- Christian voters.
-- -- -- -- Yeah I think so I think right now I think the there's there's time to kind of -- work through this process Rick Perry just getting into the race after the Iowa straw poll.
Has not been through one of the debates yet I think people are gonna wait to see how He does and these debates I'm certain you'll probably do quite well having been that longest serving governor in the country.
But I think what's gonna happen.
Is that in the end you're going to see a much more unified.
Conservative voting block that you then you did in 2000.
In eight what you're going to see -- conservatives rallying to a candidate that will be and replace Barack Obama and the White House that leverage all.
-- effectively were no shows in 2008.
There was not the drumbeat of passion.
There -- wouldn't.
That had previously.
Existed for George W.
Bush certainly.
You that you mention governor Perry several times he's been criticized for.
His day of prayer for mixing religion and politics how do you react to that.
Well you know I -- I think.
First off when you look again going back to the polling data.
Almost 70% Americans want to see.
There presidential candidate identify with A is strong religious conviction.
You know there's a sense that they want to know that whoever's gonna lead this country considers himself to be.
Subject to a higher authority and that being -- himself.
So I I think that the that the bit this is very important again going back to.
That the key role that social conservatives and evangelicals in particular play -- where we're hearing no murdered on time here.
If I can return to the question.
If your thoughts about the issue politics and religion -- -- pertains.
To governor here.
Well it again it that that's what the voters want that we're seeing an increase in the number of candidates that identify with religion identify with christianity and -- and -- open about it.
That's because that's where the voters aren't just like the free market system.
If it's supply and demand.
Our our -- -- the smiled to myself leisure time about being accountable to a higher authority group.
Whether they recognize that actually rather they recognize that are not right.
Target -- go through that's right but the -- -- right there.
All right look diamond that's and that gives the voters some sense of comfort because Lou you and I can do everything.
Well you know what we can sure keep trial -- Perkins like --
