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Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on the Republican presidential candidates and accusations of religious suppression at Vanderbilt Univ.
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For more now on -- individuals and institutions in their right to religious freedom and just which 2012.
Candidate.
Is most likely to take a stand on those on that issue -- those of most important too conservative evangelicals I'm joined by Tony Perkins.
President of the family research council Tony good to see if let's take -- let's start with -- discussion.
That Karl Rove and I were having.
Who won the debate.
Which Republican emerged as the front runner in your judgment.
Well I don't know that anybody emerge as -- front runner from the debate but I would say there was some performance is there that we're we're top class I think there Rick Santorum has repeatedly shown himself to be.
Very knowledgeable and in very good in the debates.
I think Mitt Romney has held his own.
Michelle Bachmann.
-- not her best performance last time but she's been doing well I think the debates.
Rick Perry has done okay but I don't think he's done as well as He needs to do.
And of course there's Newt Gingrich who I think everybody likes to listen to him he's always got a great sound bites in some insight.
I make you make a great professor and chief but I think you know the the debates overall have not yet settled this race.
Some would argue that were already doing -- sperm.
Well I think we're what we're what we're seeing here is that candidates vying for positions and and I'm actually pretty encouraged by the field of candidates if you look at the candidates the Republicans have put forward.
Former pro life they all support traditional marriage their social conservatives are they advocates social conservatives -- no auditions so no one has demonstrated themselves -- -- outside the realm of support.
By you by.
Evangelical Christian.
Well I think there's some that are on the margins I think I Huntsman who supports a civil unions he's he's it's kind of a non -- he's not really getting anywhere and went.
He talks about the life issue when He was ambassador to China He did very little to add decayed in advance life -- especially in China that is the one.
Child policy there.
In so I think in there's some concern about.
Ron Paul's libertarian positions as to whether or not He would address.
Anything beyond the the fiscal issues in the in the course his foreign policy.
Positions are little troubling to many evangelicals who support Israel.
Well as we reported here last -- Vanderbilt has taken on.
What is -- many.
Taken -- happen administration.
-- that they fear will infringe on religious freedom.
Do you have some thoughts about Vanderbilt religious freedom and the university administration.
Yeah I think it's outrageous thing the only thing missing there Lou are the lions I mean essentially what they're doing is they're saying Christians are not welcomed.
Is it within the realm of them to do this legally as a private university may be it is but clearly there there is they're growing hostility and this I think is reflective of that hostility across the country.
Toward their Christian orthodoxy.
And that or the privacy in in what so I think is happening is that this is being fomented by.
The Obama administration through its promotional policies.
That are in conflict with religious convictions orthodox christianity.
For instance on the issue of of marriage.
As did this really what this comes down to is an organization.
About five organizations Christians in their Christian their orientation.
That have limits on who can be leaders -- because they have views that are inconsistent with embracing homosexuality.
The university is put them on probation and may very well shut them down.
And what what is religious freedom if you can't practice -- in this country and that's what's at stake in this in this debate.
Tara Perkins is always good to have you -- appreciate.
Thanks Lou good to be --
