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Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on why a majority of Evangelical leaders chose to support Rick Santorum in the 2012 Presidential race.
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A majority of conservative Christian leaders have from their support behind Rick Santorum for president.
Banking on him to beat Mitt Romney this week and in South Carolina and President Obama in November.
But without the unanimous vote for the candidate will division within the conservative movement dilute the boat and dissolve their -- joining me now Perkins president of -- research can't council Tony welcome.
So it's -- question.
Is this a lack of unity among social conservatives.
Really hurting your voice said and and making a smaller.
Well thanks -- first let me say it's great -- your first time guest on -- show.
And now let me answer that question -- first saying I was chosen to be a spokesman for the group so I have not endorsed -- candidates are not speaking as someone who has endorsed.
But you're right and that's what was behind the meeting is that social conservatives have been.
A fragmented happened back in 2008.
To win that can't somewhere behind Mike Huckabee.
Somewhere behind Fred Thompson somewhere behind Mitt Romney and they were fragmented.
-- as a result John McCain ended up getting the endorsement not the strongest of the candidates the more moderate of the candidates.
And they didn't want to repeat that this time and so there was a meeting in Texas.
And after a day and a -- about a day of meeting listening to the -- -- listening to the passion that was there from the supporters.
Of the various campaigns three rounds of voting took place in a super majority of those present 75% are.
I decided that they would make Rick Santorum that are.
Well let's hear from Santorum himself.
We have a stock for man this is Rick Santorum.
-- seeing them if you look at a study that was done by the Brookings institute back in 2009.
They determined that if Americans do three things they can avoid poverty.
Three things work.
Graduate from high school and get married before you have children.
Those three things.
Are right that is so and that was Santorum your -- choice to lead the country.
Tell me what is know about Santorum that really appeals are there litmus issues that you're looking for in a candidate.
Well I think you just heard right there that he articulates issues that are of concern have of concern and priority social conservatives -- also articulates.
The issues of concern.
And priority economic conservatives but he's able he's been able to -- those into a solid.
And stable.
Political record as well as a platform in this presidential race.
-- and I think -- the view when you look at the -- and it's fair to you you very obviously in in correctly observed that there are.
Multiple conservative candidates that are dividing up the vote.
And added that this was the issue issue preference.
I think if Rick Santorum.
-- Rick Perry or Newt Gingrich were to emerge as the alternative.
To the more moderate Mitt Romney.
They would have the support of evangelicals but right now they have the luxury of a preference -- they have given that preference to Rick Santorum.
Well you know interest saying.
-- -- the group of Ava evangelicals.
Some of these folks saying that they really supported Gingrich let me read you something they had to say.
There was no consensus regarding a candidate and those of us who came supporting -- so let's supporting -- wholeheartedly we believe mid Gingrich to be the only candidate.
The has the intellectual strength and capacity to stop the less -- -- morality the economy basic freedoms and our religious liberty.
As you look at that comment I insurgency that you know you said there's too many candidates.
Is that making it more difficult Britain for evangelicals to rally around a single candidate.
-- you know and in many ways we're -- victim of our own success what you've seen over the last thirty years as you've seen in each.
Presidential election you've actually seen more social conservative candidates or oriented candidates.
Enter the race and it does divide up that slice of the social conservative voting.
Block of -- -- -- the pie rather.
You've got about forty to 44%.
Of primary voters are social conservative in what happens you've got 4345.
Candidates dividing up that vote.
So it is -- go back to your point about did the division there was really no division it was a disagreement over the use of the term consensus some arguing consider how many.
Meant that a 100% agreement there was a 100% and 75% a supermajority -- high and there were some who remain it compelled to to Newt Gingrich.
Let me -- -- the headline an average for today which is the value voter bus tour now.
Europe fellow who's been in office before you know the value of going out pressing the flesh is this what that bus tour is all about.
Absolutely I can't wait to get out there and there and meet people and talk to people in the talk about the values and help.
Register them to vote motivates him help them to get their friends registering people to vote because their vote matters and in such a such close races that we've seen in this country every single vote matters and we want to make sure the value voters know the issues.
And they're out there voting for the candidates that best represent their values.
Alright Tony thanks for your time tonight we appreciate and I -- thank you.
