The meeting was called in an effort to sway evangelical voters to back one candidate for fear that a divided vote would pave the way for a more moderate candidate such as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney to win the nomination. While Perkins was adamant that it was not a “Stop Mitt” meeting, the leaders were wary of a reprise of 2008 when evangelicals failed to coalesce in time behind former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee.
“It was not a bash Mitt Romney weekend,” Perkins said. “But it’s not news that there is not a lot of support among conservatives for Mitt Romney.”
Each of the Republican candidates was invited to have a supporter in the evangelical community speak on behalf of his candidacy last night as to why he deserves the support of the Christian right, Perkins said. All but the Jon Huntsman campaign sent someone to the meeting.
While each candidate, including Romney and Texas congressman Ron Paul, had some support in the beginning, Perkins said it quickly became apparent that Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas governor Rick Perry were the crowd favorites. Santorum – who nearly tied Romney in the Iowa caucuses — emerged as the clear consensus, with more than two-thirds of the votes, after three rounds of balloting and passionate discussion this morning, Perkins said. People admired his consistent record of conservatism on economic and social issues, as well as his reliable and stable demeanor, he said.
The issues most important to the group are to repeal the health-care reform law passed under President Obama, reduce government spending, and return the nation’s focus to family values and an anti-abortion stance, he said.
Perkins said those who attended the meeting, whom he declined to name, would focus on fundraising efforts to boost Santorum’s campaign coffers, but the members are not expected to pressure anyone to drop his candidacy. Gingrich, who had many ardent supporters at the meeting, came in second.
“That will be up to the candidate,” he said.
