Perry Signs an Evangelical Pledge

By RICHARD A. OPPEL JR.
NYT

In an effort to woo evangelical voters in Iowa, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has become the third Republican presidential candidate to sign a pledge to oppose gay marriage, to appoint only “faithful Constitutionalists” as judges, to stay loyal to his spouse, to shrink the size of the federal government, and to oppose Islamic law, among other things.

The pledge is the brainchild of The Family Leader, a prominent group of Iowa social conservatives whose endorsement is considered helpful to winning the backing of many evangelicals and other social conservatives ahead of the state’s Jan. 3 caucuses.

Julie Summa, director of marketing and public outreach for the group, confirmed in an email this afternoon that Mr. Perry has “signed the pledge as written.” Two other candidates who have support among social conservatives – former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota – have already signed the pledge.

(More here.)