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Saturday, November 19, 2011

'The Response' returns, but without Perry

This post originally appeared on Houstini.com on November 18, 2011.

Remember "The Response"? The amalgam of Republican Party politics and  right-wing anti-LGBT "Christianity" Gov. Rick Perry used to launch his presidential campaign is back, but this time without Perry. The event's organizers, including Southern Poverty Law Center recognized  hate group the American Family Association, have announced they plan to hold four more prayer rallies modeled on the August event in Houston, but are being careful to distance themselves from partisan politics in general and Perry's flagging presidential campaign specifically:
"Though Governor Rick Perry initiated The Response in Houston, these upcoming state-wide gatherings will not be affiliated with any particular presidential candidates. The Response is committed to prayer above politics, to seeing the church moved to stand for righteousness and to pray for God's mercy for America."
Perry continues to sag in the polls, and his recent gaffes and apparent lack of basic English language skills make him an increasingly unattractive candidate for Republican voters, so it's not surprising to see the Response scurry to flee the sinking Perry ship.
At the same time the locations of the four mini-Responses are interesting: Iowa, South Carolina, Florida and Arizona. All are key states during the Republican primary. So while The Response may have ditched Perry it's clear that at least one of the things they're praying for is a viable Republican presidential candidate.

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