Values Voter Summit Draws the Candidates                                          Next >
Oct. 7, 2011--Gov. Rick Perry addresses the 2011 Values Voter Summit.  Curiously, given the audience, Perry steered clear of addressing his faith in his remarks.  He stated, "The answer to our troubles lies in a positive, optimistic vision, with policies rooted in American exceptionalism.  See, American exceptionalism is the product of unlimited freedom.  And there is nothing troubling our nation today that cannot be solved by the rebirth of freedom – nothing."  [transcript]
Anita Perry and Tony Perkins.
Pastor Robert Jeffress of the First Baptist Church in Dallas introduced Gov. Perry  (endorsement).  Jeffress' remarks to reporters after Perry's speech, in which he characterized Mormonism as a cult, generated considerable media attention.