Mitt Romney is attacking Rick Perry over his choice to stand next to a man who calls Romney’s religion “a cult.”
Perry, so far, is refusing to back down.
Speaking in New Hampshire today, Romney called on Perry to “repudiate” the comments of Dr. Robert Jeffress, the anti-Mormon pastor who introduced and endorsed Perry at a social conservative conference this weekend.
“I would call upon Gov. Perry to repudiate the sentiment and the comments made by that pastor,” Romney told reporters just hours before the pair are scheduled to meet in another presidential debate.
“Governor Perry said that introduction hit it out of the park,” Romney added. “I don’t believe that that kind of divisiveness based on religion has a place in this country.”
Perry is facing growing criticism over his campaigns acquiescence to the Jeffress introduction, which was suggested by organizers at the Values Voter Summit and ok’d by Team Perry. Jon Huntsman — another Mormon running for the GOP nomination — called Jeffress a “moron” and also called on Perry to “stand up” and call reject Jeffress’ words.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who joined Romney at the New Hampshire press conference and endorsed his candidacy, joined in criticism.
“These types of religious matters have nothing to do with the quality of somebody’s ability to lead. You have to evaluate their record and character and integrity,” Christie said. “Not religious beliefs, but based on who they are and I think that any campaign that associates itself with that type of conduct is beneath the office of president of the United States.”
Romney took issue with Jeffress — and took a shot at Perry for standing with him — in his own speech at the Values Voter Summit over the weekend. In New Hampshire today, he amped up the criticism and picked up a line from his backer Bill Bennett, who has used the Constitution to push back on Jeffress’ claim that evangelicals need to make sure they choose a “true Christian” for the White House.
“I believe in the spirit of the founders when they suggested in crafting this country that we would be a nation that tolerated different faiths and different places of religious diversity and that respect, they embodied in the constitution itself,” Romney said, referring to Article 6.
Shortly after Romney made his statement, the AP reported the Perry campaign declined his request to repudiate Jeffress.
