This ad is generating a lot of commentary:
I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian, but you don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.
As President, I'll end Obama's war on religion. And I'll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.
Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again.
I'm Rick Perry and I approve this message.
The Family Research Council comments:
Rick Perry's latest ad was intended for Iowa, but thanks to the national media, it's airing on every network in America. A number of pundits are panning the spot for its bold social conservative themes, which they insist will hurt the Texas Governor's chances. . . The ad is called "Strong," and that's the kind of message it sends on issues like religious freedom. "As President, I'll end Obama's war on religion. And I'll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage." True, Gov. Perry probably wouldn't win the media's vote with that kind of platform--but he does stand to benefit with everyday Americans who are tired of seeing their values in the line of fire under this administration.
Despite the heat Perry's campaign is taking over the ad, the Governor stands by it. "I'm very comfortable with that ad," Perry said. And he should be. In just the last several months, there's been a powerful surge of anti-religious sentiment from this administration, and it's already bled into our military, federal funding, and international affairs. Consider this inventory of decisions from the Obama administration, which date back to June of this year.
- Navy officials ban Bibles and religious materials from Walter Reed Military Medical Center as part of new patient guidelines for wounded warriors (9/2011)
- The Pentagon releases new regulations, forcing chaplains to perform same-sex "weddings" despite their religious objections (9/2011)
- Secretary Hillary Clinton demonizes other countries' religious beliefs as an obstacle to radical homosexual rights (12/2011)
- The Department of Veterans Affairs censors references to God and Jesus during prayers at Houston National Cemetery (6/2011)
- Officials at Health and Human Services denied funding for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' successful program for sex trafficking victims because of the church's teaching on human life (11/2011)
- The Marine Corps consider tearing down a Camp Pendleton cross meant to honor fallen heroes (11/2011)
- Air Force officials strip religious curriculum from a 20-year-old course on "just war theory" (9/2011)
- HHS unveils new health care rules that ignore basic conscience protections for medical workers with faith-based objections to abortion and contraception (8/2011)
- Administration officials refuse to intervene in the closing of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (12/2011)
- President Obama lobbies for the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which tramples on the faith of employers in hiring, firing, and promotion decisions (10/2011)
- The Air Force Academy turns its back on needy children because a charity has religious ties (11/2011)
All of these decisions were made in the last six months. If this isn't a steady drumbeat against religious liberty, I don't know what it is. Good on Gov. Perry for recognizing the urgency of fighting back before it's too late.
Me: Yes, it is strong, and whether it helps or hinders his standing in the polls, it at least serves the purpose of focusing attention on the Obama Administration's war on Christian faith.