Governor Rick Perry must be enjoying the presidential rumors swirling around him these days, because he just did something to escalate the speculation. The Texas governor is inviting his counterparts from 49 other states to attend a prayer rally in Houston’s 71,500-capacity Reliant Stadium in August. His invitation is on the front page of a website for the event, TheResponseUSA.com:
Fellow Americans, Right now, America is in crisis: we have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters. As a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles, and thank Him for the blessings of freedom we so richly enjoy. Some problems are beyond our power to solve, and according to the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, this historic hour demands a historic response. Therefore, on August 6, thousands will gather to pray for a historic breakthrough for our country and a renewed sense of moral purpose. I sincerely hope you’ll join me in Houston on August 6th and take your place in Reliant Stadium with praying people asking God’s forgiveness, wisdom and provision for our state and nation. There is hope for America. It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees. Sincerely, Rick Perry Governor
The Houston Chronicle’s Texas Politics blog notes that the event could help Perry’s prospects in a GOP primary.
Such an event would allow Perry to build his profile with Christian conservatives, a group that play a key role in Republican primary politics, especially in the South and the Midwest. The playbill for the call to prayer hits all of the notes that a candidate seeking the GOP nomination would be expected to hit (see: debasement of society). And the venue selection — Reliant Stadium (a football stadium) — indicates that organizers are aiming to make a splash with the event.
The event is being funded by the American Family Association, whose director Bryan Fischer has attracted controversy for his repeated statements against gay people, such as “homosexuals should be disqualified from public office”.
Here’s the video invitation:
