greeleygazette.com
Posted by Matt Lacy
January 2, 2012



In the final hours before the Iowa caucus, Republican presidential candidates are making a final push by attempting to court the large evangelical voting bloc in the state.

Evangelicals comprise nearly 60 percent of Republican voters in the state, which means their votes are vital for any candidate hoping to win.

Sunday, Michele Bachmann made an appearance at the Jubilee Family Church, along with her husband Marcus. During the service, Bachmann got up behind the pulpit and presented her testimony regarding her faith in Jesus Christ.

Following her testimony the pastor, Bill Tveldt reportedly told his members he would not insult them by telling them who to vote for. But that they should vote based on “what the word of God tells us. We’ve got to get back to choosing godly leaders.”

Bachmann has received the endorsement from Phyllis Schafly, a woman considered to be a pioneer in the conservative movement.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Governor Rick Perry are also heavily competing for the evangelical vote.

While most of the candidates have surged at one time or another during the campaign, Santorum remained the one candidate who did not, until now. In recent days, Santorum has begun rising in the polls.

Santorum has been endorsed by the sheriff of Romney’s home county as well as social conservative leaders Bob Vander Plaats with the Family Leader and Chuck Hurley, president of the Iowa Family Policy Center Action.

His fundraising has soared along with his poll numbers. A senior Santorum advisor told CNN the candidate had raised more money in the last week than they raised online in the last six months. Fundraising is also said to be between 300 to 400 percent higher on a daily basis than it was ten days ago.

Jim Bob Duggar from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” has also endorsed Santorum. Duggar, along with 12 of his children have been campaigning in Iowa saying that voters with “conservative family values have to get behind Rick Santorum for President.”

Rick Perry, well-known in evangelical circles, has also received endorsements from some key players among conservatives. Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpio, known as “America’s toughest Sheriff,” has endorsed Perry. Arpio is known for his tough stand on illegal immigration and forcing inmates at the Maricopa County jail to wear pink underwear.

Perry has also received endorsements from Colorado Congressman Mike Coffman, Sen. Jim Inhofe and actor Dean Cain, known for playing Superman in “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.”

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