Perry mobilizes evangelicals as gov's race heats up

DentonRC.com | News for Denton, Texas | AP: Texas: "Even for Texas, the scene was remarkable: The governor, flanked by an out-of-state televangelist and religious right leaders, signing legislation in a church school gymnasium amid shouts of 'amen' from backers who just as well could have been attending a revival.

It wasn't just the blatant blend of church and state that made the gathering in Fort Worth unusual. Advance publicity also attracted about 300 angry protesters — unheard of for the routine business of ceremonial bill signings.

Now some wonder whether Rick Perry overplayed his hand last week trying to stick to the playbook used by old friend George W. Bush and political whiz Karl Rove, to mobilize evangelicals in last year's presidential race.

'Gov. Perry and his people are just not as good as Bush and Rove,' Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson said. 'Gov. Perry knows the steps, but he's got no rhythm.'"