Santorum, Perry Court Social Conservatives

Sen. Rick Santorum at Faith and Freedom Coalition Prayer Breakfast

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Myrtle  Beach, S.C., Jan. 15 – The day after Sen. Rick Santorum won the backing of 150 evangelical leaders, which was a political blow for fellow Republican presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry, both men addressed the Faith and Freedom Coalition Prayer Breakfast in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Gov. Rick Perry at Faith and Freedom Coalition Prayer Breakfast

“I was very blessed yesterday that a group of conservative leaders, about 150 or so, got together and in many ways miraculously were able to come together,” Santorum said to the nearly 300 attendees at the breakfast. “I don’t think that ever happens with a group of Christian leaders. They were able to miraculously come together and stand in support of my candidacy.”

Yesterday in Georgetown, S.C., Perry ignored a reporter when she asked how he felt about the group of prominent evangelical leaders endorsing Santorum.

UPDATE: Later on Sunday, Perry responded to the question on CNN’s State of the Union. “Obviously you’d like to get every endorsement of the groups that are in line with your beliefs,” Perry said to Candy Crowley. “But you’re not going to do that. So our focus is on the people of South Carolina.”

During Perry’s speech earlier in the morning at the breakfast, the former Texas governor compared himself to Moses, who told God he “wasn’t a good public speaker,” receiving laughter from the crowd for the self-deprecating joke regarding his debate gaffes. “Now, from time to time I can relate to that.”

The Faith and Freedom Coalition will hold a debate kick-off event, including a forum at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, also in Myrtle Beach. Watch TIP on the Trail for updates.