More on the meeting of evangelical leaders in Texas this weekend. This is from the Family Research Council:
This weekend more than 150 conservative leaders gathered in Brenham, Texas, to discuss the Republican primary race and top policy goals for the next Republican Administration.
Speaking on behalf of the meeting's organizers, Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins released the following statement:
"There is unanimous agreement among conservative leaders that we can and must replace President Barack Obama in November. Today, after praying for the nation's future, conservative leaders took the first steps in moving social conservative voters toward advancing a true conservative candidate toward the nomination. After hearing presentations from campaign surrogates and individuals' speeches and appeals, participants cast ballots for their presidential preference.
"The agreed-to threshold for support of the group was two-thirds of those present. That threshold was surpassed on the third ballot when Rick Santorum gained 74.5 percent of the vote and Newt Gingrich received 25.5 percent. From the outset, the stated goal of the meeting was to attempt to arrive at a consensus or a clear majority of support for a single conservative candidate. That goal was achieved. While a supermajority of those attending the meeting stated support for Rick Santorum as their preference in the Republican primary, it was also made clear that conservative leaders could coalesce around any of the three presidential candidates who had strong representation at the meeting; Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum."
Ballot Results:
First Ballot
• Paul 1?
• Romney 3?
• Perry 13?
• Gingrich 48?
• Santorum 57
Second Ballot (two top vote recipients)
• Gingrich 49
• Santorum 70
• Third Ballot?
• Gingrich 29
• Santorum 85