Christian Leader Tony Perkins: Evangelicals Could Back Any Leading Conservative in 2012

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, spoke with Lou Dobbs on Fox Business Tuesday and assessed the current field of Republicans running for president in 2012.

The influential leader among social conservatives suggested that in his opinion the former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum could all harness the support of the evangelical community.

"Their all conservatives," said Perkins. "They've have all staked out very socially conservative positions."

Perkins' validation of Romney contradicts earlier media perceptions that the Massachusetts Mormon could have trouble winning over the evangelical base. Perkins told Dobbs Tuesday that when it comes down to it, any of the four leading candidates would be an acceptable alternative to Barack Obama.

"I think what's going to happen is that, in the end, you're going to see a much more unified, conservative voting bloc than you did in 2008. What you're going to see are conservatives rallying to a candidate that will be- beat and replace Barack Obama in the White House."

Evangelicals for Mitt writes that since its inception in 2006 the case for Mitt Romney has only grown stronger:

"We want a candidate who shares our political and moral values and priorities, can win in 2012, and can govern effectively thereafter by articulating and implementing an intelligent, values-based governing strategy. This is just what Mitt Romney did as governor, this is just what Mitt Romney did in business, and this is what he would do as president."

Perkins also expressed interest in Rick Perry's candidacy:

"Now with Rick Perry in, its kind of a whole new ball game."

The Evangelical community has made up a strong portion of the Republican voting block in the past. The Hill writes on the movement's importance in recent Presidential elections:

"There was a sense that in 2008, a number of evangelicals who were unenthused about Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) as the Republican nominee stayed home. James Dobson, another influential evangelical leader who heads Focus on the Family, had disparaged McCain before reluctantly endorsing the GOP nominee in the late stages of the campaign.

Evangelical Christians and social conservatives have traditionally been an important base of support for Republicans, arguably reaching an apex during the election and reelection of President George W. Bush."

If you consider yourself part of the Evangelical community and are not in support of Gov. Romney, what are some of your reservations against him? If you support him tell us why. If not Mitt, who do you believe would be the best candidate for Evangelicals?