Republicans vowtowin “war” on religious liberty

washington » Fighting to improve their brand, leading Republicans rallied behind religious liberty at a Friday gathering of evangelical conservatives, rebuking an unpopular President Barack Obama while skirting divisive social issues.

Speakers did not ignore abortion and same-sex marriage altogether on the opening day of the annual Values Voter Summit, but a slate of prospective presidential candidates focused on the persecution of Christians and their values at home and abroad.

GOP officials hope the message will help unify a divided party and appeal to newvoters ahead ofNovember’s midterm elec- tions and the 2016 presidential contest.

“Oh, the vacuum of American leadership we see in the world,” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said Friday in aWashington hotel ballroompacked with religious conservatives. “We need a president who will speak out for people of faith, prisoners of conscience.”

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul echoed the theme in a speech describing America as a nation in “spiritual crisis.”

“Not a penny should go to any nation that persecutes or kills Christians,” said Paul, who, like Cruz, is openly considering a 2016 presidential bid.

The speaking program included such potential 2016 candidates as former Arkansas Gov. MikeHuckabee and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Several pos- sible Republican candidates — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush among them— did not attend.

The event host, Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, said “a fundamental shift” is underway toward religious freedom among Republicans of all stripes.

The intraparty debate over social issues has broad implications for the GOP’s struggle to improve its image after a disappointing 2012 election season.

Advisers report that Jindal, who is alsoweighing a White House bid, would also highlight “the silent war on religious liberty” in afternoon remarks, a subject he outlined in a February speech at the Reagan Library.