Baptist Perry Backer Calls Mormonism a 'Cult'

Rick Perry spoke today at the conservative Values Voter Summit, but the guy who introduced him seems to be stealing all the headlines. That would be Robert Jeffress, a Baptist pastor of a Dallas megachurch who told reporters later that Mormonism is a "cult" and that evangelicals should therefore pick Perry over Mitt Romney, reports ABC News. "I think Mitt Romney's a good, moral man, but those of us who are born again followers of Christ should prefer a competent Christian," said Jeffress, who runs the 10,000-member First Baptist Church.

Perry's spokesman distanced the governor from the remark later, notes CNN. "The governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult," he said. As for Perry's speech, he used it to question whether Romney was fully committed to pro-life positions, notes the Huffington Post. Romney addresses the summit tomorrow. Click here for more on the "cult" flap or here to read about Romney's call today for a new "American Century." (More Rick Perry 2012 stories.)