Presidential Race 12:00 pm Mon January 2, 2012  Religion Front
And Center On 2012 Campaign Trail    This is TALK OF THE NATION.
I'm Neal Conan, in Washington. In Iowa, all the GOP presidential
candidates continue to profess their faith in speeches and in
broadcast ads, perhaps none more than Texas Governor Rick Perry.
CONAN: Religion and politics have long intertwined in this
country, and this year's contest for the Republican nomination
raises more religious issues and controversies than most:
Mormonism, dominionism and Catholicism, redemption,
steadfastness and conversion all figure in a race where faith is
cast as an expression of character values and of political
priorities.  How does a candidate's religion affect your vote?
Give us a call: 800-989-8255. Email us: You can also join the
conversation on our website. That's at Click on TALK OF THE
NATION. Later in the program, we'll reconsider the calendar on
the Opinion Page this week.  But first, politics and religion.
NPR religion correspondent Barbara