Trump meets with evangelical leaders, awaits endorsements

by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

(June 22, 2016) - Donald Trump addressed “long-standing concerns” about his candidacy with evangelical conservative leaders Tuesday, including the concerns over his positions on abortion and transgender rights.

At the event, “A Conversation About America’s Future with Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson” at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, pastors and evangelical leaders in attendance included former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Rev. Franklin Graham.

Other notable conservative leaders in attendance were James Robison, Ralph Reed, President of the Southern Baptist Convention Ronnie Floyd, Steve Gaines, Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins, Hillsong Church millennial Pastor Carl Lentz and Former Rep. Michele Bachmann.

None of them have endorsed Trump.

“To be clear, the meeting is not a fundraiser nor a political rally. It is NOT an endorsement of Donald Trump, nor do I plan to leave the meeting with an endorsement announcement,” Vander Plaats, spokesperson, told Fox News in an email.

“We'll talk with Mr. Trump about the people he intends to surround himself with, his criteria for Supreme Court nominations, his convictions on life, marriage, religious liberty, and more.”

Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd said the meeting would help Christians to figure out Trump. "None of us have endorsed Mr. Trump, nor have we condemned Mr. Trump. This is about the possibility of being able to appoint the next four Supreme Court justices. This is about the dignity of human life from the womb to the tomb. This is about religious freedom. I'm not about to sit at home and not express something. I'm accountable to God and I believe I'm accountable to my fellow Americans."

Trump’s effort to reach out to evangelical and social conservative leaders comes at a time when his numbers are slipping, his weaknesses are showing and his campaign manager Corey Lewandowsky has been ousted from the campaign.

A major weakness in the Trump campaign is shown in the finance reports. Numbers show Hillary Clinton’s campaign has about 40 times the revenue than the wealthy businessman. Trump has about $1.3 million, whereas Clinton has $42 million. 

NPR’s Sarah McCammon reports from Manhattan that the leaders called this a “continuing conversation” with Trump.

The Gayly – 6/22/2016 @ 2:10 p.m. CDT