Rick Perry’s Prayer Meeting

Saturday brought Governor Rick Perry's controversial Christians-only prayer gathering in Houston's Reliant Stadium. Most reports of the event indicate the speeches were, "low-key and apolitical," and indeed Perry emphasized that God's "is not a political agenda." Still, did the event cross church-state boundaries? Or at least those of good taste? You can watch his closing remarks here, or read a transcript here.

The reviews are coming in:

The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin offers a thoughtful take. Here's a snippet:

[H]is words at the event were restrained but not ecumenical. And his use of public office to promote the Christian event was, to me, inappropriate. The event, while scheduled last December, is still reflective of the man who would be president. Would he do this in the Oval Office? Does he not understand how many Americans might be offended? Is he lacking advice from a non-Texan perspective?
…
[T]he most unfortunate aspect to this entire matter is that he has given a club to the left-wing contingent that thinks religion should not be discussed in the public square and that reference to one’s faith as the basis for public-policy positions is somehow illegitimate. In that sense, Perry has done more harm than good to those who believe, that with appropriate modesty and restraint, religious values and viewpoints have a place in the great national debates of our time.

Politico's Kasie Hunt remarks:

Rick Perry has yet to announce a presidential run, but he’s made clear that his Christian faith will define it if he does.

…[I]nstead of running from the controversy sparked by the gathering, with a politically problematic list of speakers and complaints about the blurred line between church and state, Perry stepped to the podium to pray — while hitting the themes that would drive his presidential campaign.

Ken Walsh of US News saw the event as evidence that a Rick Perry presidential campaign will "bring religion back into the 2012 race."