This new ad is the most direct call to Christian voters we've seen this season. Our political expert says it may go too far. But before you hear from him - take a look at the ad.
"I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian," Perry says in his new ad.
He's not shy in the new ad.
"You don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school. As president, I'll end Obama's war on religion," Perry says.
A war on religion, governor? What's going on in this new tactic in Iowa?
"I'm very comfortable with that ad, for one thing. My faith is part of me. The values that I learned in my Christian upbringing will affect my governing," Perry said.
It's not really a call to religious arms, it's more likely a secret signal to Christian conservatives in Iowa, an important block of Iowa voters, that Perry -- who's now third or fourth in the polls -- needs to attract.
"It is kind of a hail Mary, it's probably not going to work; but if you just play the string out, you lose and you're out of the race so he's gotta take some chances now," KTRK political analyst Dr. Richard Murray said.
"Is it distasteful?" we asked him.
"I think so," Murray said.
Keep in mind more than half of Iowa caucus goers call themselves conservative Christians. In trumpeting his own faith, Perry appeals to those voters but also subtly criticizes Mitt Romney, a Mormom, and new front runner Newt Gingrich, who's bounced between three religions before finally settling on Catholicism.
