Uniquely among the broadcast network evening newscasts on Monday, NBC Nightly News correspondent Andrea Mitchell focused attention on Rick Santorum's appearance with a Christian pastor who recently introduced the GOP presidential candidate at an event in a controversial manner. Mitchell introduced her piece:
Romney did get some attention today when he acknowledged that the economy is improving. But then Santorum also raised eyebrows by saying he's not concerned about unemployment, his point being that government should not be in the business of creating jobs. And Santorum was also asked today about a Louisiana pastor who introduced him outside of Baton Rouge last night with some fiery words.
Then came two clips of Baptist Pastor Dennis Terry:
PASTOR DENNIS TERRY, GREENWELL SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH, CLIP #1: If you don't love America and you don't like the way we do things, I have one thing to say: Get out!
PASTOR TERRY CLIP #2: I said we don't worship Buddha, we don't worship Mohammed, we don't worhip Allah. We worship God. We worship God's son, Jesus Christ.
After Mitchell recounted, "This afternoon, Santorum responded," came a clip of Santorum: " I think I made it pretty clear throughout my campaign that I believe very much in freedom of religion."
Mitchell concluded: "So it's another distraction on the day before yet another crucial primary showdown between these two candidates."
