In new ad, Rick Perry decries Obama’s ‘war on religion’ [video]

As part of an all-out ad blitz in Iowa, Rick Perry has released a new campaign ad that makes reference to a “war on religion” launched by President Obama and complains about gays serving openly in the armed forces.

The ad is part of a $1-million-plus ad buy by Perry and his campaign to saturate the airwaves in Iowa in advance of the Jan. 3 caucuses.

Backing Perry in Iowa is a pro-Perry super PAC Make Us Great Again, which will be spending $1.2 million, according to NBC News.

“I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Christian,” the Texas governor says in the ad. “But you don’t have to be in the pew every Sunday to know that 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, and I’ll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.”

If Perry is to recover any ground in the race, he’ll do it by making his stand with religious conservatives in Iowa and South Carolina—and this ad is and unabashed attempt to court their vote. (And also seems to suggest that the U.S. has a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward Christmas.)

Take a look: