'Time to Bring God Back': Candidates Woo Evangelicals

PLANO, Texas -- Republican presidential candidates fishing for evangelical voters found a fully stocked pond Sunday north of Dallas. early 8,000 people filled Prestonwood Baptist Church to hear the numerous contenders make their case on important social issues.

Some, like former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, brought up the shocking Planned Parenthood undercover videos.

"Just recently they said they would stop taking reimbursement for the services that the left-wing media said weren't happening. We are winning this fight," Fiorina declared.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson talked about the importance of a Christian America.

"It's time to bring back God to our country. The president says we are not a Judeo-Christian nation, but he doesn't get to decide. We get to decide," Carson said.

***Next Monday, CBN founder Pat Robertson will be interviewing Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush as part of Regent University's Executive Leadership series. For more information, click here.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush touted his pro-life credentials.

"We defunded Planned Parenthood when I was governor. We banned partial-birth abortion. We were the first state to have a 'choose life' license plate," Bush reminded the crowd.

Candidates shared their views ranging from supporting Israel to fighting the persecution of Christians at home and overseas.

While audience members might not be ready to make their choice, most liked what they heard.

"I really am undecided. I have some leanings, but I think we have some excellent candidates and I think we have some really good ones showing up today," one evangelical voter said.

"I'm already committed to Marco Rubio," another voter declared.

"I want Ted Cruz for president," yet another said.

What about frontrunner Donald Trump?

"He just really has the 'it' factor," one voter observed.

Sunday's evangelical presidential forum was missing a couple of main players. Trump wasn't present; neither was Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

Their absences leave an opportunity for the candidates who did show up to make an impression in front of an important audience that still hasn't galvanized behind one candidate.

One man ready to make a move is Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. He's been slowly climbing in the polls recently and knows the importance of the evangelical vote.

"I believe 2016 will be a religious liberty election…as these threats grow darker and darker and darker, they are waking people up here in Texas and all across the country," Cruz said.

In an exclusive interview with CBN News, Cruz said there's a reason he's on the rise.

"I think the sharpest difference between my record and that of every other candidate is that people are tired of campaign conservatives. They're tired of people who talk a great game while they're on the campaign trail, but they actually haven't walked the walk, and I think people are looking for a consistent conservative," Cruz stated.

Others, like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, are struggling to gain traction. Huckabee told CBN News he's concentrating on winning the key state of Iowa.

"All of this hype about who's up, who's down in the polls doesn't mean anything if you don't win an early state," Huckabee remarked.

At this point, it's all about jockeying for position. Evangelicals, along with the rest of the nation, seem intently engaged in this fascinating race.