we will be joined by speaker nancy pelosi. and i am happy to announce here that we will also be joined by majority leader chuck schumer. so, it should be a really great call tomorrow. can't miss there. so, thank you so much, everyone. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2020] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] announcer: c-span's live coverage of the republican national convention continues tonight at 8:30 p.m. eastern with first lady melania trump, secretary of state mike pompeo, and kentucky senator rand paul. watch live on c-span, live streaming and on-demand at c-span.org/rnc, or listen with the c-span radio app. c-span, your unfiltered view of politics. announcer: you are watching c-span, your unfiltered view of government. created by america's cable

television companies as a public service, and brought to you today by your television provider. washington journal" continues. host: our guest here to talk campaignily issues in 2020. mr. perkins, what role do you plan to play in this election? guest: it is good to be with you. the family research council has been in washington for about 35 years. we work on public policy as it pertains to families and we do so from a christian perspective. we are evangelical, biblically-based organization. that isa political arm involved in congressional elections. obviously presidential elections, even state and local elections. working in those campaigns and educating candidates and supporting candidates. host: how much money do you plan to spend in this campaign. we do it by cycle.

we are working on the grassroots -- we are about $20 million in this election cycle that we are working in the grassroots educating voters, equipping voters, and now we come to the culmination of work that has been going on the last three years. building on work that had been done prior to that. host: according to a research survey done in june, 72% of white evangelicals approve of trump's job performance. a six percent drop from 78% in april. what do you make of that. guest: i think we have been through one of the most multi was times as americans. we have issues, the coronavirus -- that we had the economic downturn from the response to that. then we had the rioting in the by the that was prompted .irst peaceful protest

these are issues that have to be addressed. been an impacts during that time. the what is happening in last two weeks, what happened last week, what happen beginning yesterday and will carry through this week is the voters as we move closer to the election realize this is an election of contrast. an election of choices. i think they look at the accomplishments of this administration, which are vast because we have been communicating to them. we put together an entire document that lists -- not commentary but the dates and what the administration has done as it pertains to family and freedom. people just text me the word actions at 51555. the word actions, plural, it is

about a seven page document. they look at the contrast that has been provided through the party platforms. look at the contrast of the candidates. look at the contrast of the choice. it is quite clear where evangelicals are lined up. host: does president trump consistently exhibit good moral behavior? yout: i don't know what mean by moral. there are people clearly that don't agree with his tweets. i don't agree with everything the president says or does. i agree with probably 98% of the policy this administration has put forward. at the end of the day, that is what impacts my ability as a father, impacts my ability as an organizational leader. these are the things that matter at the end of the day. when all is said and done it is the policies we pursue.

challenge the accomplishments of this administration when we look at it that way. host: the president's personal behavior, are you saying you should not look at that? i'm not quite sure what you mean by moral behavior. morals, what you represent and talk about, faith and family. the sea always represent the same morals and values that you have? if you want to go back prior to the president stepping in the oval office, there are certainly things i would agree with -- victim at leet disagree with. this is why was not an early supporter. when it came down to hillary clinton and donald trump and we look at the policies, the promises, we had to make a choice. grateful that i along many, many millions of

evangelicals made the choice to support donald trump. he has done nothing to persuade us otherwise. heon't support everything says or how he says it. i do agree with the policies of his administration with the people he has placed in positions of leadership. host: we will go to austin texas, carolyn joins us there on the republican line. good morning. , you asked him about the morals of donald trump. it is not the morals of what mr. perkins thinks should be good morals. it's the morals of what god says. that is what we go by. --o it says that government every person being subjected to government and governing authorities for there is no authority except for god and

those which exist are not god and those who and oppose they ordinance of god. also, there is another one that says for the cowardly and the murders,nd becerers, and all liars will asthe lake of brimstone. christians, those things should be said more and more. we've taken the 10 commandments out of schools. we've taken all written out ofes for good morals our court houses, schools, everything. easy fortions being so

people to get it is all against god. people who call themselves christians and vote for not just the democrats but vote for the platform that a party has, you would not vote for the democrats. thank you for everything. host: your thoughts? guest: i agree with the scripture and i agree there is a standard. when we look at the choice that we had what we had donald trump and hillary clinton and looked at the platforms, that is again what we are looking at in this election cycle. has worked to defend religious freedom. we see this on display and he was criticized for bringing this up that in the committees of the democratic convention, under god

was taken out of the pledge. you could say that is an aberration but not necessarily. even jerry nadler wanted to take away so help me god from the of. there is a clear distinction between the parties. the democratic party platform does not reference god as of now. the republican party embraces religious freedom and god upon which this nation was founded, the principles of scripture that our previous caller mention. we do need to be guided by those elements. munro,e will go to louisiana. noren: i talked to gary about 20 years ago. he said something funny but profound. we live from experience to experience. icals live from a revivals to revivals. calvinists live from event to

event. around long enough to talk to people from all around the body of christ. are you getting a sense of a strategy, maturity, we are definitely players in american politics. -- icythe world globally and interconnected, interlocking type of movement emerging. here is really my question between you and me and the rest of america, -- host: we are listening, go ahead. toler: the liberals seem really be kind of marxists. they are hiding that. could bevatives theologically charged about what we believe. ucs being able to really come out and be who we truly are? come out of the closet and talk to each other in a way i think

it is time to do? i really appreciate your work. good to hear from another fellow louisianan. i think we are maturing. there are those that said people of faith want to come in and establish a theocracy. that is absolutely the furthest thing from the truth. ofbelieve in the separation government stepping into the role of church. in theire christians individual capacities and the faith they have in the orthodox scriptures that guides everything you do in your lives. learning is we are that is in a process nonetheless flawed. we as humans are flawed. to bring those principles to the table, we help shape a culture that is beneficial to all. whether they subscribe to the

worldview or not. i think as you talk about globally -- in this administration that has focused its number one foreign-policy objective as religious freedom. i'm not pushing any particular brand of religion but allowing children toand follow god if they want to do so. i think that is huge. for evangelicals when they go into the voting booth to decide which party they will align with. what are of your -- your thoughts on jerry falwell, jr.. there seems to be some confusion over his future at liberty university. not spoken to jerry, i'm a graduate of liberty university, his brother is a close friend of mine. i have not talked to him. i will not talk about the

specifics of this. as evangelical christian leaders, those who come from that element of the church. he has served the largest evangelical college in the world. there is a high standard in the scripture that makes it clear. that often means sometimes we standard.ply a thatwe make bad decisions affect a lot of people, i think he does need to step down. under the institution vision and legacy of his father could continue to impact lives around the world. barbara inll go to ohio, democratic caller. for tonyy question this morning is how does he feel supporting the president who

says things like the democrats don't believe in god. he just said it last week. how does he feel about comments being made that are completely false? i'm a democrat, i'm religious. that goes on to second part of my comment. have been everi since i could remember. -- no offenseeel tony, i don't think there is room in the political arena for a lobbyist with a religious arm. appropriatek it is only because not everybody believes like i do. when you involve the church and the state, you are basically this involving, disemboweling that don't believe in god. you don't believe in a god that

is different than yours. theink that is why democrats don't preach. they too believe that church and state should be separated. onanted to get your opinion what you think about trump's lies about democrats and religion. guest: do you believe that those that don't believe in god should have the ability to engage in the political process and shape policy? caller: absolutely. guest: but not people who believe in god? caller: when you say something about being religious inside of politics you are leaving out a certain amount of people. say you don'tyou believe in god and engage in that process, we have many atheist institutions that advocate for that process as well. should they not be involved? caller: they should be involved.

you are specifically disemboweling people that don't believe in god. i'm sorry, not everybody is with faith. that is whatk makes america unique. everyone has the ability to come to the table and be a part of shaping the future of our country. faith,cause one has orthodox christian faith is that -- does not mean they should check their faith at the door. not be restricted from engaging in the process. i don't think anyone should be restricted because of belief. that is what we call the freedom of religion. whatever you do, whether you eat are so manythere elements in our lives. theannot compartmentalize flowers of jesus christ saying this is my religious life. i don't want the three to get mixed up.

i think it is all done under the guidance of the scripture for us as evangelicals. let me go to your first issue about the president. i don't agree with everything the president says or how he says it. it is not that democrats, yourself included do not believe in god but this is what i would challenge people to do. read the party platforms. 80% of the time in a study that has been done over the last 40 years, the parties follow those platforms. god is absent in the democratic party platform. party, there is a hostility to the display of orthodox christianity. to gary inll go on athens, texas, republican. your turn with tony perkins. administrationmp , brookings institute said trump

he putfirst four months 50 sanctions against russia. all right, tony perkins, any thoughts? seen so manye allegations made against this administration and this president, everything has been thrown against the wall trying to get something to stick. said from the beginning, america first. that has been his policy domestically and in foreign policy. it is another clear contrast. we apologize for america or we champion the cause of american ideals. we had a perfect nation? no. never have been, never will be. we could get better. i go back to those contrast. last week was criticize america. this week is to celebrate.

celebration of what is good about america. people continue to come to this country, there's a reason for that. they come here illegally, they come here legally, all different fashions and forms. america still the world's last best hope. there is one thing joe biden and isala harris would solve, it the immigration, the illegal immigration aspect. if they are successful in the policies they are putting forth i'm not sure people will want to come to america. they may end up being the biggest supporters of trump's wall because it will keep people in. host: we will move on to jane in mississippi, -- james in mississippi, independent. caller: how do you feel about children in cages and separation of family? guest: that's a good question. i have been to the border. i have met with the border patrol agents when those issues

came forward to find out exactly what was happening. the media's portrayal of that situation was not accurate. i a former police officer -- spent 10 years in law enforcement, everyday and american children are separated from their parents in the criminal justice system. , it other countries when people are sent to prison they are sent with their children. in america we don't do that. the idea that this is something new, that people are separated from their children, and happens every day in america. host: richard, in canada, republican. first of all want to say i think the republicans did a great job last night during the convention. speaking of morality, i have spoken to several patients who contracted the virus. after they took hydroxychloroquine they both survive -- they all survived.

trump could've saved over one 100,000 lives. there's nothing more immoral than trying to deny a life-saving drug to sick americans to win an election. there's nothing more despicable than that. to thei cannot speak drug. i'm not a scientist or medical professional. i have had the coronavirus, and i survived. in fact, my daughter is a trauma nurse that has been working with the coronavirus patients. i know it is real. it has been used for political purposes. there has been fear spread. i think the threat to the coronavirus -- it pales in comparison to the fear mongering that has occurred as a result of it. i don't disagree with your

premise that it has been used for political purpose. it has been used to scare people, to attack this administration. ton you look at the response this administration, it has been unprecedented. are a couple months away from a vaccine. that normally takes somewhere between's 4-7 years. it has occurred in six months. thiss been remarkable how administration combines the best of america's free enterprise system working with governments guidance has move this thing forward. there's no question in my mind that it has been used for political purposes. long did your symptoms last? guest: about three days. it was like a bad flute. about 10-12 it took

days to fully retain my strength. quarantined, i work from home. no underlying issues. certainly i want to be sensitive to that. our responsibility is to care for those who are vulnerable. these blanket approaches to all of this have been detrimental to our economy, as we are seeing very clearly. many businesses, small businesses that will not reopen. abuse, suicide, all of these things. i have elderly parents who i love to see. because of all of this fear and misinformation, there is nothing more important. i don't speak for just myself.

many would agree with me that families come together spending quality time together across generational lines and our churches, institutions of faith. together is a benefit not only to the individuals but collectively have been missing that. morgan, aill go to democrat in pennsylvania, good morning. caller: mr. perkins, with all due respect, even the devil knows scripture. you never criticize trump about anything he does. i'm sorry but when he is wrong, he is wrong. adultery.ed don't say he could say and do what he wants. that is a lie. has been out of line. number three, i never hear the people go against white folks

like the clam, the nazis, the brothers.ers -- aryan trump has emboldened them. andver hear you criticize call them for what they are in the name of god. god clearly states those who have hate in their hearts for others is a murdered in his eyes. i never hear you come out hard against rights of -- white supremacy. host: let's give tony perkins a chance to respond. guest: apparently morgan doesn't follow everything i said. i have been very clear about white supremacy. those that would hate anybody based upon the color of their , there their background is no room for that in america. agree with him on that. i wonder if he knew in the

mentioned-- she david. nathan spoke to david. nathan didn't go on tv and talk about david's transgression. in this administration when we have the ability to speak to, we don't have to speak about. there have been times i have spoken to the president and his team. about things that have been said and done that are not aligned with how evangelicals believe. i don't have to go out and say that in the media because this administration is listening. i don't agree with everything that has been said and done. when i look at the policies of this administration, they are much more in alignment with the views of bible believing christians that is anything that we have seen in modern time. host: how was your input received at the white house?

it is quite unique. in previous administrations, evangelicals and christians were targeted at election time. share anomen who understanding of the importance of religious freedom. the importance of people of faith being a part of, not exclusively but certainly being a part of shaping the policies. about thisomplaints administration and their theonse to the concerns of millions of evangelicals across the country. host: who would you put at the top of that list? the administration is filled. you start with mark meadows, longtime friend of mine.

he has chosen the vice president as his running mate. i have known the vice president since he was a talk show host. mike pompeo, a great man. carson, another committed believer who is so compassionate and caring. you look at alex azar doing a great job. , acting secretary of homeland security. you could go through at the top level. some may not like me to say this but unfortunately the administration has cherry picked a lot of our people. a lot of good people working in the trump administrationhost: marianna new jersey, republican. loyal: i am a very

churchgoer. by yourrified statements. i am a republican, just not trump republican. are you aware he calls himself the chosen one above christ? you know what that title is. that belongs to jesus christ. he never recanted it. help the poor and the disabled. donald trump steps on them. this is not right. donald trump is the divider of america. i watched last night, he was spewing hate left and right. i am a republican, i am not alone. when he called himself the chosen one and did not recant, you could google it. he also told anderson cooper he needed no forgiveness. there are people that make themselves look like they believe in god and that is

donald trump. he held the bible upside down as a prop. he fired rubber bullets and tear gas through a peaceful protest. you, a lot of these protesters are not what they seem like they are. down,ou look from the top this is what is happening. let me get into the coronavirus. to have mr. perkins respond because we are running short on time. caller: we have a choice before us. we have joe biden and kamala harris, the most pro-abortion administration, the most anti-religious freedom administration in the history of the country. or we could build upon the most pro-life record, the most expensive pursuit of religious freedom we have seen in modern time in this country. that is the choice. look at these policies.

i think millions of other evangelicals will make that decision as well. host: announcer: the presidents, available in april back, hardcover and e-book. presents biographies of every president, inspired by conversations with noted historians about the leadership skills that make for a successful presidency. in this presidential election year, as americans decide who should lead our country, this collection offers perspectives into the lives and events that forged each president's leadership style. to learn more about all the presidents and the book's featured historians, visit sidents,rg/thepre available wherever books are sold. c-span's live coverage of the republican

national convention continues tonight at 8:30 p.m. eastern with first lady melania trump, secretary of state mike pompeo, and kentucky senator rand paul. watch live on c-span, live streaming and on-demand at c-span.org/rnc, or listen with the free c-span radio app. c-span, your unfiltered view of politics. announcer: next, a conversation with president trump's campaign manager. political playbook writers talked this morning about what to expect tonight and the campaign strategy, national polling numbers, and down ballot races. the event also included a conversation with two people can strategists and a segment with political reporters analyzing voter trends in arizona.