Rick Perry's Prayer Ralley Dwarfed by Back-to-School Event

From Crooks & Liars:

Here's Rick Perry's Texas for you: While it seems his controversial prayer rally didn't go over so well, you can't say the same for a back-to-school event held just seven miles away the same day.

From Democracy Now:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry Leads Controversial Prayer Rally

Texas Gov. Rick Perry led 30,000 people in prayer at a controversial rally in Houston this weekend titled "The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis." The seven-hour gathering was designed by Perry and sponsored in part by the American Family Association, which opposes same-sex marriage and has condemned Muslims. The event, which drew 30,000 participants, was also backed by the International House of Prayer, whose evangelical founder argues Oprah Winfrey is a Satanic religious leader. Though billed as an apolitical day of prayer for a nation in crisis, the response was filled with calls for an end to abortion and gave Perry the opportunity to appeal to Christian conservatives. Perry is widely expected to soon announce his candidacy for U.S. president. Critics denounced the gathering for blurring the lines between church and state.

Texas Rally Dwarfed by Back-to-School Event

The Response was dwarfed in comparison to Houston’s first-ever, citywide back-to-school event held just seven miles away on Sunday. An estimated 100,000 people showed up to receive free backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, haircut vouchers, immunizations and fresh produce. The demand for the much-needed supplies was so great officials were forced to shut the event down at 10:00 a.m. and turn people away.

And it looks like Perry is about to finally announce his candidacy this week -- Report: Rick Perry To Announce Presidential Run Saturday.