Conservative evangelicals gather for “Thanksgiving Family Forum” in Des Moines

Six of the Republican presidential contenders are talking part in Saturday afternoon's candidates' forum taking place at a Des Moines church. Mitt Romney is noticeably absent. Romney declined his invitation. The Iowa Family Leader is sponsoring the event. The head of the conservative group is credited with overseeing the successful effort to vote out three Iowa Supreme Court justices in the 2010 elections over the issue of same-sex marriage.

The forum is expected to be a place where Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann will shine. Bachmann claims to be the only "true conservative" in the race. Her campaign has highlighted Mitt Romney's flip-flop on legalized abortion as well as inconsistencies in Herman Cain's position on the issue.

On the way into the forum, Kim Schenk of Swea City, IA said she had not yet made up her mind about which candidate to support. She said Bachmann might be making a mistake with her "only true conservative" claim. "I don't like it when they use words like 'only' and I don't think she's the only true conservative. No," said Schenk.

The forum is taking place from 4:00 until 6:00 pm.

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