If you are thinking that you might like to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2012 and Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University invites you to come and speak, you say “of course, I would love to do so” … which is why Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann will both be speaking there in September:

Two Republican presidential prospects, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, will speak at Liberty University this fall, LU Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. said today.

Bachmann, founder of the Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, is an announced candidate for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.

Perry, in his 10th year as governor of Texas, has said publicly that he’s thinking about running for the GOP nomination for president. He, too, is popular with tea party followers.

“Since Liberty is the world’s largest Christian university, we think it is important to expose the students to as many candidates as possible,” Falwell said.

Candidates should be able to take some cues from the students, as well, Falwell said.

“How well they are received at Liberty will be a good indicator for how they will be received in Christian circles nationwide,” Falwell said.

Perry will speak at one of LU’s thrice-weekly convocations on Sept 14.

Bachmann is scheduled to speak at a convocation Sept. 28.