The battle among GOP candidates vying for Christian right allegiance is taking another surprise turn with Rudy Giuliani picking up the endorsement of 700 Club host Pat Robertson.
Here is Robertson’s statement as released by the Giuliani campaign:
It is my pleasure to announce my support for America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, a proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans. Rudy Giuliani took a city that was in decline and considered ungovernable and reduced its violent crime, revitalized its core, dramatically lowered its taxes, cut through a welter of bureaucratic regulations, and did so in the spirit of bipartisanship which is so urgently needed in Washington today.
Robertson made no mention of Giuliani’s stand on social issues.
Here is what Giuliani said in response:
I am very encouraged by Pat’s support. His confidence in me means a lot. His experience and advice will be a great asset to me and my campaign.
Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition and himself a former presidential candidate, is one of the most influential old line culture warriors. His endorsement is a huge prize for Giuliani, who badly needed to bolster his standing among evangelicals who are uneasy, to put it mildly, with the former New York mayor’s record on abortion and gay marriage. Robertson’s blessing will surely help in that regard.
But the loyalties of Christian right leaders remain divided. Mitt Romney has landed some top tier endorsements in recent days. And now there are reports that former candidate Sam Brownback, a darling of social conservatives, is about to throw his coveted support to John McCain.
The waters get muddier and muddier
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posted November 7, 2007 at 10:24 pm
This godly man, Giuliani, has been divorced twice, is against right to lifers, supports and helped craft and pass gay rights supporting legislation, and now Robertson is supporting him? I think I missed something and I am very very confused.
posted November 8, 2007 at 7:35 am
Rudi’s stance on abortion is that he does not codone it but will not deprive someone who wants one their rights. I also do not want the times to go back to women who are desperate using clothes hangers to abort and other measure that caused death. I am a catholic but realize not everyone has the faith I have and will abort somehow if not legally and safely. Divorce rate is so high now most Americans do not consider that an issue anymore sad as it is. We have to look at the whole picture when choosing a candidate and that is what Pat Robertson is doing. I want someone who will keep us safe and not back down to the terrorist. Hillary makes herself religious when the necessary to get a vote. I have not chosen a candidate yet and believe me I listen and read about them all. I don’t listen to the oponents but do my own homework.
posted November 8, 2007 at 10:59 am
I’ve been a supporter of the 700 club and admireer of Pat for many years, but will now have to reconcider those positions in light of this I can’t believe he his thinking clesrly, while christians can have difference in opions and even political persuasion, I for one question if he has really considered his beliefs and the beliefs of the canidate and if they truly agree.
posted November 8, 2007 at 11:40 am
This is like having Satan standing in your shadow. I doubt it will help the Big G in any meaningful way. In fact, it may cur his real (voting) support by significant numbers.
posted November 8, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Pat Robertson values the power of this world more than marriage, family, or even defending American values. Guiliani will do far more harm to liberties at home than he will do to Al Qaeda, simply because all his tough talk, just like Bush’s tough talk, is just talk.
We are not even winning in Afghanistan let alone Iraq, and we’re now supporting dictatorship in Pakistan, in addition to already supporting dictatorship in Saudi Arabia. We have not won a war decisively since World War II, because we keep trying to fight wars halfway. Guiliani will be more of the same. Even if Guiliani was pro-life and reconciled with his first wife, Pat Robertson has shown himself to be either anti-American or unintelligent by endorsing him.
As it is, Pat Robertson might as well be endorsing pedophiles as baby sitters, simply because they use the world “Islam-o-fascism.”