Robertson for Rudy
Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for president is simply astonishing. Robertson - the television preacher who founded the 700 Club and once ran for president himself - has made opposition to abortion and same sex marriage his political north star and has been a relentless champion of traditional marriage and family values.
Remember Robertson's merciless attacks on President Bill Clinton's lapses of sexual morality with Monica Lewinsky? Or his comments about how the 9/11 attacks were the result of America's tolerance for homosexuals and abortion?
Now Robertson is for Rudy, a thrice married adulterous husband, who is estranged from his own children and is both pro-choice and pro-gay rights. According to Pat Robertson's twisted moral logic, forgiving the social conservative shortcomings of Republicans is a Christian virtue, so long as the same virtue is never applied to Democrats. But Pat thinks Rudy can beat Hillary, and Pat really cares about winning for the Republicans.
What exactly goes on in Pat Robertson's head has puzzled many of us for a long time. This endorsement ranks as one of the most unprincipled in recent political memory. Maybe principles never mattered much to Pat Robertson after all. Perhaps the pro-business economic conservatism of the Republican Party was always more important to the televangelist than saving unborn lives. Robertson's longstanding support of murderous Liberian dictator Charles Taylor and his diamond investments thanks to Zairian dictator Mobutu Sese Seko speak louder than words when it comes to Robertson's ethic of life. And that's not to mention the more than $400 million Robertson's empire made when he sold his International Family Network to Rupert Murdoch, after building it on tax deductible contributions of thousands of CBN donors, many of modest means. He has been putting profits over principles for years.
Richard Land, spokesman for the Southern Baptist Convention, has taken a more consistent position. Land has clearly said that he won't support Giuliani if he becomes the Republican nominee, explaining in a recent Newsweek interview, "I'm not willing or able to violate my moral conscience. It would be like asking an African American to choose between Strom Thurmond and George Wallace, or asking Abe Lincoln to vote for a pro-slavery candidate. I personally can't do it." Land predicts that many social conservatives will just sit out this election if the Republicans decide to run Rudy. That's called standing for principle.
Pat Robertson clearly has taken another position. His endorsement of Rudy Giuliani will seem to many to be unprincipled hypocrisy.
Jim Wallis is the Editor-in-Chief of Sojourners and blogs at www.godspolitics.com.
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According to Rev. Barry W. Lynn: "Pat Robertson has a political agenda for the entire world, and he seems to think God is ready to take out any world leader who stands in the way of his agenda."
Whether referring to the events on 9-11, Katrina, his proposed assassination of Hugo Chavez or Ariel Sharon's stroke, Pat Robertson speaks for God. He also would bring down damnation, or worse, on those school administrators who refuse to teach "intelligent design," whatever that is.
I did not realize that he traded in diamonds or that he supported dictators - other than Rudy Giuliani, but he supported Bush 43 so it's not that big a surprise. What's up with trying to take over the government. Oh yes, first the United States and then the world. Look out! Another bolt of lightning! Well thanks, Jim, thanks for the warning. Next time it could be a tsunami coming at me!
This is truly a "blessing in disguise". By endorsing pro-choice and pro-gay Ghouliani, Robertson has effectively dissolved his "Christian Coalition".
To put this into context, imagine HRC voting for a pro-torture bill, or telecom amnesty, or the AUMF/Iran.
It's like that.
"...Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for president is simply astonishing." - Really? It surprizes you that a DOMINIONIST like Robertson would back a ZEALOUS WAR-MONGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WAR IN QUESTION IS TAKING PLACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST?
"...forgiving the social conservative shortcomings of Republicans is a Christian virtue, so long as the same virtue is never applied to Democrats." - Robertson does not believe, will not even entertain the possibility, that Democratic folks could have any virtues.
"...Maybe principles never mattered much to Pat Robertson after all" - YA THINK?
Pat's 'explanation': And low the low clouds parted and God spoke unto me saying, 'I created 9/11 to test the champions of the rich and priveledged. You, Pat, are my prophet. Go verily and baptize Rudy and forgive his sins; and make a covenant with him; and annoint him as the new leader of the Chosen People. He IS the Anti-Christ that will herald the End of Days."
Of course, Rudy agreed with this assessment and gladly accepted the endorsement.
Sorry, not sure what happened with the link - let's try this: http://prezvid.com/2007/11/08/votervid-driver's-licenses-for-illegals/
BTW, for those of you who remember the infamous "Real Balls" ad from last summer, this is by the same Abrad2345 on YouTube.
You're right - this smacks of patent opportunism, which finally reveals Robertson in his true light.
In other Rudy vs. Hillary news, though, did you see the latest satirical take on a Giuliani ad - that calls out Hillary on the drivers license issue and raises an eyebrow at her association with Elliot Spitzer "that TYPE of New Yorker." LMAO. I saw it on PrezVid yesterday: http://prezvid.com/2007/11/08/votervid-driver’s-licenses-for-illegals/
Relentless champion of traditional marriage? So, how does Pat Robertson feel about cousins marrying? Just wondering.
Jim Wallis is one of the true, honest Christian leaders of our time. Richard Land, while I disagree with most of his issues, at least he has principles. Pat Robertson is a businessman. He just happens to use religion to make money. He is and always has been a phony, and now, he is showing the world what a phony he is.
It is right and proper for the Church to speak out if not plainly condemn Robertson. He is a fraud.
He is also a shrewd deceiver able to avoid criminal punishment for subverting Politics, Government and Religion.
Now included is his son, which shows exactly what a criminal family enterprise really can accomplish.
Anyone performing Healings through the TV screen should be arrested. I guess the political clout and office held by the elder Robertson of Virginia gives Pat standing in American oligarchy.
Obviously his penchance for re-igniting a Holy War against Islam supercedes any moral justifications he projected onto America's T.V. screens with a plea to fund his coffers.
He is a heretic. Who Would Jesus Bomb? No one.
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