November 07, 2007
WH '08: 9/11 Really Did Change Everything
In an anticipated but nonetheless stunning development, televangelist Pat Robertson has endorsed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for president.
"For months I have contemplated our future and the outstanding group of men who are offering themselves to the Republican Party to be its standard-bearer in the 2008 presidential election. Today, it is my pleasure to announce my support for a mayor, America's mayor, Rudy Giuliani, and a proven leader, who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans," Robertson announced at a campaign press conference.
The controversial Christian right leader had been courted heavily by the Republican candidates. Mitt Romney delivered the May commencement address at Robertson's Regent University, and John McCain apologized to Robertson for grouping him with the "agents of intolerance" in the evangelical community after his failed 2000 presidential bid.
"Sometimes you say things in anger that you don't mean," the Arizona senator explained in a March interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network.
Robertson had made it clear that all was not forgiven, declaring on several occasions that McCain would never win his vote. Romney, however, was thought to have an actual shot. Robertson hadn't gone on the record criticizing the former Massachusetts governor's Mormon faith, even though it's considered by some evangelicals to be a cult.
Observers may describe this coup for Giuliani as a game-changing moment in Republican electoral politics. They might be overstating things a bit.
Though Robertson's decision will be interpreted as a sign that Romney's religion was just too big a hurdle, it is equally if not more likely that 9/11 put Giuliani over the top.
"To me, the overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the bloodlust of Islamic terrorists," Robertson declared. "Our world faces deadly peril: nuclear-armed North Korea and the foreboding of nuclear arms in Iran, deadly violence from Hamas and Hezbollah against Israel, the possible overthrow of Pakistan’s government, and drawn-out wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Robertson often frames the war on terrorism as a clash of religions. To say that this has landed him in hot water isn't entirely accurate, because while media watchdogs may pounce, he isn't exactly wanting for followers. As far as we can tell, he still hasn't apologized for agreeing that 9/11 was brought on by "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians" -- though the author of that quote, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, did -- and he continues to say borderline nutso things about gays and Muslims, including that none should serve in the U.S. Cabinet.
"I am very, very honored by this endorsement," a beaming Giuliani said following Robertson's endorsement. "Pat Robertson is a very well-known leader, a person of great, well-deserved reputation."
Giuliani also described Robertson as a person who "understands I think to a very large extent what America is all about, and has very well articulated what are the overriding issues of our time, dealing with the Islamic terrorist war against us."
Don't be surprised if Hizzoner is forced to eventually eat those words if he wins the nomination. Though Giuliani has been the most rhetorically forceful on the threat of Islamic terrorism in the top tier, there is little to indicate that he shares Robertson's extreme views of Muslims, feminists, gays and sundry other groups. Yet the evangelist and fitness guru isn't the only member of Team Giuliani with a seeming record of intolerance. The many Republicans who affiliate themselves with Giuliani because of his moderate social views -- and trust us, they exist -- have reason to question where this run to the right is taking their candidate.
In other endorsement news, White House '08 dropout Sam Brownback threw his lot behind McCain today. McCain has long been pro-life and otherwise socially conservative, though not nearly as vocal about it as Brownback and his current GOP rivals. Brownback assailed Romney as a flip-flopper during his short-lived presidential campaign, though for a minute it appeared that he might be able to live with Giuliani's assurances that he would only appoint "strict constructionist" judges. The choice of McCain could well be a nod to Senate collegiality and the one-time maverick Republican's resurging viability in national polls. Or maybe Brownback just couldn't live with Giuliani's record after all.
Photo Illustration: Reuben Dalke
Posted at 12:45 PM
Posted to:
Abortion, Campaigns, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Republicans, Rudy Giuliani, Sam Brownback, WH 2008
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