RFFM.org Commentary by Daniel T. Zanoza, National Director
On Wednesday, Christian Broadcasting Network founder, Pat Robertson (photo), gave Rudy Giuliani his endorsement in the race for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Robertson's announcement came as a surprise to many political observers who believe the TV evangelist's position on social issues were not compatible with those of the former New York Mayor.
Giuliani graciously accepted Robertson's endorsement. Robertson said the most important issues facing America were terrorism and the defeat of Democrats. Robertson's backing of Giuliani also came as a shock to the other men seeking the GOP's presidential nomination. However, under further scrutiny, Robertson's announcement made perfect sense--for reasons other than politics.
In 1998, Pat Robertson stunned the nation when he won the Michigan primary in his own bid to gain the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Robertson ultimately lost out to the eventual nominee and future president, George H. W. Bush. But, it is safe to say, Robertson was at the pinnacle of his political influence in America at that time. In recent years, Robertson's influence with the so-called religious right has waned. Indeed the only time the dominant media pays attention to the evangelical leader is after Robertson makes a controversial statement.
The Republican Party itself has deferred less and less to Robertson during the presidency of George H. Bush and he was quickly fading from political relevance in America. I believe Robertson's endorsement of Giuliani is nothing more than a sad attempt to regain the public spotlight. After Robertson's press conference on Wednesday, his name was mentioned on every major news network and political talk show. The press saw Robertson's backing of Giuliani as a major development within conservative politics. But nothing could be further from the truth. Robertson's decision to endorse Giuliani merely proved the views of the former Christian leader are practically irrelevant among social conservatives.
Robertson has sacrificed many of the issues he claimed to fight for in his attempt to, once again, bask in the public limelight. Giuliani supports abortion rights, supports homosexual "marriage" and is a strong opponent of Second Amendment rights. Robertson seems willing to overlook all of these "flaws" within the former New York Mayor's political character, in order to do what? To get his name on the lips of the media just one more time. It is a sad statement about what motivates some men.
However, there may be another reason behind the obvious madness regarding Robertson's endorsement. If Giuliani were to garner the nomination and went on to win the White House, the founder of "The 700 Club" would obviously find himself in a great position with the new President. Indeed Robertson, in such a scenario, might be the only leader of the so-called religious right to be on Giuliani's short list of political favorites. But I believe this is a reach of the most serious folly by Robertson. In the first place, Giuliani will never win the presidency without the full-fledged support of the conservative base within the GOP and he will never get that support. If Giuliani does not win the presidency, Robertson's position among religious conservatives will fall greatly, to say the least.
It is sad when an athlete stays on past their prime. The same can be said about public figures who, in the attempt to stay relevant, essentially turn on their life's work and tarnish their legacy.
As an ordained minister, perhaps Pat Robertson should think more about being true to himself and the God he serves than worry about his ego and public persona. Robertson's decision will not help Rudy Giuliani's bid to gain the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Indeed Robertson may have energized those who believe Giuliani would be the worst thing to happen to the social conservative movement in America. I think they are right.
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