Rev. Pat Robertson endorses Rudy Giuliani, despite abortion stance

[carrie721]

sweet. cuz i needed one more reason to not vote for ****face 9/11 attention whore giuliani.

Newsday.com
Rev. Pat Robertson endorses Rudy Giuliani, despite abortion stance

BY CRAIG GORDON

[email protected]

10:34 AM EST, November 7, 2007

WASHINGTON

Rudy Giuliani Wednesday morning won the endorsement of the Rev. Pat Robertson, one of the evangelical Christian movement's most recognizable leaders, who said he put aside his differences with Giuliani over abortion because he believes the ex-mayor will appoint staunchly conservative judges.

Robertson also said he is backing Giuliani because "to me, the overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the bloodlust of Islamic terrorists. . . . We need a leader with a bold vision who is not afraid to tackle the challenges ahead."

Robertson said he was willing to overlook Giulani's pro-abortion rights stance because he takes him at his word that he will appoint "strict constructionist" judges to the Supreme Court and federal bench –- a widely accepted term for judges likely to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling.

Robertson's endorsement is a coup for Giuliani, who has struggled to convince conservative Christian leaders that he would be an acceptable Republican nominee despite his long-standing support of abortion rights and gay rights, plus his somewhat messy personal life.

"Having him aboard gives us a great deal of confidence because he has a tremendous amount of insight into what the main issues are and how they should be dealt with. His advice is invaluable and his friendship is even more invaluable," Giuliani said at a news conference here.

Robertson is a pioneering figure in the Christian conservative movement, but he has been controversial at times, particularly in the days after 9/11 when he appeared to endorse comments by the Rev. Jerry Falwell that the attacks were brought on by a decadent society.

Robertson himself ran for president in 1988. He denied that he was picking Giuliani solely because he thought he had the best chance of beating Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, but acknowledged the importance of having a Republican who can do so -- a key Giuliani argument to sway wavering conservatives.

In effect, Robertson Wednesday is embracing an argument that some social conservative voters have used in supporting Giuliani –- that defending the nation from terrorists is as important if not more important than issue of outlawing abortion. Some conservatives also believe the main way the next president will affect abortion is not through legislation but by appointing judges who will overturn it.

Robertson said he had not specifically quizzed Giuliani on overturning Roe. v. Wade, but believes that Giuliani would follow through on his pledge to appoint justices in the model of Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia.

Robertson also cited Giuliani's fiscal conservatism, saying he considered the second priority for the next president to be to "control the massive government waste and crushing federal deficits."

It wasn't clear exactly how active Robertson will be in helping Giuliani's campaign, or how much influence he has over social conservative voters, though he still has his "700 Club" television show that could serve as a powerful platform for pro-Giuliani statements by Robertson. The endorsement is a blow to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who had courted Robertson as part of his effort to win over social conservatives and appeared at his Regent University earlier this year, as did Giuliani.

But Robertson's move also signals that evangelical Christian leaders are dividing their support this year, and therefore perhaps weakening their ability to help pick the nominee. Another prominent leader, Paul Weyrich, endorsed Romney this week.

In other news, Giuliani also said he has asked two House Republicans who are supporting him – Rep. Peter King of Long Island, and Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas -- to consider submitting legislation that would prevent states from giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, as New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer wants to do.

[SortaSavageLike]

Hold on a second.

Rudy almost had a goddamned conniption fit during the first Republican debate when it seemed like Ron Paul vaguely suggested that American foreign policy had something to do with 9/11.

Now he's being endorsed by someone who believes that American had angered God on 9/11 and deserved to be punished. Yeah, that makes perfect sense to me!

[JazmenFlowers]

"Having him aboard gives us a great deal of confidence because he has a tremendous amount of insight into what the main issues are and how they should be dealt with. His advice is invaluable and his friendship is even more invaluable," Giuliani said at a news conference here.

are you ****ing kidding me?

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by SortaSavageLike

Hold on a second.

Rudy almost had a goddamned conniption fit during the first Republican debate when it seemed like Ron Paul vaguely suggested that American foreign policy had something to do with 9/11.

Now he's being endorsed by someone who believes that American had angered God on 9/11 and deserved to be punished. Yeah, that makes perfect sense to me!

dude. don't try to ascribe logic to what they do. there is none.

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

"Having him aboard gives us a great deal of confidence because he has a tremendous amount of insight into what the main issues are and how they should be dealt with. His advice is invaluable and his friendship is even more invaluable," Giuliani said at a news conference here.

are you ****ing kidding me?

i know. the idea of anyone using PR as their moral compass scares the **** out of me.

[carrie721]

just posted on huffingtonpost:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trevor...d_b_71594.html

Televangelist Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign is a bizarre moment for both. Giuliani, desperate to prove himself in the primary, has embraced people -- and values -- he despises. Robertson, desperate to stay relevant, has thrown aside the values that he holds most dear.

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Hypocrisy can be confusing, so let us review the facts...

Giuliani is a presidential candidate because people liked how he looked after September 11th.

Robertson said that Americans deserved what happened on September 11th because "We have sinned against Almighty God, at the highest level of our government, we've stuck our finger in your eye."

Giuliani is known to enjoy dressing up as a woman in drag -- and has done so in public and on national television.

Robertson once called for a ban on Halloween, saying "I think we ought to close Halloween down. Do you want your children to dress up as witches? The Druids used to dress up like this when they were doing human sacrifice."

Giuliani is pro-choice and made personal donations to Planned Parenthood throughout the 90's.

Robertson has said that Planned Parenthood "is teaching kids to fornicate, teaching people to have adultery, every kind of bestiality, homosexuality, lesbianism -- everything that the Bible condemns."

And today, Robertson said that he is endorsing Giuliani becase he "has proven time and time again that he is a social conservative."

All across America, right wing evangelicals must be scratching their heads and asking themselves what it means to be a social conservative. Drag queens in our nations bars are wondering if they qualify. Kids in right wing households are hoping that this means they can haul in some candy next Halloween. And voters are realizing that Rudy Giuliani will do anything to be elected president.

[mikeschmike]

And voters are realizing that Rudy Giuliani will do anything to be elected president.

Which is secondary only to repubs joining together to make sure that Hillary stays out the the white house. "Anyone but Hillary" is the new "anyone but Bush" y/n?

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mikeschmike

Which is secondary only to repubs joining together to make sure that Hillary stays out the the white house. "Anyone but Hillary" is the new "anyone but Bush" y/n?

yeah well, that bitch wanted socialized medicine back in the 90's! socialized goddamn medicine! burn her! burn herrrrrrrr!

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by carrie721

yeah well, that bitch wanted socialized medicine back in the 90's! socialized goddamn medicine! burn her! burn herrrrrrrr!

Yeah, pinko commie bitch!

[gldstwmn]

These two are a match made in heaven. Pardon the pun.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

These two are a match made in heaven. Pardon the pun.

yeah. principle-free attention whores unite! sadly i think he's a shoe-in for the nomination.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by carrie721

yeah. principle-free attention whores unite! sadly i think he's a shoe-in for the nomination.

I don't know if Robertson's endorsement is enough to win over the fundie vote for Giuliani. A group of them were threatening to go off and start a third party because Rudy is pro choice and is friendly with the gay community. If it's going to be Rudy v. Hillary in the general then the Dems should have an easy time of it.

[markolas]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

If it's going to be Rudy v. Hillary in the general then the Dems should have an easy time of it.

Oh, she'll wipe the floor with him. At least she can make you think she's not a schmuck long enough to vote for her.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by markolas

Oh, she'll wipe the floor with him. At least she can make you think she's not a schmuck long enough to vote for her.

True. But I also think that people are liking the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House no matter in no matter what capacity.

[goldustsongbird]

Americans!