My reaction? Yeah, right, whatever.
WASHINGTON —Fox- [1]Evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson on Wednesday endorsed former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has struggled to bridge with conservatives some of his socially moderate policy positions on abortion and gay rights.
The endorsement is a coup for the Giuliani campaign, especially after opponent Mitt Romney recently racked up two major endorsements from social conservatives.
Robertson on Wednesday said Giuliani is the best candidate to handle the War on Terror. He said Giuliani understands the need for a conservative judiciary, and that he is a “true fiscal conservative” who is tough on crime.
Look, I’m a white, Christian social conservative. But frankly I find Robertson offensive. His presuming to make judgments on political matters for me and mine based on a shared faith is outright offensive to me. Robertson’s presumtion, it seems to me, is based on the assumption of having authority within the Christian world… authority that he does not have… as should have clearly been demonstrated to him by the margin by which he lost the election he attempted.
I’m not convinced such presumptions… and such endorsements by him, (or anyone in a similar situation) are good for America, or are good for Chistianity. And let’s be truthful, here… He’s not making these pronouncements and having them blasted across the news media because he’s Citizen Robertson, as I might be. He’s got that podium, for good or ill because the press identifies him as being a religious leader. First, that he is most assuredly not. But of greater import, what does that have to do with what he’s making pronouncements on, here?
And why did Robertson decide to endorse Rudy? He’s winning the race, just now. THere are implications there which will explain much of my discomfort.
Yes, I’m quite aware there are those who will point to Jesse Jackson as doing the same thing on the opposite side. Well, I don’t think his influence beneficial, either, and for the same reasons.
There is authority… and there is abuse of authority. Follow that line of thinking and you’ll see where I’m going.