The Robertson Effect

I was somewhat surprised to hear the news that Rudy Giuliani had been endorsed as a Presidential candidate by, of all people, Rev. Pat Robertson. Many of Rudy's supporters seemed to hail this as a watershed turning point in the campaign. Some, such as prominent supporter Dennis Miller, believe this might just sew up the nomination for the Republican candidate.

I do not pretend to be able to prognosticate the result of this event with any degree of accuracy. I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet. Some conservative commentators have reacted by writing or saying that Robertson has "sold his soul" or entered into a "Faustian bargain," by endorsing Rudy. I am not sure I could level that kind of criticism at Robertson. However, I do question his thinking and his objectives in this endorsement.

For one thing, it seems that Robertson risks substantially alienating most of those who follow his lead. How much influence and following he has at this point in time is debatable. It is certainly not near the peak of support he enjoyed in the 80's and 90's. It would not appear to be a very savvy move if he wished to garner more support than he has now. Another thing seems certain; Robertson can't believe (can he?!) that this will bring more liberal viewers to his side. He could endorse a candidate far more liberal than Rudy and still remain noxious to any real liberal.

I for one am not a fan of Rudy's. I prefer a more consistent conservative candidate who has both his personal and public values in line with what is good, right and true. I haven't yet decided if anyone fulfills that ideal as yet, though there are a couple of possibilities on the Republican side, and none on the Democratic side. For my part, I do see one "positive" about this unusual endorsement. It could actually have the effect of reducing Rudy's support among conservative voters when Robertson is trying to explain why he is endorsing a pro-abortion, pro-gun control candidate who can't keep marital promises on the basis of a promise that he will only appoint conservative judges to the bench.

However, it could also prove to push Rudy closer to a lock on the nomination. If that proves to be the case, it will show me that the Republicans are just that much closer to losing credibility among the faithful faith-based conservatives that have helped them in the past to gain the White House. It would indeed be ironic if the endorsement of a man of faith accomplished the retreat of the faithful from the ranks of the GOP.

IJHN,
LEE