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Robertson and Rudy: Does it Matter?
November 07, 2007 11:15 AM
It’s an open question whether Pat Robertson’s endorsement will do more to help Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign - or to call into question Robertson’s own credibility among a substantial number of evangelical white Protestants.
Giuliani clearly could use help in this core Republican group. He only runs about evenly with John McCain and Fred Thompson among evangelicals in the latest ABC/Post poll, while holding a 20-point lead among all other Republicans and Republican-leaning independents.
It may matter: Evangelical white Protestants account for nearly three in 10 leaned Republicans, and their motivation and cohesiveness can make them a dominant force particularly in low-turnout primaries.
Evangelical white Protestants, who predominate in the South, are not a natural affinity group for Giuliani, himself a Catholic from New York. But the real stumbling block is on social policy: Giuliani supports gay civil unions and legal abortion; among Republican evangelicals, 73 percent and 70 percent, respectively, oppose these.
It seems a stretch to suppose that evangelicals would surrender deeply held policy positions on the basis of Robertson’s endorsement, or anyone’s. There does look to be some room for Giuliani: In a poll we did in June, 76 percent of evangelical Republicans said his position on abortion and civil unions made them less likely to support him, but fewer – 47 percent – said there was “no chance” of it. Still, that also means Robertson is backing a candidate whom nearly half of Republican evangelicals have flatly ruled out. (On another issue, last winter 44 percent of Republican evangelicals said they'd be less likely to support a candidate who's been divorced twice, as has Giuliani.)
Perhaps a better question is how much personal endorsements matter at all. Sam Brownback (whose own support for the nomination peaked at 2 percent before he bailed out of the race) lined up behind McCain today. More will follow, all duly hailed by the honored candidate and reported as news. Some endorsements indeed may matter – if, as with some unions, they offer at least the prospect (if not always the reality) of disciplined organizations at the foot-solider level.
As for others, well, we just might keep in mind what Al Gore did for Howard Dean.
See the rest of our coverage of today's endorsements on the Political Radar, on Jake Tapper's blog, and in this piece on Brownback.
November 7, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (5)
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Christians are going to be simply "appalled" at the choice of Pat Robertson.
They will not take his lead.
They will take the Lead of Jesus Christ.
They will vote for the more conservative candidate with the life that matters and the leadership to hold this country together.
That candidate is the honorable Senator John McCain.
Posted by: Theresa | Nov 7, 2007 7:50:41 PM
i am simply angry that a supposed man of god would support a man for president who does not even know the constitution of the united states of america or who can not distinguish the difference between a nation and a handfull of angry men that attacked us on 911.if this is what our nation has become maybe we should form another heh.
Posted by: DENNIS LEE | Nov 8, 2007 7:44:29 AM
Someone has dirt on Pat Robertson. That is the only way that this endorsement of anti-gun, cross-dressing Rudy makes any sense. I wonder what is on that video that Pat is so worried about?
Posted by: Doug K | Nov 8, 2007 12:47:32 PM
These user comments are just ridiculous! A "life that matters", "The leadership to hold this country together"....??? Huh? I'm sorry, but has everyone listened to John McCain waiver on Gay rights as well.....? If indeed you want someone who really stays true to what the bible claims as fact about homosexuality, and about family values, then why would the christians vote for anyone that has a "Gray" viewpoint toward anything. John McCain.......is very much in the grey! The fact is, Pat Robertson gainned my respect when he gave his support to Giuliani. I think even Pat realizes that due to the times we are living in we really need someone who is confidant in his point of view, but also diplomatic with the people. John McCain is by no means a definative leader! I guess if you want real family values....vote for the real extremist..ALAN KEYS.(LOL) God help us!!! AND, has EVERYONE LOST THEIR MINDS? I mean, we live in a country where we have the FREEDOM OF RELIGION!!! Why is it that CHRISTIANS feel they have right to demand that our country is lead by they're personal values ONLY!!??? I am truely baffled by this narrow minded agenda.
Posted by: Regan Adair | Nov 8, 2007 2:36:27 PM
lets see...show up at a national tragedy and say the right words... now everyone thinks your a leader cause you reacted properly...what a bunch of idiots...they deserve Rudy just like they deserved Bush jr.
Posted by: seyour butz | Nov 10, 2007 11:53:30 PM
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