Pat Robertson Dumped Mitt Romney By The Seesaw
Yesterday was a rough day for former governor Mitt Romney. The insecure presidential candidate found out he wouldn’t have a lock on televangelist endorsements, with 700 Club host Pat Robertson endorsing Rudy Giuliani. Yes, pro-choice, gay-rights supporting former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani.
We can only imagine the silent tears that fell from our former governor’s eyes as he watched a potential endorsement walk into the front runner’s camp. Even John McCain is stunned.
Asked about the Robertson endorsement, McCain, at a news conference with [Kansas Senator Sam] Brownback in Dubuque, Iowa, said: “Every once in a while, I’m left speechless.”
So are we, John. So are we.
But maybe we shouldn’t be so shocked by Robertson’s choice, since Giuliani took a page from the Romney campaign’s playbook to get it. By positioning himself as a paragon of moral decency, Romney convinced both Paul Weyrich and Bob Jones III to overlook his Mormonism, which is his biggest liability to conservative Christian voters.
It would have been stupid for Giuliani to try to woo Robertson with his position on social issues Instead, Giuliani reminded Robertson of how he cleaned up New York City and led during a time of crisis.
From the Giuliani camp’s press release:
“It is my pleasure to announce my support for America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, a proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans,” said Pat Robertson. “Rudy Giuliani took a city that was in decline and considered ungovernable and reduced its violent crime, revitalized its core, dramatically lowered its taxes, cut through a welter of bureaucratic regulations, and did so in the spirit of bipartisanship which is so urgently needed in Washington today.”
Don’t be sad, Mitt. Just remember that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and that Giuliani beat you at your own game. And, hey, we haven’t heard anything about Jim Bakker having endorsed anyone yet. Keep hope alive, or something.
