Remember when Michael Weisskopf wrote in the Washington Post that evangelical Christians were "uneducated" and "easy to command"? That supposition will be put to the test by Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani, who has been to the left of George McGovern on social issues for most of his political career. I don't think the flock will follow the bad shepherd, but politics is full of surprises. John McCain, who boasts a pro-life voting record in the Senate but nevertheless rubs the likes of Robertson raw, noted: "Every once in a while, I'm left speechless. This is one of those times."

What a fraud!

I was tempted to headline it just that. I think "what a fraud!" is probably the natural reaction to Robertson.

There have been times that I really enjoyed Robertson's takes on things and his show. But his unwillingness to throw his support towards anyone more in line w/ even a minimum of Christian principles is stunning. At least Dobson and I think Colson (?) have a few times emphatically stated that he would never support a pro-abort like Giuliani.

The way that the religious right has gotten their thinking twisted up as regards our policies in the MidEast and the threat posed by radical Islamics is really sad. There are very clear and reasonable ways that we can deal w/ those problems w/o having to compromise on basic (and non-negotiable) Christian principles regarding the culture war.

Outside of Billy Graham, isn't is common for these Evangelical leaders to demonstrate quirky behavior? Most all of them appear to be eccentric and not particularly Christian.

Much like Rudy Guliani.

Now this is starting to make sense.

I wonder if we err in equating Robertson with the "religious right." He is one guy. Granted, he is one guy who has his face on television a lot. But, among evangelicals who I have known, both Dobson and the late Rev. Falwell were admired much more. I think by virtue of his television network, running for president, and organizing the Christian Coalition out of the ashes of the Moral Majority, Robertson garners a great deal of attention. But I wonder if these moves were done out of an attraction to power rather than a committment to principle.