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Posted: November 7, 2007 12:49 PM
Pat Robertson Endorses Giuliani for President
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Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani scored an influential endorsement on Wednesday from conservative leader Pat Robertson that could help ease concerns among Christian conservatives wary of Giuliani’s stance on social issues by propping up his focus on global terrorism.

“To me, the overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the bloodlust of Islamic terrorists,” Robertson said during his announcement at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. “Our second goal should be the control of massive government waste and crushing federal deficits. Upper most in the minds of social conservatives is a selection of future Supreme Court justices and lower court judges who will sit in both the federal circuit courts and the district courts.”

Throughout his campaign, Giuliani has focused on his leadership strengths and his determination to stand tough against terrorists, while downplaying his differences with many Republican voters on social issues such as gay rights and abortion.

Robertson, a Christian televangelist who launched his own bid for the Republican nomination in 1988, is the founder and chairman of The Christian Broadcasting Network. He is host of the popular “700 Club” and his endorsement - while unclear how much of a sway it will carry - was highly-sought after among the Republican candidates.

“I thought it was important for me to make it clear that Rudy Giuliani is more than acceptable to people of faith,” Robertson said in an interview with The Washington Post’s The Fix after the endorsement. “Given the fractured nature of the process, I thought it was time to solidify around one candidate.”

Last month, the Giuliani camp suffered after a group of conservative leaders said they would support a third-party candidate if Giuliani won the GOP nomination. The Robertson support seems to soften that blow.

“I am very encouraged by Pat’s support,” Giuliani said. “His confidence in me means a lot. His experience and advice will be a great asset to me and my campaign.”

The rest of this week will include a swing through the early voting states starting with a visit to his campaign headquarters in West Columbia, S.C. on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday he will campaign in Dubuque, Cedar Falls and Ames, Iowa before heading to Las Vegas, Nev.