Pat Robertson, of 700 Club fame, has now endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President, reversing his positions from just a few weeks ago when he stated that he wouldn’t be doing so since Rudy is dead wrong on abortion.

Aides to the former New York mayor—who were also dealing last week with fallout from the indictment of Giuliani’s former police commissioner—said that last week’s endorsement proved Giuliani enjoys broad support and that even social conservatives would embrace him despite his liberal stands on abortion rights, gay rights, and gun control.

For his part, Robertson, the former presidential candidate who founded the once mighty Christian Coalition, said the main issue isn’t Giuliani’s views on social policy but his perceived ability to stop the “bloodlust of Islamic terrorists.” Robertson also said Giuliani would appoint conservative judges, reduce crime, and limit federal spending.

Says Randy Brinson, an evangelical leader: “I think people still respect him [Robertson], but he doesn’t have the political sway he’s had in the past, given some of the outlandish statements he’s made.” Among those statements, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, was his comment that God was “lifting his protection from us” because of grave moral lapses. Like others who know Robertson, Brinson said the endorsement of Giuliani was a reflection of “who he thinks will win.”

But many Christian conservative voters, while they admire Giuliani’s toughness and his strength on the national-security issue, remain deeply distressed by his liberal views. And many won’t back him no matter what their leaders say, according to GOP pollsters and consultants.

Now, let me be clear.  If the choice is between Rudy or Hillary, I’ll vote for Rudy, because I believe at least we won’t be taken over by radical Islamists (or for that matter, all us Christians won’t wind up in gulags under a Giuliani administration.)  That said, it’ll be one of those “hold your nose and vote” situations…voting for one to keep the other out of office.  Robertson’s position seemed originally to be just that – not endorsing Rudy because he’s pro-abortion.  I like the fact that he’ll appoint strict-constructionist judges, but that’s just a campaign promise.

Look, maybe it would’ve made the most sense for Robertson to have endorsed no one in the primaries, and waiting until it was just between two candidates.  Then it wouldn’t look so much like Robertson had sacrificed his life-issues values.  And, of course, we must wonder how much weight Robertson’s endorsement has these days anyhow.

Oh yes, and let’s all hope Rudy doesn’t try to take Communion at a Catholic Church during this campaign.

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