Pat Robertson endorses pro-choice candidate Rudy Giuliani 
Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, whose positions on abortion and gay rights qualify him as the most socially liberal candidate in the GOP field, has received the endorsement of one of the nation's staunchest social conservatives -- Pat Robertson.
Robertson, the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, announced the endorsement Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
"To me, the overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the blood-lust of Islamic terrorists," said Robertson, with Giuliani standing beside him. "Our second goal should be the control of massive government waste and crushing federal deficits."
Robertson continued that his support was also predicated on the type of judges Giuliani would appoint as president:
"Upper-most in the minds of social conservatives," continued Robertson, "is the selection of future Supreme Court justices and lower court judges who will sit in both the federal circuit courts and the district courts."
Citing what he described as many dangers facing United States and the world, including a nuclear-armed North Korea, and the "foreboding of nuclear arms in Iran," the conservative leader said Giuliani was best prepared to face what he called a "deadly peril."
"In all the crises which confront our nation and our world, we need a leader with a bold vision who is not afraid to tackle the challenges ahead...today it is my pleasure to announce my support for America's mayor, Rudy Giuliani."
A Robertson endorsement was viewed as a key prize by many Republican presidential candidates, who are seeking to gain the backing of conservative evangelical voters.
According to the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, Wednesday's announcement is particularly bad news for a major Giuliani rival for the Republican nomination, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
"Romney had recently secured the backing of conservative stalwarts Paul Weyrich and Bob Jones III -- endorsements that seemed to strengthen his bid to become the electable conservative alternative to Giuliani," reports Cillizza. "Romney had made no secret of his desire for Robertson's endorsement and has to be disappointed this morning."
Accepting the endorsement, Giuliani said he was "very, very honored," and said Robertson's statements had well-articulated his foreign policy views and how he would appoint judges as president.
The following video is from CNN.com, broadcast on November 6, 2007.
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