Faith

Does Pat Robertson Think the 2012 GOP Candidates’ Stated Views Are Too Extreme?

Famed Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson had some tough words this morning for Republican presidential candidates and their supporters.

While speaking on the air on CBN’s “The 700 Club,” he said that GOP candidates are being pushed into positions that they won’t be able to successfully defend in the 2012 general election.

This comment is especially intriguing because Robertson, himself, was once a GOP presidential contender. Also, the famous religious broadcaster recently claimed that he will no longer be making political endorsements.

One wonders if he has dissatisfaction with the GOP or if his views have moderated over time — or, perhaps he’s just trying to give quality advice to the candidates about how to win back the White House. Either way, his comments are interesting. Here’s a transcript:

“Those people in the Republican primary have got to lay off this stuff. They’re forcing their leaders — the frontrunners — into positions that will mean they will lose the general election…

You‘ll appeal to the narrow base and they’ll applaud the daylights out of what you‘re saying and then you hit the general election and they say ’no way’ and then the Democrat — whoever it is — is going to just play these statements to the hills.”

Watch these comments, below (starting at 4:50):

After Robertson goes on to state his fears about the general election, he discusses the “amendment” that Ronald Reagan popularized: “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.” After lamenting the GOP candidates’ ongoing infighting, he says:

“They’ve got to stop this. It’s just so counterproductive. Well, if they want to lose. This is the game for losers.”

Interestingly, Right Wing Watch (RWR) covered Robertson’s comments about the candidates, writing, “When even Pat Robertson thinks the Republican Party has shifted too far to the right, you know there is a problem.”

But RWR also did something somewhat (and I emphasize somewhat) suspect, as the group spliced together Robertson’s comments about appealing to the base with his statement that “this is a game for losers” (thus cutting out the portion about the infighting). The Blaze caught discrepancy this when reviewing the original RWR video.

While Robertson’s latter comment (i.e. “losing game”) likely included his thoughts on the candidates’ potential troubles in the general election, splicing the two together makes it seem like the only issue he sees as leading the candidates toward potential defeat is a move too far to the right. This isn’t accurate, seeing as he was clearly speaking about other behaviors as well.

A slight difference, of course, in terms of editing — but one worth noting. To be fair, on the RWR web site, an ellipsis does indicate a gap in the transcription.

Below, watch RWR‘s version of Robertson’s comments:

Comments (92)

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  • watchingandwaiting
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:39pm

    I’m thinking Pat Robertson has alzheimers.

    Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 7:56pm

      I think he needs to read his Bible.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • theaveng
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 8:52pm

      I think Christianity has been dominated by politics (not the Bible) ever since it was chosen as the official state religion circa 300 A.D. The Bishop of the church (renamed Pope) became a political position appointed by the Emperor, and continued to be a political position throughout the dark ages & into the modern age….. more interested in holding onto power than godliness.

      Report Post »  
    • Half2day
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:55pm

      If he has alzheimer’s, maybe his wife should leave him.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:56pm

      I thought I’d never agree with anything Pat Robertson said. Who is he talking about? Perry with the birther comments? He’s too old to support Cain. Romney is being careful not to say anything too stupid, although he looked like a rich, pretentious jerk in the debate. Bachmann, she’s out regardless. I guess he’s talking about Perry.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Zorro6821
      Posted on October 25, 2011 at 7:19am

      I have to agree with Pat Robertson on this one. I do find that the push to the extreme right does indeed alienate the general populace. The message I get from the republicans is more war, more greed and screw the 1%. Ron Paul for 2012!!

      Report Post »  
    • riverdog1
      Posted on October 25, 2011 at 2:00pm

      pat was born with alzheimers

      Report Post »  
  • suz
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:35pm

    i agree wholeheartedly w/robertson and quite surprised at his intellectual honesty here, he being such a man of G-d.

    herman cain HAS been pushed and absolutely flipped on abortion. his first response to that question weeks ago was a good one — he should have stuck to it.

    “i don‘t believe i’m anyone who can make that decision for any one else.”

    now he’s “abortion should be illegal” BUT “if you get an abortion you’d be breaking the law.”

    THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. herman fix this!

    Report Post » suz  
    • timeout
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:09pm

      ya know my name is suz.

      Report Post »  
    • timeout
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:09pm

      my name is suz

      Report Post »  
    • Hyroller36
      Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:30am

      Don’t you people listen to what Mr. Cain said? He is against abortion. But the question was asked of him what he would do if someone in his family became pregnant as a result of rape or incest? To that he replied, “that is a family matter”, not for the president to decide. Now let me ask you, what would
      you do if someone in your family was raped ? Listen to what he said and not how the media has taken what he said out of context.

      Report Post »  
  • db321
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:33pm

    Pat is the view pretty good from the Cheep Seats – The Tea is electing people that will cut the budget – stop the spending – and vote to end Gov Regulations on Business.

    Report Post » db321  
  • M.C. Bakke
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:26pm

    I understand what Pat is saying, but aren’t we all tired of political calculations instead of principle. I want candidate too forcefully and honestly state their positions and ariticulate their principles. We often assume voters aren’t smart enough to understand conservative principles so candidates water down their positions so much they become indistinguishable from the pack. Enough already…
    http://www.ruinsofthefall.blogspot.com

    Report Post »  
    • LibertyGoddess
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:32pm

      No, no, no. We get a candidate that can win the moderate vote. We cannot win the general election anymore without them and extreme left or right will NOT win them. We put someone like Mitt in who can win the general election and we fill his cabinet with staunch conservatives and tea party members…enough said. Evangelicals are going to lose this election for us like they did with last time (Huckabee shenanigans).

      Report Post » LibertyGoddess  
  • Bronco II
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:21pm

    I don’t listen to any preachers I go by GODS WORD and it has all the problem solving tips for my life.I sleep good at night.I pray I repent and I praise GOD and my LORD JESUS CHRIST and thank GOD for his unmerited favor he shows me each and every day.Even my Pastor I study with will say don‘t listen to him or any other man get into GODS WORD and learn for yourself and if you don’t understand something ask GOD for WISDOM and he will give it to you without any confusion at all. I have learned so much and most of his word is common sense and laws and things we still many of us go by still today.If most of the men of the cloth really studied his letter he wrote us wouldn’t be preaching the FLY AWAY DOCTRINE.

    Report Post » Bronco II  
  • ZengaPA65
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:21pm

    Pat’s an expert on losing elections.

    Report Post » ZengaPA65  
    • comsense08
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:05pm

      Yes, he needs to stick with what God has lead him to do, I‘m rather certain by this latest statement it isn’t politics!

      Report Post »  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:12pm

    One has to wonder what exactly people gain from Catholicism confession? I see No‘e whereby No’e came down from the wine and he realized what his children had done unto him. What wine was making him drunk? Oh I know, the wine from lies and deceit, and pain from mistakes – wrong turns. And water is the truth. Therefore one has to wonder what exactly people get from confession, when they confess to a priest and then therefore they think they are forgiven. If they dismiss the thing they did wrong, then are they making wine? Are they making the good-wine? Are they making wine for the Lord, whereby the Lord can drink the wine and send down our daily bread? Or is it more a case of many priests don’t like the water they themselves have to drink, and so they like it when people come in to confess their own sins, because it becomes like “Wine” to the priest? And then the confessor actually gets nothing in return, and thus the Paps of the Lord’s wife no longer give suck, and the womb becomes barren?

    Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:21pm

      Of course it isn’t just Catholics in that Lutherans do the same thing and even others. I always find it fascinating how close the name Luther is to Lucifer. Almost like Lucifer rejects God’s authority, and Luther rejected the Roman Catholic’s authority.

      Report Post »  
    • ThoreauHD
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:21pm

      You’ve apparently never been to confession. Also, you apparently don’t know that confession is a Catholic, not a Protestant Sacrament.

      And guess what Pat Pobertson is knucklehead.

      Report Post » ThoreauHD  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:23pm

      It’s almost as if the Roman Catholic Church is the home of the beast that was, and isn’t, yet is?

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:46pm

      So therefore the power of the Dragon is: the power to steal yours and the Lord’s wine (your soul), and National and International banks do the same thing. How does that make the Lord feel? I think your going to find out.

      Report Post »  
    • comsense08
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:07pm

      What?

      Report Post »  
    • GeorgieBaby
      Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:23am

      Once again the “intellectual elite” that post anti-(insert religion here) statements pollute real discussion and dialogue. You probably think you are “ministering” to us.

      I will defend anyone of any faith who share common values, principles, and walks peaceably among men. This includes being a peacemaker in these discussion forums. Love is at the root of this type of behavior, and your post was full of spite and disrespect for something that a religion holds as a sacred ordinance.

      Your “ministry” is not one that is one that makes peace.

      Report Post »  
  • Founding Father2
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:12pm

    Everyone knows Ron Paul is very extreme in his positions but he does have some good ideas. He was on a Sunday school and gave some fairly good responses to the interviewers questions: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/oct/paul_interview_mtp.html

    Report Post »  
  • Sicboy
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:04pm

    I don’t believe very many of us care what Pat thinks. Other then Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

    Report Post » Sicboy  
  • baxter999
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:02pm

    Robertson probably ought to retire. Recently he advised divorcing to avoid the inconvenience of caring for an ill spouse. Real classy. Now he criticizes other Republicans for …(wait for it) criticizing other Republicans. And he advises candidates to lie about their real beliefs to fool the electorate into voting for a conservative. What a shame as Robertson used to be a reliable voice of conservatism.

    Report Post »  
    • Hyroller36
      Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:43am

      Once again you totally took what Pat Robertson said out of context. I listened to the program, he was answering a question from a viewer and his answer was for a specific persons situation. It was only meant for that one person. If you would have listened to his explanation of why he said what he said, you would know he did not mean for everyone to go out and divorce a mate because of an illness. If we would all listen to what a person is really saying and not take things out of context we would be a lot more knowledgable.

      Report Post »  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:51pm

    Pat Robertson is an embarrassment to Christianity. Pat Robertson is on one end of the spectrum and
    Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton are on the other end. Just a bunch of greedy money grubbing
    no counts.

    Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:01pm

      Let us not listen to Pat, lest we end up with a moderate (no spine) republican candidate again. How about we read some Bible, and then vote with the candidate that best coincides with Biblical principles.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • riverdog1
      Posted on October 25, 2011 at 2:04pm

      i agree, sharpton, robertson, j.jackson all the same. pats a little more senile than the others but still the same bunch of hucksters.

      Report Post »  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:41pm

    As a Christian, Pat Robertson is embarrassing. Who cares what he thinks. He is one end of the
    spectrum and Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton are on the other end. Just a bunch of money grubbing
    blowhards.

    Report Post »  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:35pm

    Let me get this straight
    Pat Robertson says speak no ill of a fellow Republican.
    Then Pat Robertson speaks ill of fellow Republicans.

    …………..am I missing something here. LOL What a loon!

    Report Post »  
    • baxter999
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:57pm

      You weren’t supposed to notice that. Move along. Nothing to see here.

      Report Post »  
    • ZaphodsPlanet
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:57pm

      Pat Robertson is “Stuck on Stupid”…. much like Karl Rove, Romney, McCain and so many other rinos. Robertson makes me sick. He’s a fine example of why I do not attend church on a regular basis. Anyone who makes a living on “punditry”…. preachers included… has become lazy and corrupt. I don’t know what is really worse… Robertson going insane or Robertson turning to the dark side… kind of like that comment he said the other week about dealing with a spouse that has Alzheimer’s. Maybe this hell BO has unleashed will benefit us all in the end…. if we survive. Must as we‘re learning we don’t need CBS, ABC, CNN, NBC….etc…. to get the news. We may not need this man who is lying as well as most politicians (i.e…. not really all that well) to instruct us in the ways of God at his church.

      It‘s all quite sickening isn’t it?

      Report Post » ZaphodsPlanet  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:33pm

    I don’t care what Pat Robertson thinks. Robertson also thinks it’s alright to divorce in the event of Alzheimer Disease.

    Report Post »  
  • nealb4zodd
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:29pm

    and THAT’S why Pat Robertson is an idiot. – -seriously. .who cares what this judgmental-extreme evangelical thinks.

    Report Post » nealb4zodd  
    • Lemon Party Patriot
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:00pm

      He’s trying to tell you the truth. You WILL LOSE the general election with these extreme positions. But go for it. I can’t wait for you guys to lose. Don’t kid yourself. You will lose.

      Report Post » Lemon Party Patriot  
    • LibertyGoddess
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:34pm

      Lemon…amen. The Christian Taliban has hijacked the Republican Party…no wonder we lost to Obama.

      Report Post » LibertyGoddess  
  • momprayn
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:27pm

    Well, probably good idea to not beat up on each other since you know one of you is going to be the nominee and then you’ll need to come out “supporting” him or her. But I don‘t know if I agree with how it’ll affect the election so much. It wouldn’t me. Some people just don’t like the idea of talking negatively about anyone, even though it’s true. I don’t agree with that. If it’s something that needs to be pointed out and true, probably needs to be said….in a respectful, classy way – not like a “cheap shot”. But you can also add, as some have – that any one of them would be better than Obama, etc. If the candidate proposes the solutions I want to see, I wouldn’t let the matter of him attacking opponents keep me from voting for him. As for what the Dems would say – so what – I think most ppl that can’t stand Obama & crew have learned not to pay any attention to that stuff anymore. I think Pat is thinking “old politics” & doesn‘t really understand the Tea Party and anger out here that we’ll vote for ABO!!

    Report Post »  
    • comsense08
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:11pm

      Agreed. You know if this had happened on the Democrat side last election, “this” president never would have made it out of the primaries. So go ahead an criticize how we do things, but you can bet than when we elect our candidate he/she will ABSOLUTELY be vetted!!

      Report Post »  
  • DallyWama
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:26pm

    Good God Pat! Being too far right =/= conservative. This is a propaganda play on words. The candidates should be sticking to one theme and that is differentiating themselves from Obama and touting conservative ideals and values. Remember, there are more conservatives in this country than liberals. Conservatism will win 90% of the time. (just ask Whitman and Foirina).

    Oh yeah. And dont listen to Karl Marx, er I mean Rove.

    Report Post »  
  • Founding Father2
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:25pm

    Maybe it’s Pat”s views that are too extreme… or not enough.

    He may criticize Cain but he came out and said he misspoke and made a mistake about abortion: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/oct/cain_make_mistakes.html . Even Huckabee and Rove came out and said that this mistake will hurt him.

    Is his pro-life stance too extreme? Is his anti-gay marriage too extreme?

    Report Post »  
  • ares338
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:25pm

    Do I care what Pat Robertson thinks? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……NO,

    Report Post » ares338  
  • artistskeptic
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:19pm

    All with an IQ above 30 realize that P. Robertson is one of the most insignificant beeing ever to receive media attention.

    Report Post »  
    • motonutt
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:29pm

      Pat….You need to realise you are doing more harm than good. You are not making sense anymore.

      Report Post » motonutt  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:34pm

      Poor Glenn, he just got demoted to the number two spot by somebody on his own website.

      Report Post »  
  • ModerationIsBest
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:18pm

    A raving lunatic telling other people to be less crazy. Classic.

    Report Post »  
  • MSMOM
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:14pm

    Why is the GOP allowing the left wing commentators lead the debates, I’ve not been impressed with any of the debates, because very little important information has come out of them. The media is directing the narrative and as a population we must not allow that.

    Report Post »  
  • logical1
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:11pm

    Pat is correct. We need to unite as Republicans… Not tear each other apart. The dems have their candidate, so they dont need to destroy each other like this.

    We need to focus on common goals, not petty differences.

    Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:55pm

      This is what I have been saying. They have to play it smart and organize their party or they won’t stand a chnce to win in 2012. Put all the good ideas into one strong candidate. Show the American people a solid front. Right now the repubs look responsible for the lack of trust in our congress. Put their darn egos aside and do what is right for this country and the people. If they are dedicated to our constution they need to prove it. This opportunity is rapidly fading thanks to their petty biggering and inability to show the American people that their main goal is to save America from socialism. They look like a bunch of cry babies without a direction. We can not afford a loss in the next election. They must organize It is not the time for a third party, only because it will split the vote and allow the dems to remain in power. I have to ask myself sometimes if they really care as they say they do or are they in bed with the progressive movement themselves. It seems to me that at times they are. If they were not they wouldn’t be risking this oppotunity to stop it . They need to stop wasting valuable time and prove to us that they mean business.We need to demand it by making phone calls, writing letters, and signing petitions.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • teapartyconservatism
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:08pm

    C’mon, I know, I know… just go for the image. We’re living in surreal times.

    You want reality? YOU WANT REALITY? You can’t handle reality! http://www.ObamaNotEligible.com

    Report Post » teapartyconservatism  
    • Lemon Party Patriot
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:26pm

      He’s right. Keep acting like marginal loonies and we’ll be laughing all the way to another 4 years. Independents will never vote for these fringe people you’re running. Romney is your ONLY chance and you’re going to spend the next 6 months trashing him FOR US. lol

      Report Post » Lemon Party Patriot  
  • teapartyconservatism
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:05pm

    Pat singing heavy metal means anything is now possible!

    Let throw the bum out of office now! http://www.ObamaNotEligible.com

    Report Post » teapartyconservatism  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:32pm

      Man, you’re still trotting out that same old tired “not eligible even if he was born here” crap, when the story doesn’t even mention Obama. Even if you were right about the legal theory of this, how is it living in the real world to claim that you can “throw the bum out of office now?” It’s not like they just forgot to check what the law says about who can and can’t run for President. The law says Obama is eligible, and you would have to overturn a major precedent-setting Supreme Court decision and repeal or throw out several acts of Congress to make it say anything different.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 6:40pm

      There you go Chet

      Larry Sinclair Obama Steamy Love Affair

      http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=larry+sinclair&mid=F15FA9EC28EF26D1C85FF15FA9EC28EF26D1C85F&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1

      Report Post »  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:20pm

      Walkabout
      Okay, I see what’s really going on here. Nobody could spend so much time obsessively thinking about Barack Obama having sex with a dude, just because they mistake it for an important story. I’m sorry man, but even if it’s true, just because he did it once doesn’t mean he’ll do it with you.

      Report Post »  
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