On CBN's 50th, Robertson sees smaller political role

By Brock Vergakis

Pat Robertson took a tiny television station in Portsmouth and turned it into a global network that helped him launch a presidential bid and become one of the nation's most influential conservative Christians. But as the televangelist's network turned 50 on Saturday, he said he's getting out of the endorsement game.

"I've personally backed off from direct political involvement," Robertson said in a telephone interview. "I've been there, done that. The truth of the matter is, politics is not going to change our world. It's really not going to make that much of a difference."

Robertson's decision marks a significant departure for the founder of the Christian Coalition, who was once a central figure in Republican politics. Robertson, 81, was frequently sought out by GOP candidates hoping to curry favor with religious conservatives. His news-and-talk show on the Christian Broadcasting Network, "The 700 Club," is viewed by about 1 million people in the U.S. each day.

Robertson's influence has waned in recent years as he gave up control of the Christian Coalition and made comments that many considered bizarre or offensive.

He said American agents should assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and suggested that the debilitating stroke suffered by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was divine retribution for his decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

Last year, he was slammed by the White House for saying that Haiti was cursed after a devastating earthquake. Last month, he suggested that a man whose wife has Alzheimer's disease and was seeing another woman should divorce his wife.

He also caused a stir for saying the federal courts, pornography, abortion rights and church-state separation angered God, allowing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to occur.

The last person Robertson endorsed was former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a move that surprised many of his followers because of the Republican's support for gay rights and abortion rights.

In hindsight, Robertson said in the interview, he would have phrased some of his pronouncements differently. But he also said he's appreciative of his forgiving audience.

"His influence has been waning... to the point where even many people in the movement, I am sure, will be glad to see him sidelined," said Mark Rozell, a professor of public policy at George Mason University. "They just don't see him as reliable anymore on a lot of issues."

Robertson acknowledged that he doesn't have the political influence he once did.

"When I was in charge of the Christian Coalition, I was available to mobilize grassroots support for somebody," he said. "I don't have any army right now. It's just an opinion, and that isn't quite as good as it used to be."

Saturday night, Chris Ros-lan, a spokesman for Robertson, said the televangelist remains a vibrant leader.

"He's the head of a global organization, he's the founder of a large university (Regent), he's the founder of the sixth-largest international humanitarian organization (Operation Blessing), and he's got a lot of things to focus on."

Robertson said he would continue to comment on the news of the day, and noted that he likes Mitt Romney's politics.

He said he considers the Mormon candidate "an outstanding Christian," but declined to say whether he would be OK with a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the White House. Both Romney and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman are Mormons seeking the GOP nomination.

Robertson said he enjoys doing his show and has not decided how much longer he will stay on the air. His son Gordon - who also says he will not make political endorsements - already fills in for him on Fridays.

"I'm still strong and it seems like I'm doing all right, but I don't want to overstay my time," he said.

Robertson said looking back on his network's 50 years, which got its start as a tiny UHF station in Portsmouth and now occupies a sprawling campus in Virginia Beach, that he's most proud of the work it has done reaching people overseas.

The 50th anniversary event Saturday night was held in front of CBN headquarters with Gov. Bob McDonnell, a graduate of Regent's law school, as one of the speakers.

When Pat Robertson addressed the crowd, the response was appreciative.

"At 50 years," he said, "we're still praising God.

"God is good."

Pilot writer Jennifer Jiggetts contributed to this report.