Republican presidential up-and-comer Mike Huckabee won an important endorsement Wednesday that could help boost his standing among conservatives — the backing of Christian evangelist Jerry Falwell’s son, Jerry Jr.
Falwell, Jr. succeeded his father as president of Liberty University, a conservative center of higher learning, after the elder Falwell died earlier this year. The family built up a conservative empire they have used to battle abortion and homosexuality.
The son’s endorsement further splinters the conservative movement among Republican White House hopefuls.
Another major Christian evangelist, Pat Robertson, endorsed former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani while Arizona Sen. John McCain received the backing of conservative Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who was popular with the Religious Right. Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, was endorsed by Moral Majority co-founder Paul Weyrich.
Falwell’s father said earlier this year before he died that he did not plan to make any endorsement ahead of the 2008 primaries and that “I like every one of them.”
Still, Huckabee has been steadily moving up in polls in Iowa, a state where religious conservatives make up a lot of the Republican party.
Photo credit: Reuters/Jim Young
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So glad to hear about this timely endorsement. It seems that after a few false starts christian values voters are finally rallying around a man they can truly be proud of and support wholeheartedly. Mike Huckabee is a GREAT spokesman and and representative for us. Let’s give him our full support!
- Posted by Michael LitzWhy is Huckabee your ideal representative? I’d think you’d be more interested in someone who will help restore your personal freedoms. You never know when it’ll be Christians they’re hunting for without warrants - just like they’re doing to Muslims now. You might be better off looking for someone who will keep the government OUT of your religious affairs. Someone who will keep the Patriot Act from looking for YOU next. Someone who will cut your taxes enough that you can send your children to a proper school where prayers are said every day. I’m as Christian as the next guy, but my FAMILY values are just that - my FAMILY. I’ll vote for the man who will keep them SAFE.
- Posted by Louis Nardozi[...] An endorsement by Jerry Falwell’s son. Does it matter given his father’s prior statements? [...]
- Posted by Article VI Blog » The Romney “Speech,” The Bible and the Candidates, Huckabee’s Critics, Identity Politics, and More