THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 1996 TAG: 9610090426
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 33 lines
Last month Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson told his group's annual conference that it would take ``a miracle from Almighty God'' for Bob Dole to win the White House. Now he seems to be downgrading Dole's chances even further.
``I believe that, without question, we're going to have a blowout this November, maybe like unto the Goldwater matter that took place when he ran against Lyndon Johnson,'' Robertson told viewers of his television program, ``The 700 Club.''
He noted on the program Monday that he had had ``a not-too-pleasant weekend,'' including the first debate between Dole and President Clinton.
Later in the broadcast, Robertson softened his prediction a bit, saying the race could get closer or the Democrats might become complacent. But he said he still was ``not very optimistic for Dole.''
The Chesapeake-based Christian Coalition, which generally aligns itself with conservative Republican candidates, has been urging Dole to put more emphasis in his campaign on the social issues - such as abortion - that are important to its members. ILLUSTRATION: Pat Robertson:
``Not very optimistic.''
KEYWORDS: PRESIDENTIAL RACE PAT ROBERTSON by CNB