Pat Robertson, host of Christian Broadcasting Network's The 700 Club and Christian Coalition of America founder, once again criticized Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) for comments she did not make, falsely accusing her of saying that she had to “consult” with People for the American Way (PFAW) president and CEO Ralph Neas “to see what stand to take” on Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. But Boxer never said any such thing. Robertson seems again to be misattributing to Boxer lines from a so-called “translation” of Boxer's actual comments, made during an August 7 TV appearance, that was posted on the weblog Radio Blogger
Robertson also attacked Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), whom he called “the most doctrinaire left-wing radical in the United States Senate” and “a radical leftist who is now proven to be a puppet of Ralph Neas of People for the American Way.” Robertson claimed that Leahy “thinks” that “killing 40 million unborn babies ... is wonderful.”
From the August 18 edition of The 700 Club:
ROBERTSON: You know, Senator Patrick Leahy is without question the most doctrinaire left-wing radical in the United States Senate. He appears to be so respectable and his demeanor is so reserved, but he is a radical leftist who is now proven to be a puppet of Ralph Neas of People for the American Way. And if you want the creator of All in the Family and Hot L Baltimore [Norman Lear, PFAW founder] to be determining who the Supreme Court nominees are, that's is the man to do it. That's where the People for the American Way came -- was their origin. But they [PFAW] are controlling the process.
The other day, Barbara Boxer said, “I've got to consult with Ralph Neas to see what stand to take on this nominee [Roberts].” Can you imagine the senator from the biggest state in America saying, “I've got to ask this left-winger up there how I'm supposed to vote on a Supreme Court nominee”? And so they're ginning up a lot of smoke just to look like they can get finances from their constituent groups.
This man [Roberts] is highly qualified. He should be a Supreme Court justice. To say his [Roberts's] views are radical -- you think killing 40 million unborn babies is a bad thing? Well, Senator Leahy thinks it is wonderful. You think that keeping people from having a moment of silent prayer in Alabama before school is a good thing? Well, Senator Leahy is all for that. You say what kind -- and that is supposed to be far-le -- far-right radicalism? Nonsense. The American people want these things, and this small group of doctrinaire liberals is saying no. That's why we've got to pray. Now, I don't think there's any question that Judge Roberts is going to be confirmed. But the left is saying to these senators, if you want our money and our support, get out there and beat the drum and blow a lot of smoke in the air, which is what they're doing.