Consensus Lacking in GOP Endorsements

"It provides a great rebuttal point," Ayres said.

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But Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio said a recent poll suggests the endorsement is unlikely to move many voters to Giuliani's column and may antagonize some supporters. Among 1,000 Republican voters, respondents split almost evenly on the question of whether they were more or less likely to vote for a candidate who received Robertson's endorsement. And by a 3 to 1 ratio, current Giuliani supporters said they would view the endorsement negatively.

"Robertson has clearly become a polarizing figure in the party, and even more polarizing for Giuliani voters," Fabrizio said.

That may come in part from a series of controversial comments Robertson has made over the years. "We have insulted God at the highest levels of our government," he said after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "And, then we say, 'Why does this happen?' Well, why it's happening is that God Almighty is lifting his protection from us."

Robertson is seen by as many as 800,000 people a day on his "700 Club" talk show. But Clemson University political scientist Laura Olson said his influence among Christians has waned.

"That the Christian Coalition is a shell of its former self is the most you can say about it," she said.

Richard Land, a senior official at the Southern Baptist Convention, said Robertson's endorsement probably reflects a belief by the TV evangelist that Giuliani is the candidate most likely to beat the Democratic nominee.

"Pat Robertson may have decided that Rudy Giuliani is the best way to keep Hillary Clinton out of the White House," Land said. "I'm not going to vote for Rudy under any circumstances."

Washingtonpost.com staff writer Chris Cillizza contributed to this report.