Pat Robertson's Son Takes Over CBN

Pat Robertson, right, endorses Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani during a news conference in this Nov. 7, 2007 file photo, in Washington. Robertson is turning over his duties as chief executive officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network to his son, Gordon Robertson, but will remain chairman, the 77-year-old religious broadcaster announced Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, file) (Kevin Wolf - AP)

Pat Robertson founded CBN in 1960 with a tiny UHF station in Portsmouth, Va.

The network has grown to about 2,800 employees, producing programs in 99 languages in more than 225 countries. The elder Robertson also founded the service ministry Operation Blessing, ran unsuccessfully for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination, founded the once-influential Christian Coalition and made millions of dollars through business investments.

The elder Robertson is also known for on-air commentary that critics called offensive and that many evangelicals considered an embarrassment. He once said that 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.

Robertson wound up apologizing for both remarks.

Gordon Robertson, who shares his father's Pentecostal-style faith, told the AP that he and his father have different styles, pointing to their approach to playing chess.

"Dad likes the bold strikes and bold moves," he said. "I like looking at the end game, and I think it's good to do that."

He says he won't endorse a presidential candidate.

Last month, his father backed Rudy Giuliani for the Republican nomination, despite the former New York mayor's support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Explaining his endorsement, the elder Robertson said, "The overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the bloodlust of Islamic terrorists."

Gordon Robertson, a graduate of Yale University and Washington & Lee Law School, was active in the Republican Party when he practiced law, but said, "I literally walked away from all that." However, he said he does plan to speak out on "issues of the day."

"I think that's something ... that Christians have an obligation to do. I don't see myself shying away from that," he said.

Gordon Robertson spent five years in Manila as head of CBN's Asia operations before returning to the U.S. and working with his father. He plans to expand CBN ministries overseas through TV and the Web.

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On the Net:

Christian Broadcasting Network: http://www.cbn.com

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Associated Press writer Sonja Barisic in Norfolk, Va., contributed to this report.