Robertson confident

Robertson confident

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Television evangelist Pat Robertson, who has received $8.2 million in campaign contributions, says he will announce his candidacy in September for the Republican presidential nomination.

Mr. Robertson, 66, the founder of the Virginiabased Christian Broadcasting Network, said he is confident that by then he will have received 3 million signatures urging him to seek the presidency.

“I surely expect to receive all of those supporters by the end of August and I expect to be a candidate sometime in the middle of September,” Mr. Robertson said at a news conference Thursday.

Mr. Robertson met with about 200 pastors from area churches and hosted a reception for some financial backers in San Antonio. He had appearances scheduled in Midland and Fort Worth today.

Mr. Robertson also said he supports the nomination of U.S. Appeal Courts Justice Robert Bork to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The nomination of Judge Bork, a conservative, already has sparked filibuster talk in the Senate, which is charged with confirming the nomination. Critics charge Judge Bork’s appointment could shift the court’s balance of power to the right and could have an affect on decisions on abortion and civil rights issues.

“I am delighted with Bork’s selection,” Mr. Robertson said. “I think it was a magnificent appointment and I believe as soon as he is confirmed, and I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t be confirmed, it would mean the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the pro-life people would be very pleased about that.”

Mr. Robertson said the problems of fellow evangelists Jim and Tammy Bakker and the couple’s fight with the Rev. Jerry Falwell has not affected his campaign.

“Everthing is going very nicely,” he said, adding that his support in Iowa, one of the first caucus states, is good.