Falwell Didn't Mean To Demonize

Reverend Said He Was Joking With 'Lucifer' Remark Involving Hillary Clinton

(CBS/AP)  The Reverend Jerry Falwell says a comment he made that Sen. Hillary Clinton would energize religious conservatives even more than if the devil were the Democratic nominee was "totally tongue-in-cheek."

At a private prayer breakfast Friday, Falwell said, "I certainly hope that Hillary is the candidate. Because nothing will energize my (constituency) like Hillary Clinton."

"If Lucifer ran, he wouldn't," Falwell added, drawing a roomful of laughs and cheers.

The remarks came during a 40-minute address Friday morning at the "Values Voter Summit," sponsored by the country's leading conservatives and featuring several Republicans who are considering running for president in 2008.

Falwell says he did not intend to demonize the Democratic senator from New York and that everyone there knew he was joking and everyone laughed.

The Los Angeles Times, which reported Falwell's comments in a story Sunday, said it obtained a tape recording of the talk and confirmed Falwell's remarks with those who heard them.

Attendees also were assured during the prayer breakfast that God would preserve a Republican majority in Congress.

Clinton press secretary Philippe Reines says it seems that a new low has been reached in demonizing political opponents.

A possible Republican presidential contender, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, speaking Sunday on CBS's Face the Nation was more temperate about Sen. Clinton. McCain, who once said Clinton would make a good president, defined his sentiment saying, "She works hard as a senator, and I think that she knows her issues."

"I am sure that she would do a job that is in keeping with her philosophy and her beliefs," he said. "I think we have very different views on the conduct of the presidency. But she works hard as a senator, and I think she knows her issues."

McCain said he will not make a decision on a presidential bid until early next year. But he pledged in a presidential race not to engage in "attack politics."

"I will not run a campaign or be involved in a campaign that engages in that," McCain said. "I'd rather lose than be involved in it."

[slbg1]

If anyone really ran a true history on Jerry Falwell, they would know that he was already wealthy before he became a preacher. His parents were very well off and all of the land that his college sits on he donated. His family owned most of that city and he does not make money from the television productions. He might make some peculiar comments sometimes, but he does not make money off of this stuff. He has opened homes for the elderly, pregnant and runaway teens, and many other good things.

[drgoodwin12]

For everyone that is against Bush because he deliberately mislead us into war in Iraq,go online and contribute $10,25 or any amount of money you can afford to the Democratic Party and do so before the elections.There are good republican senators like Specter and Warner however in order for this country to change course we have to change it's leadership first.It's crunch time for the elections and in order to restore this country we need new leadership in the house and senate.

[newsjeff-2009]

I am saying I am sorry for what I falsely said about Falwell according to a reader who commented about my comment. After reading about a senator possibly using a racial slur on a college campus, so I don't want to get the reputation of being a name caller. If canidates have to use name calling and racial slurs in speaches it would suit me fine if both parties lost and the independent canidates won it all in November. I noticed that Jerry Falwell did apologize for speaking so harshly regarding Hillary Clinton, and I know that after what Bill Clinton did in the white house many people find it hard if not impossible to forgive him. I did not intend to label Falwell a "TV preacher" but I have seen him on TV before and heard him on the radio. When I heard Falwell and other preachers on the radio as a teenager they did not discuss politics or tell people how to vote, that was considered a personal matter and choice which is why I will always say that Ronald Regan was my favorite Republican political leader and GOP president of the U.S., for the reason that Ronald Regan did not verbally bash abortion,two men or two women living together or married. Homosexuality,abortion,regligion was looked upon by Ronald Regan as a person's personal choice and right, not the government's business.

[billpl-2009]

yeah, Jerry Falwell was only kidding and so was Larry Flynt... err was he?


go Rudy 2008!

[jeffbt54]

As a christain, born and raised in the South, I'm totally ashamed to have someone so grossly misrepresent us as Jerry Falwell does. Anyone who has a true relationship with Christ knows that Jerry Falwell participates in absolute bigotry.

[zykracosmos]

Falwell, like Pat Robertson, has been exposed so many times as the pilfering, cash-addicted, hypocritcal, grand-standing, egotistical, gluttonous, fanatic that he is, he alone should be considered among all others in the country today as the Anti-Christ. He is as "anti-Christlike as anybody who exists. Jesus would never hoard the money that Falwell collects as a television evangelical prostitute, skewer good people with acid criticisms (whatever happened to "let he who is without sin cast the first stone?"), or most significantly perhaps, display such utter ambivalence for the wretched poor and hopeless (his lack of compassion ranks just under that of a pathological killer). "God has promised a Republican majority!?!" If we are lucky this big fat-*** self-adorned religious leader will have a massive heart attack before the November elections.

[cathaleen]

Falwell is a hypocrite - he got rich conning people. He probably never did an honest days work.

[nynative1340]

You are right, rsoxfan1123. Surprisingly, most commenters on this board have been right on with their comments.

But what most people don't realize is that Bush & Co. were planning the Iraq invasion as early as Jan 2001, ten days after his inauguration, and over SEVEN months before 9/11. (According to Paul O'Neill in "The Price of Loyalty.") O'Neill was Bush's Treasury Secretary and was a participant in these meetings. He was one of the first to resign because of frustration with the administration.

Bush's whole life has been a lie and becoming president hasn't changed that. As a businessman he was a fake; as president he is not only a fake, but a fraud perpetrated upon the American people. His first term was a real joke; his second was more of the same. When we have a president who doesn't read, it means he doesn't bother to read his daily briefings. Had he done that simple task, he would have known that al Qaeda was planning something.

The bottom line is Clinton did far more to advance our economy and to capture bin Laden than Bush ever thought of doing. Clinton was thwarted by a Republican congress; Bush is crippled by blindness and stupidity.

H.L. Mencken must have had a prophet's vision when, in the 1920s, he said

"...On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

[rsoxfan1123]

nynative1340, don't let a few representatives of Christianity taint your view of all of it. I agree, though, that the Bible intended for the preachers to earn a living form it, but I can't imagine the writers intended for millionaires to be created through the religion. The extreme right has allied itself with this hypocritical branch. Hypocrisy is the middle name of most right wing candidates. Let's complain about Clinton lying about cheating on his wife, yet find it acceptable to lie to our nation to create a war that causes the death of thousands upon thousands of people. hmmm.

[nynative1340]

Obviously Falwell hasn't read the "Left Behind" series. Hillary is far too obvious to be the devil. Not to say that Hillary isn't well liked, but she certainly isn't well liked by conservative Christians.

According to the first book in the series (the only one I read), the devil will be disguised as a nice guy, someone will liked, someone who can fool even right wing Christians, you know, like George W.

Problem is, George W. was an alcoholic for half of his adult life, so that's pretty obvious. But then, he did become 'born again.' So, my guess for the anti-Christ is George W.
But what do I know; I only study religion, I don't participate in organized religion.

[nynative1340]

Falwell and Robertson are living proof of the hypocrisy of BIG business religion, and further proof that religion and right-wing politics have become bed mates. It's also proof that the right-wing despotic Bush administration is getting DESPARATE to maintain its status quo in November.

If Falwell, Graham, Robertson, Swaggert, etc. were TRUE Christians, they would be preaching the gospel for little or no payment, and they would be doing more to help the poor and needy, as Christ did.

All these rich 'pretender' preachers means that Christianity has become just another BIG business.

[rsoxfan1123]

Falwell is getting wealthier than Christ and all of his disciples put together did off of the gospel. Isn't it a bit hypocritical to preach the Word right before riding in your limo to your private plane all paid for through the collection plate?

[mjv2944]

Hup, he's one of those guys who tell you to send your money to the Lord, but he gives you his address. He and Pat Robertson should tend to their flocks and stay out of politics.

[greenmt06]

I think that Falwell is just spewing another of his redundant comments as he always does. He thinks that the U.S. is going to hell in a handbasket and only those that follow his teaching will survive....can we say delusions of a FALSE prophet. His views on Hillary really tighten my jaws. Hillary is a smart cookie and would run the country better than any other candidate running. I think that Falwell just doesn't want a woman as president..you know a woman is to follow behind the man, and be silent thinking of the old testament.

[optimas2]

NewsJeff,

What are you talking about? Falwell having affairs? Falwell being a "tv preacher?"

I've spent a good portion of my life right over the mountain from Lynchburg and I've never heard of Falwell being accused of sexual impropriety. There are a lot of things to criticize Falwell for--as there are for lots of us--but let's be clear: he's not running around.

Moreover, he's certainly not a TV preacher. While his services are broadcast in Virginia on TV (the Old Time Gospel Hour), he's not a TV preacher in any sense--he's not broadcasting on TBN and soliciting donations from little old ladies at home. It's just a church service that is shown on television.

I get the impression that you just don't know who Falwell is. He's done an awful lot of good things in his life, and people pack the pews every week at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Not only have a lot of people been saved as a direct result of his efforts, his university, Liberty, has improved the lives of countless Virginians.

Yes, while he says some dumb things from time to time, we all do that. On balance, though, life's karma scales are tipped way in his favor.

[cbsswan44]

Hillary Clinton has never run for political office, other than stepping on her husband's coat-tails into a NY Senate seat. Can you imagine her running the military? Does everyone remember her health care proposal...not even doctors and hospitals would sign onto it, and that's because it would have established a new wing of government (and a bureaucratic mess). She has no ideas, no solutions. She's a darling of angry women, but that's all..bad choice. Men will vote Republican. McCain will be PREZ.

[warren.horne]

I read with intrest this morning all of the skewed comments about clinton, falwell and who is going to energize who. The truth of the matter is that THE CLINTONS, FALWELL, THE U.N., OR ANY POLITICAL FIGURE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR THIS COUNTRY OR SOLVE THE REST OF THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS. Remember, this nation was established on christ centerd, biblical principals. That is factual history that can't be rewritten. All, if you want to see this nation get back to what it should be, put christ back where he should be, first.

[lesb35]

If the Democrats can't get on the right side of illegal immigration they're toast. They have no stance on anything and if they can't even get domestic issues figured out what are they good for? I'll vote for whoever is hard on immigration.

[gregh_7]

I think Democrats should be encouraged to run Hillary for the Presidency in 2008. It would produce such a massive landslide for the Republican nominee, a truely vile women despised by majority of Americans running for the Presidency would be a boon for the Republicans.

[newsjeff-2009]

I agee with what many other people are saying on this website. The opinion Jerry Falwell is giving me is: "If you are a republican GOP supporter, god and the people should forgive you when you mess up or sin". "If you are a democrat like the Clintons and committ a sin, you are unforgiven by god and the people". I have read many cases of TV preachers Falwell,Jim Baker,and several other ministers having affairs with women or sometimes people in their own church, and many democrat political leaders like Jimmy Carter,The Clintons,John Kennedy,Lyndon Johnson and many others did not ever tell any woman to use abortion as a way out all the time nor did they have speaches telling people of the same gender two men or two women to marry and live together, but they did not persecute same *** married people or women who got abortions in severe circumstances. The is no verse in the bible that instructs born-again christians to persecute homosexuals,***,lesbians, or a former first lady and the president because he committed a great, but forgivable sin in god's eyes, the same sin Falwell and a few other preaches have committed themselves.