ROBERTSON DROPS OUT OF ‘700 CLUB’
Potential Republican presidential candidate Pat Robertson has announced he is withdrawing as host of the “700 Club” on his Christian Broadcasting Network.
Robertson said in Detroit this week that he was leaving the show because he will be traveling frequently next year. He said it was not because he was in violation of Federal Communications Commission rules that would require him to give equal time to other candidates.
He said the rules apply only when a campaign is “in full swing,” but he does not want anything connected with his potential campaign to hurt the program. “I’ve made a major step in that regard today,” he said.
Robertson said he will be succeeded as host of the religious talk show by his current co-host, Ben Kinchlow, who is black.
He said his nationwide closed circuit television appeal for campaign funds Sept. 17 had raised about $5 million for his potential campaign. He said at the time he would run if 3 million people signed petitions promising support and prayers.
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