Robertson: GOP Must Push Judges Through

Washington, Feb. 16 - Evangelist Pat Robertson indicated Tuesday that if Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist expects backing of religious conservatives for a possible 2008 presidential bid, he had better get President Bush's judicial nominees confirmed by the Senate, or at least voted on.

"It is the ultimate test," Robertson said at the National Press Club. "He cannot be a leader and allow Democrats to do what they did in the last session."

The Democrats' ability to stall White House picks for the federal bench was one of the most contentious issues of Bush's first term.

With a Senate comprised of 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and a Democrat-leaning independent, Democrats still have the 40 votes necessary to uphold a filibuster and block a vote on a nominee by the full Senate. In the case of a vote by the full Senate on a nominee, a simple majority would be needed for confirmation.

"To the evangelicals, that is the number one consideration," Robertson said, saying "unelected judges" were largely responsible for laws on abortion, gay marriage and Internet pornography.

Bush has sent judicial nominations back to the Senate that were blocked in his first term, assuring another fierce fight. Conservative Christians are a core group of the Republican voter base, so their backing can be crucial in a presidential campaign.

Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition and head of the Christian Broadcasting Network, said he's also worried about Middle East peace efforts.

"I do not believe the state of Israel will be secure if it has a Palestinian state in its heart," Robertson said. A Palestinian state, he said, would have the ability to import weapons to groups in the country that have not agreed to the peace process.