I notice that you did not give a link to the actual words of Mr. Robertson, but to other people's cut and paste versions of what he said. Robertson was speculating; he was assuming that God has some power, and might use it on occasion.

I think they mostly get called on, because they can be counted on to give some outrageous quote that can be beat upon for weeks, so that one story can generate a larger one.

Robertson has that rep because he spouts outrageous quotes on his own, even without prompting. He perfectly illustrates the old saying about remaining silent and being thought a fool, as opposed to speaking and removing all doubt.

I also don't know too many people who watch or listen to Robertson.

I think they mostly get called on, because they can be counted on to give some outrageous quote that can be beat upon for weeks, so that one story can generate a larger one.

I also don't think either man has much political power anymore. The evangelical with political clout is probably Dobson (who at times isn't much better in the outrageous comments department)-he doesn't seem as willing to grant the interviews though (which should probably be a number 3, since it is always possible a producer has called one of those other guys listed, but that guy chose to take a pass on an interview).

I'd view someone with a Regent or Liberty degree with incredible skepticism, I'm afraid. Even if they don't agree--and why go there, then? I understand going to Harvard if you're a conservative but not those schools if you're sane--their "education" has been mostly tripe.

But only in secular institutions. In Christian colleges and universities, sometimes a degree from Regent is seen as a plus.

OTOH, I wouldn't suggest that all of Regent's faculty and students agree with Robertson's views, any more than Harvard's agree with Sumner's.

When Robertson is making these types of statements, he (usually, I believe) is claiming to speak prophetically, that is, as a direct oracle of God. (It's hard to tell when he's claiming the prophetic mantle, and when he's just spouting off his own version of political analysis, and frankly, most of us don't care.)

It should be noted that only a minority of Christians (mostly Pentecostals) accept that there are such prophets alive in this time to begin with. And of that minority that do, only a minority of them would accept that Robertson qualifies as a prophet. He fails the simple Biblical prophetic test in flames.

Another thing that I'm starting to wonder: Robertson is 75 years old. And his outrageous off-the-cuff remarks seem to be getting more frequent and more bizarre all the time. Is there any possibility that he's in the early stages of Alheimer's or general dementia? I think that people need to start asking.

c.f. http://www.regent.edu/general/about_us/leadership.cfm