Yesterday we noted that Rudy-endorser Pat Robertson says that a key reason 9/11 happened was that God withdrew his protection from America because of sins like abortion, pornography and homosexuality. Rudy did get asked about this yesterday in South Carolina. And Rudy replied, "I think the comments he explained a long time ago. I’ve had to explain lots of comments of mine."

On its face, that sounds like a dodge. And it's one the reporters on hand appeared not to press Rudy on. But what Rudy was clearly trying to imply was that Robertson's statements were some sort of verbal gaffe that Robertson recanted or apologized for.

But that's not true. After initially agreeing on the air with Jerry Falwell's comments, Robertson later claimed that there was an earpiece problem that prevented him from hearing what Falwell actually said. But Robertson has stood by his own theory of what caused 9/11. And those are posted on his website even today. He says "rampant pornography", abortion, secularism and various other social conservative bugbears made God withdraw his protection from America and allow 9/11 to happen. In other words, 9/11 was a punishment for America's sinful culture.

That's what Robertson says. Rudy is trying to tell reporters that not what he meant or that he's taken it back or whatever. But that's not true. Let us know if you see any other reporter press the point.