Newt Gingrich’s campaign released a statement announcing the endorsement of Pastor Tim LaHaye, one of the influential co-authors of the “Left Behind” series of apocalyptic novels that helped promote evangelical enthusiasm for “the rapture.”
The statement noted that LaHaye had sent a letter to other South Carolina pastors, urging them to follow his lead:
“It seems apparent the Republican candidates have come down to two possible winners,” LaHaye said. “As my friend, the late Dr. Jerry Falwell told me personally, ‘Speaker Newt Gingrich is the most qualified man in America to run as president of the United States”… We agree!’”
