In yet another paid press release that looks like a news report, the Council on American Islamic Relations urges Rudy Giuliani to reject Pat Robertson’s endorsement.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today urged GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani to reconsider his acceptance of the endorsement of a controversial televangelist known for scathing attacks on Muslims and Islam.

In a news release on his campaign website, Giuliani is quoted as saying he is “encouraged” by the endorsement of Pat Robertson, chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). “His experience and advice will be a great asset to me and my campaign,” said Giuliani.

In 2002, President Bush repudiated rhetorical attacks on Islam by evangelical leaders. Media reports at the time said the president’s remarks were prompted by attacks on Islam, particularly those of Pat Robertson, who said that Muslims are “worse than the Nazis.” Bush said: “Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans.”

Then Secretary of State Colin Powell echoed the president’s remarks when he told a State Department audience, “This kind of hatred must be rejected.” The director of the American Jewish Committee called Robertson’s “Nazi” comment “outrageous.” …

“It is truly disturbing that a presidential candidate of any party would accept the endorsement and seek the advice of a person with such a clear record of anti-Muslim bigotry,” said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor.

Rudy Giuliani is quickly becoming CAIR’s least favorite presidential candidate.