1988. Pat Robertson, Yale-educated lawyer, a US senator's son, got a "word from God" OK-ing him to run for president. He quit The 700 Club, leaving dull-as-milk son Tim in charge; donations fell sharply (Tim's consolation prize after dad's inevitable return: a cut of IFE's superlucrative IPO). Armed with his Christian Broadcasting Network mailing list, Pat did well only where there was no presidential primary - e.g., Iowa and Michigan. This '88 campaign begat the Christian Coalition.