Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., who surprised some political observers by endorsing billionaire tycoon Donald Trump for president, said Wednesday that practical considerations influenced his decision.

Falwell and on “The Laura Ingraham Show” that Trump has the best chance of any Republican in the presidential field to win the general election in November.

“Trump is the first candidate I’ve seen on the Republican side since Ronald Reagan who’s bringing over voters from the Democratic Party, blue-collar voters, whose bringing over people who have never voted before, bringing across folks from every demographic, from every race, every religion” he said. “And I think that’s what it’s going to take for us to win this time. I don’t think a moderate, Establishment Republican could ever beat a liberal Democrat in this country.”

A thrice-married business executive with no deep, public association with religious causes may seem an unusual fit for a man whose father was a scion of the religious right. Falwell noted that his father, Jerry Falwell Sr., fended off similar criticism when he backed Reagan in 1980. Reagan was a former Hollywood actor who had been divorced and his opponent, Jimmy Carter, was a devout Southern Baptist and Sunday school teacher.

The elder Falwell explained that choosing a national leader was not the same as picking a Sunday school teacher or a religious figure.

“Jesus never said choose someone who has the same faith to lead the country,” Falwell said. “He said render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio speaks eloquently about how his faith guides his public policy. In that, Falwell sees echoes of Reagan’s opponent in that long-ago election.

[lz_related_box id=”93117″]

“That’s what Jimmy Carter said,” he said. “He thought that because he was a Christian, he thought that meant — and I’m paraphrasing — to pass laws that would take money from our neighbors and give to those in need. And I think Jesus taught just the opposite. I think he taught personal charity.”

Falwell said he worries the nation, careening toward $20 trillion in debt, is reaching a tipping point. He drew a parallel to a desperate struggle in the early 1990s to stave off financial ruin at Liberty University.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

“We need the same dose of medicine that was used at Liberty to bring it back to financial strength,” he said. “I think Donald Trump is somebody who’s done that in the private sector.”

Falwell also took a shot at Trump rival Texas Sen Ted Cruz, who has come under fire for his campaign’s role in spreading rumors on caucus night that retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, had dropped out of the race.

“There are personality traits with Mr. Cruz that have come to light in recent weeks and months that have been, I’ll just say not a positive thing,” he said.