What's fascinating here is that Randall Terry's praise for his son is expressed in exactly the terms in which the father himself would like to be seen: as articulate, handsome, a singer and pianist (Randall himself writes songs and plays the piano very well), a debater, a potentially "formidable" politician. It's apparent that Randall not only loves his son: he identifies with him.
This is always a potent combination. Many heart-wrenching father-son conflicts turn on just that point: that he father and the son identify with each other, and thus are grieved beyond all telling by failures and shortfalls.
Randall divorced his wife of 19 years, Cindy, and then married a much younger woman who had been his political campaign secretary, all the while soliciting tons of money from the Christian community touting his leadership in defending "the sanctity of the marriage covenant." There ya go: "fraud." Then we learn that his adopted son Jamiel lived a "double life" and sold the tale of his sexual misconduct with other males to Out, a magazine that cynically capitalizes on sexual exposes.
This is all shameful and repugnant. Yet I still say that all the moral failure, pain and shame does not refute the persistence of love and the power of hoped-for healing.
I can see that this father and son love each other. That's why the failures hurt so bad.
Had it ended there, I would agree with you completely. But from that point on it was nothing but an attack on his son, from his background to his intelligence, his religion, etc. I consider the kind words you reflected merely a setting for Terry. Because nowhere in his son's interview were there any bad words for his father.
I can see that this father and son love each other. That's why the failures hurt so bad.
I have no doubt the son loves the father, but knowing as much as I do about Terry himself, I'm not sure he's capable of love. Hate yes, but love? There's little doubt (for me) that his son's "coming out" was seen by Randall as a hitch in his come-back.
As for his political future, never going to happen. He has openly called for a take-over of the government and the creation of a theocracy.
BTW, you do express yourself well. Take care.