Posted on 02/07/2008 6:05:53 PM PST by NormsRevenge
James Dobson, one of the nation's most prominent evangelical Christian leaders, is about to endorse former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, The Associated Press has learned.
Dobson, founder of Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Focus on the Family, talked to the GOP presidential hopeful Thursday and later was to release a statement explaining his choice, said Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Dobson.
Huckabee had long sought Dobson's endorsement, believing he is the best fit to advance Dobson's conservative, moral worldview.
Until now, Dobson had never endorsed a GOP presidential hopeful during the primary campaign. But he ruled out front-runner John McCain in a blistering commentary on Super Tuesday, and on Thursday the fight for the GOP nomination narrowed to a two-man race between McCain and Huckabee, who is far behind in the delegate count but pledged to fight on. Mitt Romney, a third hopeful trying to claim the conservative label, dropped out of the race Thursday.
Dobson released a statement Tuesday that criticized McCain for his support of embryonic stem cell research, his opposition to a federal anti-gay marriage amendment and for his temper and use of foul language.
He said if McCain were the nominee, he would not cast a ballot for president for the first time in his life.
Dobson had left open the possibility that he would vote for either Romney or Huckabee, but endorsed neither.
Throughout the unsettled GOP race, Dobson picked his spots to signal that some candidates simply didn't meet his standards. Dobson wrote on a conservative news Web site that he wouldn't support former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani should he win the Republican nomination. Dobson called Giuliani an "unapologetic supporter of abortion on demand" and criticized him for signing a bill in 1997 creating domestic-partnership benefits in New York City.
At one point, Dobson said he'd consider voting for a minor-party candidate if faced with Giuliani as the nominee.
Later, Dobson ruled out former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson for his stands on issues. Dobson also said Thompson "has no passion, no zeal, and no apparent 'want to.'"
Dobson emphasizes that when he endorses candidates, he is doing so as a private citizen and not as a representative of Focus on the Family, a tax-exempt organization.
fyi
If Dobson would of endorsed Fred, who was the only viable conservative candidate in the field, we would be talking about Thompson securing the nomination today, not McCain.
Well, hey.
I won’t refuse to vote for Huck.
Thats my gesture toward party unity.
I would make him apologize for the “conservative” remark first.
You know, he isn’t a preacher or anything, but I don’t like those who take money from others for Christian endeavors out endorsing candidates, even if it is my guy. My pastor would never, ever do such a thing.
So much for standing up for one's beliefs, principles, etc. all of those political whores will toss overboard for favors.
Sadly we all have "feet of clay."
Big mistake on Thompson.
This endorsement is nothing more than symbolic, since there’s no chance that the Huckster can beat McCain. He’s not even trying to.
The next Republican “debate” is going to be a curious scene.
fwiw
Did I miss something? Huckabee is having to pay for the endorsement?
Huckabee ping!
No, I don’t like Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, black preachers, rabbis, muslim clerics or mormon leaders getting involved in politics.
Huckabee may have been a fine pastor, but does nothing to impress me as the POTUS. No thank you, James Dobson. I am not going to drink the kool-aid!
Dobson has that much power? The last I knew Thompson dropped out because his mom was sick
Well whatever hope Huckabee had, with Dobson’s endorsement it’s doomed now.
Don’t believe the conservative media story that Huckabee is just in this for VP. He has some states that set up well for him that could change the news cycle. Social conservatives more than any other of the group will fight for their principles to the last man.
Agreed. Politics corrupts everything it touches. The Church should stay far from it.
Dobson isn’t a preacher.
Me either. They should just sit back and let others make decisions in their lives. Uppity aren’t they?
Yup, Dobson has made himself totally irrelevant.
> If Dobson would of endorsed Fred, who was the only viable
> conservative candidate in the field,
Fred was never viable.
His campaign was DOA.
He did too little, too late.
I get the whole separation thing, but if you want to be in politics, get out of the ministry and get into politics, as Huckabee did. If you want to collect folks’ money for the furtherance of the Kingdom, then stick to that.
Just my opinion.
Actually I disagree. I think churches should give up their exemptions and stand up for what they believe in.
This is very good as the campain will not be againts McCain but for the issues Mike dominates I am encouraged that this too will hold McCains feet to the fire and will bid well when McCain breaks a leg. Go Mike Go!
So let me get this straight.... Dobson disses McCain for not being conservative, and then endorses Huckabee (as if he is conservative)? Sounds like Dobson is more interested in supporting a preacher than a politician, regardless of how much conservatism they may or may not have. Which I guess is not surprising from Dobson..
What is with all these ‘leaders’ and ‘endorsements?’ Can’t people make their own decisions, not go ‘oh, [they] agree with the values/views of this guy, so if he supports so-and-so, then so will [they]?’
Hardly. Dobson’s pseudo-religious, pseudo-psychology preachings don’t carry that much weight. See how little support he brings to the Huckster.
Let's forbid them from being political and put them in the gulag!
And for those who actually might not know I will give the /sarcasm........
I hate to say it, but yet another dupe. Views on abortion are important, but if most other views are wrong, sorry, no sale.
Plus, do all Republican candidates wives have to be fake blondes?
I knew I didn’t care for Dobson, but couldn’t quite put a finger on why. If he backs Huckabee, that will be a good reason why not to like him. Huck is a dolt at best. Amiable, yes, but clueless. As are ALL populists.
Huck can't win.
The big question is, that being true, what is his angle?
I think churches should give up their exemptions in any event. Used to be that the church took care of the sick and needy. Now they take care of themselves.
I believe he can still win, although it would be a long shot. Viriginia has a winner take all primary 63 delegates, while a big win in TX and OH could really boost his count. Throw in that he will do well in the other smaller states and I think he can make up substantial ground and go to the convention with neither he or McCain as the outright nominee.
If he wanted VP, he would just get out now that Mitt is out and claim his prize.
Me, neither...I hate fake grape!
Great timing for Dobson. When it’s too late. Seems like none of the candidates were quite good enough for Dobson. I was leaning to Romney myself (my state’s primary isn’t until later this month) but it’s time to get behind McCain. Either that its 8 years of Obama or Hillary and a left wing Supreme Court to 2040.
Hey, it’s helping my guy, so, why complain huh? I just know that if my pastor were to tell me “hey, I support so and so” I wouldn’t like it. We can make up our own minds.
BTTT, BRAVO.
A worldly Church? I'll pass. But there are plenty out there if that's what floats your boat.
Can Mitt still win? Frankly, no – the arithmetic makes it all but impossible The Republicans have already chosen most of their delegates, and Romney has won only 256 of the 1,417 chosen so far—some 18%. To get the delegates he needs to lock up the nomination, Romney would not only have to improve his performance, he’d have to become virtually perfect – winning 934 of the 963 delegates who haven’t yet been chosen. Unless all other candidates dropped out of the race, there’s no way anyone will scoop up more than 97% of the delegates remaining. Even if Mitt gives the greatest speech of his life at tomorrow’s conference of CPAC (the Conservative Political Action Committee) he can’t win enough delegates to become this year’s nominee. Huckabee can only win if hell freezes over. But that’s not going to happen; instead, it’s his campaign that’s frozen over.
“I think churches should give up their exemptions and stand up for what they believe in.”
I thought that was what individuals did when they voted? In your mind is the minister the Church? Who makes the decision to support a candidate?
He’s not my guy and I’ve been talking about this for quiet awhile. It’s really sad. Christians are considered 3rd class citizens lately. The 2nd class Social conservatives are told, support who we tell you... and you,... you Bible thumpers ..don’t even think about coming out of your churches until it’s time to vote for who we tell you to.
That’s the endorsement that Dobson should have given Mitt Romney weeks ago. Thanks for nothing.
Of course not. It was merely an oversight that the only one of his opponents that he complimented and didn't lay a glove on was McCainiac. /s
Ding! Ding!
Yeah, these impressionable followers make me sick...uh..., "Jedi Master."
(LMFAO)
;-/
We agree on that. I don’t like Rush, Anne, Laura, Mark or Sean telling us who to vote for. The issues of life and marriage are far too important to me to just settle for whoever they tell me to vote for. That is why I couldn’t support Mitt, he had too many red flags in his past. Say what you will about Huckabee, he is a true social conservative and will put judges on the bench that will interpret the constitution as it was intended, not in some modern light.
I think this demonstrates that Dobson’s first choice was Romney. Now that he’s out, Dobson endorses the last alternative to McCain.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.