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Evangelical Leader Threatens to Use His Political Muscle Against Some Democrats
The New York Times ^ | January 1, 2005 | David D. Kirkpatrick

Posted on 01/01/2005 1:14:36 AM PST by DBeers

COLORADO SPRINGS - James C. Dobson, the nation's most influential evangelical leader, is threatening to put six potentially vulnerable Democratic senators "in the 'bull's-eye' " if they block conservative appointments to the Supreme Court.

In a letter his aides say is being sent to more than one million of his supporters, Dr. Dobson, the child psychologist and founder of the evangelical organization Focus on the Family, promises "a battle of enormous proportions from sea to shining sea" if President Bush fails to appoint "strict constructionist" jurists or if Democrats filibuster to block conservative nominees.

Dr. Dobson recalled the conservative efforts that helped in the November defeat of Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota, the Senate minority leader who led Democrats in using the filibuster to block 10 of Mr. Bush's judicial nominees.

"Let his colleagues beware," Dr. Dobson warned, "especially those representing 'red' states. Many of them will be in the 'bull's-eye' the next time they seek re-election."

He singled out Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Bill Nelson of Florida. All six are up for re-election in 2006.

-snip-

Ralph G. Neas, president of the liberal group People for the American Way, which has often opposed conservative court nominees, said, "Mr. Dobson's arrogance knows no limits." He added: "This is the kind of tactic that ultimately backfires. These senators have served their constituents well and have courageously voted their consciences. I don't think they will take kindly to threats from Mr. Dobson, and I don't think the voters will either."

-snip-

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Colorado; US: Florida; US: Minnesota; US: Nebraska; US: New Mexico; US: North Dakota; US: West Virginia
KEYWORDS: 2006; bennelson; billnelson; bingaman; byrd; conrad; dayton; fotf; jeffbingaman; judicialnominees; kentconrad; markdayton; nelson; scotus; supremecourt
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1 posted on 01/01/2005 1:14:36 AM PST by DBeers
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To: DBeers

Ben Nelson, IMO, is not worth going after because he is already persuadable on most issues. Conrad and Byrd are not vulnerable because their constituents are too addicted to pork. The other three on Dobson's list, however, are beatable, especially dumb-as-a-brick Dayton.


2 posted on 01/01/2005 1:24:18 AM PST by Vigilanteman (crime would drop like a sprung trapdoor if we brought back good old-fashioned hangings)
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To: DBeers

what exactly has he been doing with it for the last few years?


3 posted on 01/01/2005 1:37:31 AM PST by GeronL (I am NOT the real bin Laden)
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To: Vigilanteman

Bryd might be surprised how many West Virginians are pro-family and prepared to vote him down. My bet is that Dobson could get 60 percent of the over-40 crowd to jump on his band wagon. Might add an unusual ingredient into the Washington scene.


4 posted on 01/01/2005 1:38:46 AM PST by pepsionice
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To: pepsionice

I agree. I do believe Mr.Byrd would be history and I can't say that I would want to see his history repeated.


5 posted on 01/01/2005 1:41:54 AM PST by taxesareforever
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To: DBeers
Ralph G. Neas, president of the liberal group People for the American Way, which has often opposed conservative court nominees, said, "Mr. Dobson's arrogance knows no limits." He added: "This is the kind of tactic that ultimately backfires. These senators have served their constituents well and have courageously voted their consciences. I don't think they will take kindly to threats from Mr. Dobson, and I don't think the voters will either."

Tell it to Daschle, Mr. Neas.

6 posted on 01/01/2005 1:45:32 AM PST by Republican Wildcat
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To: DBeers

Folks, we target these Libs (whether Democrat or RINO) regardless of the SCOTUS outcome. Clean house from top to bottom, Senate and CIA, every Governator's mansion, every SCHOOL BOARD member has got to have the Constitution held like a gun to their head. If that doesn't work, we must get judges in office that will UPHOLD the Constitutional rope to the neck. Don't trust a one of 'em! Even our "good guys" in office...lest they be corrupted, or forget... Accountability! Accountability! Accountability!


7 posted on 01/01/2005 1:57:47 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (REMEMBER THE ALGOREAMO--relentlessly hammer on the TRUTH, like the Dems demand recounts)
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To: Republican Wildcat
On-His-Knees Neas: "I don't think they will take kindly to threats from Mr. Dobson, and I don't think the voters will either."

Actually, Commie Ralphie Boy, I take it VERY kindly, when Dr. Dobson talks about putting a few Donkeys out in the street....

I'm a Voter and I approve of his message! And sending him a check in YOUR honor!
8 posted on 01/01/2005 2:03:35 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (REMEMBER THE ALGOREAMO--relentlessly hammer on the TRUTH, like the Dems demand recounts)
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To: All

One sure-fire strategy is to get the targeted Dim on-record as to his views on The Passion of The Christ movie. If he says he admires the movie, he alienates Christian-hating secular voters who makeup the Dim base. If the calculating Dim sucks up to the secularists and says he hates the movie, he can kiss his seat goodbye. Either way, the Dumbocrat loses.


9 posted on 01/01/2005 2:18:59 AM PST by Liz (Wise men are instructed by reason; lesser men, by experience; the ignorant, by necessity. Cicero)
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To: DBeers

It would be more effective for Mr. Dobson to be all action and no talk, rather than the opposite. Issuing threats is going to rile a lot of moderate voters.


10 posted on 01/01/2005 2:31:01 AM PST by tkathy (Ban all religious head garb.)
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To: DBeers

snip..."Mr. Dobson's arrogance knows no limits." He added: "This is the kind of tactic that ultimately


Mr. Dobson's arrogance?!?! I would say that Mr. Dobson and the rest of the Conserversative coalition have been entirely too accomodating up until recently. Arrogance, Mr. Neas, is characterized by hateful, cultural socialists like yourself who've been determinedly eradicating Americas' traditional culture, erasing Christmas, demanding removal of all Christian symbols from the public arena,and supporting communistic speech code laws to be used against primarily against Conservatives. That is arrogance Mr. 'I Hate God' Neas.


11 posted on 01/01/2005 2:33:18 AM PST by Lindykim
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To: Blurblogger
Folks, we target these Libs (whether Democrat or RINO) regardless of the SCOTUS outcome. Clean house from top to bottom...

Yes - now is not the time to hold back -complete devastation of democrats is required...

12 posted on 01/01/2005 2:45:14 AM PST by DBeers
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To: Lindykim

Ok, but his threats aren't very helpful. They will accomplish nothing except alienate people who otherwise might be persuaded by him. People don't like threats. He should stick to actually doing what he claims he can do.


13 posted on 01/01/2005 3:33:50 AM PST by billybudd
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To: DBeers
These senators have served their constituents well and have courageously voted their consciences.

In the case of Markie Dayton these two things are mutually exclusive.

14 posted on 01/01/2005 3:37:16 AM PST by Aeronaut (Merry CHRISTmas. (Member of Christians for inclusion in Christmas))
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To: DBeers
These senators have served their constituents well and have courageously voted their consciences.

What a joke. These senators are the poster children for injuring the remainder of the country by bringing pork barrel projects to their states. They deserve to be defeated.

Especially former klansman KKK Byrd.

Minorities are absolutely NUTS to support this man.

15 posted on 01/01/2005 3:49:02 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It!)
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To: Blurblogger

Folks, we target these Libs (whether Democrat or RINO) regardless of the SCOTUS outcome. Clean house from top to bottom, Senate and CIA, every Governator's mansion, every SCHOOL BOARD member has got to have the Constitution held like a gun to their head. If that doesn't work, we must get judges in office that will UPHOLD the Constitutional rope to the neck. Don't trust a one of 'em! Even our "good guys" in office...lest they be corrupted, or forget... Accountability! Accountability! Accountability!

What a rant. Seriously, it's a bit long for a slogan but lets use it anyhow.


16 posted on 01/01/2005 3:55:32 AM PST by freedomfiter2
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To: Liz

"One sure-fire strategy is to get the targeted Dim on-record as to his views on The Passion of The Christ movie."


Liz--I LOVE the way you think. Let the interviews begin!


17 posted on 01/01/2005 4:14:57 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (REMEMBER THE ALGOREAMO--relentlessly hammer on the TRUTH, like the Dems demand recounts)
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To: freedomfiter2

"What a rant. It's a bit long for a slogan but lets use it anyhow."

You honor me, yet I but stand on the shoulders of giants....


18 posted on 01/01/2005 4:17:36 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (REMEMBER THE ALGOREAMO--relentlessly hammer on the TRUTH, like the Dems demand recounts)
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To: Blurblogger

Yup, The Passion strategy is a winner, alright.

(Blush) Thanks for the affirmation.


19 posted on 01/01/2005 4:27:16 AM PST by Liz (Wise men are instructed by reason; lesser men, by experience; the ignorant, by necessity. Cicero)
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To: DBeers
These senators have served their constituents well and have courageously voted their consciences.

This statement correctly describes the total frustation the lib Dems are experiencing 24/7.

Hooray!

20 posted on 01/01/2005 4:48:24 AM PST by VOYAGER
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