:)
Posted on 09/19/2007 7:14:10 PM PDT by pissant
DENVER (AP) — James Dobson, one of the nation's most politically influential evangelical Christians, made it clear in a message to friends this week he will not support Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson.
In a private e-mail obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, Dobson accuses the former Tennessee senator and actor of being weak on the campaign trail and wrong on issues dear to social conservatives.
"Isn't Thompson the candidate who is opposed to a Constitutional amendment to protect marriage, believes there should be 50 different definitions of marriage in the U.S., favors McCain-Feingold, won't talk at all about what he believes, and can't speak his way out of a paper bag on the campaign trail?" Dobson wrote.
"He has no passion, no zeal, and no apparent 'want to.' And yet he is apparently the Great Hope that burns in the breasts of many conservative Christians? Well, not for me, my brothers. Not for me!"
The founder and chairman of Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family, Dobson draws a radio audience in the millions, many of whom who first came to trust the child psychologist for his conservative Christian advice on child-rearing.
Gary Schneeberger, a Focus on the Family spokesman, confirmed that Dobson wrote the e-mail. Schneeberger declined to comment further, saying it would be inappropriate because Dobson's comments about presidential candidates are made as an individual and not as a representative of Focus on the Family, a nonprofit organization restricted from partisan politics.
Dobson's strong words about Thompson underscore the frustration and lack of unity among Christian conservatives about the GOP field. Some Christian right leaders have pinned their hopes on Thompson, describing him as a Southern-fried Ronald Reagan. But others have voiced doubts in recent weeks about some of the same issues Dobson highlighted: his position on gay marriage and support for the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation.
Dobson and other Christian conservatives support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would bar gay marriage nationally. Thompson has said he would support a constitutional amendment that would prohibit states from imposing their gay marriage laws on other states, which falls well short of that.
Karen Hanretty, a spokeswoman for the Thompson campaign, said Wednesday in response to the Dobson e-mail: "Fred Thompson has a 100 percent pro-life voting record. He believes strongly in returning authority to the levels of government closest to families and communities, protecting states from intrusion by the federal government and activist judges.
"We're confident as voters get to know Fred, they'll appreciate his conservative principles, and he is the one conservative in this race who can win the nomination and can go on to defeat the Democratic nominee."
In his e-mail addressed "Dear friends," Dobson includes the text of a recent news story highlighting Thompson's statement that while he was baptized in the Church of Christ, he does not attend church regularly and won't speak about his faith on the stump.
U.S. News and World Report quoted Dobson earlier this year as questioning Thompson's commitment to the Christian faith — comments Dobson contended were not put in proper context. Dobson in this week's e-mail writes that suppositions "about the former senator's never having professed to be a Christian are turning out to be accurate in substance."
Earlier this year, Dobson said he wouldn't back John McCain because of the Arizona senator's opposition to a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Later, 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.
Last week, Dobson announced on his radio show that the IRS had cleared him of accusations that he had endangered his organization's nonprofit status by endorsing Republican candidates in 2004. The IRS said Dobson, who endorsed President Bush's re-election bid, was acting as an individual and not on behalf of the nonprofit group.
He could always mend fences with someone I guess. I think it’s pretty dumb myself. He should have kept his powder dry. But I’m not big on guys like Dobson anyway, so it’s beyond me how they operate.
Is Keyes even running?
I greatly respect Dobson's opinion but I think he is wrong about Fred. I greatly respect Fred's opinion but I think Fred is wrong about a few things. However, I think Fred is still the best candidate out there and Dobson is still a great voice for Christians.
That would mean he has officially jumped the shark and no one will listen to Dobson either.
That’s ok. I’m Baptist so I don’t listen to Catholic preachers either. Occasionally I do watch the nuns on TV though:’)
Of course you have a link for that...
The Dobsons of the world can't be satisfied with anyone, unless they, themselves, are the candidate. In that case, I'd seriously give Lucifer a fair shake of what his platform would be.
For once I agree with you.
Have you any information that Fred actually plays golf regularly?
They must not think they will try to harm our causes and that it’s just political talk? Nah?
Some people on our side are really mind boggling.
Classless there. So she wouldn’t let Mormons pray at her prayer breakfast. Mormons would never let her into their temples.
***
No one is keeping a worthy child of God out of the Lord’s Temple!
Those who honor the Lord’s covenant attend the House of the Lord.
With all love and appreciation for Doctor Dobson, his tune will change when a Republican nominee comes out of the process and he is forced to either accept that nominee or another Clinton presidency.
Let’s review:
Dobson won’t endorse McCain.
Dobson won’t endorse Giuliani.
Dobson won’t endorse Thompson.
I can’t imagine Dobson would endorse Romney (LDS).
I can’t imagine Dobson would endorse Paul (Libertarian).
That pretty much leaves Hunter and Huckabee and both of those longshots have a lot of ground to make up if they are going to get the nomination. Don’t label me a prophet but I’m guessing Dobson is headed for a road-to-Damascus conversion on one of these guys in about eight months.
Good choices BTW...
:)
Don’t worry. When Christ returns, he won’t be “running” for office:’)
In the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod it is against doctrine to participate in religious services with Mormons and almost anyone else, but I cannot find any reference to Mormons going to hell. Nor is there any prevision against voting for a Mormon or having political common cause with Mormons. As far as I am aware praying with Mormons is not forbidden, but I’m pretty sure taking Communion with the Dobsons would be. :^)
I think Romney would make the best President out of the choices before us, although I do not necessarily agree with him or trust him in every instance. I think that he has the energy, skill, and intelligence for the job and that’s what I’m looking for.
The blue collar version of that axiom is that "e-mails are postcards...anyone can read them."
It's true.
So true.
I stand corrected.
Though the post was merely illustrative.
FRegards.
What would Dobson say to President Hillary Clinton and a continued Democratic majority, starting in January ‘09? The entire U.S. will definitely get much worse much quicker if conservatives don’t become a majority very soon, and all conservatives all over the U.S. truly need to get together and then vote in the majority for truly conservative politicians at every level in ‘07, ‘08, and beyond. Making the country much worse isn’t making the country much better, and encouraging too many conservatives to stay home on election day will only help in creating a socialistic U.S. for the long-term!
Obviously,this is not Dobson’s forum. His views will not be taken as seriously here as they would on “Focus on the Family”. It is a grave mistake to underestimate Dobson. He is popular with people for the same reason Rush is. He’s charismatic, articulate, and knows his audience. People listen to him because they receive good information that helps them in life.
The vast majority of the American people are looking for an energetic leader, somebody with “juice”. You know, the quarterback type. I’m afraid Fred is Bob Dole all over again, and people here just can’t, or refuse, to see it. Dobson does, however.
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.