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.
That could be a big understatement! Dobson has a lot of followers. If the email represents an opinion he will personally express in public speaking it could be a bad blow to Fred.
What may be is that Dobson leaked the email to test the waters with his followers by trying a negative line on Fred he can take back if it is not well received.
“this just killed thompson’s nomination. he’s now a dead man walking. a zombie. sad but true.”
Time will tell, of course, but I think your obituary is just a tad premature. If Rudi gets the nomination, I believe Dobson has said he won’t support him, either.
///////////
rudi’s people immediately went over to the social conservatives and found out their concern for judges. rudi’s people then hammered out a position statement that rudi agreed to saying he would appoint strict constructionist judges. that mollified social conservatives.
While in the Senate, Thompson wanted states to issue birth certificates without any oversight by the federal government. A state could decide they want to issue birth certificates to any illegal alien who applies and all illegals could just pay a visit to that state to get theirs, perhaps a California with a Governor Bustamante. Would Thompson then support an amendment where states don't have to recognize other states' birth certificates?
Maybe we’ll find out when we see the next “leaked” e-mail...
There. Fixed it for you. :p
Re-read what I wrote to you:
Where did I say that THIS was a dictate?
“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!”
Tough words from Dr. Dobson. I respect him alot. I’ll bet he will endorse Huckabee.
I guess the right to free speech doesn’t apply to certain people? Like something straight out of Berkeley.
There is no guaranteed right to freedom of speech; that is the concept that is straight out of Berkeley. There is only the 1st Amendment, which prevents GOVERNMENT from silencing you.
But, since you seem to be using the misunderstood vernacular of "freedom of speech," aren't you making the argument that the Dixie Chicks tried after people responded loudly to their exercise of their "freedom of speech?" And didn't we, rightly, mock them for their total lack of understanding that freedom of speech carries with it repercussions, as long as those are not governmentally sanctioned repercussions?
In short, the OP's admonition to Dobson to STFU is just another exercise of the freedom of speech in response to Dobson's exercise of same.
Fred Thompson is not pro-choice. He does not support anti-Constitutional reactions to R v W. We need a Human Life Amendment to ban abortion at a Federal level. I just can’t see any other way to prevent going back and forth according to the whims of the SCOTUS.
Until then, we will have to return to Federalism.
What’s great is that we have ultrasound and ‘way more information about the embryo than we had in 1970.
Non-Mormon parents can’t attend their child’s Temple wedding?
That’s creepy.
Romney’s not gonna win South Carolina, even if he did have Dobson’s endorsement!! There is no way, a Massachusetts Liberal is gonna win the ‘Heart of Dixie’-Heck most democrats are even conservative (most are black fiscally liberal but socially conservative Christians!), even if they are confused politically by voting for people like Hillary or Obama.
You’ll find more secular liberal country-club Republicans in one wing of the party..though not a majority; thank God.
I believe they are mostly Guiliani fans, big point; Romney won’t win in SC!! I am happy to say that was my most recent home..
We shall see. He is a Southern boy, which will garner some votes, but in the end his lifestyle (for which he is unabashedly unapologetic) will come back to haunt him in the general election.
That would be the Savior and His Father. Separate beings but one in purpose.
The Holy Ghost was sent on the day of Pentecost.
Before Christ, God’s people lived under the law. After Christ, God’s people live under the Spirit.
Quoting from the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:26 -
“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”
For the record, when Mormons are baptized, it’s immersion, and “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”
I was raised a Southern Baptist and I hung around with pentecostals for a season - even served a mission with Youth With A Mission for 18 months in Belize, Central America.
All that time, I thought Mormons were nuts and going-to-hell deceived wackos. I also thought Joseph Smith thought he was Jesus Christ. I was shocked to find out several preachers had lied to me right to my face about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
You know those LDS Missionaries on bicycles? They are not monsters after all. Just sweet kids loving the Savior and serving people. For two years, they devote themselves to loving and serving others. It's amazing to me.
I have nothing against evangelical Christians. I just wish they had nothing against me, too.
Your Mormon FReeper pal.
BREEEEEP! Wrong answer. Please try again...
Oh, please give us details of his “lifestyle”.
Or are you relying on GOSSIP?
How “Christian” of you.
If its not Fred, than tell us, who you think can beat both liberal frontrunners ---- Rudy and Hillary? Again, do you have an alternative conservative candidate who is more viable then Fred Thompson?
>>>>>> .... the first thing out the gate he declared that faith would not be a big part of his campaign and then promptly dissed the Value Voters debate, and begged off on the T.Schaivo question.
Like Reagan, Fred doesn't wear his religious faith on his sleeve. Most folks will respect Fred`s privacy in that regard. Too bad you can't. And Reagan didn't run on religious issues. He ran on social issues that were important to most conservative Americans. On the social issues, overturning Roe v Wade was Reagan's main goal.
Like Reagan, Fred is a pro-lifer and that will carry weight with all social conservatives. Not attending the Value Voters Debate may have ticked off some folks, but in the end few will remember any of these early debates. Some people followed the Schaivo case, others didn't. Sorry, Fred wasn't the only American who didn't take an interest in the Schaivo case.
If you want a conservative who can win the nomination and take down the Democrat, get behind Fred.
As a youth pastor, you have dealt with the detritus of our lovely social welfare system. Do you really believe that allowing the government to finish off the family will result in some greater good?
I don't want to impugn your ministry, but we are all content to just treat the symptoms. The entire social welfare problem stems from the church to begin with! If the church hadn't abdicated her responsibilities, the country wouldn't be in such shape!
It does seem odd, and I didn’t think you were bashing them.
Mormonism is an unknown quantity to many people.
I look at the fruit of someone’s life and Mitt Romney’s life speaks volumes when it comes to good values.
If you haven’t considered him, give him a chance.
He’s a good man.
And very qualified to be President of the United States.
Good night and God bless you,
Beth (not sent by LDS ;)
Well said, wardaddy.
As a Christian you sure seem to judge others quickly and without knowing them very well. Maybe it is I who should pray for you.
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.