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.
You're living in a fantasy world if you think that is true of social conservatives when it comes to someone like Giuliani.
The day has come, only it is the minorities and the special interests who are using the courts to force their agenda on the majority, and especially on children. The homosexuals, feminists and atheists are having a field day with the force of law against all believers. Where have you been?
Serious question: Would they cast their vote against Hillary? That is to say, they’d go with Rudy if it looked like Hillary was a winner?
He most certainly doesn't have a more conservative voting record than Thompson. Thompson has the higher ACU rating.
The LAW defines what is right and wrong in a society. And, the stronger the law, the more the deterrent.
Dobson's a good and decent man of faith by most accounts--certainly not a man seeking to feed his ego. I've never encountered anyone who knows the man who says an unkind word about him. It's just my two cents, of course, but I think he's a sincere man of faith, a genuine patriot, who follows his Christian conscience to the best of his ability. Sometimes that conscience leads him to express unpopular, impolitic opinions on establishment policies and candidates. He's driven me batty through the years at different times, but I believe he's utterly sincere. He's more concerned about the opinion of God than his fellow man.
This is excellent and wise advise. Dobson and Billy Graham are not truly comparable because Graham was a theologist and preacher, but Dobson is not a pastor, he is a child psychologist who is also an evangelical Christian. He doesn't even seem to have adults figured out, IMHO. I find him grating and stubborn in his retro mannerisms. That said, he has been an invaluable leader and galvanizer of Christians to take an interest in their political fate. His Citizen magazine is a terrific resource.
And let's not forget, Ronald Reagan was nearly 70 when he ran for office and held office for 8 years. Fred is 66. Ron Paul is 72. McCain is 71. Giuliani is 63. Romney is 60. Hunter is 59. Huckabee is 52. Hillary will be 60 in October (Scorpio, not Libra).
Focus on the Family is headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO.
Fred just turned 65, not 66.
“Now he’s apparently pro-life. Just not enough to criminalize it in the first trimester or support a constitutional amendment to end it.”
A position that’s a little too ‘convenient’, but I hear all that matters is that he might win over some of the middle of the roaders. Then again, so will the RHINOs.
“I wonder who Dobson thinks he can find to support.”
Maybe he’ll put his support behind Duncan Hunter. I doubt Fred much cares if Dobson doesn’t endorse him, probably sees the backing of such an organization as the ‘kiss of death’ to winning over the middle of the roaders.
Ah well, he’s got the endorsement of pro-amnesty, OBLer George P. Bush. GPB must see something worthwhile in Fred’s agenda.
I wonder if Jim would vote for a twice married former hollywood “B” movie actor and former union president who, as governor of California, signed into law a sweeping abortion-on-demand bill?
It is just way too early for Dobson to be sounding off like this....Dobson is so smart, this move is surprising, must be some hokie leak from the Rudy McRomney hacks....stay tune..Dobson will be clarifying tomorrow...
“Don’t worry, B16’s agenda doesn’t include Duncan Hunter ...”
No, the pope’s public agenda never includes public endorsements of presidential candidates. However, I am certain the pope’s private prayers are very focused on people of good will electing principled leaders who value and defend human life. All rights begin with life.
Therefore, Duncan Hunter, a solid, consistent defender of innocent human life would be indirectly on the Pope’s agenda and in his prayers.
www.gohunter08.com
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