I’ve read about this guy Dobson here at FR many times over the years. Is he big in the South or something? Are there a lot of people who listen to what he says, and vote the way he recommends?
(Sorry about asking for a basic education, but this guy Dobson seemed to pop up out of the blue a few years ago and I don’t get the appeal. I guess he filled the void when those other two religion guys faded away - - Ralph something and Gary something...? Thanks in advance.)
He's big everywhere, especially among Christian radio listeners. His half-hour daily show has listenership well into the millions; he talks mostly about family issues, child-rearing, etc. He occasionally talks about political issues; mostly about "social" issues, and yes, people listen to him.
That said, this email was a private email sent to his friends; it was *not* an official endorsement of Focus on the Family, and will not likely have wide influence, since he probably won't discuss it on his show.
Social conservatism is big down here...maybe...more so in Dixie with white voters then in the mid South
just see the red state maps
My favorite thing on Dobson is that he believes in discipline....
I think he lives in California actually...
btw...I am with Fred more or less
“I’ve read about this guy Dobson here at FR many times over the years. Is he big in the South or something? Are there a lot of people who listen to what he says, and vote the way he recommends”
Oh gosh, he was a huge influence in my life during the child-rearing years. I first heard his radio program before I even had my first baby almost 24 years ago. I was PG and heard an interview with Raymond Moore who was a pioneer in homeschooling. I was totally amazed and proceeded to homeschool all my kids and have been doing so for 19 years with terrific results.
Dobson’s books, monthly magazine and radio programs have encouraged me many times in many ways...motherhood, marriage, my own walk with God...on and on. I haven’t listened to him at all the last few years only because I am so busy and don’t listen to the radio much at all anymore but his program was on my kitchen radio every morning while the kids were babies and toddlers and I got a LOT of encouragement and wisdom from his programs.
Focus on the Family is the name of the organization he founded. They also produce a radio drama for kids called ‘Adventures in Oddysey’ My kids grew up on the weekly and nightly episodes.
I don’t follow his politics since I don’t get his publications or listen to his program anymore but I have nothing but respect for the man and his ministry...just because it was such a help to me as a young mom.
It makes me a little sad to see the thrashing he is getting on Free Republic right now...but to each his own.
I thought I would clue you in a little on what I know about him.
Dobson is based in Colorado; his ministry is called “Focus on the Family.” He got started in the ‘70’s with a very popular set of seminars that he did around the country on disciplining and rearing children. The ministry grew and grew, became so huge that it now has it’s own zip code. Most of his work is regarding childrearing, schooling, parenting type advice . . . not political. In a way that is what gives him political power. We are almost all political junkies here on Free Republic. My wife couldn’t care less about politics, but she loves kids, loves being a mother, loves her church, and loves and listens to Dobson. She probably has made as many calls to Congressmen and Senators this year as I have, just based on Dobson’s occassional e-mail alerts or notices on his webpage that the family, or the churches, or parents, or whatever is in danger from legislation x, y, or z. His power is that he is not primarily political and he reaches parents, moms, etc. that otherwise would be almost completely uninvolved in or unaware of politics.