[George W. Bush]

There was rumor of this earlier. It was said that this might be a key indicator of an impending Romney endorsement by James Dobson.

Interesting rumor. It does make some sense. Since Dobson is absolutely opposed to Rudi and, let's say, not happy with Fred, then before he jumps to a third-party he almost has to endorse some GOP candidate that he does accept. Otherwise, people will question his judgment, whether he gave the GOP field a fair chance and so on.

So Dobson does almost have to endorse someone.

I'm still thinking that Dobson will go for Huckabee and try to jumpstart his campaign with an Iowa win. But Iowa might not cooperate so well. It's very important for these organizations to endorse the winner and help them to become the winner. That is their entire value politically. So Huckabee is too much a long shot for Dobson to risk his influence by endorsing him, I think.

At this level of politics, these organizations need to pick a winner, especially one that needs their help, then help make them the winner so that they can be seen in a kingmaker role. Then if their guy wins office, he owes them, other politicians fear them, etc.

[tabsternager]

“I’m still thinking that Dobson will go for Huckabee”

If Romney wins the primaries, as I hope he does, then the best move he could make would be to choose Huckabee as his running mate, in my opinion.

[joebuck]

"Since Dobson is absolutely opposed to Rudi and, let's say, not happy with Fred, then before he jumps to a third-party he almost has to endorse some GOP candidate that he does accept."

This is why I'm not completely comfortable with Clergymen being in the endorsing business. Getting too involved with the world has a way sucking one in farther than they intended to get.

[TheLion]

Why would he endosrse someone who is not a winner? I like Huckabee, but it seems to me he doesn’t have the organization and money to make a strong bid at the candidacy.