Dobson Leans Toward Endorsing McCain

The New York Times - The Caucus ^ | 2008-07-20 | Kate Phillips

[rabscuttle385]

There seems to be a kumbaya moment occurring on the conservative front, and it’s one that would apply a salve to Senator John McCain’s uneven, unsettled relationship with the religious right.

Enter James Dobson, who has at times been blistering in his criticisms of Mr. McCain. The religious right’s more favored candidates — from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to even former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson — are no longer options.

Thus, The Associated Press is reporting, in a preview of Mr. Dobson’s radio show tomorrow, that he is amending his views to be more embracing of the presumptive Republican nominee.

[rabscuttle385]

Earlier thread was pulled due to boycott of AP.

[rabscuttle385]

Way back in January 2007, Dr. Dobson said that he couldn't support McCain's presidential bid "under any circumstances".

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[marron]

Hey, I said it too. Several times.

But I finally decided it wasn’t about McCain, it was about Petraeus. The candidate most likely to let Petraeus finish his work is my bottom line.

I wish Dobson had been more supportive of some of the good candidates running when there was still time. But he wasn’t and he’s burnt himself in my view as a political rainmaker.

[SevenMinusOne]

Excellent news - Mr. McCain is far from perfect - But the reality is, at this time in our great Nation we cannot allow ourselves to have a POTUS/CinC the likes of Obama.

It is time for our base to circle the wagons, defeat the Democrats and then take issue among ourselves on a few big issues.... hammering out where we need to go (as a party and as a Nation).

But first we must be serious enough and adult enough to make the tough decision, backing McCain and coming together first and foremost.

I believe we are going to do this......and our party will be better for it 4 years down the road...

[padre35]

The only way that a Dobson endorsement will help McCain is if it is seen as sincere and full, a half hearted endorsement will not mean very much.

[WilliamReading]

Is dobson okay with Romney as VP?

[FocusNexus]

To quote your post to me earlier:

“This article was already posted. Next time please try to use the keyword search.”

2 posted on 07/19/2008 9:20:52 PM PDT by rabscuttle385”

I guess you should follow your own advice... or “those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048617/posts

[rabscuttle385]

I guess you should follow your own advice... or “those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”.

There was a thread posted about this topic by me earlier today, even before that other thread. Unfortunately, the mods pulled it due to the AP boycott, so I reposted from another source.

[stravinskyrules]

Dobson now set to lose the Freeper vote.

[sofaman]

great post ... good on you!

[Jeff Chandler]

Hey, I'm voting for the old fart.

Better than the punk.

[latina4dubya]

who cares? this evangelical, prochoice, homeschooling Christian does not... after he endorsed Huckabee? please, bruthuh, please...

[CharlesWayneCT]

The religious right’s more favored candidates — from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to even former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson — are no longer options.

The author seems unaware that Fred Thompson was never really favored by the religious right, and that was why they rallied around Huckabee. In fact Dobson had actually attacked Thompson before he ever attacked McCain.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I have an "in" and will call the Dobson staff people, directly if I have to from Japan, and get them to hold off on this, to keep the endorsement vacant, or at least consider endorsing the Constitution Party, which at least is going to be more in line with Dobson on social issues then Scarface ever was or will be.

You can count on me to backchannel this as best as 1 person can.

[llandres]

But I finally decided it wasn’t about McCain, it was about Petraeus. The candidate most likely to let Petraeus finish his work is my bottom line.”

yes, yes, yes. and the war on terror as a whole.

we have to pick our battles, a truism in life, usually.

(sorry for the pun)

[llandres]

It is time for our base to circle the wagons, defeat the Democrats and then take issue among ourselves on a few big issues.... hammering out where we need to go (as a party and as a Nation).”

DS - oh, so true, and I hope we all get this before it’s too late - the dems historically have always known it.

That old saying - “in order to fight the alligators, you first have to drain the swamp” applies here perfectly. And I’ve heard some really great conservative speakers who place foreign policy/national security of our country as #1 priority, say this very thing. First, we have to defeat b. hussein obama, THEN we can go to work on McCain about all the other issues.

[AmericaUnited]

Good, another little baby who is done throwing their temper tantrum because they can’t get everything they want. Adults understand soemtimes you have to make hard choices. Throwing yourself on the floor and just bubblering is not an option.

[papasmurf]

James Dobson Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, who previously questioned GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson's viability among evangelical voters, now has told friends he cannot support the former Tennessee senator. In an e-mail to friends, according to the Associated Press, Dobson said he won't be supporting Thompson: "Not for me, my brothers. Not for me!" Dobson raised questions about the strength of Thompson's campaign and challenged his stance on issues important to evangelical Christians, for whom Dobson is widely considered an important voice. "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's e-mail said. Dobson was quoted by U.S. News and World Report saying, "Everyone knows [Thompson's] conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for, [but] I don't think he's a Christian; at least that's my impression."

My, my, my. You shoot down one of our best hopefuls, and you support one of our worst.

[ravensandricks]

How is it possible to take charlatans like Dobson seriously or care what they say?

[commonguymd]

He lost credibility by introducing himself in the nomination process as some kind of “King Maker”. Thompson was a far better option than McCain was and Dobson was no help so we and he are stuck with this loony tune.