Posted on 01/25/2008 12:14:29 PM PST by Alex Murphy
James Dobson, the founder and head of the evangelical media and counseling group Focus on the Family, is constantly described by the media as a power broker, kingmaker, and "the Christian right's most powerful leader." As such, his endorsement is seen as key by G.O.P. presidential candidates in the 2008 race. On Wednesday night, his political action website Citizenlink.com released assessments of the major Democratic and Republican candidates — and political observers immediately checked in to see whether Dobson's organization was leaning toward Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney, the two G.O.P. candidates who have made the biggest play for the evangelical vote. As Focus on the Family weighs in on the presidential race, however, an examination of the group's records shows that its influence may not be all that it once was, and that its actual base may have become smaller.
For months, Dobson has been playing it coy, seeming to favoring the Mormon Mitt Romney over Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee, who would otherwise appear to be the natural Christian right choice. In December, Dr. Dobson praised a Romney speech as "a magnificent reminder of the role religious faith must play in government and public policy. His delivery was passionate and his message inspirational." Dobson even made a congratulatory phone call to the candidate.
When Romney lost the Iowa caucuses to Huckabee, Dobson attributed the outcome to "conservative Christians," but he has not warmed to the former governor of Arkansas. Huckabee, Dobson cautioned after his Iowa victory, "may not become the Republican nominee." And Huckabee, who has spoken of his great and longtime friendship with the Dobsons, has wondered aloud why no endorsement appears to be coming his way. In the Citizenlink.com assessments, Huckabee was found wanting in terms of foreign policy and "fiscal" issues
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
I never noticed him to have much political clout.
I’ve never heard of him until this year when he didn’t endorse somebody or something like that.
Dobson is well known in Christian circles so his opinions get more attention than the average citizen, but he hardly heads up the Christian Right, Inc.
Dobson's so-called influence is no different than that of any other famous person. Yet these reporters don't spin big power struggle stories about those people. They need to just get over it. Dobson is an American citizen with many friends. That doesn't mean we turn over our voting rights to him. But hey, I listen to what he has to say. Frankly I haven't entirely agreed with him this election cycle. But it is not because I respect him less or because his influence is waning. These reporters haven't got a clue what people like me think about things. They see Dobson standing in the way of their social agenda and they just can't stand him.
Apparently...not many people are responding to this thread, LOL!
Okay, seriously now...the majority of Dobson's clout is in his mind.
How could his clout be fading?
He hasn’t never a candidate to endorse and has stayed out of the race.
He is not a king MAKER. Neither is Rush.
Today Dobson is irrelevant...Yesterday Rush was irrelevant...because both refuse to back a RINO. They’ve been made irrelevant by a field of unconservative Republican candidates. They could be RELEVANT again if only they would get with the program and stop being conservative like the Republican party has.
Split up the Conservatives by getting them to fight amongst themselves.
However, unlike most highly educated liberal Sheople, conservatives can usually think for themselves.
All this jumping on the bandwagon that there are no more power brokers and wielders in the conservative base is nothing but the left piling on gobs of wannabe Shiite.
One thing for sure is that conservative are not ignorant enough to hate their own country as many egg sucking liberal dogs have shown over the last few years.
plus, he’s hardly going to have much influence when he decides NOT to endorse anyone.
Dobson and other ‘Bible-thumpin’ Christians like myself are scared that Huckabee would turn the White House into a defacto Theocracy, which would certainly be violating the spirit of the Establishment Clause in the Constitution.
Huckabee is running for President to promote and show off his Christianity, and improving America and its people seems to be an afterthought.
GWB, on the other hand, ran for President firstly to improve and protect Americans, and yet remained proud to profess and display his Christian faith.
There is a BIG difference between the two.
A Huckabee nomination would send Jewish Republicans, secular Republicans, and even evangelical Republicans staying home in droves.
Huck has already violated in spirit the Establishment Clause when he said recently that he would rather have the Constitution changed to fit “God’s Word” than “God’s Word” to fit the Constitution.
I know what he means, and empathize.
But secular Americans see that as stepping over the line. The mainstream media would play that quote over and over and over all summer, if Huck were to be nominee.
The Republican Party would be demolished in November.
Lastly, Huckabee simply does not project the perception of “strength”.
He is kinda frumpy, demure, and not someone who best represents the power and strength that is America.
Huck seems to be a great Preacher. He should stick to what he does best.
Either these "conservatives" were snookered or they just went ahead and voted for the Christian socialist.
I don’t believe that is the case. He doesn’t hesitate to state his mind, but I don’t believe he is arrogant or prideful. A lot of this “clout” and hype comes from a media which tries to stir the pot.
Doesn’t have much clout here in Colorado. Unless you’re into Colorado Springs local Politics.
Well yes exactly. LOL! These people are just amazing.
“Huck has already violated in spirit the Establishment Clause when he said recently that he would rather have the Constitution changed to fit “God’s Word” than “God’s Word” to fit the Constitution.
I know what he means, and empathize”
What did he really mean? I didn’t understand that quote. I have no idea what he’s trying to say there. Can you explain?
“Huckabee is running for President to promote and show off his Christianity, and improving America and its people seems to be an afterthought.”
Good point. Last night during the debate, I got the impression from Romney that he really did want to make the country work better. Like a good Mormon, he would spend eight years on the project and then dutifully go about his life.
Exactly. The MSM, “arbiter of relevancy”, has waved its evil wand over Dobson. Poof, he’s gone (they wish.)
For some itchy reason I get the feeling that the Maim Stream Press is reacting to new DNC marching orders.
Split up the Conservatives by getting them to fight amongst themselves.
Exactly. The MSM, “arbiter of relevancy”, has waved its evil wand over Dobson. Poof, he’s gone (they wish.)
MSM and DNC plans are to get the Conservatives fighting over Huck and Mitt, thereby splitting the vote, while the "chosen one"-McCain- comes in to take the nomination, just in time to get his rear end handed him by the same MSM and DNC and Hillary.
So now that we know their plans, what do we do?
I say we draft a true conservative at a brokered convention.
He meant, in a cute sort of way, that it would be easier to change the US Constitution than it would be to change the Bible.
After all, we all know you CAN'T change the Bible because it's already set in 'stone' -- so to speak.
So Huckabee was just playing rhetorical games, throwing red meat to evangelicals, of which I am certainly one.
The problem with Huckabee's statement is that is conjurs up visions of a "Christian only" President -- one who would violate the Establishment Clause by pushing the nation to be Christian ONLY.
That thought scares the beJesus (pun intended) out of Jewish Republicans, non faithful Republicans, secular Republicans, and Democrats.
The White House is a lot of things, but it is NOT a pulpit...
Exactly. I don’t recall ever wondering WWJDD (what would James Dobson do)?
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.