Dr. James Dobson: Fred Thompson 'Not a Christian'

NewsMax.Com ^ | Wednesday, March 28, 2007

[SubGeniusX]

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson has dealt a potentially devastating blow to Fred Thompson’s presidential aspirations, saying the former senator is not a Christian.

"Everyone knows he’s conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for,” Dobson – considered the most politically powerful evangelical figure in the U.S. – said in a phone call to Dan Gilgoff, senior editor at U.S. News & World Report.

"[But] I don’t think he’s a Christian. At least that’s my impression.”

Thompson’s spokesman Mark Corallo took issue with the statement.

"Thompson is indeed a Christian,” he said. "He was baptized into the Church of Christ.”

Focus on Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger sought to clarify Dobson’s statement, telling Gilgoff that while Dobson didn’t believe Thompson belonged to a non-Christian faith, he "has never known Thompson to be a committed Christian – someone who openly talks about his faith.

"We use that word – Christian – to refer to people who are evangelical Christians. Dobson wasn’t expressing a personal opinion about his reaction to a Thompson candidacy.”

Thompson has said he is leaving the door open for a presidential run. A Gallup-USA Today poll released on Tuesday has the Tennessee Republican running third behind Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain among Republicans and Republican-leaning voters.

Although Dobson has not endorsed any Republican presidential candidate, he told Gilgoff that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was the "brightest guy out there” and "the most articulate politicians on the scene today.”

Gilgoff is the author of the new book "The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America Are Winning the Culture War.”

In the 2004 race, Dobson gave the first public presidential endorsement of his career, supporting George Bush. Bush got almost 6 million new white evangelical votes in 2004 that he didn’t get in 2000.

[truth_seeker]

"I disagree with Dr. Dobson making that statement, I think he should have known better."

He ain't near as bright as he is made out to be. He previously gave his Good Christian Seal of Approval to his old buddy Ted Haggard.

[lapdog]

If I could have Newt and Fred in the WH, I would think I'd died and gone to heaven. No sarcasm intended.

[Richard Kimball]

I've done a little follow up on this. So far, on all the "Focus on the Family" sites, I have found two references to Fred Thompson. Neither has any relevance to this. An unsigned article on Newsmax asserts that James Dobson made a phone call to Dan Gilgoff, who frequently writes for the Huffington Post, dislikes Dobson, and is currently hawking a book called "The Jesus Machine" which attacks Dobson and Focus on the Family. In this phone interview, which is only reported in snips and pieces, Dobson gives a guy who hates the Christian right and want to make a lot of money by slamming them his overview of Republican candidates.

I think this is a lot of nonsense. When I hear something from Dobson about this, I'll pay attention to it.

[rintense]

Sometimes, Dobson should just shut the heck up.

[rintense]

Oh brother. I want to know what a committed Christian is versus a regular, everyday Christian. I *do* know what a holier than thou Christian is. And Dobson is quickly becoming one.

[ClarenceThomasfan]

I respect Dr. Dobson very much. He has good intuition. I hope Fred Thompson is a Christian. If he is not, he will not be getting my vote.

[rintense]

And the fact that Dobson basically endorses Newt makes me laugh.

[healy61]

Well, if Thompson decides to run, he will no doubt be interviewed by Dobson on over 2000 stations and be heard by millions, and the issue will be cleared up. And he will be better known to millions of conservative voters.

[ClarenceThomasfan]

"You really shouldn't post remarks like this, it reveals your ignorance about who and what James Dobson is.

Bear in mind, I didn't call you ignorant, just on the subject of evanganicial Christians.

Without people like Dobson, there would be no GOP with any influence at all.

The GOP would be the Rockefeller wing, sitting back letting the little people think they are in control, whle making back room deals."

Amen. I agree with everything you said. In 2004, Dr. Dobson was a hero on these boards for getting out the evangelical vote. Now that he says something a little controversial, people are treating him like a pirahha. Talk about your fair-weathered fans.

[MARTIAL MONK]

Shore he is. Me an' Elmer seen him at the 'vival jes last Sattiday. Back of the tent. I remembers cause he had the bottle.

[lapdog]

Your Tagline: In 2008 Republicans will unite around Guiliani, McCain or Romney and whoop Hillary in a Landslide!!

Your Post:I respect Dr. Dobson very much. He has good intuition. I hope Fred Thompson is a Christian. If he is not, he will not be getting my vote.

Is it "Anybody but Hillary" or "Whoever, as long as they pray like me"

[macamadamia]

I think your instinct here is right. When I read this my first reaction was suspicion about its veracity. I still remain skeptical.

[IslandJeff]

Oh no. Not this again. We have enough on the plate as it is.

[Tribune7]

I think Dobson did more damage to his organization than anything else.

Draft Fred bump.

[healy61]

Thanks Richard for the follow up. I find Dr. Dobson a very measured individual in his choice of words. I respect the man, but am not swayed about the situation with Newt's confessions. Dobson always prefaces his statements that it is his opinion alone that he gives. He encourages people to vote their conscience. Flip Johnson

[Josh Painter]

Dear Dr. Dobson,

With all due respect, sir, the oath you took when you became a physician would serve you as well in the political world as in the medical: "First, do no harm."

In addition, I believe the job of sorting us all out and determining who among us are the "real" Christians and who are the "cultists" has already been claimed by the Almighty as His own. If you feel that somehow you are better qualified to perform that task, I suggest you take the matter up with Him.

I believe it is customary to end such missives as this with a quotation from Holy scripture. I have chosen Matthew 7:21 - “Not everyone that sayeth unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the Will of the Father Who is in Heaven.”

And this personal note - Real Christians walk the walk and are concerned with their own faith, sir. Pompous ones bloviate about the faith (or the perceived lack of it) of others.

Sincerely,

- Ruger

[kidd]

Thompson is a better Catholic than "Catholic" Rudy-poo

[IslandJeff]

That'll leave a mark. Nice.

[billbears]

Frankly this is hilarious. The baby boomer generation (50-60 years old) falls into both camps. Those that faithfully watched L&O for years and also consider themselves Christian. Dobson to them is a voice they would consider. But then they remember Thompson on TV as well. LOL, they'll be wandering around in circles outside the voting booths arguing with themselves over who to believe

And I'll pass right by them to cast my vote for Rep. Ron Paul

[Tribune7]

And the Gipper belonged to the Disciples of Christ which I think is fairly close to the Church of Christ.

Draft Fred bump