Christian leaders threaten to abandon Republicans

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | September 30, 2007

[Man50D]

WASHINGTON – Some of the top leaders in Christian pro-family activism – including James Dobson of Focus on the Family – met in Salt Lake City yesterday to plot a strategy if Rudy Giuliani or another supporter of legalized abortion is nominated by the Republican Party as its presidential candidate.

Not only was there a consensus among activists to withhold support for the Republican nominee, there was even discussion about supporting the entry of a new candidate to challenge the frontrunners.

It's no secret that Dobson, founder of one of the largest Christian ministries in the country, has no use for Giuliani.

In June, he said: "I cannot, and will not, vote for Rudy Giuliani in 2008. It is an irrevocable decision. If given a Hobson's – Dobson's? – choice between him and Sens. Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, I will either cast my ballot for an also-ran – or if worse comes to worst – not vote in a presidential election for the first time in my adult life. My conscience and my moral convictions will allow me to do nothing else."

Dobson reportedly drove from his headquarters Colorado Springs to the private meeting, held between sessions of the Council for National Policy in Salt Lake City this weekend, just to weigh in with other leaders of family groups, including the Family Research Council, Bott Broadcasting, Capitol Resource Institute, Salem Communications, Eagle Forum and Concerned Women for America

[finnigan2]

“Conservatives will be throwing their votes away if they vote for Guiliani.”

- I understand where Dobson is coming from in refusing to sacrifice his religious beliefs over politics but it is important to remember that Giuliani is not running on an abortion platform of any sort. In fact, he has little choice, given the beliefs of a large number in his Party. Remember, that in Bush’s almost eight years in office he has not made an inch of progress on the issue - and he is as anti abortion as you’re likely to get these days.
No, I think that if elected Giuliani would not touch this issue with a barge pole. If anything, he will retain the status quo, unlike Hitlery, who will be meddling in the matter all the time so as to keep her pro abortion activists happy.
So it comes down to a choice between two pro abortionists, one of whom is likely to do nothing in the matter, while the other is likely to keep the issue on the front burner.
A real “Dobson’s choice”, right?
I wish Guiliani had not taken such a public stand on this matter, but I would still support him even though I don’t agree with him on this. I look at it like when Kennedy was elected President as the first Roman Catholic. Many protestants really feared to vote for him, afraid that the Papacy would gain undue influence in the country but nothing of the sort happened.
Dobson should realize that, in this instance and at this time, a passive president will be preferable to an activist president.

[Jim Noble]

What percentage of the vote required to elect the President is represented by “the base”?

And what is “the base” willing to do to get to 51?

[Kimberly GG]

“So, people, how about making up your mind. Is a candidate who will fight the war on terror AND shut down illegal immigration, but who is soft on abortion acceptable or not?”

No. Duncan Hunter has always taken a STRONG, CONSISTENT stand on all three issues. The only reason ANY Republican would settle for less, when they have the option to support him in the primaries, is, IMO, because they disagree with Duncan Hunter’s STRONG stand on one or more of those issues and so, wish to support a more ‘moderate’ top tier candidate. This, imo, IS the reason for the divide between RHINO’s and conservatives, preventing the party, just like in ‘06, from uniting again. Too many RHINOs, ‘claiming’ support for DH, but then using the disguise of ‘electability’ and ‘poll numbers’ as an excuse to support a top tier moderate. There seems to be nothing they won’t justify or excuse and their ‘moderate’ views are why, in spite of all comparison, they won’t be swayed. As long as the trend continues, we are in for more of the same in ‘08, or worse. The sovereignty and security of our country are at stake, God help us.

[Munson]

And that will likely make more money for his organization.

[Jim Noble]

If you think your candidates ever intended to "end abortion" against the wishes iof the voters, you are a fool.

If the voters wanted abortion "ended", it would end. You need to convince them, and the whores in Congress will follow.

[AmericaUnited]

Guiliani agrees with Clinton on almost every issue

That's total BULL. Yes, yes I know that chart says so but in reality they are not even close.

[AmericaUnited]

Electing someone like Guiliani is not the same as voting for the socialist Clinton. It's asinine to even say that.

A big James Dobson AMEN to that... :)

[WildcatClan]

There are only two types of political parties - winners and losers. "Getting elected" and "winning" mean the same thing. What's the case for losing?

I suppose one would have to accept your parameters in defining victory before wading into the sophistry of the question you presented. Yes getting elected is winning, but it is a win for whom and for how long?

I am not sure Clinton felt like such a winner when all the Republican freshmen rolled into Washington. There are far too many variables, and possibilities for more, to define victory so simplistically. Gore could change parties tomorrow and run with an (R) after his name. If he won an election, would that still be a win, after all, there is an (R) after his name?

I am not ashamed of being a conservative nor do I feel my right-wing ideology is something that must be hidden or compromised. So, I am not going to make a case for losing, because as you know, there isn't one. Likewise, you didn't make a case for winning. You simply proffered that perhaps half a shotgun is better than none at all. Yet when a 9 foot tall Grizzly attacks you the notion you might get the other half later is going to be cold comfort.

This time around half won't do. The conservatives in the GOP have very nearly surpassed their half-life, and if a solid conservative doesn't win, it's a loss. The demographics and dynamics will have changed in such a way that the next election will find conservatives on the outside, looking in, and reaping the rewards of compromising their core beliefs.

[danamco]

It is important for GOP leadership to realize they it's time for them to appease Conservatives instead of the Socialist Democrats by restoring core Conservative values in the party if they expect Conservatives to support them.

Rush Limbaugh constantly points out the true Conservative politics for the GOP, always win!!!

[right wing]

That would be more helpful than passively leaking that they cannot support a certain candidate without saying why.

Duh, Rudy's pro-abortion stance is why.

[right wing]

I have never heard any reason for Dobson or any of the other leaders in the Christian community, for not putting their backing squarely behind Duncan Hunter. I can’t imagine that ‘electability’ or ‘poll numbers’ (the usual excuses) to be an issue if they are considering promoting a new candidate. has anyone heard of any legitimate reason why they aren’t 100% behind DH? He would seem an obvious choice.

I don't understand it either except that unlike pro(big)-business, conservatives aren't of the same ilk that supported and donated in mass to Ronald Reagan. Today's big-business conservatives are one-worlder's that don't mind selling off our country piece by piece, never mind letting the flood of illegals continue to cross-over and proliferate.

Duncan Hunter should be a slam dunk candidate for the conservative party and it is sickening to me that he isn't the front runner.

[dragnet2]

We have reached a point where I believe it does not matter which party is in power. They are all just puppets for insiders behind closed doors.

[BillT]

The level of degradation is different but the end result is the same.

[Walkingfeather]

Not just abortion but conservative judges, there is a growing and rampant hostility towards Christians in govt. etc. If you think the conservatives got the support they gave these candidates you are a whack job.

Why should we turn around and do it all over again when we had the perfect political storm and the republicans can not see themselves as leaders and in power.

[prairiebreeze]

Bump on those observations, Leni. Like you, I make up my own mind.

[pctech]

I have to disagree with you. The Bible says there will be a "great falling away" right before the end. I see matters getting steadily worse but I also see socialism being held at bay until the Rapture.

After that happens, then I see America going with a total socialistic government headed by the likes of Clinton, Kennedy and Schumer and along with the rest of the world.

[WildcatClan]

Will the 2-5% drop be balanced by a 6-8% pickup in the mushy middle? Or will there be a 6-8% drop that cannot be balanced by a 2-3% pickup?

I think the 2006 elections went a long way in answering your question. Also, the Republican base would get out and vote for Hunter, no doubt about that. I am not sure what the "mushy middle" is exactly but I am not sure there is a candidate who can draw more Democratic votes than Hunter.

Union folks are going to go for him and I have flipped quite a few Democrats for Hunter. If there any who believe there aren't Democrats who are concerned about securing borders and illegal immigration, then, well, they just haven't been paying attention. Hunter is a competent and capable leader and that is going to equal votes.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

WASHINGTON – Some of the top leaders in Christian pro-family activism – including James Dobson of Focus on the Family – met in Salt Lake City yesterday to plot a strategy if Rudy Giuliani or another supporter of legalized abortion is nominated by the Republican Party as its presidential candidate.

I have one Christian Leader His Name is Jesus Christ although i don't support Rudy I'm not letting Dobson's idea of a perfect Christian life Sway my vote it's not his buisness nor any other special interests Buisness who i vote for or why !

[RachelFaith]

Nice chart.

I especially was entertained by this line:

Federal Marriage Amendment Opposes Opposes Opposes
Defined at
state level Supports

Looks like Fred Thompson supports the DEMOCRAT platform and NOT the Republican platform on at least one MAJOR issue.

[nathanbedford]

Dear Leni:

Perhaps Dr. Dobson himself would profess to be offended by linking him with Martin Luther, that is if he should take exception to someone who was a vile and notorious anti-Semite.

Perhaps you would take further exception to my nom de plume and avatar because they refer to a slaver and founder of the Ku Klux Klan. As a professing Christian, you no doubt are conversant with the biblical doctrines of repentance and forgiveness which I have sought to illustrate on my about page. As a Christian, you will no doubt accept that, "all have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God." As such, we are all of us, you, me, Martin Luther, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and, yes, Dr. Dobson, in urgent need of forgiveness which comes subsequent to the fulfillment of the condition precedent: repentance.I know these are things which are not necessary to instruct you about.

As I said in the about page, "Ultimately, if we withhold recognition from a historical character because he is in some respects flawed, we will be unable to find a worthy candidate this side of the cross." Yes, Dr. Dobson is flawed, but I don't see his flaws as particularly heinous. I do agree with you that I'm a secular level his comments about former Senator Thompson are not helpful. But then, what do we do about his comments of forgiveness for Newt Gingrich?

Despite his anti-Semitism, I think Martin Luther was a very great and good man but that is so despite his flaws. Dr. Dobson is right on abortion. This is true irrespective of his other flaws. Abortion is a transcendent issue and those who are right on it should be able to invoke both the Pope and Martin Luther or even John Brown if it helps the cause.