Posted on 02/07/2008 6:05:53 PM PST by NormsRevenge
James Dobson, one of the nation's most prominent evangelical Christian leaders, is about to endorse former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, The Associated Press has learned.
Dobson, founder of Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Focus on the Family, talked to the GOP presidential hopeful Thursday and later was to release a statement explaining his choice, said Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Dobson.
Huckabee had long sought Dobson's endorsement, believing he is the best fit to advance Dobson's conservative, moral worldview.
Until now, Dobson had never endorsed a GOP presidential hopeful during the primary campaign. But he ruled out front-runner John McCain in a blistering commentary on Super Tuesday, and on Thursday the fight for the GOP nomination narrowed to a two-man race between McCain and Huckabee, who is far behind in the delegate count but pledged to fight on. Mitt Romney, a third hopeful trying to claim the conservative label, dropped out of the race Thursday.
Dobson released a statement Tuesday that criticized McCain for his support of embryonic stem cell research, his opposition to a federal anti-gay marriage amendment and for his temper and use of foul language.
He said if McCain were the nominee, he would not cast a ballot for president for the first time in his life.
Dobson had left open the possibility that he would vote for either Romney or Huckabee, but endorsed neither.
Throughout the unsettled GOP race, Dobson picked his spots to signal that some candidates simply didn't meet his standards. Dobson wrote on a conservative news Web site that he wouldn't support former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani should he win the Republican nomination. Dobson called Giuliani an "unapologetic supporter of abortion on demand" and criticized him for signing a bill in 1997 creating domestic-partnership benefits in New York City.
At one point, Dobson said he'd consider voting for a minor-party candidate if faced with Giuliani as the nominee.
Later, Dobson ruled out former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson for his stands on issues. Dobson also said Thompson "has no passion, no zeal, and no apparent 'want to.'"
Dobson emphasizes that when he endorses candidates, he is doing so as a private citizen and not as a representative of Focus on the Family, a tax-exempt organization.
fyi
If Dobson would of endorsed Fred, who was the only viable conservative candidate in the field, we would be talking about Thompson securing the nomination today, not McCain.
Well, hey.
I won’t refuse to vote for Huck.
Thats my gesture toward party unity.
I would make him apologize for the “conservative” remark first.
You know, he isn’t a preacher or anything, but I don’t like those who take money from others for Christian endeavors out endorsing candidates, even if it is my guy. My pastor would never, ever do such a thing.
So much for standing up for one's beliefs, principles, etc. all of those political whores will toss overboard for favors.
Sadly we all have "feet of clay."
Big mistake on Thompson.
This endorsement is nothing more than symbolic, since there’s no chance that the Huckster can beat McCain. He’s not even trying to.
The next Republican “debate” is going to be a curious scene.
fwiw
Did I miss something? Huckabee is having to pay for the endorsement?
Huckabee ping!
No, I don’t like Dobson, Robertson, Falwell, black preachers, rabbis, muslim clerics or mormon leaders getting involved in politics.
Huckabee may have been a fine pastor, but does nothing to impress me as the POTUS. No thank you, James Dobson. I am not going to drink the kool-aid!
Dobson has that much power? The last I knew Thompson dropped out because his mom was sick
Well whatever hope Huckabee had, with Dobson’s endorsement it’s doomed now.
Don’t believe the conservative media story that Huckabee is just in this for VP. He has some states that set up well for him that could change the news cycle. Social conservatives more than any other of the group will fight for their principles to the last man.
Agreed. Politics corrupts everything it touches. The Church should stay far from it.
Dobson isn’t a preacher.
Me either. They should just sit back and let others make decisions in their lives. Uppity aren’t they?
Yup, Dobson has made himself totally irrelevant.
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