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.
Yeah, Huck might pick up another state or two. It won't be enough, though.
"Social conservatives" has now joined the ranks of "religion of peace", "undocumented immigrants", "progressives", and "gay"....
Make up all the nice words you want - everyone knows what you mean.
All he has to do is keep McCain from getting enough to get the nomination, which is attainable.
Its impossible for Huck to get enough delegates to win the nomination. Do the math.
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McCain doesn’t have to spend a dime to beat Huck. He can just politely ignore him and wrap the nomination.
Wasted effort. It’s truly impossible for any other GOP Presidential candidate to defeat McCain.
It's over.
Get over it, and figure a new strategy cause no one is going to derail McCain short of death or dismemberment by the NY Times. If you are a Huck supporter, realize he is likely angling for Veep, and there is no sincerity in his running other than that.
I am not a Mac supporter btw........
Who do you think I mean?
That will bring him one more vote... dobson’s.
LLS
That’s what I’m talking about. I don’t think churches should campaign or donate but church buildings with conservative members can get in trouble real easily with the IRS. That’s why I suggested giving up the exemption and getting government out of our religion.
after Dr. Dobson’s treatment of FDT, his endorsement carries no weight with me... i used to defend Dr. Dobson against those who verbally attacked him... he has made himself way too important in these matters and so have his faithful followers...
Disgrace-a-bee
Huckabee never got more than 1/3 of the evangelical vote in the first place, and he got most of that in the south. He is no longer useful to McCain and he'll get kicked to the curb wondering what happened.
I wasn’t aware I had posted to you at all.
Huh, I wasn’t aware that I posted to you either :’) ???? Oh well..Peace.
Yes, he will get some but Huck has to overwhelmingly take delegates in the remaining states to have any chance. That is what I meant. Don't think that is remotely possible here in TX.
Romney gave Huckster the appearance of being a small, selfish little hillbilly today....
Good for Romney.
Sorry but Dobson is dopey as of late.
Now I'm thinking of voting for the very Pro-Life Lib Huckster on Saturday, cause Pro-Life is paramount.
Since I WILL NOT vote for McPain in the PRIMARY I'd like to know your thoughts on this.
Pro-Life PING
Please FreepMail me if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.
He’s not, as you said, a pastor, nor a preacher, nor the leader of a church or a church-controlled organization. He’s a layman. He’s a citizen. Are you saying he has less right to exercise freedom of speech than, say, Citizen Streisand?
Dobson heads a Church? Does a degree in phychology make you a clergyman?
Or is it that Christians as such should have their civil rights curtailed-— as in Cuba?
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