DALLAS - James Dobson, the influential founder of the conservative, evangelical advocacy group Focus on the Family, has delivered a blow to John McCain — by saying he won’t vote for him if he’s the Republican presidential nominee.
“I am convinced Sen. McCain is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are … I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime. I certainly can’t vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life,” he said.
Dobson said he was just expressing his views as a private citizen — but many of his millions of followers in the evangelical community, who listen to his radio show and read his books, will take it as a signal to do the same.
Dobson previously had said he would do the same if former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani became the Republican nominee. There was even talk among conservatives inside Dobson’s inner circle of supporting a third party candidate if Giuliani, who has since dropped out, carried the Republican crown.
Giuliani’s support for abortion and gay rights made him anathema in the eyes of conservative Christians, a key Republican base.
McCain has long opposed abortion rights. But Dobson said McCain’s failure to support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and his support for embryonic stem-cell research among other things were beyond the Christian conservative pale.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Jim Young
Trackback
78 comments so far
Previous | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Next
Oh yeah and I almost forgot, welcome to the 21st century in America unfortunatly for all, the ownershipless society.
- Posted by PoliticAll of us have missed the major axis of powers in politics for almost 100 years. The real crux of the problem in this country is that our own government doesn’t control its own finances, the Federal Reserve does, which is essentially a private corporation. Now ask yourself this, how can any government function efficiently and effectively without control of its own finances. Is that how you would run your own life, I don’t think most people would want to tolerate that for very long. If the Federal Reserve is not abolished soon, this country will destroy itself in the near future. Well all of that and the world has turned its back on God through Christ.
-If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks…will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered…. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs. -Thomas Jefferson
- Posted by PoliticEven tho it doesn’t look good for Mitt, he still says he won’t give up & will stay to the end. I do admire this man. From what I’m hearing McCain & Huckabee have something going together..Huckabee, a cut-throat politician not unlike others, is looking for a seat in the McCain Admin. Also, it’s my understanding that they both hate Mitt. I wonder why??
At this point I feel that Hilliary will become President, whether I like it or not. Of course, it could change before it’s all over. I wonder if she’ll want Obama to be her Vice Pres? Anyways, if this happens, both being far left & socialists, the American people will be taxed TO DEATH & the borders will be wide open & we’ll have a disastrous health system as in UK & Canada.. That’s the end of America as we have known it.
Like Glenn Beck (conservative & Mormon) stated this morning “people have lost their values.” I don’t understand how those conservatives who’ve been complaining about the border problem, spending, taxes could vote for McCain!!. It’s insane. They will get everything they’ve been complaining about.
Yes, people have lost their core value, even those claiming to be Christians. If you go back to the Old Testament, you’ll see that even the religious ones (Pharisees) & those in power joined the Romans (unbelievers) to shut down Christ. They were afraid of Jesus’ power & what they would lose. Nothing is new under the sun.
Tho there’s many of us believers with values, I do believe this nation (as a whole) has lost it’s soul. A nation without God is doomed…kicking Jesus out of American life results in costly consequences.. God will not be mocked.
Huckabee is duping the religious right & they’re blind to it. He’s stolen Mitt’s edge. Both he & McCain caterer to the left & have cut deeply into the conservative movement. Moreover, G Bush has fostered the failure of the Rep party.
Before this is all over, I pray that a miracle will change this present course of direction.
- Posted by PeggyDobson is truly too full of himself, as are Rush and the other kingmakers. A choice for pres is always a choice between the lesser of two evils. McCain wins hands down against any Dem.
- Posted by JimI agree with Dr. Dobson’s response to the possible McCain nomination and it certainly reflects the feelings of many conservative Republicans. If McCain does win the Republican nomination it will signal the death of the Republican Party as we know it. A McCain nomination will guarantee the election of a democrat president in November as many Republican conservatives will choose to sit this election cycle out. Some Republicans may also choose to vote for a true liberal other than the cloaked liberal that McCain has become. There is no way that John McCain will be able to convince the true Republican conservatives that he will be the new standard bearer for the Republican Party.
If we can put the moral issues aside and focus on McCain’s obstinate I know best stand on illegal immigration and his plan to limit free speech it’s obvious he is the last person that should be leading the Republican Party. John McCain sounds like the stubborn George Bush that we have known for the past seven years. With these two issues alone it’s apparent that John McCain will never gain the respect of the conservative arm of the Republican Party or the middle class American workers.
What troubles me with Dobson’s recent declaration is his poor timing. Why did Dobson wait until Election Day to make his disclosure and not support the one true conservative while he still had a chance?
The fact remains that the economy continues to be the one major issue that only one of the current candidates running for president has the intelligence and experience to repair. The American economy is a massive paper tiger and has been for at least the last seven years. Two huge treasury givebacks in seven years is proof enough that the American economy is beyond the standard interest rate patch and repair routine. Most people are ignorant to the fact that if the markets are down by 60 points today it was considered to be a good day on Wall Street. One of the major reasons why the economy has reached this point is that our business sector no longer invests in tangibles; “that’s me and you producing products to sell”.
With all the information about all the candidates the American people should have had plenty of time to choose the best candidate. All that being said the American people elect presidents and not the media. If the American people decide to elect John McCain or Hillary Clinton we deserve what we get no matter how much it hurts. A gem like Mitt Romney only comes around once in a lifetime.
Mitt Romney is truly one of the finest and most accomplished Americans I have ever had the opportunity to represent me and our country. Thank you, Mitt! Chris
- Posted by ChrisAfter hearing what Mr. Dobson posted upon John McCain, here is the email I left at Focus on the Family Contact US:
I am a practicing Catholic and very committed to Christian education, family values, good parenting , marriage and an end to abortion in this country. I have taught science in a catholic high school for 7 years. I have always enjoyed listening to the Moody Bible Institute Radio in Chicago especially the Focus on the Family Segments. I am not actively campaigning for John McCain, but I voted for him and support his candidacy for president of the United States.
I was surprised and VERY disappointed in James Dobson’s statement about John McCain. I always viewed Dr. Dobson as primarily a man who spread the message of Jesus Christ, occasionally using political means to do so. His recent statement about Senator McCain shows that he places political ideology ahead of religious conviction and commitment to Jesus Christ. If Christ were giving a speech in America today, don’t you think that one of his top priorities would be to end the destruction of human lives and human potential through abortion. Senator McCain will help this country to end abortion. Senator McCain is a man of integrity who doesn’t just talk about Christian principles…he role models them. Adopting a child from a poor country is courageous. Fighting for your country in Vietnam is courageous. Telling the truth is courageous…and Senator McCain tells the truth. Christ asks us to tell the truth…if it’s not realistic for our country to get out of Iraq, I trust that McCain will tell the truth and help us as a nation take the best steps towards peace. If it’s financially irresponsible to cut taxes, McCain will explain this to the people and do what’s best for the long range economic growth of this nation.
Sadly, I worry that Dobson’s statement may reflect more of a concern about what will benefit the financial interests of his supporters rather than what Jesus Christ would want for his people. One of the best homilies I ever heard said that “If you vote for what’s best for your personal pocketbook, it is certainly a vote, but it is NOT a Christian vote.” A Christian attempts to vote with the mind and heart of Jesus Christ, who was focused on the poor and outcast of His community.
In summary, I am deeply saddened by James Dobson’s statement. I wasn’t at all surprised by Rush Limbaugh’s condemnation of John McCain. Rush Limbaugh is an ideologist with a political and financial agenda. But I considered James Dobson to be a man of faith, so I expected more from him. As a result, I have lost a great deal of respect for your organization Focus on the Family and your founder, Dr. James Dobson. However like you, I will continue to pray and work for the success of families in our great nation.
May God continue to bless you and your families.
Sincerely,
- Posted by Brigid EspositoMrs. Brigid Esposito
“Dobson has the right to vote or not vote if it violates his conscience. Remember he did not officially announce this … it was taken and run with by the media.
I respect Dr. Dobson, he is a fine upstanding Christian gentleman with dignity.”
technically it isn’t a policy statement of focus on the family, but it’s posted on the front page of both focus on the family action and focus on the family - so effectively, he did officially announce it
- Posted by nameHow childish of Dobson! We don’t always get the options we want.
Dobson has the power to influence the future of the nation for better or worse. If abstaining has the same effect as choosing the worst, then it is morally equivalent to voting for the worse.
- Posted by JohnnylawI’m not surprised in the least at Dr. Dobson’s statements and, in fact, love it when he speaks to the media. Certainly he has every right to speak his views (as do I, a social liberal) and in today’s political environment, will only hurt his cause. People are finally starting to wise up to right-wing fundamentalists such as Dobson and hopefully becoming less ignorant as well; give the country 15 more years and we’ll find out that the United States is quite a bit more liberal than we let on. So please, Dr. Dobson, keep talking. It just gives the Democrats a better chance to recapture the White House and put the horrific and destructive presidency of George W. Bush behind us.
- Posted by Vancehahaha, it is actually funny to read some of the responses to the article. I am a Christian as many have commented before me. However, I do not agree with the general sentiment of others. Dr. Dobson has every right to speak his mind. We all do. To call him “narrow minded”, or any conservative Christian “narrow minded” is being narrow minded in and of itself. It is a self defeating argument. Come up with something better folks.
- Posted by matthewEvery time religion has been mixed with politics the end result has been persecution and intolerance. From the Inquisition, to Salem and witches burning it has always been the same. Extreme religious right is in no way very different from Islamic fundamentalists. God save us from intolerant narrow minded conservatives such as Dobson intruding in politics. I am a christian and go to church every week. I also respect those who don’t share my beliefs. The religious right only cares about abortion and gays; in fact are obsessed with these issues, instead of following Christ’s example of tolerance, love and acceptance. The religious right is not a christian moevement. They are a threat to democracy, a wolf clothed in sheep’s clothing.
- Posted by E GilI’m a religous conservative who values Dr. Dobson’s opinions about children.
But he and the conservative establishment have gone quite loopy when it comes to McCain.
Did George Bush get a constitutional amendment passed? Did Ronald Reagan? Ronald Reagan raised taxes. He also signed off on an amnesty bill.
McCain wants to appoint constructionist judges and that is all he can legitimately promise to do.
Note to Dr. Dobson, Rush, et al. We are electing a President of a republic, not a king (or queen)who can remake society at their whim like so much putty.
- Posted by Paul J.Um, I am a Calvinist Reformed Christian and I am voting for Ron Paul. Dobson? He is a blow-hard and does not really know his bible. he knows Freud better.
- Posted by chrisAs a Christian, I believe that right-wingers such as Dr. Dobson and the late Rev. Falwell are turning people away from the church. They’re also turning people away from the Republican Party. So what if two people of the same gender want to get married? It doesn’t hurt me or my family. Where is the concern of these moralists for the millions of Americans without health insurance? We Christians should be doing acts of kindness to show God’s love, not alienating people with angry words.
- Posted by BTI am a conservative, evangelical Christian and I support John McCain. Dr. Dobson’s remarks do not change my vote. Although I am a stay-at-home mom and a Republican I think we should be focused on God and His sovereignty rather than focusing on our families. Our families are amazing gifts and our marriages are sacred recreations of the trinity, but I choose to focus on the Godhead.
Also, McCain wants to do his best to unify a country that is not strictly Christian while still keeping all life sacred. To me, this is an amazing election year and I will prouldy vote for a man who has given of himself in so many ways — he was tortured for our country and our values — and realizes how important uni
- Posted by Andreaty i
s.
Dobson has the right to vote or not vote if it violates his conscience. Remember he did not officially announce this … it was taken and run with by the media.
- Posted by BobI respect Dr. Dobson, he is a fine upstanding Christian gentleman with dignity.
I agree with Dr. Dobson’s response to the possible McCain nomination and it certainly reflects the feelings of many conservative Republicans. If McCain does win the Republican nomination it will signal the death of the Republican Party as we know it. A McCain nomination will guarantee the election of a democrat president in November as many Republican conservatives will choose to sit this election cycle out. Some Republicans may also choose to vote for a true liberal other than the cloaked liberal that McCain has become. There is no way that John McCain will be able to convince the true Republican conservatives that he will be the new standard bearer for the Republican party.
If we can put the moral issues aside and focus on McCain’s obstinate I know best stand on illegal immigration and his plan to limit free speech it’s obvious he is the last person that should be leading the Republican Party. John McCain sounds more like the stubborn George Bush that we have known for the past seven years. With these two issues alone it’s apparent that John McCain will never gain the respect of the conservative arm of the Republican Party or the middle class American workers.
What troubles me with Dobson’s recent declaration is his poor timing. Why did Dobson wait until Election Day to make his disclosure and not support the one true conservative while he still had a chance?
The fact remains that economy continues to be the one major issue that only one of the candidates has the intelligence and experience to repair. The American economy is a massive paper tiger and has been for the last seven years. Two huge treasury givebacks in seven years is proof enough that the American economy is beyond the standard interest rate patch and repair routine.
With all the information about all the candidates the American people have had plenty of time to choose the best one. All that being said the American people elect presidents and not the media. If the American people decide to elect McCain or Hillary we deserve what we get no matter how much it hurts.
It’s a sad day for America,
- Posted by Chris H.Dadofu4
Social conservatives should be uncomfortable with McCain. He is endorsed by a liberal paper, and by a liberal mayor and liberal governor. If you don’t want Romney (who fought to defend traditional marriage and vetoed bills that would have expanded abortion in MA), you get McCain.
- Posted by DaveI believe this really does solidify my position as a McCain supporter. Dobson is over reaching by doing this. As a matter of fact I will make a donation in his honor to JOHN MCCAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Posted by judgejayTo weigh in, I beleive Dr. Dobson has a great voice in the Christian community. His programs are insightful in the issues of marriages and family. However, I believe he is being somewhat irresponsible in his comments here. He has too much influence to intentionally create voter apathy. I disagree with Dr. Dobson as a Christian on putting certain positions that are biblical like gay marriage and right to life over caring for “the least of these” and doing something about health care, quality education and social justice.
I hope Christian voters will tune him out on this and vote where their heart and mind tells them.
- Posted by r lee