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Dobson Hammers McCain…Kuo Says It Doesn't Matter
February 05, 2008 4:09 PM
Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family doesn't like what he thinks Republican voters are going to do today.
"I'm deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, who voted for embryonic stem cell research to kill nascent human beings, who opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, and who has little regard for freedom of speech, who organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language," Dobson said in a statement.
"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. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party. McCain actually considered leaving the GOP caucus in 2001, and approached John Kerry about being Kerry’s running mate in 2004."
(Editor's note -- that's not true. Kerry approached McCain, McCain said no.)
"McCain also said publicly that Hillary Clinton would make a good president. Given these and many other concerns, a spoonful of sugar does NOT make the medicine go down. I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience.
"But what a sad and melancholy decision this is for me and many other conservatives. Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, 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. These decisions are my personal views and do not represent the organization with which I am affiliated. They do reflect my deeply held convictions about the institution of the family, about moral and spiritual beliefs, and about the welfare of our country."
Over at Beliefnet, former Bush White House official David Kuo analyzes Dobson's take:
"And there, in a nutshell, is the Christian worldview as James Dobson pronounces it:
"- cutting taxes
"- a Constitutional amendment "protecting" marriage
"- elimination of embryonic stem-cell research
"- a US Senate stripped of the very powers that the Founders gave it
"- not cursing.
"Damn. Is there a more succinct and stunning summation of the reason why evangelical voters are throwing off self-appointed evangelical mullahs like James Dobson? And why, according to a new Barna study, 40% of evangelicals would vote for the Democratic candidate if the election were held today (versus 28% for the Republican candidate).
"Evangelical voters are saying that they think a Christian worldview should include tackling issues like poverty and health care. They are saying that perhaps Jesus would oppose the wanton torture of other human beings. They are saying that perhaps obeying God's first command - to care for His creation - matters. And they are saying that the idea of deporting 12 million illegal immigrants sounds cruel and frightening.
"By putting himself out there so forcefully, Dr. Dobson risks playing the role of Dr. Kevorkian in ushering in the end of the old-line religious right."
What do you think? Where do you come down on this? Dobson? Kuo? McCain?
- jpt
February 5, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (74)
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Call for a Voter's Strike, Save Gas, stay home do not vote then give the ones elected greive throughout their terms.
The Dems created this existing quagmire, their Democrat Congressional caucus is an equivalent to Brazil’s “Pantanal does Mato Grosso”. The only change a vote for a Democrat will achieve is a vote for complete
failure. Printed Media, Television, part of Talk Radio all try their best to persuade us to change our Republic into a Common communalist government,” level the playing field,” much like the European Union.
One can tell when the propaganda is beginning; the preface is “All the People of the United States want. . .. ..” As far as one can see at this time, the Party System is in a coma. Not one person that was not a professional politician came close to a nomination for any office since Herbert Hoover. We voters could stage our own November revolt if we would all stay home and not vote. The idea is not very realistic but it would reflect our thoughts so Media and Spin propagandists could not hide, and may eventuality, once again give citizens of the United States of America control of their Nation’s government, if we would not vote, contribute funds, or volunteer for professional politicians
Posted by: Billgls | Apr 27, 2008 7:05:57 PM
It is pretty simple why I will never vote for John McCain. It is because he holds way too many Liberal positions. He mays as well be a Democrat.
Posted by: Jeff | Apr 4, 2008 4:35:18 PM
He's going to pick up the ball that Bush has started rolling and keep it rolling, spend, spend, spend! He's a war nut. He's going to lead this country right into another depression because it'll be good for the country. =/
Posted by: BoomerSL | Mar 5, 2008 5:10:48 PM
I have a question for Conservatives who claim that there is something honorable about not voting for McCain, refuse to help out and vow to sit home on election day..
What is honorable about sitting on your butt at home, refusing to vote – allowing all branches of government to be swarmed by RABIDLY liberal opponents who have vowed to undo everything conservatives have fought to achieve over the past decade?
I hear endless whining and griping from Conservatives – while the extreme liberals, who are bent on reversing every conservative principal – out number us at the polls nearly two to one. Great work conservatives!
What is so conservative about beating down the only candidate (who will be running in the General Election) who supports our troops, instead of the extreme liberals who insult them, mock them, and spend every day devaluing their progress?
By punishing John McCain for not being conservative enough – you are really punishing all conservatives by making absolutely sure they will be governed by radical, rabid liberalism for the next 4 to 8 years.
By stomping your feet and refusing to help, you in turn assure them the laws of the land will have few conservatives in a position of power to stop a runaway liberal train.
If you must be dragged to the polls, then don’t bother complaining when our courts are swarmed by the liberals who will put judges in power. Liberals are outpacing us at the polls at a rate of two rabid liberals for every conservative who can hardly be bothered to show up. Why must conservatives always shoot themselves in the foot?
Please think twice before punishing the rest of us conservatives, who may not love McCain, but are smart enough to realize the living nightmare that will ensue, if things continue on the path they are going.
Please open your eyes and look at what will happen, should you decide to go on punishing all of us – by refusing to work with us to stop extreme liberalism from enveloping our entire government.
Danny
Posted by: Danny Vice | Feb 16, 2008 6:06:14 PM
My message to all liberals: Be patient. Soon all of us followers of Christ will be gone and the whole world will be yours. (Well, for seven years anyway.)
Posted by: Sir Renaldus | Feb 13, 2008 9:37:34 PM
DMJ?? The Sandhedrin thought he was blasphemous...and wanted to kill HIM because He claimed to be the SN of God. When Jesus said I and my Father are one..and stated that HE was I AM..they had a FIT!! They knew what He was saying...So, Liberal? NOPE conservative? Nope...Son of God...You BET!! What do YOU say about Jesus?....
For one thing Jesus wasn't interested in the Politics of that day...He came to SAVE..Not to overthrow Rome and that had his desciples at odds with Him for a while till they realized ..WHY HE CAME.
Posted by: alpha | Feb 12, 2008 8:37:44 PM
Why is it that Dobson cannot make a personal remark concerning his belief and get hammered for it? If you don't agree, thats fine, but don't start calling him a NON intity...you'd better take a look at the number of people that fell the same as he does and it isn't because of what he says, its because they take what the BIBLE says literally. Dobson simply stands up for Family, life and a deep love for God. It may not be what you want to hear, it may get the hairs on your neck standing...but, he believes them, and he does it NOT to get paid by the Mormon church...what foolishness. You must be thinking of some LIBERAL who takes all the kickbacks he can. Dobson certainly isn't that! IF he were the gov. would have slammed him in jail by now...His books are open for anyone to take a look at.
Just listen sometime and compare what he says to what the Bible says...Show me where he's wrong...I dare you!! God does not condone gays, HE does NOT condone killing an innocent life for any purpose( stem cell )...and the first commandment stated by JESUS IS to LOVE one another as you do yourself...NOT taking care of this planet OR taking care of the poor. Jesus said that we will always have the poor, does that sound like he's seeing that as being as important as saving souls?.....YES, we should help out..YES YES...but don't start adding words or ideas to Gods word if you don't know what it really says. And those of you who made these comments,need to read it a little more carefully and NOT critisize someone who knows what he's talking about...check your facts FIRST!!
America are tired you bet!! A lot of us are tired of watchingthis country go down hill and its morals with it. No matter what you think of Dobson. You and I need to get our relationship RIGHT with GOD...He's the only hope for this country...NOT a man!!!
Posted by: alpha | Feb 12, 2008 8:30:52 PM
I have to live with my vote and it is my choice who gets it. I will NOT vote for John McCain. I have never liked him I do not trust him. McCain had never represented the PEOPLE he spits in our faces instead.
I will not waste my vote. When it comes time to vote I will vote for anyone but McCain. It will give me great pleasure to send McCain the same message he sent The People when he voted on: McCain-Kennedy, McCain Feingold, McCain-Lieberman... You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Nothing will force me to vote for some failure just to keep a party together. That is insane. It is time for some new faces and new ideas. Not the same of stuff that put us where we are today.
Posted by: DMJ | Feb 11, 2008 1:08:19 PM
My question to all those 'conservatives' out there who consider 'liberals' the scourge of the earth, and America in particular, is what do you think the Sanhedrin of 33 A.D. thought Jesus was 'Liberal' or 'conservative'.
Posted by: toz | Feb 7, 2008 12:10:50 PM
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm -neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16
A christian should not be about a certain party, but about securing a godly nation. Voting for anyone that does not support your beliefs is being indifferent to your own beliefs.
I will not vote for McCain for president just so a republican can be in office. And I can not with good conscience vote for either Obama or Clinton.
If it is possible, then I may vote to for a conserative representative for congress. But in the end, the future of our nation is in the hands of God. And as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Posted by: whatisyourtemp | Feb 7, 2008 2:50:12 AM
Is it our civil duty to vote? I believe it is,and when an influential leaader says he won't vote it is unfortunate. It sends the wrong message. Isn't a non vote, a vote for another?
Posted by: Jeff | Feb 6, 2008 7:25:28 PM
Here is a copy of the letter I posted to Dr. James Dobson about his comment on McCain.
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 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,
Mrs. Brigid E.
Posted by: Brigid Esposito | Feb 6, 2008 6:40:02 PM
I will not vote for McCain. He is NOT a Republican, he is a RINO. McCain is an un-principled Washington insider with a record of betraying his own party affiliation. He appealed to Kerry to be his running mate. He was the sole “Republican” member of the “Keating Five” that precipitated the Savings & Loan scandal. Then there was McCain Feingold, exacerbating political funding problems, limiting freedom of speech: McCain – Kennedy, the in-your-face open border venue. He touts his prisoner-of-war status. Throughout human history a prisoner-of-war was a pitiful figure; sleeping in his captor’s bed, eating his captor’s food. A prisoner-of-war was out of action, having no impact on the outcome. Abused? Yes. Pitiful? Absolutely. But, with the rise of the radical-left in academia, media and the DemocRat party during Vietnam War, returning prisoners were hailed as heroes to tar LBJ and Nixon. The real heroes of that war are buried in southeastern Asian mud.
Posted by: James | Feb 6, 2008 5:59:01 PM
In re your "editor's note" -- As a matter of fact, Kerry did not approach McCain only to have McCain demur. McCain was asked whether he would consider being Kerry's running mate, to which McCain replied that he had been Kerry's friend for years and of course would consider it.
Posted by: HDH | Feb 6, 2008 5:08:41 PM
I'm a Republican, but I also refuse to vote for McCain. If he wins the nomination, I plan on voting for the democratic runner (Hillary or Obama). I figure if the country is going to go to hell, it might as well be the liberals fault.
Posted by: Dan | Feb 6, 2008 4:48:51 PM
If everyone takes the attitude of James Dobson, the Democrats would win by default and that would be a disaster. Let’s rally together for John McCain! Nobody is perfect. But he is now the best choice for Commander in Chief. I have a lot of respect for him.
Posted by: Amy | Feb 6, 2008 2:01:03 PM
I am an evangelical, and Dobson does not represent me. He evidently is upset that his influence is waning, and that he won't be able to gloat about his kingmaker status as he did after the 2004 election. If Dobson is so committed to "life," why does he support the killing of thousands of innocent Iraqis? I predict that this election will show that Dobson's bombast and hate-mongering are being eclipsed by an evangelicalism that is theologically sound yet far less combative.
Posted by: neal621 | Feb 6, 2008 1:32:00 PM
if hillary gets elected and puts 3 ginsburgs on the court, dobson will be personally responsible for millions of abortions!! he is not pro-life or Christian!
Posted by: rmm | Feb 6, 2008 11:15:21 AM
Hear! Hear! Dr. Dobson. My sentiments EXACTLY!
Posted by: Carolyn Pickett | Feb 6, 2008 11:05:50 AM
I AGREE 100% WITH DR. DOBSON. I am very proud of him for standing up and taking a stand. McCain is disturbing to say the least to conservatives.
It is a sad day for Republicans and Dr. Dobson echoed my sentiments exactly.
Posted by: P.S. | Feb 6, 2008 10:40:54 AM
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