Dobson Damages Conservative Hopes
29 March 2007There was a time when I was a great supporter of James Dobson and Focus on the Family. He and his organization have done enormous good in the world and many people have been lead to Christ through their ministries. I still think Focus on the Family does some wonderful work but I’m starting to wonder about Dobson.
In a move I cannot fathom, Dobson called U.S. News and World Report senior editor Dan Gilgoff, apparently to discuss Thompson’s possible candidacy. Dobson said that, while Thompson is a conservative with good credentials, he’s not a Christian.
“Everyone knows he’s conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for,” Dobson said of Thompson. “[But] I don’t think he’s a Christian; at least that’s my impression,” Dobson added, saying that such an impression would make it difficult for Thompson to connect with the Republican Party’s conservative Christian base and win the GOP nomination.
Thompson spokesman Mark Corallo said that Thompson is indeed a Christian and that he was baptized into the Church of Christ. According to the U.S. News article:
In a follow-up phone conversation, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger stood by Dobson’s claim. He said that, while Dobson didn’t believe Thompson to be a member of a non-Christian faith, Dobson nevertheless “has never known Thompson to be a committed Christian-someone who talks openly about his faith.”
“We use that word-Christian-to refer to people who are evangelical Christians,” Schneeberger added. “Dr. Dobson wasn’t expressing a personal opinion about his reaction to a Thompson candidacy; he was trying to ‘read the tea leaves’ about such a possibility.”
After accusing Thompson of not being a Christian, Dobson went on to all but endorse Newt Gingrich, calling him the “brightest guy out there.”
Now I’ve been a fan of Gingrich for years. I think he’s incredibly intelligent and few people understand the challenges we face as a nation like he does. I would not have a problem with a Gingrich presidency. But Gingrich has some pretty heavy baggage for the average evangelical to get past. In my opinion Gingrich would find it very difficult to get elected. Likely he couldn’t even get nominated.
Thompson, on the other hand, has nothing like the baggage Gingrich has. And, as Dobson admitted, he has excellent conservative credentials. He would serve the country well while supporting a pro family agenda.
One of the problems evangelicals have faced is the need to support a perfect candidate. Anything less is simply unacceptable. The result of that kind of thinking has been the steady loss of freedoms in this country. It has taken years to get where we are as a nation and it isn’t going to be fixed overnight. An all or nothing approach will guarantee that it never gets fixed.
James Dobson needs to take a long hard look at his political involvement. Most of the blogs I’ve seen commenting on this have been left leaning blogs and they haven’t been kind to Dobson. Mine is clearly not a left leaning blog and I am a strong evangelical. I have real problems with Dobson right now and I’m sure there will be others on the right who also have a problem with him.
Conservatives, whether evangelical Christian or not, want to see this country restored to a Constitutional republic. Fred Thompson looks like a man who can move us in that direction. If James Dobson doesn’t think Thompson is outspoken enough about his faith, that’s really too bad. Some people think Dobson is too outspoken. Sometimes I wonder if Dobson really does want a theocracy in America.
Dr. Dobson, perhaps you should stick to family issues. Perhaps it’s time to get out of politics altogether.
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March 30th, 2007 at 10:24 am
This entry is immensely interesting. Thanks for blogging about it. Lots and lots of folks need to hear this and consider it.
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Thanks for bringing attention to this…It’s another contribution to the uneasiness I’ve been feeling about Dr. Dobson’s involvement in the political realm. I grew up with Focus on the Family, and I have a lot of respect and appreciation for Dr. Dobson, so it’s frustrating to see such a public Christian leader speak out in such ways…he should use his influence more wisely, and stick to what he does best. Unfortunately, the most “Christian” canditate may not be the best candidate…
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Absolutely right Sarah!