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January 4, 2008 3:27 PM

Dobson Says Huckabee Win Displays Power Of Christian Conservatives

Ever since the 2006 midterm elections, there have been suggestions that the influence of Christian conservatives on U.S. presidential politics is waning.

But today Focus on the Family founder James Dobson said the Iowa caucus results suggested otherwise.

Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, easily won the GOP vote in Iowa. Roughly 80 percent of his supporters identified themselves as born again or evangelical Christians.

`The results of the Iowa caucuses reveal that conservative Christians remain a powerful force in American politics. That had to be a great shock to those on the far left,'' Dobson said in a release, according to the Associated Press.

The AP reports that Dobson was critical of "media elites" for writing off Christian conservatives and suggested Huckabee's win "`was evidence of an energized and highly motivated conservative community."

The national influence of Christian conservatives in this presidential cycle is still yet to be seen, however. And a tough test for Huckabee will come in New Hampshire, the next state on the voting calendar. It is expected that a far smaller percentage of GOP voters in the Granite State will self-identify as evangelical Christians compared to Iowa, were entrance polls found that almost 60 percent of GOP caucus-goers described themselves as evangelical.
Tags:
james dobson ,
mike huckabee
Topics:
Mike Huckabee
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by athanatsius January 7, 2008 6:10 AM EST
In response to the reader who called evangelicals, protestants, and homeschoolers among "the lowest common denominator of voters," your insults, name calling and obvious hatred are evidence of the polar opposite of your claim.

Huckabee appears to demonstrate the compassion and love of Christ to the poor, to immigrants, to the environment, and to to the unborn, while upholding high moral principles. This appeals to evangelicals such as myself, who are not as concerned with fiscal conservatism as with justice, compassion and mercy. Huckabee was not endorsed by the Republican establishment or by most prominent Christian leaders, demonstrating that most of the evangelical block thinks for itself, sees through so-called "christian" leaders who seek to manipulate them for their own selfish ends, and is a powerful voting block.
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by giantrobot2 January 6, 2008 9:46 PM EST
New Hamphire voters can really relate to Huckabee. He is fun to be around, plays the guitar and makes people feel good.

New Hampshire voters have always been right there in the middle of the left right specturm. That''s exactly where Huckabee stands. It''s a direct match with New Hampshire voters.
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by chfromiowa January 5, 2008 8:08 PM EST
I would also like the press to investigate Huckabee for the bigot that he has shown himself to be while stumping here in Iowa. I was shocked by the subtle anti-Mormon slant he took. It was repulsive and I am so sad that Iowans fell in step with it. I cannot believe Iowa really is the backwoods, closed-minded place that it is stereotyped as. I cannot believe America would support a hatemonger like Huckabee as the Commander in Chief.

America, please be smarter than Iowa. Support an intelligent, informed candidate like Romney or McCain, and if you can''t support either of them then please vote Democrat. Honestly, anybody but Huckabee.
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by moxford0 January 5, 2008 6:30 PM EST
It''s the American Talaban at their best.
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by stanzx1 January 5, 2008 2:18 PM EST
The truth about the War! Ron Paul vs Mike Huckabee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8
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by stanzx1 January 5, 2008 2:17 PM EST
The Christian Truth! Video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8
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by gregghofcc January 5, 2008 6:11 AM EST
I think it is time to recognize that Huckabee has been a successful governor longer than he was a pastor. He knows how to govern in a divided state. That will come in handy in our deeply polarized nation. He brings the heart of seasoned pastor together with the head of an effective statesman. He seems to understand what the consequences of public policy are for the people who have to live and work and sometimes even fight and die under them. I personally like that. It reminds me of both Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan who ran against their party and it was good for the Republicans that they did and that they won. It''s not about his faith anymore, its about his basic good sense and his authentic kindness. His sense of humor is evidence that the man is emotionally healthy. His critics reveal more about the emptiness of their own souls than they do about the content of his ideas and character. Iowa picked up on that fact and that is why so many turned away from Romney. Now, if only Wall Street and the D.C. Beltway Crowd can will listen to what the man has to say, they may realize that he is a breath of fresh air for the party and the nation. The point is, Huckabee is a skillful uniter and that is just what America needs right now.
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by dph417 January 5, 2008 3:55 AM EST
Fink,

I don''t believe that democrats fear anything about Mike Huck, in fact, I believe they prefer to run against him rather than Milt. Huck is, whether it be positive or negative, much like the current president, and no one, not even those who simply cannot separate themselves from a certain ideology, can say that the seventy percent who disagree with Pres. Bush will not use that against Mike Huck. I believe that is a reality...we shall know soon enough.
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by finklestein5 January 5, 2008 3:42 AM EST
FACT: That same article on the DNC website claims that "The fact is, a vote for Mike Huckabee, like all the Republican candidates, is a vote for a third Bush term...One thing is clear: whoever wins, a vote for any of the Republican candidates is a vote for a third Bush term."
Are these people serious?!?
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by finklestein5 January 5, 2008 3:40 AM EST
FACT: The DNC is so scared of Huckabee that the headline article on the democrats.org site reads:
"Mike''s win means more of the same: Huckabee promises third bush term"
(www.democrats.org)
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by finklestein5 January 5, 2008 3:38 AM EST
FACT: The DNC is so scared of Huckabee that the headline article on the democrats.org site reads:
"Mike''s win means more of the same: Huckabee promises third bush term"
(www.democrats.org)
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by dph417 January 5, 2008 3:36 AM EST
I think I have just about had it. As a Christian I am finding it more and more difficult to have any faith or trust in what Christian "leaders" like Dobson say to the media. Pat Robertson, a close friend and compatriate to Dobson, predicted last year we would have a nuclear bomb dropped in the US...this year we will see angels and China will be given to the US by God. Not a word by Dobson, other than the fact that Iowa, dominated by white Christians, voted for a white Christian running for the Republican ticket. What a shock! I like Mike Huck...but not because he is a Christian, but because I can agree with some of this views. I just wish that the old guard, those like Dobson and Robertson, would join their good friend Jerry in Gods perfect heaven. There they can talk about biblical truths and forget their often rediculous comments about politics.
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by gdod25 January 5, 2008 3:31 AM EST
I am a Christian conservative and I say Huck is just like all the other candidates except Ron Paul. We are headed for tyranny because most Christians are too lazy and apathetic to research and find out whats really going on. Most had never heard of Huckabee until there choices were handed them from the powers that be.
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by finklestein5 January 5, 2008 3:27 AM EST
FACT: jbrewster7 and other members of the DNC can''t stand the fact that someone who believes in God is running for office.
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by fitzonetj January 5, 2008 3:23 AM EST
Huckabee seems like a nice guy and good communicator, but I think he is a dishonest liar. Seems totally unsuited to be president, and I think to support him you might as well support Obama. Pro-war (ok to kill non-christians) and anti-abortion (gotta save the baby christians) seems a little strange to me. With 70% of the nation against the Iraq war does anyone really think a pro-war candidate can stand a chance in the general election?

Vote Ron Paul.
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by finklestein5 January 5, 2008 3:21 AM EST
FACT: jbrewster7 is a paid member of the DNC opposition research (a.k.a "smear campaign")
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by giantrobot2 January 5, 2008 1:36 AM EST
Fred Thompson will be dropping out of the race after finishing a poor 4th place finish.

Mitt Romney comes crashing down after spending $15 million in Iowa and losing to underdog candidate Mike Huckabee who only spent $1 million.

John McCain will beat Mitt Romney in NH now that Mitt Romney lost a easy race he should have won totally knocking out Mitt Romney.

Dr. James Dobson will not endorse Fred Thompson, John McCain or Rudy Guiliani. Fred Thompsons voters will go to Mike Huckabee and so will part of Mitt Romney''''s.

Mike Huckabee''''s steam will win South Carolina, Michigan and Florida.

This will further increase Mike Huckabee''''s votes thereby taking Feb 5th super Tuesday.

No matter which way you slice and dice it, Mike Huckabee will become the Republican candidate.

Those who are supporting other candidates now should move over to Mike Huckabee now. Mike needs the momentum early in the election to build up steam to beat the Democrats. Those who wait to switch over to Mike Huckabee are only hurting the views they hold precious that is mostly supported by the Republican party.

Make the switch now to Mike Huckabee otherwise you are jeopordizing a Republican win.

Mike Huckabee appeals to the most voters of any Republican and has the best chance of winning the Presidential election. But the steam needs to be built up now like Ronald Reagan did to win 49 out of 50 states.
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by stick130 January 5, 2008 12:47 AM EST
I want to personally thank the "Idiot Boy" in the White House for putting the headstone on the dead republican party.Mr Dobson when will you understand we want a separation between church and state.
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by jbrewster7 January 5, 2008 12:24 AM EST
FACT: Mike Huckabee says he has degree in theology, further investigation discovers he does not. (Source: The Carpetbagger Report, Mike Huckabee has a theology degree -- or does he?, 12/14/2007)
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by jbrewster7 January 5, 2008 12:24 AM EST
FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote in his own state. (Source CNS NEWS, Some GOP Concerned about Huckabee''s Immigration Views, Fred Lucas, 12/04/2007)
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