Evangelical Leader Dobson May Back McCain

Conservative Christian Leader Softens His Stance Against Ariz. Senator

(AP)  Conservative Christian leader James Dobson has softened his stance against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, saying he could reverse his position and endorse the Arizona senator despite serious misgivings.

"I never thought I would hear myself saying this," Dobson said in a radio broadcast to air Monday. "... While I am not endorsing Senator John McCain, the possibility is there that I might."

Dobson and other evangelical leaders unimpressed by McCain increasingly are taking a lesser-of-two-evils approach to the 2008 race. Dobson and his guest, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler, spend most of the pretaped Focus on the Family radio program criticizing Democratic candidate Barack Obama, getting to McCain at the very end.

In an advance copy provided to The Associated Press, Dobson said that while neither candidate is consistent with his views, McCain's positions are closer by a wide margin.

"There's nothing dishonorable in a person rethinking his or her positions, especially in a constantly changing political context," Dobson said in a statement to the AP. "Barack Obama contradicts and threatens everything I believe about the institution of the family and what is best for the nation. His radical positions on life, marriage and national security force me to reevaluate the candidacy of our only other choice, John McCain."

Earlier, Dobson had said he could not in good conscience vote for McCain, citing the candidate's support for embryonic stem cell research and opposition to a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, as well as concerns about McCain's temper and foul language.

Dobson said on the radio program he must consider McCain's record against abortion rights and support for smaller government, and added McCain "seems to understand the Muslim threat." He also indicated McCain's choice of a running mate will be a factor.

Of his new position, Dobson said in the statement to the AP, "If that is a flip-flop, then so be it."

Both the Obama and McCain campaigns declined comment Sunday.

Dobson is considered a powerful voice in conservative evangelical Christianity; his radio broadcast reaches 1.5 million U.S. listeners daily. Critics argue his influence is waning, pointing to a younger generation of leaders pushing to broaden the movement's agenda.

Last month, Dobson accused Obama, in a 2006 speech on faith and politics, of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.

Obama replied that Dobson was "making stuff up" and portrayed his speech as an attempt by people of faith, like himself, to "try to translate some of our concerns in a universal language so that we can have an open and vigorous debate rather than having religion divide us."

[steeepe]

Dobson is a stain on America who preaches a bunch of lies to the gullible.

[stn_sage]

Obcourse he''s going to support McCain! I can''t believe anyone really believed he WOULDN''T!

The RepubliCON party & McSame stands for the same things he does! Hatred, racism, bigotry, homophobia, fascist style control over peoples'' lives, manipulation, lies, propaganda, and slow destruction of America and the world to save us from ourselves, while looting the treasury of all the ''filthy lucre'' they can get their hands on! ALL in the name of JEEESUUUSSS! Amen.

[element51]

Both you guys are right. This Dobson guy is a total whack job who still believes in the invisible eye in the sky. He uses religion to manipulate and bully people just as it has always been used. He questions Obama''s morals but is perfectly fine with a man who walked out on his wife and family because he found something that he knew could advance his career. The sad part is that there are so many people out there who buy into his con game. The republicans have used this religion thing before and they will milk it for all it''s worth this time. I hope the American people are smart enough to see through it this time. I''m betting that they are.

[element51]

DefndLiberty...Thank you for putting up one of my favorite quotes. That one sentence speaks volumes.

[element51]

k2345....What a well thought out post! You are right that it will take generations to get past the belief in the supernatural that has passed as religion for centuries. It will take a long time for people to become educated to the point where they will begin to ask questions and think in a logical manner. While some religious teachings are valid it is not necessary to worship an imaginary being. We know what is right and what is wrong. I normally keep my feelings to myself because I am perfectly happy and I don''t need to defend myself. The idea that people like me are a threat to anything is absurd. But we are feared because we have a different way of seeing things. Remember that it has only been recently in the scope of history that people are allowed to question without the fear of being sent to a horrible death.

[parrot123-2009]

Last month, Dobson accused Obama, in a 2006 speech on faith and politics, of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.


Who still listens to people like this ? Any Repug willing to claim that this is not ''Distortion'' and Hypocrisy ?? Any ?

[realpatriot1]

To quote the late Chris Farley...

"WELL LADAY FREAKIN DAH!!!!!!!!!!"

[kansas1946]

Big whoopie. Who cares what that psycho Dobson thinks.

[kansas1946]

"I never thought I would hear myself saying this," Dobson said in a radio broadcast to air Monday. "... While I am not endorsing Senator John McCain, the possibility is there that I might."
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Flip-flop...flip...flop....who give a rat''s patuti what Dobson says. He is nuts.

[wedpix1]

James Dobson is getting older, but is not a wacko. Numerous Christian voters value his character, value and opinion.
It is a tough election for evangelical Christians.
Some of us, including myself, do not feel comfortable with a Mormon vice president, given Mormonism''s history of racism against African-Americans and ability to change doctrines at the flick of a revelation.
There are concerns about Obama%u2019s association with a church that supports gay marriage, something that runs contrary to nature and the Bible.
Obama''s brought slavery, shellfish and the Sermon on the Mount in questioning whether the Bible was a good guide for our nation.
Slavery was a reality but never encouraged biblically. There were penalties for injuring slaves. Slaves were encouraged to obtain freedom if possible but to support their masters if not.
Biblical rules about what people ate were largely designed to preserve their health with no refrigeration. Some are allergic to shellfish -- I had a friend''s sister die due to this.
Jesus'' teachings about turning the other cheek apply primarily for personal conduct, not public policy. This said, there are policy implications for not rushing to war.
These attempts to discredit the Bible are very simply an effort to say, if the Bible is wrong about this, then it is also wrong about gay marriage, divorce, heaven and hell, etc. These issues are easily explained in context.
This said, Dobson likely reacted strongly. He is human.

[demwatcher]

"Posted by k2345 at 01:06 PM : Jul 21, 2008"

Making broad statements condemning all religion as vehicles of hate shows such a complete ignorance of reality that it is disturbing. Yes, there has been killing by religious groups in the name of a higher being, but the exact same can be said about all other groups that seek to have control over the masses.

Singling out religion as the only guilty party is simplistic and naive.

You conveniently failed to mention all the good that religious groups have done over the years. Feeding the poor and destitute, providing shelter to the cold and homeless, giving comfort to those that have suffered loss, etc.

If you want to talk about something, think out your argument first. The VAST majority of religious people do not condone the type of violence you proclaim they do. It is a small group of power-hungry fanatics that can convince their followers to do their bidding. It is not GOD that makes them do it, it is man.

No different than politicians, monarchs, kings, or dictators.

[demwatcher]

" Flip-flop...flip...flop....who give a rat''''s patuti what Dobson says. He is nuts.

Posted by kansas1946 at 08:40 PM : Jul 21, 2008"

Typical Liberal tactic. If you can''t fight it, slander it. You convince yourself that someone is "nuts" and you believe it justifies anything you want to say, and makes anything they say wrong.

Simplistic, ignorant, and futile.

[cfin5]

I don''t go to church because I got sick of reading one thing that is plain to comprehend, while at the same time listening to a sermon for 45 minutes that strives to convince me what I''m reading doesn''t really mean what it says. Not to mention all the verses missing from the "new and improved" copyrighted bible versions,.....what a swiss-cheese like mess they are. That is why I have to do with very few of these "christian leaders",....and Mr. Dobson is not one of them. The ones that I will listen to that come to mind is the late Dr. J Vernon Magee of "Thru the Bible Radio" and the late Charles Halff of "The Christian Jew Hour" which is now CJF ministries. For current events according to what the Book of the Lord says, I like HAL LINDSEY (hallindsey.com). In fact, his latest video dated July 18th. you can click on it and watch for free. Just watched it, I recommend you watch the whole thing if your interested in what Biblical prophecy says about America in these last days. Mr. Lindsey is VERY consistent in his words and doesn''t flip-flop all over the place like others do. But back to Mr. Dobson, he should know that there is one running for President much more trustworthy than McCain, and his name is Chuck Baldwin of the CONSTITUTION PARTY, (constitutionparty.com). Winning is not greater than being correct,....not even a little bit.

[kansas1946]

Typical Liberal tactic. If you can''''t fight it, slander it. You convince yourself that someone is "nuts" and you believe it justifies anything you want to say, and makes anything they say wrong.

Simplistic, ignorant, and futile.


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Posted by DemWatcher at 10:31 PM : Jul 21, 2008
***********************************

Anything this fool says is wrong.

[TommyCraig]

"Dobson is the prototypical sleazy hippocrate who masterfully distorts scriptur to fit his twisted world view while at the same time squeezing a huge payday from the true believers."
Posted by dadrees at 12:20 PM : Jul 21, 2008
I am not here to defend Dobson, but you made accusations of biblical distortions.
Can you give us a list and reference?

[jtyler271]

Posted by DemWatcher at 10:28 PM : Jul 21, 2008

So why are so many on the right against Islam?

[chrisl45]

I''ll like to take a moment out of my busy day to say this. I think that Barack Obama has bisexual tendencies. His early cocain drug use. His attractive mother marrying an unattarctive black, who was mostly absent, man add up to a homosexually inclined Barack. God bless senator John McCain

[pr_boxer]

ChrisL45 said
"I''''ll like to take a moment out of my busy day to say this. I think that Barack Obama has bisexual tendencies. His early cocain drug use. His attractive mother marrying an unattarctive black, who was mostly absent, man add up to a homosexually inclined Barack. God bless senator John McCain "


Chris you wasted your work break, that is absolutely the most illogical entry I''ve read in weeks. You should get back to work, you may be another of those losing your job due to the incompetent Bush Administration.

[pr_boxer]

If Dobson continues to pubically flount his ignorance and racist views for several more years he may inherit Jerry Falwell''s mantle.

[TommyCraig]

"If Dobson continues to pubically flount his ignorance and racist views for several more years he may inherit Jerry Falwell''''s mantle."
Posted by pr_boxer at 09:55 AM : Jul 22, 2008
Just working with facts. What racist views? Please list!