March 29, 2007
Dobson To Thompson: An Apology, Of Sorts
Dr. James Dobson clarifies his comments about Sen. Fred Thompson in statement released by his office:
“We welcome the opportunity to clarify Dr. Dobson’s remarks that were first reported in Dan Gilgoff’s online article titled ‘Dobson Offers Insight on 2008 Republican Hopefuls: Focus on the Family Founder Snubs Thompson, Praises Gingrich.’ At the outset, it’s important to note that this headline is an outright mischaracterization of the views Dr. Dobson expressed. His words weren’t intended to represent either an endorsement of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich or a disparagement of former Sen. Fred Thompson. Dr. Dobson appreciates Sen. Thompson’s solid, pro-family voting record and his position that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided.
“In his conversation with Mr. Gilgoff, Dr. Dobson was attempting to highlight that to the best of his knowledge, Sen. Thompson hadn’t clearly communicated his religious faith, and many evangelical Christians might find this a barrier to supporting him. Dr. Dobson told Mr. Gilgoff he had never met Sen. Thompson and wasn’t certain that his understanding of the former senator’s religious convictions was accurate. Unfortunately, these qualifiers weren’t reported by Mr. Gilgoff. we were, however, pleased to learn from his spokesperson that Sen. Thompson professes to be a believer.
“With regard to Mr. Gingrich, while Dr. Dobson spoke positively about his intelligence and his ability to articulate conservative values, he expressed concern about the former speaker’s past moral failures. You may be aware that Mr. Gingrich recently appeared on a Focus on the Family broadcast to discuss America’s Christian heritage and the threat posed by radical Islam. Prior to the interview, Dr. Dobson asked Mr. Gingrich if he’d be willing to talk about his family life on the air because he felt our friends deserved an explanation. Those who listened to the exchange heard nothing indicating that Dr. Dobson excused Mr. Gingrich’s past indiscretions. The former speaker was offered a chance to address the subject openly and honestly, and he did so, stating, ‘I have turned to God and have gotten on my knees…and sought God’s forgiveness.’ Dr. Dobson firmly believes that Scripture teaches there is redemption available through Christ for those who confess their sins – were it not so, we’d all be in a world of trouble. Of course, only the Lord knows the condition of individual hearts.“In conclusion, we would caution friends of our ministry not to believe what they read about Dr. Dobson in the secular media today. Never in the 30-year history of this ministry has there been more misreporting and outright distortion of his beliefs and teachings. It is apparent that those who represent a liberal worldview seek to marginalize him and confuse our friends. Anyone who ever has a question concerning what they read about Dr. Dobson or Focus on the Family is encouraged to contact us for clarification. The chances are they have been misinformed.”
Posted at 08:00 PM
Comments
Its very simple Dobson loves Gingrich and will eventually will give him his blessings. With regards to Thomson he has also started going on his knees infront of Dobson. Its fun to see all the republican candidates begging Dobson.
By the way, if Thomson bcomes the gop candidate will they able to call Obama as inexpericed? Infact Obama has more legislative experience than Thomson/Giuliani/Mitt, etc.
Doug | 03.30.07 08:40 AM
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As a conservative Republican, I wish our candidates would tell Dobson to suck it. He is no different that Al Sharpton, Michael Moore and Rush Limbaugh. They are bad for politics and represent the extremes of both parties. Republicans would be better off w/o the Christian right, whose influence has been waning for years.
Bob Dole | 03.30.07 09:47 AM
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I always find it funny that the biggest criticism of Catholics by Evangelicals and Protestants is that the Catholics take their lead directly from the pope and have no thought process on their own. How hypocritical it is when you hear that and then see quotes like "Dr. Dobson was attempting to highlight that to the best of his knowledge, Sen. Thompson hadn’t clearly communicated his religious faith, and many evangelical Christians might find this a barrier to supporting him," which is basically Dobson telling his followers what is wrong with Thompson. The best part is that a large portion of Catholics don't even agree with the Vatican a lot of the time, and I think that's why it's influence is really waning at the moment in America.
As for Obama having more experience, you'll get laughed off the stage if you say that. Mitt and Giuliani have executive experience, which Obama does not, and arguably weighs more in a presidential election than a senatorial one, and Thompson has been in Washington since the 1970's and a Senator since 1994. He also was a US AAG and was co-chief counsel for Watergate. So how does Obama have more experience?
james | 03.30.07 10:09 AM
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Dr. Dobson did the right thing when clarifying his remarks to the reporter. Anyone who has ever been interviewed by a reporter understands the way words can be misinterpreted and misreported. I've been in that position myself, and it is extremely frustrating. Anyone who talks to a member of the press does so at his/her own risk.
As far as Gingrich is concerned, I think his past moral indiscretions eliminate him as a viable candidate. The memory of the Clinton indiscretions is just too clear. We DON'T need another Bill Clinton -- or his enabler, Mrs. Bill Clinton, for that matter.
Thompson, in my judgment, is the only GOP candidate/non-candidate who can win in 2008. The current leading GOP contenders are really conservative Democrats who will do or say whatever it takes to win. If any of them become the party nominee, conservatives will sit on their hands.
I'm tired of voting for the least objectionable candidate. I did that in 2000 and 2004, and look what we got.
Dr. Dobson's clarification is the right thing, and Thompson is the right person for the nation.
Believe it, folks.
George | 03.30.07 11:18 AM
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Thomson is an actor from B/C grade category without any glaring accomplishments from his 6 year senate career. Thats all. Republicans are so desparate to find a Bush like candidate that they think Thomson is the best candidate. Till yesterday the flavor of the month was Mitt but looks like Mitt's conviction-less personality has eventually caught up with right.
NYT is reporting that Rudy knew about Bernie Kerik's ties with the mob when he appointed Kerik as police cheif. So Rudy is all talk and no leadership.
Matthew | 03.30.07 11:47 AM
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As a conservative Christian, Dr. Dobson should have enough MSM savvy by now to know better than expect it to report anything he says in a positive light. I have posted complaints to Focus and believe an apology in the media is too little too late. Have FDT on Focus and show defference to the man all the new polls show is the candidate we feel best fits the mold we want the US to project to the world. Not one of defeatist, liberal, progressive, wishy-washy nonsense we see coming out of the new majority in DC.
Norton Webber | 03.30.07 12:07 PM
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As long as the Rebublican party is beholden to Falwell, Robertson and Dobson, they will never get above 30 or 35 per cent identifying as Rebublicans. Hard to believe that someone as ethically challenged as Newt Gingrich would get Dobson's ok. Old Newtie has more skeletons in the closet that Clinton ever did, but I guess with the GOP that kind of morality or lack thereof is ok. How many wives does Dobson have???
Bill Cayton | 03.30.07 02:12 PM
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I'm a great fan of James Dobson and I'm voting for Fred Thompson, WE NEED THEM BOTH!
Kester | 03.31.07 12:15 AM
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For the moment, let's forget about the personal lives of those being scrutinized just for the sake of argument. That said, here's what I don't get... On the one hand you've got a handful of democrats, none of which any conservative believes has the testicular fortitude necessary for the inevitable rough days ahead (actually, one doesn't even have testicles!); each of which has their own version of retreat into defeat; each of which believes they have to be Robin Hood whereby they take from the rich and give to the poor and all of which are more interested/impressed with how much power they can accumulate/wield versus what is best for the country. Not one of them is polling anywhere near where they need to be with the center-right majority of the country.
On the republican side, major candidates only, you (currently) have a former high profile mayor of the right coasts' most liberal CITY albeit he's been strong on crime and did yeoman's work for his city (and the country for that matter) after our worst nightmare came true. But once you muddle through the smoke and mirrors of what type of judges he would appoint and how tough he'll be on crime/terrorism you find that he is a donkey in elephant's clothing - for all intents and purposes his entire domestic agenda is liberal (guns, homosexuals, etc.). Then you have a former governor from the right coasts most liberal STATE (they keep sending TED KENNEDY back to the Senate for God's sake), who has flip-flopped and changed his position on critical issues important to mainstream Americans more times than John Kerry did about the war. Perchance another donkey in elephant's clothing? Or is it more out of political expedience/necessity? Either way, no way. Lastly, you have the perpetual candidate. The one who gave us and the Constitution the biggest thumping since Roe; the one who helped form the Gang (that couldn't shoot straight) of 14 which prevented countless conservative judges from being place despite Republicans being in the majority and holding the WH; the one who went against the President when issues such as terrorist combatants/interrogation techniques, etc. were being discussed. This is the same guy that courted the liberal MSM (and became their "media darling" because he was bucking conservative principals) with his "straight-talk express." He's another "no-way, Jose."
Everyone in the Conservative movement continues to pray for another honest-to-God, dyed in the wool Republican to step out from the shadows ala Ronald Reagan. Is it Gingrich? Aside from his personal baggage and whatever other skeletons he may have in his closet from the run-up to and post 1994, he is the one making the most logical sense through his political punditry. This time the Conservative movement has it's own "policy wonk." Man, he sounds good. He speaks true intelligent Conservative values - unfortunately, he may not have always lived them. Then you have Fred Thompson. A down home Southern boy with a homey drawl who can speak to people on their level - whether it be the hard working guy out plowing his fields or the suits from Wall Street. He has an overall exemplary conservative voting record (McCain-Feingold notwithstanding) AND he has top of the line name & face recognition. He's not an "insider" despite having been in Washington since Watergate. He is a Christian (and yes, despite arguments to the contrary, this is an important element to the Conservative base).
Hey, here's an idea... Fred Thompson/Newt Gingrich as the Conservative/Republican ticket in '08. Newt can be the policy guy and Fred can be the guy who can talk directly to the people and rally Republicans, Reagan Democrats and the vast majority of Independents around God, Country, The Flag and Mom's apple pie! Just a thought!
DNR | 04.03.07 11:12 PM
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Those of us in Tennessee recognize Mullah Dobson's attack on Thompson is simply the latest page in the history of the conservative jihad against the Churches of Christ, which they disparagingly refer to as "Campbellites". There are some Baptist preachers who have devoted their entire "ministry" to attacking the churches of Christ as a cult, when in fact it is just another tradition that descended from the anabaptist movement and differs, ironically, from Baptists in that it believes in true congregational autonomy with no central governing body to set doctrine (always a threat to those who want to rule over other people) and that adult full-immersion baptism is an essential element of salvation, whereas modern Baptists believe baptism is just a nice little ceremony.
This incident is a reminder that the Constitutional separation of church and state is necessary not to protect the godless from the Godly, but to protect Christians from each other. In addition to the First Amendment establishment clause (added by the First Congress as part of the Bill of Rights), Article 6, paragraph 3 of the original Constitution provides that no religious test can be required for any public office or trust. At the time of the Constitutional convention, the Framers were still mindful of the English revolution, i.e., Cromwell's genocidal war on Catholics and all non-Calvinists, which required proof that any piblic officer had taken communion from an approved church. Sure as shooting, literally, as soon as we declare this a "Christian nation", code meaning a Christian only government, then someone like Dobson who covets power and money will start questioning whether a political opponent is "really a Christian" and allow candidates from only approved churches. They use the same system for elections in Iran these days.
Its the latest
Michael Deal | 04.05.07 01:43 AM
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Just want to say I am happy Dr. Dobson has endorsed Mike Huckabee and am requesting he actively campaign for Mike. Mike needs to win these next few states. Texas is critical to stopping John McCain from getting the 1191 delegates to win the nomination. Mike was able to do remarkably well in Va. considering the media telling everyone he can't win. This proves majority are not happy with McCain. And, we all know, McCain CANT beat the democrats. He just can't ignite the folks passion to get to the polls like Huckabee. Huckabee will be able to go up against ANYONE in a debate. He is a consistent, solid, experienced, innovative man and we are proud to have him as our candidate. Huckabee suppoters will have a very hard time "swallowing" John McCain as our candidate. It is not too late. Take a stand for our man!!!!!
Linda Rayborn | 02.13.08 10:27 PM
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