Dobson Flips, Says He Might Endorse McCain

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."

Comments

[WorkingClass]

Who cares? Dobson is a has-been.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

What a joke. He feels that he needs to protect the sanctity of marriage by endorsing a man who dumped his wife for a beer heiress. What a marvellous way to protect the sanctity of marriage.

[Eric8869]

Dobson is evil incarnate - he spends his days and nights thinking of ways to be nasty, mean and horrible to gays, lesbians and their families.

Not very Christlike - Christ was good to all people (prostitutes, thieves) and he never ONCE mentioned homosexuality.

Why these "Christian" organizations spend 99% of their time being homophobic instead of feeding the poor or acting Christian is shameful.

Do you know this idiot is getting inducted into the RADIO HALL OF FAME in Chicago in NOVEMBER?

[protagonia]

Dobson is the devil's butler.

[meanguy]

what the right needs to remember is that Christ had no hate in him...what the left needs to remember Christ never said, "it's all good, if it feels good, do it"

[JohnJames]

If what feels good? Making a commitment to a person of the same sex to love and cherish him or her until death do them part? That's some wild hippie stuff.

[Eric8869]

What you (and other striaght people) don't get is that gay people are gay even if they never have sex. It is not about "feeling good".

If I am paralyzed from the wasit down and can't have sex I still want a man to be the love of my life. It is not about the body parts.

[novowel4me]

Dobson is primarily in favor of personal power and will vote for fear and greed every time. He's got the choice of supporting someone who actually lives family values over someone who dumped the wife who stood by him for young and rich and what does he go for.

[lippp]

If Dobson is a political figure by virture of his endorsement and influencing his followers to vote Republican then his organization should loose it's tax exemption. Enough is enough. Dr. Dobson clearly is a political figure masking as a religous leader and we should not allow him to profit from this charade.

[mistlesuede]

Absolutely correct.

[hjfraser2002]

Just for everybodies information here is the market value of the Focus on the Family complex here in lovely colorado springs.

Market Value = $68,638,29­4.00
Tax assessed value = $0.00

this just proves what a sham Dobson is.

Oh and here is the market value of New LIfe Church. Any body remember Ted Haggard.

Market Value = $37,122,35­7.00
Tax assessed value = $0.00

What would Jesus say about this.

[Norsky]

I like and agree with the comment that you are either a christian or a conservative. How true. It seems to me that Dobson is living proof that any time you mix politics and religion you end up with something that is a perversion.

[olivia]

Dobson is just another preacher who figured out how to make a fast buck snookering gullible people.

Christians need to look hard and see through these crooks.

[nick1936]

Dobson is just another fool who would have you believe in that great fiction novel the Bible which tells us all the story of the lady and the snake and has people floating around in the air with and without wings

[DAVESEAN]

ONE OLD WHITE GUY SAYS HE'S VOTING FOR ANOTHER OLD WHITE GUY BECAUSE OF MUSLIMS THREAT....­HOW'S THIS NEWS

[Eric8869]

cause he flip flopped on it - and turn off the caps lock gramps

[meanguy]

this is news WHY? first off, dobson's not exactly known as a 'kingmaker' in political circles, even in the 'evangelical community.­..secondly­, where did anyone expect him to go? the right is not going to step back and hand obama the election by voting with their feet, anymore than those on the left who have been screaming about FISA are going to take a chance on mccain being elected due to stayion on the sidelines or wasting a vote on nader

[NotFooledByDistractions]

I think he threw his temper tantrum to test his pull with the party. I don't think he liked the reaction. He's got two choices - endorse or don't endorse. In the long run, who really cares what a nutcase like Dobson thinks?

[hjfraser2002]

Try living here in Colorado Springs. I try to ignore them but they seem to have alot of influence in this area. it's smothering some times.

[valawstudent]

I'm shocked and awed.

[RickO]

Another endorsement McCain will eventually have to repudiate.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Like there was any doubt about it.

[MyThought]

He is only ONE person - why does anyone care about what Dobson thinks? Your vote is YOUR vote - not his.

Think for yourselves.

Dobson is creepy and really, what gives his opinion clout - people who fall for this nonsense. He doesn't have a right to tell anyone what to do. He's a nobody really.

[JJeff88]

It's all politics.

Dobson is as genuine as a three-dollar bill.