James Dobson: If McCain’s the nominee, I’m sitting out; Audio: I’ll vote for Romney in the general, says Dobson
posted at 12:55 pm on February 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
One last threat before the die is cast. He’s been making the perfect the enemy of the good (or average) since the campaign began, first with Giuliani, then with Fred(!), and now at last with a guy with respect to whom his sentiment might resonate a bit with the base. Geraghty tries to fact-check him but this long march towards rejectionism has always been aimed at showing the party how much it’ll suffer without him and his supporters. If it wasn’t, he’d have thrown in with Huck or Romney long ago. Will the flock follow him into the wilderness? No one knows yet but I’m betting no. The country’s newest “Christian leader” will help keep them in the fold for Maverick.
Pity poor Laura, who had no choice but to accept an exclusive this newsworthy (I’d have done so too) but who’s reduced momentarily to a mouthpiece for Dobson’s latest performance of “private citizen” kabuki. No matter. She’s already done her good deed for the day.
Update: He won’t endorse in a primary, but he’ll happily anti-endorse candidates various and sundry. Thanks to Derek F. at Salem for the clip; it’s been edited for brevity.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: [1] 2 »
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Crybaby.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
I somewhat hate McCain, but I still can’t get my head around all this McCain hatred… especially from people like Limbaugh. Does they think McCain won’t do a good job on the war and terrorism?
frankj on February 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Who is this guy and why should I care?
MikeZero on February 5, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Dobson won’t vote for a Pro-life Baptist Candidate!
Moron!
Chakra Hammer on February 5, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Dobson out, Huckabee in.
Vizzini on February 5, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Right on Dobson dude. Right on.
Roger Waters on February 5, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Great. Stay the hell home, and Please Lord, let McCain win it all….all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue.
That’s how little I like Dobson. If a McCain win is what it takes to marginalize this guy, and send him back to his headquarters in CO Springs, please, it will be the best thing that could happen to the GOP.
funky chicken on February 5, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Move along–nothing new here.
davidk on February 5, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Dobson is right.
HYTEAndy on February 5, 2008 at 1:02 PM
I find it interesting that it has taken several of the conservative pundits so long to endorse candidates. Plenty of them tried to straddle the fence hoping the poll numbers would change. Guess what? They didn’t.
The lesson learned is that it’s best to take a stand early and worry about the damage control (general election) later.
natesnake on February 5, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Oh, for Pete’s sake. Rash Limbaugh and MM have cranked up the McCain hate to radioactive levels, and HA is doing the same.
If Dobson wants to support abortion, socialism and surrender, let him. It’s one step on the road to irrelevance for him.
Too bad equal effort can’t be used to counter the bilge Osama Obama and The Hildebeest are shoveling.
Rash and Michelle may be richer after four years of Dem rule, but the rest of us will be in deep dung.
Principles, my butt.
MrScribbler on February 5, 2008 at 1:03 PM
These people who say they would rather sit out or write in a candidate or vote for Hillary are morons, yes, morons.
Hillary is a SOCIALIST. I would if I must vote for McCain over Hillary any day. Staying home or writing in, is giving your vote to a socialist. You public figures saying such irresponsible nonsense, should be quiet, because your sheep are following you.
Conservatives R Us on February 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM
This is the guy, after all, who said the exact same thing about Rudy, and said Thompson wasn’t a Christian. His own spokesman confirmed the remarks the next day, with a further explanation that “we” don’t see anybody who isn’t an evangelical as a Christian.
But did you see this guy get out and campaign for Duncan Hunter, who is everything he says he wants in a candidate? Nope. He just likes to sit back and bitch.
funky chicken on February 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Wow, Romeny is really backtracking from his Dole comments today. Now, Dole won’t return his calls. Kansas has it’s primary like four days. Genius. lol
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:04 PM
OOOOh, “foul and obscene language”….
Vizzini on February 5, 2008 at 1:05 PM
That’s my point. Instead of endorsing a candidate and promoting their positions, most pundits have gone the “who I don’t like route”. It’s done more harm than good.
Too little. Too late.
natesnake on February 5, 2008 at 1:06 PM
MCCAIN WINS DOBSON WEAKER. MCCAIN LOSE DOBSON STRONGER.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:06 PM
You mean by closing GITMO, putting terrorists into the Court system and limiting interrogation techniques (and who knows what else once he has the power)?
This man was inches away from leaving the party and running with John Kerry who was for an immediate pull out of Iraq. Why would he want to serve under a President like that?
TheBigOldDog on February 5, 2008 at 1:06 PM
James Dobson: Agent of Intolerance.
Big S on February 5, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Allah - I was only a day early on calling that Dobson giving McCain the finger… It’s ugly out there and I figure it was only a matter of time for him to come out on it.
SkinnerVic on February 5, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Who cares about Dole? That dude was horrible. He isnt as bad as McCain but he is similar…a war hero but a long-term senator who didnt like conservatives.
screw em!!
Roger Waters on February 5, 2008 at 1:08 PM
But the thing is, we are voting for socialists anyhow. If we are doing that, I’d rather vote for a professional socialist (Hilary) than an amateur (Juan McFraud).
Either way my ballot today is being casted for Mitt!
blahdy on February 5, 2008 at 1:09 PM
They know he’s going to get KILLED in the general. They know that a vote for McCain is a vote for their political ememies.
Zetterson on February 5, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Big S: Liberal posing as a conservative.
2Brave2Bscared on February 5, 2008 at 1:10 PM
This is a fight republicans were gonna have to have sooner or later.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Let them go into the wilderness, where we no longer have to hear their whining and can leave the rest of us to take decisions on the future of the nation.
Dobson is vile and useless - his negativity about every friggin candidate is not only irritating but has contributed nothing of worth to the GOP primary campaign.
Pax americana on February 5, 2008 at 1:11 PM
At this point, there could actually be a silver lining to pulling some of the detainees into the court system. Imagine the spectacle of organizations such as the ACLU and Amnesty International actually having to defend these guys on the merits of their cases, rather than just throwing stones at the Bush Administration. Right now, these cases are out of sight and out of mind for most of the population. That could change drastically if and when they start cropping up in the courts.
Big S on February 5, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Has he accused the Teletubbies of anything yet?
Kini on February 5, 2008 at 1:12 PM
You’re assuming there will be difference in the agenda and many are assuming just the opposite, the agenda will be the same.
If McCain becomes President, it will be easier for him to accomplish a similar agenda because there will be little opposition. With Hillary in, opposition will mobilize to fight the agenda and prevent much of it.
TheBigOldDog on February 5, 2008 at 1:12 PM
I respectfully disagree with Dr. Dobson. At least he opposes McCain with a list of reasons, rather than resorting to the name-calling that most J-Mac opponents use.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:14 PM
For which side?
It isn’t as though he’s going to rip his shirt off and stride mightily through hordes of jihadis puffing out his greased-up manly chest while nailing raggies with his M16.
LimeyGeek on February 5, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Do you? Try and separate national security, ie WOT, and support for the war in Iraq and our troops. McCain HAS supported the troops in the field and the war in iraq BUT he is weak on national security in that he has an open borders policy. You cannot seriously think that having open borders will keep us secure. Think about it…
kcd on February 5, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Imagine putting them in the system and not being able to prosecute them effectively because of the need to divulge sources and methods. Imagine them walking free. Imagine them having an international platform that public trials would provide. Be careful what you wish for.
TheBigOldDog on February 5, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Good for Dobson. He can do whatever he wants. Dobson is an embarrassment to the party anyway IMO, let him sit out as long as he likes.
Dash on February 5, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Don’t be pickin’ on Bob Dole!
Chakra Hammer on February 5, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Translation: let me pick the GOP nominee or I’ll tell all the homeschool moms who listen to me
to help elect Hillarynot to vote.Akzed on February 5, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Isn’t he the leader of Focus on the Family? The problem is he should focus on HIS family.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:16 PM
The sheep are the so called Repubs who line up with the party establishment and he MSM in supporting McShamnesty. Conservatives will walk…it is our first step in taking back the party. You RINOs and independents will be begging us to return after 4 years of Hillary. HaHaHa! By the way Mary Matalin just said she would not vote for McShamnesty in the General if some things don’t get clarified by McSamnesty. Good luck RINOs…enjoy Hillary.
jwp1964 on February 5, 2008 at 1:17 PM
The McCain candidacy reveals the essence of Bushism
2Brave2Bscared on February 5, 2008 at 1:17 PM
When Mav is president, Dobson will get the crumbs of power.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Frankly I’m tired of the attention Dobson gets. While he has a right to express his opinions I think they now have the relevance equal to anything that Jesse or Al say.
Brass Pair on February 5, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Well, I see Dobson’s “Two Fingers to the GOP” tour continues unabated.
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Ann Coulter on Fox, in a few minutes. This is when she’ll probably say she was just kidding about that voting for Hillary comment. Common sense prevails as the end nears.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:19 PM
It’s comments like this that totally convince me that you folks don’t actually READ any of the comments of the anti-McCain crowd. Because we’ve said over and over and over the myriad of reasons we don’t like him. Spend some time actually reading us, and you’ll know. It’s not simply about the WOT. Do the following terms mean nothing to you? They certainly do to us.
TAX CUTS
SHAMNESTY (all opposed are racist/nativist)
KEATING 5
GANG OF 14
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
GITMO CLOSURE
GLOBAL WARMING CAPITULATION
ANWR DRILLING
The man is a RINO - Republican in Name Only, and has thought as recently as the last election about switching party. He is not Party loyal, so why should we be loyal to him to save a Party he daily tries to move Left?
tickleddragon on February 5, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Dobson out, Huckabee in.
Vizzini on February 5, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Makes more sense the more I think about it.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Wait, this doesn’t make sense, if Baptists are pre-destinationists, then his vote was pre-ordained by God, therefore he was doing God’s work.
So says Calvinists (Baptists).
So now you are calling God a moron? Shame on you…
right2bright on February 5, 2008 at 1:21 PM
I, too, once shared your disbelief about all the McCain hatred. After all, I reasoned, John McCain is great on the “War on Terror” right?
Then I got a job at a hospital, and moved to a different zip code. And for the first time in my life I saw the negative effects of illegal immigration and the accompanying lawlessness and crime. I soon began to realize that there is a far greater security threat right here in America’s back yard.
John McCain is horrible on illegal immigration.
I will not pull the lever for McCain.
ColtsFan on February 5, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Dobson cannot endorse Romney.
Mrs. Dobson is on the record with some anti-Mormon rhetoric so Dr. Dobson is in a bit of a pickle.
The most Dobson can do is issue unendorsements and he has not issued one for Mitt.
EJDolbow on February 5, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Uh, excuse me, but Dobson is talking about the general election.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Dole is head and shoulders above McCain. He was just a lousy candidate in ‘96.
Brass Pair on February 5, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Don’t worry McCain shills…he’ll be the Sec Def in the dem administration after he is destroyed in the general.
jwp1964 on February 5, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Dobson rarely makes endorsements…he certainly has no desire to be kingmaker.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Yes!!! Coulter is keeping up with the schtick!!! She will drive common sense voters to Johhny Hero.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Now that I agree on. That is why Huck should stay in the pulpit, Dobson and the other religious leaders not only should but have been commanded by Christ to stay in the pulpit. Wasn’t Jesus the one who said “you can’t serve two masters”, religion leaders and politics do not mix. Other wise instead of Jesus Christ, it would have been Jesus President.
right2bright on February 5, 2008 at 1:24 PM
We hated John “Have I mentioned that I served in Vietnam” Kerry for the same reason we’re supposed to love McCain, namely, the constant drip drip drip about his Vietnam service and POW status coming from all quarters. Is this irony or hypocrisy?
Consider what McCain would be more likely to do, given his personality:
A) Micromanage the military___
B) Manage the military just right___
C) Let the armed services more or less manage themselves___
Akzed on February 5, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Jesus wants Romney to lose big today.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:25 PM
When I see McCain’s name on the ballot this afternoon, I’ll remember the frantic days of phoning and e-mailing to stop a bill that would have made 12 (25?) million illegals legal overnight. I’ll remember McCain saying “it’s not amnesty” and calling us bigots.
Then I’ll vote for Romney and be glad there’s still that option.
NellE on February 5, 2008 at 1:26 PM
For those who think evangelicals are “easily led”, Dobson is one of my favorite people on Earth outside of my family, & I’m voting for McCain.
We can disagree agreeably.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Good Dobson, sit it out then we won’t have to listen to anymore of your babbling.
rplat on February 5, 2008 at 1:28 PM
“You can’t serve two masters”??? What does the love of money have to do with this? Dobson is making a lot of people angry today, & he knows it.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Agree.
Connie on February 5, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Here
or Here
FWIW, I’m not voting for McCain, ever.
I’ll vote for my Repub Senator and Representative, but not for McCain.
billy on February 5, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Good let’s fill his position at the convention with Kinky Friedman.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:30 PM
And Dobson does focus on the family. I listen to his show every day, & less than 5% of the broadcasts ever mention anything political.
I guess being a Christian means you’re not allowed to share your political views.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:31 PM
It is SOOOO FREAKING HILLARIOUS to hear people using someone who they bristle at agreeing with to make their point.
I’m SOOOOOO GLAD that the ‘conservative right’ and Dobson could finally agree and unite the ‘party’. And so you quote him because what he said agrees with your position? Where were the ruDe supporters and why weren’t they holding up Pat Robertson’s endorsement?
Again, Christians (other than the Pope to Catholics) don’t put these pastors and ministers on a higher plane than anyone else. They preach the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are made powerful by Jesus, not by what they personally believe or profess. They personally don’t have any influence over how people think politically.
Social conservatives (which they all used to be called until the Catholic media decided to distance themselves from the ‘evil evangelicals) don’t need a preacher to tell them that abortion is murder and wrong. They’d believe it without a preacher. They can read the Bible themselves.
Catholics need to understand that non-Catholic Christian leaders don’t hold the sway that priests do with Catholics. I know it is a difficult concept for them to grasp. Preachers are good people, but their job is to tell everyone about Jesus Christ. That’s the end of their influence on life.
ThackerAgency on February 5, 2008 at 1:31 PM
The Drunken One - flip flopping and wrong 5 minutes between, just like McCain.
jwp1964 on February 5, 2008 at 1:32 PM
First, Dobson, then Buchanan. Two of the best reasons I’ve seen to vote for McCain.
rightwingprof on February 5, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Just happens that McCain was right on the military - much of the credit for the improvement in Iraq rests on McCain’s endless lobbying for the surge and against the defeatists in Congress which helped to persuade President Bush to pursue these ends when everyone else was screaming defeat.
Pax americana on February 5, 2008 at 1:34 PM
That was exactly my point with all the Huckabee hate. There was no positivity out of them toward any candidate just this mountain of reasons why you shouldn’t vote for which ever candidate had the lead at the time.
bj1126 on February 5, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Being wrong about the skank of Ann Coulter is like a badge of honor.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:34 PM
I made a similar point this morning re: the Pope’s prayer:
I am a Christian, first and only. Dobson does not speak for me, nor do I answer to him. His endorsement or rejection of any one candidate means nothing to me. If he wants to sit out, that’s fine with me. It’s his loss. He’ll have no one to blame but himself when Romney loses.
fourstringfuror on February 5, 2008 at 1:34 PM
McCain/Petraeus 2008?
A winning combination.
Pax americana on February 5, 2008 at 1:35 PM
I have a theory that this anti mccain venom, may actually be galvanizing his bass of fellow Mavericks from sea to shining sea.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Your ignorance and bigotry is astounding.
TheBigOldDog on February 5, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Wishful thinking at best. The ACLU and Amnesty International won’t waste a second defending the actions. They’ll attack the case against their clients, demanding evidence that’s classified and can’t be used in court. They’ll spend time scoring cheap political points against whoever tries to protect the country. They’ll try to make it politically unpopular to purse prosecution. They’ll do everything in their power to avoid even discussing the accusations, and accuse the U.S. of torture, “insensitivity”, and the violation of multiple civil rights.
There is no upside to closing Gitmo and trying these people in the courts. The temporary P.R. spike from appeasing nebulous “world opinion” will dissolve within a day of the announcement. Once the lawyers start making speeches about how unjustly their clients were treated, public opinion will just keep sinking until “impeachment” starts sounding reasonable.
tom on February 5, 2008 at 1:36 PM
I think one day, we’ll all look back at “true conservatives” like the Aumish.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM
4
Connie on February 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM
McCain may be the nominee but we will still NEVER vote for him.Now several of the talking heads and other conservative media types say everyone will fall in line behind McCain. I disagree.I guess we’ll see in November if he’s the nominee.I’m betting he loses big like the Dole-Kemp dream team of 96.I’m not going to be critical of folks on here who like or vote for McCain more power to you.We just do not believe in his positions especially on immigration.
PTN 39 on February 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Please explain.
As a conservative, what exactly do I “win” with John McCain as President for four years?
billy on February 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM
McCain/Graham A five star lock.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM
That’s not the problem. Many conservatives aren’t single-issue voters. McCain’s so liberal in other areas that his prowar stance doesn’t compensate.
Personal freedom, taxes, illegal immigration, and out of control government spending are the biggest issues for me, not the war.
fossten on February 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM
You your vote is for just right? Patreus was wondering what to do before McCain chimed in, eh?
Akzed on February 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Yup. Now a lot of the conservative base is agitated as a result. I know it’s difficult to take a stand and actually endorse a candidate, but the blowback is much less severe.
natesnake on February 5, 2008 at 1:38 PM
If you think He was only talking about money, then you really have a difficult time understanding parables or most of the bible. Wheat, seperating the wheat from the chaff, what does that have to do with living a good life, it’s farming.
Seeds falling on stones, come on, we don’t need to learn about farming…get it?
right2bright on February 5, 2008 at 1:40 PM
fourstringfuror,
Dobson said that IF McCain wins the nomination, he’ll sit out the GENERAL ELECTION! He’s not sitting out the primary!
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:41 PM
the christian libertarians have already stated they will vote 3rd party of McCain and Romney….they don’t like Huck either. Most of them either like paul or flirt with him while recognizing he’s out in left field on some issues.
jp on February 5, 2008 at 1:41 PM
False. Republicans did NOT attack him over the surge, they supported it. The credit belongs with Petraeus and Bush for appointing him.
fossten on February 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
tom on February 5, 2008 at 1:36 PM
In support of your point: Imagine what the discovery process will be like if these Gitmo detainees are tried in U.S. courts.
They’ll have the right to send their lawyers scouring through the intelligence agencies, gleefully leaking anything they find to the NYT and WaPo.
billy on February 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
My point is, Dobson is not serving two masters. He believes he is serving the Lord in saying what he said.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Actually, Jesus was talking about money, but the principal is more general than just that. At the same time, riddle me this: why would a shepherd leave the 99 sheep by themselves to go looking for the one that wandered off? No one in Jesus’ audience would have nodded in agreement with that prospect. What was He thinking?!
Akzed on February 5, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Yeah, continuing the war is big time popular with mods and independents…put down the crack pipe and back away from the key board Pax Mexicana
jwp1964 on February 5, 2008 at 1:45 PM
See? McCain haters are more likely to resort to name-calling & hyperbole (kinda like liberals).
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Dang, you beat me to it, but I’ll quote my sister anyway:
“Focus on your own damned family!”
Frozen Tex on February 5, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Glad to hear this, if Dobson and I were in agreement, I would need to reevaluate my opinions.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 5, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Since when has being pro-life, pro-heterosexual marriage, anti-socialised healthcare, pro-free trade, anti-pork barrel spending, anti-tax hikes, pro-military investment, pro-border security, pro-prayer in schools been liberal or Democratic policy? I’ve never been a single issue voter; and I’ve certainly more sense than to follow all this McCain=Hillary crap that the radio demagogues have been pumping out.
You seen to have been conned by the deranged Mac haters. McCain has long faught against all forms of tax increases and ridiculous government spending. And don’t bother shrilling about the 2001 Bush cuts - McCain campaigned on reducing the deficit first , and if we’d listened to him then, we wouldn’t be in such a hole now.
Pax americana on February 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
If McCain is the nominee and we don’t’ like him, why don’t we raly up and wright in a guy we like, instead of this “take our marbles and go home” crap.
The Eric Cartman strategy isn’t going to help us any.
liquidflorian on February 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Generalize much? Once again, you obviously didn’t read my entry.
I’m willing to admit that not all McCain capitulators are prinicpless idiots. Can you admit that not all anti-McCain’ers are whiny angry name-callers?
tickleddragon on February 5, 2008 at 1:51 PM
liquidflorian on February 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
I have said time and time and time again that I WILL write in a candidate.
tickleddragon on February 5, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Some people are grateful for a radio show that gives helpful advice on family issues.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Yes, I did generalize. That’s why I said, “more likely”.
jgapinoy on February 5, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Comment pages: [1] 2 »