James Dobson, Drunk with Power

In an article from US News and World Report ,we get insight into one of the mind of James Dobson. Dr. Dobson offers his take on 3 different Republican presidential candidates. First, Newt Gingirch, who was on Dobson's radio program recently. He of course admitted to an affair during the Clinton impeachment, which since Dobson was harsh on Clinton you would expect equal measure. Nope, he didn't attack Newt for his hypocrisy, or his affair, or not being truthful about it until now. What did Dobson have to say about Newt? He called him "the brightest guy out there" and "the most articulate politician on the scene today." I would love to hear what Clinton would be called if he went on the show. How did we get to the point where Dr. Dobson's words and opinions matter?

The Focus on the Family empire consists of radio, TV, books, music, magazines, websites, an institute, conferences (including love won out, which helps homosexuals become straight) and guides for voting and political action. This behemoth was founded and headed by Dr. James Dobson, who has seen his influence increase over evangelicals. His messages are "pro family values" and use "Biblical principles" to prove his points. Dobson did focus on the family with books on disciplining children, relationships, marriage and so forth. His websites offer the same, with different ones geared towards kids, teens, college age, couples, and singles. This formula of easy answers from a black and white interpretation of the Bible has been popular, keeping people buying the books and listening to and watching. Through this increasing trust and admiration for Dr. Dobson, he has parlayed it into political action.

A new loud and common theme for Dr. Dobson has been his support for defense of marriage acts. With books such as Marriage Under Attack claims that marriage is a holy Christian tradition, that if extended to same sex couples will be destroyed. From this, he has become increasingly political, including, issuing warnings for Democrats to not oppose Bush's supreme court nominees and seeking to block Arlen Specter as head of the judiciary committee. Dobson's political swagger can now be seen. He claims to wield power over many, including their votes. Dobson complained Republicans were only paying attention to him and his causes around election time. With this he threatened basically to "take his ball and go home" taking the voters with him. This is where we find him today, in a seat of power, making candidates come to him.

Mitt Romney sought out Dobson recently, possibly to address concerns of Romney being a Latter Day Saint. Even though this was a good faith effort, Dobson has stated that Romney's Mormonism would make it hard for Evangelicals to vote for him. Dobson claims it isn't his view, just that of some evangelicals, but his reminder that elections are close and that losing votes form his evangelicals will hurt you. Dobson also commented on kind of sort of quasi candidate Fred Thompson. He flat said that even though he (Thompson) is a conservative "I don't think he is a Christian" That's right, James Dobson can look into your heart and know what you think and believe. He went on to say it was his impression and yet that impression would make it hard to win the nomination. The Correction was even snotty and condescending, with an aide claiming that the term Christian is used by them to refer only to "evangelicals". So you must apparently believe only what Dobson believes to be a Christian!

Dobson it appears believes he is the king of the evangelicals. Making candidates come to him, favoring those who believe as he does, damning those who do not. He believes that he controls the voting bloc, that people will unify behind him, and that his blessing is important. He has attacked the faith of Thompson and Romney, knowing what they believe and think before they do. Dobson's threats and actions don't carry the weight he thinks, but his words still have an effect. His thoughts and beliefs are gobbled up by thousands upon thousands on a daily basis, which makes it scary when he says things like this. Condemning someone you haven't met for what is in their heart is horrible. Dobosn's use of God and the Bible to justify his own prejudice, anger and lust for power is seen by all his followers. To them, hey, it must be good, Dr. Dobson does it. This is exactly the reason why he is so dangers. Not only is he politically active with his ideas and power hungry ways, but he is indoctrinating many many more, convincing them it is God's way. Thank you Dr. Dobson, thank you for boiling down the Christian message into Hate and Greed.