Focus on the Family head James Dobson endorsed Mike Huckabee today. Well, really, what other option did he have?
In a statement first obtained by The Associated Press, Dobson reiterated his declaration on Super Tuesday that he could not in good conscience vote for John McCain, the front-runner, because of concerns over the Arizona senator’s conservative credentials.
Dobson had previously ruled out backing Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson, threatening to vote for a third party candidate if he couldn’t find someone sufficiently wingnutty to support. Now that he’s anointed endorsed Huckabee, will other fundies get in line?
Dobson is easily the biggest-name evangelical endorsement Huckabee has earned. Other movement leaders have shied from Huckabee either because of his lack of money, support for expanding the evangelical agenda to include the environment and poverty, as well economic and tax positions that fiscal conservatives have attacked.
Yeah, we wouldn’t want Christians to actually concern themselves with the poor, and who needs to worry about clean air or water when Armageddon is just around the corner?
It is telling that Dobson has chosen to endorse Huckabee now even though the Huckster has almost no chance of winning the nomination (the evil McCain has over 707 of the 1,191 delegates needed to win; Huck has 195). I’m guessing Daddy D sees the writing on the wall and doesn’t want to be completely shut out of the halls of power. He’ll be pushing hard for Huckabee in the VP slot.
Of course, we’re all supposed to smile and nod along with the assertion that Dobson’s endorsement is purely a private matter and not at all intended to influence the followers who support his tax-exempt non-profit organization. Yeah, that’s why it makes national news.
Dobson emphasizes that when he endorses candidates, he is doing so as a private citizen and not as a representative of Focus on the Family, a tax-exempt organization he founded. His endorsement of Huckabee was to be e-mailed to 110,000 people through Focus on the Family Action, a separate entity that is allowed to be more politically active, [Dobson spokesperson Gary] Schneeberger said.
Right. Because every private citizen in this country has access to a mailing list 110,000 strong through which to disseminate his or her endorsement. Come to think of it, maybe Dobson’s endorsing the Huck because of his “fair” tax proposal that would do away with the IRS. I’m sure Huckabee’s rewrite of the Constitution could be tweaked to include a no-strings-attached exemption for religious right propaganda organizations.
So no one with any connection to a 501(c)3 or other non-profit/tax-exempt organization is allowed to have an opinion? Or at least never be able to voice it? If this is the desired scenario, then it needs to fly both ways – not just be applied to the “evil” fundies and conservatives.
Can you honestly say there are no liberal organizations that don’t do the same thing? They don’t voice as “private citizens” who they are supporting? That’s pretty impressive. If only the GOP was that clean.
While I don’t support a candidate based off just one person’s endorsement, I do take them into consideration. I make my own opinions though. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people in this country, both red and blue, who wish to be like sheep and be told who to vote for.
I find it funny every election year when both sides begin to throw stones stating one side is doing this, or doing that. They’re all politicians. You don’t get to the Presidential level without making deals and compromises. Look at Ron Paul. He didn’t and wouldn’t compromise and he doesn’t have a chance.
Back to the subject, don’t play the pity party here and act like Christian right wingers are the only ones with databases full of email addresses. Democrats use the exact same tactics and methods.
And yes, I also believe the Fair Tax is a brilliant idea. But I guess that discussion is for another day.
Jonathan, of course Dobson is permitted to have an opinion as a private citizen and to voice it. What he’s not permitted to do is endorse as an agent of his non-profit. He’s using the dodge of mailing out the endorsement through his (c)(4) instead. I’m certainly not on the mailing list of every 501(c)(3) out there, but I am quite familiar with three organizations here in the state that maintain separate non-profit and lobbying arms — Alabama Arise, Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, and Equality Alabama. I’ve never known any of them to use their (c)(4) mailing lists to disseminate endorsements. YMMV.
You might remember that the IRS investigated a church in California because its former pastor gave an anti-war sermon just before the 2004 election. So far, there’s been no similar action against people like these preachers who endorsed Mike Huckabee, so I’d have to say there is disparity in treatment.
I don’t think preachers should be endorsing candidates regardless of their political philosophy, but during the past eight years it’s been perfectly fine for religious right figures to do it, while more liberal ones have been put on notice by the IRS investigation that they must be careful. No pity party, just reality.
Perhaps the learned Dr. Dobson and his favorite Baptist candidate should read their Scriptures. It does not take a rocket scientist (only an intellectually honest Christian) to know WWJD with the regressive “fair tax” sham.
The Huckster said he didn’t major in Math, he majored in Miracles.
Miracles? LMAO!!
So true about the Christians of these days not caring about the poor. Makes me sick.
Ech.
Kathy, have you been to Lawyers Guns & Money today? They excerpt a great editorial from the Tuscaloosa paper calling on Mukasey to investigate the Siegelman prosecution.
Just what we need, “The Miracle Man” as President.
Kathy, perhaps if you would be more obedient to your husband and submit yourself dutifully you would have less time to persist in your rabble rousing. Bill, might I be so bold as to suggest a gentle but firm spanking administered with love and the Holy Spirit? And I know where you can order some really pretty pantaloons for her!!
Thanks, Tom. That is one complicated mess, and I need to write about it.
Jennifer, behave!
Huckabee’s still waiting for a miracle in Washington state, but instead it looks like Republican business as usual. If you can’t win it, steal it, and as much as the PTB hate McCain, they hate Huck more.
Aw gee Kathy! You’re no fun!