Dr. James Dobson said Sunday that he would vote in November, ending the widespread rumor that he would sit out during this year’s presidential election due to dissatisfaction with the choice of candidates.
“Let me just say that I will certainly vote,” the influential conservative leader said on Hannity’s America. “I think we have a God-given responsibility to vote, and there are all of the candidates and the issues down the ballot that we have an obligation to weigh in on and let our voices be heard.”
However, Dobson – who founded Focus on the Family but spoke as a private citizen – added that he “has problems” with all three major presidential contenders, especially the Democrats, according to FOTF’s Citzenlink publication.
In terms of presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, Dobson has strongly criticized the Arizona senator for what he deemed as anti-family and anti-conservative stances.
His criticisms include McCain’s support for embryonic stem-cell research, his “legendary temper,” and frequent use of “foul and obscene language.”
“I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience,” Dobson had said in February when he announced his endorsement of then-presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee.
But during Sunday’s interview, he seemed to be reconsidering his stance with McCain, foregoing the fiery words he once aimed at the likely Republican nominee. Yet the issue of McCain’s support for embryonic stem-cell research was again brought up as a point of contention.
“But that (the embryonic stem-cell research issue)'s an important one for me,” Dobson said to host Sean Hannity. “And you can't really call yourself pro-life if you're in favor of killing those babies.”
The process of extracting embryonic stem cells requires destroying the embryo, making the extraction an issue similar to abortion for some pro-lifers.
In the end, although Dobson conceded that he would vote this fall, the Christian conservative did not give details on who he would vote for. He said he and his wife Shirley, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, will continue to pray that God’s will be reflected in the outcome of the election.
Comments
4christ
I am actually just a little older than you. But we are by no means old.
Do we wish we were in our 20's? Of course.
But we are in our prime now. As Dobson's generation passes on, the stage is set for our generation to carry on.
Put on the Armour of Faith. It's our turn to go to the battlefield.
wrhalver,
I agee with you totally. For the recod, I admire the views of James Dobson. I am 42 years old, so I guess that makes me old. I feel ALOT wiser than I did when I was much younger in many areas os my life. I'm sure when I get to be Dobson's age, I will be even wiser. I would NEVER take the word or viewpoint of only one man of who I will vote for. I look to many different views and issues of the candidates themselves.
Star2/wrhalver
Good conversation on an imporatnt issue. I'm not going to be aroundfor about a week.
Keep well
Thanks
Steve
steveh20
James Dobson does not tell anybody how to vote. This is entirely up to each individual.
But as Star2 pointed out, sometimes we need a little help making such important decisions.
Dobson has interfaced with many political leaders. He has a reasonable pulse on what is happening in the churches, and what government is doing that may have an effect on the church.
He still has very respected views and values that any Christian should share. Younger Christians however tend to be more liberal. That's normal. That's just the natural progression of life.
Should we depend upon Dobson to tell us how to vote? No.
Is Dobson a dependable source of wisdom towards making a decision? Absolutely.
steveh20
Re:I am wondering if he is a voice that should be listerened to, does he have anything to say and is his view as important as he ( and some streams of Christanity) think it is?
For some I am sure his viewpoint is very important. How many, I don't know. It probably isn't that many.
Re:"This is a free country and if a citizen is 18 yrs are older and is not a convicted felony then he/she can vote. It doesn't matter how they arrived at their decision.
It may not be the best way to select a political leader but that is the way it is. "
Not certain S2 why you made this point as you most likey know I agree with it.
I had gotten the impression that you thought that most people like yourself study the issues and the politicians positions on the issues and then decide who would be the best politician for the job. If I am wrong about what you thought, and apparently I am, then please forgive me.
Most people are not up on politics. They just go by shallow criteria like what race they are, what sex they are, what religious beliefs they have, or what political party they belong to.
Young people are generally not mature enough in their understanding of the issues to make a sound judgment as to what politician has a better approach to the issues of our day. (At least that is my opinion.) I really don't like them having a voice in the matter for that reason but if they can go to war and lose their life for their country they should be allow to vote on who will decide if they go to war.
"This is a free country and if a citizen is 18 yrs are older and is not a convicted felony then he/she can vote. It doesn't matter how they arrived at their decision.
It may not be the best way to select a political leader but that is the way it is. "
Not certain S2 why you made this point as you most likey know I agree with it.
Steve
Star2,You are quite correct that I have taken into consideration the views of others whilst voting. I am not saying it is wrong etc.. to listern to Dr Dobson ( by the way I remeber my wife and I being given a copy of his book "Straight talk to men and their wives" when we got married) but I am wondering if he is a voice that should be listerened to, does he have anything to say and is his view as important as he ( and some streams of Christanity) think it is?
Regards
Steve
steveh20
All kinds of people vote for all different kinds of reasons.
Some have strong opinions about certain issues and are intellectually strong enough to understand each candidate's positions and the ramifications of those positions. But many are not.
Those who don't sometimes look to people who's opinion they respect and they sometimes make their decisions based on that.
Some people make decisions based on the sex of the politician, the color of skin, the religious views, or the party afflication. Whether that is right or wrong, that is the way it is.
This is a free country and if a citizen is 18 yrs are older and is not a convicted felony then he/she can vote. It doesn't matter how they arrived at their decision.
It may not be the best way to select a political leader but that is the way it is.
steveh20
People are free to vote the dictates of their heart and to live their life according to those dictates. However, some people do listen to the input of leaders who hold to simialr values as they. Have you not in your lifetime done the same?
WHO GIVES A RATS YOU KNOW WHAT WHO DOBSON VOTES FOR, HIS BOY HAS BEEN PRESIDENT AND LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY, AS SOMEONE WHO USED TO BE A REPUBLICAN UNTIL I REALIZED THAT HE WAS TAKING THE MIDDLE CLASS FOR THE BIGGEST RIDE SINCE HERBERT HOOVER. THIS GUY THROUGH ECONOMIC RIGHT WING POLICIES HAS DONE MORE DAMAGE TO THE FAMILIES OF AMERICA THAN CLINTON EVER DID WITH ONE AFFAIR IN THE WHITE HOUSE. BOTH PARTIES ARE DISAPPOINTING, BUT AT LEAST THE DEMOCRATS ACKNOWLEGE THAT THERE IS A MIDDLE CLASS THAT IS SHRINKING FAST.
THIS IS THE LAST TIME I VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN THAT COMES FROM A CROOKED WEALTHLY EAST COAST FAMILY PRETENDING TO BE TEXANS WRAPPING THEMSELVES IN JESUS AND THE FLAG.
But what of those who don't agree with Dobson, that woud include other Christians as well, what if they don't want to live under his ( and his disciples) vision of Christianity or America?
The Kingdom of God is One Body of believers, the Salt of the Earth.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall. The world should have its ears tuned to us, and so should the leaders of America.
Dobson has spent his life dedicated to a ministry which promotes this ideal.
If we aren't listening to him anymore, then who are we listening to?
Why do people ..care.. who Dobson votes for... political ignorance.
Thanks Wrhalver for explaining that to me. It just seems strange to me that (some) Christians in America need somebody like Dr Dobson to almost "tell"them which way to vote instead of thinking the issues tthrough themselves and them coming to their own decisions. The idea of Christians voting on block for one party is unkown in England.
Regards
Steve
steveh20
Due to the aging process, James Dobson is one of the last remaining influencial Conservative Christians who might have any kind of a voice for Christians during this election season.
He is influencial because of his years of work with Focus on the Family. And for years the Conservative Christians have chosen to side with the Repubilcans. And for years the Republicans have had Presidential candidates that meet the criteria of the Conservative Christians.
But this election season is different. A split amongst the Christians is happening. And while Dobson's conservative voice may not carry a lot of weight, it is certainly still well respected.