Focus on Family Founder Snubs Thompson, Praises Gingrich

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Dobson Offers Insight on 2008 Republican Hopefuls (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070328/28dobson.htm)

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson appeared to throw cold water on a possible presidential bid by former Sen. Fred Thompson while praising former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is also weighing a presidential run, in a phone interview Tuesday.

"Everyone knows he's conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for," Dobson said of Thompson. "[But] I don't think he's a Christian; at least that's my impression," Dobson added, saying that such an impression would make it difficult for Thompson to connect with the Republican Party's conservative Christian base and win the GOP nomination.

Mark Corallo, a spokesman for Thompson, took issue with Dobson's characterization of the former Tennessee senator. "Thompson is indeed a Christian," he said. "He was baptized into the Church of Christ."


THIS is why I say OUR cross to bear on the right -- Dobson, Falwell, and Robertson -- the Rev's Jackson, Sharpton and Farrakan of the right, are making a mockery of the conservative movement. I'm sure that will put me out of favor with some, but I'm not so trusting of those three anymore. http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/icons/icon9.gif

[Suzie]

I hope it doesn't discourage Thompson in any way. You are right Christians need to make their voice heard. Why on earth would he question his faith? How could he possibly know?

[Rhino]

I hope it doesn't discourage Thompson in any way.Why would it? Dobson doesn't exactly command a huge captive audience, even among conservative Christians.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Why would it? Dobson doesn't exactly command a huge captive audience, even among conservative Christians.

Certainly not anymore, :sad: .

[Suzie]

I don't know that it would. But I wish he would announce his decision. Once he has committed to it I will feel better. I don't think I would want to put up with all the crap candidates have to, and they seem to be starting with him before they even know if he is one.

[The_Elucidator]

Why on earth would he question his faith? How could he possibly know?

I'm not going to get into the how's and why's and want to avoid a thread drift at all costs, but my first reaction to reading the article was "typical". I am a member of the Church of Christ and have been for nearly 20 years. We had the bad rap of thinking that we were the only one's going to heaven. Plus the Church believes that you must be baptized for salvation. Many denominations don't believe that baptism is a part of salvation therefore there is a rift between some. My gut instinct tells me that Dobson doesn't believe that he is a Christian because he is a member of the Church of Christ... Just a hunch... If I wasn't 100 percent sold on Sen Thompson I AM NOW!!! :thumb:

[Rhino]

I could care less what church he's in. And quite frankly, Dobson doesn't exactly endear me to evangelicals.

In a follow-up phone conversation, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger stood by Dobson's claim. He said that, while Dobson didn't believe Thompson to be a member of a non-Christian faith, Dobson nevertheless "has never known Thompson to be a committed Christian—someone who talks openly about his faith."

"We use that word—Christian—to refer to people who are evangelical Christians," Schneeberger added. So, if you aren't evangelical and don't wear your faith on your sleeve, you aren't a Christian. Now I'm even more convinced this will have no effect on Thompson. Very few people pay attention to radicals, and these guys qualify in my book.

[Lubbock]

I have never liked James Dobson. I've been watching him for upwards of thirty years, and there is something about the man that just never rang true for me.

Oily.

Snakeoil.

I always halfway expected that someday he's be doing the Jimmy Swaggart croc tears.

He may yet.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Lub,
I never got that feeling from him. As opposed to Falwell and Robertson, I always believed he was more of a stand-up guy. I have a couple of his books, and one really HAS been helpful in dealing with my son (who is strong-willed ... can't IMAGINE where he inhereted that from, :smirky: ). I've enjoyed other Focus on the Family benefits (some youth magazines and devotionals for both my children, Bible studies, etc.), and gleaned much insight and strength from God's Word through those.

But lately, it's like he's having mental problems or something. I just don't trust him anymore. Certainly it is NOT Christian to question another's Christianity in the manner he has chosen. I can understand questioning whether certain actions are Christian-like, but you don't directly attack someone's personal relationship with the Lord and His Son -- not like he has done. I'm extremely disappointed in Dr. Dobson, http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/icons/icon8.gif http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/icons/icon9.gif

[Longhorn_Platinum]

:unsmile: Dobson criticizes Thompson's Christianity, while endorsing a man who cheats on his wife?

[TSawyer2112]

I find it disappointing that Dr. Dobson would attempt to cast doubt on one of the best hopes the GOP has of nominating an electable Conservative before the guy even has made a decision to run; especially given the current crop of candidates.

[Timberwolf]

:unsmile: Dobson criticizes Thompson's Christianity, while endorsing a man who cheats on his wife?
Beat me to the punch, Longhorn. Good call.

As for Sen. Thompson being a member of the Church of Christ, here's what I found on their (for lack of better ways to put it) belief structure:
http://church-of-christ.org/church-of-christ/JMB.html
Only 2 points of contention (AFAIC):
Their take on baptism
The lack of mention of Deaconesses
Quite honestly, I liked what I read...seems to be a solid Christ-centered church.

[The_Elucidator]

Beat me to the punch, Longhorn. Good call.


Quite honestly, I liked what I read...seems to be a solid Christ-centered church.

Like I said earlier, as a 20 year member I am 100% solidly behind him now knowing this little fact!

[noncom]

First of all: Dobson who? I don't recall electing this guy to the post of "The Whole World's Arbiter of Christianness" in the first place. (But you can bet your ass the liberal media will immediately elevate him to God's Personal Spokesman if Thompson becomes a front-runner.)

Anyway, I Googled the flake. Apparently Gingrich "repented" his infidelities on Dobson's radio show. Televangelists eat that kind of crap up with a spoon.

[Timberwolf]

I heard the interview a couple weeks ago. Gingrich DID answer direct questions involving his past. No evasions...he owned up to his behavior, saying he certainly didn't set a good example for his grandkids (which seemed to bother him greatly).

Not giving him a pass, just sharing what I got from it.

He was, however, adamant about making the distinction between and Clinton (when the subject came up) in saying it was one thing to have an affair and a completely different matter (as PotUS) to LIE about it under oath.

I think he'd be a satisfactory president, much better choice than Rudy or McCain...and I'd vote for him, should FDT not run.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Hotline On Call: Dobson To Thompson: An Apology, Of Sorts (http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/03/dobson_to_thomp.html)


Dr. James Dobson clarifies his comments about Sen. Fred Thompson in statement released by his office:
“We welcome the opportunity to clarify Dr. Dobson’s remarks that were first reported in Dan Gilgoff’s online article titled ‘Dobson Offers Insight on 2008 Republican Hopefuls: Focus on the Family Founder Snubs Thompson, Praises Gingrich.’ At the outset, it’s important to note that this headline is an outright mischaracterization of the views Dr. Dobson expressed. His words weren’t intended to represent either an endorsement of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich or a disparagement of former Sen. Fred Thompson. Dr. Dobson appreciates Sen. Thompson’s solid, pro-family voting record and his position that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided. . . .

[noncom]

"...Dr. Dobson told Mr. Gilgoff he had ever met Sen. Thompson and wasn’t certain that his understanding of the former senator’s religious convictions was accurate. Unfortunately, these qualifiers weren’t reported by Mr. Gilgoff."
Translation: "I told you that I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about, and then gave you my opinion of Fred Thompson..."

That's not a "qualifier," it's an all-encompassing lack of competence. It's amazing that the guy thinks giving this sort of "apology" would make himself look like LESS of a boob.

[dPrasse]

Translation: "I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about, but here's my opinion of the Fred Thompson..."

That's not a "qualifier," it's an all-encompassing lack of competence. It's amazing that the guy somehow imagines that this sort of "apology" could make himself look like LESS of a boob.

So , Doibson follows the lead of the msm ... make opinions on things without knowledge ....

[Patriot Heart]

Take it with a big grain of salt folks........Dr Dobson has many enemies who love to make him look bad.

[noncom]

So , Doibson follows the lead of the msm ... make opinions on things without knowledge ....
Liberal journalists say stupid things all the time, but I have yet to see one publically admit that he's an idiot even after the fact - let alone claim that he said he was completely clueless back BEFORE he gave his opinion in the first place.

[Suzie]

Well at least he admits he screwed up ... sort of.

[Timberwolf]

noncom...dP...didja read the entire piece? This Gilgof s**t kid really screwed the pooch in misrepresenting what Dobson ACTUALLY said. This isn't on Dobson, but the PoS reporter.

The phrase "divide and conquer" comes to mind.....

[dPrasse]

Well , it is Dobsons opinion ...

In a follow-up phone conversation, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger stood by Dobson's claim. He said that, while Dobson didn't believe Thompson to be a member of a non-Christian faith, Dobson nevertheless "has never known Thompson to be a committed Christian—someone who talks openly about his faith."

Dobson's phone call to U.S. News senior editor Dan Gilgoff Tuesday was unsolicited.....

So Dobson called HIM .... and Dobson rep is not saying he was misquoted or taken out of context ....

Sorry , seems to me , the reporter is accurate ... since Dobson did not retract , restate or otherwise change his comments ....

“In his conversation with Mr. Gilgoff, Dr. Dobson was attempting to highlight that to the best of his knowledge, Sen. Thompson hadn’t clearly communicated his religious faith, and many evangelical Christians might find this a barrier to supporting him.

Dobson is the one seeming to be trying the divide and conquer , for some reason ....

Dr. Dobson told Mr. Gilgoff he had never met Sen. Thompson and wasn’t certain that his understanding of the former senator’s religious convictions was accurate.

Then why even talk about it ? Dobson likes hear himself talk ??

[noncom]

So Dobson called HIM .... and Dobson rep is not saying he was misquoted or taken out of context ....

Sorry , seems to me , the reporter is accurate ... since Dobson did not retract , restate or otherwise change his comments ....

Well, the original article wasn't completely accurate. But the things that were left out would have made it much MORE insulting than it actually was.

Can you imagine if the author had written down precisely what happened, precisely as it happened?

"So, this Dobson guy calls me out of the blue; tells me he's never met Fred Thompson, and that he doesn't really have any way of knowing whether his impressions of Senator Thompson's religious beliefs are at all accurate. Then he tells me that Thompson isn't using his Senate seat to evengelize nearly as much as he ought to...."

The original article portrayed Dobson as a bit of a political hack. But the unvarnished truth, as Dobson himself states it, makes him out to be a raving lunatic.

[Timberwolf]

dP, noncom...I was speaking to the link in Homey's post (#16)...regardless, points taken.

What raises the hair on my neck is a phone call like that is never truly UNsolicited. Sure, maybe Gilgoff didn't call him, but what did he write that piqued Dobson's interest in the matter?

They haven't had contact for YEARS and "out of the blue" Dobson calls and 'volunteers' this info? Something ain't addin' up over here.