Posted on 03/29/2007 1:12:43 PM PDT by Grammy
Friends,
Last night the DrudgeReport.com posted a link to an article in U.S. News & World Report titled: Dobson Offers Insight on 2008 Republican Hopefuls, Focus on Family Founder Snubs Thompson, Praises Gingrich. The calls and emails were fast and furious and I do mean furious!
This morning I had an opportunity to speak with Brad Miller, Director of Family Policy Council at Focus. We had a great conversation and Brad confirmed what many of us had been suspecting - the article was not an accurate representation of the conversation.
Dr. Dobson had never actually spoken with Fred and did not know Fred's personal viewpoints and beliefs firsthand. Dr. Dobson noted that Fred's voting record while in the Senate was to be praised and indicated a strong conservative, pro-family position. Dobson did not know Fred to be an outspoken evangelical, which can be considered a negative in some circles. The notion that Dr. Dobson was supporting a potential Gingrich candidacy over others is false. Brad also mentioned that there was a great deal of excitement among the "religious right" about a potential Fred Thompson candidacy and that Dr. Dobson is not endorsing or supporting any candidate or potential candidate at this time.
I appreciate Brad for the conversation and helping to clear the air on this and I appreciate your ongoing efforts in supporting a potential Fred Thompson candidacy. If you haven't been to the site lately, please take a minute stop by: http://www.grassrootsvoter.com We are well on our way to our goal of organizing 10,000 Fred Thompson supporters!
Thanks again,
Reuben Watkins www.grassrootsvoter.com
While I was not happy with Dobson's statement that he didn't know that Fred was a Christian, I still think it got blown way out of proportion by people interested in either discrediting Dobson or Thompson.
Ping 'em, Dan-O!
A couple of quotes come to mind.
"Actions speak louder than words."
"A tree is known by it fruit."
I had never given much thought to whether or not Fred Thompson is a Christian, but had always assumed he was by virtue of the way he leads his life and his stand on lots of things I as a Christian feel are important.
Whenever Dr. Dobson speaks, especially politically, the press likes to make him out to be a villian. I knew what he was saying, and I think so did most people.
I think Dobson said what he said. He sometimes has a regretable habit of shooting off his mouth before he knows any of the facts.
"Dobson did not know Fred to be an outspoken evangelical, which can be considered a negative in some circles."
Last I checked, we weren't holding elections for national Preacher, but for President. I don't care how outspoken a candidate is about his or her beliefs although it is nice to know that they do indeed exist.
Can you quote exactly what he said in context?
I heard Dobson interview Gingrich a few weeks ago. It sure seemed, at the time, like he was throwing his support behind him. Even gave him an opportunity to "explain" why his first two marriage had failed. I found that a little odd for a radio show that deals with "family values."
I agree
with certainty, Dobson will pronounce himself forgiven for slander and tell bearing..
JMHO, I believe that what Dr. Dobson was saying was that we knew Reagan (for instance) was on record as being a believer in Jesus, and not just being a great conservative. While Fred may be a great conservative, we don't know if he has professed that kind of faith in Christ.
I may be wrong on that, but I think that is what Dr. Dobson was trying to say.
Ping.
Dobson actually said he didn't know if Fred was an evangelical Christian, which might be a disadvantage among evangelicals, which is pretty much a neutral statement.
The original author spun it as negatively as he possibly could, but that's not Mr. Dobson's fault.
I agree with your statement. I will never vote for someone who is running solely based on a "Christian" label. Jimmy Carter comes to mind.
Since he doesn't know Fred or have ever spoken to Fred, it is kind of obvious, Dobson has no idea if Fred is a Christian. Dobson was just observing that Fred is not outspoken about it. Seems as everything was taken out of context.
I would prefer to hear what Dr. Dobson said FROM Dr. Dobson, not from a third party spokesman. That's how people get misquoted to start with.
I suppose that makes me a Dobson basher, by some people's standards around here.
They'll probably kiss and make up at some point.
Matthew 6:5-6: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret....
I'm not really thinking of Bill Clinton here but if we don't know that much about Fred Thompson's religious practice then maybe that's a good thing. I really like the guy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.