For other FReepers who want to know what Dobson really said, a simple google search will reveal the truth. Check out, for example, the first two Google results at this limk...
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OK, I followed the link. And it did change my view and understanding of one point.
I mistakenly thought the initial reporter worked for a Christian media source. Instead, it was US News & World Report. On that point alone, I apologize for that misunderstanding. It takes the malicious nature of Dobson's statement down from a level of 11 to just a 10.
Other than that, my statements on the incident are 100% factually correct and my opinion of Dobson's comments and intent remain as accurate analysis.
From YOUR link:
Gilgoff quoted Dobson (in May 2007) saying of Thompson, “Everyone knows he’s conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for, [but] I don’t think he’s a Christian; at least that’s my impression.”
In the U.S. News story, Dobson added, according to Gilgoff, 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.
In a statement issued today (June 7, 2007), Focus on the Family said Dobson did not mean to disparage Thompson.
“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,” the statement said.
“Dr. Dobson appreciates Sen. Thompson’s solid, pro-family voting record and his position that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided.”
Dobson, according to Focus on the Family, 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.”
That's your exculpatory evidence for Dobson??!!
Dobson never denied making the statement. Nor did Dobson claim he was misquoted. He laughingly claimed his comments were misunderstood.
Dobson knew he was talking to a reporter. And not just any reporter.
US News & World Report isn't Better Home & Gardens, Conde Nast Traveler or Southern Living. It's a political news organization, for crying out loud!!
And to this national politcal reporter Dobson (a national media figure with vast amounts of media relations training) chooses to speculate - note he is not responding to a direct question - about a candidate's faith because...WHY?
In his pathetic CYA press release statement on Focus on the Family letterhead, Dobson claimed he wanted to make sure that some evangelicals did not mistakenly support Thompson because:
1) Dobson wasn't sure of Thompson's Christian faith, and/or
2) Dobson didn't believe Thompson had clearly professed his faith (to a level of a Dobson's liking).
Are you freaking kidding me??!!!
It is beyond implausibility that Dobson didn't know who he was talking to, how his quoted statements would be interpreted by the segment of Evangelicals with limited political acumen, and how those Evangelicals might influence the 2008 GOP presidential primary.
If you read between the lines of the "exculpatory" press release, any sentient person can see Dobson's true intent for the original Thompson slur. And it's the exact opposite of his denial.
Dobson absolutely intended to represent an endorsement of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich! He was trying to push Gingrich to enter the 2008 race.
Dobson absolutely intended to disparage Thompson. Besides Gingrich, Thompson was the only other candidate or potential candidate that could appeal to social, fiscal and national defense conservatives. Huckabee, Romney, McCain & Giuliani appealed to at most 2 of those groups.
Theo, you have repeatedly called me out as a liar. I have now responded using your own link to refute your scurrilous charge. What has now been revealed for all to see is that your creepy faith in Dobson's virtue and political acumen has clouded your ability to cognitively see facts and events as they truly are.
Call me a liar again and I will seek to have you banned from this website.
Seek help, please.
You speak of my “creepy faith in Dobson’s virtue and political acumen.”
That is a lie.
Yup, I said it. It’s a lie because it has no basis in truth, but is something that’s simply arisen in your rabid anti-Dobson imagination, since I choose to promote the truth over the media (and your) spin.
Now, look at Dobson’s “money quote” from the initial article:
“Everyone knows he’s conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for, [but] I don’t think he’s a Christian; at least that’s my impression.”
You’re a FReeper. You should have decent eyes, and be able to pick up on things fairly easily. Note that there is one word that the publication/journalist added that wasn’t in the original statement. The word “but.” Why was this word added? Either:
1) To change the tone of the statement
2) To replace other words or a long pause or a reporter’s question ... that may have been ... deleted
Do you remember the 911 call of Zimmerman that were edited, to remove the dispatch’s question about what Trayvon looked like? Maybe something like that happened here. It happens. The anti-conservative media does it all the time.
The truth is that Dobson in fact did NOT know whether Thompson was a Christian. There wasn’t any evidence that he WAS a Christian. And one is not a Christian simply because they’re a decent person living in the States — we can agree on that, right?
At the time, I was 100% in the Thompson camp. I was pro-Thompson. The thing is, I don’t have to be anti-Dobson to prove my pro-Thompson creds.
I don’t understand your motivation for assuming the worst about Dobson, Bob. I don’t understand your passionate attack of those who are calling for a more reasoned evaluation of what Dobson said. Are you a Christian yourself? Are you simply suspicious of all high-profile Christians?
I make a big deal about this because a decent man (Dobson) is being misrepresented by the media and by you. That’s why I’m taking the time to leave a comment. Why are YOU taking the time to express your overwhelming emotions?