Posted on 10/07/2005 1:34:08 PM PDT by hinterlander
WASHINGTON - An anguished James Dobson prayed Wednesday for a sign from God, telling his Christian radio listeners he was questioning his early endorsement of Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers.
Dobson, founder of Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family, is one of the most prominent religious conservatives to back Miers, citing his trust in President Bush and a confidential briefing he received about her from the White House.
But in his regular radio broadcast Wednesday, Dobson prayed he was not making a mistake.
"Lord, you know I don't have the wisdom to make this decision," Dobson said. "You know that what I feel now and what I think is right may be dead wrong."
He added that he worried that his position "could do something to hurt the cause of Christ, and I'd rather sacrifice my life than do that."
Dobson's "agonized heart," as he called it, is a sign of continuing turmoil in the religious conservative movement over the selection of Miers, a longtime confidante of Bush who has never been a judge and therefore has no paper trail detailing her views.
Many evangelicals, including Dobson, see the pick to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as critical because O'Connor was viewed as a swing vote on contentious issues like abortion.
For more than 30 years, Dobson has waged a crusade to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion. He said he believes Miers is against abortion, based on talks with her longtime friends and other information.
He also confirmed reports that he received a special briefing from Bush's political adviser, Karl Rove, but still will not discuss the talks in detail.
"When you know some of the things I know - that I probably shouldn't know - that take me in this direction, you'll know why I've said with fear and trepidation (that) I believe Harriet Miers will be a good justice," Dobson said in a broadcast with co-host John Fuller.
"And John, if I have made a mistake here, I will never forget it. The blood of those babies who will die will be on my hands to a degree. Lord, if I am right, confirm it, and if I am wrong, chastise me and I will repent of it and come before these microphones."
In a press conference Tuesday, Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Denver, demanded that the White House give senators whatever information it gave Dobson.
He's not the only one who wants to know the secret.
Dobson said his phone has been ringing off the hook from congressional allies and fellow conservatives seeking reassurance heading into Miers' upcoming confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Some are wary because Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, suggested her name to the president, and because of other hints that have emerged from her record.
Although she contributed funds to President Bush's election, she also has given to Democrats, including Al Gore in 1988.
When she ran for Dallas City Council in 1989, she signed a questionnaire for a gay rights group saying she supported equal civil rights for lesbians and gays. But she also said she was not seeking the group's endorsement and that she opposed a repeal of a law banning sodomy.
On Wednesday, conservative columnist George Will said if 100 capable legal analysts each listed 100 people worthy of being nominated, "Miers' name probably would not have appeared in any of the 10,000 places on those lists."
And the Web site of the Dobson- founded Family Research Council showed a question mark alongside Miers' picture.
Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers were taking a wait-and-see approach to Miers.
"I just don't know her," Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said Wednesday. "I'm not going to jump out there and say this is a wonderful choice."
Dobson, who heads one of the largest Christian media empires, said he doesn't want to overestimate his own influence, although countless national media outlets already have quoted him as being in Miers' corner.
Oh, I don't know - maybe so he could share it with the millions of Evangelicals who listen to his radio show?
Have you ever retained an attorney before?
I have no problem replacing RINO's down the road with real Republicans. Unfortuanately, for now, you go to poltical war with the Senators you got.
Hey, it's just my theory. My theory is Dobson has talked privately and in confidence with Harriet's pastor.
Of course, I could be wrong.
LOL--do you know what's going on here? Dobson isn't sharing anything with anyone.
The speculation from the poster above was that Dobson was let in on something and doesn't want to have to talk about it, so he's bagging off his endorsement.
No one who supports this nomination is saying anything specific at all--it's just trust me.
Maybe. It upsets me that that is what is driving so much of this.
Fact is, her religious beliefs aren't going to bring much to the table on the day in-day out business of the court.
One issue--Roe--seems to be driving this, and that ain't the only business the Court has.
"Why not wait for the hearings to make a judgement?"
Did the Robert's hearings furnish proof he will be a conservative Judge in the mold of Thomas or Scalia? I heard him say that ROE was established precedent (stare decisis). I don't think we'll learn anything from the hearings that will allay my concerns.
Because this is politics & in this "Two-Party Cartel" that the elites control by money & influence, their objective is to never allow the true conservative agenda from expanding to fruition. Since GW became president I have on numerous replies stated that there will not be a true conservative SC when GW leaves & because of the previous reason. Both parties need to be thrown out & new parties with OUR interest first should be formed. So we stay with these 2 lossers & this is what we get.
You'd think the dems would run screaming in terror at the sight of Harriet the Christian. I can't see a single dem voting for her.
I will agree that Dobson is not sharing WHAT Deputy Chief of Staff Rove and Mier's pastor told him - it is NOT speculation that they told him SOMETHING that convinced him to endorse her though.
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