Dobson Admits Doubt -- Focus Founder Questioning Early Endorsement of Miers

Rocky Mountain News ^ | M.E. Sprengelmeyer

[FreeRep]

Because I trust the President and that brings me to trust his choice of Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court. What we are learning about Harriet Miers is genuinely encouraging. She has been identified as an evangelical Christian with deep Christian commitments.

[Tim Long]

"Lord, you know I don't have the wisdom to make this decision"

Like what Dobson says will make a bit of difference.

[clawrence3]

Even if you had written assurances from all 55 GOP Senators (including all the pro-choice RINOs) that they would vote for a Justice who is on the record for overturning Roe v. Wade, we still would need 6 Dems to prevent a filibuster.

[clawrence3]

Is that really the "only" sign from God you would accept?

[copwife]

James Dobson is not a Rev. theredore he does not use that title. He is, however, a renowned child psychologist who has a PhD and therefore has earned the title of "doctor".

[LibWrangler]

Thank God he is distancing himself. Miers shouldn't have to be saddled with that anchor around her neck (too).

[mosquitobite]

Or 51 Republicans with a back bone to change the rules...

[Pirate21]

[Dr. Dobson] 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 - ..."

Someday, listen to Focus on the Family and pay attention to how much of the broadcast Dr. Dobson steers towards himself. He'll bring someone on to present on a topic but end up interrupting and taking over. I used to listen regularly until all I could ever hear was "I" "I" "I".

When Dr. Dobson said that he had talked with the Bush administration about Harriet Miers and was not at liberty to comment on their discussion, there strutted the peacock again... this time bringing on serious trouble:
In a press conference Tuesday, [a senator] demanded that the White House give senators whatever information it gave Dobson.

Grrr.... I know, I know: Get the plank out of my eye. But sound not thine trumpet.

[Sam the Sham]

Dobson stuck his neck out.....way out. He's trying to recover.

Christians don't need to be seen as pushing crony mediocrity. We don't need to be the band on the sinking SS Miers.

This is also political maturity. Political immaturity trusts blindly.

[clawrence3]

No one says 100 are needed - 60 would do just fine.

[LikeLight]

I always get the willies when a preacher is "Dr." instead of "Rev." or "Fr." - weirdness often abounds as a result.

Dr. Dobson is not a preacher. He was a Psychologist before beginning his writing and broadcasting work, which ultimately grew into the Focus on the Family organization. He is always introduced as "Pschologist and Author, Dr. James Dobson". I've never heard of him being referred to as a preacher. Focus on the Family is not a church, it's a parachurch organization.

[clawrence3]

We would need "only" 50 with the backbone to change the rules (more unlikely than cloture on a known pro-lifer), since Cheney would break the tie.

[Guenevere]

Like...yes it will to his millions of listeners.

Dr.Dobson, in case you aren't aware, is a well known, and much loved beacon for the family....and has millions of daily listeners to his broadcast....Focus on the Family.

[LikeLight]

Pschologist = Psychologist

[Dat Mon]

All this turmoil...doubt...uncertainty...emotion...outright rebellion among most of the conservative intellectuals and pundits...not to mention the division of the base as seen on this forum alone....

ALL this was planned for and anticipated by Rove!

ALL this is part of the plan...the ultimate Machiavellian liberal con job of all time...object being to put a true strong conservative and originalist in the mold of Scalia and Thomas on the court...by stealth!

Time will tell wont it.....Rove may go down in history.

[RTINSC]

"This is also political maturity. Political immaturity trusts blindly."

Bush demonstrates "real" as well as "political" maturity by not taking a poll to make a decision. Knowing the character and beliefs of someone for many years, Miers in this case, is not blindly making a decision.

[counterpunch]

As Bush's personal friend and personal lawyer, not to mention holding the same position in the Bush White House that John Dean held in the Nixon White House, Miers is just the person Kennedy, Durbin, Biden, Leahy, and Schumer will love to interrogate for hours on end.

By the time its all over, the public won't be able to tell if they just watched a confirmation hearing or an impeachment trial. What did Bush know and when did he know it? We're about to find out.

[clawrence3]

You really think the White House counsel is going to spill the beans on Executive Privilege info?!

[safisoft]

"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."

Dobson is being sincere. What is sad is that he knows that has places his trust in a man (the President), and he knows that does not feel right.

We all have to take someone's word for it once in a while... but Dobson knows that given a choice between someone's word and a being able to see someone's deeds, deeds are the biblical measurement. The President had the option of picking someone whose deeds were readily apparent. He did not. Dobson was left taking the President's word for it.

He probably feels he should have remained neutral like Eagle Forum. At least blood will not be on their hands if this turns out badly.

[clawrence3]

While I maybe would not strut around like a peacock about it, if Karl Rove and Ms. Miers's OWN pastor gave me personal assurances she will overturn Roe v. Wade, I would at least feel more comfortable with the nomination. I really think that is all Dr. Dobson was trying to do - calm the uneasiness among the believers.