Thompson to Dobson (take a hike)

NRO ^ | 10/4/2007 | Byron York

[RockinRight]

Not at all.

I’m against abortion, because it’s life, but beyond that, I think government should stay out of pubs and bedrooms.

[Guenevere]

There are a lot of posters at Free Republic trying to peel off the “Social Justice” Christians too.

[RockinRight]

The hard right folk...(include me) want a candidate with deep, real convictions and moral clarity.

I'd love to...but he just won't win in this environment. Principle does us no good once we're burning at the stake.

[Guenevere]

Lack of principle is the reason we’ll be burning at that stake!

[RockinRight]

OK, now you bring up a good point.

I have never, not once, said the GOP needs to “write off” the Christian Right. I realize you haven’t said that, but other posters on this thread have suggested that I have said such a thing.

What I said was a candidate with his lip totally, 100% pressed against the butts of the Dobson types turns off the other 80% of the GOP electorate that isn’t quite so strongly in that camp.

The right candidate needs to be able to balance himself. He (or she) must have a background of basic, American-values social conservatism that’s strong enough for evangelicals to accept but not coming across as a bible-thumper, so as not to turn off the libertarian wing...a strong, patriotic pro-American stance, and a fiscal and economic platform that is low-tax and pro-business, but still shows respect for the “little guy” at the same time. As much as a certain segment of the conservative movement hates to hear this, you are NOT going to win on a platform of banning contraceptives, censoring the Internet, or even legislating things like whether or not you can buy a Playboy at a truck stop.

Of anyone on the radar now, Fred Thompson fits that description better than anyone.

[The South Texan]

Good for Thompson. I respect Dobson, but he is way off base here and he sounds like nothing more than the “all or nothing conservatives” that are destined to give the Democrats reign of the government in 2009 and beyond.

It is this type of thinking that needs to stop and stop now.

[oiler]

I agree that Fred Thompson seems to be the best fit of the so called Fusionist conservatives. There are so many things that disturb me about the Republican party at this time. There are many good things to say about many of the presidential candidates; Fred, Mitt, Rudy, Hunter et al. But the congressional Republicans......how far can we continue to sink.

I wish someone would create a curriculum based on the 50+yrs of the National Review, Goldwater and Kirk and hand it to every would be Republican politician.

[oiler]

“Lack of principle is the reason we’ll be burning at that stake!”

Sadly, you are correct.

[RockinRight]

Well said.

Fusionist. Haven’t heard that phrase.

[Tatze]

Enjoy your principles with Hillary in Oval Office.

A 80% friend is a lot better than a 80% enemy.

In the political arena, primaries are the time for 100% principles. In the general, 100% principles will get you 5% in office.

Thanks!

[petitfour]

Christians didn’t vote before Falwell????? Hellooooooooo.

[xsmommy]

excellent summation.

[RockinRight]

Thanks! :)

[xsmommy]

i think that distinction is extremely important.

[Tenniel2]

... the Gonzo candidates in reverse ...

IOW, the Oznog ticket? Kewl.

[Afronaut]

Here is a quote from Mr Gilgoff:

"The success of the effort is by no means ensured; in March, Focus on the Family's James Dobson told U.S. News that he doubted Thompson was really a Christian. But Dobson and Thompson have since talked, with Dobson rumored to be reassessing Thompson. And prominent social conservative Paul Weyrich, who met recently with Thompson and evangelical activists, said the former senator "was in agreement with us on almost everything." source

Is this true or was Fred a liar last night?

[Leatherneck_MT]

I’m not necessarily supporting Thompson, but in this, Mr Dobson needs to remember that he’s not Christ and therefore does not make the decision on who and who is not a Christian.

[Texas Federalist]

I am a Christian, but I am getting sick and tired of the Dobsons and Robertsons of this world thinking they can speak for me. They are becoming the Jesse Jacksons of the so-called Christian right and they often let their perceived power go to their head.

I agree. I said almost the exact same thing about Dobson on another thread.

[Guenevere]

Tatze, many of us are getting real tired of this tactic...

"bend our way....compromise your principles...look the other way...choose the lesser of two evils...

..or you will get Hillary".

IT's getting old!

I don't go around demonizing Thompson....he seems nice enough...and I've got a 'wait & see' attitude.

..but I'm getting tired of the strong-armed guilt trips!

[donnab]

Fred did say that someone from Dobsons office called to apologize about that flack in March...this article is from
July. (in another post it was stated that Fred sent an email to Dobson back in March.)Since then the supposed leaked email came out. And if you heard Fred ...he said that Dobson could apologize again. But neither has “spoken” to the other.
so sorry no lie.