Dobson’s endorsement–what if?
I am getting around to this post a little late, but I was in the middle of some personal stuff and couldn’t get to it. Most of you know that Dr. James Dobson has endorsed Mike Huckabee for President. Here is the official statement.
Dr. James Dobson issues the following statement tonight, speaking as a private citizen.
I am endorsing Gov. Mike Huckabee for President of the United States today. My decision comes in the wake of my statement on Super Tuesday that I could not vote for Sen. John McCain, even if he goes on to win the Republican nomination. His record on the institution of the family and other conservative issues makes his candidacy a matter of conscience and concern for me.
That left two pro-family candidates whom I could support, but I was reluctant to choose between them. However, the decision by Gov. Mitt Romney to put his campaign “on hold” changes the political landscape. The remaining candidate for whom I could vote is Gov. Huckabee. His unwavering positions on the social issues, notably the institution of marriage, the importance of faith and the sanctity of human life, resonate deeply with me and with many others. That is why I will support Gov. Huckabee through the remaining primaries, and will vote for him in the general election if he should get the nomination. Obviously, the governor faces an uphill struggle, given the delegates already committed to Sen. McCain. Nevertheless, I believe he is our best remaining choice for President of the United States.
(NOTE: Dr. Dobson made these statements as a private citizen. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a reflection of the opinions of Focus on the Family or Focus on the Family Action.) Citizen Link
While I welcome this endorsement, I do have a question or two about the timing. A lot of Huckabee supporters, especially those of us who know who Dr. Dobson is, started calling for this endorsement back in the summer of 2007. We actually were calling for the endorsement by several of the Christian leaders that we were familiar with. One by one, they gave us reasons why they could not support one of their own, Mike Huckabee, for President. All of them except for Dr. Dobson, who remained silent on Huckabee and would only list who he wouldn’t support.
One by one, he checked the other candidates off the list. What if this endorsement had came last summer, when Huckabee was first starting to take off in the polls? The above statement lists several reasons why Dobson is supporting Huckabee. What if this statement was released when it would have done the most good, right in the middle of a fight for the conservatives of the Republican party? What if Dobson had not waited until Huckabee was the last conservative left standing? Would it have had more effect then? I believe so.
I really don’t mean to look a gift horse in the mouth or to throw a bucket of water on our fire, but I can’t help but question the timing. Maybe Dobson finally realizes that Mike Huckabee is the best candidate we have, I don’t know. If that is the case, I just wish he would have figured it out sooner. I really believe it would have been more effective.
At any rate, I do thank Dr. Dobson for his endorsement of Mike Huckabee for President. I also want to remind us all, the race is not over. Huckabee can still win the nomination. Let’s all pull together and get it done.
That’s my take!
Larry
You are dead right. Early in the cycle, Mike registered frustration that he was the candidate that the so-called Christian Right had been praying for for decades, right on all of the issues, experienced and acceptable to the “Center” on many issues BUT HE WAS STILL NOT RECEIVING THEIR SUPPORT. A huge number of them were supporting a worn out actor who had made left wing propaganda television disguised as entertainment or a Mormon who had experienced a sudden conversion on “our” social issues after a career of opposing them. The leadership of the Christian Right let us down this cycle. They are finally doing what had to be done but it may too late to do any good.