Breaking News: James Dobson endorses Mike Huckabee

It looks like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was serious about continuing his seemingly hopeless campaign against Sen. John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination.

Late Thursday night he won the endorsement of Influential Christian leader James Dobson, the head of the conservative Colorado-based Focus on the Family.

Dobson, who writes and speaks to millions each day with advice on family and marriage via newsletter, the web and on his daily radio program broadcast on hundreds of stations across the country, issued several unusual statements last year announcing whom he would not support for president. Huckabee, a former Baptist preacher and governor, went unmentioned in them.

Prime among the bad boys were Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and,....

yup, none other than the same McCain, the Republican party's new presumptive nominee with the withdrawal Thursday of Mitt Romney.

Giuliani's sin is his support of abortion. Thompson's is his opposition to a constitutional amendment regarding marriage. And McCain's is the pivotal campaign finance reform measure that carried his name -- McCain-Feingold -- and which put new restrictions on how such non-profits as Focus on the Family can communicate with their members about legislation.

In a short statement late Thursday night, Dobson said he was speaking as a private citizen, that there had been two potential pro-family Republican nominees left he could vote for but was reluctant to choose between them. Romney's departure Thursday, he said, changed the situation.

He said Huckabee's "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."

Dobson, who endorsed Pres. George W. Bush for re-election in 2004, is a political realist who regularly receives Republican politicians making political pilgrimages to Focus' mountainside headquarters in Colorado Springs.

Dobson added, "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."

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[ML]

Why do you have to be sarcastic and cynical about all things Christian? Maybe it is politically incorrect to say it, but Christians have a right to an opinion and a vote, and maybe, just maybe, there really is something like sin and it still exists in the world.

[Kevin]

Mike Huckabee has been trudging up hill the whole way. I was upset over Dobson because he did not come out to endorse Huckabee from the beginning. Perhaps in hindsight, it is better that he waited until now.

Even though Mike is the only conservative running for president; the media refuses to give him a headline. Instead of the papers reading "Huckabee the only conservative left" they shut him out completely and write "McCain secures lead". What a joke!!!

At least with James Dobson endorsing Mike he can get a headline for a few hours.

[Mark M]

It's about time, James. Go Huckabee! Go FairTax!

[Chris]

GO MIKE!
Thank you Dr. Dobson, this was a much needed boost.
It is too bad you didn't do this before Super Tuesday now that all is said and done.
Romney voters, join the HUCKABOOM!

[Saju]

Go Huckabee!!.. We believe!.. You can make it... I admire your tenacity.. Quality of a TRUE PRESIDENT

[David - Oregon City]

Mike Huckabee can and will pull all Americans together. Please join with the team that cares for all Americans. Please join Mike Huckabee!
R33

[KYJurisDoctor]

Will it matter? I doubt it. Dr. Dobson is hoping to get Mike Huckabee the Veep nod.

http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.org

[Eric]

"Mike is the only conservative running for president." Why does everyone forget that Ron Paul is still alive and kicking in this thing. He is a conservative canidate that should be looked at.

[Freedom's Light]

Dobson's support of Huckabee is understandable in that the Ministry tends to stick together. However, Huckabees record shows as Huckabee himself admits, that he is a ‘different kind of Republican,’ a code word for more government involvement, less personal freedom, and greater dependence on government bureaucrats.”
“Huckabee is proud of his tax hikes, his spending increases, and his regulatory expansions as governor, and he has not indicated that he would govern any differently as president. Nominating Mike Huckabee for president or vice-president would constitute an abject rejection of the free-market, limited-government, economic conservatism that has been the unifying theme of the Republican Party for decades.”
Also, his record of pardons and clemencies for convicted rapists, murderers is unbelievable. Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations in his 10½ years as governor of Arkansas. The acts of clemency benefited the stepson of a staff member, murderers who worked at the governor's mansion, a rock star and inmates who received good words from their pastors.
And what about his son, who as a camp counselor, hung up a stray dog, stoned him and slit him open. Huckabee managed to get this(as well as the dog) buried. Good Family Values indeed!!!!