With Sarah Palin aboard, John McCain gets official nod of major evangelical leader Dobson

Amid a blizzard of disheartening polls a month out from the general election, the John McCain-Sarah Palin Republican ticket got some great news this afternoon:

A clear go-ahead signal to millions of evangelicals across the country from Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, to vote for the GOP ticket. It couldn't have come at a better time given more polls showing a Democratic lead on the eve of the next presidential debate, tomorrow night in Nashville.

On his radio broadcast today to hundreds of stations Dobson said, "America's future seems to hang in the balance."

Reading from his October newsletter, Dobson said he would not endorse a candidate for president. He then proceeded to endorse a candidate for president.

"It’s probably obvious which of the two major candidates’ views are most palatable to those of us who embrace a pro-life, pro-family worldview," Dobson said.

"While I will not endorse either candidate this year, (in fact, I’ve only endorsed one presidential nominee in my life) I can say that I am now supportive of Senator John McCain and his bid for the presidency."

A distinction without a difference for a Republican ticket that desperately needs an energized family values base determined to vote despite what seem increasing odds.

In recent months Dobson had spent more time announcing....

...whom he was not going to endorse -- Rudy Giuliani and McCain, among others -- giving rise to fears that battalions of evangelicals who played such a key role in the 2000 and 2004 GOP election wins would simply stay home in 2008 and let the family values ship sink for one or two terms.

McCain had earned Dobson's previous enmity by restrictions on political speech put upon non-profits under the McCain-Feingold law.

But McCain's selection as his VP running mate of Palin, the governor of Alaska and a mother of five who walked the pro-life walk with her recent Downs baby as well as talked it, seems to have sealed the Dobson nod for the GOP ticket.

"My concern is for the biblical and moral issues that I and millions of Americans hold dear," Dobson added.

"I will gladly support politicians of any stripe who are willing to defend the sanctity of human life, support the institution of traditional marriage, protect the country from terrorism and advance the cause of religious liberty.

"While certainly not perfect, the 2008 Republican Platform comes closest to embracing those ideals by a wide margin."

Without mentioning Democrat Barack Obama and Joe Biden by name, Dobson urged his listeners to pray for the country's future.

Then, he added that the Nov. 4 balloting "will also go a long way toward determining the culture your children and grandchildren will come to realize. I hope you will vote with your children and your children's children in mind.

"That certainly puts the election in a different light, doesn't it?"

--Andrew Malcolm

Speaking of the Nov. 4 voting, if you register here at Twitter, you can get free instant alerts on all Ticket items like this flashed directly to your cellphone so you won't fall behind.

Photo credit: FocusontheFamily.com (top); Getty Images (bottom)

Comments

[Edward Shuherk,MD]

I am a Democrat and a Christian. I voted already and I voted for Senator Obama. Republicans do NOT have a monopoly on Christians, though their party is going to take a huge hit this election.

[Steve Rhodes]

There also was McCain's strong criticism of the religious right.

But he umm sold his soul to get the nomination.

And today Pat Robertson launched 30 days of prayer which will end on election day.

From the prayer message for day one:

Pray for God to protect our nation. Pray for repentance in America and ask God to supply all our needs — as individuals, as families, and as a nation.

Crisis comes in many forms. Currently we are experiencing an economic crisis and many feel the frustration and fear of the uncertainty ahead. During these times it is important to remember that only God is our source. It is easy to fall into anxiety as we see the volatility of world economic markets. But Jesus told us not to worry, but instead to trust in Him...

[Ann]

As a Christian I am appalled by Palin's latest lies and attacks against Obama. For a so called "Evangelical Christian",she has no problem speaking untruths and exaggerations while smiling and winking at her audience. She is such a phony, and she knows nothing about what matters to the voters. And who cares what Dobson thinks. He is another self-righteous right wing nut.

[Who Cares]

James Dobson thinks John McCain represents Christian values.....
I agree with Frank Schaeffer another famous Evangelical leader quote

"Turns out the Evangelicals would rather vote for a pagan reprobate compulsive gambler windbag philanderer of mediocre intellectual capability than for a well qualified fellow Christian (both in word and deed) because the reprobate windbag is white and their fellow Christian is black."

Check out his post and learn more about the Evangelical history.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/evangelicalrepublican-rac_b_130200.html

[bruce]

I agree with Dobson's choice. Palin is certainly the best of the four candidates to preach to us about family values, especially abstinence among our teenagers.

Additionally, her idea of marriage is especially poignant -- regardless of whether two people truly are in love or committed to one another, be sure to get married if you get pregnant in order to avoid harm to your mother's political career.

[Pam]

Thank-you. I only hope you are not to late. I've been worried about my children and grandchild. I have worried so much that I'm now depressed. The thought of anyone other than McCain/Palin will be like handing over my family to lucifer.

[Rev. Fred Washngton]

This is not a religious decision. Pro Life does not stop at Birth...To advance a "conception" issue, without looking at the body of work from beyond the womb is a personal decision...not biblical...so that the record is clear...to infer otherwise is disingenuous.

[Brett Page]

It's all well and good to talk about the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage and religious liberty, Mr Dobson. But I never hear you talking about the other issues Jesus spoke about. Looking out for the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised. Helping those at the bottom of the pile. In a country where 50,000,000 have no health cover, let's hear you talk about what you think the politicians should do to solve that national disgrace. Then you can talk all you like about sexual morality.

[Fran]

When's the wedding? Isn't that part of the biblical family or do we get to have pro-choice, and do without, which is okay, too, but it's not biblical.

[Scy]

Well of course. one psychotic will always endorse another.

[Richard]

Dr. Dobson's endorsement of Gov. Palin is another reason for me not to vote for McCain, not that I needed another one. I dismiss the views of Evangelicals who violate the principles of the bible at every turn. This group has been anti-rational, anti-reason, anti-intellectual for over a hundred years. They have done more damage to the American psyche than any other group in history. To show how far behind the times they are, just think about their past support in the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, their instigation of the Scopes trial, Prohibition and the anti-Catholic tirade in the 1928 election involving Al Smith. And they are still at it.

[Jim]

Since Osama came out to endorse abortion,partial birth abortion,and gay rights, right then and there I knew he was falsely categorizing himself as a christain. A true christain does not deviate from the teachings of the bible. There are many biblical passages against abortion and homosexuals. Thus as Satan also believed in the word and in christ jesus, so does Hussien Osama, but neither are true followers of Christ our Lord.
osmama will decieve you at all
costs, even claim that he's the MESSIAH in flesh, just to
obtain the presidency so that
he could start dismanteling this great nation.
To alot of you, it's like playing Russian roulet. A high
gamble to lose.
Once that bullet is in the chambers and you pull the trigger (in this the lever) that's it, you have blown away
any chances to reject osamas
wicked plans for the USA.
Slogans of "change and hope"
are meaningles for ask yourself this: how could a man
with no economic background, who never ran a business nor
ever met a payroll could suddenly be Americas Economic
Savior. What does it profit
america an economic plan if we
have no energy security? Or why boast of prosperity if we are threaten by another terrorist attack or an attack
itself?
Fools you are...for without the peace and strength of a nation nothing else we do would amount to any good. If we are attacked, there goes our stocks and jobs just as it
did on 9-11.
Without crude oil, our cars and trucks would be useless,
you can't earn a living if you don't show up for work. Businesses can't ship there goods anywhere thus resulting
in layoffs. No airlines will be able to serve their customers. Put it this way,
without the wise plans of McCain/Palin to drill, drill,
drill, our nation would become
a land of nothingness. Nothing
moves, no food, no heating, no
nothing.
Osama would gladly punish all of us with a scenario as spoken of.
Think and think hard before
voting, but if you can't make
up your mind go ahead and
vote for McCain/Palin. You'll
be glad you did.

[Elvi Benitez-Mackintosh]

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:26-27

[Lawrewnce Coleman]

I lived in California once. in San Francisco -- Oak st, on the Pandle.
Now I'm a sixty one year old white wine drinking, frommage eating, elitist. I like American leaders that know how to speak the English language. The more eloquent the better. I read The New York Times every day and have a B.F.A. from a prestigious art school in Manhattan , and to tell the truth I want the former president of the Harvard Law Review, who,on occasion, listens to classical music, and takes pride that he listens to be our next president. Lawrence Arver Coleman III East Village Artist
Aussi, je parle Francais.
Also, I speak French!

[AZChristian]

As a Christian, I am appauled by any minister who would endorse John McCain. He is a man who has lied about cheating on his wife, referred to his current wife as a c@#%t, launched a campaign that is based upon lies and deception, and had a major role in stealing millions of dollars from the elderly due to his connections with the Keating 5. Palin has been his tool of deception. I realize that Barack is "Black." However, he has never performed any abortion, never openly referred to his wife in any derogatory terms, and is a devout Christian who never stole anything from any elderly person. So much for preaching the gospel.

[Amy]

I agree with the idea that helping people climb out of poverty is necessary, but I think that is the duty of the church and social organizations, not the government. I was a Hillary supporter, and though I think Obama is charismatic, energetic and nice to watch, I could never vote for a man that espouses socialistic ideology. A Marxist America is not what I planned on when I gave birth to my child. Radical views plus ultimate power is a dangerous thing. More dangerous is that Obama's brilliance blinds the average person from seeing the real agenda. It is time for the church to wake up and do its part in making a positive impact, rather than just preaching about it.

[Thomas M.]

The time has come to forget the "so-called Christian right" as their views are clearly racial. They would endorse John McCain, a man who left his first wife for selfish reasons. The seantor then selects a running mate after a one hour conversation and one meeting. It now turns out she is not prepared to assume any office in the capitol. It clear now that Mr. Dobson can make excuses for almost any behavior for someone whose skin color is the same as his---White, in order to reject a qualified African American candidate. While all the while stating he care about the future of our nation. As an African American christian I no longer respect Dr. Dobson, its clear these evangelical would not support Jesus because of the color of His skin! Please don't tell them that Jesus was not White!

[FairQuestion]

It really seems like a fair question.

When does a child get human rights?

Mr. Obama? When did your children get human rights?

A leader should know the answer to that.

Or at least have an answer and act like you believe it.

But to punt on such an important question.

Slimy politician.

[hermano]

these republicans make atheists look like real christians.

[Peter]

Why can't preachers shut their fat traps when it comes to public policy? Stay inside the church and pray quietly so as not to stir the emotions of the ill-informed.
Mathew: 17-6

[kenC]

The sanctity of life, does it extend to not getting into needless wars and getting soldiers and innocent people killed? Or is that fair game. Does it include basic life quality for everyone, or that doesn't count either? Why do people invent so many hoops for themselves to jump through, just come out and say it.. it's a us against them mentality. How are these people fit to give real life guidance, not to mention spiritual guidance.

[PJC27]

Palin=Satan

[Steve]

What a crock, isn't Focus on the Family, which Dobson runs, non profit and under IRS regualtions and not to be political. When the hell does the IRS shut down this freak or does knowing Bush keep the IRS away. In addition, when does it soak in that Palin does not focus on her family, yet focuses on her ego and career. This hag has 5 kids, one pregnant teen and a disabled child, hag it is time to dedicate some time to your family rather then the campaign trail. I really think Dobson would not apporve

[Dubya]

Does it really make any difference what flavor of extreme fundamentalist religious bigot you are? Dr. Dobson and his ilk are really no different than Osama bin Laden and his ilk. Both espouse intolerance for those who do not believe what they believe. Both call upon their god (historically the same god) to destroy the other. Both hate anyone or any idea that does not line up with their own particular brand of extreme ideology. Both are ideological idiots, hell-bent on the destruction of anyone who doesn't look like them or think like them. Advance the cause of religious liberty? Puh-leeze.

[Karen]

This election is about the future of this country. NOT religion or church. Issues of concern to your brethren and kin should consist of character, honesty, transparency, experience, personal will to fulfill promises made, responsibility to cause of reforming the corruption in our government, ensuring that middle class america does not disappear, protection of our foreign policy interests and security of our nation and allies, and last but most important, that we are not TAXED into joblessness, with NO available health care within our purchase power. Study these issues by the validated ACTIONS of the candidates, NOT their words. Look at the evidence of their past Senate voting record on all these issues. Stop making the media responsible to choose a candidate for you. Be Responsible for your own vote! Pray for wisdom to make the best choice for all of our futures as American citizens.