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Dobson: If McCain is the Nominee, I Won’t Vote

Orginally published on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 5:26 PM
by Todd Rhoades

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson spelled out on Super Tuesday why social conservatives don’t accept McCain: “I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem-cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language.” Dobson went on to say that if McCain is the nominee, he’ll sit out a presidential election for the first time in his life.

Noting he was “deeply disappointed,” Dr. Dobson explained, “the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language.”

Dr. Dobson, though, was not done.

“I am convinced Sen. McCain is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party.” The pro-family icon stated if Mr. McCain got the nomination, “I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life.”

Sources: Here and Here

FOR DISCUSSION: What do you think of Dobson’s statement that ‘he won’t vote’ if McCain gets the nomination?

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There are 142 Comments:

Posted by Adam McLane

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 6:10 PM

I could care less if he votes or not. James Dobson is just a single vote, he doesn’t represent me. The important thing to me is that I’m voting!
Posted by inWorship

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 6:19 PM

I generally don’t respond about things like this on others blogs, but here I go.

I have lost all respect for Dobson as a “voice” for Christianity. I am wondering how he got this voice anyway. Have we Chirstians chosen man’s voice over the Word’s???

Dobson’s(and other conservative Christian’s) stance on this years political process has been very hurtful to the Christian community. It has given more opportunity for those who need to see Jesus to just see bickering Christians.

I am sick of Christians standing against something instead of standing for something.

There are qualified presidential candidates running for office. It is immature and silly to take a “non” voting stance in this. I feel like I am listening to my 3 year old pout in the corner while crossing his arms...all because he didn’t get what he wanted for dinner.

Rant over....

Love your blog
Posted by inWorship

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 6:21 PM

Just for clarification sake...I am a conservative Christian…
Posted by Eric N.

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 6:38 PM

Couldn’t Dr. Dobson simply cast a write in vote for the registered candidate that he prefers? Although the likelihood of that candidate winning would be slim, he would still be voting according to his conscious without having to support his party’s nominee.

Also, what about God’s sovereign hand in all of this? Is it possible that one of these candidates is the one whom He intends to place in office regardless of political affiliation? (cf. Rom 13:1)

Dr. Dobson is free to exercise his right to sit out the political process. My concern is that as a public figure his actions leave the impression that his choice to sit out is the best answer for all Christians. True or not, I would be very careful when considering what my actions communicate to those who look to me for guidance.
Posted by Michael

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 7:59 PM

this is embarrassing and disappointing. it’s irresponsible to encourage apathy just because your candidate of choice might not get the nomination. it’s the same as a playground bully taking his ball and going home because he didn’t first pick.
Posted by ck

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 9:15 PM

I know a very Republican non-Christian that has stated pretty much the same thing as Dobson.

This stance is not just a Christian stance, but is a stance of many conservatives.

My vote is really up in the air, I’ll never vote for Obama or Clinton, but McCain is no lock for my vote.

So in short, he’s not saying anything special.. this is a shared view with many people in my circle of friends (Christian or not).
Posted by Bruce Gerencser

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 9:18 PM

Dobson matters because he is perceived as a power broker for the religious right. He is one, of many, reasons I abandoned the Republican party.

Dobson better support McCain because he is the only hope of a Republican being in the Whitehouse in 2009. Personally, my money is on Obama.

I think many Christians are offended by the Dobsons, Falwells, Robertsons, Perkins,etal of life who think they have a right to speak in our name. They don’t. Discuss and debate the issues but don’t tell me how vote. Don’t question my Christianity if I don’t vote your way.
Posted by Chris Reeder

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 9:33 PM

That is sad. Sometimes you have to do what is best for the country and quit getting upset when you don’t get it the way you wanted.
Posted by Rich Kirkpatrick

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 9:44 PM

This simply means he is cranky guy in the twilight of his influence. It is indeed true that even among his core, his voice is not what it was just by the reduction in the scale or it.

Things are changing, and evangelicals are finally realizing how they have been duped into trusting political action to change the world rather than their own churches working to do so.
Posted by

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 10:43 PM

Mr Dobson is showing atheists how Christian leaders are immature little crybabies that pick up there marbles and run crying home to momma when the game isn’t going their way. Its amazing to me how Christian leaders can soil the good name of Jesus in the eyes of unbelievers.

Shame on you, Dobson!
Posted by

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 10:44 PM

Dobson is a power broker among religious conservatives. He has his own lobbyists and a grassroots organization, oops, I mean ‘ministry’.

I am deeply suspicious of Dobson’s cult of personality, but I can’t argue with the assertion that McCain’s conservative credentials are sketchy at best.
Posted by ck

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 11:24 PM

I don’t read where Dobson was speaking for anybody but himself. He said that HE wouldn’t be voting for McCain. Didn’t tell anybody else not to.

I’d say most of the commenters don’t listen to Focus on the Family. You’d get a whole new spin on this comment if you did. He isn’t AGAINST McCain as the second poster said, but he is FOR protecting marriage and life.

To him stem cell research is equal to abortion, and decades ago he made a public statement that he will NEVER vote for a pro-abortion politician.

Just seems like he’s following the Bible and letting his yes be his yes.

But do keep in mind that this is not a Dobson specific stance, this is held widely by many Republicans (not all Christians).

For me I am balancing my vote because while ANY Republican is better then any democrat (just being honest here...), I don’t really want to OK a liberal Republican…
Posted by inWorship

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 11:34 PM

Hi, I am the 2nd commentor. I have and do listen to focus on the family. Dobson is EXTREMELY influential. To say something as this is wrong of him to do.

If he is FOR protecting marriage and life. that’s what he should talk about. he should NOT be talking about what he is against.

this is what I am hearing more and more of from Christians. the fight AGAINST everything. This is not how we should function.

I am completely with Eric N. Dobson as wwell as anyone else is completely with in their right to write in a candidate. that is FAR more effective and responsible than not voting at all.

I am 100% for voting our beliefs and principles as Christians...but just VOTE.

“ANY Republican is better then any democrat”

You might want to mention this to Dobson...cause he says NOT SO. So much so, that he is not going to vote…
Posted by Adam McLane

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 11:34 PM

CK- If his comments were not meant to sway voters, than why issue a public letter? Clearly he is trying to tell his supporters to follow him. The real question for today’s young evangelicals is… who will emerge are a voice that represents us?
Posted by ck

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 11:54 PM

Don’t misread what I said…

While any Republican is better then any democrat, I too may leave my Presidential pick blank.

I just don’t want the Republican party to think my vote is a given… I want a candidate that holds true to some very important (at least in my mind) views on issues.

I’m really undecided about McCain as a person, and I am more then willing to let the democrats have it all for 4 years because once we get a $2000/family tax increase… it will spell the end for them.
Posted by ck

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 11:56 PM

I don’t think there is anybody that can speak for ‘us’ because ‘us’ is not united enough to have a person speak for us.

Many Christians just don’t think things like abortion and traditional marriage is important. Its just accepted as part of life.
Posted by inWorship

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 11:58 PM

ck why does it matter if it is republican or democrat? Don’t the issues matter the most?

find a presidential candidate that matches up with your values and go for it. If there isn’t one on the ballot, write one in. There are write ins that are solid God fearing individuals.

I think it would be a pretty powerful statement for all these “party” politicians to see that we care about the issue more than we care about a party.
Posted by inWorship

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:08 AM

“Many Christians just don’t think things like abortion and traditional marriage is important. Its just accepted as part of life.”

If this is true, it makes my heart sad. But I am not seeing it this way. Maybe more at issue is how best to love a person through or out of situations. Politics are one way, but most definitely not THE way. At least not according to scriptures.
Posted by Adam McLane

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:17 AM

inworship- I think the point is that younger voters want to think BEYOND those two issues. Most seem to feel (read, this is my interpretation) that after 2 decades of all this talk/money that nothing significant has changed on “family value” issues… that it’s time to move on to issues they are passionate about. Social justice and the environment are ON PAR with family values to younger evangelicals.

Perhaps it is a new litmus test?
Posted by ck

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:22 AM

Nothing significant to show for the family value issues?

Abortion to its lowest levels in 20 years… and when you consider the population difference that is HUGE. And without this constant battle, we’d certainly be worse off then we are now.

And to me it is ALL about the issues, that is why McCain doesn’t just get my vote because he is a Republican. But the truth is that I’ll likely never vote for a democrat because the main difference between Republicans and Democrats is the abortion issue… in the grand scheme of things, if you are pro-abortion you are generally a democrat.
Posted by inWorship

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:23 AM

Adam, perhaps. as long as they don’t lose site of those who “claim” and “preach” it, but don’t have ways of leading us to it.

I have no issue with seeing other issues as more important. I see those issues as ones that are prevalent in our times right now as well as others like abortion and gay marriage.

I guess my point was that I don’t think because a person sees something else more important, that they are to disregard other issues. I believe they are still going to vote their beliefs.
Posted by inWorship

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:26 AM

Hate to say it ck, but abortion is not just a democrat or republican issue. heck look at the greatest republican of all...Reagan. He actually voted for aspects of abortion in California under his watch. Others in the race now are on either side.

My point is that issue is key, not party. i am glad to see that you feel issues are key, but i am not sure if a democratic candidate came up that fit your mold, that you would vote for them…
Posted by Adam McLane

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:27 AM

And I think this is why there is a separation from the old guard, like Dobson represents. He simply doesn’t care about the issues that younger Christians are passionate about. In fact, he seems to be anti-environment!
Posted by ck

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:31 AM

Well it will never happen.. you’d never get them past the democratic voters.

Reagan is well before my voting time.... so I’ll leave that to the older folks

McCain is actually anti-abortion… pro adoption, but some of his other views do concern me. That is why I am undecided. Being a man who has adopted one child and plan on adopting another, I really like that he is not only against abortion, but pro adoption. However I am still undecided if the rest of his views are so problematic for me that I will leave my ballot empty. May actually not decided until election day…
Posted by inWorship

Monday, February 11, 2008 at 12:33 AM

“Reagan is well before my voting time.... so I’ll leave that to the older folks”

You calling me old

McCain is honestly my last choice. I’m still holding out hope for a couple I would consider silent but deadly…

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.