The very month that he held an unusual meeting with prominent black and white Christians–the Rev. Franklin Graham and the Rev. T.D. Jakes, among them–Senator Obama has come under resounding verbal attack from Dr. James Dobson, head of the highly influential multi-media ministry Focus on the Family. On his radio program Wednesday, Dobson sharply criticized Obama for remarks the senator made in a speech dealing with religious pluralism and public policy that Obama delivered almost exactly two years ago.
In it, Obama rhetorically asked whose “interpretation of the Bible” should apply as the basis for public policy and, in the process, contrasts Dobson and the New York City African-American activist, the Rev. Al Sharpton, as likely to have very different interpretations on a number of questions. Dobson took particular issue with the comparison with Sharpton, whom his ministry characterizes as “far left.” But more to the point, Dobson strongly rejected Obama’s argument that within a pluralistic democracy, religious objections to moral questions (he cites abortion) must be grounded in moral arguments that will hold appeal beyond sectarian bounds. Dobson said he found Obama’s idea to be a violation of individuals’ Constitutional rights to freedom of religion.
Dobson’s critique is heated, detailed and lengthy, as he plays clips from the Obama speech and responds with negative commentary. His remarks run a full 18 minutes, following a shorter, generous tribute he makes to the memory of the late NBC journalist Tim Russert, who died last week.
Dobson’s broadcast concludes with the strong suggestion there may be more coming, as he and another Focus official seek listener response. Indeed, in a fine, short report on Dobson’s criticisms broadcast by National Public Radio reporter Barbara Bradley Hagerty, Michael Cromartie, vice president at the Washington-based Ethics and Public Policy Center, said Dobson’s remarks are “the beginning of what we might call the religion wars in the 2008 campaign.” Whew!
In his remarks to NPR, Cromartie added that Obama had best beware that, politically, the influential Dobson “has been awakened from his slumber.”
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posted June 25, 2008 at 10:00 am
Dobson is shooting blanks – and not even the usual blanks – he is shooting a cap pistol (some noise and some stink, but little effect). Ralphie from Christmas Story was more effective with his Red Ryder B-B gun.
posted June 25, 2008 at 11:09 am
Mercifully, the five minutes of fame for James Dobson and his ilk is eroding. They got their wish for the 2000 and 2004 disastrous elections when the uneducated fell for the Karl Rove/Dobson propoganda. Hopefully, the public voter has matured. It doesn’t take too many smarts to see that the Bush administration is probably the worst in history. Young people have seen the Christian right for what it is–wrong. May the end come soon for these intolerant busybodies.
posted June 25, 2008 at 11:12 am
“Dobson’s critique is heated, detailed and lengthy”
Snicker. Dobson’s “critique” is mere dismissive name-calling (“Fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution”). As if Dobson has any respect for the Constitution to begin with.
‘Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing’ is more like it.
“highly influential multi-media ministry Focus on the Family”
Shurely you jest, Dan. FotF is a joke, a hateful, vile, venom-spewing, entity who’s main claim to fame (aside from the ‘beat your child’ mantra) is its constant bearing of false witness against God’s gay and lesbian children.
Let’s focus on Dobson’s family. That’d be some fun.
posted June 25, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Now begins the “Holy Wars” of 2008 politics. The Religious Right verses the Christian Centrist and Pluralistic Left. Only God knows who will win, oh wait a minute, the Devil is smiling because God’s children are fighting each other again.
Dobson better get back into his Bible and study how to “Love one another as I have loved you.” The hatred that Dobson and others have for any who dare to have a different view of scripture than they is disheartening to say the least. This tirade will drive many of the undesided Christians away from McCain than will draw them closer.