The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 2 of 19)

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I think that the pundits overestimate the effect that religious leaders like James Dobson and Pat Robertson have on conservative religious voters. There seems to be this consensus that religious right voters will only vote for anti-abortion and anti gay marriage candidates.

p>Being one of those voters, a so-called religious right voter, I prefer politicians that are anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage, but that does not mean that these two social issues are the determinant factor in who I would actually vote for. I talk with friends that hold the same religious and political beliefs as I do. They too, are not voting lock step with the James Dobsons. The most important issues for the vast majority of so-called religious right voters are the war on terror, the security of our borders and up holding the immigration laws already on our books, government spending and taxing less, and less intrusive government. Candidates that can stand strong and deliver on these issues will get the major portion of the so-called religious right vote. The most important thing in the 2008 election is that republicans win in the congress and the presidency. If the Democrats take over the presidency and the Congress this country is doomed. br> -- Lee Schafer br> New Caney Texas /p>

I am a faithful listener to the Focus On The Family radio broadcast. I found out about this misleading article when listening this morning. I was glad to have the story clarified. I noticed that you posted an update from the Focus people but this could have been avoided if you had contacted them before the story was printed. Please contact the people at Focus before writing such an article in the future.

p>Thank you, br> -- Craig Donham br> Rowlett, Texas /p>

I have to admit that after reading this piece I am confused. According to the Prowler, James Dobson has "largely been made irrelevant to the 2008 Republican presidential race." But shortly after making this pronouncement, the author frets that Dobson could "create a domino effect" amongst "his many supporters" thereby presumably exerting significant pressure on other social conservatives to endorse his personal choice for the upcoming Republican primary. Several unnamed sources were cited to bolster this argument. So, which is it? If he is truly irrelevant, then why does anyone care what Dr. Dobson thinks? Conversely, if he wields enough power to coerce other social conservatives to favor the candidate of his choosing, how can his alleged endorsement be insignificant?

p>Also, until The Prowler produces a credible named source that can back up this claim, I will treat it as I would any other piece of tabloid journalism. While James Dobson is not shy about speaking out on social issues that affect the family and the culture, he rarely endorses political candidates. On the one occasion I know of that he did (George Bush in 2004), he did so by making it clear he was speaking as a private citizen, not as the official spokesman for Focus on the Family or any other conservative group. The fact that he responded so quickly to renounce this report as untrue makes me think that someone jumped the gun here. Why didn't someone from the

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