Dobson Denies Endorsement of Huckabee Imminent

Alex: It's interesting to me how many conservative evangelicals are supporting Huckabee -- especially after reporting like this from Newsweek:

An Excerpt: In 1989, Huckabee, then 34 years old, was elected the youngest-ever president of the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention. Nothing prepared him for the elbows-out world of big-time Southern Baptist politics. When salvation is at stake, no one backs down without a fight. The convention was deadlocked over the issue of Biblical inerrancy. Conservatives insisted that Scripture was to be taken literally; others advocated a less-strict interpretation. Huckabee tried to have it both ways. He sided with the conservatives, but urged members to be tolerant of differing views. "I resent sometimes when we get on our high horses about what is right and wrong," he says. "I've always believed in grace. Who am I to cast judgment on someone else?"

It's the same careful, noncommittal approach he now takes when voters ask him about the touchy issue of the afterlife. Does he think nonbelievers are doomed to hell? "I don't know," he says. "Jesus can decide that." Huckabee clearly hopes believers and nonbelievers will hear different things in that answer, and both sides will go away pleased.

Sounds very Joel Osteenish to me!

Alex,

Since you have obviously crossed out Dr. Ron Paul as a candidate, would you be able to explain why?

No agenda here, I'm just curious.

Thanks,
Russ

Russ,

Thanks for asking. I was just going off of the AP report I linked to:

Dobson said there are four other candidates who oppose abortion rights and are consistent with many of his beliefs, "and I am taking my time about seeing how that's going to shake out." He didn't mention names.

Most speculation has centered on whether Dobson would support either Huckabee or former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Romney is in the top tier of GOP candidates, and Huckabee is viewed as gaining momentum.

Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy for Focus on the Family Action, identified the other two candidates as Rep. Duncan Hunter of California and Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, both long shots.

I find it unlikely that Dobson would endorse a candidate whom he did not find electable.

However, the AP report also notes that Dobson endorsing any candidate in the primary would be unprecedented.

Nick,

Great question. Here's my two cents:

Although I'm far from the camp that espouses voting for the "lesser of two evils," and I wouldn't want Huckabee running any SBC seminaries anytime soon, I also understand that we're not electing a pope, we're electing a president - and unless Albert Mohler decides to run for office anytime soon, you are not going to find a more conservative Christian evangelical running for office than Mike Huckabee. Again, don't think I'm excusing his views on the inerrancy of Scripture (whatever they may be today) -- but let's be real. Compared to a mormon, a nominal catholic, and hesitant methodist...there is no comparison.

The bigger question is why there aren't more evangelicals willing to step out and support the Huck, and why solid evangelicals like Wayne Grudem are willing to tag their confession of faith onto a devout Mormon.

Russ,

Sorry I didn't answer your question directly earlier. The post was really about Dobson's thoughts on the candidates (as being related through the AP report), not mine. But it seems you are asking whether I (personally) have ruled out Dr. Ron Paul? If so, yes, I support Huckabee and have ruled out Dr. Paul. I find his anti-war policy untenable. And I don't think he has the communication skills of Huckabee.

Thanks again for the comment.

Alex,

Thanks for the answer to my question. Let me just say that Dr. Paul's view on the war, in my opinion, is consistent with the long history of the Christian Just War theory, and conservative politics as well. Honestly, I am saddened that most Christians just tow the current Republican party line on this and don't think to deeply about why we are at war in Iraq and what it is accomplishing, both negatively and positively. But I appreciate your answer.

As far as Dr. Paul's communication skills, well, not really sure what that has to do with the qualifications to be president, but he is communicating his message well enough to raise over $4 million in one day and make believers out of millions that liberty and consitutional government is what is important, and what is being trampled to death in our current political system.

Perhaps these two sites can help you and your readers to evaluate Dr. Paul's communication style a little better.

www.electronpaul2008.wordpress.com
www.christiansforronpaul.com

Thanks for taking the time to interact.

Russ