James Dobson is exactly what's wrong with the Republican Party ["James Dobson's Political Surrender," usnews.com]. Every faction of the party worries about one or two issues and nothing else matters. With Dobson and the other Bible thumpers, it's anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage, with Cheney it's national security, with the rich folks it's tax cuts, all of which are divisive for the party because they don't mesh well. You can't spend more on national security without raising taxes, and you can't govern based on a piece of religious literature. As soon as the Republicans figure out how to get past their own personal views and focus on what's best for all, even if it means making concessions to your own views, everyone will be better off.
Comment by Michael of CT
Dr. Dobson is so right on. The media didn't write about working together with President Bush. The media didn't write articles about bipartisanship when a Republican was in office. There was no call to work together then. There is such a double standard here. It's not a Republican-Democrat issue. It's about the media bashing conservatives and telling us we have to compromise. But liberals never have to.
Comment by Angie France of NC
It's not the media that ignores bipartisanship when Republicans are in power; it's Republicans and their supporters. Did James Dobson speak out when Republicans controlled every branch of government from 2003 to 2007, leading us into a falsified war with Iraq, conducting torture illegally in the name of every U.S. citizen, and exploding the debt burden on future generations? No, he actively fought to expand the party's reach and majorities. Conservatives only demand bipartisanship when they are in the minority. To quote Jon Stewart, "I think you're confusing 'tyranny' with 'losing.' "
Comment by Dereck D. of MO
James Dobson is one of the very, very few people that I would consider as a personal hero. He stands up and takes the flack for what is right. He could get away with just being a family psychologist, and he's very good at that, but he goes beyond to enter the fray of moral politics and has never backed down—and that's where he gets all the criticism. What he is saying is simply a fact: This country is very far gone from the solid moral foundations with which we began. I am a preacher and I believe the same thing. Though things look grim, like Dobson, I advocate two things: Pray for God's intervention at the divine level, and work for improvement at the political level.
Comment by Dean Coonradt of NM
Perhaps now those Christians who sat out the last election because they didn't have the "perfect" or "pure" candidate can see the impact of their actions. The left never sits out an election because any candidate in office that has even a small amount of beliefs is better than the opposition in power. Now, as the Supreme Court drifts farther left over the next few years, we can say thanks to all who first voted for a Republican candidate that didn't have a chance to win, and then once chosen, even though not perfect, abandoned him on Election Day because he wasn't your guy.
Comment by Bob of CA
Having a spirited debate about the morality of government policy and initiatives is one thing. Characterizing anyone who doesn't believe as you do as a God-less immoral heathen is quite another. Dobson's decline was brought on by his own prejudices. He always did shill for the right wing of the Republican Party, and so it is fitting that any pretense of being above the political aspirations of the GOP have been dropped. Reverend Dobson, please retire to a life of prayer and reflection ... and I will pray you come to realize how much you contributed to a divided United States of America.
Comment by Steve Lyons of CA
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