The FundamentaList Thanksgiving Special

[Joanne98]

A look back at the most important developments in the religious right over the past year.

Sarah Posner | November 26, 2008

1. In The Beginning ...
The FundamentaList launched in September 2007 with a question that would recur throughout the presidential campaign: Out of the field of GOP presidential hopefuls, whom would James Dobson endorse?

Dobson had just been reassured by the Internal Revenue Service that his personal endorsement of candidates did not jeopardize Focus on the Family's tax-exempt status. Throughout the GOP primary, the press hung on every possible signal emanating from Colorado Springs, convinced that the eventual nominee's emergence would hinge on Dobson's blessing. As it turned out, Dobson withheld judgment, finally endorsing Mike Huckabee when it was too late to make a difference. Some, including Huckabee himself, blamed Dobson and his allies in the religious right for failing to give Huckabee a boost when he needed it most to win the nomination.

Although Dobson remains the most recognizable name in the religious-right leadership, many other figures, less well known outside the movement, and a "Huck's Army" at the grass roots drove Huckabee's candidacy in 2008 and could drive religious-right support for another run in 2012. The fixation on Dobson's endorsement was a creation of the press, not real voters. Many grass-roots activists told me that his endorsement would be meaningful but not essential for their own decision. But Dobson wasn't the only religious-right figure withholding approval of a candidate, and because of the numerous fractures in the GOP base, including a serious split over Mitt Romney's and Mike Huckabee's conservative credentials, John McCain -- whose campaign looked like it had imploded in September of 2007 -- rose to the top of the pack.

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_fundamentalist_112608

[grannie4peace]

1. dobson is gambling with his own salvation

power corrupts--- and he is corrupted!!!!