James Dobson

===Political influence===

[[File:James Dobson-01.jpg|thumb|Dobson at the Values Voters conference in [[Washington, D.C.]], 2007]]

Dobson has chosen to exercise political influence behind the scenes, as "political fixer."{{sfn|Gilgoff|2007|p=8}} This helps him to maintain his credibility with his audience. He has never run for office or acted as the public head of a primarily political organization.{{sfn|Gilgoff|2007|p=7–10}}

Starting in 1980, Dobson began to build a network of conservative activists.{{sfn|Stephens|2019|p=4–5}} In 1981, he founded the [[Family Research Council]] as a political arm through which "[[Social conservatism|social conservative]] causes" could achieve greater political influence.<ref name="nyt04">{{cite news |first=David D. |last=Kirkpatrick |title=The 2004 Campaign: Evangelical Christians—Warily, a Religious Leader Lifts His Voice in Politics |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02EED9113CF930A25756C0A9629C8B63 |work=The New York Times |date=2004-05-13 |page=A22 |access-date=February 16, 2017 |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119190728/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/13/us/2004-campaign-evangelical-christians-warily-religious-leader-lifts-his-voice.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Through the 1980s, he coordinated the creation of [[Family Policy Council]]s in most US states, lobbying organizations that act on the level of state politics. Beginning in the 1990s, Dobson and his vast activist organization helped pass state-level bans on gay marriage across the US.{{sfn|Gilgoff|2007|p=4}} His top legislative goal was prohibiting gay marriage at the federal level, with a constitutional amendment. In 2005, he told his biographer "my greatest concern is for the relentless attack by homosexual activists who are determined to destroy the institution of marriage."{{sfn|Gilgoff|2007|p=11}}

In late 2004, Dobson led a campaign to block the appointment of [[Arlen Specter]] to head of the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] because of Specter's [[Abortion-rights movements|pro-abortion rights]] stance.<ref name="cnnspecter">{{cite news |title=Conservative leader targets Specter |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/07/specter.judiciary/index.html |date=2004-11-09 |publisher=CNN |access-date=2008-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417183706/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/07/specter.judiciary/index.html |archive-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> Responding to a question by [[Fox News]] personality [[Alan Colmes]] on whether he wanted the [[U.S. Republican Party|Republican Party]] to be known as a "big-tent party," he replied, "I don't want to be in the big tent ... I think the party ought to stand for something."<ref name="fox1">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,138571,00.html |title=What Will a New Bush Term Mean for the American Family? |date=2004-11-15 |publisher=[[Fox News]] |access-date=2008-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611051624/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,138571,00.html |archive-date=2008-06-11 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2006, Focus on the Family spent more than a half million dollars to promote a [[constitutional amendment]] to ban [[same-sex marriage]] in its home state of [[Colorado]].<ref name="gazette">{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2781250.html |title=$500,000 to fight gay marriage Focus backing state amendment |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]] |via=[[Highbeam]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110080414/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2781250.html |archive-date=2018-11-10}}</ref>

Dobson founded a fundraising and lobbying arm of FotF called Focus on the Family Action, now called [[Family Policy Alliance]]. As a [[501(c)(4)]] organization, it faces fewer IRS restrictions on political activity than FotF. In the organization's first six months of existence, it raised nearly nine million dollars in support of six Republican candidates for competitive [[US Senate]] seats. All six won their races.{{sfn|Gilgoff|2007|p=14–15}}

A May 2005 article by [[Chris Hedges]] in ''[[Harper's Magazine]]'' described Dobson as "perhaps the most powerful figure in the [[Dominion theology|Dominionist]] movement" and "a crucial player in getting out the Christian vote for [[George W. Bush]]."<ref>{{cite web |work=[[Harper's|Harper's Magazine]] |date=May 2005 |first=Chris |last=Hedges |url=http://www.harpers.org/archive/2005/05/0080541 |title=Feeling the hate with the National Religious Broadcasters |access-date=2007-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011175831/http://harpers.org/archive/2005/05/0080541 |archive-date=2007-10-11 |url-status=live}}(subscription required, reprinted [http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/FeelingTheHate.html here.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211040635/http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/FeelingTheHate.html |date=2007-12-11}})</ref> Discernment Ministries, a site that describes dominionism as a [[heresy]], characterized Dobson as belonging to the "Patriotic American" brand of dominionism, calling him "One of its most powerful leaders."<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Discernment Ministries |url=http://www.discernment-ministries.org/ChristianImperialism.htm |title=Dominionism and the Rise of Christian Imperialism |first=Sarah |last=Leslie |access-date=2008-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610083205/http://www.discernment-ministries.org/ChristianImperialism.htm |archive-date=June 10, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In November 2004, Dobson was described by the online magazine ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' as "America's most influential evangelical leader."<ref name="slate04" /> The article stated "Forget [[Jerry Falwell]] and [[Pat Robertson]], who in their dotage have marginalized themselves with gaffes ... Dobson is now America's most influential evangelical leader, with a following reportedly greater than that of either Falwell or Robertson at his peak ... Dobson may have delivered Bush his victories in [[Ohio]] and [[Florida]]."<ref name="slate04"/> Further, "He's already leveraging his new power. When a thank-you call came from the [[White House]], Dobson issued the staffer a blunt warning that Bush "needs to be more aggressive" about pressing the [[Christian right|religious right]]'s [[anti-abortion]], anti-[[gay rights]] agenda, or it would "pay a price in four years". Dobson has sometimes complained that the Republican Party may take the votes of [[social conservative]]s for granted, and has suggested that evangelicals may withhold support from the GOP if the party does not more strongly support conservative family issues.<ref name="PFAW" />

However, in 2006, Dobson said that, while "there is disillusionment out there with Republicans" and "that worries me greatly," he nonetheless suggested voters turn out and vote Republican in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirkpatrick |first=David D. |date=2006-09-25 |title=Christian Conservatives Look to Re-energize Base |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/us/politics/christian-conservatives-look-to-reenergize-base.html |access-date=2020-05-27 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119190735/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/us/politics/christian-conservatives-look-to-reenergize-base.html |url-status=live }}</ref> "My first inclination was to sit this one out," but according to ''[[The New York Times]]'', Dobson then added that "he had changed his mind when he looked at who would become the leaders of [[Congressional committee]]s if the [[U.S. Democratic Party|Democrats]] took over."<ref name="nyt04" />

Dobson garnered national media attention once again in February 2008 after releasing a statement in the wake of Senator [[John McCain]]'s expected success in the so-called "[[Super Tuesday (2008)|Super Tuesday]]" Republican [[primary election]]s. In his statement, Dobson said: "I cannot, and will not, vote for Senator John McCain, as a matter of conscience," and indicated that he would refrain from voting altogether if McCain were to become the Republican candidate, echoing other conservative commentators' concerns about the Senator's conservatism.<ref name="REUTBLOG">{{cite news |last=Stoddard |first=Ed |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/02/05/dobson-delivers-blow-to-mccain-candidacy/ |work=Reuters |title=Super Tuesday: Dobson delivers blow to McCain candidacy |date=2008-02-05 |access-date=2008-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512170414/http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/02/05/dobson-delivers-blow-to-mccain-candidacy/ |archive-date=2008-05-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He endorsed [[Mike Huckabee]] for president.{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}} After McCain selected an anti-abortion candidate, [[Sarah Palin]], as his running mate, Dobson said that he was more enthusiastic in his support for the Republican ticket.<ref>{{cite news |last=MacAskill |first=Ewen |author2=Ed Pilkington |title=US politics: McCain defends running mate's experience |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/sep/01/johnmccain.palin |date=2008-09-01 |access-date=2008-09-01 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902224440/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/sep/01/johnmccain.palin |archive-date=2013-09-02 |url-status=live}}</ref> When Palin's [[Bristol Palin|17-year-old daughter]]'s pregnancy was revealed, Dobson issued a press release commending Palin's stance, saying,

{{blockquote|We have always encouraged the parents to love and support their children and always advised the girls to see their pregnancies through, even though there will of course be challenges along the way. That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/dobson-on-brist.html |title=Dobson on Bristol Palin's Pregnancy |last=Tapper |first=Jake |date=2008-09-01 |access-date=2008-09-01 |publisher=[[ABC News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080902030643/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/dobson-on-brist.html |archive-date=2008-09-02}}</ref>}}

On June 24, 2008, Dobson criticized statements made by U.S. presidential candidate [[Barack Obama]] in Obama's 2006 "Call to Renewal" address.<ref name="calltorenewal">{{cite web |url=http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060628-call_to_renewal/ |title='Call to Renewal' Keynote Address |last=Obama |first=Barack |date=2006-06-28 |access-date=2008-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104231501/http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060628-call_to_renewal/ |archive-date=2009-01-04}}</ref> Dobson stated that Obama was "distorting the traditional understanding of the [[Bible]] to fit his own world view."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2008-06-24/politics/evangelical.vote_1_obama-bible-presumptive-democratic-presidential-nominee |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710151521/http://articles.cnn.com/2008-06-24/politics/evangelical.vote_1_obama-bible-presumptive-democratic-presidential-nominee |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-10 |title=Dobson accuses Obama of 'distorting' Bible |last=Mooney |first=Alexander |date=2008-06-24 |access-date=2012-01-01 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> On October 23, 2008, Dobson published a "Letter from 2012 in Obama's America" that proposed that an Obama presidency could lead to: mandated homosexual teachings across all schools; the banning of firearms in entire states; the end of the [[Boy Scouts of America|Boy Scouts]], [[home schooling]], Christian school groups, Christian adoption agencies, and [[talk radio]]; [[pornography]] on prime-time and daytime television; mandatory bonuses for gay soldiers; [[terrorist]] attacks across America; the [[nuclear bomb]]ing of [[Tel Aviv]]; the conquering of most of [[Eastern Europe]] by [[Russia]]; the end of [[health care]] for Americans over 80; out-of-control [[gasoline]] prices; and complete economic disaster in the United States, among other catastrophes.<ref name="Letter from 2012">{{cite web |url=http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031013511/http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-10-31 |title=Letter from 2012 in Obama's America |last=Dobson |first=James |date=2008-10-23 |access-date=2008-11-26 |publisher=[[Focus on the Family Action]]}}</ref> In the days after the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]], Dobson stated on his radio program that he was mourning the Obama election, claiming that Obama supported [[infanticide]], would be responsible for the deaths of millions of unborn children, and was "going to appoint the most [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] justices to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]], perhaps, that we've ever had."<ref name="Dobson mouns Obama Victory">{{cite web |url=http://www.lifenews.com/nat4557.html |title=James Dobson Mourns Obama Victory, Forecasts Significant Abortion Promotion |last=Ertelt |first=Steven |date=2008-11-07 |access-date=2008-11-26 |website=LifeNews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127100508/http://www.lifenews.com/nat4557.html |archive-date=November 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Dobson claims Obama election sets pro-lifers back severely|url=https://baptistnews.com/article/dobson-claims-obama-election-brsets-pro-lifers-back-severely/|date=November 6, 2008|accessdate=November 10, 2021|work=[[Baptist News Global]]|archive-date=January 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119190731/https://baptistnews.com/article/dobson-claims-obama-election-brsets-pro-lifers-back-severely/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dobson supports [[intelligent design]] and has spoken at conferences on the subject, and frequently criticizes [[evolution]].<ref>[[Barbara Forrest]] and [[Paul R. Gross]]. ''[[Creationism's Trojan Horse|Creationism's Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design]]''. 2004, page 270</ref> In 2007, Dobson was one of 25 evangelicals who called for the ouster of Rev. [[Richard Cizik]] from his position at the [[National Association of Evangelicals]] because Cizik had taken a stance urging evangelicals to take [[global warming]] seriously.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/02/AR2007030201442.html |title=Evangelical Angers Peers With Call for Action on Global Warming |last=Cooperman |first=Alan |date=2007-03-03 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2008-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007173547/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/02/AR2007030201442.html |archive-date=2008-10-07 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 13, 2007, the [[National Right to Life Committee]] ousted [[Colorado Right to Life]] after the latter ran a full-page ad criticizing Dobson.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/07/10/cq_3042.html |title=A Right-to-Life Rift in Colorado |last=Zeller |first=Shawn |date=July 10, 2007 |website=The New York Times |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226230651/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/07/10/cq_3042.html |archive-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coloradorighttolife.org/openletter |title=Open Letter to Dr. James Dobson |website=Colorado Right to Life |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918130331/http://www.coloradorighttolife.org/openletter |archive-date=September 18, 2010}}</ref>

On May 30, 2010, Dobson delivered the pre-race invocation at the [[NASCAR]] [[Coca-Cola 600]] automobile race, raising criticism about his association with a sport associated with sponsors and activities which would not meet his definition of family-friendly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2010/05/26/no-coca-cola-600-for-me/ |title=No Coca-Cola 600 for me |last=Chambers |first=Mike |date=May 26, 2010 |website=Denver Post |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602030335/http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2010/05/26/no-coca-cola-600-for-me/ |archive-date=June 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsgrid.com/nascar/dr-james-dobson-coca-cola-600/ |title=Controversial Evangelical Leader Conducts Prayer At Coca-Cola 600 |last=Fogarty |first=Dan |date=May 30, 2010 |website=Sports Grid |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601174834/http://www.sportsgrid.com/nascar/dr-james-dobson-coca-cola-600/ |archive-date=June 1, 2010}}</ref>

At a [[National Day of Prayer]] event in the U.S. Capitol, Dobson called [[Barack Obama]] "the abortion president." He said, "President Obama, before he was elected, made it very clear that he wanted to be the abortion president. He didn't make any bones about it. This is something that he really was going to promote and support, and he has done that, and in a sense he is the abortion president." Among others, Rep. [[Janice Hahn]] complained because Dobson used the National Day of Prayer for partisan purposes. She said, "Dobson just blew a hole into this idea of being a nonpartisan National Day of Prayer. It was very disturbing to me ... and really a shame. James Dobson hijacked the National Day of Prayer—this nonpartisan, nonpolitical National Day of Prayer—to promote his own distorted political agenda."<ref>Ashtari, Shadee (May 1, 2014) "Janice Hahn Walks Out Of Event After James Dobson Calls Obama The 'Abortion President'." ''The Huffington Post''. (Retrieved 5-1-2014.)</ref>

Dobson endorsed [[Ted Cruz]] in the [[2016 Republican primaries]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eschliman |first1=Bob |title=Dr. James Dobson Makes His Presidential Endorsement |url=https://www.charismanews.com/politics/primaries/53926-dr-james-dobson-makes-his-presidential-endorsement |website=Charisma News |access-date=27 August 2020 |language=en |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306140544/https://www.charismanews.com/politics/primaries/53926-dr-james-dobson-makes-his-presidential-endorsement |url-status=live }}</ref> Dobson would later go on to endorse Trump in the [[2016 United States presidential election|general election]] against [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zylstra |first1=Sarah Eekhoff |title=Dobson Explains Why He Called Trump a 'Baby Christian' |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2016/august/james-dobson-explains-why-donald-trump-baby-christian.html |website=News & Reporting |date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=27 August 2020 |language=en |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802050959/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2016/august/james-dobson-explains-why-donald-trump-baby-christian.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Dobson has been named by ''[[Christianity Today]]'' as one of the [[Trump Administration]]'s top "Evangelical Faith Advisers".<ref>{{cite web |title='Christianity Today' Identifies Donald Trump's Evangelical Faith Advisers and Gives Background Information on Each |date=June 23, 2016 |url=https://blackchristiannews.com/2016/06/brief-explainers-on-each-of-donald-trumps-evangelical-faith-advisers/ |access-date=27 August 2020 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513204941/http://blackchristiannews.com/2016/06/brief-explainers-on-each-of-donald-trumps-evangelical-faith-advisers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2020, Dobson worked alongside other conservative Evangelicals and Evangelical organizations, including [[Jim Daly (evangelist)|Jim Daly]] and [[Focus on the Family]], to support the [[2020 United States presidential election|reelection]] of President Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rabey |first1=Steve |title=Focus on the Family, James Dobson Family Institute among Colorado Springs ministries pushing to reelect Trump |url=https://gazette.com/premium/focus-on-the-family-james-dobson-family-institute-among-colorado-springs-ministries-pushing-to-reelect/article_c7cab60e-0395-11eb-ba20-b3dcb16dd2be.html |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]] |access-date=5 October 2020 |date=4 October 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005100021/https://gazette.com/premium/focus-on-the-family-james-dobson-family-institute-among-colorado-springs-ministries-pushing-to-reelect/article_c7cab60e-0395-11eb-ba20-b3dcb16dd2be.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He echoed his support of the President throughout the [[First impeachment of Donald Trump|impeachment proceedings]] earlier that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. James Dobson responds to 'Christianity Today's' call for Trump removal |url=https://www.al.com/news/2019/12/dr-james-dobson-responds-to-christianity-todays-call-for-trump-removal.html |access-date=5 October 2020 |date=23 December 2019 |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012134229/https://www.al.com/news/2019/12/dr-james-dobson-responds-to-christianity-todays-call-for-trump-removal.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dobson praised the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court case ''[[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization]]'', which overruled ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' and ''[[Planned Parenthood v. Casey]]'', saying, "Praise God! We have just received the news for which we have been praying and working!"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olmstead |first1=Molly |title=How the Christian Right Is Responding to the Supreme Court Decision Overturning Roe |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/06/dobbs-ruling-christian-right-roe-wade-overturned.html |website=Slate Magazine |access-date=5 July 2022 |language=en |date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191212/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/06/dobbs-ruling-christian-right-roe-wade-overturned.html |url-status=live }}</ref>