A Righteous Indignation

James Dobson–psychologist, radio host, family-values crusader — is set to topple the political establishment

BY MICHAEL J. GERSON

On March 18, in the basement of the Capitol, 25 House Republicans met with psychologist James Dobson for some emotional venting. But this was not personal therapy; it concerned the fate of their party. Dobson, long on loyal radio listeners and short on patience, was threatening, in effect, to bring down the GOP unless it made conservative social issues, including abortion, a higher legislative priority. “If I go,” he has said, “I will do everything I can to take as many people with me as possible.”

In the audience sat some of Dobson’s closest ideological allies. Rep. Steve Largent of Oklahoma, a former star football player, was a volunteer speaker for Dobson’s organization, Focus on the Family, from 1990 to 1993. He credits this with “sparking my interest in public policy.” Rep. James Talent of Missouri, years before, had pulled off the highway and prayed along with Dobson on the radio to become a Christian. “He is the instrument through which I committed my life to Christ. It is the single most important thing that has ever or will ever happen to me.”

But for over two hours, until nearly midnight, House conservatives confronted Dobson about his indiscriminate attacks on the Republican Party, asking credit for achievements he had ignored. At one point the wife of a congressman, in tears, explained how Dobson’s broadside had hurt their family, inviting harsh questions from friends. An emotional Dobson, according to one witness, responded, “I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

Sobered, Dobson canceled planned meetings with the New York Times and the Washington Post, where he would have laid out his threat to leave. But in the next two weeks, he sent lengthy, public letters renewing the threat, which hangs in the air like distant thunder at the Republican picnic.

It’s 2007 and not much has changed.That was written in 1998. Political blogs of all stripes are buzzing today over (what I see as a deliberately leaked) story of a meeting of The Council for National Policy this weekend. The Salt Lake Tribune didn’t get the memo.
Salon:

A powerful group of conservative Christian leaders decided Saturday at a private meeting in Salt Lake City to consider supporting a third-party candidate for president if a pro-choice nominee like Rudy Giuliani wins the Republican nomination.

The meeting of about 50 leaders, including Focus on the Family’s James Dobson, the Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, who called in by phone, took place at the Grand America Hotel during a gathering of the Council for National Policy, a powerful shadow group of mostly religious conservatives. James Clymer, the chairman of the U.S. Constitution Party, was also present at the meeting, according to a person familiar with the proceedings.

“The conclusion was that if there is a pro-abortion nominee they will consider working with a third party,” said the person, who spoke to Salon on the condition of anonymity. The private meeting was not a part of the official CNP schedule, which is itself a closely held secret. “Dobson came in just for this meeting,” the person said.

Pastor Dan: Dobson, Perkins, Bauer Veto Rudy Giuliani:

The biggest threat to Rove’s fevered dream of a permanent Republican majority may have been its own radicalized nature. It created extreme and extremer, and the movement began to eat its own. Now the whole project looks to be headed toward the shoals, and they have nobody but themselves to blame.