Inside the longstanding feud between Colin Powell and Christian right leader James Dobson. 
After Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama on Meet the Press, Sarah Palin was interviewed by Christian right leader James Dobson on his Focus on the Family radio show. Though Palin did not mention Powell, she attacked Obama as a socialist by referencing his now famous encounter with Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher.
“Joe the Plumber, you gotta hand it to him,” Palin told Dobson. “He's the one who got finally Barack Obama to say what he’d do with redistributing wealth and raising taxes. And Joe the Plumber said that certainly sounds like socialism to him, and I appreciate Joe having the boldness to get out there and ask the question.”
Powell’s endorsement and Palin’s appearance on Dobson’s show are not entirely unconnected. Dobson has long been one of the banes of Powell’s political life―and the right’s warm embrace of Palin is part of what drove Powell away from McCain.
When Powell endorsed Obama, he offered a litany of factors, from Obama’s “transformational” potential to “steadiness.” But Powell, a military man and self-described “Rockefeller Republican,” also declared his disappointment with the “rightward shift” in the Republican Party.
There is a little understood, rancorous subplot behind this vague remark: Powell’s war with the religious right. That conflict began years before the current presidential campaign and, if Powell plays a role in an Obama administration, will almost certainly extend beyond it.
Over a decade ago, when General Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emerged as the Republican Party’s most popular figure, James Dobson targeted him, fearing his political ascendancy might spell doom for the party’s anti-abortion wing. Dobson’s tactics ranged from threatening conservative movement leaders who dared to praise Powell’s political potential, to devoting an entire broadcast of his top-rated radio show to attacking Powell’s advocacy of condom use. Dobson and his minions laid the groundwork for Powell’s castigation from the Republican Party. Yet by helping to force Powell into the wilderness, Dobson may have also provoked his momentous act of political vengeance.
While Dobson has not yet commented on Powell’s endorsement, his former Washington lobbyist and ally, Gary Bauer, dismissed it as an irrational act of racial solidarity. “Powell’s endorsement is nonsensical, and it leaves open the question of just how big a factor race was in his decision,” Bauer wrote in his daily email blast to supporters. Bauer, who now leads his own outfit, American Values, spent much of the 1990s building Dobson’s Family Research Council into one of the most formidable Christian right groups inside the Beltway.
Back during the run-up to the 1996 presidential primaries, when some movement conservatives advanced the notion of Powell as the GOP’s most viable presidential nominee, Dobson moved to intimidate and silence the general’s boosters. Among Powell’s fans was the ardently anti-abortion Jack Kemp, who called him “Republican on almost every issue.” Neoconservative former Education Secretary William Bennett repeatedly praised Powell on the pages of the National Review, while Weekly Standard editor William Kristol argued in an editorial for his magazine that Powell was the only figure who could defeat the increasingly popular Bill Clinton. Already annoyed by the swell of movement support for the pro-choice Powell, Dobson was furious when Christian Coalition President Ralph Reed refused to condemn Powell’s possible candidacy during his appearance on This Week with David Brinkley.
Immediately, Dobson faxed a five-page letter to Reed accusing him of unholy motives. “Is power the motivator of the great crusade?” Dobson asked the fresh-faced operator. “If so, it will sour and turn to bile in your mouth…This posture may elevate your influence in Washington, but it is unfaithful to the principles we are duty-bound as Christians to defend.” Bauer copied the letter and blasted it out to other Powell-friendly conservatives, including Bennett, whom Dobson baselessly accused of being “pro-abortion.” Shaken by Dobson’s jeremiad, Reed hastily composed a letter suggesting that attacks from the Christian right would only provoke Powell into running. The situation “required a delicate balancing act,” Reed insisted, according to Dobson’s official biography.
Alexandra Penney is an artist, best-selling author, former editor-in-chief of Self magazine, and originator, with Evelyn Lauder, of the Pink Ribbon for breast cancer awareness. She had a one-person show at Galerie in Berlin in April and her work was shown at Miami’s Art Basel. She lives in New York, has one treasured son in Los Angeles and more amazing friends than could ever be imagined.
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Steve Emerson is Executive Director of the Investigative Project on Terrorism and author of 5 books and countless articles on terrorism. His most recent book is Jihad Incorporated: A Guide to Militant Islam in the U.S.
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Leslie H. Gelb, a former Times columnist and senior government official, is author of the forthcoming HarperCollins book Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy, a book that shows how to think about and use power in the twenty-first century. He is President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Nicholas Ciarelli is an assistant product manager at The Daily Beast.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
Max Blumenthal is a senior writer for The Daily Beast and writing fellow at The Nation Institute, whose book, Republican Gomorrah (Basic/Nation Books), is forthcoming in Spring 2009. Contact him at maxblumenthal3000@yahoo.com.
There was a time--about 25/30 years ago--when Dobson offered opinions on child rearing/development which provided a more conservative alternative to Dr. Spock. It would appear many of his observations in that arena had merit and helped spearhead the "tough love" movement.
Over time, however, he has become a power hungry merchant of his view of "rightous living" to the exclusion of all other viewpoints. That single minded viewpoint may be fine when you are inside a group of likeminded Americans, but when you attempt to impose that singlemindedness upon the diverse populus you become akin to the Inquisitors.
Dr. D, when you lash out at your "allies" for failure to toe your line you miss the point completely. You would have done better to try to influence those allies with reason rather than intimidation. You get what you deserve--hopefully a minor footnote as the unwitting saboteur of the party you wanted to own. Go back to your own writings and learn your own lesson--Love Must Be Tough!
your pal, RR
A single minded viewpoint is exactly what Jesus instructed Christians to have. To think that Dr. Dobson's actions are off base is to fail to understand Christians. We are to hold steadfast to the truth as well as hold fellow Christians accountable. That is all Dobson has done. Could he have done it better? Sure. But he did do what is expected of him. Christians must hold others accountable to God. Tough love at times and soft love at others. It is no longer republican against democrat. It is Christians against the Godless. Dobson knows this which is why you all are complaining.
Colin Powell has twisted himself into knots explaining why he chose to endorse Barack Obama. If he were honest, he would admit that his reasons for endorsing are racial. He was advanced to four star general under Republicans, was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Republicans, was Secretary of State under Republicans, was a 25-year friend (supposedly) of John McCain - and suddenly he realizes how wrong Republicans are? An honorable man would have quietly voted for whomever he chose instead of publically sticking a knife in John McCain's back and giving it a twist.
Dobson's views aren't off-base; they are ugly, dangerous, destructive, unpatriotic, dishonorable, and unChristian. We have a word for people who imagine that they alone know the Truth or have a connection to God: insane, which as a devoted Levitican Jeremie will recognize as derived from the word "unclean." The right word.
The greatest threat facing this nation now is not al Qaeda, but our own inner fundamentalists, and Dobson's the star now that Robertson's senility is obvious and Falwell is rotting in his gold casket. While offering mealy-mouthed qualified praise for the Founders, Dobson and his idiotic left-behind ilk hope to reverse the most essential tenet of American culture and society, and that is freedom from oppressive state religion. Dobson would happily institute christianist Sharia tomorrow if he could get away with it, (and if it didn't apply to him, of course). If that's the truth or the Way, I'll pass--and I think we'll see a significant majority of Americans passing on November 4, too. I know the folks like Jeremie above will have a new way to explain that, but the truth is out, and getting outer all the time: Not only do Dobson and Baeur and others not have a lock on morality, they are immoral men and hypocrites of the worst order, and their poison is no longer effective. May it stay that way; may they slink off to the nutty margins of the nation where they belong; may they take their place with the celebrated hypocrites and crackpots of their genus and become one more embarrassing chapter in a civilized and moral new America. Amen.
ice9
Mike,
Jesus also told us not to throw our pearls before swine. I'm afraid Dr.D did exactly that when he decided to be a power broker instead of voice of righteousness. Sometimes the expedient course isn't the best course.
Yes, we will always have the poor, and blessed are the peacemakers, but Dr.D's singlemindedness to indict all who do not march in lockstep with him isn't the Christian's charge. The Christian's charge is to be salt and light. Dr.D would salt the earth like the Romans did to Carthage. When Dr.D decided to be a powerbroker he sold his birthright for a pot of stew--a very salty stew.
Many Christians, certainly not all or even a majority, lost a lot of respect for Dr.D when he made the turn down the expedient road of political kingmaker.
RR
James Dobson and Focus on the Family have long been one of the great cancers preventing the spread of Christianity and evangelicalism to non-believers. Few people and organizations are so hazardously close-minded and intolerant. I am a devout Christian, and a Republican who plans to vote McCain, but I respect Powell greatly, and am happy that McCain is basically pro-choice. Dobson seems to not understand that as Christians, we are told to spread God's word AND love to others. We are not instructed to oppress others with our belief system. And while my beliefs are anti-abortion, I steadfastly believe that the government should never be able to dictate what choice a woman makes in that regard. And Jeremie, Christians have to be careful about holding non-Christians accountable to God, because when it is done with ignorance and hostility, that alienates non-believers and pushes them away from God further. Also, take care how you imply that Democrats and Colin Powell are God-less because that is how your post reads, and that just go back to my comments on ignorance and hostility.
I find this whole article and comment section very scary. It seems to me there is not too much difference between the mentality of Dodson and that of Hitler. Both are/were so sure of their own brand of superiority that they will go to any lengths to enforce it. You may say otherwise but I wonder if Dodson had complete power over this country as Hitler did over his nation, what would this control lead him to do? If God wanted to control the outcome of people's lives by removing freedom of choice then he would do it, plain and simple. I imagine there is reason behind the ability for each of us to have the choice of right and wrong and the consequences it brings us. Having someone dictate faith is rather a hollow feeling.
Good observation Catch22.
elvin1- so the 6 min or so worth of solid, rational reasons Gen Powell gave can simply be dismissed because he's black and so it Obama...
You mention that Powell served under a variety of republican admins ... Doesn't that lend MORE credence to his reasoning... not less?
Let me see if I can state this properly. The Godless are those that have nor chosen to follow Jesus. The result of their choice is hell. That is a pretty hostile end to such a poor choice. I am a Christian. That means I strive to follow Jesus and ALL of his teaching. Dobson as a power broker? A political Kingpin? What like Obama? It sounds more like he is a leader and as such uses his authority for God instead of sitting on his hands just wishing our Great country would turn back to God. I have no respect for Powell. I did not have much before. Godless is a good description for those that kill babies and promote perversion. I do agree that reaching the Godless requires many different methods. Not all work for everyone. And I did not say that Dobson had the best method. But at least he is doing something and but from the sound of things here doing something was the problem. I vote for people that are Christians because they are the only ones I know will be listing to Gods directions. McCain only gets my vote because Obama should never become president. But I am afraid he will be. Mainly because McCain was not good enough to run against him. That is why Dobson would not vote for him before Palin.
James Dobson's mentor was Charles Keating--yes, the S&L Charles Keating, and a staunch crusader against what he deemed obscenity. I'd love to see an article detailing that relationship.
There has been so much killing in the world in the name of religion. Government should be run separate from religion with basic laws governing its citizens. Didn't Jesus say "render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's and unto God what is God. People should look to their church for moral fortitude and leave religion out of government as our forefathers sought to do when writing the constitution. They understood because they came from societies that did not have religious freedom of choice. They suffered through the persecutions, it is why so many escaped to America. We are only as good as history and the memory it serves otherwise we are doomed to repeat past mistakes. The knowledge that you know what is right compared to the next person living down the block who may have a different interpretation. Superiority is a heavy mantle to wear in life and it can lead you down some evil paths all in then name of God. Poor God, it must make him sad...
All the christians who clamor for more religion in government are trying to destroy American values, the vision of the founding fathers, and the principles that distinguish this country from all that came before. Secondly, you are giving your vote to wolves in religious raiment. George Bush may have thrown tax dollars at your thinly-veiled political groups and he may have appointed conservative judges to the Supreme Court, but he has also brought a once proud nation to its knees and has us all teetering on the precipice of a financial tsunami that will make the great depression look like the roaring twenties. But given the christian willingness to blame everything from Katrina to 9/11 on liberals, he will not suffer for it, and neither will the Republican party.
As I say, that is a very strange flavor of "values" and one to which you are welcome, but you shall NOT steal this country without a fight.
My sister votes exactly as she is directed by Dobson. She has no idea of the issues or the relative merits of opposing candidates. This seems like brain-washing to me...or some sort of coersion not matter how soft. So I suppose that Dobson's vote is multiplied by thousands - make that MILLIONS - thanks to these trusting Christian robots. I can't believe that noone has learned a lesson after the "W" debacle. Surely this is not what Jesus had in mind. What is the most frustrating is that it seems that Dobson followers believe that there are no REAL Christians among the Democratic or Independant ranks.Trust me...THERE ARE! Some of us even remember that God has told us "thou shall not kill"! God must be really scratching His head! It's all so sad.
Dobson is simply a marketing hack who has keyed in on "c"hristian values(small c intentional). I find it quite interesting that when people talk about christian values it is ALWAYS in reference to what SOMEBODY ELSE should be doing. Dobson tends to pray on half wits who only have a "vacation bible school" understanding of the Bible. For that reason alone he is a danger to any democracy!
Our founding fathers to great pains to create a separation between church and state, not to protect the churches, but rather to protect the state from clowns like Dobson!
So what is the difference in Dobson's mind between the US and Iran? Seems like none.
Dobson emerges here as a SCARY behind-the-scenes influencer of Bush and other Neocons, worse than I imagined and an enemy of any Republican centrist. It's interesting that he who is running a religious organization has the right to comment on any arena of public life, but Powell -- a national role model, not just Secty of State, is not allowed an opinion on condoms because he's not Secty of Health! Wow! So much for freedom of speech, let alone of ideas. Dobson is one scary dude with WAY too much influence in the RNC.
I'm not sure Dobson is even a competent child psychologist. A neighbor of mine followed his advice to beat her 3-year-old son with a wooden spoon, based on the whole "spare the rod and spoil the child" thing. Far from improving his behavior, he just acted up more.
"Tough love" is a euphemism for child abuse, just as "pro-life movement" is a euphemism for fertility cult.
Let's calm down. Dobson and his cronies are only powerful because they have exploited the vacuum created by Moderate Republicans, Independents and Democrats who made the elementary mistake of underestimating how focussed fundamentalists are.
They never stop. They don't take a break. They just keep coming, like the Borg in Star Trek.
The penny has finally dropped. These people are nuts. Just like Muslim fundamentalists are nuts. Just like Jewish fundamentalists are nuts.
What put that on the table so clearly it could no longer be ignored? Palin. She believes the planet is 6,000 years old. She has been blessed by a priest to protect her from witchcraft. The Republicans have stopped attacking Jeremiah Wright because the Democrats will retaliate with Palin having attended a church where the congregants speak in tongues.
Now it's one thing to know that the crazy right-wing fundamentalist Christian base is a force to be reckoned with in Republican politics, but it is another thing entirely to have their Poster Girl one heartbeat away from the United States Presidency.
I have a dear Republican friend who is convinced that if McCain is elected that he will be assassinated by a fundamentalist Christian in order to put Palin on the throne.
If it's possible, he is even more terrified by that prospect than I am.
At the end of the day though, there simply aren't enough people in the crazy base to out-vote Democrats, Independants and Moderate Republicans.
The irony here, is that Obama has run the best Democratic campaign in living history, but the Republicans are going to beat themselves out of the White House.
God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
Ever the alarmist, Blumenthal again finds great import where there isn't any. Does anyone really believe that it was Dobson who undercut Powell's influence? I can only imagine the reaction of Cheney and Rumsfield had Dobson's name come up during a policy discussion. Republicans have never had any use for Dobson's beliefs; their tolerance has always been proportional to the number of votes he could deliver. As the Evangelicals ranks continue to splinter, Dobson and his cronies will be reduced to sending telegrams to the White House.