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Christianity Today, August (Web-Only), 2008 |

Dobson and the God-o-Meter

Beliefnet editor Dan Gilgoff on the Religious Right's continuing role in this election.

Interview by Sarah Pulliam | posted 8/01/2008 09:55AM

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You began God-o-Meter last fall, when there were several serious candidates. How has it changed now that there are two nominees?

There are still so many stories to follow and to report on this late in the game. The McCain campaign is trying to bring out religious outreach very late in the game. What will put McCain at a disadvantage is if he doesn't have those huge organizational structures, huge mailing lists, voter guides, and voter turnouts to the polls. Getting that organizational support is important.

Obama could do that in a way on a smaller scale in terms of connecting with rank-and-file voters, some of whom have been put off by the Christian Right. He talks about coming to Jesus and he talks like a born-again. He can act like some evangelicals on that level. He can really seriously cultivate their support. He's doing what he needs to do, but it's a question of whether they will come his way. He needs to show that he's really not pandering by supporting faith-based initiatives. His record is so liberal on cultural issues that that would be his biggest stumbling block.

What do you expect from the upcoming party conventions?

I haven't seen anything on the Republican side, but I think the Democrats are really going to use it as a real showcase. The convention's CEO, Leah Daughtry, was so distraught over the 2004 election that she was leading the DNC to help the Democrats reach out to religious voters. I would say she revitalized the Democrats' faith outreach, but she really raised it up from nothing. I think she's going to use the convention as a staging ground to show the Democrats' receptivity to people of faith.

One of the most memorable lines from 2004 in Boston was when Barack Obama said, "We worship an awesome God in the blue states." That was one of the few instances when religion came into play in the convention.

Related Elsewhere:

The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America Are Winning the Culture War is available from ChristianBook.com and other retailers.

Christianity Today's articles on campaign 2008 are collected in our special section. CT's politics blog has more ongoing coverage.

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Keith

Posted: August 07, 2008 5:42 AM

The dirty little secret of Evangelicals is race and class. This was the case as far back as the Ronald Reagan days. Reagan was no more a Christian as the Pope is Jewish. Yet, Evangelicals chose him over a dedicated, Sunday School teaching Jimmy Carter. Lets face it, White Evangelicals can sing "Oh, How I Love Jesus" and at the same time hate an African American and loathe a poor person. They can express their right to life belief and at the same time, salivate at the prospect of the death penalty. Call it what it is. Stop being fake! And know that God is not pleased!

A McClain

Posted: August 06, 2008 2:30 PM

To N Eckert: "obama purports to be a Christian but doesn't believe the basics of Christianity." Since when did John McCain believe the basics of Christianity! His lifestyle doesn't show what he mouthes! I believe in Jesus Christ first, in ALL things, and ALWAYS before family and everything else in all creation! Therefore i'm voting for Barack Obama for President, Obama isn't a perfect candidate but, he is more honorable and mature in conducting his campaign, and i agree with him on a majority of issues. First of all im DEFINITELY PRO-LIFE! I am outraged by SOME evangelicals as to the use of the terms of homosexuality and pro-life issues as a coverup of the misdeeds of themselves,their friends, and family members. GOD is not a Democrat, but he is NOT a Republican either!

John	Posted: August 04, 2008 2:10 PM

The problem in this country is our system (as opposed to a parlimentary system) lends itself to two-party elections, so you generally have to chose the Democrat or the Republican. The Democratic Party has shown much more of an observance of the Bible's suggestions to take care of "the least of these" and feed hungry and tend to sick people. The Republican record on social justice is horrific, and John McCain seems aching for more war. However, the Republicans tend to be better on morality issues like abortion, pervasive sexuality, gambling, and marriage. So neither party is perfect. On balance Obama is the better choice this time around, but it's a close call.

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