I totally disagree, McCain is the one that need to lead the Republicans, and he will get the Regan Democrats as well if Hillary is not nominated. McCain is great!!!

A "Christian icon" who think McCain is wrong to oppose torture.

S'all I need to know.

The Republicans are as unhappy with McCain as the democrats are with an Obama win.

Hillary is the Centrist that can get the votes of most of the American people.

That is why when polled, the republicans are trying to trick the democrats into nominating Obama by responding that Obama would be stronger against McCain. This used to be called manipulative disinformation. Now it is called a poll and presentent as real news.

The Republicans will NEVER tell the democrats which Democrat is actually their biggest threat. That would be political suicide.

Why would they tip their hand? Why would they tell their democratic opponents who would beat their own very weak candidate?

More likely they are trying to get Hillary kicked out of the race so that their weak candidate can face the weaker democratic candidate.

Both the conservative and liberal extremists say they are not thrilled with John McCain. A candidate who remains true to his convictions. Sound likes the guy for me!

Americans for McCain '08

Of course, as a Democrat, McCain's speech and Dobson's contempt encourage me to vote for McCain — along with other disenchanted democrats and independents.

If you extreme righties cannot get over yourselves and come together with regard to McCain, go ahead an elect either one of the Socialists in disguise.

McCain=lobbyist=Liberal

C'omon folks, a guy who toyed with the idea of becoming John Kerry's running mate!…this guy is as liberal as a conservative can be. McBush is only now speaking from both sides of his mouth that he is going to be tough on illegal immigration, tax cuts, etcetera!

So Dobson has a problem with McCain's position on torture? Which means Dobson is FOR torture?

Very Christian of you Dr. Dobson — you're one of the reasons the Republican party is in the shape its in today.

Why should speaking out against torture and believing in global warming fracture the GOP? I don't get it.

The fact that McCain isn't all that popular with conservatives is exactly what makes him a viable choice for all the democrats that do not want Obama.

The Hillary democrats would be okay with McCain- they are an older, more conservative demographic. They have no fear of serving in Iraq, and many own their own homes outright and many are in their comfortable peak-earning years.

When the Obama people say they will vote for McCain if Hillary is the nominee…well that just doesn't ring true. They are a younger, more radical and star-struck demographic. I can not see the Moveon.Org people voting for McCain. I don't the Obama supporters would make the big leapfrog jump from where they are (left) to where any republicn is (right).

So Hillary is the choice of the wise.

Dobson would call it an act of God if his home was destroyed by a hurricane. Is it an act of God when the ice melts away in the Antarctic?

As for torture, would this self-righteous demagogue think it's appropriate if someone practiced it on him or his family?

I'll give McCain or anyone else credit WHEN he sticks to his ideals.

John McCain: The American president Americans have been waiting for!

Only big business would want 4 more years of Bush.

Those dirty evangelicals!!

A vote for Hillary Clinton means never having to say you're sorry.

Are you kidding me! McCain's position on torture is fracturing the christian conservatives from the party. I realize that there maybe different ways to understand the bible but where does Jesus and God endorse torture. This is crazy. What a phony. Using peoples insecurities and a need to believe in something bigger than themselves to get rich and manipulate people to support your agenda. Shame Dobson and this crazy extreme right who has no business being called a "christian" conservative right. There will be a special place in hell for religious phonys like you!

The party this nut bag is in doesn't belong in politics. Anyone who believes this guy is relevant needs to find the nearest source of hemlock and make a very strong tea.

I'm glad Senator McCain is "fracturing the party." I can at the very least respect Republicans that don't want to make the Bible law, but at the same time realize that torture is not a Christian practice.

Dobson, no one with a mind of their own cares at all what you think or have to say.

I am an Obama supporter through and through, but I respect John McCain as a person and an American, and I am greatly refreshed that the Republican nominee this time around isn't someone I look at and think, "Are you flippin' serious, America??"

Listening to this Neanderthal Christian zealot whine reminds me of a petulant child who can't get what they want from their parents– an equally primitive candidate for the aging and happily soon-to-be extinct extreme right-wing of the Repellicans.

What! McCain should "unify" the conservative base by endorsing global warming and torture? This is laughable, and I don't most conservatives disagree with Senator McCain simply because of these two issues.

McCain is 'the Man', single-handedly doing what it takes two powerful Democrats (Hill-Bama) to do. He's ready-to-roll on Day 1!

You've got to be kidding me, right? Saying torture is bad and global warming may be a reality are DIVISIVE issues? The Republican party needs to step out of its outdated concepts and take a reality check. Wait, as a matter of fact, I hope they *dont* do that before the elections in '08. We need a Democrat to win and if the GOP can't even grasp basic scientific facts or accept the need to respect human rights, then they need a lot longer in the minority party.

Jimmy D your views are so far outside of the mainstream that you will be marginalized for the foreseeable future. Deal with it.

McCain is not a uniter, he's a Bush alike, my way or the highway.

Heh, who else are they going to vote for? The far-right certainly can't look to the left in their candidate…

"He cited recent McCain remarks on global warming and torture"

Nice to know the conservative agenda is pro-destroying the world and pro-torturing people. I can get the global warming issue, its not that they want to mess up the planet but that they have "faith" in God but no "faith" in science. Fine, we disagree but I see where they are coming from.

But how do you as conservative Christians say torture is okay? Isn't that against the fundamentals of peace and love that Christianity is supposed to represent?

So all 3 candidates have a handicap:

Obama, with all the help (some muscling, some spin, some disenfranchising of democratic voters) from the Media and his party…just can't appeal to a majority of voters.

McCain… is in that same boat.

Hillary, with all the media attacks, the Hillary haterspiling on and the sabotage by her own democratic party in a fixed and rigged election is holding her own.

Easy choice. Hillary is by far the stronger candidate.

If McCain does not get a good turnout from the evangelical base, he has NO chance of winning in November (not that he has much of a chance anyway).

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Compared to the Democrats, McCain is a Uniter!

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Is this about the "Party" or is it about being electable?

McCain is running for president of the United States not the president of the Republican party.

This is a problem for the Democrats as well. They are more interested in their party than in a candidate that can win the presidency. This is why the Democrats blindly favor Obama over Clinton!

I am probably wasting my time typing this comment! I am sure CNN will enjoy reading this but I doubt if they will post it so others can.

Well, if Dobson's Bible-thumping followers decide to not vote for MCain, I hope they will be happy with any liberal judges appointed by Obama. I have always voted Republicans but even I am getting disgusted with my party's penchant to be the "moral police" Let's focus on economic and global issues instead of "focusing on the family"

Let's see. McCain (a) has called for the extension of all tax cuts that he previously was against; (b) now embraces the very people he previously called "agents of intolerance"; and (c) completely caved on immigration, focusing instead on "securing the border first" (as if that will ever happen). Combined with never-ending support for the Iraq war; support for the banking industry at the expense of Main Street; and a call for more judges like Thomas and Scalia, it sounds like McCain is the perfect conservative, albeit one that has taken the so-called "Straight Talk Express" off the tracks. For those Democrats considering voting for McCain in the event their desired candidate fails to get the nomination, think again. Policies really matter.

Yes those are the conservative attitudes I grown to love. If you don't follow policy you are a demon spawn. Lets ignore the disaster the past 8 years policies has brought us.(Domestic=recession, Foreign=a unnecessary war, that if we pull out, we leave the world a much more dangerous place than we found it.)

IF some Republicans start to vote for Hillary… the Obama people will cry foul. They will say the votes aren't sincere.

But when republicans were voting for Obama, then they claimed he had "crossover" appeal. But the truth is, with crossever votes in the primary… insincerity is always the question.

Close the primaries to members of that party only. That way, no manipulation is possible.

The Independents and Crossovers can wait until the general election to weigh in.

In my family my older brother loves McCain its his right and me I stand with Obama its our freedoms which allow this to be. Thank God I live in this land. My Mom said if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all. keeps everyone happy

If the conservative base gets irritated by talk on Global warming and torture then it deserves to be irritated more often.

James Dobson is a talking head with no real power. He wrote a book and has a couple million drones that follow him with ignorance. Who cares what he thinks? He is a hate-monger and he feeds on people's insecurities. I have never heard anyone wedge more room between their actions and their doctrine. WWJD? Not James Dobson's work.

Not a whole lot you can do to keep these evangelicals happy…Ready to sell them your soul McCain? Cause that's what it's going to take with this bunch. Good luck.

Sounds like Dobson should come out for Ron Paul. Contrary to what you MSM types would like to think, he is still in the race and holding rallies all over Pennsylvania this month.

It isn't too late for real conservatives who don't believe anything McCain says to stll support Ron Paul or candidates who are running on reducing the size of government platforms.

If you want to see the only presidential candidate who has any clue on the root causes of the problems with our economy and real solutions to fix the mess we are in, watch the replay of Glen Beck's interview with Dr. Paul last night!

What a dummy!!

Doesn't he realize the party is already fractured—where do you think the lack of traditional support for the other primary candidates came from?

The Gingrich crowd–is not supported by a majority anymore. Being against abortion–but for the death penalty–by the rel. right–has lost it's christian flavor for many.

When contrasting McCain–against any of the primary GOP rivals–and especially the two Dem socialists raking each other's throats.

Dobbs should get on board or accept the fact that it's people like him who are unwilling to change that are really fracturing the party.

What a "Christian" thing to say. Obviously, opposing torture and saving our planet are not "Christian" values, at least in Dobson's mind. I hope Evangelicals realize that these so called "leaders" are often willing to put neo-conservative values ahead of religious ones. Dobson should go back to giving tips for raising children and reducing family spending, and leave the politics to politicians.

So, remind me again when torture (apart from that whole crucifixion thing) and the reckless squandering of God's Creation became Christian values?

well McCain knows that conservative Repubs are the minority in the GOP now…Dobson should blame, Guliani, …err Thompson, …oops Romney, …uhh Huckabee…ahhh forget it! See what I mean.

Protecting the Earth and preventing torture are at odds with the agenda of the Christian Right? Scary stuff.

My question is what is President Bush doing the last part of his term? We have gas at a price that we can hardly afford to drive to work. We have grocery prices so high that we can hardly feed our familes. And families are losing their homes due to illigal financial situations w/ lenders. I feel as an American that we are being put on the back burner over Iraq. Can President Bush not freeze gas and the price of groceries? I feel he has really not helped us out in the past 18 months. I have been a republican for all my life and this administration has turned me completely democrat. I am very disappointed in the republician party and I am not being picky. I want to see Obama or Clinton in as president, because right now I feel the republicians are not capable of running our county.

This may be a good thing for McCain. It attracks moderate voters if he doesn't side with the hard line Republicans.

I thought april fools day was yesterday.
Is this a joke?
It doesn't matter what these nazis believe anyway because McCain has no chance against Obama in November.

I don't think McSame CARES if he fractures his party at all. He knows he has no chance at all unless he goes for the independants because the republican party is O-U-T! The World has seen what the republicans have to offer the world and has lived and suffered through it for the past 8 years. If he went too far over to the "darkside; all you would hear in november would be a GIANT sucking sound as he went down the drain,

I suppose McCain said something horrifying like we should end torture or that he is a believer in global warming. Of course these "radical" "leftist" views wouldn't appeal to this Jim Jones wannabe and his juice-guzzling zombie followers… reality isn't something they are interested in. I'm not voting for McCain, but I feel his pain having this 50-ton cross to bear.

How can someone who leades a group called "Focus on the Family" find fault in McCain talking about torture and global warming? Are not morality and ethics "family values?"

Mr. James Dobson and his crew better get on the McCain train and soon. Unless of course they want to see Hillary as the conductor and Bill as the engineer…

Okay, so now the negative rhetoric is plaguing the Republican Primary process with John McCain running against Nobody.

I wonder how the media will spin this to demonstrate that the Democratic Party with two candidates that are liked is in much more trouble than the Republican Party with no candidates that are liked.

I'm glad Dobson isn't caving in to McCain just because he is already the nominee. looks like McCain needs a Romney or Huckabee VP choice (or someone that the conservatives will be more comfortable with) to even have a chance at unity. in the end McCain was a bad choice as are both Dems fighting it out. this is a bad year for picking the POTUS.

Hahaha! LOVE IT!

"I don't agree with anything you say… YOU'RE FRACTURING THE PARTY!"

McCain speaks about what he believes and because it doesn't fall in with what you believe, it's "fracturing". It sounds to me like YOU, Mr. Dobson, are fracturing the party by influencing others through harsh words, not policy stances.

"Don't underestimate the Republicans' ability to blow this election"
-Sean Hannity

I'm hoping they do!

The electorate voting in the Democratic primaries are enthuisied and energized. The although public tension exists between the "love" of having two good candidates, Democrats, some Independents, and some Republicans will rally behind the Democratic nominee, hopefully, Obama.

The Republicans keep talking publicly about McCain unifying the base, but McCain's rise in the polls is due the long and ferocious fight between Obama and Clinton.

It is funny to listen and watch conservative radio and TV hosts, such as Sean Hannity, Joe Scarborough and Laura Ingram, go on the attack of Obama to try to rally other conservatives to their cause. They all spend more time trying to talk up the negatives of Obama and less on the positives of McCain. Sean Hannity, Joe Scarborough and Laura Ingram were all livid supporters of Mitt Romney.

I think Dobson is echoing an inner sentiment shared by alot of evangelical conservatives. Depending on how this presidential race plays out, I can see a large number of conservatives, possibly sitting out of the 2008 election if it is a McCain vs Obama matchup.

These phony religious leaders that insist on influencing politics is the reason I left the republican party. Dobson ought to stick to saving peoples souls or whatever he thinks he's doing and stay out of politics.
Organized religion has proven time after time throughout history to be the root of all evil.

Oh, that is really nice to know that the far right wing religious extremists are upset with John McCain because he opposes torture and global warming. What a bunch of lunatics. I am sure Jesus would fully endorse torture and ruining the environment.

No - what this means Mr. Dobson, is that your type of people no longer represent an evolving Republican Party- its called Progress, get used to it.

Somebody ought to fracture the party. This is the same party (and Church) that has had the ear of "W" any time a major political decision is getting close. Remember when "W" was promoting Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court? Dobson didn't approve. He made one phone call to Rove and it was thrown out. That's why these guys hate McCain so badly. He's so old and senile they know they can't control what he says, so……if he became President they would totally lose their grip on the White House AND the Supreme Court.

You go old guy. The rest of the country will be grateful in two ways. You wont win and you'll sure screw up the Religious Right!! We'll all be thankful for that!

McCain won't release his medical records and Hillary won't release her tax records.

A Christian leader sees denouncing torture as a negative. Oh, the irony.

God forbid we address torture and global warming. Sheesh! Good for McCain.

As an Evangelical Christian, I often wish people like Rev. Dobson would just keep their mouths shut.

The only ones fracturing the Republican Party are the Religious Right and the chickenhawk neocons.

Oh wait, that IS the Republican Party.

Glad to hear Sen Mccain is ignoring the christian right. Now if more people would do the same, perhaps they would get a clue that they have NO business in politics.

Why does the Media always have to bring these religious fanatics into the election process? Please leave them out of the picture. Aren't we suppose the separate religion & state?

Please, people like Dobson don't want to see a "unified" party. They just want a candidate who agrees with them. They don't care if their choice for the nominee would create a rift in the opposite direction.

McCain was sharply criticized for moving away from his image of a maverick and was branded the nickname McBush immediately after his visit to the White House.

McCain has a simple decision to make: Either he tries to make everyone happy - which is a lost cause - or, he can be himself, and be honest with the American people on his views about a variety of topics of interest, and let the chips fall where they may.

I think taking a stance that torture is wrong speaks well of his defense of American morality. As a tortured Vietnam War veteran, he would be hypocritical to support such heinus act.

If as Americans we endorse torture against our "enemies," then what is the difference between us and those who inflict torture on their own people or on our military servicepersons?

I cannot believe Dobson sincerely believes the Christian faith, or even conservatism is in line with torturing people, and disrespecting the environment.

What kind of nut-jobs have taken over the Republican party? Perhaps they should leave and form a Facist party, bent on torture and destruction.

I have more respect for McCain for taking a stand against this aspect of the party.

Though he may not agree on everything with Sen. McCain, he should realize two things: McCain is a man of integrity, and he's going to be the only Republican on the ballot. Meanwhile Dobson has talked about not voting in November. Who's the one dividing the party?

I hope Dr. Dobson understands that citizens buy their right to complain by casting their votes.

Rev. Dobson,this country is way past absolutes.We need consensus.Please return to your cloister; the country has moved beyond you.

No, Dobson, you goofy old fart, you and the radical religious right has all but destroyed the Republican party as we knew it. But, by the same token John McBush is not a Republican either, I don't what he is.

Trouble, trouble everywhere. This may be the year for an Independent. I hope if Hillary is not the nominee, she will consider an Independent run. That would sure shake the tree, wouldn't it?

The smartest thing the Republicans can do right now to win over any on the fence voters is paint John McCain as a moderate. John McCain has the most conservative voting record in all of Congress. But if all these staunch conservatives act like they don't like him, then he may get a larger share of the moderates while still keeping all the conservatives who don't have anyone else to vote for anyway.

WHAT THIS INDIVIDUAL IS TRYING TO DO IS PRESSURE McCAIN
TO CHANGE HIS MODERATE message, WITH AN IMPLIED MENACE OF ABSTENTION IF NOT.
,
This is an useless exercise (AND A BLUFF), as McCain knows that with his stance, he is attracting far more INDEPENDENTS AND DIGRUNTLED DEMOCRATS then the small number of Ultra-Conservatives sitting out
the elections

ALBO

Mr.Dobson,

I simply do not understand why Senator McCain does not understand your expertise on the issue of torture. I know Jesus was all for it, too.

As for reaching out to independents and Democrats, the last time I checked, they count equally to Republican votes. I would love to see Senator McCain garner 100% of the vote, but of course outside of an election for Saddam Hussein in Iraq, that doesn't happen. Personally, I don't care if it is a "holier-than-thou, self-righteous hypocrite's vote who cinches the nomination for Senator McCain or a radical liberal's.

Mr. Dobson, have you carefully examined Senator McCain's personal life? If so, you realize that he has walked the walk while many have merely talked the talk. If the shoe fits, wear it.

Perhaps the christian right wingers should create their own party. Then all of the hate filled Bible banging bigots could be under 1 tent.

This guy is a nut to me. I mean u have to go thru this guy to get the nomination for the repubs. Its sickening how they r hypocrites and bring religion into my politicxal process..Im tired of these nut jobs like him. I respect conservatives but not christian conservatives..

Let me get this straight…….Dobson, a Christian leader, is bashing McCain for a speech denouncing torture. Mr Dobson, what do you think Jesus' position would be on torture?
Once again the "Christian Right" is showing that it is neither Christian nor right.

I'm not a supporter of McCain at the moment, but I want to know what Dobson plans on doing about it. Really, if you are a conservative, what other option do you have for the upcoming election? You can vote for the Republican nominee, or you can try and find another candidate. The only other candidate that is likely to win the Presidential race is the Democratic nominee, and I can't see the conservatives finding that alternative acceptable.

Even though I plan to vote for Obama, I applaud John McCain for his stance on many issues that the Christian Right whine about. When James Dobson and Sky-Fairy-Believing organizations start paying taxes, then they can start griping about how political leaders who used to be in their pocket are now thinking for themselves. Would we even be giving James Dobson the time of day if he was practicing Scientology or still believed in Zeus and Apollo? I see no reason to take a second glance at a man who is simply having a temper tantrum over the realization that the United States is moving away from the Theocracy Under God that he so desires.

Oh, get real here folks.
Dobson and his ilk are a political wing of the GOP. Sure they will vote for McCain, because he is a warmonger with an R after his name.

Big surprise. Well, it's clear that at this point McCain needs to pick a religious conservative as his running mate. McCain would do very well if he campaigned to moderate Republicans and Independants while the likes of Mike Huckabee spent his energies on religious conservatives.

I'm not a supporter of McCain at the moment, but I want to know what Dobson plans on doing about it. Really, if you are a conservative, what other option do you have for the upcoming election? You can vote for the Republican nominee, or you can try and find another candidate. The only other candidate that is likely to win the Presidential race is the Democratic nominee, and I can't see the conservatives finding that alternative acceptable.

unify the party unify the party, that's all I ever hear.

how about UNIFY THE COUNTRY. after what Bush has done to us, we're going to need lots of handshaking and aisle crossing.

I'm a fairly conservative voter, and I grew up listening to James Dobson on the radio. With no disrespect intended, I have to say that his all or nothing stance towards conservatism is the divider here. We have two different sides with widely differing views (both sides have thought a lot about their views -it's not that they're uneducated or anything) and if we expect to get anything at all done, there's going to have to be some compromising. Either side may not like it, but that's the fact. I'm not crazy about McCain, but the fact that he wants to reach out to moderates and independents can hardly be seen as a negative thing in my opinion.

Maybe he isn't "fracturing" the party. Maybe he's realizing that evangelical ultra-conservative nutballs are becoming a powerless minority in this country and need to be moved off the political spectrum entirely.

The Repub. religious conservatives had their candidate in Huckabee and couldn`t get enough votes to stay close to McBush. Guess they will just have to skip voting or write in whomever they want , —- they can do that you know. — Better yet,— pray for the next president, whomever he may be.

Well, no one will fracture the Clinton/Nader ticket.

Go Hillary ! Go Nader!

Dobson is a liberal. Clinton/Nader is the ticket.

Is he insinuating that they couldn't find their pro-torture, pro-global warming candidate?

Maybe McCain can get a job as VP… when Hillary becomes the president.

-HILLARY 2008

Why does this actually make me like McCain more?

So this Dobson idiot blasts McCain because the man recognizes the threat of global warming and realizes that torture is bad, being a former POW himself?

Dobson, you are garbage.

You know…the Republican party used to stand for smaller government and lower taxes, not torture, socio-moral agendi, large corporations, and ultra-aggressive foreign policy. I'm a Christian, but it seems to me that it's James Dobson and his ilk fracturing the party and not McCain.
This is one fiscally conservative independent who'll be voting Democrat until the Republicans get back to their roots and out of the homes, minds, and bodies of the American People and the world.

McCain was a P.O.W. and so is Nader. Vote for Hillary in '08.

Hillary/Nader

James Dobson…if you and your religious groups have such influence and power and your feeling left out, then create your own party….As the country looks and needs to change, so do the people on the left and right extremes of the politcal spectrum.
Ron, British Columbia

yes mr. dobson. you wouldn't want to fracture the party that has done such an outstanding job the past 8 years.

even republcians want change. Change is not McCain. They made a mistake when they didn't nominate Ron Paul. I am a ROn paul supporter but reality is that those who supported ron Paul are now supporting Obama. That change that ron Paul could have brought to this country is needed. it is not a fantaisy. Even zimbabwe is now trying to change. We the leading democracy in the world, are stock in racism and money.

The Republicans certainly picked their most formidable candidate in McCain, he is their only chance at holding onto the White House. This extremist is too dogmatic to see it.

Get off McCain's case. The Republican party is not owned by conservatives. Yes, you helped elect Bush but you don't own the party. We want a centrist president who can reach to the Democrats and McCain seems very promising.

McCain has two chances of winning in November. Slim and None!!!

As a Christian and a fan of Mr. Dobson's Biblical teaching, I have to say that I really wish he would stay OUT of pilitics. It's really not his job to tell us who to vote for or to pressure John McCain do change who he is. McCain has qualities/views that are attractive to conservatives and some that are not. Same could be said about liberals. But he is a strong candidate for president and he doesn't have to fit one mold.

And this is why our wise founding fathers provided for separation of Church and State. An Evangelical leader who has involved himself in politics as much as Dr. Dobson has should lose his tax-exempt status. He uses his bully pulpit to spew hate, and his focus lies much more in influencing policy than in saving souls.

Dobson needs to support Nader and Hillary… REAL WINNERS.

Do people really care what this spiteful old coot has to say?

This is good news! If Dobson and his ilk stay home, we can return to a more centrist America.

The best thing McCain could do is add Huckabee to the ticket.

America absolutely cannot afford another Republican in the White House, but that Dobson dislikes him makes me feel better about McCain.

……again not surprised. These polls showing McCain tied with the Dem's are pointless as the two Dem's are still battling, this race is still the Dem's to lose however that being said if Hillary is the nominee she will be just like McCain unable to bring the party together fully and that may or may not help McCain depending on rather or not supporters stay home or vote for McCain to spite the other's candidate, just a thought.

So, denial of global warming and support of torture are the the rallying points for conservatives. What is wrong with these people?

I'm glad McCain is getting these people out of my party. They have been the ruination of the party over the last 8 years. They continually threaten to pull away their voting bloc if their agenda is not pushed through. They do not want to participate, they want to control. And what is worse is how they use a person's religion against them to get that person to vote the way they want them to.

John may not be uniting the rep party—but he will be uniting a lot of the dem party to vote for him if Obama wins out over Clinton.
I know I will vote for McCain and I've been a hard core dem all my life.

Hillary and Obama are fighting it out for the dem. presidential nominee and people say they are dividing the democratic party and McCain is already the republican presidential nominee and he still can't get things straight…………does anyone really think he the right choice for President….I certainly don't think so. What I do know is that is I loose my home it's because of the bank for lending me the money and my fault for not being a rich republican and not being able to pay my mortgage…..Thanks Mr. McCain

LATINOS for HILLARY '08

I respect Mr. Dobson's commentc. However he should be trying to meet with McCain rather than smack him down. Die hard Republicans will vote for McCain no matter what, who else will they vote for? Nader?!? So he will work to get independents and democrats. McCain is trying to unite the country not just the Republican party. McCain is the only canidate that can. Obama says he can, but how can a man unite the country when he was voted the most Liberal senator in 2007?

I am very Conservative and I will vote for John McCain!

John McCain doesn't care about getting conservative support because he isn't a conservative. Conservatives should just sit this election out and let the Republican party see just how far it can get without us.

It's hard to know whether Dobson is doing this to hurt or help McCain. By not having the support of Dobson and people like him McCain can say that he is not your traditional Republican and will be able to attract moderates and independents.

"Fracture" as in Bush has fractured America with his divisive politics and
lied-about war?

Unfortunately, Dr. Dobson believes you can use laws to change people's hearts and that cannot and has never happened.

There is a difference between conservatives and Fundamentalist Christians that Mr. Dobson represents. The Republican party has moved away from traditional conservative values such as lowering taxes, reducing the size of government and limited international involvement and more towards cow-towing to the religious right. It is important to note that Mr. Dobson's beliefs are not the same as being a conservative. But I guess Mr. Dobson knows a lot about dividing people.

Why does McCain even need Dobson's support? I would be more worried if McCain sought out or wanted Dobson's support.

McCain is not unifying the Republicans. Hmm, and that comes Dobson?

I hope that Senator McCain shows that he, nor the Republican party, needs those divisive, hypocritical conservative extremists like Dobson and his ilk.

With all due respect to Dr. Dobson, John McCain will not be a Christian conservative president. He will be an American president.

McCain is a smart man; he knows he must unite social conservatives and yet not alienate independents. He will make an informed decision. Personally, I hope he chooses Mike Huckabee; maybe Dr. Dobson is waiting to see who the VP is before he commits.

Hey someone smiling in Texas. Is it possible you are losing your home becuase you weren't smart enough to invesitgate your loan before taking it.

Only a fool would buy something they could not afford. And it is pathetic that you would try to blame someone else for your own inability to make a sound financial decision.

I am sorry you are losing your home but come on, how about a little personal responsibility.

As an evangelical Christian, I resent that Dobson seems to think that being pro-torture is something that disqualifies a person from being conservative.

Dobson is taking his disservice to the evangelical movement to new heights . . .

Who cares if you have been a hard core dem all your life?

The story the MSM seems to overlook or not understand is just what a stunning defeat McCain's nomination is for the hard right (so-called neoconservative) wing of the GOP.

This wing thought both the party and the nation belonged to them after the 2004 election. Now they've lost control of the Congress and the nominating process. It's a stunning reversal of fortune, and a near-Biblical example of how hubris does in the high and mighty.

It's also very satisfying, at least to me.

So, James Dobson is pro-torture and anti-environment? Not very Christian of him…

Well, Jim from NC, if you really do count yourself as a hard-core Democrat, it is pretty shocking that you'll vote for John McCain over Obama. McCain's stances on the war in Iraq, how he'll handle the economic and mortgage crises facing this country, his flip-flop on torture, his Bush-like foreign policy, and his commitment to put anti-choice, hard-line conservative judges in the federal court are completely opposite of what a "hard-core Democrat" believes in. I guess that your commitment to Hillary Clinton is greater than it is to the ideals and vision of the Democratic party. How sad.

since when does conservatism condone tortue? I think Dobson is confusing the U.S. political right with, say Stalinism or Monarchism

The Republican party needs some fracturing at this point.

Needs to lose the Evangelical element and get back to what the Republican party is all about; conservative fiscal policies, lower government spending and a smaller government overall.

John McCain is EXACTLY what the Republican party needs at this time.

Oh knock it off, Jim, nobody that was going to vote Hillary is going to vote for McCain and you well know it. Empty words from supporters of an empty candidate. At worst, the few supporters of Hillary will just stay home. Just like most of the supporters of Obama will if Hillary gets in. And Hillary can't win without us, but we can win without her.

To Jim (life long Dem) from NC..Yes, take your toys and go vote for McCain if Hillary isn't the nominee..Yes, help sentence this country to another 4 yrs of bad economy, permanent tax cuts, no help for homeowners in trouble with their mortgages, and a possible 2 more seats on the Supreme court. In your stubborness to vote against Obama (if he wins the nomination) you might be able to ride out the storm for another 4yrs, but can America?

It is interesting to hear that "the conservative Christian icon" is upset that the Senator doesn't believe in torture.

What's the matter with McCain?

Isn't he a Christian?

These conservatives are sounding dumber by the day, no wonder they supported Bush. Can't even stand Fox news anymore. Mcain does not need them and should not court them at all if he wants to be different from Bush.

C'mon someone smiling. You don't see any personal responsibility if you lose your house, and it's all the bank's fault? It takes two to tango. A bank's predatory lending practices only work if there is someone on the other end accepting them. It's really unfortunate that no one takes responsibility for their actions (neither the banks who shouln't get the bail out, or the homeowners who are looking for one).

By the way, none of the candidates really get the economy, so it's all a matter of what we're willing to settle for.

If you vote for McCain, you were always a Republican at heart, just like Hillary. We won't miss you.

Dobson is a self centered little boy. When we doesn't get his way he wants to take his toys and go home. I say let Jimmy take his toys and go home.

I am a conservative and I supoort John McCain. He is a man with integrity, courage and loyality. Maybe Mr Dobson can learn something from Senator McCain!!!

I am a diehard Republican who totally disagrees with Mr. Dobson.Sen. McCaIN is a man of intergrity who does not believe in pork or politics for politics sake. If he upsets some hardline Rep. I can live with that. We have to be able to reach across the aisle of Congress as Sen, Mccain has shown a willingness to do. The hardline members of the Republican party shoud meet Se. Mc.C on his side of the aisle and give us good government.

To Sheila- Hillary supporters like JIM dont care about this country. They simply want to see Hillary in the whitehouse. NOt only would voting for Mccain lead to a perpetual occupation of Iraq, $5 gas, it would lead to conservative judges as you say, tax cuts for the wealthy, greater chasm between haves/havenots, a possible war with Iran and so on and so on. Im a die hard Obama supporter who would vote for hillary any day over Mccain. BUt what some hillary supporters dont understand is that voting for Mccain over Obama isnt hurting Obama. Hes a Millionaire. His kids have the best of the best. Voting for Mccain only hurts them! THey will have to deal with their job being shipped overseas, not Obama! They will have to deal with $4 gas, not obama! IT just shows you the mindstate of Hillary supporters. They are obsessed with getting her in the Whitehouse. Its more about Hillary than it is this country.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW! *TWO* FRACTURED PARTIES!

Hey James; We've tried Your idea of a "Unified" party since the 90's. Guess what? I'd rather have Chaos! We don't need another term of hate mongering! Religion needs to stay in the churches and out of politics. Please lets not muddy the whirlpool any more than it already is! We have too much to figure out and solve as it is, without worrying about the right wing christian's social issues of hatred.

One wonders whether some might begin to ask, "Render unto Dobson that which is Dobson's and unto God that which is God's." How much more appropriate it seems to have a man of the cloth speak to the more weighty spiritual issues affecting society than to delve so deeply into the mire of politics.

The party is being fractured not by McCain but by Dobson and the rest of the Republican Party's authoritarian right wing that demands absolute obedience to its creed. The party's momentum is seeking to break from the grip of the religious authoritarians that has held it by the throat since Ronald Reagan's days and Dobson seeks to blame others for driving people from what he regards as the true Republican Party. The public has tired of the religious right wing's sense of entitlement and is moving on at last. Praise the Lord!.

What did John McCain say at the "Council on National Policy that 'thoroughly disappointed and irritated' many in attendance?"

Maybe McCain said the US needs to show some leadership and take care of God's beautiful green earth (global warming) or maybe "to do unto others as we would want other to do unto us" (zero tolerance on torture).

James Dobson gives Christianity a bad name…but then again, he's only human.

I love all these evangelicals who think they are the only ones that matter. He should be more concerned about unifying the United States of America rather than just the Republicans.

Dobson? DOBSON??

Do Republicans have to unite behind a demagogue who wants to make the US government into a Christian knock-off of the Taliban to be a viable party? Yikes.

Dobson and his church should start paying taxes for sticking their beaks in to affairs of State.

Oh now its the Republicans turn. Though the criticism is a bit harsh. If Dr. Dobson claims what he claims. Then explain to me why then is Senator McCain so far out in front as far as votes and polls go?

With both parties feeling as if elements of their core are not being catered too is does seem as if there are two fractured parties. If only there a way to vote for someone besides one of the 2 finalist.

Oh wait, there is. Vote for a third party candidate. This election seems to me to be the beginning of the end of a two party system. We certainly need more diveristy. This "us vs. them" is not helping America.

It's pretty sad when a so-called "Christian" takes issue with a man, who underwent horrible torture at the hands of the enemy, who objects to our government engaging in such barbaric and offensive practices. Dobson is an extremist

McCain had better be quick study in econimics because this election will be all about the economy. The sure way to unite the entire country , not just the republican party, is to provide a clear direction and understanding on this topic. This country has a huge question to answer and no one is talking about it. How after 5 years of huge government war time spending can our economy be in recession. Our economy should be red hot. It has been a while since I has economics, but I do remember the part about government stimulus. Structurally, we obviously have a problem within our economy. The fact is that we have lost our manufacturing base to minimum wage and bad trade deals. An economy that does not create is doomed. All of our hope is in a leader that can show us the way to bring that part of our economy back. Still waiting for that leader.

Maybe the lack of "unity" in these parties is actually a good thing. Neither party has done a bit of good for the country since the end of the Reagan years.

To Sheila
I could not agree with you more. In the first place any one who is a "hard core" Democrat or Republican is not someone with any criterion whatsoever! People like that would have voted for Lyndon Johnson, a democrat or Bush a republican.

Is Dr. Dobson saying that global warming isn't really happening or there is nothing that we should be doing about it? I have to ask about torture; is that really a Christian thing to do? No being a Christian, is that allowed in Christian doctorine? I would hope that it wouldn't be.

On fracturing the party, what was brought together by Reagan was destroyed and torn apart by George W. Bush. There is little way to really argue with that since he built up the size of the federal government, started a conflict that has weakened the military in some ways, and destroyed the image and respect that America has around the world.

Dobson may be hitting the right chord in the evangelical conservative Republican base.

The contest between the Democrats presently is one of personality, who do you like and trust more, Obama or Hillary.

The contest between the Republicans ended with the question who is the most conservative. McCain didn't win that bout based on the comments of leaders and political commentators, like James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingram, Joe Scarborough, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and the list goes on.

James Dobson, maybe you haven't noticed that you are now irrelevant. McCain knows a political albatross around his neck when he sees it. We saw what happens when those with your "family values" get elected. It ruins the country. McCain is smart enough to know that if he even starts to sound like Bush, he will get blown out of the water in November.

Now if only we could get an atheist for president. Regrettably, there are too many bigoted Americans for that to ever occur.

Why is being voted the most Liberal senator in 2007 a negative thing and what does it have anything to do with the fact that Obama represents a new message, a new stirring of possibilities for those of us who have been hijacked by the current administration who does not represent most Americans and has little regard for the Consititution and laws (they don't seem to apply to them)?

No presidents' administration gets everyting they say they want to do deliver done, that's why we have checks and balances in our system.

Obama is good for our country, don't worry.

James Dobson is irrelevent to America.

Mr Latinos for Hillary,
Yes, you get to lose your home when you borrow more than you can afford and the bank loses too when they have to foreclose on you. Republicans are for accountability and self-reliance. Democrats are for protecting people from themselves and blaming the other guy when they screw up. We can certainly tell which camp you fall into.

The person most responsible for fracturing the GOP is Dobson.

He hijacked the GOP and turned it into the American Taliban.

The democrats seem to have had the party of our dysfunctional UNIFIER on the run but believe it or not they now seem to be trying diligently to turn victory into defeat.

I mean having tax hike will cost you bring less money home.

So Dobson, a supposedly Christian leader is unhappy with McCain because he speaks against torture and for protecting God's creation? And people still consider him a Christian and a leader? That says it all about our sorry state, folks!

So, God is in favor of global warming and torture ; therefore we should not support John McCain according to most high James Dobson.

Well that is good. I don't think that McCain would be too bad of a choice if Sen. Clinton is not the nominee for the Democratic party. I think that it is great that the Republican party is moving away from the Conservative right and more toward the Moderate. I like that.

To Sheila: Jim seems to be a democrat who can actually see beyond the tip of his nose. Who do you think makes the laws in this country? Not the president! Congress makes the laws in America. Who do you think controls Congress? Not the Republicans! The democrats have controlled Congress since the last congressional election. Let's put the credit for the economy where it rightly belongs!

Dobson's views on global warming and torture differ. So, that means the conservatives in the Republican party are in favor of polluting our environment and torture. There is an out for conservatives reluctant to vote for McCain in the general election. Write in Romney or Huckabee, salve your conservative conscience.

Don't you find it strange, that a ultra-conservative Christian leader like James Dobson is critical of McCain because McCain does NOT support torture?

Do christians not see the hypocrisy of that stance?

To dale, your comment about sitting out the election and seeing where the Republican party goes cuts both ways. A conservative candidate without the moderates has exactly the same issue, that being not winning a general election. Given the reality of the candidates, you can choose between McCain or someone further left for the next 8 years. It's up to you, but when you sit out, you forfeit your voice on how unfair everything is.

Jim:

that is so childish of you to say you will vote for McCain if Obama wins…how different are his policies to the democrats…get real

this might be jsut a game to you, and a source of vengence, but to other Americans, this is life. So make yourself useful and just stay at home…..

OBAMA 08!!!!!!!

Mr. Dobson, I'm confused - are the use of torture and the destruction of our shared earth home family values?

Let me get this straight–according to Mr. Dobson, a candidate can unify the Republican party by denying global warming and supporting torture. Sounds great if you are a Neanderthal.

Someone Smiling in Texas,

You are exactly what is wrong with our current society. "I loose my home it's because of the bank for lending me the money and my fault for not being a rich republican and not being able to pay my mortgage." I think that is arguably the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time. Since when did some rich republican force you to sign that mortgage you can't afford? When did it become ok to blame others for your irresponsible mistake?

The problem is, the government will now allow you to stay in your home, even though you still CAN'T afford it, and in the end the only lesson you will have learned is this…."I can do whatever I want, and when things go wrong, the government will bail me out!" Senseless!!

Please post my comment CNN! If "someone smiling in texas" who thinks they bear no fault for borrowing money they can't afford to pay back can get their comment posted, I should be able to too.

I'm a fairly conservative voter, and I grew up listening to James Dobson on the radio. With no disrespect intended, I have to say that his all or nothing stance towards conservatism is the divider here. We have two different sides with widely differing views (both sides have thought a lot about their views -it's not that they're uneducated or anything) and if we expect to get anything at all done, there's going to have to be some compromising. Either side may not like it, but that's the fact. I'm not crazy about McCain, but the fact that he wants to reach out to moderates and independents can hardly be seen as a negative thing in my opinion.

Perhaps James Dobson should leave the Republican party and take all his religious extremist followers with him. McCain might lose if the religious right stays home, but at least the Republican party could then return to its roots as an economically conservative, socially tolerant party of limited government, free trade and individual liberties. And the far right can go and form their own party of people who want to create a theocracy, and live on the political margins where they belong.

What I like best about McCain is that he never pandered to the religious right and has always stayed true to his own beliefs.

Yeah Jim, that's a good move. McCain will just keep on leading us down ol' Georges' path. That makes no sense. If Obama is the nominee he should be perfect for you they are both trying to rev up the indy's. I don't think HRC is going to get much from independents. So I guess I'm confused by your response.

Dem for Obama!

Dobson won' t have to worry if Clinton wins! Because the GOP will come and in force to vote against her and the rest of the Dems that don't like her will stay home! It would be a landslide, she won't even win California!

Elect the better candidate and the only hope against Dobson, McCain and the GOP! Elect Obama 2008!

To Sheila: Should the Gov't bail out everybody that signed up for a mortgage they couldn't offered? The banks are also at fault, but ultimately the homeowner has a responsibilty.

To Jim from NC, it sems to me that you are not truly imformed of the status of this economy. I hope there are not too many Democrats or Independents that are thinking like you are. And yes, also Republicans.

To Sheila: Should the Gov't bail out everybody that signed up for a mortgage they couldn't afford? The banks are also at fault, but ultimately the homeowner has a responsibilty.

The saddest part of this current election cycle is that people like Dobson are actually the common enemy! A victoty by McCain would certainly help eradicate the influence of the far right Christian wing of the Republican Party.
As a pro-life, somewhat homophobic Christian married to an agnostic who reads extensively on these right wing nuts, they are the single largest threat to your society! Read their definition of "conservative" vs. "liberal" and you will get the picture clearly.
If I could vote in your election…it would be a no brainer…Obama or McCain.

People need to stop letting their emotions take over and vote what is in their best interests. Dr.
Dobson, since when does Christ advocate torture? THat does not make sense.
And for ANY democrate that would not vote for whomever gets nominated….you are CRAZY! I mean McCain and the democrates are SO different! There is no way you can be for one democrate OR McCain!

I would respect the man if he actually would focus on the family and not on grabbing headlines for himself and condoning the anti-biblical greed, poor-environmental stewardship, pro-torture and anti-poor policies of the Republican. People like Dobson and all of these other religous right-wing acts make me ashamed to be identified as a Christian. I can't change my faith it's who I am but I can definitely say that these "Religous"-Right power-mongers do not represent me.

Dobson is full of it. We don't need the Right Wing Minority of the Republican party to win in November. So stop crying and vote for whomever, but allow McCain and the Moderates in the Party to win in November. Unless your agenda is to elect a Democrat.

Your candidate lost (Huckabee) so live with it.

This is about saving our country not saving the Republican party.

Would Jesus condone torture?

My bible says NO!

This guy calling himself a Christian is blasphemus!

It's time for a change in Washington.

GOBAMA

Dobson is part of the problem in the Republican camp. McCain has the support of Americans not necessarily party members. He will win because he exemplifies what it is to be an American. That is why he appeals to Hillary Democrats and to Moderate Republicans that don't believe in the welfare state and support their country in times of peace and war.

Dobson, the enemy is not McCain. The enemy is Radical Islam, both here and abroad.