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DEL.ICIO.USBarr tours the Colorado headquarters of James Dobson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John McCain may want to make a reassuring phone call to Colorado Springs.
Buried in a press release for Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate for president, was a mention that on Monday, Barr toured the offices of Focus on the Family, headed by James Dobson — a significant voice among evangelical Christians.
This is the same Dobson who, three weeks ago, allowed it was just possible that he might have to endorse the GOP candidate — despite disagreeing with him on several issues.
Barr campaign manager Russell Verney said today that Barr did not meet with Dobson, who was working on a book. (Verney originally gave another reason for Dobson’s absence, but later called to correct himself.)
Instead, Barr met with Tom Minnery, senior vice president for Focus on the Family, and others.
Barr, Verney said, “had a great meeting and discussion with them.
“I think it’s no secret that a lot of the more conservative Republicans have doubts about Sen. John McCain, and there’s been no strong commitment by anyone towards him.
“It’s an area where Bob has a very well-defined record in Congress. There’s a good relationship with a lot of the leaders of that community,” Verney said.
What about the former Georgia congressman’s recent statements on gay marriage and second thoughts about his own Defense of Marriage Act?
“What Bob has said is exactly the conservative philosophy — that these are state isues that should be decided by the people within a state, as opposed to the federal government being involved in non-federal issues,” Verney said.
One reason for a Barr visit to Dobson is the Libertarian’s pursuit of a spot next to McCain and Democrat Barack Obama at Saddlebrook Church in Orange County, Calif.
Rick Warren, pastor of the 22,000-member megachurch, has invited the two major party candidates to the Saturday event. Here’s the letter from the Barr campaign requesting equal time.
Remember that this church event in California comes two days before McCain’s visit to Atlanta, where Ralph Reed will be serving as one of the hosts.
McCain’s need to connect with evangelicals is why the GOP candidate will ignore calls to cut the former head of the Christian Coalition out of the event.
My AJC colleague Aaron Gould Sheinin put a phone call into Reed today, about the Monday event. Said Reed:
“I’m strongly supporting Senator McCain because he’s advocating conservative positions on taxes, judges, energy, strengthening the family and common sense values. I have great respect for his service to the country.
“I sent that e-mail out in my capacity as a private citizen. I don’t hold any position or title with the McCain campaign, haven’t sought one, don’t want one.”
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Comments
By jungleland
August 12, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Barr 2208!
By Meltdown
August 12, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
McCain needs the evangelicals like Hamid Karzai needs the Taliban. Enough is enough. It’s time for those who think they’ve been chosen to exercise “Godly dominion” over the rest of us to crawl back under their 4,000 year old rocks. As soon as they get enough power the rest of us won’t have to worry our pretty heads about who to vote for.
By Russ Verney
August 12, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
I have been informed that Dr. Dobson was not having surgery. He was, in fact, working on a book.
By Commandroid
August 13, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this
As a libertarian and a Christian, Barr rubbing shoulders with Focus isn’t particularly troubling to me. I have a lot of respect for Dobson and his crew even if I don’t see eye to eye with them on every issue. I just hope Barr doesn’t compromise libertarian principles just to get a few Evangelical votes.
By Ga Values
August 13, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this
Ron Paul would never go to Dobson’s HQ. Barr is no Ron Paul.
By lunchbox
August 13, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Mr. Verney, i applaud the campaign’s efforts here. the social conservative Christians can definitely be persuaded to the libertarian philosophy. In fact, many are libertarian, they just don’t know it. They’ve been reacting to the liberal attempts at legislating morality with republican born proactive conservative legislation, instead of looking toward the third and best option of keeping the fed out of it altogether. Christians are for the most part just as happy to live and let live as everyone else.
By AFH
August 13, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Politics is about building bridges. To say that Ron Paul would never visit any “someone” is plainly a lie. Ron Paul would have met with Fidel Castro, if nothing else to tell him to give up being a communist dictator and come back to NYC to play baseball for the Yankees. I strongly suspect that the smattering of “Bob Barr is no Ron Paul” posts I see here and there are coming out of the McCain Camp.
To effect your social changes means getting in there with those who disagree with you in some ways, and concentrating on the aspects that you agree with and promoting them. Then as a side effect you have leverage to try and convince them on the disagreements left between you.
No contact means no moving forward on good works and no influence against evil ones.
Bob Barr is doing a great job for liberty and deserves the support of everyone who loves truth, justice and the American way.
ALIVE * FREE * HAPPY - Libertarian