That's obvious, of course, but I'm not talking about me, I'm talking about a group of pastors, led by George W. Bush's spiritual adviser (and Obama endorser) Kirbyjon Caldwell, who launched a web site by that name to counter James Dobson's attacks on Obama's interpretation of the Bible.
Dobson is lashing out from a low crouch these days. He's marginalized himself by setting up ludicrous litmus tests and stomping about in a childish rage when he's not included in campaign outreach. (Hey, at least he's gotten a few pointers from his years as a child psychologist!) His refusal to back (until too late) the candidate many evangelicals saw as their best option, Mike Huckabee, was seen by many activists as not only a betrayal, but colossally stupid politics.
Many evangelicals still admire his advice on spanking your kids and whatnot, but his days as a player in electoral strategy are over -- because too many voices are rising up to fill a gigantic power vacuum, and because those voices are more politically, racially, and theologically diverse, the grassroots activist has more choices about who to listen to. After all those years of telling millions how to discipline their kids, now Dobson is the one getting the spanking.
--Sarah Posner
