Renowned Christian leader Dr. James Dobson gave his official nod to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump by endorsing his bid for the White House, dubbing him as the “most capable candidate.”
The founder of Family Talk, who also founded Focus on the Family in 1977, made his decision to support Trump after initially endorsing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). The choice came just one day after the former evangelical GOP candidate was booed off the state at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland for not endorsing his triumphal rival.
“I have decided to endorse Donald J. Trump for President of the United States, not only because of my great concern about Hillary Clinton,” Dobson announced in an official statement Thursday, according to The Christian Post. “I am supporting Mr. Trump primarily because I believe he is the most capable candidate to lead the United States of America in this complicated hour.”
Trump’s new choice for vice president, Gov. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), was also commended by Dobson.
“I am also very enthusiastic by the selection of Gov. Mike Pence as Mr. Trump’s running mate,” the 80-year-old pro-family advocate continued. “Together, I believe they will make America great again.”
Now sold on Trump
Laying aside the disagreement he had with Trump regarding his statement about accepting last year’s United States Supreme Court ruling on same-sex “marriage” as “the law of the land,” which he expressed in a December Cruz campaign ad, Dobson now feels comfortable wholeheartedly backing Trump and his stance on social issues that concern most evangelical Christians.
To show that he is 100 percent behind Trump as the November bout with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton edges closer, Dobson made the decision last month to become a member of Trump’s evangelical advisory board, when he joined more than 900 other evangelical leaders in a meeting in New York.
“Mr. Trump has been unwavering in his commitment to issues that are important to evangelicals such as myself,” Dobson pointed out. “In particular, I have been heartened by his pledge to appoint conservative Supreme Court justices, preserve religious liberty, rebuild the military and defend the sanctity of human life.”
The pro-life leader then laid to rest any apprehensions about Trump siding with progressives when it comes to abortion and the issue of Planned Parenthood’s federal funding.
“On the issue of abortion, I choose not to evaluate him based on his past position but rather on what he says are his current convictions,” Dobson added. “I believe God can change the hearts and minds of people, and I celebrate when they support principles of righteousness.”
Focusing on family and faith
Another selling point that drew Dobson to endorse Trump was when he heard the billionaire’s children lift up their father and extol him as a devout family man.
“As a psychologist and a family counselor, I have spent my life equipping and resourcing families … One thing I have observed is that you cannot make a child talk about his or her parents the way Donald Trump¹s children speak of him,” Dobson assured. “That is one of a man¹s most significant affirmations.”
Also, after attending a meeting with Trump in June, Dobson expressed that the businessman was led to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and “really made a commitment,” yet he reportedly shied away from his comment after hearing that it was televangelist Paula White who led him to the decision.
Following up on the validity of the claim, a prominent Christian media outlet asked White about the sincerity of Trump’s commitment to Christ.
“I can tell you with confidence that I have heard Mr. Trump verbally acknowledge his faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of his sins through prayer, and I absolutely believe he is a Christian who is growing like the rest of us,”White told The Christian Post in a recent interview. “I know that from many personal conversations.”
Standing strongly behind Trump as his pick for the 2016 presidential election, Dobson stressed that his endorsement of the real estate tycoon reflects his own personal conviction and that he is not representing any organization in his decision. He also stressed that his take on Trump is shared by the majority of evangelical Christians in America.
“Though I can tell you most evangelicals I know have decided for various reasons that they will really have only have one choice for president, and that is Donald J. Trump,” Dobson concluded. “I believe it’s a good choice. America needs strong and competent leadership.”
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