Dobson vows to give up his voice!

In a mass e-mailing sent through the mailing lists of Focus on the Family’s “Citizen Link” James Dobson reported that under certain circumstances he may not vote in the general election this November. Here are a couple of quotations from the email letter:

"I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem-cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language.”

“I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life.”

His statements are in direct response to the likelihood of a John McCain nomination for the Republican party candidacy.

Here’s my take on the whole tirade:
Certainly, he has the right to avoid the polls if he so chooses. But by doing so, he is allowing everyone who does vote (and perhaps likes the candidates that he despises) make the decision for him. In simple terms he is forfeiting his voice in the election.
My personal view has always been, “If you don’t vote in the election, don’t complain about the outcome.” I stand by that.

Now something personal for the good doctor:

Don’t vote if you in all conscience can’t support anyone on the ballot, but if you don’t vote, please refrain from whining about the elected officials and how they are or are not acting.

I am not calling for America to censure Dr. Dobson, but for him to do a self-censure until he is ready to be a participant in the process.

One question still sticks in my mind: If McCain is such a bad seed, then why hasn’t Dobson led out in pushing a more family-friendly candidate—for any party?

What do you think?