In "The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War" (St. Martin's Press, 2007), a new book by Dan Gilgoff, senior editor at U.S.News & World Report, Dobson is seen as the Christian Right's "new standard bearer." Gilgoff maintains that Dobson is "more powerful" than either the Rev. Jerry Falwell (the book was written prior to his death) or the Rev. Pat Robertson ever was.

And, in his review of Gilgoff's book for the New York Times, Jacob Heilbrunn outlined the nuts and bolts of Dobson's empire: "[It] is based at an 88-acre campus in Colorado Springs, with some 1,300 employees and a 75,000-square-foot warehouse filled with DVDs, CDs, pamphlets and books that disseminate Dobson's advice on matters like how to stop bed-wetting or confront a teenager about drug use, not to mention admonitions against gay rights and judicial activism. ... Dobson's own family exemplifies his gospel: his daughter, Danae, has displayed remarkable literary fecundity, producing more than 20 books aimed at Christian children; his son, Ryan, who leads a skateboarding ministry, is a co-author of 'Be Intolerant,' a broadside against moral relativism written for young adults."

Dobson's political power emanates not only from his Colorado Springs, Colorado-based Focus on the Family realm and the recent addition of Focus on the Family Action, a political lobbying arm, it also comes from the fact that Dobson founded and essentially controls the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council -- the premiere "traditional values" lobbying organization in the nation's capital -- and a host of state-level groups called Family Policy Councils.

Yet despite the kingdom and the power, Dobson's ship is listing on several fronts.

Dissing Giuliani

In an exclusive column published at WorldNetDaily -- and widely distributed and remarked upon across the Internet -- Dobson emphatically declared that he wouldn't vote for former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani under any circumstances. Dobson, who earlier this year nixed the notion of his supporting Arizona Senator John McCain fired both barrels at Giuliani.
Dobson wrote that he saw "nothing courageous" in Giuliani's behavior as he tried "to have it both ways in the name of political ambition." Dobson branded Giuliani's pro-choice, pro-gay political positions as completely unacceptable. And, Dobson also appeared genuinely troubled by Rudy G's penchant for donning women's clothing and showing up at public events.

Dobson concluded his column: "I cannot, and will not, vote for Rudy Giuliani in 2008. It is an irrevocable decision. ... I will either cast my ballot for an also-ran--or if worse comes to worst--not vote in a presidential election for the first time in my adult life. My conscience and my moral convictions will allow me to do nothing else."

However, according to The Politico many social conservatives may be prepared to defy Dobson and back Giuliani because they believe he is the most electable GOP candidate in the field. According to the analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life "Giuliani is winning 30 percent of the social conservative bloc, compared to 22 percent for McCain," the publication reported.

Redeeming Gingrich

Gingrich used Dobson's radio platform to both promote his new book "Rediscovering God in America," and express repentance over some of his moral failings. "There are things in my own life that I have turned to God and have gotten on my knees and prayed about and sought God's forgiveness," he told Dobson.

According to a CNN report, "Gingrich's first marriage ended after he discussed the details of the divorce with his wife while she was recovering from cancer surgery. He married again in 1981 and was divorced in 2000, when he married the young congressional aide with whom he had [an] affair."

Dobson appeared to think that Gingrich had done himself some good: "I think it's really important and will be for many of our listeners to know your responses to that point of disappointment back there someplace, and I really appreciate your willingness to do so," Dobson told Gingrich.

Questioning Thompson

Recently, Glenn Beck, a syndicated radio talk show host and CNN personality, told his listeners that USA Today had published a story about Dobson in which it was reported that Dobson had said former Tennessee Republican Sen. Fred Thompson was not Christian enough to be president. Dobson had told Dan Gilgoff that "Everyone knows he's [Thompson] conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for. [But] I don't think he's a Christian; at least that's my impression," Dobson added.

In a follow-up call to Focus headquarters, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger stood by Dobson's claim, saying that while Dobson didn't believe Thompson to be a member of a non-Christian faith, Dobson nevertheless "has never known Thompson to be a committed Christian--someone who talks openly about his faith."

"We use that word--Christian--to refer to people who are evangelical Christians," Schneeberger added.

According to Focus on the Family's CitizenLink.com, within an hour of Beck's broadcast, Dobson, who now heads up Focus on the Family Action, was a guest on Beck's show, "debunking the spin of the mainstream media."

"You know very well you can't believe what you read in the media, especially about evangelicals," Dobson told Beck. "That was spun by the media. I'm getting sick of that. It's an effort to marginalize you, to make you look foolish, and to distort your views."

"Dobson made no such comments about Thompson," CitizenLink.com reported. "The opinion piece twisted what he told a reporter several weeks ago -- that whether Thompson is a believer could have an effect on how the GOP's evangelical base may vote. "I sincerely and humbly apologize for taking the word of the media over you," Beck told Dobson on the air. "I should have called. I'm sorry that I didn't make the call to your office. I humbly apologize to you."

Dobson accepted Beck's apology. "Today's conversation between Dr. Dobson and Glenn Beck is a great example of how people who share common social values need to stick together," said Schneeberger.

"The media has its crosshairs fixed on men like Dr. Dobson and Glenn Beck -- men who may differ on theological issues, but who share a belief in the sanctity of human life and other key social issues," he said. "The goal is to marginalize these men who dare take on the permissiveness of our culture; what's heartening is that in this case, it didn't work."

Blasted by pro-lifers

In a full-page advertisement in the Colorado Springs Gazette, leaders of four anti-abortion groups criticized Dobson for misrepresenting a Supreme Court decision that upheld a ban on a controversial abortion technique. According to the Associated Press, "the group said Dobson wrongly characterized the court's April ruling as a victory for abortion foes. The ad said the ruling will actually encourage medical professionals to find 'less shocking' methods than late-term abortions, which abortion opponents often call 'partial-birth abortion.'"

"Dr. Dobson, you mislead Christians claiming this ruling will 'protect children.' The court granted no authority to save the life of even a single child," the ad said. It concludes by asking Dobson to "please repent."

The letter was signed by Brian Rohrbough, president of Colorado Right to Life; the Rev. Tom Euteneuer, president of Human Life International; Flip Benham, director of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America; Judie Brown, president of American Life League; and Bob Enyart, pastor of Denver Bible Church.

Dipping donations to Focus on the Family Action

While the revenue stream at Focus on the Family continues flowing along at a brisk pace, donations to Dobson's Focus on the Family Action, a political action committee have dipped slightly.

According to a mid-May report in the Rocky Mountain News, "The combined Focus organization ... had revenue of $148.8 million in the fiscal year through the end of September, a roughly 4 percent increase on a modest rise in donations, the documents showed. Most of the sum - $136.6 million - was contributions. Focus also gets revenue from the sale of books, films and other materials.

"But Focus Action has seen a decrease in revenue. Donations to the lobbying group fell to $6.3 million in 2006 from $6.7 million in 2005 and $8.7 million in 2004, its inaugural year. Focus officials declined to comment on the numbers."

Focus on the Family is a tax-exempt nonprofit that accepts tax-deductible donations and is barred from getting involved in partisan politics. Donations to Focus Action are not tax deductible, and the group devotes much of its time to lobbying.

Despite the decrease in donations to Focus on the Family Action, Dobson vowed that his group would continue to play a major political role. "Our work in the public policy arena continues to effect change in a culture that has rejected the Judeo-Christian ethic of our founding fathers," Dobson said. "The Focus Action staff is committed to confronting these aggressive attacks with energy and determination."

Dobson pointed out that Focus Action had "mobilized an unprecedented amount of people across the country in defense of traditional marriage" with e-mails, telephone calls, advertisements and a "letter-to-the-editor campaign. We reached millions of voters who, in turn, issued a mandate to Congress: One man, one woman marriage must be esteemed as the building block of nations."

Is the 2008 electoral campaign the last hurrah for the aging Dobson, or will he be a GOP powerbroker for years to come? Can Dobson continue to reject candidate after candidate without having only the so-called third tierers like Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback or former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee left to turn to? Will all the various dust-ups and controversies finally catch up with him? Stay tuned.