Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are receiving some "straight advice" from columnist Mark Joseph.
In twin columns for FoxNews.com, Joseph tells the presidential candidates what they need to do to win the White House.
He has some interesting advice for McCain:
"Fire up the Straight Talk Express or whatever it's called and get your tail to Colorado Springs," he writes. "Evangelicals don't have popes; they have leaders with names like (Dr.) Dobson, (Chuck) Colson, (Rick) Warren, (Billy) Graham and (Albert) Mohler. Unless you have a death wish, suck it up, fly to Colorado Springs. …
"Let me be blunt with you: If you don't do this, you will lose the election. It's just that simple."
Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family Action, said: "Dr. Dobson would gladly open his door to either candidate for a discussion of issues vital to the family."
While the mainstream media see Dr. Dobson as a "typical televangelist," Joseph tells CitizenLink he has "always understood Dr. Dobson's role and influence to be far larger.
"Many moms listen to his show as they car pool their kids around or run errands," he told CitizenLink. "They trust him on issues of childrearing and want to hear his opinion on other issues, as well."
Minnery said Joseph accurately describes Dr. Dobson’s influence with millions of American voters. "It’s a deposit of trust built up over 30 years," he said.
Joseph, who is a registered Independent, says the presidential race would look very different if the media and the candidates recognized the influence of Christians.
He cites polling data that show 84 percent of Americans identify as "Christian," including 47 percent who say they are "born again."
"Too many members of the media, Right, center and Left, don't understand who lives in this country, and if you get that part wrong, your analysis will be off," Joseph said.
His final words to McCain?
"You win by 5, but remember: Only if you go to Colorado Springs."
Mark Joseph is a producer, author, media consultant and editor of Bullypulpitnews.com. His books include Faith, God & Rock 'n' Roll and Pop Goes Religion.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
