Below The Beltway

James Dobson, who is probably one of the most prominent names on the theocon right today, has announced that he will not support Rudy Giuliani:

WASHINGTON — A prominent Christian leader said Thursday that “my conscience and my moral convictions” prevent him from voting for Rudy Giuliani should he win the Republican nomination.

In a blistering online column, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson wrote that, should the former New York mayor become the nominee, “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.”

“Many liberal Americans will agree with the social positions espoused by Giuliani. However, I don’t believe conservative voters whose support he seeks will be impressed,” Dobson said on WorldNetDaily, a conservative news Web site.

A Christian evangelical based in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dobson said he was speaking as a private citizen. However, his words carry considerable weight with the some 7 million listeners of his conservative radio show.

Earlier this year, Dobson said he won’t back John McCain because of the Arizona senator’s opposition to a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Dobson has given no public indication on how he feels about the other top-tier candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. The two, however, have met privately.

Of course, there are many on the Christian Right who would have problems with a Mormon President. So, it’s ironic that there may not be any top tier candidate that someone like Dobson can wholeheartedly support.