Dobson: Coleman is the religious right Senate candidate

Coleman's record of opposing abortion rights as well as opposing benefits for same-sex couples has garnered him the support of the religious right's most influential figure: James Dobson of Focus on the Family. The PAC for Focus on the Family is sending out mailers in Minnesota criticizing Al Franken and praising Coleman. The mailer also gives lukewarm support to Sen. John McCain and rails against Sen. Barack Obama. Indeed, Dobson vaguely endorsed McCain on his radio show Monday.

"While I will not endorse either candidate this year, (in fact, I’ve only endorsed one presidential nominee in my life) I can say that I am now supportive of Senator John McCain and his bid for the presidency," said Dobson.

The mailing includes a checklist of positions of both Franken and Coleman on same-sex marriage, abortion, oil drilling, gas taxes and Supreme Court justices. The text of the mailer (PDF):

Dear Minnesota Friend, It’s not every day that individuals find themselves in a position to significantly impact the direction of an entire nation, but that’s exactly where you are today. As a Minnesota voter, you are right in the middle of one of the most important and closely watched Senate races in the country.

The stakes in this contest could not be higher. If Barack Obama wins the White House—a very real possibility—the U.S. Senate will be the last defense against his liberal agenda on abortion and marriage. Sen. Obama has already promised to support the Freedom of Choice Act, which would overturn every pro-life law on abortion in the nation. He has also pledged to abolish the Defense of Marriage Act and to allow open homosexuality in our military.

The only hope of stopping this radical onslaught will be a strong showing of commonsense conservatives in the Senate. A conservative Senate will be no less important under a McCain presidency. If John McCain should emerge victorious in November, he’ll need every Senate vote he can get to confirm Supreme Court judges who will uphold the Constitution and restore sanity to our courts. That’s why Minnesota’s Senate race is so critical. The contrast between the candidates is sharp. Norm Coleman has maintained a stellar pro-life record and a generally pro-family record in the U.S. Senate. Al Franken, on the other hand, has not only taken strikingly liberal positions since returning to Minnesota, but his comedic record in New York is an embarrassment to those who care about family values.