Have y'all seen those Burger King commercials that are made to play like pickup truck commercials? You know the ones where the people's stomachs start growling and they yell "Shut Up!" Well, that's about how I felt this afternoon when I read the comments by Dr. James Dobson that John McCain was "fracturing" the party.

I have great respect for Dr. Dobson on a great many things, but sometimes he needs to know when silence is a better option than speaking. I am reminded of Proverbs 17:28 which says that "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Typically, when Mr. Dobson comments on politics he prefaces it by saying that he is speaking only as a "private citizen." If that is so, perhaps his opinions would best be left private.

The truth of the matter is that John McCain is NOT fracturing the party, but rather he is putting the GOP in good position to actually win this November, against all odds. Are there Republicans who will sit on their hands and refuse to vote for McCain this November? Yes. But, there are also Democrats that will do the same for their Party's nominee.

While it is too early yet to put much stock in general election polling, particularly since the Democrats have yet to choose their nominee, the current polls should give encouragement to Republicans. John McCain is going to be competitive in a number of states that Bush lost in 2004. He is going to fare well in the states that Bush won. McCain is going to attract some "Reagan Democrats" back to the Party. McCain will be competitive against either Obama or Clinton on a wide range of issues.

Most importantly, MANY conservatives will vote for McCain in November. If Dr. Dobson is not among them, then that is too bad. But it will not affect the urgency with which conservative Republicans like myself work to ensure that the Democrats are denied the opportunity to take the Oath of Office in January 2009.

If Mr. Dobson wants to join us, we will welcome him. If not, he can keep it to himself.