Evangelical broadcaster and author James Dobson announced Thursday he is endorsing Donald Trump for president.
The announcement came just hours before Trump is set to accept the Republican nomination for president at the party's national convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Dobson said he is endorsing Trump not only because of his opposition to a Hillary Clinton presidency, but because he sees Trump as "the most capable candidate to lead the United States of America in this complicated hour."
He added he was happy Trump had chosen Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, also an evangelical Christian, as his running mate.
"Mr. Trump has been unwavering in his commitment to issues that are important to evangelicals such as myself," Dobson said, pointing to Trump's pledge to appoint conservative Supreme Court justices, preserve religious liberty, rebuild the military, and defend the sanctity of human life.
"On the issue of abortion, I choose not to evaluate him based on his past position but rather on what he says are his current convictions. I believe God can change the hearts and minds of people and I celebrate when they support principles of righteousness," he said.
Hearing Trump's children talk about their father also was a deciding factor, he said.
"As a psychologist and a family counselor, I have spent my life equipping and resourcing families," he said. "One thing I have observed is that you cannot make a child talk about his or her parents the way Donald Trump's children speak of him. That is one of a man's most significant affirmations."
Dobson said his endorsement is personal and not on behalf of his organization "Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk."
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