I’ve made no apologies for my support of Rudy Giuliani – even though it has raised the eyebrows of some of my more conservative brethren. He is not doing as well as I hoped and is actually running under someone I liked at first glance, but thought would never make it, Mike Huckabee.
As Huckabee has slowly risen in the polls, so has the rancor against him. No, I’m not talking about CNN or any other liberal media titan; the most vitriolic of the attacks have come from Republican bluebloods.
I would really like to know why.
Any modest examination of Huckabee’s record reveals positions and statements that most in the party would disagree with. But it’s okay to oppose without bashing.
I have trouble with many of Huckabee’s proposals: a national ban on smoking and mandatory health care for children, to name two. He definitely has his warts, but so does Romney (who is too ready to say what people want to hear), McCain (who is too cozy with the liberals and moderates), and Rudy (who is has several disturbingly liberal policies).
Look, we all have our favorite candidates. My wish list is, I’m sure, unique in that it contains individuals diametrical opposed on fundamental issues. But you won’t find me railing against their opponents.
In many ways Huckabee is a mile wide and two inches deep. But the Republican bluebloods should pay attention to his meteoric rise. The ultimate reason he has enjoyed such success is because conservative Republicans are fed up with how they are paid lip service every election cycle and ignored the other three years. Right now it seems as though the Republican Party’s only significant social distinction is that they are pro-life. Being a social conservative is so much more than that. If Huckabee’s presidential bid brings awareness to the ignored right wing, it will not be in vain.
One last point: Thompson has distinguished himself as having no fortitude or character to stay positive and not misconstrue the truth when the situation is dire. It is easy to be all happy go lucky when you are on Jay Leno’s show but now that Thompson is well behind the Republican pack, he has turned to unfounded charges against anyone crossing his path. It is to his discredit and dishonor and reveals something about him that could not be otherwise discovered.
Ronald Reagan is championed much during this season for good reason. Although he was not perfect, he is the best gold standard the Republicans have. But people forget that Reagan was not just abstract policies and fiery speeches. He was a gentleman first.
The only thing the acidic comments do are turn off voters to the Republican Party in general. No matter who wins, it’s important that show the rest of the voting public that we can pick our champion without hard feelings.
To all those Huck-A-Haters, let’s play nice.
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Hello,
I’m a member of the LDS Church, and although I actually supported Rudy Giuliani over Romney, I will vote Democrat before I even think about voting for Mike Huckabee. I respect every other candidate in this race, and I’m glad Thompson had the guts to say what had to be said.
How do you think I felt when Huckabee tried to identify my religion with Satan in the New York Times? He played up religious stereotypes to draw distinction between himself and Mitt Romney. While he publicly claims to not be behind the push polls, everyone is well aware of what he’s doing behind the scenes.
This is a fight for the soul of the party, and while Huckabee raised taxes by a difference of $500 million in Arkansas, he now thinks everything is OK since he signed some stupid pledge. He has played identity politics with evangelicals to divide the party, and it’s sickening.
You show your character by going after a good man like Thompson who at least had the backbone to stand up to Huckabee. Thompson was my #2 behind Rudy, but now I’ll probably support Mitt, even though I don’t think he’s been upfront on his stances over the years.
If the party nominates Big Government Huckabee, then you can count on me to sit this election out, or vote Democrat.
I am supporting Huckabee (I was doing so back when he was around 1-2% in the national polls).
He is a true social conservative. His credentials on that front are impeccable. Do not underestimate the power of the social conservatives. A leading publication, Charisma Magazine, has endorsed Huckabee and has called for donations to his candidacy. That is how he won Iowa. Remember Nixon’s silent majority?
Were taxes raised in Ark? Yes, but they were also reduced more times than they were raised. Also, the voters approved the tax hikes!
Huckabee is the youngest of the candidates in the pack, and if not the nominee would be a great VP candidate.
Another key issue: If Hussein Obama gets the Dem nomination, Huckabee is the ONLY leading GOP candidate who attended the African American GOP debate in Baltimore hosted by Tavis Smiley. He also has a good record with minorities receiving more than 40% of the African American vote in Arkansas where 90+% of the African Americans are registered Dem…
I am a Huckabee supporter. I will however support whoever wins the nomination, even if it is Romney, while I disagree with his relegious beliefs, as Bob Jones III said “I’m picking a president not a preacher”. I do find it funny however that the Romney people are upset at Huckabees remarks(I don’t think he should have said them, and I beleive he regrets it, but you can’t put toothpaset back in the tube)made while campaigning, I would venture to say that Bob Jones III and probably others feel the same way towards the Mormom belief, and have probably expressed it while not on national television, but in their pulpits and their classes at Bob Jones University. So why not turn down their support.
GOD BLESS
BUDDY RANDOLPH(GOP BUDDY)
Cheryl: You might want to read the article before commenting. As I said, I have no problem with Fred Thompson taking Mike Huckabee to task over his views. I do take exception to the demagoguery, however. That’s where he is deficient in his character.
Goff and Buddy: Does Huckabee’s lack of experience in international issues cause you any concern?
William,
Seems to me that in 2000 we elected a president who had no international experience and actually was asked about Musharraf and Pakistan. His answer in 2000: I know it is some general or someone like that in charge…
So, no I do not have a problem with his lack of international experience. I supported Bush in 2000 (and still do) and am currently backing Huckabee. I, like Buddy, will support the nominee of the party whether or not it is Huckabee.
What appeals to me about Huckabee is his courage. As long as he is a Christian man who seeks God for the right answers and trusts God with the vital decisions, that’s the most important thing. I don’t care how charming a person is, or how good they look on TV. I just want a president that will lead us to what is right. Bush has had his great successes, but has not been perfect, as no man will be.
Bottom line, how many of the men you see running for President would have the nerve to take the stands Huckabee has on the vital issues? I’m sure he’s not perfect either, but if he is listening to God in prayer, our nation can survive by God’s power. If we elect a president who is shakey in his faith, during the tough times, that person will be shakey when we need a real tower of strength. All the candidates claim to have faith, some more than others, but how you tell they really have faith is to look at the way communicate. Are they fearful, compromisingly, and just looking for the vote, or do they actually stand firm for what they know is right, no matter who opposes them.
THAT’S HUCKABEE. We can trust him because he trusts God.
I agree with Buddy, & with Goff as well, on both points, I agree that I will be proud to support Sen. John McCain over either Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obaba! We have FAR too many important issues at hand to just sit on the sidelines and let the world crumble around us under a President Clinton or Obama!
Take care & God Bless,
Tommy
Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Lincoln’s Day
Friday, November 27, 2009 will be the fourth official Lincoln´s Day Holiday in West Virginia. Remembering President Abraham Lincoln on the day after Thanksgiving in West Virginia is appropriate for at least two reasons……
1.) President Abraham Lincoln has a significant place in the history of West Virginia because he was the President whose proclamation enabled us to become a separate state.
2.) President Lincoln also had a significant role in how we currently celebrate Thanksgiving with his 1863 Proclamation, “to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”.
The Thanksgiving holiday has long been a time to celebrate how God has blessed our nation and our families. Lincoln´s Day is a time to remember President Lincoln and what he did for West Virginia and how he helped establish our American tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving on a Thursday in November.
It was an honor to co-sponsor Senate Bill 603, which created Lincoln’s Day in 2006, and I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving today and a happy Lincoln´s Day tomorrow.