The Resurrection of Mike Huckabee
By Mr. Ed Posted in Archived — Comments (88) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Did Huckabee Actually Win?
Writing for the American Prospect, Sarah Posner made the bold comment that Gov. Mike Huckabee had won the "civil war" in the Religious Right.
Grassroots evangelical organizations are fleeing the "old guard" leadership who backed Giuliani and Romney in the presidential primaries. In the chaos of the evangelical movement, Mike Huckabee is forming a new political entity that will probably emerge in the next week or so to replace older groups that have so discredited themselves.
Here are excerpts from an article in the Ventura County Star from March 30th, when Governor Huckabee spoke at Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, CA:
"When people and societies ignore morality, they trigger chain reactions, he said. Police departments need more officers. Prisons need more beds. Society needs more laws. Children grow up not understanding right from wrong.
"It's not that a village raises a child, it's virtues that raise a child," he said.
The way to change government is for people to change the way they live, governing themselves by treating others as they want to be treated, he said.
"If we make up our own definitions of what's right and wrong, the results are a disaster," he said, criticizing societies that tell people to believe and do what they want and to tolerate everyone else's choices.
People have to stop being thermometers that merely gauge and reflect moral climate and establish an understanding of what's right and wrong, he said.
"What we need in America and across the world are thermostats," he said.
(Mike Huckabee, 3/30/2008 Calvary Chapel, Thousand Oaks, CA - article in Ventura County Star)
So if anyone thinks that by losing in the primaries, Huckabee will now just "fade away" and become just an unpleasant memory for them, guess again. Huckabee's star is still rising in the long term, and all those who bashed him this time around will have to come to terms with who he is and with the inaccuracies they believed and pushed.
Some have called this "identity politics." Identity politics is when you support a candidate because they look like you or happen to be from the same group of some sort. For me and so many others, this is "issues politics," as it should always be. We like Mike because he stands for the things we stand for like no one else in recent memory. It is also "leadership politics": he's got people skills, inspirational quality, and leadership abilities.
If anything, many people's AVERSION to Huckabee is identity politics in reverse: "Ah, he's one of those Evangelical crazy nuts. I don't like the group, so I associate him with the group and just write him off without further thought."
He's waiting for McCain's campaign to contact him concerning how they would like to use him. Lots of people don't like Huckabee, and he's wisely letting McCain set the agenda for what he can do to help.
The McCain campaign apparently thinks they don't need his help right now and to my knowledge have not contacted him. They might be wrong or they might be right, but it's not in Huckabee's hands.
He's already offered his full support.
Lots of people don't like Huckabee
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
Of course, the flip-side is, lots of people do like McCain and Huckabee. The wise course of action would be to use Huckabee to bring more of the McCain-alienated base on board.
McCain's the candidate, Huckabee isn't. Huckabee alienates more than he brings in, so it's a net negative for McCain. It's best he stay far away.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
I certainly hope he stays there. If I never, ever, hear another word about Mike Huckabee it'll be too soon.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
While I can totally see how the SoCons might not have a problem with this vector (or even applaud it), it's kind of a bad thing to have two parties that are both Fiscally Liberal in their inclination.
I expect that the argument "the democrats would be even worse!" will not convince as many people as were convinced prior to 2002.
Then again, perhaps I over-estimate the group of folks who call themselves "fiscally conservative, socially liberal".
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. --Voltaire
but I don't believe that most of us would. Its certainly what prevented me from a serious consideration of Huckabee.
I thought Huckabee was a charming and intelligent, but I don't want fiscal liberalism and frankly I don't want more of the inept neocon/evangelical influence that I've seen in the last 8 years. We need to get our national debt under control, before the dollar falls below the Mexican Peso. And we need to avoid strategic blunders like the invasion of Iraq, where we are now committed for years to come.
in the Bush administration, specifically traceable to "evangelical influence"? There's nothing specifically "evangelical" about big government spending or the war in Iraq...
NewTone™ would likely be traceable to GWB's faith. His statements, and actions, that "when people are hurting the government should act" would likely fall into that category as well.
I would temper those remarks with the thought that his policies and actions are his alone and should not necessarily be tarred to any other evangelical.
That said, I think Huckabee would be at least 1,000 times worse than Bush.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
by lowering the taxes that weaken our economy.
So...?
Anything else? Faith-based initiatives perhaps? You know, the programs that realistic conservatives are using to wean people off of government welfare programs?
Sure, the government still has too much of a role. But it's a step in the right direction, which will produce more and more evidence that churches and charities do the work of compassion a heck of a lot better than the govt, which shouldn't be involved for normative reasons anyway.
I would call that a direct result of evangelical ideas. By the way I think it wrong and unconstitutional and not even a good idea for governments to give4 charity to other governments.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
mbecker...Compassionate Conservatism was an creature of the Huffington, Weld, Wilson, Whitman crowd in the late 90s. some evangelicals bought into it but not all....there are far more northeastern establishment RINOs involve in "Compassionate Conservatism" than there are Evangelicals by and large.
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
One of the big misperceptions about Huck during the primaries was that he was fiscally liberal.
I'm about as fiscally conservative as they come and I was a big Huck supporter.
Most observers tainting him with the fiscal liberal tag point to his record as Arkansas governor, which was primarily distorted by the Club for Growth's vicious attacks on Huck.
In any case, you can't judge a person's federal fiscal beliefs by their service as governor. After all, Reagan's term as California governor was about as fiscally liberal as they come.
Huck's promotion of the FairTax is about as fiscal conservative idea as there is, short of eliminating federal taxes altogether.
Mr. Ed
Straight from the Horse's Mouth
The Fair Tax is a gimmick that Huck is using to sell you a bill of goods. The idea is dead in the water - it is going nowhere, and will go nowhere. Half the people looking for major tax reform are against it (many of them preferring a flat tax - which is also probably dead because of the Fair Tax people), and there are lots of people who justifiably believe that it is not a better system, being extremely regressive (even with the "prebate" idea) and that the ways to make it less so (like the "prebate") do nothing to decrease the bureaucratic structure of the government (somebody needs to decide what the proper level is and then send out the checks and such).
And, since I don't believe Huck is an idiot, he knows that the Fair doesn't have any chance of passing. He knows it's a no risk position - he throws it in speeches, woos the conservatives, gives a few speeches about it after he's won and then blames other people for it failing (knowing Huck he'll blame Republicans who don't support it rather than the unified Democrat opposition). He gets to claim that he was all for it but other people refused to let it happen - and he will use that for cover as he tinkers with the current tax system to make money for his spending spree.
Give me some accomplishment, some policy position, some proposal that actually shows fiscal conservatism that might be implemented and maybe I'll believe that Huckabee isn't "compassionately conservative" (read: big-government with religion included) to a greater degree than W.
Today is a perfect day for you to head down to your local post office. Odds are a few of the 107,000 signers of the most recent FairTax petition are there educating doubters like yourself.
There are over 65 co-sponsors of H.R. 25 (he Fair Tax Act) currently in Congress.
The FairTax is not regressive. That's an arguement used by K-street lobbyists and those J.C. Watts once labled "race hustling poverty pimps."
Economists have determined that the same paths to a FairTax and a flat tax are the same, so both "camps" actually complement eachother.
True, some level of beauracracy will remain to distribute the prebates. I sincerely doubt it would be larger than the current portion of the I.R.S. doling out everyone's tax stimulus rebates.
I challenge you to educate yourself and read The FairTax Book and FairTax: The Truth or at least go to the Americans For Fair Taxation website: http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_main
My only personal issues I'm working to address is ensuring (especially during economic downturns) that our national defense and requisite homeland security needs are continually met.
NOW AS FOR GOV. HUCKABEE. I was never a supporter of his. I was never sold on his support of The FairTax and believe he used the organization as a prop to support his weak candidacy the same way he relied on the Southern Baptist email networks. He is and remains a "big-government" liberal. In reference to the FairTax, I told friends that all Gov. Huckabee would do is give it a bad name (reldim, you are proof of that).
I am encouraged by Sen. McCain's tax reform proposals and further appreciate the fact that he said during a debate that he would sign the FairTax if it crossed his desk.
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So much more could get done if no one gave a damn who got the credit.
requires rebates.
Any system that gets all taxpayers used to getting a check from the government each month is terrible, and should be immediately dismissed.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
Prebates would be for the head of a household to spend towards the basic necessities (or save) and only up to the poverty level.
As much as it might be terrible for "taxpayers" to receive a check from the government each month, it is by FAR superior to those who don't pay any tax getting welfare checks every month and "taxpayers" sending checks to the government.
Perhaps over and above receiving checks, in time, ALL Americans would be prone to demanding more efficiency in their government, so to see the FairTax rate drop?
considering it taxes everyone at the same rate, except for those earning poverty wages who get taxed nothing?
The only reason I can think for someone to believe this is if you think it's because poor people spend a greater percentage of their income than richer people. But so what? That's like saying a flat tax is progressive just because rich people make more money than poor people.
People ought to get taxed on what they choose to spend or earn at the same rate, period. With the FairTax, most taxes are still going to come from the rich. The difference is that savings and wealth creation will be incentivized for the poor.
And really examine his record as Governor. Sure, C4G and a number of other "fiscally responsible" Conservative organizations I used to support came out against him in full.
I believe we heard it all, and still hear it on this website-even in this specific post. "Huckabee's a liberal, liberal liberal. A fiscal liberal, a liberal (did I tell you he's a L. I. B. E. R. A. L?)"... So much so, that many have failed to actually inspect his term as Governor.
A 30 second sound-bite of Huckabee standing up in front of Arkansas' Legislative Branch during a time of serious budget gridlock has come to define him. The other 10 1/2 years, 364 days 23 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds have been completely left out of the conversation.
In the way Huckabee speaks to average Americans, relates to them and conveys a realistic message coupled with hope in the American people and America's future is termed "populist", when most people have no freaking clue what is a populist. 9 out of 10 average people feel it simply means "he says stuff that's popular- only to get elected." ...time to get a history book?
Mike Huckabee is a leader beyond comparison with the rest of the Republican field. Where Mitt Romney spent a majority of his career switching back and forth on positions and compromising heavily with the Democrats in his state (much like GWB did with NCLB and TK in 2001), Huckabee has been a lifelong proponent of Conservative principles.
Conservative principles across the board; including not just defending the moral high ground against constant attacks of the Anti-this/Anti-that Left, but in defending the 2nd Amendment and arguing for less governmental excess, regulation and taxation.
The record is clear, and reads like simple line-items. He instituted the first broad-based income tax cut in Arkansas' history. He eliminated the Capital Gains tax on the sale of a home, eliminated the Marriage penalty, eliminated the death and estate taxes... Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah.... Those issues don't matter at all to REAL conservatives anymore- who cares?
Beyond the record is where Huckabee impressed me. Not his ability to write his own speeches. Not the fact he doesn't rely on pollsters and paid consultants. Not the fact he rejects Republican Party talking points that viciously attack his opponents.
Rather, what impressed me is what he did as Governor in Arkansas:
When the Federal Government's excess regulations seriously began to affect the ability of Arkansas to do business, Huckabee stood up and provided the innovative, yet tough reforms necessary to meet compliance while not expanding the size of Arkansas' government. This relates to Medicare, NCLB, Medicaid and other federal mandates to the States.
When the State of Arkansas received terrible marks in Education and in its roads before, and in the beginning of his term Mike Huckabee refused to accept it as the status quo. In addition to his various policy changes regarding ArKids, Huckabee sent a message to the teachers' Union and everyone in the state that the status quo 'must change' by appointing a Home Schooler to be Arkansas' Education Secretary.
His work in rebuilding the Infrastructure in Arkansas is remarkable and ought to be commended (as it was by Trucker's Magazine when they named it 'most improved' in the country). In most states, the Department of Transportation is the most corrupt- Huckabee made it the most efficient and squeezed the biggest bang out of the smallest buck.
His Character, during the tough times of the 2000 recession, stayed true to his demands for decreasing the size of Government while were paired with his fundamental belief in not leaving today's problems to tomorrow's generation. This resulted in a temporary Income Tax surcharge, that saved the State from ruining its AAA-bond rating, and being forced to shut its doors. When the recession ended, Huckabee demanded this Surcharge be removed- and did so flamboyantly by setting up a "tax me more" fund.
Being that 90% of the members of Arkansas' State House were Democrats, and only 50% are needed to override a veto, Huckabee realized the need to win over 50% to his side before a vote even took place. The effort he put into demanding good and efficient government over a wasteful one where legislators fund pet projects proved to me he had the stuff to deal with those in Washington.
Overall, what hit me were the statistics. The C4G and other Conservative Organizations will point to the increase in the size of State Government over the 10 1/2 years he stood as Governor. These measures however, are twisted as they factor in the monies that Arkansas was forced to spend in order to comply with Federal Mandates. These statistics also factor in federal money increases, along with the increase in federal dollars spent for these mandates.
Let's take away the mandates. Let's take away the dollars Arkansas was essentially forced to spend on specific projects and federally-mandated programs. Let's take away the NON-discretionary spending. What's left is a Discretionary spending increase less than 1% over his term as Governor.
An Increase in Discretionary Spending Less Than The Rate Of Inflation! But no... He's not a Conservative, there were times where he coupled the elimination of the Capital Gains Tax on a Home with a minuscule increase in the Sales Tax. And there's the time he advocated and received by ballot vote a minuscule increase in the Sales Tax to fund Conservation in the State.
On Top of All of this, Mike Huckabee impressed me by his gaul in reaching out for every vote. This included speaking to the machinist unions and to AARP. Rather that completely alienate a constituency, Huckabee understood that being President of a faction would not constitute a successful Presidency.
Had he still been in the race, he would have wiped the snot off of HillObama's nose at the recent "Compassion Forum". His speeches would be deemed to be more eloquent than even Obama's (without the gaffe's of course), and he would've proved to have more muster than Hillary in a simple conversation.
He got off to a slow start in the race for the 2007 nomination, and his time "under the microscope" was so minuscule that many failed to grasp the fullness of his character and the true depth of his record. Hopefully over the course of the next 4 years these "conservative leaders", and others who opine on this site, will take their time in really examining his record using source data rather than 2nd and 3rd hand opinions.
McCain had burned a lot of bridges with social conservatives. Romney had his past record and anti-Mormon sentiment to contend with. Huckabee had an opening and he made the best of it.
But is he going to beat a Jeb Bush or a Jindal or a Vice President Portman or Cox or Pawlenty? I'm sure he'll try, but the next front-runner likely will be a pro-life politician. The Huckster won't have much running room. Keep playing that guitar.
I agree with your analysis...If he tries to run again I doubt he'll have thew impact he had this time around. I supported him this time around because I was completely anti Giuliani because of his Anti Life, Pro gay agenda. I was anti McCain because of his Anti First Amendment stances and his antagonistic approach to the Republican Base. I was anti Romney because I didn't trust his flip flops and didn't want to have to defend him after slamming Kerry for flip flopping 4 years before. I was disappointed in Fred and his abysmal campaign. That left me with Huck by default.
I do think he'll have an impact however if he sticks to revitalizing the SoCon base of our party and unifying a SoCon message that will sell next time around.
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
First, I doubt Jeb Bush would consider running in 2012 and that he would even be a serious contendor. Bush-Clinton-Bush-XXXXXX-Bush just doesn't seem right to an overwhelming majority of America.
Second, Bobby Jindal has been Governor for months. Now don't get me wrong, because I love the guy- as most on this site do, but he will have the same problems Huckabee had this time around specifically regarding his name recognition.
As far as Portman, Cox or Pawlenty go- I am fairly certain a Pawlenty Presidential campaign would be D.O.A. at this point. Unless Minnesota turns further red and he has a number of "breakthrough" pieces of reforms passed, Minnesota's Government will continue to hobble along both divided and poor.
Don't take this as a post against any of the individuals you mentioned, as I have respect for all. I'm just saying- "Luck favors the prepared", and the same is true in politics. McCain had the best chance to win this time around due to a split conservative base between HuckaRomneyson, a loving media willing to jump on the bandwagon, and a strong fundraising base. Any of the candidates you mentioned will have to start from scratch, while Huckabee's starting now.
I didn't think he would make a good President, but I like the guy, and I like his social views. He's great at connecting with people. I hope he continues to be a prominent voice in the Republican party (but not a presidential candidate).
Ditto the comment above that now is the time for him to rack up the goodwill by working hard to build evangelical support for McCain.
He cares more about himself than doing the hard things to advance his issues.
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Real Republicans will remember this.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Real Republicans don't flake out depending on the results of the primary in races.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Neil...Does that mean if Huck were the Nominee he could have counted on you being a "Real Republican" by campaigning, giving to his campaign and casting your vote for him?
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
What makes you think backing McCain is a walk in the park for me though? heh
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
LOL...didn't mean to imply McCain didn't stimulate your gag reflex...LOL
Sorry
:>)
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
Never Forget Republicans are complex.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Are we to assume that "Real Republicans" are defined exclusively by "Real Republicans" like yourself?
Typical!
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
I agree he should have run for Senate, but you can't revoke someone's good standing for not running for an office you'd like them to run for. That's just silly. Nobody would ever enter politics under such rules.
"I ain't never votin' fo another Democrat so long as I can draw breath! I'll vote for a dog first!" - Leola Thomas
Maybe he thinks he can better advance his issues outside the Senate?
Just saying!
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
and he can't nominate good judges because of it, I hope you'll remember this comment.
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Trust me on that. Pryor is popular and from an Arkansas political dynasty.
He can run in 2010 and win. Don't write him off yet.
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Just a typical, small town, white girl...
I agree it's stupid to say he's a RINO or whatever because he didn't run, but you're wrong that he couldn't have won. I know one of Pryor's staffers, she flat out told me they thought the race was an instant tossup if Huckabee got it.
"I ain't never votin' fo another Democrat so long as I can draw breath! I'll vote for a dog first!" - Leola Thomas
and having a few pretty well connected contacts still, leads me to stick with my earlier assumption.
At the end of the fight, Pryor would prevail.
Huckabee can knock out Lincoln easily in 2010.
Just a typical, small town, white girl...
Why is Lincoln so much more beatable? I'm not from the state, but she's fairly good looking, talks moderate, seems likable, etc. Why would she be so much easier to beat?
"I ain't never votin' fo another Democrat so long as I can draw breath! I'll vote for a dog first!" - Leola Thomas
I don't know his motivations Adam. I'm guessing he thinks he can do more good doing what he announced today with the formation of HuckPAC which has the stated goal of electing McCain an supporting Conservative Republican Candidates for Congress and Senate and re-taking both of those chambers for Republicans.
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
This cannot happen because we don't have an A list candidate in states like AR (and SD, WV, MT). The best case scenario is to lost only 1 or 2 seats.
If Huck really wants to help take back the Senate, he'll focus on turning AR from a Democratic state to a Republican state like GA/TN/KY have done in the last 10 years and LA is doing right now. We need Rs focusing on AR/WV/SD/ND to do just that.
But my guess is he is trying to keep a national profile so he can run (and lose) again for President in the future. I don't begrudge him for it. But it belies the idea that he cares mostly about policy or issues. He, like most politicians, cares about himself.
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...but I agree with earlier posters in that Pryor is probably close to unbeatable this cycle. Huck would stand a better chance against Blanche Lincoln in 2010.
Second, I like the fact that he has set up a PAC to elect Republicans. I know that starting up PACs and campaigning is a way to keep his national profile high - so it may be self serving just a bit - but Huck can do a lot of good for Rs by drumming up support among evangelicals and raising money.
I'd really like to see Huck barnstorm the evangelical movement and GOTV for McCain and others this fall.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
We don't disagree....I actually think you're right I'm just speaking to his motivations and what I believe he's thinking. I also believe he's keeping his options open for 2012 or 2016. I doubt he'll ever get the serious attention he got this time again because I doubt the Republican Party will stick us with the abysmal field of candidates we had to choose from again.
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
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"He, like most politicians, cares about himself."
It sounds like his slogan should be "Huckabee for Greed." :)
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
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you seem to think Huckabee didn't pursue the Senate seat because he cares more about himself than the issues he believes in.
But this only makes sense if you think he'd be more effective as a legislator than as a public speaker and grassroots organizer.
What if Huckabee thinks that the best way to promote conservative issues is not by becoming a cog in the Senate wheel, useful only for the R next to his name, but by creating a grassroots movement--something he's been proven to be able to do, as opposed to the evidence (?) that he'd be an effective legislator.
You don't have to believe he is unselfish; but I do think you should recognize the possibility that he is doing what he thinks is the best use of his gifts in the service to the causes he believes in.
Well said asleep06.
I've said since McCain clinched the Nomination that the Republican Party needs to stop and look at what Huckabee did with so few resources and replicate it party wide. He's a dynamic grass roots organizer and the party would be foolish to not capitalize on his talents.
I have no doubt...given the arrogance and condescension coming from the Party that they will fail to capitalize on his successful use of minimal resources and his organizational abilities....But the point remains the same!
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
Except he hasn't done that. He took the FairTax movement and a pinch of identity politics and that put him into a solid third. It's like saying Forbes created a grassroots movement.
There is no record of massive new Republican sign-ups in places Huck campaigned. He picked up a few special interest groups (homeschooling, FairTax) and rode them as far as they would go.
If he thinks that he did create some grassroots group or that he is actually reaching out to new voters, then I think he is either wrong or dumb. I don't know which is worse.
Regardless, AR is one of very few states that needs a Republican leader who reaches out and gets some party switchers and changes its partisan direction. He could be AR's Jindal but his governship didn't have that effect. As Senator or even Mr. Arkansas GOP, he could. And if he flipped a state like GA, KY, TN, and now LA have been flipped, it would be a big feather in his cap.
This "keep my name in the national media" ploy will not get any of his goals accomplished except for the goal of staying relevant until 2012.
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I'm working on a post about an announcement he made today about the formation of a PAC with the stated mission of using grass roots organization to elect Johny Mac as well as support candidates for Senate and House seats in an effort to win back the House and Senate.
I'll discuss this further with you over there when it is posted!
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
I'm not sure whether you thought Huckabee's win in Iowa was evidence of a grassroots movement or not, or the 6,000 supporters and community leaders on his conference call, or HucksArmy/Faith, Family, Freedom webroots movement.
I guess time will tell whether Huckabee's influence on the grassroots grows or wanes.
Huckabee has launched a new Web Site as of today called HuckPac...In it he's endorsed McCain and announced a commitment to regaining control of the House and Senate for Republicans.
Mission Statement from the site:
Huck PAC is founded on the principles that make America great: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Our Republican Party embodies these ideas and is best suited to lead America forward.
Huck PAC is committed to helping Republicans regain control of the House and Senate, regain a majority of governorships and elect John McCain as the 44th President of the United States.
Huck PAC will support Republican candidates who are passionate advocates for tax reform, a strong national defense, real border security, life, the family, less government and individual liberty.
Huck PAC will identify candidates who hold firm to these principles, promote their campaigns and financially support their efforts.
How We Get There
We are relying on you.
Thanks to your support and hard work, during our Governor Huckabee’s campaign for President these past months, we became known as the team who could do more with less. Now, our goal is to continue our work with the same reputation. HuckPAC We will have a very active online community and will focus on organizing and building a national grassroots organization that turns Republicans out to vote.
Huck PAC will be innovative and will fight every step of the way for the candidates we support. Hard work wins elections and the principles we are fighting for are far too important not to give our all.
Finally, we will be straightforward about our plans and our needs. We welcome your advice and support. Frankly we are counting on it.
What You Can Expect
This is the 1.0 version of our website. As we move closer to Election Day you can expect us to add new features, ask you to participate in new and exciting ways and involve you in our efforts every step of the way.
You can expect the candidates we are supporting to join our community from time to time and share their ideas. For example, a "Vertical Day" for candidates is in the planning stages and will be unveiled soon.
You can expect us to be an active part of our national network. A network that will focus on turning out Republicans to vote and help Republicans win elections nationwide.
"Real Republican" enough for you Neil?
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
Hopefully Huckabee's a Born Again Republican and his latest PAC truly gives money to GOP candidates and not their rivals as his CLAPAC did in Arkansas:
http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-country-get-pac-will-tr...
http://lonestartimes.com/2008/01/24/huckabees-a-divider-not-a-uniter/
...my old stomping grounds.
I completely disagree with this statement:
If anything, many people's AVERSION to Huckabee is identity politics in reverse: "Ah, he's one of those Evangelical crazy nuts. I don't like the group, so I associate him with the group and just write him off without further thought."
I know many evangelicals that are scared to death of Huckabee gaining any influence in the Republican party. He will divide the party and democrats will have free reign.
"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." -Fred Dalton Thompson
Some SoCons, unfortunately, believe Absolute Truth has little value if it isn't embraced nationally with singular agreement. I can't think of anything worse in regards to the Constitution, religious freedom, or even states rights. The much dreaded "moral relativism" is not only a great societal strength, but an intentional construct of our founding fathers. But the path Huckabee would lead the Republican Party, "to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards", is bitterly ironic given that many of the founding fathers (or their ancestors) were religious refugees.
William Penn, America's First Great Champion for Liberty and Peace
Jim Powell, quaker.orgWilliam Penn was the first great hero of American liberty. During the late seventeenth century, when Protestants persecuted Catholics, Catholics persecuted Protestants, and both persecuted Quakers and Jews, Penn established an American sanctuary which protected freedom of conscience. Almost everywhere else, colonists stole land from the Indians, but Penn traveled unarmed among the Indians and negotiated peaceful purchases. He insisted that women deserved equal rights with men. He gave Pennsylvania a written constitution which limited the power of government, provided a humane penal code, and guaranteed many fundamental liberties.
For all there is in common between the Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention, fo example, there are important doctrinal differences on matters such as executions, evolution, and war. For the Constitution to embrace "Absolute Truth," one doctrine must be elevated above all others, and that's a path doomed to fail.
"Austere, intolerant, well-armed, and blood-thirsty, in their own regions the Wahhabis are a distinct factor which must be taken into account" - Winston Churchill, 1921
Already been to that party; didn't like the punch. (Or the kool-aid, as it were.) It always seemed to me that Huckabee was trying to get the government to do God's job: namely, to convict people of personal sin.
Something else that makes me wonder as to the good Governor's sanity is his contention that more laws are better. No. More laws (esp. trivial ones that have to do with personal choice) just add more of a burden to an already overtaxed court system, and badly-written law under the axiom that "more law is better" leads to unintended consequences, such as frivolous lawsuits.
"A legitimately passed constitutional amendment defining marriage"
Personal reservations aside, if said hypothetical amendment met the conditions set forth in the Constitution, then how could they mind? You are inferring that the founding fathers would find fault with the amendment process even though it worked exactly as they had intended - as a process reflective of the nation at the time of passage.
"Austere, intolerant, well-armed, and blood-thirsty, in their own regions the Wahhabis are a distinct factor which must be taken into account" - Winston Churchill, 1921
Since Mike Huckabee will not be our next president, what should he do? Our next president could send him to North Korea for face-to-face talks with Kim Jong-Il. Mike Huckabee is an effective speaker and a noteworthy political leader. His talks could result in better relations with North Korea and opening embassies.
However, ideally his talks could result in much bigger benefits. The ultimate would be for Mike Huckabee to witness to Kim Jong-Il, lead him to Christ, spread the gospel throughout Korea and reunify Korea based on the Christian principles of repentance and forgiveness. Mike Huckabee should give plenty of Korean language bibles and Korean translations of The Hiding Place with him and give them to North Korean officials.
Even if Kim Jong-Il didn’t accept Christ as his savior, Mike Huckabee could show him how Bible-believing Christians are commanded to be good citizens of any country they live in, provided that country does not actively repress Christians. This could result in Christians in North Korea being free to worship even if the country was not re-unified.
Huckabee should have no part in the next administration. If he wants to go witness to KJI, let him go as a private citizen, ala Jimmy Carter visiting Hamas.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
#1) Until he changes on immigration and the economy and does something believable, he'll never get my vote.
#2) If he truly wanted to help his cause, as Adam said above, he would have run for Arkansas Senate. He might have won and provided the votes for a McCain nominated conservative SCOTUS nominee. Now we're likely stuck with moderates (still an improvement).
His early campaign criticism was responded to with the most aggressive immigration policy proposals of any candidate.
On the "economy," what specifically does he need to "change"?
Mr. Ed
Straight from the Horse's Mouth
More aggressive than Tancredo? I think not.
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
Did I miss spell his name?
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/candidates/tom.tancredo.html
...a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right...
---Thomas Paine---
I think he was joking Heroditus!
As in...Was Tancredo a factor in the primaries?
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
zero cred, Huck's adoption of Mark Krikorian's immigration policies is at the top of the list.
He did the same thing wth immigration as with the FairTax. He ripped off a policy paper for convenience. He's taken no actions as Governor that would lend any believability to either position.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
Does he get any credit for what he's doing for McCain and the Party with Huck Pack...or is that just a ploy as well?
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
But being a good campaigner for other Rs doesn't make you a great candidate. Did you give Rudy Giuliani credit for all the campaigning he did?
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
OK Niel...I don't care about him as a candidate...Fact is, I don't care about him period...his ship has sailed as far as I'm concerned...I'm just mystified by the people here who hate the man so much that they want to slap him in the mouth for trying to be constructive and trying to help grow the Party and it's influence...and again...just by posting this web site he's doing more for McCain and the party than any of the other primary candidates combined!
Why piss on him while he's trying to be a team player?
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
That is for the establishing and growing of conservative candidates. He has also campaigned with McCain in places where he can be helpful in the mountain west. I don't think Huckabee is doing more than any of the other candidates-Rudy has done his part in the NorthEast as well. I'm fine with Huck helping as long as he keeps his help where its wanted-when he starts goign outside of his circles, that's when he starts to becoem a negative. By all measn, let him GOTV, go into the eveangelicla circles and boost McCain-I'm just saying he's not going to suddenly become some kind of great party leader in my eyes, just as I don't expect Romney to becoem the new Party leader in yours.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."-Barry Goldwater
Rudy/Romney for VP-because someone's got to punch the hippies.
I didn't know about Romney's PAC
Just goes to show you it's good policy to load you guns before you shoot your mouth off...LOL
I'm just saying he's not going to suddenly become some kind of great party leader in my eyes, just as I don't expect Romney to becoem the new Party leader in yours.
We agree...You're more reasonable on that score than some here...I'm glad for Romney's help for McCain and more so for Congressional Candidates...I'm just mystified by the hateful crap here from others directed towards Huckabee for trying to help....I don't care what's motivating Romney and it shouldn't bother anyone what's motivating Huckabee at this point when it comes to their party building efforts...it should be welcomed!
Maybe you could shed some light on this?
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
Did you give Rudy Giuliani credit for all the campaigning he did?
What's he doing now Neil?
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
AFTER he performs. Let's see who he supports & what he does with the money. Right now he's just all talk and I don't trust him any further than I could have thrown him before he lost weight.
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CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
I'm in the same boat with you on Romney, (and to a lesser extent McCain)!
:>)
--"Faith is a free work to which no one can be forced. Nay it is a Divine work, done in the Spirit."--Martin Luther
I've been wondering where Huck has been hunkering down.
It would be nice if he pulled a classy move like Romney and Giuliani and got out there and raised money and campaigned for McCain in evangelical circles. Huck could be a great surrogate for McCain if he chooses to be.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”