Huckabee: My Critics Get Rich 'At Expense of People Who Don't Know If They Can Get Their Kids Through School'

Photo of Mark Finkelstein.

Was that Mike Huckabee on "Morning Joe" today -- or John Edwards? The former Arkansas governor found an odd way to refute charges he's not a true conservative, indulging in some class-warfare rhetoric that would have been the envy of the former North Carolina senator.

Mika Brzezinski hit Huckabee with an excerpt from Bob Novak's column of today. Here are the opening paragraphs from Novak's False Conservative:

Who would respond to criticism from the Club for Growth by calling the conservative, free-market campaign organization the "Club for Greed"? That sounds like Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich or John Edwards, all Democrats preaching the class struggle.

Story Continues Below Ad ↓

In fact, the rejoinder comes from Mike Huckabee, who has broken out of the pack of second-tier Republican presidential candidates to become a serious contender -- definitely in Iowa and perhaps nationally.

Huckabee is campaigning as a conservative, but serious Republicans know that he is a high-tax, protectionist, big-government advocate of a strong hand in the Oval Office directing the lives of Americans. Until now, they did not bother to expose the former governor of Arkansas as a false conservative because he seemed an underfunded, unknown nuisance candidate. Now that he has pulled even with Mitt Romney for the Iowa caucuses with the possibility of more progress, the beleaguered Republican Party has a frightening problem on its hands.

Huckabee's first reaction was to laugh off the criticism, saying that it hurt him so bad "I'm going to have to take half a baby aspirin to sleep tonight." But after comparing himself to Ronald Reagan, Huckabee went on to offer this appeal to populism:

I'm not a candidate who was born on third base and thought he hit a triple, you know, I've come up the hard way. People understand that. I'm the only Republican that's saying the economy, while doing great for the people on Wall Street, is not necessarily translating down to the guys handling the bags and selling the tickets and serving you Cokes on the airplane. And there's just a whole lot of folks out there wondering if they're going to keep their jobs.

When these guys attack me and call me a protectionist. Look, I'm a free trader. But there's nothing free and there's nothing fair about the trade agreements that lend us with a $232 billion trade deficit with China because we're not enforcing on their side of the border the same kind of regulations that we're forcing on American businesses. We're losing jobs; we're losing our competitive edge. We've got a tax system that needs to be totally overhauled, replaced, get rid of the IRS, bring in a consumption tax as opposed to this tax on productivity.

And that scares the daylights out of some of these guys who just kind of like business as it is and they don't really care if it's the Democrat or the Republican: just keep everything the same so they can continue to get wealthy at the expense of people who don't know if they can get their kids through school.

Look for the MSM to continue to give Huckabee plenty of airtime. He's an MSM two-fer: his populist message appeals to the liberal media, and to the extent he sows the whirlwind in GOP circles, all the better from the MSM perspective.

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.


Comments Policy

All comments are owned by whoever posted them and are subject to our terms of use. They should not be assumed to represent the views of NewsBusters.

Viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

He's certainly not honest

If he claims he's the "only Republican" critic of Wall Street vs main street...
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

Bias

I'm sorry, maybe I'm just not awake this morning, but...

How is this an example of bias in the media?

Forget 911, I dial 10MM.

I think it's more of a "man bites dog" thing

If the John Gibson show had-on a Democrat who used free-market capitalist arguments to counter Gibson's questions, that would seem to me like a similar situation to this one. You don't expect "greed" attacks on anti-tax/anti-spending groups from the political right any more than you'd expect Kucinich to cite Ludwig von Mises.

I'm astounded, despite his taxing, spending, and ethical issues as Arkansas governor, that Huckabee's getting the kid-glove treatment from the media he's been getting up to now. I suppose it's because he is glib, lost weight, and plays the guitar. If it weren't for sites like http://www.taxhikemike.org (promulgated by that evil "club for greed"!!!) we'd know almost-nothing about his past.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

I suspect media rope-a-dope.

He's getting kid glove treatment because the other glove has a blackjack in it. If he makes it as the Republican nominee, the media will suddenly discover that he was a Baptist preacher. I'm sure there are no end of tapes of things he's said -- relating to abortion, homosexuality, creationism, whatever -- that will be useful against him, but there's no point in knocking him out of the primary.

Here's an alternative explanation

With a focus on the CFR-influence on the news media that's rarely-spoken-of because it elicits "conspiracy theory" name-calling. (As if those politicians and media-droids who happen to be in power currently would somehow not conspire to remain in power!)
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

You keep asking for it...

What on earth do you have against Foreign Affairs magazine? 

Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.

You keep parroting this allegation...

But the info on the CFR is out there for anyone who's halfway-interested, in a variety of places on the 'net, and the CFR, like it or not, is not just a boring magazine. Why are just-about all the Presidential candidates of BOTH parties CFR-members if it's just the lowly magazine you keep-desperately-trying to paint it as, anyway??? What magazine has that sort of influence, or ever had it in history?? Do some research, and evaluate your sources for once, as you keep preaching.

You keep not-answering coherently, but I'll keep exposing the CFR because the biased, lazy news media obviously WON'T talk about 'em at all. I bust bias here, and I call 'em like I see 'em.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

I HAVE to keep parroting because you can't read

You keep not-answering coherently  The lack of ability to read on YOUR part does not constitute an emergency on MY part.

The reason I keep bringing up Foreign Affairs - which I see you are throwing a tantrum about, right now, or - dare I say it - maybe you are, to quote Sarcasmo "whining like a little girl"?  - is because of your idiotic habit of ascribing immense power to a club of pencil-necked geeks and pointy-headed intellectuals. 

Oh, but if only the nerds of the world had the power you say they have...

Again, not only do I sometimes taks a stab at their publication - though admittedly not in awhile - I looked into JOINING the CFR.  I could, no doubt, still file for a candidacy with them.  BUT, after doing my own research, I decided it would not be worth it, because they (like you) would HATE my "sorry, we tried" approach to diplomacy. 

So, exposing the CFR?  I will do that for you.  http://www.cfr.org Easier than you thought. 

Besides, did I not warn you previously that the next time I saw you - or anyone else - try to make out this pathetic organization into something infinitely bigger than it is, that I would ask you about the mag?  It is about the only thing they are good for.  The joke, as always, is squarely on you. 

Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.

Oh, yeah...Right.

The CFR's own website "exposes" them really-well. Good source evaluation -- believe what you're told!! I expect Hillary Clinton's website "exposes" Hillary in a very similar way. And when you whine like a little girl, I say it. So what? I call 'em like I see 'em, and frankly you've whined like a little girl quite frequently.

To be serious for a moment, even though the joke's again on you, because even the much-maligned-here Wikipedia is devastating. It also has good links for anyone ACTUALLY interested in honestly researching the CFR's influence and deciding for themselves just what it is.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

File Chapter 7 under intellect quick, crybaby

Hey, aren't you the one constantly whining, in the case of your Reactionary God, that I should go see what he says?  What, are you too scared to see what the CFR says??? 

I evaluated the source and know their biases.  Of course, keep ignoring the nasty fact I know a little more about this organization than YOU do, as I could have joined them some years ago, and oh by the way, still can. 

But then, as your dream is of a United States that is as hermetically sealed off from the rest of the world as possible, even nonprofit organizations of pencil-necked geeks and pointy-headed intellectuals that look at the wider world fills you with EXTREME TERROR.  If you live in that much fear of a bunch of nerds like the CFR, then you will fear...and believe...anything you are told. 

Keep whining like the little girl that YOU are, Sarcasmo, to quote Sarcasmo. 

And when you whine like a little girl...and frankly you've whined like a little girl quite frequently.  What, sarc, working for The Department of Redundancy Department???  If that is your ONLY criticism - ironic as it comes from THE BIGGEST CRYBABY on NB (and nothing compared to the tantrums you will be throwing come March or April) - you lose the argument by showing me that you are as intellectually bankrupt as any Leftist here...which is fitting, considering how much you accuse your opponents of what you most frequently and habitually do.

Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.

He's getting the McCain

He's getting the McCain treatment. As long as he hurts Republicans, the old media will lay off, but if he becomes a danger to Democrats...

Wow

Wow, that website shows Huckabee to be either a big liar or someone who makes up answers when he doesn't have one. Thanks for the link sarcasmo. He repeatedly says that his tax on gas was approved by voters on the ballot, when in reality he signed that tax into law himself.

And the Huckabee-bonus is...

The left, including the Democrats themselves, are ready to go with Mike's ethics-record. Those are the only cards they've revealed so-far, but resentful, partisan parts of the Clinton machine remain in that state, as well as lefty-journalists like the Salon-guy who've battled him for years.

I think it's safe to say we'll see more scandal, even if I have no idea what it will be, but IMO some of that dirt is likely to stick. (And I'll be honest, of the non-Paul candidates, I really like Fred Thompson -- who at least displays a whiff of states' rights Federalism at times -- much-better, despite my oft-repeated FL-gunshow-curiousity.)
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

Other Stories

There's a video on that website as well of Huckabee who while governor of Arkansas said that he has no problem with higher taxes.  Recently Huckabee was asked about it and his rebuttal was that it was in the context of mandated Federal requirements.  This also turned out to be untrue and his campaign had to make a correction to his statement.  At best Huckabee is guilty of being unable to remember events accurately, but he forcefully argued his erroneous points as if he was certain in his mind that they were true.

The reality I've come to is that Huckabee is to the left of George W. Bush and I guarantee you that is not where the base wants to go.  Huckabee talks a good game about abolishing the IRS but didn't GWB also claim during his two campaigns that he was going to push for a unified Federal tax system?  The moment the vote was in the issue vanished into thin air.  I have no confidence that Huckabee would be any better.

I agree that Fred Thompson would be much better than this guy, or Mitt Romney (my two favorites at the moment). Maybe Ron Paul would make for an interesting VP.

Please see new last

Please see new last paragraph.

I agree, Mark. He's about


Look for the MSM to continue to give Huckabee plenty of airtime. He's
an MSM two-fer: his populist message appeals to the liberal media, and
to the extent he sows the whirlwind in GOP circles, all the better from
the MSM perspective.
Mark F.

I agree, Mark. He's about to become their favorite "even Republican."

Huckabee

I don't know how an attack piece on Huckabee comes under "Exposing and Combating Liberal Media Bias."

If one would look at this in an intellectual and strategic point of view, what Gov. Huckabee is doing is very shrewd and effective. There is nothing wrong with having a populist rhetoric. Huckabee is offering free-market, conservative solutions to these real issues.

Let's use that classic story of giving someone fishes vs. teaching them how to fish. There is nothing wrong for a person to say, hey I understand what you are going through, but the best way for you to get fishes regularly without depending on anyone is by learning how to fish.

The democrats say, hey I understand what you are going through, let me constantly provide you fishes for the rest of your life.

We as conservatives lack empathy, and we can use that to our advantage to get the common folk to understand why we are very adamant on individual responsibility. There must be a combination with the head and the heart in how we communicate.

If one thinks Gov Huckabee is no different than the democrats, you haven't done your homework. I suggest you all listen to the debate between Gov. Huckabee and Sen. McCain on healthcare. If Gov. Huckabee was a liberal he would've said let the government fully fund healthcare. Go check it out for yourself.

http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/resources/ia_forum_webcast.html

 Also on taxes, Gov Huckabee is for the Fair Tax (http://www.fairtax.org). Anyone with an decent IQ score knows that the fair tax is not a liberal tax policy. He has also signed the no new taxes pledge by Norquist, unlike some other candidates.

Finally on his educational background. If Gov. Huckabee was currently a pastor of a church without any kind of executive experience, you have a point. He has proven how he can lead an entire state and do it effectively. No one accuses him of being incompetant. He has been the Lieu. Govenor of Arkansas for 3 years, then Govenor for close to 11 years. While being Governor he served as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Association and also the Chairman of the National Governors Association.  

Also he served in other leadership positions including president of the Council of State Governments, state co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority, the Southern Regional Education Board, the Southern Growth Policies Board, the Southern Technology Council, the Southern International Trade Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.

As former chairman of the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission, Huckabee worked with the 37-state coalition to develop energy policy and lobby Congress on energy matters, such as the regulation of oil and gas production.

Now what did Romney do as a one-term Governor of Massachusetts?

Note to NewsBusters: Please stick with your motto and focus on the liberal media and democrats.

http://justinok.blog...

I don't know how an attack

I don't know how an attack piece on Huckabee comes under "Exposing and Combating Liberal Media Bias."

Note to NewsBusters: Please stick with your motto and focus on the liberal media and democrats.  -jitumalu

Without disputing your premise: If you don't think that belongs here, why waste so much time responding to it?

Because

Answer: Because it required a response. Anyone who read my response knows that I was responding to the 'liberal' charges and also the charge that his theology degree is an impediment. Thanks motherbelt for your reply, nonetheless. 

By the way, on immigration Huckabee is in full support of building the border and he will build it. That's the first and most important solution as far as sovereignty and national security is concerned. I think 90% of americans agree on this issue. If you can't take a man at his word, then how are you going to believe the others, especially Romney, who has been all over the place?

I even heard some democrats are saying the same thing, which surprised me.

http://justinok.blog...

Yeah, jitumalu, I especially like Huckabee's "conservative"

position on establishing Anchor Babies for illegal aliens and their families.....

But, of course, you believe "we as conservatives lack empathy", right?   Sounds like another guilt-ridden Democrat to me. 

RJ

I already have discussed the illegal alien issue in the first anti-huckabee article on Newsbusters. You could refer to that.

You called me a guilt-ridden democrat and I am very offended by that. I could be called anything else and I wouldn't be as offended :)

RJ, all I was trying to say is we need to be smart in how we communicate our conservative ideals. Be emotional/empathetic when required, be logical when required, but always provide conservative solutions.

Are you telling me that you have no empathy towards anyone? Just because a person has empathy doesn't mean he/she is a liberal. Let's put our thinking caps here.

http://justinok.blog...

Did you "discuss" Huckabee's Anchor Baby proposal, jitumalu?

'Cause that's what he's disingenuously talking about....see, it translates to amnesty for their families. 

Hey, I've got tons of empathy, but I don't wear it on my sleeve like guilt-ridden Democrats and their Republican clones.  

However, it was YOU who flatly stated "We as conservatives lack empathy".   I just called you on it. 

Proper empathy would be to

Proper empathy would be to identify the root cause of their wanting to come here illegally in the first place, that being incompetence of government officials not doing their jobs to pass necessary legal reforms to promote business activity.  We can also sympathisize with illegals regarding incompetent government officials (Dems on our side of the border) who insist on throwing up roadblocks against business expansion which creates jobs.  Either way, the source of the problem is NOT America or Americans, the source is incompetent foreign government officials who refuse to create a climate condusive to economic growth to at least match their population's needs. 

The responsibility of illegal immigration falls squarely on foreign governments refusing to take care of their own people, however this is aggrevated by the collective incompetence of ICE, IRS and Social Security not doing their JOBS.  How long have we been filing the I-9 form for employees to certify their legal working status?  What set of geniuses at ICE and IRS decided not to run the SS# to verify compliance and prosecution of identity theft?????   ID theft is a crime!  Filing a false IRS return is a crime.  Not filing an IRS return if you are required to do so is a crime.  Enforce the friggin Laws, they are on American citizens! 

Here's a hint to the Social Security Administration:  If you are getting SS contributions from more than one state, the probability (not 100%) exists ID theft is occuring.  It is the responsibility of SSA to insure taxes collected are accurately credited to the proper individual SS account.  When you see more than one set of SS collections on the same individual during the same time period a red flag should go up, after all you morons are collecting the money.  Yes, some people work more than one job at a time, however, once verified it shouldn't be an issue for the computer program not to flag it.  All this stuff is done by computer, if Google can scan the internet for individual search results, you morons surely should be able to search for duplicate and triplicate uses of SS#s. Is it really that much to ask you people to do your jobs competently?????

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

RJ

Provide me a source to your anchor baby charges. Then I will respond.

About empathy, I don't sound want to like a broken record. I've said what I wanted to say. Just because you don't wear it on your sleeve, doesn't mean everyone has to do the same. I'm just being pragmatic thats all, right now the left hits us with a false stereotype of being pro-rich, when we are truly pro-individual and pro-freedom. Using a different method to communicate our ideals would be helpful, thats all I have to say.

http://justinok.blog...

It was called the DREAM

It was called the DREAM Act, in which a child of an illegal after 5 years of being here (illegally) would be eligible for all benefits, including in state tuitition and essentially give their parents a green card.  The anchor baby issue was high lighted by that woman who repeatedly was deported from the country, came back had a kid, then hold up in a church for over a year before finally being deported again. 

Enabling bad behavior (whining) only begats more bad behavior.  You can whine about the kids, but you are whining to the wrong people, you should be shouting at the top of your lungs at the foreign politicians who REFUSED to enact business friendly legislation to provide jobs for their own people.  We are not the world's lifeboat for incompetent and callous governments who refuse to take care of their own.  We are not the world's safety valve for unemployment or wealth for that matter.

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

Ah, jitumalu, isn't the fresh air great? :^)

Ok, you know what an Anchor Baby is, right? Just in case you don't, it's a baby with illegal parents that has been born in the U.S.   That "anchors" it's illegal family here.   Many illegals have done that deliberately.

Huckabee's proposal to provide educational rights to the children of illegals expands the concept to children not born in the U.S.   Obviously, the illegal family has to stay in America to care for their child, right?  Voila! Instant amnesty for the family.

Pretty straightforward stuff, and it's not new.   The concept has been proposed here in Connecticut and in other deep blue states.  The libs love it.

As for the "empathy" thing, let's not forget that you flatly said conservatives don't have any.  As you said, you "said what you wanted to say."

RJ

OK, RJ you can cherry pick part of comment I said about conservatives not having empathy. I take that back, what I meant to say is that's how conservatives are stereotyped.

Now lets talk the facts about the 'anchor baby' proposal. On the state scholarship, the governor only supported the measure that applied to those who met the academic qualifications (high grades, attended an AR school, etc) and applied for legal citizenship. The measure didn't pass. Governor Huckabee stressed that any student would simply be treated as any other graduate of an Arkansas High School, and not given any special consideration.

How does that become an anchor proposal? First, the student has to  apply for legal citizenship - the state cannot provide citizenship, the federal government does. Second, the student would be 18+ and so they don't need any parents to look after them. The measure didn't pass and eventhough I'm not excited about the proposal itself, I think it is safe to note most of the top-tier republicans including Huckabee have similar stances on the issue of illegal immigration 

For those who are worried about where he stands on illegal immigration, check this link:

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=4

http://justinok.blog...

It's "cherry picking" to call you on an insult, jitumalu?

Hmmm.  Well, in any event, I'm glad to see you've finally taken it back.

I listened carefully to Huckabee yesterday when he talked about illegal students.  He didn't once allude to their being 18.  He just talked generally about giving "good students" an opportunity. 

Ok, let's assume that you're right that it's about college.  As I said, many blue states have, or are trying to pass, the same concept.   I'll use CT as an example.  Here, the liberals want to pay for the illegal students' college, their health care, and give them other financial benefits. 

Ignoring the fact that it's all free for them and ignoring the high cost to the citizens of the state, what about the legal students who cannot get into their schools of choice (or perhaps not into a school at all) because an illegal has taken their place?   And is it "fair" that they have to pay their own way?

The concept stands or falls on it's own merits, and attempting to justify it because "others do it" doesn't make it palatable.   Besides, I really doubt you'll be able to produce "top-tier Republicans (with) similar stances."

RJ

About listening to Huckabee, I suggest you look in a lot deeper than just one interview. 

There was no quota on this scholarship. As far as other states like CT are concerned you should work harder at electing anti-amnesty candidates to the legislatures then.

Till there is a solution to illegal immigration from the federal government, the states have to look into their own best interest. It is much more cheaper to give a highly educated high school graduate 1000 dollars a semester rather than paying welfare for them because they are plucking fruits and raising chicken. This is just my point and not anybody else's.

This issue should've been solved by Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush Jr. Now that this is a major issue in the campaign, it is taken much more seriously. Gov. Huckabee is clearly against amnesty and he's in full support of building the border.

 I think I've made my point. Thanks.

 http://justinok.blogspot.com

We're talking about what Huckabee said, jitumalu

I don't need to go deeper on this issue. As I said, even if I agree that you're right that he was speaking of college (something he never mentioned) his proposal is still wrong.

I don't know what a "quota" has to do with the issue.  There are only so many places available in each school, and any taken by illegals are not available to American students.

And if you don't think Connecticut's giveaway program would become more or less standard, then you're naive. 

So now health care, stipends, etc, are ok with you.  Incrementalism at it's finest.  The more you talk, the more you reveal yourself (and, by extension, Huckabee) to be proponents of amnesty.

BTW, jitumalu, they're STILL "Anchor Babies"

...because they will be bringing their families in ASAP, continuing to jump ahead of others in line.

Given the high school

Given the high school education they received at our expense, i.e. the property taxes we paid, don't you think they got enough already????  With their education here, they could go back to where they came from to live at the top of the heap there. 

BTW-Why should out of state students pay higher than illegals on tuitition costs, it's way more than a $1,000 my friend.  You are talking State subsidizies on the order of $10,000 per student or more per year when you look at the difference between in state vs out of state tuitition.  How is this fair????  Why should a New Yorker pay over $25K/yr to go to FSU or USF in Florida when an illegal gets to go for $12 or $15K or less.

No it's much cheaper to deport them back to where they came from and tell their governments to get off their backsides in providing opportunities for "their" citizens.

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

The Unfair Tax

 Also on taxes, Gov Huckabee is for the Fair Tax which in reality is the "Unfair Tax", as it is the most regressive form of taxation their is.  In politics, whenever I hear ANYONE on either side of the aisle talk about anything being "fair", that is my cue to run like hell.  Anyone with an decent IQ score knows that the fair tax is not a liberal tax policy.  It might not be Leftist, but anyone with a decent IQ knows that it is bad policy to attack the very heart of the engine of the economy, which is consumer spending.  Already in TX I pay 8% in sales taxes.  Under the Unfair Tax, this goes to 30% or so.  Guess what I will do with my wallet under such circumstances?  Slam it shut.  I won't be the only one. 

 

Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.

"I'm sorry, maybe I'm just

"I'm sorry, maybe I'm just not awake this morning"

Why should THIS morning be different from any other time of day, any other day of the week?

I have to say, the more I

I have to say, the more I learn of Mike Huckabee, the less I like him. I guess there is a reason he ran well in a state run by Democrats!

-

His attempting to appeal to less-well-off Republicans as he responds to Club for Growth is not so bad.

What is a major problem is his stance on the border. 

http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/742931899.html

Yup

Him and Rudy are soft on illegals.I really dont want either of these two winning the primary.I could care less about the Club for Growth or the rich.I just want someone who represents Americans.

I think Huckabee is reading

I think Huckabee is reading the writing on the wall, and saying what he thinks Americans want to hear.

And the fact is that a lot of Americans don't care if they vote for a Democrat or Republican; they just want to know who is going to take stuff (mainly money) away from "rich people" and give it to them, in fact or in kind.

That's why Bush and the Republicans passed the prescription drug plan: because people want free stuff. Republicans know if they don't deliver it, the Democrats will. And since they want to stay in power, they will give the electorate what they want. Being elected and re-elected is the name of the game.

 

Huckabee

Yeah he's basically appealing to working-class conservatives who hate abortion and gun control but like the idea of taxing the rich. The more I see of him, I'm also starting to think of hims as a RINO.

card holding member of the vast right-wing conspiracy

Absolutely Unqualified to be President

Mike Huckabee is the biggest joke going. How is this guy in the polls with a degree in "Theology" and support for Cap and Trade and CAFE standards? Electing Huckabee would cripple the economy. The only other idiot GOP running who support Cap and Trade is McCain, who thanks to showing his true colors on immigration has no chance of winning the nomination. But Huck should not even be considered as a VP candidate yet absolutely conservative and qualified candidates like Duncan Hunter are not even talked about.

A Quick Comparison of Each Presidential Candidate's Record and Plan for Global Warming

Now who do you think is more qualified to be president Huckabee or Romney?


Mike Huckabee:

B.A., Religion, Ouachita Baptist University (1976)
Ordained to ministry Southern Baptist Convention (1974)


Mitt Romney:

BA, Brigham Young University (1971)
MBA, Harvard Business School (1975)
JD, Harvard Law School (1975)

The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource

Romney a lawyer - not good

Sorry, but if you're trying to impress me with Romney's JD, you're barking up the wrong tree. This country is already ruled by too many lawyers, from the lowest judiciary to the highest office in the land. It's an elitist proletariat, and I'm not in favor of it.  If that's the criteria I'm supposed to go by, I'd choose Ron Paul, who's a doctor, or Huck, who's (at the very least) NOT a lawyer.

Forget 911, I dial 10MM.

Maybe you missed the MBA?

Romney is the only candidate with an M.B.A. and a J.D. which makes him both qualified to run the government and understand the laws.

Paul is qualified to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Surgeon General.

Huck is not qualified for anything except being a Baptist Minister, ooops he already is.

The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource

I get your point on the so

I get your point on the so called credental issue, Romney has got education and executive experience under his belt, however I think fossten is right that this is a distraction from the real issue of the candidate being "Representative" of the majority.  We are not running a Meritocracy as envisioned by lib Dems.  IMO, both Romney and Huckabee are RINOs.  They don't "represent" the thinking of most conservatives, let alone the country.

Ron Paul is a Libertarian, not a Repub.

btw- check Tom's blog at www.bizzyblog.com and read the 5 part series on Romney.  This guy has taken some very non conservative actions, and my friends, actions speak louder than words.  Spin it any way you wish, but Romney is not a conservative.   

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

I hope not

If Ron Paul was a libertarian he would be pro-legalization of drugs, pro-illegal immigration and pro-gay marriage. Don't get me wrong Paul is 100 times more qualified than Huckabee, he just as no chance of winning.

Like it or not the only candidates that have a chance to beat Hillary are Giuliani or Romney. I think it is great everyone is pulling for who they want but I just hope people don't show up at the polls because the GOP candidate is not their ideal. I will take Fiscal Conservative over 100% Socialist anyday.

The Polls don't lie

Right now the question you have to ask is could you vote for a Giuliani/Thompson ticket?

The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource

pro-legalization of drugs,

pro-legalization of drugs, pro-illegal immigration and pro-gay marriage

Ok Sarc, how does Ron Paul stand on these issues, since you seem to boost him at every opportunity???????

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

Go look it up on his site.

I'm not him, and I'm not your researcher, either. It's not that I boost Dr. Paul at every opportunity either, it's more like some people here BASH him under that description, as we've all seen over and over. I just bust bias, but sometimes the fact that I do it singlehandedly or the fact that I've busted NB's bias makes me inconvenient. It doesn't change the facts, though.

I still say the tax and spend drugwar is an expensive big government failure that engenders rampant corruption in politics & law enforcement, both here and abroad. One moral failure of the tax and spend drugwar lies in letting people like Jessica Lunsford's rapist/killer out early in order to keep some pothead in a jail cell at taxpayer expense because of brain-dead "mandatory minimum" sentencing laws. Prohibition generally implies "God creates mistakes but politicians don't," and I take exactly the opposite view. These arguments usually degenerate into lies and dimwitted name-calling, though, as we've also-seen here frequently.

I'm totally against illegal immigration, I say "go to the back of the line" for all of them. I thought Reagan's amnesty was morally and politically wrong at the time, but he signed it anyway. Blame Alzheimer's. I expected actual border enforcement from that point on, and America & I didn't get it, because law enforcement priorities in this country are screwed up (see above).

There should be a separation of marriage and state. I think so-many people worship big government that it's unthinkable for them. Big government worshippers tend not to want to ADMIT to worshipping big government, and they get insulted whenever I point-out the obvious as to what they really-worship, but "follow their money" and tell me who's right. I know exactly what they worship. Gays are individuals, who should have individual rights just like the rest of us. Most of them just want to be left alone, and those gays certainly have my sympathy. If they want to be monogamous & commit themselves legally in a relationship, I fail to see what conservatives have against it, no matter what gays or their churches want to call the commitment. It's just a word. Homosexuals can do what they want, as long as it doesn't cost me tax-money I'm fine with it.

Want the candidate's views on all these issues? Go look at what he's said/written. There's an entire internet FULL of his weekly columns, and google is your friend. Want mine? Ask me, like you just did. But don't expect me to speak for anyone else, or to do your research for you unless I feel like it.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

THE TRUTH COMES OUT!

I told you!

Libertarians support legalization of Drugs

Libertarians support illegal immigration 

So if Ron Paul does not support these issues, I would not call him a Libertarian.

The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource

Uh, the truth is...

He's still a Republican, like it or not. One would think your Google-skills would be better than just finding a different political party he ran with 2 decades ago...But nice try anyway.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

"Dr." Paul

He's NO Republican. He's a libertarian riding the Rupublican wave until he decides the time is right to break ranks and run as an independent. I know you will have an aneurism trying to prove me wrong, but don't bother. It wont work.

Leon says "By the way, I'm not afraid of fat people, I'm repulsed"

Truth Monger Says - "Both are religions [Christianity & Islam], yes - with the same percentage of terrorists."

Prove yourself right, then.

He's a Republican, like it or not. There's a small government wing of the Republican party that's been around a while, like it or not, and I don't feel any need to prove the obvious. Prove why you hysterically put scare quotes around "Dr." for a Republican Doctor who's been one for decades, instead.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

He'll prove it Sarc

I don't have to prove that he will break off and run as an independent. He will do that for me.

As for the quotes around "Dr.", I do it for two reasons. First, becasue while he portrays himself as an MD, it has no bearing whatsoever on his qualifications to be President and is a desperation move. Secondly, and more importantly, I do it because I know it pisses you off.

Leon says "By the way, I'm not afraid of fat people, I'm repulsed"

Truth Monger Says - "Both are religions [Christianity & Islam], yes - with the same percentage of terrorists."

Nope, on 2 counts.

1. Like it or not, "Plan B" is his Republican district.

2. It doesn't piss me off, because he's really a Doc whether you like it or not, but it does make you look particularly-hysterical whenever you try it.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

MISTER

So, MISTER Paul has an M.D.  So what?  I didn't constantly hear of a former TN Senator constantly referred to as Dr. Frist (example).  

I don't know about the rest of the voters here, but I am not voting for OB/GYN.  I AM voting for President.  Therefore, your God's M.D. has zero bearing on the office he is campaigning for. 

Hence, don't whine either when you see me refer to the SecState as Dr. Rice.  At least her Ph. D. has a direct, relevant bearing to her office.   

Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.

I understand that

Read what I wrote. Now answer these questions:

1. Do you believe in legalizing Drugs? Does Paul?

2. Do you believe in Gay Marriage? Does Paul?

The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource

See above.

I've told you what I believed, and I've told you to go look for Paul's words if you're curious about him. My words above stand, like 'em or not.
JMR

Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul.

Contradictions collapse

But GOD HELP US ALL if YOU are told to look at an organization's website to see what they say about what they do(http://www.cfr.org).   

Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.

You are the Ron Paul Expert

I cannot find anything except Wikipedia which states his issues on these things, which is why I asked.

So you are trying to convince conservatives to go with someone who is Pro-Legalization of Drugs and Pro-Gay Marriage, GOOD LUCK!

 

The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource

I'm with Fred! Having

I'm with Fred!

Having said that, I will take Mitt, or Rudy over Hillary any day. Huckabee and McCain would be disasters for the country.  Not close to Hillary, but with them I'd be voting against Hillary, not for Fred, Mitt, or Rudy.

My fellow evangelicals better wise up to these facts:

  • JFK didn't force Catholic beliefs on the US
  • Carter didn't force Baptist beliefs on the US
  • Bush didn't force Evangelical beliefs on the US

So how is it that Mitt Romney is going to "force" Mormanism on the US? If you beleive that, you have allowed the MSM to "play" you. Like a piano.

I'm with Fred! But as much as I have many, many, disagreements with Mormon theology (no, we're not discussing that, it's not the point) I will take Mitt in a heartbeat over Hillary.

"This generation is so damned spoiled and lazy, they wouldn't know a real threat to their freedom, until it interupted the
power-source to their X-box, and killed a half a million people!" - George S. Patton (sorrt of)

Trying to understand your

Trying to understand your post in light of the other posts. I guess it is just a preemptive strike, as no one brought up Romney's faith.  Not that I disagree with your point.  There have been many Presidents of faith, maybe more than without.  A personal belief system, even one I disagree with, is far better than someone with no personal ethics who will do whatever he/she believes is expedient.  Personal belief systems only disqualify a candidate if thier belief system means that you have to force others to adopt your religion.  Which is why I will never vote for a Muslim, a Global Warmist, an athiest, or a medieval Catholic (think Inquisition). 

But I would vote for Romney or Huckabee a long time before I would vote for Rudy.  When all the chips are on the table, it comes down to abortion as an issue that I can't get past.  My concern is that the Republicans will nominate Rudy and I will, for the first time since Nixon's second term not be able to vote for anyone.

Those who beat their swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who didn't. - Ben Franklin

When all the chips are on

When all the chips are on the table, it comes down to abortion as an issue that I can't get past.

Romney was for abortion before he was against it, and in fact via his recent universal health care legislation, made the citizens of Taxachuettes subsidize all abortions on demand.  The cost, i.e. the copay is $50 in Taxachuettes for an abortion, thanks to Mitt Romney, the so called conservative.  Do you hear him lamenting this?????  Think again, real hard. 

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

Agreed, but now he is

Agreed, but now he is against it. My point was Romney versus Rudy who is for it. I am not a Romney fan (and in fact, I like Rudy for what he did in NY), but historically Presidents keep their campaign promises (and this is true for both sides of the isle).  So, since he says he is against abortion now, I take him at his word on this.

To me, most of the conservatives running are only fiscal conservatives, e.g., Romney, McCain, Paul, Thompson.  They throw social conservatism under the bus as soon as they see it as a hinderance or pick it up as a banner if they see an advantage.  This is because the Republican power brokers could give a tinker's damn about social issues such as Abortion or Marriage, they are in it for the money. 

Rudy probably figures his abortion stance will gain him votes among liberals who have too much sense to vote for Hillary and know that Obama has even less credibility.  And he also figures that when election day comes, social conservatives will be backed into a corner - vote for him or Hillary - and will choose the lesser of two evils.  But I, for one, cannot vote for either evil.  To me, it would be like voting for someone who was pro-slavery or someone who was not in favor of it, but thought it was a personal choice.  If you believe, as I do, that slavery or abortion is a crime against humanity, both positions are abhorent.

Which is why I will defy their gambit and vote for neither, if that is the only choice I have.  It may result in Hillary in the White House, but it will not require me to be unfaithful to myself.

Those who beat their swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who didn't. - Ben Franklin