"But Mika Brzezinski agrees with me!" might not be Mike Huckabee's best pitch to Republican primary voters in defending his harsh criticism of the Bush administration on foreign policy. But the fact is that Mika has done her best to throw Mike a lifeline on the matter.
In a "Foreign Policy" magazine article, an excerpt of which appears below, Huckabee had famously written of "the Bush administration's arrogant bunker mentality."
Interviewing Huckabee on today's Morning Joe, Mika teed up some recent news as supporting evidence for the "arrogant bunker mentality" allegation -- and the candidate was only too happy to take a swing.
View video here.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Governor, you've been criticized for calling the Bush administration for having an arrogant bunker mentality, and I'm looking at some of the headlines today including the fact that apparently for two years lawyers in the Bush administration discussed what to do with the CIA tapes of the harsh interrogation methods being used on potential terrorists. I want to know what you think of the destruction of those tapes, and what you think should be done now.
MIKE HUCKABEE: Let me clarify. I did not criticize the president. I like the president. But I did criticize the policies of the administration. And I don't apologize for that . . .
In fact, Huckabee criticized the Bush administration's "mentality," a more personal barb than criticism of "policies." And then . . .
HUCKABEE: These CIA tapes, the destruction of them, is very troubling, and I think we need to be asking some hard questions.
Thanks, Mika!
Note: Although Mika expressed solidarity with Huckabee on his criticism of Bush foreign policy, earlier in the interview she was skeptical of his claim that what looked like a cross in his Christmas ad was just a bookshelf: "I don't know about that, governor. It's a cross to me; it's a cross to me." Mika later mockingly exclaimed that she felt "blessed" to have watched the ad.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Comments Policy
Correct me if I'm wrong,
December 19, 2007 - 13:17 ET by dervishbut don't I see a cross over Mika's left shoulder in that shot?
And oh yeah, let's "open up and reach out" to Al Qaeda, Iran, and the Norks. That's exactly what our foreign policy has been lacking these seven years. Shut the Huck up.
Actually Mark she was very
December 19, 2007 - 13:21 ET by exLibActually Mark she was very condenscneding in an anti-Christian way.
She was mocking evangelicals by saying she "felt blessed" watching the spot and then Joe called her on her sarcasm.
That's the Huckster line.....
December 19, 2007 - 13:24 ET by Missouri Conservative...criticizing the ad or any criticism of Huck is "anti-Christian". As a Christian myself, I find Huckabee's tactics highly offensive.
"women and minorities hardest hit"
True. Please note that at
December 19, 2007 - 13:24 ET by Mark FinkelsteinTrue. Please note that at the end of the item I referenced her skepticism about the ad.
Huck and Mika
December 19, 2007 - 13:25 ET by merlin61The more info that comes out on the Huckster, the
more I have changed my mind about him. I
think he's not what we're looking for in leadership
for our country. He's a leftist in conservative
clothing.
II counldn't agree more, I
December 19, 2007 - 14:14 ET by red_dragon311II counldn't agree more, I was backing him all the way, but after some of the coments he made, and that he rasied his hand at the debate along with McCain , Mitt and I forget the 4th, I lost all faith in them
"Get off the phone you big dope!!!!!!!!!!" Mark Levin
Huckleberry is merely
December 19, 2007 - 13:22 ET by mattmHuckleberry is merely trying to insulate himself from all the insane BDS Bush Bashers who might try to associate him with the current policy and apply the same bashing to him. The words "arrogant bunker mentality" were unecessary otherwise. Now he's trying to sound like he wasn't "Bush-bashing"...
Sorry Huck, your tax hiking and your wet-noodliness disqualify you as a GOP presidential candidate.
No one can save Mike Huckabee now...
December 19, 2007 - 13:29 ET by PopularTechI think it is too late for the Huckster, all this stuff is just going to crush him in the polls:
Huckabee on Taxes (Video) (1min)
Ann Coulter: “Huckabee is the Republican Jimmy Carter” (Video) (4min)
Another Man From Hope. Who is Mike Huckabee? (The Wall Street Journal)
Christian conservatives: Beware of Huckabee (WorldNetDaily)
The Huckabee Hustle (American Thinker)
Background:
Age: 52
Education:
- Ordained to ministry Southern Baptist Convention, 1974
- B.A. Religion, Ouachita Baptist University, 1976
Military Experience:
- None
Political Experience:
- Lt. Governor of Arkansas, 1993-1996
- Governor of Arkansas, 1996-2007
Religion:
- Baptist
Crime and Punishment:
Mike Huckabee's Clemency Record Is Under Scrutiny (FOXNews)
Why parole a monster like Green?
Mother of Dumond Victim: "If not for Huckabee, she’d be here for Christmas" (Video) (1min)
Ethics:
NBC Investigates Huckabee's Ethical Shortcomings (Video) (2min)
A Son’s Past Deeds (Dog Torture) Come Back To Bite Huckabee (Newsweek)
Huck's gift-givers ended up in state posts (Politico)
Huckabee Signed '98 Ad Urging Women to 'Graciously Submit' to Husbands
Education:
Huckabee on Education: No to Vouchers, Let Government Fix It (Standard Newswire)
Fiscal Record:
Huckabee's Fiscal Record
Huckabee: The Biggest Big-Government Conservative (FOXNews)
Mike Huckabee is a Liberal (Club for Growth)
Updated Huckabee White Paper (Club for Growth)
- Immediately upon taking office he signed a sales tax hike in 1996
- He raised taxes on gasoline in 1999
- He supported an internet sales tax in 2001
- He created a $5.25 per day bed-tax on private nursing home patients in 2001
- He publicly opposed the repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002
- He proposed another sales take hike in 2002 to fund education improvements
- He raised taxes on cigarettes in 2003
- He opposed a congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003
- He allowed a 17% sales tax increase to become law in 2004
- He increased taxes in the state by more than Bill Clinton did
- He increased state spending 65.3% from 1996 to 2004
- The number of state government workers rose 20% during his tenure
- Governor Huckabee refused to pledge not to raise taxes if elected President
Tax Hike Mike
- Overall, Huckabee’s substantial tax hikes far surpassed his modest tax
cuts, with the average tax burden increasing by a whopping 47% over his
tenure.
Foreign Policy:
Mike Huckabee Criticizes Bush Administration for 'Bunker Mentality' on Iraq (FOXNews)
The Holiday Inn Express Candidate (National Review Online)
The Problem With Pastor Mike (National Review Online)
Global Warming:
Huckabee is the only Republican candidate to support the economy crippling Cap and Trade CO2 Legislation, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Regulation and Renewable Energy Standards
Illegal Immigration:
Laura Ingraham: Huckabee Is A "Big Loser" On Immigration (Audio) (5min)
Huckabee Supported Scholarships for Illegal Aliens (Video) (5min)
Fact Checker: Pinocchios for Huckabee on Illegals (Washington Post)
Huckabee aid plan for illegal aliens draws 'venom, anger' (Arkansas News Bureau)
Huckabee Liberal on Immigration (Standard Newswire)
Huckabee offered 'no-cost' deal for Mexican Consulate (WorldNetDaily)
Huckabee promotes 'open door' policy at League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) convention (Arkansas News Bureau)
Immigration bill un-Christian, anti-life, governor says (Arkansas News Bureau)
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
I'd ask that you not post
December 19, 2007 - 13:31 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI'd ask that you not post this lengthy comment on every Huckabee thread. Pithiness, please!
Hey Mark - does NB
December 19, 2007 - 13:34 ET by TruthMongerHey Mark - does NB sur-charge you by the word or something:)?
We cld mybe txt U nstd:) - lol
OMG LOL!
December 19, 2007 - 13:35 ET by Mark FinkelsteinOMG LOL!
. (NB award for
December 19, 2007 - 13:36 ET by MrShy.
(NB award for pithiest post :p)
We bid a fond farewell to Professor Talking Points & Cheetos
How about "Huck Sucks" or
December 19, 2007 - 13:39 ET by Airforce_5_OHow about "Huck Sucks" or "I don't like Huck". More to thew piont for Tech.
My fav so far...
December 19, 2007 - 13:43 ET by Clear thinkerEvery time Huckabee talks to a crowd, people yell "Shut the Huck up"
Rush Limbaugh stated that of the top 5 Republicans running for the presidency, only one was a true conservative. http://www.fred08.com/
Clear
December 19, 2007 - 14:16 ET by Airforce_5_OIs he a Hucking liar too?????
Why?
December 19, 2007 - 13:45 ET by PopularTechIt is not the same comment, I've added to it. Um the Huckster has so many problems that is as concise as I can be.
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
Actually what do I care
December 19, 2007 - 13:52 ET by PopularTechLet the Huckster win the nomination and Hillary becomes president. Good luck with Huck and the loss! I am now off to convince all my republican friends to drop out of the party.
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
Popular Tech, I agree with you whole-heartedly....
December 19, 2007 - 14:02 ET by Missouri Conservative...but lets tone it down a tad. You run the risk of people not taking you seriously (and I think your message is one that needs to be heard!)
"women and minorities hardest hit"
Huck
December 19, 2007 - 14:52 ET by iveseenitallI see Huck as a disingenuous guy who is a "liberal". He knows it's wrong, but can't help himself. "Liberalism" is a disease and he's caught it. America needs a strong leader, not a "liberal" RINO. Huck vs. a Democrat would give America no choice at all. He is not what America needs right now.
P.S. Huck has an easy, well-paying job waiting for him as a late-night talk show host. I think that's what he is really gunning for anyway.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
This is a problem who
December 19, 2007 - 15:00 ET by Chris NormanThis is a problem who explodes from the background to the forefront in such a short amount of time, like Huckabee. There's such a short amount of time to consider and gauge his positions and record, and everyone is left scrambling to do so. I didn't bother even considering him as a possible nominee until a couple weeks ago - and I don't think I'm alone in that.
THEN YOU TRULY NEED TO READ
December 19, 2007 - 15:33 ET by voodoodaddyjust one of the links in populartech's post above. His actions as the Gov. of Arkansa alone should scare the bejeebers out of ya. You may as well vote for, wait...I have to swallow the throw up that started to come up.................................................................................Hillary.
I can't think of anyone the
December 19, 2007 - 16:01 ET by Chris NormanI can't think of anyone the Republicans could nominate who would be so unacceptable to force me to vote for Hillary. That just ain't gonna happen. I'm not into "protest votes".
Agreed, Chris
December 19, 2007 - 17:53 ET by RJProtest votes, like sit out votes, are childish and by default just give the Dems even more power....SCOTUS appointments, for example.
If the "protest voters" are unhappy now, wait until they see who Hillary, Obama or Edwards appoints to the jucidiary.
No to Huckabee
December 19, 2007 - 17:22 ET by UnsaneI appreciate this service of yours (showing Huckabee's record)...but as if I needed any other reason for crossing him off my list, NB has provided one with this post.
If you as a candidate have sorry foreign policy proposals, kiss my vote goodbye.
I just might buy that edition of Foreign Policy just to read his comments at length.
We need to "reach out" to other countries? What, is there a reason why we'll never see John Kerry and Mike Huckabee in the same room???
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
Mika is really coming along
December 19, 2007 - 17:40 ET by bigtimerMika is really coming along nowadays...she has worked her way up from just uttering sound affects...
LOL!
ha, Bigtimer
December 19, 2007 - 17:55 ET by RJShe HAS been more willing to let her Inner Liberal out.