In an exclusive live interview with Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee on Tuesday’s NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer scolded the former Arkansas governor for his strong criticism of President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran: “It seems to me the irony here is you’re taking a pro-Israel stance, but in explaining that stance, you have offended people in Israel and Jews all around the world.”
Huckabee pushed back: “Hardly.” Lauer asserted: “Yeah, heartily. Yeah, the Israeli ambassador to the United States calls your words ‘inappropriate,’ some fellow Republicans have called them offensive and outrageous, and the Anti-Defamation League spokesperson called them ‘completely out of line and unacceptable.’ And you're not backing down an inch?”
Huckabee responded: “Not at all. In fact, the response from Jewish people has been overwhelmingly positive. The response from Holocaust survivors, from the children of Holocaust survivors....people were overwhelmingly supportive.”
Lauer claimed: “But we’re hearing from people who are saying just the opposite.” Huckabee pointed out: “Well, you're hearing from the left. You’re hearing from the ADL, you’re hearing from the Democrats.”
Moment later, Lauer grilled Huckabee:
If you’re elected president and you were the one negotiating with the Iranians in the future, would you stand in the Oval Office and address the American people and say, “My fellow Americans, I'm rejecting the Iranian deal because it will march the Israelis to the door of the oven”? Would you say that as President of the United States?”
After Huckabee stood by the comments, Lauer fretted: “But as President of the United States you would use words to express your policy and your views on Israel even if they offended millions of Jews around the world?”
Huckabee explained:
Matt, we need to use strong words when people make strong threats against an entire group of people, as the Iranians have made toward the Jews....This is not empty talk on the part of the Iranians. This is something that they consistently say. Even as we’re sitting down having a negotiation and they’re crying out “Death to America!” My gosh what kind of a negotiation is that?
Lauer suggested Huckabee was simply desperate for attention: “Answer the critics, Governor, who say that you and some other Republican candidates are doing and saying anything right now simply to be heard over the roar of Donald Trump. Is there some truth to that?”
Huckabee dismissed the accusation: “No, there’s not. And I'll tell you why. If I was going to make noise about this, don't you think I’d have a better forum than a weekend satellite radio show that I didn't think that many people would even be listening to? I wasn’t the one who blew it up.”
Lauer observed: “Well, you say it there and you end up here.” Huckabee countered: “Because you invited me.” Lauer concluded: “Sure, because of the comments.”
All three network morning shows similarly framed Huckabee’s comment as a mere political ploy and touted Obama denouncing the Republican contender.
