Huckabee Hating Hannity: Blames Host for Spreading False Rumors

Photo of Noel Sheppard.
By Noel Sheppard | January 30, 2008 - 11:33 ET

One clear sign of just how powerful talk radio is today is the number of candidates and mainstream media types pointing fingers at leading conservative hosts for their influence.

The recent fixation on Rush Limbaugh's unfavorable position towards Republican presidential candidate John McCain is a fine example.

Conservative talker and Fox News host Sean Hannity has now been tossed into the campaign influence peddling ring by none other than Mike Huckabee who shared some criticisms of the outspoken radio and television personality with Florida's Herald Tribune last Friday:

When I met Huckabee at the airport on Friday and asked him about him potentially pulling out of Florida early, he pointed at Hannity as the reason that rumor just won’t die.

He said Hannity started the false rumor on his television show and it just won’t go away.

“He never called us,” Huckabee said during a one-on-one interview, just after his small jet landed at Dolphin Aviation at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. “He never asked anyone from the campaign: are we pulling out of Florida. So when you have someone say it on national television, then you have all these rumors repeating it, it’s very frustrating to us.”

Think Huckabee supports a reenactment of the Fairness Doctrine?

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hhmmmmm

January 30, 2008 - 11:37 ET by candance

I happen to recall several times last year when people on NB said social conservatives were no longer the backbone of the GOP and needed to take a back seat to fiscal conservatives.

More proof

January 30, 2008 - 11:42 ET by iveseenitall

More proof the Huckabee is a "liberal". Like McCain, on the surface he acts so nice-- then, when you disagree with him, he flings his nasty zingers. The funny man's not so funny after all.

NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"

a liberal?!!!

January 30, 2008 - 12:33 ET by mustangsally

I think this demonstrates that Huckabee, like McCain, is a fighter. 

That last thing I want to see is some high-minded Conservative getting beat up by Bill/Hill and not fighting back.

Sure McCain is more liberal than Romney, and probably Huck is as well.  But - remember -

The ultimate conservative principle is beating Hillary in the general election!!!

I think McCain is the best candidate to do it .... 

MCCain

January 30, 2008 - 13:00 ET by iveseenitall

Neither McCain nor Huckabee will be President . McCain will be nominated and Hillary will win. It's clear now --- God help us all.

NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"

and..

January 30, 2008 - 14:22 ET by jitumalu

and Romney is the only one that can beat Hillary. Right.

Those dems can't wait to bring up the flip-flops and the cayman accounts, they will pounce on him all day long.

Read this article and see how many African Americans are supporting Huckabee. Especially with the Hillary and Obama feud, it would be smart for the GOP to put a good candidate who can gain these disenchanted voters..

http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=11 ... 1082847242

AUGUSTA, GA - For Governor Mike Huckabee, whom many have pegged as the penultimate conservative Christian candidate, his presidential run seems to be bucking both the system and the odds, going from the obscurity of “Hucka-who?” to national front-runner status.

One could easily point to his faith, political platform or grassroots support (but definitely not his paltry $2 million campaign account, compared to others which, in some cases, exceed $100 million) as measures to his success. But according to the several dozen black leaders who endorsed him Jan. 22 at a press conference in Atlanta, Huckabee owes his success to something entirely more meaningful — indiscriminate empathy.

Many at the press conference were self-professed independents, with only a handful calling themselves conservative Republican. So why is it that some in the black community, who typically vote Democratic, are supporting a Republican?

William Owens, the founder of the Coalition of African-American Pastors, said that while his endorsement of Huckabee was somewhat based in theology, it was the candidate’s respect for the black community that convinced him to support him. “When Baylor invited [the presidential candidates] to their college, it was only Huckabee who showed up,” he said in an emotive speech. “We have been ignored long enough! Political parties and leaders must recognize that black people exist and not ignore us!”

Owens, who was active in the Civil Rights Movement, said that Huckabee has shown sincere striving to incorporate everyone, regardless of ethnicity, into the American Dream. “I marched with Dr. King, I marched with the Civil Rights leaders. I know where we come from,” he said. “But there is still work to be done.”

Another black supporter from northern Virginia told the Metro Spirit he thought Huckabee’s record as governor in Arkansas shows that he will be able to “serve as a bridge-builder to disparate members of the community” whom he feels most candidates, Republican and Democrat alike, tend to ignore. The supporter pointed to the fact that, at the time of our conversation, Huckabee was attending the Martin Luther King memorial service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. King’s former parish.

“I mean, the man actually comes around. Most candidates are still campaigning right now,” he said. “When you try to get [presidential candidates] to come in, and you can’t even get them to dress appropriately, it’s frustrating,” said another man. “The mere fact that Huckabee shows up I think goes a very, very long way.”

Huckabee was joined by former President Bill Clinton at Martin Luther King’s memorial service.

When asked outright why they were supporting a Republican, several attendees replied that they were tired of their votes being taken for granted and of simply being relied upon to dutifully check the box. “We need people who will truly represent us,” said one young man.
Gerard Henry, a host for BET, pointed to one of Huckabee’s gubernatorial re-election bids in which he received 49 percent of the African-American vote — a statistic that is virtually unheard of in Arkansas.

Huckabee is one of only three Republicans to hold the governor’s office since 1874. Henry told the Metro Spirit that while it may be “popular” for blacks to vote Democratic, he feels that traditional African-American values may, in fact, be more conservative. Asked if Huckabee’s frequent profession of his faith on the campaign trail initially drew or repelled him, Henry replied to the former. “Yes, he has his faith and he won’t back down from it. I really respect that,” he said.

But faith, compassion, and endorsements notwithstanding, the greater question of “will it be enough” presents itself. As we rapidly approach Georgia’s primary on Super Tuesday, it seems that comes down to three things: time, money and an active support base — two of which Huckabee seems to be lacking. The other he seems to have in spades.

 

http://justinok.blog...

I have a question, did

January 30, 2008 - 11:57 ET by Ruths husband Ben

I have a question, did Hannity do what Huckabee said he did?  If he did, then Mike Huckabee was just stating a fact and I think your inference (that it means that Huckabee supports the liberal agenda vis-à-vis the Fairness Doctrine) is wrong minded and biased.

another stupid article

January 30, 2008 - 12:14 ET by jitumalu

Noel, wake up. Hannity has been telling his viewers and listeners about Huckabee pulling out of Florida all last week. I've through this election come to learn of Hannity's shrewdness and craftiness.

Huckabee came on his show yesterday and has no personal animosity against Hannity. He thinks he got an unfair shot from Hannity but doesn't blame him for the loss. I think it was well known that he wouldn't come first in Florida. He could've came a strong 3rd though. He was smart not to spend a lot of money and get 0 delegates like Romney.

Don't lie about Huckabee and Fairness doctrine. Gov. Huckabee is strongly against that and he respects all of the talk radio hosts and accepts their invitation to go on their shows.

It's one thing to criticise his record, its another thing to plainly make false accusations on a respectable website like NewsBusters. Please remove this entire article. 

http://justinok.blog...

I am an avid listener of

January 30, 2008 - 12:47 ET by steviep831

I am an avid listener of Sean Hannity and he has invited Huckabee onto the show many many times, just as he has invited all the Republican candidates. Many of them have been on multiple times. Huckabee has refused because he knows that Sean will hold him to the fire for a lot of what he has said and done. Only after he falsely claims that he's never been invited does he finally agree to make an appearance, but only when the situation suits him and he can be on the offensive. That's about as cowardly as it gets.

avid listener??

January 30, 2008 - 13:08 ET by SouthJersey1953

You say you are an avid listener to Hannity's show and say that Huck has "refused" to go on it?

That's funny, because I am an occassional listener and I have heard Huck on his show NUMEROUS times..... 

 

It's not Right vs. Left; it is Right vs. Wrong

He's been on the Hannity and

January 30, 2008 - 18:03 ET by steviep831

He's been on the Hannity and Colmes show three or four times, but not "numerous" times on the radio show... You really should listen more. Hannity himself has commented on the show how he's tried to get in touch with Huckabee people to have him on the show more often... Meanwhile, Fred, Mitt and others (except McCain I believe) were on the show it seems like once a week.

I listen to Hannity quite a

January 30, 2008 - 13:55 ET by Bruzilla

I listen to Hannity quite a bit also, and you could be right... he would hold Huckabee's feet to the fire. But what ticks me off is everytime Guiliani goes on the show, Hannity softballs him through the whole interview. You can't be fair and blanced when you make life hell for some candidates and heaven for others.

true

January 30, 2008 - 14:14 ET by jitumalu

You are right. 

Last month Huckabee was on the Hannity radio show for a whole 45 minutes. Don't you all listen to his show? Hannity has challenged Huckabee on the very same topics everytime he is being interviewed. Huckabee was on yesterday as a matter of fact. He hasn't gotten one softball interview so far, unlike Mitt and Giuliani. Whenever Mitt was on he would bring up Huckabee criticisms and ask him to join along in the criticism, is that an interview?

Btw, McCain never goes on his show.

I don't mind Hannity challenging Huck, that's how its supposed to be. My only concern is that only Huckabee is being challenged and the others get a free pass or free spin from Hannity.

http://justinok.blog...

Fairness Doctrine, Ben???

January 30, 2008 - 12:40 ET by iveseenitall

I didn't imply anything about the Fairness Doctrine--never even thought about it, Ben. I said what I said about Huckabee. I don't find him amusing at all. And I do find him to be a "liberal" in many ways, his nastiness being one of them. 

NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"

huck

January 30, 2008 - 12:42 ET by jitumalu

Well you can hug on unelectable Mitt all you want and you will see McCain getting the nomination. I hope you all will see the light on Huckabee. He can win most of those states on Feb 5th, and I predict the race will end up being McCain v. Huckabee and Huckabee will go all the way.

You could make the journey easier by giving the guy a second look.

 

http://justinok.blog...

Britcom has a good scenerio on Huck winning...

January 30, 2008 - 12:58 ET by vrwc13

http://newsbusters.o...

v

"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."

My mistake Noel. I assumed

January 30, 2008 - 12:46 ET by Ruths husband Ben

My mistake Noel. I assumed you thought before writing "Think Huckabee supports a reenactment of the Fairness Doctrine?"

I also assumed that that line was in reference to the quote that preceded it.

Come on.  This site is about combatting bias and whether you admit it or not, your post was very biased.

Ben et al

January 30, 2008 - 12:57 ET by Noel Sheppard

Ben et al,

The Fairness Doctrine question was a joke. I'm sorry folks missed it, and apologize to all that were offended by this innocent attempt at humor.

Lighten up, Francis!

:-) ns

Okay, but if you touch my

January 30, 2008 - 13:02 ET by Ruths husband Ben

Okay, but if you touch my stuff......I'll kill you. ;)

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

Ben

January 30, 2008 - 13:10 ET by Noel Sheppard

Ben,

Exactly. Peace? :-) ns

Peace Bro.

January 30, 2008 - 13:14 ET by Ruths husband Ben

Peace Bro.

Not So Much

January 30, 2008 - 12:47 ET by candance

Sean has had it in for Huckabee since day one. He doesn't even pretend to take Huckabee seriously and complains about his voters on a daily basis. If Sean promoted a nasty rumor about Huckabee, then Huckabee has a right to snap back.

Hannity?! B-but...he's

January 30, 2008 - 14:48 ET by balboa

Hannity?! B-but...he's Hannity!

Bal

January 30, 2008 - 15:02 ET by candance

When was the last time you saw me post anything nice about Hannity? I knew all this was coming back in November when he argued with James Dobson on Fox News.

Hannity just used Huckabee's own words

January 30, 2008 - 13:13 ET by needforcalm

The Huckster is lying just like McCain. He had an interview with Carl Cameron on Fox News in his campaign bus saying that he wasn't going to spend his time, resources and energy on FL since it was winner take all and he knew he couldn't win. So he said he was focusing on GA because it had more delegates to offer.

As for Hucksters chances...all he is doing is staying in the race until McCain locks it up because as long as Gomer stays in the race, he siphons off votes that would go to Romney. In doing so, it sets himself up to be McCain's VP. Look at the numbers in all races so far. Romney has won everytime on people identifying themselves as conservatives. There was an article yesterday that said that independents were voting yesterday when it was supposed to be closed to them and they went strongly for McCain.

So, with Huckster keeping the social conservatives from going to Romney, and the libs voting for McCain, the MSM is getting what they wish for. An unmotivated GOP electorate that will not turn out for McCain in November. Only Romney can rally the base. Once that happens, the rest of the party (Moderates and right leaning independents) will show up as well.  He is the only one with a chance to beat the dems in Nov. and the MSM know that. Conservative thinking will always win out under a national spotlight because only conservative principles keep the country going in the right direction. And McCain is no conservative, so there won't be the black/white ideological differences for all to see.

Am I the only one who sees this? I don't understand how people can't see that the MSM have been trying to set this up (McCain)for the last 8 years.

No.

January 30, 2008 - 14:07 ET by jitumalu

First of all, that was only part of a quote. He was playing down the significance of any one state's influence on the entire nomination process. That doesn't mean he was pulling out. The mistake that Hannity made was making it into a McCain v. Romney race. There's no doubt many of the Huckabee supporters who blindly listened to him voted for McCain since a lot of voters are turned off by Romney's negative Ads early in the campaign.

Let me tell you all, Huckabee is a very shrewd guy, he's a product of Arkansas which is the home of the rough and tumble politics. He aint gonna be McCain's VP nor will McCain ask him. This is a strategic alliance which will end up in a huge fight at the end. If you all haven't been following Huck lately he has been subtly attacking McCain's policies. He needs McCain's supporters and he can't afford to burn those bridges like Romney already has.

 http://justinok.blogspot.com

jit... Huck is working

January 30, 2008 - 14:12 ET by bigtimer

jit...

Huck is working with McCain to keep Romney out...he will also be repaid.

JMO

Huckabee would've been kind

January 30, 2008 - 14:18 ET by jitumalu

Huckabee would've been kind to Romney if he hadn't attacked him so much. Was Huckabee looking to be Giuliani's VP then? If you look at the trends you will see that Huckabee has not attacked those who haven't attacked him.

Giuliani didn't attack anyone till Romney started attacking him. The problem is Romney with his unlimited sources of money can put 10,000 ads out there with misconceptions and it will stick on the voters who are uninformed. How would you respond to something like that if you were in their shoes?

Huck has 10.5 years of executive experience leading a government, he has no intention of being the VP to a senator. He can make through this election on his own. McCain isn't going to go too far. Romney would be smart if he would lay off Huck and focus in on McCain.

http://justinok.blog...

jit.... Oh balderdash to

January 30, 2008 - 14:20 ET by bigtimer

jit....

Oh balderdash to all of your post...

You are wearing those rose-colored glasses too much IMHO. 

Think Huckabee supports a reenactment of the Fairness Doctrine?

January 30, 2008 - 14:20 ET by R D Helm

If he did not before, he probably does now. I am quite sure McCain would gladly sign such a bill into law, as he has already more than demonstrated his willingness to stifle free expression.

Remember, these people are RINOs, not conservatives. There is no way that they appreciate Rush, Sean, Neal, etc., repeatedly pointing this out to people, even though we real conservatives already know this to be the case.

None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe

hmm

January 30, 2008 - 14:36 ET by jitumalu

Again, don't make false accusations, you're acting like a liberal now.. 

I would love Limbaugh, Hannity and Neal to point to us that Romney appointed democratic judges more than republican, raised fees by 250-700 million, instituted a government mandated healthcare system, didn't support Bush tax cuts, thought McCains immigration plan was not amnesty, has a weak gun record and a weak social conservative record.

I don't think their loyal listeners (including myself) have heard anything that I have listed above. Exactly my point.

http://justinok.blog...

Jitumalu

January 30, 2008 - 14:45 ET by candance

That's the biggest reason for McCain's lead right now. Romney is a poor "Plan B" candidate most of his current supporters really don't like but have propped up as a firewall against McCain.

Romney's support is lackluster even here on NB, and out there in the "real world" many conservatives are so disappointed they're just staying home. Republicans cannot stop McCain without the Bible belt, but after six months of alienating and marginilazing social conservatives, they can't get those votes back.

In short, Romney doesn't have it in him to start a rally among social conservatives.  

jit, exactly what false accusations have I made here?

January 30, 2008 - 15:19 ET by R D Helm

All I was pointing out was that the current crop of RINOs running for POTUS, while claiming to be the legitimate conservative heirs of Ronald Reagan, which they clearly are not, certainly cannot by pleased about the fact that talk-radio hosts all over this country have been pointing out this fact to its listeners.

I was not condemning talk radio in any way, as I am very happy the radio hosts of America are exposing the RINOs for what they are. Closet libs. Or, in the case of McCain, a not-so-closeted lib.

None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe

<blockquote>If he did not

January 30, 2008 - 15:25 ET by jitumalu

<blockquote>If he did not before, he probably does now. </blockquote>

You were talking about the fairness doctrine and Huck. That part is what's false. Also the fact that he is a closet liberal is a huge stretch. Has he been a strict, by the book, conservative? No. None of them running now has been. 

 

http://justinok.blog...

jit, I think Huck is as liberal as McCain

January 30, 2008 - 16:08 ET by R D Helm

His record on illegal immigration alone is as bad as McCain's.

As for "he probably does now" was an opinion. Not a statement of fact. I left out the :-^) So shoot me.

The only difference between them, as I see it, is Huckabee's support for the Fair Tax, which I strongly support, BTW, and the fact that he is a somewhat more economically astute than McCain, who probably could not run a lemonade stand with a large-print book of illustrated instructions and a three day head start.

Believe me, there is no shortage of RINOs in government who would love to see talk-radio silenced, and for many of the same reasons that the libs want to silence it. They may not make this assertion publicly, but it would not hurt their feelings if Rush & Co. went away forever.

None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe

trust

January 30, 2008 - 16:55 ET by jitumalu

Gov. Huckabee signed the No Amnesty Pledge by Numbers USA and the No New Taxes pledge by Grover Norquist. You don't take those kind of things lightly especially after the 'Read my lips, no new taxes' statement by Bush 41.

His 9 point secure America plan is very strong. Romney has no plan as of yet, he's just spewing out talking points. Gov. Huckabee's fair tax proposal is super conservative, no one doubts that.

I guess it's a matter of trust for you, I respect that. I don't know what to say to the Huckabee detractors but to trust in him.

http://justinok.blog...

Hannity a CINO

January 31, 2008 - 14:01 ET by Casey97

With Hannity's treatment of Christians lately he appears to be a CINO - Christian in name only.  This money first attitude will be the death nail of the republican party.  Like many, I am a Christian Conservative, but please notice the word that comes first.  Politics is about people and not policy.  I am sure McCain will take the nomination, and be Bob Dole part deaux.

/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-

With Democrat revisionist history and liberals guaranteeing the future (global warming, nuclear destruction, etc.) only the future is certain; the past is always changing.

"Neither McCain nor

January 30, 2008 - 14:52 ET by ckc1227

"Neither McCain nor Huckabee will be President . McCain will be
nominated and Hillary will win. It's clear now --- God help us all."

Not according to the latest Rasmussen poll.

Hannity WAS Corrrect........

January 30, 2008 - 15:01 ET by awesum

HuckaGeek DID pull out early......and went to another state for whatever reason........

 Libs and RINO's lie.........

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21615320@N06/2203519293/

You Huckaboom supporters

January 30, 2008 - 15:31 ET by Gary P Jackson

You Huckaboom supporters are killing me. What is inspiring about this guy? No I mean it, what is inspiring about this guy!

He is a tax and spend liberal. He is a whiner, not a winner.

You guys trashing Romney, and saying he only has lackluster support might want to think again. Romney thoroughly shellacked Huckabee in every conservative category last night. Romney even wore the guy out with Evangelicals! (and has been)

And you know what else? When Romney got beat by McCain, he didn't go whining like a baby to some sympathetic beat reporter, he stood in front of the Nation, gave a very positive, forward looking speech. He spoke of how America was the greatest Nation in the world, and how he was going to continue to fight. No where was there any kind of hint of pulling out of here or there. No where was he crying that this talk show host, or that was being mean.

And you know what else? The guy was up at the crack of dawn, making the rounds on the morning shows, he did two segments on Fox, and was upbeat as you could get. Are you REALLY trying to tell me that kind of enthusiasm isn't contagious? Are you REALLY trying to tell me that won't beat Hillary or Obama?

Fact is, Huckabee has had one good showing. It's all downhill from there. He has zero chance of winning the nomination. So as it turns out, people don't in fact, don't like Mike!

get real Gary

January 30, 2008 - 15:38 ET by candance

I don't even like Huckabee but that doesn't mean I'm going to be dishonest about things.

If Romney was really so contagious, how come every single person on NB bashed him nonstop until the nanosecond after Fred pulled out of the race - and now people are settling for Romney as their Plan B. That's not speculation. Ask any Romney supporter on here right now, they'll tell you Romney was their 2nd chance guy.

And yes, I'm really trying to tell you he won't get the nod therefore he can't beat Hillary or Obama. 70% of his support is half-hearted.

→ candance

January 30, 2008 - 15:43 ET by Cool Arrow

That post gets my vote as "Voice of Reason" quote of the day.

You're right.  Romney didn't suddenly turn into perfection when Fred got eliminated.

♣ a seal

candance... Just throwing

January 30, 2008 - 15:48 ET by bigtimer

candance...

Just throwing in my two cents here...

This is twice that I have seen you post every single person here at NB has bashed Romney until Fred pulled out... That is just not true at all... I fought for Romney long ago...especially when it came to the bias with his religion...even though I was a Thompson supporter first and foremost...there have been others too.

You may not have been here then...I don't think you were come to think of it.

hey bigtimer

January 30, 2008 - 15:52 ET by candance

That "every single person" was a blanket statement not literally intended to mean every single one. Is it fair to say that most people on NB complained about him and he didn't have nearly the fans he has now.

ETA: I haven't been on here as long as some others but it has been a while now.  :-)

cd... I see...thanks for

January 30, 2008 - 15:57 ET by bigtimer

cd...

I see...thanks for the clarification...I ignored the statement the first time because I didn't want to interfere so I appreciate the reply ;) 

sorry for not being clear

January 30, 2008 - 16:02 ET by candance

My basic point was, if Mitt was really all that (like the above post claimed) more people would have chosen him in the beginning instead of lining up with Fred or Huckabee. He is clearly getting a boost from the Fred heads.

And McCain is really going to hammer him for mandated healthcare, his shady past and the notion of being a flip flopper. I'm not saying these things are true or that Romney deserves it - but McCain will pound on this to discourage undecided conservatives.

cd.... ...and Romney has

January 30, 2008 - 16:07 ET by bigtimer

cd....

...and Romney has plenty to pound the RINO back with, starting with his voting record on numerous things that are nothing but to the left...plus his outright lying here the last few days about Romney...if he is wise tonight.

I lined up with Fred because he is the most conservative and I watched/listened to him for years in the Senate...not his show, which I never ever have seen.

difference is, when the dust settles between McCain/Romney...

January 30, 2008 - 16:19 ET by vrwc13

But the difference is, when the dust settles between the two (McCain and Romney), McCain will not suffer as much because most of his backers are "moderates" already.

Romney on the otherhand could lose some of his "conservative" backing. That will then go to Huckabee, as he slingshots past Romney and then eventually McCain! Neat huh?

v

"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."

vr

January 30, 2008 - 16:23 ET by bigtimer

Romney on the otherhand could lose some of his "conservative" backing. That will then go to Huckabee, as he slingshots past Romney and then eventually McCain! Neat huh?

Yeah neato vr...

In your dreams...lol.

*cough cough*

January 30, 2008 - 16:24 ET by candance

Wow I vote this as most obnixious post of the day. Huckabee is in a distant third right now and should Romney lose the nod, no way on earth his supporters turn to Huckabee. Most of them will write in Fred or stay home.

The hatred towards Huckabee is not warranted

January 30, 2008 - 16:33 ET by exLib

I was for Romney from the get-go but, as a Christian, have to respect my fellow brothers and sisters views and take a closer look at Huckabee.

However, what I find very distasteful and it's happening more and more is the personal attacks on Huckabee that we so often dislike coming from liberals.

Vrwcs comment was pretty innocuous, being a Huckabee supporter.

However I think it's pretty petty of allot of posters here who wailed and complained that the Social Conservatives might "Take their ball and go home" if there isn't an SC to vote for in this elect.  They were admonished to fall into line and vote against Hillary or put her in office.

Now these same people are again complain against the SCs for voting for Huck and say if he gets the nomination I'm not voting for him.

 

exlib.... Who is saying

January 30, 2008 - 16:38 ET by bigtimer

exlib....

Who is saying any of that?

Especially the part about Huck getting the nomination?

"Wow I vote this as most obnixious post of the day."

January 30, 2008 - 16:40 ET by vrwc13

Thanks, I take that as a compliment. But a distant third?

Come on now, IF Romney were to drop, and the "conservatives" now have a choice between McCain and Huckabee, do you realy think McCain would benefit?

As for "distant third", we are less than one-quarter done in the delegate count, with alot of the "South" Bible-thumpers to go.

Date Giuliani/Huckabee/Thompson//Romney/McCain
1/30/2008 12% 19% n/a 29% 27%
1/12/2008 9% 19% 13% 16% 24%
12/21/2007 16% 19% 11% 15% 15%

v

"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."

Look at Romney's senate

January 31, 2008 - 14:06 ET by Casey97

Look at Romney's senate run.  Look at what he believed then? 

 

/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-/*-

With Democrat revisionist history and liberals guaranteeing the future (global warming, nuclear destruction, etc.) only the future is certain; the past is always changing.

same here BT - I've always liked Romney

January 30, 2008 - 15:53 ET by Dee Bunk

same here BT - I've always liked Romney and have not bashed him either.

Yeah Dee... There have

January 30, 2008 - 16:01 ET by bigtimer

Yeah Dee...

There have been quite a few, I just am not going to name them all that I can think of, they can do so themselves if they see this, I know quite a few NBers that have supported Romney.

Just needed clarification and wanted to set the record straight a little...lol.

Both Romny and Huckabee are more charismatic than Thompson

January 30, 2008 - 15:50 ET by Dee Bunk

I was for Thompson because I felt most comfortable about his positions and I would be voting for him if he were still in, but I have thought from the beginning that Romny is the most charismatic. I also think Huckabee is charismatic to people like me who are comfortable with people who have deep faith. I think he's very good at explaining and standing up for his faith and I wish Romy would be able to do the same. I like Huckabee as a person and I'd rather have him than McCain.

I'm 100% behind Romny because I know he's more honest, more intelligent and more conservative than McCain, Obama and Clinton.

Dee,

January 30, 2008 - 16:17 ET by R D Helm

I was at the Fair Tax rally in Jacksonville this past Sunday. Huckabee was there and gave one of the best explanations of the Fair Tax I have ever heard in the space of a half hour. It was obvious that he had studied it most completely. His smack-down of McCain in the debate the other night on the subject of the Fair Tax was classic. The man is quite articulate and very likeable in person.

There are a lot of things I like about the man, but his record somewhat belies his current "conservative" assertions.

None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe

RD - I like the Flat tax concept also and I just like Huckabee

January 30, 2008 - 16:46 ET by Dee Bunk

as a person. Many of his other positions make me nervous but I'd vote for him in a heartbeat over Obama/Clinton and probably even McCain.

Fact is, Huckabee has had one good showing.

January 30, 2008 - 16:12 ET by vrwc13

Fact is in Oct/Nov '07 Huckabee, Romney, and McCain all had solid 10 to 15% with Giuliani at 25%.

Huckabee broke out of the pack in Dec '07 and then Giuliani started to slide. Giuliani's slide eventually helped McCain, the other Moderate.

Romney got a boost when Thompson dropped. The Thompson "conservatives" backing him, for now.

The "South" has yet to be heard from in the most part and Huckabee knows this.

Date Giuliani/Huckabee/Thompson//Romney/McCain
1/30/2008 12% 19% 29% 27%
1/12/2008 9% 19% 13% 16% 24%
12/21/2007 16% 19% 11% 15% 15%

In a one-mile race (delegates), we are not even at the fisrt quarter mile marker yet.

Hold on to your hat!

v

"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."

gotta call you out vrwc

January 30, 2008 - 16:17 ET by candance

The Thompson "conservatives" backing him, for now.

This is not a very nice thing to say. The last thing Republicans need to do is start turning on each other saying "I'm more conservative than you are."

Candance, get a clue...

January 30, 2008 - 16:23 ET by vrwc13

"The last thing Republicans need to do is start turning on each other saying "I'm more conservative than you are."

That's has already happened. And as far as this site is concerned, THE conservative is out and now it is a battle of RINO's anyway.

Now it's just a matter of what mix of social conservative vs. fiscal conservative you want.

v

"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."

→ You're right vrwc

January 30, 2008 - 16:37 ET by Cool Arrow

It's just that we don't see our own rationalization because in our own little private clicques and cocoons we're right, and everybody else is stupid, or an idiot, or divisive . . .

Seems we've all got our own litany of vitriol for the other guy's pick.  We're more into tearing down everybody else's pick than truthfully addressing the pros and cons of our own.

We're devolving into a cheap knockoff of Dkos in some ways.

♣ a seal

Cool...We're devolving

January 30, 2008 - 16:43 ET by bigtimer

Cool...

We're devolving into a cheap knockoff of Dkos in some ways.

I think not...

Good Golly Miss Molly if we all can't have our differences and post about them especially during an election when it comes to the candidates then there would be a problem...(I'm talking about without being crude about it)

Dkos is beyond the pale. 

→ Not really bt

January 30, 2008 - 16:55 ET by Cool Arrow

"In some ways" refers to the pile on browbeating when a shortcoming in the fave of the week is pointed out.

There's less and less reasoned debate.  We act as though it's settled dogma that "our" frontrunner is pure just because there's a "consensus" in the blog.

Well, America has some legitimate questions about the veracity of each candidate.

Yeah, I'd vote for Huckabee.  I'd vote for Romney.  Maybe I wouldn't vote for McCain, but I'm not going to buy into the revisionist history that he's stupid in matters military.

♣ a seal

Cool... My main response

January 30, 2008 - 17:03 ET by bigtimer

Cool...

My main response without going back and forth here about each candidate, I was replying to your reference to NBs devolving into Dkos...

I think not....not by a long shot...that's all.

→ And my point BT

January 30, 2008 - 17:10 ET by Cool Arrow

Is that there is growing intolerance of opposing opinions.

NB isn't leaning that way, but there is a herd mentality among many of its members.  I'm seeing less and less individual thought.  

♣ a seal

Cool.... I guess it is

January 30, 2008 - 17:14 ET by bigtimer

Cool....

I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder...

I see plenty of individual thought...or I wouldn't be here.

To each there own.

→ You're right BT

January 30, 2008 - 17:22 ET by Cool Arrow

And here's something else you won't see very often around here:  somebody admitting a boneheaded statement.

You're right "Dkos" was beyond the pale.

♣ a seal

Cool.... ROFL!

January 30, 2008 - 17:24 ET by bigtimer

Cool....

ROFL!

You new here?

January 30, 2008 - 17:27 ET by mvfreeman

This site can be an echo chamber and anyone not supporting the consensus opinion is immediately labeled as somehow not a "real" conservative.

It's obvious from the results so far that maybe the republican base isnt as conservative as most of the posters here.  And as soon as one the the non-anointed ones wins a race there is a stupid poll basically insulting the intelligence of the voter or ascribing it to some media conspiracy that the voters in the state couldn't see through.

 

mv.... Oh everyone here

January 30, 2008 - 18:22 ET by bigtimer

mv....

Oh everyone here doesn't do that and you've been here long enough to know that.

Smile...be happy.

Btw...If you were talking to me about being new here...you know or ought to know by now I'm not new here...at all. 

I should have mentioned Cool Arrow

January 30, 2008 - 18:51 ET by mvfreeman

I was being facetious when I asked him if he was new.

I know not everyone here is in lock step but I still have to agree with his assesment of a herd mentality amongst a fair number of posters.

Came across this post...

January 30, 2008 - 17:03 ET by mvfreeman

http://www.observer.com/2008/what-will-rush-hugh-say-if-mccain-wins

Rather than reply one at a

January 30, 2008 - 18:10 ET by Gary P Jackson

Rather than reply one at a time, let this one do. If I leave a rebuttal to anyone out, I'm sorry.

First of all, I started thinking about this election a long time ago. I've liked Romney from the start. Rudy was also on my radar, and until I heard more from Romney, was my first pick.

Back in 2000, had Fred Thompson run, and Bush hadn't, he would have had my vote. But he flat didn't care enough about asking for the vote this time to get it. As a lifelong salesman, I can tell you, that few sales of big ticket items happen because someone just stumbles in. You have to ask for the sale! The man was running for the most important job in the world for goodness sake. Fred's gone because he just didn't care enough about having the job.

Back to Romney though, and my rationale. All my life I have wanted someone who understood conservatism, and I got that man in spades with Ronald Regan. He flat got it. Past that, I always wanted someone who REALLY understood business. Someone who understood it wasn't slave labor that had jobs running as quickly as they could overseas, but over taxation and over regulation.

I want someone who is a good family man, who doesn't have more than the average skeletons in his closet. But most of all, I want someone who believes, I mean truly believes, America is the greatest Nation the world has ever seen.

No one in this race but Romney comes close to filling my wish list.

Now as far as people getting upset because we are having this discussion to start with, they need to wake up. This is exactly the process that is needed. And frankly, if we weren't having this passionate discourse, it would tell me that no one really cares about the party or the Nation. Something tells that things weren't all that cordial back in 1776 either!

As for Huckabee, he's McCain with a personality!

His signing of a tax pledge, means about as much "read my lips!". And this poorly thought out "fair tax" has no chance of being enacted. Huck will abolish the IRS just like Ron Paul would abolish the Fed, or the CIA, or the FBI, or whatever other crazy $hit he's gonna do!

Huckabee will take "compassionate conservatism" to the next level, and not only NOT build a fence, but build a superhighway from Mexico City to Laredo instead! He is also "compassionate" enough to try and negotiate with terrorist states like Iran, Syria, and so on. And he has said as much. If memory serves me correct, we were pretty upset when Nancy Pelosi went that direction!

He's going absolutely nowhere, except maybe some sort of McCain administration post. Heaven forbid!

GaryP... Excellent....I

January 30, 2008 - 18:24 ET by bigtimer

GaryP...

Excellent....I love your post.

Period.

Thanks, had to be said.

January 30, 2008 - 18:34 ET by Gary P Jackson

Thanks, had to be said.

Well Rudy and McCain are

January 30, 2008 - 19:17 ET by bigtimer

Well Rudy and McCain are having their little mutual admiration club love-fest right now....

Barf bag time.

Later.....

Fox was having audio

January 30, 2008 - 19:53 ET by Gary P Jackson

Fox was having audio trouble, but someone was asking about Rudy's process, and I think asking why not Romney. At that point McCain ended the interview saying they had to prepare for the debate!

Your bias is obvious...

January 30, 2008 - 18:28 ET by vrwc13

"I want someone who is a good family man, who doesn't have more than the average skeletons in his closet. But most of all, I want someone who believes, I mean truly believes, America is the greatest Nation the world has ever seen."

This could describe Huckabee as well!

"His signing of a tax pledge, means about as much "read my lips!"."

Sounds like Romney in MA!

"Huckabee will take "compassionate conservatism" to the next level, and not only NOT build a fence, but build a superhighway from Mexico City to Laredo instead! He is also "compassionate" enough to try and negotiate with terrorist states like Iran, Syria, and so on."

Your opinion or Huckabees platform?

"He's going absolutely nowhere, except maybe some sort of McCain administration post."

He's not in it for McCain. And as soon as Romney drops out, he will pass McCain in stride!

btw: "Rudy was also on my radar"

...and you call yourself a conservative?

v

"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."

"This could describe

January 30, 2008 - 19:10 ET by Gary P Jackson

"This could describe Huckabee as well!"

Then why doesn't he act like it?

" Sounds like Romney in MA!"

Really?

"Your opinion or Huckabee's platform?"

No, his record!

"He's not in it for McCain. And as soon as Romney drops out, he will pass McCain in stride!"

The man is already out of money, and hasn't hit a lick since Iowa. On the other hand, Romney has enough money to go as long as he wants to. Stranger things have happened, but I hope you don't bet the milk money on who's gonna drop out first.

"...and you call yourself a conservative?"

Yes sir, I do. But I am also a realist. And frankly, cutting taxes by several hundred percent, dropping crime rates in like amounts, cutting welfare rolls in half, and being strong on national defense sure SOUND like strong conservative principals to me!

And before you start, I freely admit, that other than my feelings on abortion, I'm fairly moderate socially. As long as it isn't illegal, and it isn't shoved in my face, I don't get too bent out of shape. I do consider the liberal indoctrination our kids go through in the school system as shoving things in my face. But I don't get bent over things adults do in their own home, in privacy.

But it all boils down to this: We have some serious issues in this country, and we need a serious leader. We need someone that really understands the scope of the problems facing this nation, and has a workable idea on how to get it done.

Huckabee is a populist. A populist in the John Edwards mold. He's out there trying to gin up class warfare, just like Silky Pony. The only difference is Huckabee is actually kind of likable. Edwards is not. But make no mistake, the only thing missing is a sign reading "Two Americas"! This is a typical lib/socialist trick, get the masses hating one another, then divide and conquer.

The great thing about America is we are able to fail or succeed. We do try and help those that completely fail out of compassion, but we must never, ever penalize those who have great success. That is un-American, and against everything conservatism stands for.

 

 

 

 

 

→ Good Post Gary P

January 30, 2008 - 19:13 ET by Cool Arrow

But there are valid questions that get glossed over regularly.

How does this understanding of business mesh with Romney's Socialized Healthcare system in Mass?  Seems that's something Mitt is real proud of.

And Romney gets a pass on raising taxes over 4 years, but Huckabee leaves office, after 10 years having improved both roads and education (and a public approval of 55%) and he's demonized as some sort of big spender.  Never mind Arkansas roads were the worst in the nation and its schools were somewhere around 39th when he took over.

No, instead we get flooded with towers of links and somebody breaks in with "Great post!" and some of us just don't want to nitpick through endless cascades of "I hate Huck" or "I hate McCain" links.

But thank you for giving me an insight into your thought process in arriving at Romney.  I like him too.  He's the best that's left.  But I'm still not satisfied our persistent attempts to demonize his adversaries is the right way to sell him as a candidate

♣ a seal

You have some very valid

January 30, 2008 - 19:50 ET by Gary P Jackson

You have some very valid points.

The only thing I can say about Romney Care, and I may be totally off base, and only rationalizing it. But since Massachusetts is pretty liberal, it may have boiled down to the best way to answer the voters wants, and still provide a market solution, instead some sort of government run deal. From what I understand, everyone is required to have health insurance, like car insurance. If you can afford it, you gotta pay for it, if you can't, the state will. I don't like the idea of it being mandatory. Nor do I like the idea of being fined if you don't buy insurance. But it still seems better than having the government run the thing with single payer insurance, like Canada.

I'm not sure Romney's plan would get any traction nation wide. But it does beat anything the dims would come up with. And I don't think it would save anyone that much money in premiums. I favor taking down most of the state regulations and making the same plans available in all 50 states. That would absolutely make it more affordable, if for no other reason than less paper work for the companies. And there would be stronger competition. I know it's a balance against states rights, but if we end up with Hillary Care, the states will be out anyway.

You make a good point on roads in Arkansas. They were in sad shape. But a true conservative might have found a better way to get that done. I realize that Texas' economy is much stronger and diverse, but we've been building (and building) roads for 20 years. Then Governor Bush was able to not only raise educational scores, but cut taxes also. And we aren't wanting for nice schools. But again, we have a much bigger economy, so I may being totally unfair.

I totally agree with you that we can't just trash the other candidates. Few people have ever won the election by being the "anti" candidate. This is why I think folks who are saying that things will be fine, and the base will line up behind McCain, are silly. There is not enough contrast between McCain and the dims to matter. And even though a lot of people hate Hillary, that's not enough to motivate the vast majority of voters to even show up, let alone vote for McCain.

We don't need link after link, but I don't see a problem passionately advocating for a someone, or against another. But that's just me.

Romney's Health Care Plan

January 30, 2008 - 21:02 ET by ShaftBigScore

If this health plan is like car insurance, then it must stay at the state level.  The underwriting must be state driven.  I should not pay more premium because some lard azzes in another state files more annual claims. This would drive rates upwards for everyone. 

Each state with Auto insurance has various required liability limits.  Some states' limits are higher than other states. Currently, Property and Casualty insurance companies can not raise rates in one state because another state has 5 major storms in one season. 

With health insurance it will be tricky. It would be interesting how Romney could take that concept from the State level to the Federal level.  If it includes the private sector, it still will be better than StalinCare by Obama or Hillary. 

I favor the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and it must be enforced at gunpoint if necessary. President Ronald Reagan

I 'm big on states rights.

January 30, 2008 - 22:04 ET by Gary P Jackson

I 'm big on states rights. But having 50 different states boards of insurance is inefficient. The paperwork saving alone would be a boon. It makes no sense to have so many arbitrarily written deductibles, and rules. And it will be easier to average out the variables over the entire nation, rather than one state.

If we're gonna do this, this would be the way to do it.

For all you "Huckabee is out of Money" claimers...

January 31, 2008 - 14:25 ET by vrwc13

http://www.wnd.com/n...

"This past week news agencies reported how some of the presidential candidates' campaigns are running into financial hardships. Huckabee even grounded press airplanes and asked staff to assume volunteer positions. While many have interpreted those as signs of Mike's demise, I see them differently. They are sureties of his stewardship. He's being fiscally frugal as he always has in office.

Mike has arisen as a front-runner from obscurity on a shoestring budget, being outspent by his rivals by at least 10-to-1, proving it's his message not money that matters. He doesn't have a personal account of multimillions like Romney, nor does he think it's good stewardship like McCain to borrow what one doesn't have to gain what one might not win.

For Mike, handling campaign finances is a microcosm of managing the national budget. If he doesn't have the money, he's not going to spend it. He's made this commitment on a number of occasions, and he lived it out in his gubernatorial service in Arkansas, bringing in a balanced budget for 12 straight years and ending his term with a surplus of $844.5 million.

I ask again, are those not the types of figures we want to see at the bottom lines of the future executive fiscal leadership of America?

Mike is a leader we all can trust and financially back, and will be a president with whom this nation will not experience buyer's remorse." Chuck Norris

Sounds like Mike is being a Fiscal Conservative!

v

"Faith doesn't just influence me. It really defines me. I don't have to wake up every day wondering what do I need to believe," Huckabee says in the ad. "Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics. Not now, not ever."

Huckasuck is done - He is NOT a Fiscal Conservative

January 31, 2008 - 14:31