Posted on 11/08/2006 8:44:10 PM PST by HAL9000
On Sunday, Mike Huckabee crossed the New York City Marathon's finish line after a grueling race that he says was both his proudest, and for sure, his most painful. Until last week, he was unsure if he would be able to run in what would be his fourth marathon, due to a nagging knee injury that had forced him to go under the doctor's knife twice to drain a buildup of fluid.The thought of not running on Sunday was devastating to a man who had trained so hard for so long. He finally told his doctor that he was willing to endure that pain so long as he didn't risk permanent injury. His doctor cleared him to run.
The knee wasn't what gave him the most problem as he trekked through five of New York's boroughs. Other muscles that were compensating for the injured knee tightened and cramped to a point that the pain would nearly cause him to scream.
When the pain was at it worst, he found inspiration on New York's streets, oftentimes running right beside him. He noticed two men running who where connected by a single cord. As he passed them, he could tell that one of the men was blind. He passed by another man who wore a T-shirt that simply read, "My wife has cancer. I'm running for her. Don't let me stop."
Outside the Natural State's borders, Huckabee has gained notoriety as a specimen of health and endurance by conquering diabetes by adhering to a strict diet and dropping 100 pounds and by discovering his own athletic prowess through a pair of size 13 running shoes, which he now uses to pound the pavement.
In state, Arkansans know Huckabee as a master of political communication, often distilling complicated matters of policy or politics into an easily understood message or by taking a simplistic story from life and elevating it to something with a deeper meaning.
He can move seamlessly between talking about his running in a marathon and a possible run for the White House. For Huckabee it's simple: All aspects of training and preparation for running a marathon have become a metaphor for life, but also the possible subtext for a future political campaign.
"It's about saying, 'Here is a goal I want to achieve. I can't do it today,'" he said drawing the comparisons between conquering a marathon and a political contest. "If I said, 'Let's go out and do this,' it is impossible, it is not realistic to pull this off immediately, but ultimately, you can do it if you take the steps, incrementally, to get there. You set your goal out there in the future and then you do something each day that chips away at the impossibility and makes it possible."
On one level, it is easy to discount the governor's chances to mount a successful campaign that might land him at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. He is from Arkansas. He would have a hard time raising the money needed to compete in national race. His politics do not follow what has become Republican orthodoxy. I could go on.
However, having finished an election cycle that will be remembered for politicians and even a preacher who gave into temptations fueled by money and sex, perhaps voters will be ready for someone known primarily for demonstrating a physical life transformed by self-restraint, discipline and the drive to be something better. Lord knows those are words rarely mentioned within the context of politics and even to the most jaded ears, it might sound compelling.
It's hard to bet against a guy who'll play through pain; besides, the finish line for 2008 is a long way off.
Most cheering thing I've seen posted here in at least 24 hours, THANKS! I saw the Gov. on the TV during the race, too.
I like Mike Huckabee a good bit. IN fact I have almost decided to support him in his run
He's one of us - a Freeper. I will always remember him from the "Count the Silverware" Presidential Ball.
If he just wasn't a Baptist preacher from Hope, Ark.
Or if he wasn't a socialist.
"I like Mike Huckabee a good bit. IN fact I have almost decided to support him in his run."
That's most unfortunate. Huckabee is a RINO that will demoralize our base and hand the White House to the dem in 2008.
"I like Mike Huckabee a good bit. IN fact I have almost decided to support him in his run."
That's most unfortunate. Huckabee is a RINO that will demoralize our base and hand the White House to the dem in 2008.
"I like Mike Huckabee a good bit. IN fact I have almost decided to support him in his run."
That's most unfortunate. Huckabee is a RINO that will demoralize our base and hand the White House to the dem in 2008.
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