I understand your attraction to Huckabee. To an outsider, he seems like a great candidate. But his problem is that he isn’t a conservative in the true sense of the word. Huckabee has his own brand of political thought - sometimes conservative (life and 2nd Amendment) - sometimes populist (”let’s elect a guy that is like someone you work with instead of the guy who laid you off” - the government needs to control what people eat and if they can smoke on their own property) - and sometimes a weird Christian socialist blend (”compassion” for illegals, commuting criminals’ sentences without reading their confession or the DA’s casefile because he met them at the governor’s mansion or b/c their pastor said they’ve accepted Jesus into their heart).
Huckabee knows he has to run to the right to get the nomination and he’s a brilliant speaker - so he makes his new-found conservatism on illegal immigration and taxes seem so believable.
I’m going off of what I personally know of him (I’ve been a political activist in this state for years and know his children well) and his record. He’s vindictive to anyone (especially in his own party) that crosses him, while governor he got more liberal as time went on, and I don’t think he has a thorough understanding of foreign policy issues (his “bunker mentality” statement sounded like something from the DNC talking points and his lack of understanding about the legal implications of moving Club Gitmo to the USA was astounding).
I have some worries about Thompson’s electability at this point. However, if he delivers in SC, I think he’s home free because the South will get behind him. Regardless, in the PRIMARY, I have to vote for the candidate who best represents my values...and I’m a conservative first. Now is the time to vote for the best candidate, not the one who gives the best speech or is the most charismatic.
Huckabee is a dangerous candidate. His record was very liberal on most issues but now he’s run to the right...so who knows what he’d really do if he were president.
His lack of good judgment on crime in Arkansas is probably the most unbelievable thing about his record. His commutations and pardons are really unparalleled in this state and even on a national scale. Since he’s a blank slate on foreign policy (citing his extensive vacation destinations as proof of his experience in the last debate), I am left to think that he might conduct the War on Terror the same way he dealt with criminals - blind compassion, disregard to society’s well-being, and unleashing on anyone who dares to question his judgment.
Sorry to ramble...I really wish I could like Huckabee. He’s a fellow Christian from my homestate and I’ve personally known his family for the last ten years. But, when it comes to politics, I’m a conservative first...I can’t vote for or support anyone whose record is as liberal as his - despite what he may be saying on the campaign trail.
good points and helpful information/background on Huckabee. thanx.
Interesting commentary.
unspun, I value your opinions and would be interested in what you have to say on what Rebekah brings up, as these are some concerns I have with Huckabee (commutations, stance on illegals, and, from what I’ve read before, a liberal bent on the issues).
I am less concerned with foreign policy, in general, because I think that is the least worrisome. There are people who know these things and can be relied upon for their expertise. Bush himself had no previous experience in foreign policy and that is, at least, one area where I won’t fault him (except for his “foreign policy” concerning Canada and Mexico and wanting to pander to Mexico).
I read with interest all the tax increases mentioned by another poster, and to which you responded. Until I read more on that, I cannot accept or dismiss either the charges leveled or the reasons to justify. (More reading ahead for me, it appears.)
As a fellow Christian Arkansas conservative, I echo your comment. My wife went to OBU with him and several of her family went to the church in Texarkana that he pastored. My daughter use to play jam sessions with him on occasion. I like him as a person, but when it comes to politics what the Huckster says and what he does in office doesn't jive, conservatively-speaking.