Posted on 01/01/2009 4:14:12 PM PST by wastedpotential
"Do the Right Thing," Mike Huckabee. Sentinel: Penguin Group, $25.95
In the few weeks Mike Huckabee's book, "Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America," has been out, he has seen great success, already topping The New York Times' Best-Seller List. The start of a new year and a new president is a peak time for Huckabee's book. The reader sees the country's leadership from the inside lens of a man who reveals both interesting and surprising details of the people and the politics.
When Gov. Mike Huckabee entered the 2008 Republican presidential race, he was the dark horse in every sense of the word. How could a man relatively unknown out of the state of Arkansas, with little money, possibly think he had a chance against those with both name recognition and deep pockets? So-called experts were highly amused by this small-state governor from blue-collar roots, who played in a rock band and openly declared his Christianity. He had no staff but family and college students - and some middle-class folks who declared their loyalty to a man they saw with plain common sense and a whole lot of wisdom. On the other hand, there were the rich candidates with full staffs and writers. They included Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Fred Thompson.
If you thought Romney would make the ticket with GOP nominee John McCain, you will think again when you read "Do the Right Thing." For example, during the 2008 campaign, Romney tried to do a leveraged buyout of the Republican presidential nomination.
"That fellow raised more than $107 million that was reported on the Federal Election Commission forms, much of it from himself and his equally blessed friends, thus dwarfing my $16 million. And other candidates pulled in even more: Senator Hillary Clinton raised more than $229 million, and yet she didn't get the nomination, either because, incredibly, she was outspent by Barack Obama," Huckabee writes.
He continues, "Interestingly, Democrats and liberals used to get worked up over 'money in politics,' but of late, they don't complain so much ... In the most civil tone possible, I will assert that it's not good for America if well-funded candidates - and self-funded candidates - dominate our politics ..."
This is a well-written book, and it seems that Huckabee, who was the loser for the Republican nomination, comes out head and shoulders as a winner. His Saturday and Sunday television show at 8 p.m. on Fox News showcases celebrities and real people who are seeking common-sense leadership, he is in demand on the national speakers' forum and this book is extraordinarily presented in truth and with facts to back it up. It rates 5 stars
Huckabee takes on the greed of Wall Street and the lobbyists' K Street corruption. About Sen. Clinton's health-care program, he writes: "Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton didn't lay out a detailed plan as John Edwards did, but what we do know the Democrats stand for a type of socialized medicine that is managed by the federal government ..."
Huckabee shows his humorous side, just as he did in the Republican primaries and as he continues to show on his television program. One of the seminal moments he talks about was on the Fox News-sponsored debate at the Koger Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of South Carolina, when he was addressing the excessive monies of the federal government. "We've had a Congress that's spent money like John Edwards at a beauty shop" he said. Not long after that remark, it was revealed that while in Iowa, John Edwards went for a haircut and paid $400 for it. It certainly provided fodder for the late-night TV talk-show circuit and was prior to Edwards' trampy hotel escapade.
The author addressed the war on Christmas and suggested that if the gays and lesbians are on the rampage to stop the Christian celebration, perhaps they should have a day of celebration for themselves. "I suggest April First," Huckabee quipped.
Every part of this book is important to the American people and, in fact, to the rest of the world, but Chapter 10, on "The Fairness and Force of the Fair Tax," is worth the price of the book and more. "The tax system in our nation is broken. Badly broken. Worse than that, it's beyond repair. ... The IRS doesn't understand its own tax code. ... If the Internal Revenue Service doesn't understand it, then how are you and I supposed to? Truth is, we can't and we don't, so we pay accountants and lawyers to help us prepare the tax returns. ..."
Huckabee gives detailed solutions to this enormous problem and, having read his answer, I feel certain the people who prepare the tax returns will want Huckabee's plan to go away. It will not as he is a man after the common sense things that made America great in the first place.
Back to the question in today's headline: Would Huckabee have made a good president? His future is anxiously awaiting your answer, and, in the meantime, he will continue his message, both in and out of the pulpit.
One sparkling truth is, "Do the Right Thing" gives hope to a hurting country, and reading it is a good way to begin your own new year.
Velma Daniels of Winter Haven is a book reviewer and News Chief columnist.
I would rate the book like your screen name. :-)
Fred Thompson would have ... but thanks to Shuckabee ... we have the O-bomb
Heck NO.
Romney had the most experience, and his experience is what is needed at this time.
Better than the current situation (like that’s so hard to achieve).
Quote: Would Huckabee Have Been a Good President?
NO!!!!! He sometimes sounds conservative, but we all know he’s not. He’s almost as blue blooded as McCain is.
At this point, I’d say damn near anything would be better than “Oh, Bummer”
But we shall see.
I’m sure both Romney and Huckabee will get another chance in 2012.
OMG, What a waste of time. This Clintoon Light needs to STFU and go away.
Compared to Bambi, yep. But I’ll skip the book.
I believe Huckabee was the social conservative’s grass roots candidate and I really liked the fair tax. I need to read the book to see what I think of it.
No.
Forgive me, but I earnestly hope not.
The knock on both Romney (whom I supported) and Huckabee is that neither could defeat McCain -- a palpably weak candidate.
Think of it this way: If they couldn't beat McCain, how were they going to beat the Democrat nominee?
Is McCain a conservative?
I hope not - neither are conservative, but dim lite.
"If you thought Romney would make the ticket with GOP nominee John McCain, you will think again when you read "Do the Right Thing." For example, during the 2008 campaign, Romney tried to do a leveraged buyout of the Republican presidential nomination. "That fellow raised more than $107 million that was reported on the Federal Election Commission forms, much of it from himself and his equally blessed friends, thus dwarfing my $16 million. And other candidates pulled in even more: Senator Hillary Clinton raised more than $229 million, and yet she didn't get the nomination, either because, incredibly, she was outspent by Barack Obama," Huckabee writes.
I supported Steve Forbes and then Mitt Romney. Neither of these top spenders won the nomination. Money doesn't necessarily mean votes. Don't spend your money on his book is my suggestion.
I would say that either men would not have been so meek to go after Obama, his past associations, and his record (or lack of it).
I agree.
“I’m sure both Romney and Huckabee will get another chance in 2012.”
Hopefully boyh are now in the dustbin of history!
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