Would Huckabee Have Been a Good President?

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.

Take it how you want.

Apparently you (and I) will be taking a lot for the next 4 years.

Just don’t be so quick to dismiss others who don’t fit your “ideal conservative” mold.

If you believe that “fiscal conservatism” is the only conservatism there is, then may I suggest the Libertarian Party. You may find them a better fit.

I certainly do "dismiss" RINOs who mirror the democrats on key issues. Stuff like that that is why the GOP is in the minority. Huck's vision of the GOP would be in permanent minority, observe how the Arkansas GOP flourished under his reign..... I'm not seeking an ideal just no Diet Democrats like Huck and McStain.

"If you believe that “fiscal conservatism” is the only conservatism there is, then may I suggest the Libertarian Party. You may find them a better fit."

Whhhhhhat? I've been banished to the land of wind and ghosts? Well I won't insult you by suggesting if you love big government so much there's a whole festering wing of the democrats that you might like.

You are the one telling me I’m a RINO just because I favor another candidate. I’ve never said that I would never vote for our (Republican) nominee, as you have. Even Ronald Reagan worked with Tip Oneal in the day. Is he a RINO for doing this, or just pragmatic?

I may be more moderate than you, but that does not make me a Democrat (except in your eyes).

I will accept your presence in the “big tent”, yet somehow because I may be not as hard-line, you would rather I not vote with you for our nominee.

By dismissing everyone who doesn’t think EXACTLY like you, you have effectively banished yourself to perpetual minority. After losing enough elections, you may come to realize this; unless you favored Ron Paul, for which there is no cure.

You are the one telling me I’m a RINO

Naw I'll telling you Huckabee is.

I favor another candidate. I’ve never said that I would never vote for our (Republican) nominee, as you have.

I did not say whether or not I'd hold my nose for another RINO like I did with McCain. But many would not. It's you who seem to threatening such action as the snip below shows.

you would rather I not vote with you for our nominee.

By dismissing everyone who doesn’t think EXACTLY like you, you have effectively banished yourself to perpetual minority.

You don't get it, it's nominating big government non-conservatives like Huckabee that will accomplish that. Many conservatives will say home and independents would go for the non-diet version (Obamo).

After losing enough elections, you may come to realize this;

LOL. RINOS LOSE ELECTIONS. Again and again and again and again. Look at the all the RINO caresses, hunted and killed by the democrats. Moderate RINO John McCain won 70% of the vote right? Oh no he lost.

unless you favored Ron Paul, for which there is no cure.

I didn't. And it seems in your case there is no cure for Huckitis.

There is a difference between supporting someone in the primary, and then rejecting the opponent in the general election. (therefore there is no cure needed)

I voted for McCain (like you), but wasn’t enthusiastic about it. But that is mostly because he wasn’t an enthusiastic candidate, much like I saw Fred Thompson.

Yes, I favored Huckabee in the primary. No, you didn’t. It’s that simple.

I do not (attempt to) belittle you or the candidate you favored. (a this point, I don’t know who that was, but it doesn’t matter anyway).

I don’t agree that Huckabee is a RINO anymore than any of the rest (albeit for different reasons), with maybe the exception of Duncan Hunter.

You favored one candidate on the basis of certain classifications of conservatism; fiscal, social, and economic.

Your order of importance may (or may not) have differed from mine, yet you feel it’s important to point out the flaws of MY reasoning.

Again, if you believe my philsophy is flawed (by being different from yours), you can choose to acknowledge (and be sensitive to) it, you can choose to influence it, or you can ridicule it. I am also entitled to the same consideration, except I think I’ve avoided ridiculing you or your candidate.

I don’t believe that Huckabee is “big-government non-conservative”. You do. I’m ok with that, but I won’t agree with you. I see him as a conservative first, but also a pragmatist.

People don’t like being told (in so many words) that they are dupes for following their beliefs.

I’m not asking you to be “touchy-feely” to my beliefs like a liberal would. I only ask that you acknowledge that I am entitled to them.

Hopefully in four years, we (as in both of us) will have a candidate to be excited about.

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