Posted on 01/29/2007 9:18:39 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Blurring the traditional lines of partisanship, conservative Mike Huckabee launched his bid for the Republican presidential nomination with a swipe at President Bush and a friendly nod to fellow Arkansan Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The former Arkansas governor assigned Bush some of the blame for failing to deliver on a 2000 campaign promise to be “a uniter, not a divider” and ease polarization in Washington.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Reasonable people can disagree on, say, which toppings are best on a pizza. Reasonable people cannot disagree about things like whether the Constitution protects people's right to free speech or gun ownership, because there is only one reasonable position.
I know plenty of reasonable people who differ on 1st Amendment issues.
I completely disagree. No one, not even Bush himself actively defends his positions. Even though, when explained to a person with average intelligence, they agree with him on most issues. Problem is, when faced with a choice between a "genuine" liberal Bush-hater, and a RINO wannabe suckup to the MSM Bush-basher, most people will go for the real thing.
If W stopped rolling over for the democrats and started using his veto pen, his popularity would skyrocket.
It is possible for people to differ on the specific applications -- for example, exactly how far the "yelling 'fire' in a crowded theater" type of exceptions should go -- but that is not a dispute over the fundamental principle. The difference is one of degree.
If, on the other hand, a person approves of the McCain notion of content-based restriction of advertising before elections, they are not reasonable. They are either a fool (unable to understand plain English) or a villain (capable of understanding, but choosing to support evil anyway). The difference here is one of kind. The whole point of the protecting free speech is allowing non-government-approved political views to be aired. Undermining that purpose is not something a reasonable person can countenance.
exactly
Well, I wanted to take a look at Huckabee. I have and I say no, thank you. I am sticking with Duncan Hunter (up hill battle and all).
Huckabee looks just like another Goober.....well gooollleee
I think it would help a little, but 'skyrocket' would be overstating it.
This is damning to the admin, not an excuse.
I reject the 'electorate as stupid' mentality. They weren't smart when they elected Dubya and the GOP in 2000, 2002, and 2004, and suddenly became stupid in 2006.
That's a strange worldview and it makes no sense.
If the GOP performed poorly it's because they didn't convince enough voters to support them. This has nothing to do with stupidity. If a majority is taking a poor course of action, it's incumbent on us to convince them we are right. Indeed, if they are stupid, it should be easy to convince them, right?
Agreed. "The voters are stupid" is a lazy defense. I'd rather put the blame where it belongs - on the leaders who can't or won't get the message out.
I refuse to let the Republican leadership off the hook for the '06 debacle by using the "voters are stupid" copout.
See you tomorrow.
Message to Huckabee, don't bother you're finished.
Shame on him. Talk about a HUCKster.
"The president enjoys low popularity these days, with no signs of life and no signs of bouncing back.
In other words, plenty of GOPers are alienated from the President, too. They get to vote in the primaries. I doubt Huckabee will do well in the primaries for a variety of reasons, but you can't dismiss the power of crapping on Bush for political gain. Look at McCain, who has been a pest for the President since 2000 and who enjoys a strong showing in GOP primaries."
Exactly!
I don't see why we have to be so intransigent about this. Sure, it's not a great example of determined leadership; but it's called politics.
And Huckabee IS a conservative. He's a former Baptist minister who's pro-Christian credentials are unassailable, not simply a political ploy to get votes, unlike some other GOP candidates who have pretty ugly personal histories (I'll just leave it at that).
Besides, Bush isn't the face of small government.
I think Huckabee is a good candidate. I prefer Duncan Hunter over him, BY FAR, don't get me wrong. But Huckabee seems charismatic and principled.
I'm also a fan of Brownback.
The rest I'm neutral on. Except Romney. Anyone but Romney. Please.
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