Free Republic

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee threatened to leave the GOP and run for the White House in 2016 as an independent if Republicans “capitulate” and support same-sex marriage. “If the Republicans want to lose guys like me, and a whole bunch of still God-fearing, Bible-believing people, go ahead and just abdicate on this issue—and go ahead and say abortion doesn’t matter, either,” Huckabee told Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association, on Wildmon’s “Today’s Issues” radio show. “Because at that point, you lose me; I’m gone.” “I’ll become an independent,” he vowed in an interview on Tuesday. “I’ll start...

Laurie Roth from Washington state is running not as a Republican, but as a self-described patriot and conservative on the American Independent Party ticket. She says she's already on the ballot in California, and will take steps to make sure her name is listed in the other 49 states. Another pledge by Roth is to become totally energy independent in four years. "America will be the largest exporter of energy in the world," says Roth. "Disconnect from OPEC. Employ 20 million people in energy infrastructure jobs [including] natural gas, oil, nuclear, solar and alternative fuels."

Richard Zimmerman, known to all as Dugout Dick, succumbs at 94 Known as the "Salmon River Caveman," Richard Zimmerman lived an essentially 19th century lifestyle, a digital-age anachronism who never owned a telephone or a television and lived almost entirely off the land. "He was in his home at the caves at the end, and it was his wish to die there," said Connie Fitte, who lived across the river. "He was the epitome of the free spirit." Richard Zimmerman had been in declining health when he died Wednesday. Few knew him by his given name. To friends and visitors...

Barack Obama has taken a slight lead with white independent voters for the first time in the presidential race, positioning him to capture a key demographic group that has eluded recent Democratic nominees, according to a Politico analysis of independent voting patterns. According to Gallup’s weekly average of some 6,400 registered voters, Obama now holds a 45 percent-43 percent edge over Republican John McCain with white independents. About eight in 10 independents are white. Should Obama’s support hold, he is positioned to become the first Democrat to win white independents in a two-man race since the advent of exit polling....

Al-Qaida's list of favorite, least favorite Westerners Latest warning video from terror group names enemies, friends in U.S., Britain WASHINGTON – In the latest video from al-Qaida warning of an imminent terrorist attack on the U.S., five specific "Zionist crusader missionaries of hate" are named, while three Westerners, including one American, are actually praised for their efforts toward "peace." Those singled out as enemies of al-Qaida are Daniel Pipes, Robert Spencer, Steven Emerson, Michael Scheuer and, of course, President Bush. The first three are WND contributors and outspoken media figures who warn about the growing threat of Islamo-fascism. Scheuer is...

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Jack Kemp will hit the campaign trail with a fellow former vice presidential candidate from another party: Sen. Joe Lieberman. Lieberman said Tuesday that Kemp, a Republican former congressman and U.S. housing secretary, telephoned to offer support to his independent campaign, which the three-term senator began after losing the Democratic primary to Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont. No date for the visit has been set. "We've worked together for years on some good projects that got done," Lieberman told reporters while campaigning in New London. Kemp was former Sen. Bob Dole's running mate in 1996. Lieberman, the...

I finally received my Nader petitions a few days ago, and was looking forward to helping him get on the ballot for Ohio. Unfortunately I'm only 16, which makes me unable to distribute the petitions. Anyway, I was hoping that any Freepers in the Columbus area (I live in Westerville, a suburb), if they were interested, could swing by and pick up the petitions. They're ready to go, and only need the signatures. After all, in Ralph's own words, "civic involvement" is a noble deed, and what could be more noble than helping Bush win Ohio.

This is what you people in Vermont are paying for. Probably through the nose.... 19. S.1514 : A bill to extend the temporary suspension of duty with respect to certain snowboard boots. Sponsor: Sen Jeffords, James M. Committees: Senate Finance Latest Major Action: 10/9/2001 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Steve Largent (R) favored over the field (Brad Henry (D) and Gary Richardson (I)), 15 to 14 (51.7% chance; downgraded Nov. 3 from 52.6% chance; Largent downgraded from 55.6% chance Nov. 2; downgraded from 57.1% Oct. 29) REPUBLICAN SEAT AT POSSIBLE RISK. I've been out volunteering, and walking my neighborhood, putting up signs, and putting pamplets on peoples cars at Wal-Mart. In the rain no less, LOL!!