By Dick Morris
As Mike Huckabee rises in the polls, an inevitable process of vetting him for conservative credentials is under way in which people who know nothing of Arkansas or of the circumstances of his governorship weigh in knowingly about his record. As his political consultant in the early '90s and one who has been following Arkansas politics for 30 years, let me clue you in: Mike Huckabee is a fiscal conservative.
A recent column by Bob Novak excoriated Huckabee for a "47 percent increase in state tax burden." But during Huckabee's years in office, total state tax burden -- all 50 states combined -- rose by twice as much: 98 percent, increasing from $743 billion in 1993 to $1.47 trillion in 2005.
In Arkansas, the income tax when he took office was 1 percent for the poorest taxpayers and 7 percent for the richest, exactly where it stood when he left the statehouse 11 years later. But, in the interim, he doubled the standard deduction and the child care credit, repealed capital gains taxes for home sales, lowered the capital gains rate, expanded the homestead exemption and set up tax-free savings accounts for medical care and college tuition.
Most impressively, when he had to pass an income tax surcharge amid the drop in revenues after Sept. 11, 2001, he repealed it three years later when he didn't need it any longer.
Finish the article here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/11/huckabee_is_a_fiscal_conservat.html
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Huck supporters like his softer side
By: David Mark
Nov 27, 2007 05:55 PM EST
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Rep. Bob Inglis is a staunch social conservative who opposes gay marriage and abortion and believes the concept of intelligent design should be taught in public schools along with evolution.
But that’s not what’s driving his support for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in South Carolina’s Jan. 19 primary — giving a glimpse into Huckabee’s unorthodox strategy for translating his Iowa momentum into success in Dixie.
Inglis, a South Carolina Republican, said that despite being wooed by all the leading GOP presidential candidates, he went with Huckabee because of his emphasis on more consumer-friendly issues like health care, federal arts funding, climate change and other topics that would appeal to broad group of voters, not just traditional social and Christian conservatives.
“It’s probably not what people would have expected out of a Baptist preacher from Arkansas," Inglis said in an interview. “He's a conservative who’s focused on the future, and rooted in principle and experience. It’s the reason people are taking a look.”
As Huckabee gains traction in Iowa ahead of the Jan. 3 caucuses — within striking distance of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, or even statistically tied, according to some polls — he must find a place to translate a strong Iowa finish into continued momentum. South Carolina, rife with movement conservatives who would be comfortable with Huckabee’s Arkansas twang, appears to be his richest target.
Find the complete story here:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/7066.html
Nov 27, 2007 05:55 PM EST
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Rep. Bob Inglis is a staunch social conservative who opposes gay marriage and abortion and believes the concept of intelligent design should be taught in public schools along with evolution.
But that’s not what’s driving his support for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in South Carolina’s Jan. 19 primary — giving a glimpse into Huckabee’s unorthodox strategy for translating his Iowa momentum into success in Dixie.
Inglis, a South Carolina Republican, said that despite being wooed by all the leading GOP presidential candidates, he went with Huckabee because of his emphasis on more consumer-friendly issues like health care, federal arts funding, climate change and other topics that would appeal to broad group of voters, not just traditional social and Christian conservatives.
“It’s probably not what people would have expected out of a Baptist preacher from Arkansas," Inglis said in an interview. “He's a conservative who’s focused on the future, and rooted in principle and experience. It’s the reason people are taking a look.”
As Huckabee gains traction in Iowa ahead of the Jan. 3 caucuses — within striking distance of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, or even statistically tied, according to some polls — he must find a place to translate a strong Iowa finish into continued momentum. South Carolina, rife with movement conservatives who would be comfortable with Huckabee’s Arkansas twang, appears to be his richest target.
Find the complete story here:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/7066.html
IA Poll: Huckabee Leads
Governor Huckabee is now in the lead!
Read the story here:
http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/11/ia_poll_huckabee_leads.html
Read the story here:
http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/11/ia_poll_huckabee_leads.html
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Huckabee: US Enslaved to Saudi Oil
(AP / Washington) — Consumers are financing both sides in the war on terror because of the actions of U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Sunday.
The former Arkansas governor made the comments following what he suggested was a muted response by the Bush administration to a Saudi court's sentence of six months in jail and 200 lashes for a woman who was gang raped.
"The United States has been far too involved in sort of looking the other way, not only at the atrocities of human rights and violation of women," Huckabee said on CNN's "Late Edition."
"Every time we put our credit card in the gas pump, we're paying so that the Saudis get rich — filthy, obscenely rich, and that money then ends up going to funding madrassas," schools "that train the terrorists," said Huckabee. "America has allowed itself to become enslaved to Saudi oil. It's absurd. It's embarrassing."
Huckabee said "I would make the United States energy independent within 10 years and tell the Saudis they can keep their oil just like they can keep their sand, that we won't need either one of them."
Find the complete story here:
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1687336,00.html?xid=feed-rss-netzero
The former Arkansas governor made the comments following what he suggested was a muted response by the Bush administration to a Saudi court's sentence of six months in jail and 200 lashes for a woman who was gang raped.
"The United States has been far too involved in sort of looking the other way, not only at the atrocities of human rights and violation of women," Huckabee said on CNN's "Late Edition."
"Every time we put our credit card in the gas pump, we're paying so that the Saudis get rich — filthy, obscenely rich, and that money then ends up going to funding madrassas," schools "that train the terrorists," said Huckabee. "America has allowed itself to become enslaved to Saudi oil. It's absurd. It's embarrassing."
Huckabee said "I would make the United States energy independent within 10 years and tell the Saudis they can keep their oil just like they can keep their sand, that we won't need either one of them."
Find the complete story here:
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1687336,00.html?xid=feed-rss-netzero
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Huckabee: Instill hope for future. Support strong families.
By Mike Huckabee
• special to the register
• November 21, 2007
America's greatest generation hasn't come and gone; I believe it is yet to be born. My vision for our country is for all Americans to share that optimism.
To make it a reality, we need capable leadership committed to making America stronger, more unified, more secure and abounding in opportunities for us to realize our dreams. We need leadership that will instill hope in the future for every American family, and I'm prepared to provide that leadership.
Americans deserve better than the partisan gridlock of "horizontal" left-versus-right politics in Washington that has held us back from our full potential. They deserve leaders who will practice "vertical politics" by lifting our country up, not tearing us apart. We must identify common goals for all Americans and work across party lines to achieve those goals the way I did as a Republican governor with a Democrat legislature in Arkansas for 10-plus years.
America's strength is in its people, so America should be a nation that protects and celebrates every life and recognizes that strong families are the foundation of a strong country. Strong families start with a mother and father, but they thrive with leaders who help them build a society where each of us has the tools to succeed and build a healthier, brighter future for our children.
Strong families need better schools with higher standards that incorporate personalized learning to enable every student to master basic skills while also developing their individual talents so they can exceed those higher standards. Government policies should support families who educate their own children, not put up barriers for them. As president, I'll work with the states to raise standards and incorporate programs, like music and arts education, that also teach creativity, a skill vital to succeeding in our economy.
Complete article here:
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071121/OPINION01/711210348/1036/Opinion
• special to the register
• November 21, 2007
America's greatest generation hasn't come and gone; I believe it is yet to be born. My vision for our country is for all Americans to share that optimism.
To make it a reality, we need capable leadership committed to making America stronger, more unified, more secure and abounding in opportunities for us to realize our dreams. We need leadership that will instill hope in the future for every American family, and I'm prepared to provide that leadership.
Americans deserve better than the partisan gridlock of "horizontal" left-versus-right politics in Washington that has held us back from our full potential. They deserve leaders who will practice "vertical politics" by lifting our country up, not tearing us apart. We must identify common goals for all Americans and work across party lines to achieve those goals the way I did as a Republican governor with a Democrat legislature in Arkansas for 10-plus years.
America's strength is in its people, so America should be a nation that protects and celebrates every life and recognizes that strong families are the foundation of a strong country. Strong families start with a mother and father, but they thrive with leaders who help them build a society where each of us has the tools to succeed and build a healthier, brighter future for our children.
Strong families need better schools with higher standards that incorporate personalized learning to enable every student to master basic skills while also developing their individual talents so they can exceed those higher standards. Government policies should support families who educate their own children, not put up barriers for them. As president, I'll work with the states to raise standards and incorporate programs, like music and arts education, that also teach creativity, a skill vital to succeeding in our economy.
Complete article here:
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071121/OPINION01/711210348/1036/Opinion
Huckabee Makes Crucial Gains Among GOP Base
By JAKE TAPPER
TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 21, 2007
Propelled by little more than his message and political skills, Republican presidential contender former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has vaulted into a statistical dead heat for first place in crucial, first-in-the-nation caucus state Iowa, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
Huckabee's surge is equal parts size and intensity, having gained considerable ground among key parts of the GOP base in the Hawkeye state — evangelicals, conservatives, weekly churchgoers and abortion opponents — with 50 percent of his supporters "very enthusiastic" about him, compared with 28 percent of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's supporters.
The affable underdog achieved all this on a shoestring budget with little national infrastructure and close to no support from the Republican establishment.
"The people of Iowa are pretty savvy when it comes to politics," Huckabee told ABC News in an interview. "They are folks who, you know, they auction their cattle, but not their presidential candidates. And so just because somebody's gone in there and spent a bunch of money doesn't necessarily mean the people of Iowa say, 'He's my guy.'"
Huckabee, who placed second in the Iowa Straw Poll in August, suggested that for the last "11 months, everybody's been writing my political obituary each month, saying, 'He can't go on, he can't go on, he doesn't have enough money.' And here I am, tied. I mean, that's not supposed to happen. But it's happening because Americans are electing a president, not somebody who's going to head the fundraising for the United Way."
He insisted that with a successful showing in Iowa Jan. 3, he would have sufficient staff "from the momentum of Iowa, through the next few states, in New Hampshire and South Carolina, Michigan and Nevada" to win the nomination.
Finish the article here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=3894906&page=1
TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 21, 2007
Propelled by little more than his message and political skills, Republican presidential contender former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has vaulted into a statistical dead heat for first place in crucial, first-in-the-nation caucus state Iowa, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
Huckabee's surge is equal parts size and intensity, having gained considerable ground among key parts of the GOP base in the Hawkeye state — evangelicals, conservatives, weekly churchgoers and abortion opponents — with 50 percent of his supporters "very enthusiastic" about him, compared with 28 percent of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's supporters.
The affable underdog achieved all this on a shoestring budget with little national infrastructure and close to no support from the Republican establishment.
"The people of Iowa are pretty savvy when it comes to politics," Huckabee told ABC News in an interview. "They are folks who, you know, they auction their cattle, but not their presidential candidates. And so just because somebody's gone in there and spent a bunch of money doesn't necessarily mean the people of Iowa say, 'He's my guy.'"
Huckabee, who placed second in the Iowa Straw Poll in August, suggested that for the last "11 months, everybody's been writing my political obituary each month, saying, 'He can't go on, he can't go on, he doesn't have enough money.' And here I am, tied. I mean, that's not supposed to happen. But it's happening because Americans are electing a president, not somebody who's going to head the fundraising for the United Way."
He insisted that with a successful showing in Iowa Jan. 3, he would have sufficient staff "from the momentum of Iowa, through the next few states, in New Hampshire and South Carolina, Michigan and Nevada" to win the nomination.
Finish the article here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=3894906&page=1
Sunday, November 18, 2007
TN Buck for Huck!!!!
Attention fellow Tennesseans!!
Lets help Gov. Huckabee reach his November Goal by donating "A Buck for Huck".
If we all band together, we can do our part to ensure Gov. Huckabee reaches his goal in November. This can be accomplished if we all donate at least $1. So, come one!, lets get going, and live up to our nickname: The Volunteer State.
Lets help Gov. Huckabee reach his November Goal by donating "A Buck for Huck".
If we all band together, we can do our part to ensure Gov. Huckabee reaches his goal in November. This can be accomplished if we all donate at least $1. So, come one!, lets get going, and live up to our nickname: The Volunteer State.
From Back of G.O.P. Pack, Huckabee Is Stirring
By MICHAEL LUO
Published: November 9, 2007
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Nov. 8 — Mike Huckabee’s field staff had expected a modest crowd for a campaign event at a tiny rural community college near here on Wednesday. But as people began to cram into the shoe-box-size room, campaign organizers scurried to roll back a dividing wall and set up extra chairs.
To the Huckabee campaign, it was another small note in a recent trickle of encouraging moments. His fund-raising is up, the campaign just received its first major Christian conservative endorsement and most of all — to Mr. Huckabee’s obvious delight — opponents are beginning to take potshots at him.
“I’ve always said as a hunter, ‘You never put the cross hairs on a dead carcass,’” Mr. Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, told reporters Wednesday. “You only aim for something that’s alive that you’d like to take home.”
With less than two months until Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, there are signs that Mr. Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor for whom Bible verses flow easily off the tongue, is charming, quipping and sermonizing his way from a long shot ensconced in the second tier of the Republican presidential sweepstakes to a possible contender here.
Finish the story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/us/politics/09huckabee.html?_r=2&ref=politics&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Published: November 9, 2007
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Nov. 8 — Mike Huckabee’s field staff had expected a modest crowd for a campaign event at a tiny rural community college near here on Wednesday. But as people began to cram into the shoe-box-size room, campaign organizers scurried to roll back a dividing wall and set up extra chairs.
To the Huckabee campaign, it was another small note in a recent trickle of encouraging moments. His fund-raising is up, the campaign just received its first major Christian conservative endorsement and most of all — to Mr. Huckabee’s obvious delight — opponents are beginning to take potshots at him.
“I’ve always said as a hunter, ‘You never put the cross hairs on a dead carcass,’” Mr. Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, told reporters Wednesday. “You only aim for something that’s alive that you’d like to take home.”
With less than two months until Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, there are signs that Mr. Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor for whom Bible verses flow easily off the tongue, is charming, quipping and sermonizing his way from a long shot ensconced in the second tier of the Republican presidential sweepstakes to a possible contender here.
Finish the story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/us/politics/09huckabee.html?_r=2&ref=politics&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Up and Running again......
I apologize for allowing the website to get behind, but my time has been needed elsewhere for the past month or so; Kids, school, work, family.................
I am way behind on answering emails, sorry. Hopefully I will get caught up over the Thanksgiving Holiday. To those that have sent emails, Thank You!, and you will hear from me soon.
I have received many requests for yard signs, bumper stickers, and other Huckabee items. I have a few(maybe 5 or 6), bumper stickers remaining. I mailed out a bunch a few months back, if you asked for some and did not receive them, please let me know, and I will see what I can do.
I am way behind on answering emails, sorry. Hopefully I will get caught up over the Thanksgiving Holiday. To those that have sent emails, Thank You!, and you will hear from me soon.
I have received many requests for yard signs, bumper stickers, and other Huckabee items. I have a few(maybe 5 or 6), bumper stickers remaining. I mailed out a bunch a few months back, if you asked for some and did not receive them, please let me know, and I will see what I can do.
Chuck Norris' Choice for President
Like most of you, over the summer and into the fall, I've been watching, listening, studying and praying about who could lead this country as our next president.
I won't leave you in suspense. Though Giuliani might be savvy enough to lead people, Fred Thompson wise enough to wade through the tides of politics, McCain tough enough to fight terrorism and Romney business-minded enough to grow our economy, I believe the only one who has all of the characteristics to lead America forward into the future is ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Newt Gingrich called Mike "very effective … if Huckabee can find money, he will be dramatically competitive almost overnight." Bill Clinton called Huckabee the "only dark horse that's got any kind of chance … He's the best speaker they've got." There is even a pro-Huckabee swell rising among the younger generation.
Who he is (before what he can do)
More than anything he has done or can do, however, it is first who Mike is that impresses me most.
Part of our backward culture is reflected in the fact that we measure and value people by what they do, instead of first who they are. As a result, we nominate charisma, cast votes for articulation and repeatedly elect too many paper-thin corrupt politicians. Of course, I want a president who gets things done, but I first want one who has lived a life of integrity, commitment, truthfulness and respect. Mike is that man.
Mike hasn't lived an isolated, out-of-touch life like so many politicians. He was raised in Hope, Ark., with a dad who was a firefighter and always had a second job. Mike and his sister grew up poor, not privileged. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. And he worked two jobs in college and graduated in two-and-a-half years. He is an outdoorsman too – an avid fisherman, hunter and a long-term member of the NRA.
Mike is a committed husband and father. He has always prioritized his family before politics. His wife, two sons and daughter speak his highest praise.
Mike has also faced unique adversity, from helping a young wife endure the trials of spinal cancer to aiding the victims of hurricane Katrina as the governor of Arkansas. He has a heart for helping and will fight for the causes of average citizens. He is known for having a compassionate heart, genuinely caring for all people.
Mike is also a respected and fearless leader, and he does not cower to the cries of any majority or minority. He doesn't abandon his values for what's expedient. Like our Founding Fathers, he's not afraid to stand up for a Creator and against secularist beliefs.
A track record toward the presidency
Mike Huckabee has already proven his ability to lead our citizens as a lieutenant governor for three years in 1993 and governor of Arkansas for the following 10 years. Time magazine called him one of the best governors in America.
As governor, Mike led the citizens of Arkansas through difficult conditions. He balanced the budget each year, enhanced technology in commerce, was tough on crime, used tobacco lawsuit monies to better health care, initiated a toll-free hotline to report tips on government corruption and 16 times had to endure the long nights of the soul before he gave permission for executions to proceed. He also initiated the ARKids First program, cutting the number of uninsured children in half.
It's not a coincidence that four out of the last five presidents we've had were governors because they proved their abilities, perseverance and heart for running our country by serving in those state capacities. As New Man men's magazine (July/August 2007) said, "His proven ability to cast a compelling vision, as he did while governor, that transcends party, ideology and class might enable America to unite and begin to heal, an especially important goal at this point in our history."
Where he stands, and what he will do
Mike Huckabee will fight for the issues that lead us safely, and with prosperity, into the future. Here are several of his positions in his own words (to read or watch Mike speak about the issues, click the title)
Reviving healthcare – "The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken. … As president, I will work with the private sector, Congress, health care providers and other concerned parties to lead a complete overhaul of our health care system."
Implementing a FairTax – "I support the FairTax. As governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380 million. I left a surplus of nearly $850 million, which I urged should go back to the people. Our massive deficit is not due to Americans being under-taxed, but to the government's over-spending."
Creating more choices for education – "I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy. … Test scores rose dramatically when I was governor of Arkansas because of my education reforms."
Stopping illegal immigration –"My number one priority is to secure America's border."
Winning the war on terror – "I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy. … With a focus on renewed diplomacy and inclusion, we can accomplish the goals of our nation without having to go it alone."
Saving marriage – "I support, and have consistently supported, passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. … As governor of Arkansas, I led the successful effort to pass a similar state constitutional amendment in 2002."
Protecting the right to life – "I support, and have always supported, passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life."
Achieving energy independence –"The first thing I will do as president is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence. We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term."
An ordained minister as president?
Does the fact that Mike Huckabee served as an ordained minister create a disadvantage to his election or presidency? Not if one knows Huckabee and history.
First, many may not realize there was an active clergy (Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon) among the signers of the Declaration of Independence – and that two others had been previously ministers. Others were sons of clergy. Virtually all were Protestant Christians.
Signers of the Constitution even included Abraham Baldwin, a minister. "Williamson, Madison, and possibly others, had studied in this field but had never been ordained." And again, most signers of the Constitution were also Protestant Christians, except two, Carroll and Fitzsimons, who were Roman Catholics.
Being honored to share this bi-vocational duty as minister and politician with some of those early patriots, Huckabee has advanced and fine tuned his people and oratory skills. And most of all, it has taught him to put others first. Isn't that what we want in a leader?
Mike is a compassionate Christian conservative. Though solid in his faith and standing for traditional family values, he's not an uncaring extremist. He lives what he believes, and respects others' beliefs even when they disagree with him, committed to a republic that was founded upon the free exercise of religion. In all respects, Huckabee meets our Founders' recommendations for president.
The David among them
The one question that remains is: Can Huckabee win the nomination? The presidency?As with the other candidates, Huckabee has, and will continue to have, his hecklers: "He hasn't raised enough money." "He'll never beat Hillary." "Our society is too prejudice and paranoid to vote for a once Baptist minister." "He'll never out-race the top four Republican candidates."
I was thinking about these types of comments the other day when I recalled another leader in ancient times that didn't match up in the line up: King David. Seven men were poised and paraded for the position of king, but David was left in the field shepherding because he wasn't "a frontrunner in the polls." They overlooked the best because they were too busy judging by outward appearance. But God appointed David king.
It's time to quit choosing our leaders based solely upon charisma or one strong suit, and move back to being a culture which esteems and elects its leaders because of character and qualifications. It's substance, not pizzazz, we should want in a leader. Mike Huckabee is the real deal.
Read the complete story here(Great Magazine!):
http://www.newmanmag.com/newmanreport/2007/11/chuck-norris-my-choice-for-president_06.html
I won't leave you in suspense. Though Giuliani might be savvy enough to lead people, Fred Thompson wise enough to wade through the tides of politics, McCain tough enough to fight terrorism and Romney business-minded enough to grow our economy, I believe the only one who has all of the characteristics to lead America forward into the future is ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Newt Gingrich called Mike "very effective … if Huckabee can find money, he will be dramatically competitive almost overnight." Bill Clinton called Huckabee the "only dark horse that's got any kind of chance … He's the best speaker they've got." There is even a pro-Huckabee swell rising among the younger generation.
Who he is (before what he can do)
More than anything he has done or can do, however, it is first who Mike is that impresses me most.
Part of our backward culture is reflected in the fact that we measure and value people by what they do, instead of first who they are. As a result, we nominate charisma, cast votes for articulation and repeatedly elect too many paper-thin corrupt politicians. Of course, I want a president who gets things done, but I first want one who has lived a life of integrity, commitment, truthfulness and respect. Mike is that man.
Mike hasn't lived an isolated, out-of-touch life like so many politicians. He was raised in Hope, Ark., with a dad who was a firefighter and always had a second job. Mike and his sister grew up poor, not privileged. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. And he worked two jobs in college and graduated in two-and-a-half years. He is an outdoorsman too – an avid fisherman, hunter and a long-term member of the NRA.
Mike is a committed husband and father. He has always prioritized his family before politics. His wife, two sons and daughter speak his highest praise.
Mike has also faced unique adversity, from helping a young wife endure the trials of spinal cancer to aiding the victims of hurricane Katrina as the governor of Arkansas. He has a heart for helping and will fight for the causes of average citizens. He is known for having a compassionate heart, genuinely caring for all people.
Mike is also a respected and fearless leader, and he does not cower to the cries of any majority or minority. He doesn't abandon his values for what's expedient. Like our Founding Fathers, he's not afraid to stand up for a Creator and against secularist beliefs.
A track record toward the presidency
Mike Huckabee has already proven his ability to lead our citizens as a lieutenant governor for three years in 1993 and governor of Arkansas for the following 10 years. Time magazine called him one of the best governors in America.
As governor, Mike led the citizens of Arkansas through difficult conditions. He balanced the budget each year, enhanced technology in commerce, was tough on crime, used tobacco lawsuit monies to better health care, initiated a toll-free hotline to report tips on government corruption and 16 times had to endure the long nights of the soul before he gave permission for executions to proceed. He also initiated the ARKids First program, cutting the number of uninsured children in half.
It's not a coincidence that four out of the last five presidents we've had were governors because they proved their abilities, perseverance and heart for running our country by serving in those state capacities. As New Man men's magazine (July/August 2007) said, "His proven ability to cast a compelling vision, as he did while governor, that transcends party, ideology and class might enable America to unite and begin to heal, an especially important goal at this point in our history."
Where he stands, and what he will do
Mike Huckabee will fight for the issues that lead us safely, and with prosperity, into the future. Here are several of his positions in his own words (to read or watch Mike speak about the issues, click the title)
Reviving healthcare – "The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken. … As president, I will work with the private sector, Congress, health care providers and other concerned parties to lead a complete overhaul of our health care system."
Implementing a FairTax – "I support the FairTax. As governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380 million. I left a surplus of nearly $850 million, which I urged should go back to the people. Our massive deficit is not due to Americans being under-taxed, but to the government's over-spending."
Creating more choices for education – "I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy. … Test scores rose dramatically when I was governor of Arkansas because of my education reforms."
Stopping illegal immigration –"My number one priority is to secure America's border."
Winning the war on terror – "I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy. … With a focus on renewed diplomacy and inclusion, we can accomplish the goals of our nation without having to go it alone."
Saving marriage – "I support, and have consistently supported, passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. … As governor of Arkansas, I led the successful effort to pass a similar state constitutional amendment in 2002."
Protecting the right to life – "I support, and have always supported, passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life."
Achieving energy independence –"The first thing I will do as president is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence. We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term."
An ordained minister as president?
Does the fact that Mike Huckabee served as an ordained minister create a disadvantage to his election or presidency? Not if one knows Huckabee and history.
First, many may not realize there was an active clergy (Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon) among the signers of the Declaration of Independence – and that two others had been previously ministers. Others were sons of clergy. Virtually all were Protestant Christians.
Signers of the Constitution even included Abraham Baldwin, a minister. "Williamson, Madison, and possibly others, had studied in this field but had never been ordained." And again, most signers of the Constitution were also Protestant Christians, except two, Carroll and Fitzsimons, who were Roman Catholics.
Being honored to share this bi-vocational duty as minister and politician with some of those early patriots, Huckabee has advanced and fine tuned his people and oratory skills. And most of all, it has taught him to put others first. Isn't that what we want in a leader?
Mike is a compassionate Christian conservative. Though solid in his faith and standing for traditional family values, he's not an uncaring extremist. He lives what he believes, and respects others' beliefs even when they disagree with him, committed to a republic that was founded upon the free exercise of religion. In all respects, Huckabee meets our Founders' recommendations for president.
The David among them
The one question that remains is: Can Huckabee win the nomination? The presidency?As with the other candidates, Huckabee has, and will continue to have, his hecklers: "He hasn't raised enough money." "He'll never beat Hillary." "Our society is too prejudice and paranoid to vote for a once Baptist minister." "He'll never out-race the top four Republican candidates."
I was thinking about these types of comments the other day when I recalled another leader in ancient times that didn't match up in the line up: King David. Seven men were poised and paraded for the position of king, but David was left in the field shepherding because he wasn't "a frontrunner in the polls." They overlooked the best because they were too busy judging by outward appearance. But God appointed David king.
It's time to quit choosing our leaders based solely upon charisma or one strong suit, and move back to being a culture which esteems and elects its leaders because of character and qualifications. It's substance, not pizzazz, we should want in a leader. Mike Huckabee is the real deal.
Read the complete story here(Great Magazine!):
http://www.newmanmag.com/newmanreport/2007/11/chuck-norris-my-choice-for-president_06.html
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