Even if you didn’t watch the 2nd Republican Presidential Debate on May 15th, you might have heard about former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee’s line of the night: “We’ve had a congress that spent money like John Edwards in a beauty shop.”
Sure the line was funny, and it got the biggest laugh of the night. But more importantly, it has helped Huckabee generate some steam in his push to become a viable candidate worthy of winning the Republican nomination.
Huckabee has shined in both of the recent Republican debates. His performance in the second debate has attracted considerable media attention and praise. Some claim he is on the verge of breaking into the top tier of Republican candidates. Time’s Joe Klein, in a recent blog (HT: Mike Huckabee President 2008) claims that Mike Huckabee is out-performing Sam Brownback in “the battle of the religious conservatives”. Excepting the far-out Ron Paul and the current top 3 candidates (Guliani, McCain, and Romney), Klein contends that Huckabee (of the remaining 6 debate participants) is the most likely to survive.
Just this week, former South Carolina Governor David Beasley joined the wife of his predecessor, the late Carroll Campbell Jr., in endorsing Mike Huckabee for president.
There’s only one problem for Huckabee. Money. He started his exploratory committee relatively late (January) and has been playing catch-up ever since. Perhaps some of the big time donors wonder if he could win the general election. Despite his staunch conservatism, I sincerely feel he can. He appeals to young voters (just watch these University of SC students rave about Huckabee during Foxnews.com’s live webcast of the debate). And even has a significant appeal across party lines (see his interview with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show, showcased here).
Well, by now you’ve guessed it. I’m making a plug for you all to join me in financially contributing to Huckabee’s campaign. You don’t need to contribute a lot, just contribute! Explorehuckabee.com is pushing for 400 contributions over the next 4 days (96 hours). Help Huckabee reach that goal and do a small part in ensuring a sound conservative is the next Republican nominee.
One more thing, I should stress that I am not usually so political in this blog. I don’t foster a hope that politics can “save America”, necessarily. As a Christian, I am more concerned with Christ’s kingdom than our republic, and I don’t think the two are synonymous. But Huckabee seems to me to be an unusual politician. He does not spiritualize America or the presidency, but he aims to do what is right (as a Christian should) were he to be elected. I can get behind that idea. I hope you can too.
So, Bob, what’s Huckabee’s stand on the two-state proposition for Israel and Palestine?
http://www.youtube.com/jp.swf?video_id=vxFugLZNGjE&eurl=http%3A//www.explorehuckabee.com/index.cfm%3FFuseAction%3DNews.VideoClips&iurl=http%3A//img.youtube.com/vi/vxFugLZNGjE/2.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskKLeAcMjsFhtaFxBlv3jA6h
On this video with Tim Russert, Mike wouldn’t answer the question whether or not a gay person is born gay or chooses to be so. He said that he didn’t know that for sure…..Any former pastor ought to know what Romans 1 says about that. He might as well just come out and say it, he’ll never get a gay vote anyway!
Just another typical spineless politician….then at the end of the video he’s playing electric guitar in a rock band playing “born to be wild”. I’m glas he’s not a preacher anymore.
Will,
I understand your point here. However, they were trying to pin Huckabee into saying he is prejudiced against gays. I deal with some of these kinds of objections in the comment thread of this post.
About whether gays are born gay or choose to be, Albert Mohler had an interesting column on this subject recently. Since when is being born one way any excuse for giving into sin. Most red-blooded males are born with an innate desire for women in unBiblical ways. And people naturally are disposed to sin of all sorts. Al Mohler has some interesting points about the whole gay gene issue. It’s worth thinking about. So from a scientific standpiont, Huckabee is admitting he is unsure.
Regarding the electric guitar (actually a base guitar), there are many Christians who partake of, and participate in secular music. I am not going to defend that song, or the music tastes of Huckabee. But I do know that there is a lot of secular music which is pretty much neutral. Not overtly anti-God or sinful in its lyrical content, just focusing on human experiences & emotions we all share.
Keep in mind, Huckabee is not running for pastor or for the presidency of the SBC. He is running to be a president — that’s a secular position. Huckabee has firm beliefs in Christian morals, that is clear for any unbiased observer to see. If you want to win the presidency, you can’t let yourself get painted as a gay basher. Huckabee is being careful in such interviews.
In other, less hostile contexts, Huckabee is quite clear regarding his generally anti-gay positions, and his firm belief in Christianity and how one’s faith should impact how he governs.
Huckabee’s presence in the race is a boon to the Republican party. It is nice to see a Baptist represented, too, as Romney is a Mormon, and Brownback is a Catholic. However, I have no worries that a Mormon or a Catholic could not be a good president.
Thanks for commenting. I do welcome all opinions here.
Blessings in Christ, brother,
Bob Hayton
Hey Bob
i am just a bit jaded by Christian politicians since G.W.Bush has been somewhat of a dissapointment. (although I still thank God that he’s there and not Gore or Kerry). I see what you’re saying about the carefulness…thats politics…it stinks. I’d never be able run for dog catcher in todays PC environment.
I know what the “jaded” feeling is all about. I really do hear you Will. Maybe I am just hoping for too much with Huckabee. Sadly, there’s not much chance of him winning the primary, though.
Glad to be a citizen of a different, and better Country!
Bob