Is Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee a closet crunchy-con? He came by the DMN today to talk to the editorial board about his run for the GOP presidential nomination. I wasn't able to attend the meeting, but my colleagues came out of it quite impressed. I did catch the governor for about five minutes before he left the building, and aware that he's a religious conservative who is trying to appeal beyond the usual theocon issues, I asked him how his agenda differs from GWB's "compassionate conservatism." He didn't have a clear answer, but he did say that he didn't understand how any of us conservatives who call ourselves Christians can limit our political concern to social issues like abortion. I think that's pretty much what Bush said in 2000, is it not? Still, it will be interesting to hear what he has to say on the '08 trail. He did talk with me briefly about the environment, and how excited he is that Evangelicals like "my former seminary classmate Rick Warren" are talking about good stewardship of the natural world as a Christian virtue.
In the short time I had with him, I asked Gov. Huckabee about Jim Pinkerton's essay in the current issue of The American Conservative, particularly about Pinkerton's discussion that a revival of William Jennings Bryan's style of populism -- economically progressive, socially conservative, religiously engaged -- could bring the Democratic Party back to power. I asked the governor if that kind of populism would work on the GOP side. I'll have to replay the tape to see what he said, but I recall that he found the idea at least intriguing. It sounds like he's edging toward that sort of thing. He's going to be one to watch, if only because win or lose the GOP nomination, it will be fascinating to see if he becomes the standard-bearer for a new generation of the Religious Right.
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I think Huckabee is not only one to watch, but to support as well. He is a different kind of leader, and one that we could use in our country now.>
Huckabee's name was the first that came to my mind when chatting with my grandma about any politicians anywhere on the scene who seemed to have integrity & charm enough to get us out of the disasterous rut of partisanship we're in.
As it turned out, my grandma had met Mrs. Huckabee once, and said that she was terrific, too.
So there you have it. Huckabee 2008: He Seems Nice.
Whether or not he runs for president, it would be great for America if he could become a leader for a constructive, mature political Religious Right, replacing anger- and resentment-driven rejectionists like Dr. Dobson, or amoralists like Ralph Reed who see in Christianity a means to amass power.>
Unlike other politicians, he actually had the discipline to lose weight without tricks like stomach stapling. And he did it with whole, natural foods. If he was a WAPer I would support him 100%.
He's probably the best of the mix. On the other hand, I'd kind of like to see the country fall apart and I haven't decided yet if I want to vote prudently or recklessly. Not that it really matters.>
I had the pleasure of hearing Huckabee speak during one of his recent trips to Iowa and I got to meet him afterwards. I have to say he's the real deal. Not only did he wow the crowd with his remarks and style, but he also laughed and talked with everyone afterwards like he'd spent his whole life in Iowa. I think its safe to say not one person in that room didn't genuinely like him. I have not seen a Republican connect like that since Reagan.
Paul S>
Huckabee is the only candidate that truly encompasses my belief's. I would strongly recommend that all Republican's take a good look at this man before deciding on one of the Sudo Republican candidate's.>
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