Huckabee and small government, summed up in one sentence
posted at 9:30 am on January 5, 2008 by Bryan
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This is why people like Rush Limbaugh say that Mike Huckabee is no conservative, and they’re right to say it.
His aides are wary of New Hampshire. “It’s all no tax, no government there,” said Bob Wickers, a top strategist. “It’s not ideal.” But they believe that the message of economic anxiety that he preaches will help in Michigan’s primary on Jan. 15 and in states in the South, which have high poverty rates in addition to strong groups of social conservatives.
“It’s all no tax, no government there”…said as if it’s a bad thing (“not ideal”), by an adviser to the current Republican front-runner. “No tax, no government” is the Republican ideal, or at least it used to be.
But not with the Huckabee camp. They’re strategizing from the point of view that small government attitudes don’t help them. That’s not the thinking of a conservative no matter how you look at it.
Update: A commenter asked me to comment on this Steyn article about Huckabee (metameta comment, I guess). Steyn nails things as usual, and even makes a point that I’d been looking for a chance to make for a couple of days now.
As governor, as preacher and even as disc jockey, he’s spent his life in professions that depend on connecting with an audience, and he’s very good at it. His gag on “The Tonight Show” – “People are looking for a presidential candidate who reminds them more of the guy they work with rather than the guy that laid them off” – had a kind of brilliance: True, it is cornball at one level (imagine John Edwards doing it with all his smarmy sanctimoniousness) but it also devastatingly cuts to the core of the difference between him and Mitt Romney. It’s a disc-jockey line: the morning man on the radio is a guy doing a tricky job – he’s a celebrity trying to pass himself off as a regular joe – which is pretty much what the presidential candidate has to do, too. Huckabee’s good at that.
I was at a preaching techniques seminar a couple of years ago and watched a brilliant young preacher demonstrate the speaking style that Huckabee occasionally uses in his speeches. The preacher wasn’t anyone you’ve heard of and the style wasn’t anything new in evangelical circles, but it is a style that has come into vogue in evangelical churches over the past 10 or maybe 15 years. It’s a style in which the speaker makes a point that applies to everyone in the room and then breaks the point down so that he can address it with a sentence or phrase to distinct groups of people in the room. It’s strikingly effective, because at the same time it makes a point that applies to everyone generally, uniting them and getting them to pay attention to the sermon, and then hits them individually to speak to them directly in whatever circumstance they find themselves. It gives everyone something that they can personally take away from the sermon as being said directly to them. In the right hands it creates a solid connection between the speaker and his audience and among the audience; in the wrong hands I suppose it’s a great way to manipulate crowds. I’ve seen glimpses of this speaking style in Huckabee’s appearances in the debates and TV interviews. He’s mastered it, no question about that, and that’s one of the reasons the Attack of the 50 Foot Nanny as Steyn puts it is going to be hard to beat for a conventional politician. They haven’t mastered this deeply effective style of speaking. Most of them probably haven’t even seen it before.
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Jimmy Carter reincarnated.
TheSitRep on January 5, 2008 at 9:37 AM
“Live Free or Whine”
HerrMorgenholz on January 5, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Make a nice sound bite for Mitt and Fred to use.
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 9:39 AM
And therin lies the rub!
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Hey Bryan, when you get time could you give us your summation of Mark Steyns recent article? I agree with most of his conclusions.
Via AoSHQ and JackM
broker1 on January 5, 2008 at 9:46 AM
If this election shines a spotlight on the tenuous ties within the famous Reagan coalition, it also reveals the divide (for the rest of us to see) within the so-called religious right. It’s not uniformly conservative. Bryan’s said this a few times, but called it “inside baseball” stuff. Guess it’s not so inside anymore. Liberal vs. Conservative churches is something that is now making a difference politically.
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 9:48 AM
I would love for someone to explain how this type of thinking will help in Michigan. I believe we lead the nation in unemployment. Employers are leaving the state in droves. The tax burden is high and we are in the midst of a tax fight because the democrats want to raise taxes. There is also a movement to have our legislature reduced to a part time working body, rather than full time..The big money in this state is invested in McCain and Romney…Rudy should do well also. As always, Ron Paul has a following.
The religious conservatives are mainly Christian Reformed.
Pam on January 5, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Fantastic article. The triumphant Left church. Who woulda thunk it?
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 9:53 AM
And yet it is undoubtably big business fault that unemployment is the highest in the nation, huh?
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Oh come on, do not tell Michael Medved Hokeybee is not a Conservative! Medved seems to think Huck can do no wrong at all.
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Yes, but just as concerning is that no sales tax does not mean no taxes. As the working class of Massachusetts is pushed out to NH based on urban sprawl, climbing tax rates and crime, higher taxes follow the migration. Let Huck come to the dysfunctional land of Duke Kennedy, Princess Kerry and homosexual marriage if they wish to battle with taxes out of control. We have a Big Dig too, that would make a good example of national waste of tax dollars.
Come to Massachusetts (the one party State) and see what Democrats gone wild can do for you, Huck.
Hening on January 5, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Don’t you worry, sonny.
Huck’s from the Gub’mint, and he’s here to help.
LagunaDave on January 5, 2008 at 9:59 AM
That comment ws from Pam, let me fix yours for you.
Don’t you worry
, sonnyYur purdy little head young gal.Huck’s from the Gub’mint, and he’s here to help.
LagunaDave on January 5, 2008 at 9:59 AM
conservnut on January 5, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Yeah it was, I dont want to hijack a thread from here but I disagree with the Steyns assertion that Huck would win. He is leaving out the main factor in that race. The MSM. They would beat him to death with his own cross.
broker1 on January 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Being in big business like Mitt is, I know he has ties to companies that were dissolved and people laid off. He’d better be ready for that or he’s gonna lose in MI.
csdeven on January 5, 2008 at 10:04 AM
That is a good point. But I think maybe it is because he is an orthodox Jew, and prefers religion to be much more visible in the public square. Just an impression, no link to provide, but for me, I’ve found Medved’s religiosity gets in the way of his political “conservative” message. In this way, curiously, there’s something similar about those two.
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 10:04 AM
It’s all about marketing a product. The Rick Warrens are very good at it. Follow the money. Looks to me like the fissures between the modern Christian and the traditional one are widening.
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Bob Wickers,” It’s all no tax no government there, not ideal”
Huck and his advisers are certainly not conservative. I Sent Freds campaign a $100 donation.
2theright on January 5, 2008 at 10:05 AM
yeah, and since that is new territory for me, I find it fascinating. A resurgent religious right will need to get it’s house in order if it truly is to lead. I think this will have ramifications for our society as a whole, and is probably long overdue.
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I’m hoping someone will ask Huck how he intends to enforce a nationwide ban on smoking. Another DEA perhaps? More black market dollars to feed the jihadists?
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Hey Bryan–
Just what is leftist-Christianity? Does it exist? What percentage of church goers are leftists, or led by leftists?
Do they know they’re in a lefty church? Do they wanna be?
If the Huckster flames out on his own, maybe not such important questions. But if he continues on, is this the avenue to use to beat him?
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I have Faith that the American people will reject this nitwit, this Huskster guy. He is a non-thinking featherweight and would collapse completely under the weight of the high office of the Presidency.
I would put him and Obama in the same category, i.e., not presidential material.
Zorro on January 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
O/T
Fox has a debate sunday and there is one tonight. Anyone know what channel it’s on?
csdeven on January 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
This goes to show he is using the Fair Tax people. If Boortz and Lender hitch their wagon to this guy, it will ruin the Fair Tax movement forever. If somehow he gets elected he will raise taxes and never look back. If he gets crushed in the general election it will be used to repudiate tax reform and the Fair Tax. Boortz has come very close to endirsing this bozo on the Fair Tax issue alone. I hope he looks very closely now.
peacenprosperity on January 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I think you nailed it. Medved is a small-government Conservative, UNTIL he sees something offensive. THEN, he sees no problem with government “assistance”. This is also true of the American Family Association and some other evangelical groups.
Gatordoug on January 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Oh really?!?! Well, the Granholm’s/Democrat’s Taxpayer Fraud that Huckabee seems to support only gets worse. The state just announced a $350 million surplus while the latest figures show that the Governor underfunded pension commitments, education funding and borrowed funds from the tobacco settlement…just pushing off more hard decisions down the line.
Good idea, Huck! Let’s defraud the entire country … NOT!
Fortunately, it appears that we can still get Thompson to the finish line.
BTW, Obama and Edwards are toast in MI.
DannoJyd on January 5, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I think tonights debate is on ABC with Charlie Gibson acting as moderator.
LakeRuins on January 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Link for tonights debate.
LakeRuins on January 5, 2008 at 10:32 AM
ABC has debates for both parties starting 7pm/6c
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 10:32 AM
It would be one thing if our jobs went overseas, but they went to surrounding states…MI has not recovered like the rest of the nation..Granholm saw to that..she blew us away!
Pam on January 5, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Should the Huckster secure the nomination, he will have to, at some point, as Nixon did, come to us, the conservatives and make phony promises. With out our votes he will have no hope of winning but should he actually win, by securing our votes, he can only be expected to freeze us out as did Nixon and as, to a lesser degrees, 41 and 43 have. If only he could be counted on to be Nixonian in foreign policy but sadly for our nation, we know his tenure will resemble nothing so much as Carter.
Nyog_of_the_Bog on January 5, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Again, I love and respect Mark Steyn and most conservative pundits, but they assume what grassroots conservatives think and they are almost always wrong. I didn’t watch leno because I get up in the morning and go to work! Like most conservatives. When huckster opens his mouth I don’t find him witty and charming and a regular guy like me, I find him smarmy, snotty and arrogant and just like carter and clinton.
peacenprosperity on January 5, 2008 at 10:37 AM
If you want to do that, your going to have to help him by donating at http://www.fred08.com
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 10:38 AM
The No Tax, No Government thing is the main reason I like those guys. Of course, they don’t have sales tax, but their property tax is high. The other thing I like about them is the ‘live free or die’. The people of New Hampshire rock! It’s too bad the man on the mountain fell the other year.
ThackerAgency on January 5, 2008 at 10:38 AM
So, Hillary walks away with Michigan.
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 10:38 AM
The first thing the media is going to do, once Mike Huckabee has secured the GOP domination, is run story after story comparing the religious right to sharia law. Then you’ll start seeing all the pictures Mike Huckabee and his overweight sons.
They going to have a field day with him.
TheSitRep on January 5, 2008 at 10:39 AM
What bothered me the most about Huckabee’s line on Leno was that it could have been uttered by the democrat nominee in any election.
The Opinionator on January 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Here are the positions of your next president: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Leftist Christianity is well represented by the mainline denominations (the one I grew up in was quite anti-Reagan and pro-Soviet/Sandinista in the 80’s).
Usually evangelicals just want to be left alone by government, that’s why I don’t understand the evangelical/libertarian rift on this site. I can only think of a few issues (abortion first among them) where they really part company on significant matters.
I also can’t believe most of Huckabee’s supporters support his position on the nanny state, illegal immigration, or any of it. They’re just voting the identity politics and circling the wagons because Christianity is under attack in so many areas. That is unfortunate.
The true religious left will still vote Dhimmi. A few will be impressed when President Hillary carries the family 10 lb. bible out of church every week.
Nosferightu on January 5, 2008 at 10:43 AM
We knew in October/November that no name other than Clinton’s would appear on the Michigan Democratic ballot.. This is costing us money that we can not afford to spend
Michigan sold of part of its tobacco settlement.
Pam on January 5, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Sounds as if that technique is little more than verbal con.The whole guy is verbal con and he has that little sneaky smile while he does it. Anyone who is so manipulative can never be trusted. Will have to go Dem if he gets the nomination. (never thought I’d say that!)
jeanie on January 5, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Huckabee reminds me in many ways of Tony Robbins. Robbins is a marvelously compelling speaker. He connects with people, he has a beautiful speaking voice, a great smile and he gives the impression of really liking you. The guy is so polished that if you watch him on an infomercial for two minutes, you think that Robbins is your best bud. But if you read a transcript of his speech (or I should say sales pitch), it is nonsense or in some cases common sense and you end up paying a fortune to listen to it. Other people that I know think that Huckabee is vaguely similar to Joel Osteen but I see no similarites between the two. But I do think the Tony Robbins analogy works. Read one of Huckabee’s speeches and at the end you will have learned nothing of what he actually might do and how he would do it.
Larraby on January 5, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Been there, done that. ;o)
DannoJyd on January 5, 2008 at 10:49 AM
And in a worst case scenario, with Huck vs Obama in the general, Obama really has no record to attack, while Huck’s administrative warts and non conservative values are there for all to see. In a battle of silver tongued slicksters, Huck loses to the fresh faced, “clean, articulate” first black man to be the Dem’s nominee. Landslide, even without the MSM Taliban references to Huck.
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Do Americans still have senses to come to?
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 10:55 AM
With Michigans big union influence and higher than average unemployment rate, the politics of doom and gloom and class warfare will work to Hucksters and the Hilldebeasts advantage. The state is getting to be a real sickly shade of blue.
roninacreage on January 5, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Hey Allah, which candidate with even the slightest chance DOES believe in small government and has a record to show that?
Hint. It starts with a T and ends with hompson.
Jay on January 5, 2008 at 10:59 AM
“forgive us our debts and debtors” instead of “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”.
It always irritates me to see how those who think they know better believe they need to change things to make it more modern.
Along with his positions on illegal immigration, all the while ignoring the positions of the ‘Crat candidate, along with his pardons, the dead dog, etc.
Yet his supporters think strumming a guitar will somehow allow those things to be overlooked.
Huckaboobs!
91Veteran on January 5, 2008 at 11:00 AM
You’ve got to hear the radio ads Huck is running here in the Boston market (to reach NH). You’d swear he’s running for the Dem nominee – All Economic justice crap.
NH people on local news here this AM saying things like, “your religion isn’t going to matter much here.”
If he doesn’t have his hat handed to him Monday, I’ll be surprised.
TheBigOldDog on January 5, 2008 at 11:04 AM
At least Limbaugh has been against Huck and McVain out of the gate.
Maybe he won’t carry their water should one become president.
There is still hope for us paleocons.
Valiant on January 5, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Timely article from the WSJ, but requires subscription.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119950064053069499.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Rasmussen Reports: McCain leads NH primary. Ron Paul at third
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 11:08 AM
By Peter J. SmithDES MOINES, January 4, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pro-life candidate Mike Huckabee cruised to victory in last night’s Iowa caucuses over his fellow GOP contenders in the first round of a long, hard fight for the Republican presidential nomination. Huckabee, a former Arkansas…
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 11:09 AM
With Michigans big union influence and the higher than average unemployment rate under ex-canadian, democrat Governor Granholm’s leadership, the politics of doom and gloom and class warfare will work to Hucksters and the Hilldebeasts advantage? I don’t see it. I’m much more concerned over Michigan’s republican leader Saulius “Saul” Anuzis being a rabid McCain supporter.
DannoJyd on January 5, 2008 at 11:11 AM
They are also asking for people to sign up (it’s free) as a Friend of Fred, and to invite others to do so as well.
They have collected $131K and 782 new friends of Fred since yesterday.
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Video: Jeri Thompson on Radio Factor, 01.04.08
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Been there, and done that as well, but I’m currently without enough free time to do more than I already have.
DannoJyd on January 5, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Saul is a miserable failure at leading the MIGOP. He had the means and opportunity to rid this state of Liberal Debbie and he blew it…He blew the governor’s race…He is a failure!
Pam on January 5, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Maybe this will help.
They are a Leftist organization. Check out
Discover the Networks page on them.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Wyoming has caucuses today and more delegates are at stake than in New Hampshire.
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Holy crap! Do any of the candidates belong to these churches? (And thanks.)
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Amen!
DannoJyd on January 5, 2008 at 11:35 AM
This is typical of how they sell their agenda:
…When the campaign was formally launched on Dec. 12, 2005, the emphasis was on how raising the minimum wage is an issue of faith, morals and family values.
Be sure to check out all the “coalition partners”. ACORN , which Discover the Networks describes as the largest radical group in America sticks out like a sore thumb.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I don’t tolerate sermons well now, America needs a Conservative President not a Shepard.
Speakup on January 5, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Move on Huck. There’s nothing for you in the “Live Free or Die” state.
CliffHanger on January 5, 2008 at 11:54 AM
The first results are now coming in. Looks like Cheney may walk away with this one…
CliffHanger on January 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Lol. No pun intended with the Holy Crap comment, I bet!
Here is the list of the member denominations. This is why I describe myself as a “lapsed Episcopalian”.
Hillary and Obama come to mind, but as the article I cited at 11:47 indicates, the NCC’s influence is far-reaching.
And this group was influential in the decision to return Elian Gonzales to Cuba.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Hmmm… Don’t forget to include Christian Scientists and those other cults that tell us that each of us are God and of One Mind.
Libs lap that stuff up.
CliffHanger on January 5, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I see MoveOn.org and another Soros group are also included.
My, oh my. What a vipers nest.
So, the original coalition overspent their budget, had to bring in secularly sourced funds to continue, and that’s how Soros got his foot in the door. Very revealing link. Thank you.
IIRC, Bryan said the Baptists split into a progressive and traditional group. I assume Huck is with the progressives, but is that a link to the UCC?
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Belay my previous request. found the Baptists on the link provided. Thanks again.
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Here is a great op-ed from Friday’s WSJ:
Mike Huckabee’s New Deal/More God, more government.
And -
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Uncle.
JiangxiDad on January 5, 2008 at 12:19 PM
So we have a coming together of commies and religion in order for their agenda to benefit from useful idiots like Huck, and using our tax dollars to make it happen. Beautiful!
a capella on January 5, 2008 at 12:28 PM
And here we have “The Evangelical Ecologist” endorsing Huckabee, which aligns global warming alarmists and evangelicals, under the rubric of (cough cough) “conservation conservatives”.
Note the link to Joe “rumor mongering” Carter.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 12:28 PM
SECOND LOOK AT ROTGUT BOURBON!
Bugler on January 5, 2008 at 12:33 PM
The very same evangelicals who vote for the Huckster will be the ones moaning and complaining when he turns out to be against all their political beliefs.
Either way it looks like freebies for foreigners in ‘08.
Go Fred!
Mojave Mark on January 5, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Rush has been pretty quite on the issue of “small government” in regards to Bush, who has grown government more than any administration since LBJ. It must be okay when Bush does it, but not when Huckabee might do it. Even if Huckabee is a big government Republican, I doubt he’d be as bad as Bush.
V15J on January 5, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Election Story the Media Missed: Pro-Family Truth Campaign Helped Sink Romney in Iowa
bnelson44 on January 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Seems odd that evangelicals would be against vouchers and school choice.
I recall the Left decrying vouchers as an unconstitutional subsidy to the Bible-thumpers in Jesusland.
LagunaDave on January 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Are they though? If, in great numbers, values issues are their number one priority, who is to say that they really care about fiscal conservatism, illegal immigration, low taxes, the W.O.T. and so forth.
Here’s a look at the God-o-meter.
This provides a ray of hope, although I foresee a repeat in South Carolina, I don’t see this happening in NH, or on Super Tuesday.
Biased story, much? Sheesh.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 1:11 PM
LagunaDave on January 5, 2008 at 12:59 PM
There is a contradiction there in light of Huck’s support from Home Schoolers, but it’s because of the teacher’s unions.
As Governor, he knew which side his bread was buttered on.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 1:20 PM
I don’t get that either, since home schoolers more than anyone want small government.
Nosferightu on January 5, 2008 at 1:25 PM
“Not Ideal.” I got a copy on that, Huckster.
Jaibones on January 5, 2008 at 1:31 PM
You’re right. He’d be worse.
Hollowpoint on January 5, 2008 at 1:31 PM
I lived in NH twice – last time from 1999 to 2004.
NH and Alaska are only 2 states with no sales tax and no income tax. And AK has oil revenue taxes for state income.
To see a side-by-side comparison of conservative government versus liberal, compare VT and NH here.
Both (adjoining) states have similar size, geography, resources, industry, etc. NH has very small homeless and illegal alien problem, also. I’ll be back!!!
fred5678 on January 5, 2008 at 1:39 PM
For those with little time for looking at charts – VT ranks #1 in total tax per capita, NH ranks #48, ahead of only TX and SD. How does NH do it, when VT needs all those taxes to function?????
fred5678 on January 5, 2008 at 1:43 PM
But it has a terrible problem with legal aliens from Massachusetts and New York. :-D
Seriously, though, I think those Massachusetts residents and New Yorkers moving into NH has changed its political culture.
Slublog on January 5, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Why? Because Rush said so?
V15J on January 5, 2008 at 2:15 PM
You know, you’re right! We’re all a bunch of mind-numbed robots who can’t think for ourselves.
This robot linked to numerous sources on this thread which have nothing to do with Rush Limbaugh.
Like this.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 2:25 PM
You can get around forced subscriptions by going to bugmenot d0t c0m.
crushliberalism on January 5, 2008 at 3:37 PM
On Bryan’s update about “preaching style” – that’s why astrology is so popular – something for everyone, with no substance.
Also, Mr. Medved is to Huckabee, what Mr. Hewitt is to Romney.
I’m still keeping hope alive, against all odds. As it is now, it’s two preachers, from two isles, but much can still happen.
Entelechy on January 5, 2008 at 3:40 PM
How in the world could any conservative vote for this guy! You people are insane. Huckabee is all fluff and no substance.
Bad on taxes. Bad on fiscal conservatism. Bad on illegal immigration. Bad on crime. Bad on foreign policy!
I’m a Christian and I think the religious right is NUTS for voting for this guy.
Huckabee is not qualified to be President!
I’ll vote for Obama before I vote for Huckabee.
msipes on January 5, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Bryan – What I took from your update is that the voting public is not concerned with who has the best policies for American, but with who can present any policies in a slick manner with a good speaking style.
Very sad state of affairs we are in and it has nothing to do with Mike Huckabee. It seems that our citizens are ignorant, superficial and shallow. If we had an informed, educated and engaged American public, they wouldn’t fall for the speaking style of anyone, because they would see beyond the style and understand the speaker had no substance.
I am beginning to feel that we cannot call Mike Huckabee’s supporters “evangelicals” or “Christians” or whatever. His support seems to come from people who are either conservative Christians who are ignorant of his policies or liberal Christians who agree with his policies or maybe even a combination of both: ignorant liberal Christians.
csdeven noted on the thread yesterday that many of his supporters are supposedly coming from people who were once for Fred Thompson, but switched to Mike Huckabee over the whole “fire in the belly/lazy” stuff. Which makes absolutely no logical sense if these people are conservatives. But, from what I took from csdeven’s post, these people aren’t conservatives, they are abortion and likeability people. Those are their only two qualifications for voting for someone.
That is depressing. But I still tend to agree with Rush Limbaugh that the best way to fight this kind of thing is to get people educated, informed and engaged in politics. That way, they won’t be falling for this nonsense. If you notice, there are many Christians who post here at HotAir and I don’t think any of us like Mike Huckabee. But most of us here are also very informed, educated on the issues and engaged in politics. So that seems to be the difference.
I also think we need to go the route of Laura from PursuingHoliness.com. She posted about talking with one of her friends who supports Mike Huckabee, but this friend was completely ignorant about the man’s background. I think if we swallow some of our pride and frustration and stop insulting those who support Mike Huckabee and try as we can to appeal to their logic on the issues, we may be able to get them to see the light on this guy.
At least that is my hope. We have a lot of work to do though.
Michael in MI on January 5, 2008 at 5:15 PM
So much to do, so little time.
Buy Danish on January 5, 2008 at 5:40 PM
“He pleased teachers unions with his consistent opposition to school choice and voucher programs.”
Yep, believe me, this homeschooler’s not voting for him.
Homeschoolers that support him do so because he’s saying now that he supports homeschooling, but if more people knew about his past (taxes included), it’d be a different story.
Emilie H. on January 5, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Fully agree because they have no idea what he stands for, or not, on the issues, or what his lack of experience is. Same for Obama.
Entelechy on January 5, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Exactly. The more I talk to supporters of Obama and Huckabee, the more I realize that they don’t support them based on their policy positions, but they support them based on their delivery of their empty rhetoric and populism. So they come across to me as very well-intentioned, idealistic, yet naive and uninformed people. Those people are not swayed by info when it comes across angry and insulting, but may be swayed if people engage them, show them some respect and then present them with the facts about their candidate and let them decide if they still want to support them.
It’s almost like the tactic parents need to use with their teenagers. Teenagers don’t like being told what NOT to do and don’t like being reminded that they are young and naive and ignorant. But if they are made to feel good about themselves and feel respected by those older than them, they will show the same respect in return and may show humility in listening and learning from their elders.
But it is all in the approach. If you come across demeaning and insulting, no one is going to listen.
I can use myself as an example. For the longest time, I just skipped right over csdeven’s posts (and some others on here), because of their snark and mean-spirited comments in a lot of cases. I did the same with MB4. But as they softened their approach (or I became more tolerable of their approach, probably a combination of both), I began to read their input more and I am glad that I did. Because they have much to offer the discussion here.
We need to use this same approach with Huckabee supporters. Right now, I have a feeling many of them have tuned out the criticism and have become even more entrenched in their support for him due to spite.
Michael in MI on January 5, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Huckabee went nowhere fast till he rolled out the cross and if he plays it smart he could ride that cross all the way to the White House but looking at the number of blunders he’s pulled on in Iowa he’ll probably misstep and misspeak all the way. You can’t attack the cross, that only revives his support. You have to get Huckabee talking about his PLAN and his RECORD to show the people exactly who they are voting for.
I find it funny that some are saying that Huckabee sounds just like a Democrat. Hell, we’ve got a mess of Democrats playing conservative these days. Now GOP just means Democrat Lite for the big business folks so they can have their low cost labor and big stock market while selling out middle class jobs to our enemies. McCain, Rudy, Mitt and Huck’s just the one with the cross and the snake oil at the moment but not a one of them comes close to conservative. Personally I’m voting for Fred in the primary and leaving the GOP to sink into the swamp. Money doesn’t trump everything and there isn’t room for conservatives in the GOP anymore.
Buzzy on January 5, 2008 at 8:38 PM
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