“Very troubling”: Huckabee hits Steele on abortion comments
posted at 2:45 pm on March 12, 2009 by Allahpundit
He alienated talk-radio fans by stumbling into a fight with Rush and now, per this communique, he’s alienating Huck’s Christian base. Who’s left among the grassroots to donate?
Maybe David Frum’s got $10 million socked away somewhere that he’s not doing anything with.
Comments attributed to Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele are very troubling and despite his clarification today the party stands to lose many of its members and a great deal of its support in the trenches of grassroots politics. Since 1980, our party has been steadfast and principled in believing in the dignity and worth of every human life. We have supported a Constitutional amendment to protect life and the party has taken the position that no one individual has the supreme right to own another person in totality including the right to take that life. For Chairman Steele to even infer that taking a life is totally left up to the individual is not only a reversal of Republican policy and principle, but it’s a violation of the most basic of human rights–the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. His statement today helps, but doesn’t explain why he would ever say what he did in the first place.
In fairness, if you look at the full quote, you’ll see Steele recovered quickly from the “individual choice” gaffe to emphasize that he meant the individual choice of each state to regulate abortion as it sees fit — i.e. the federalist position. That’s an evolution in thinking from what he told “Meet the Press” three years ago, when he said that the states should have been allowed all along to handle the matter but now that we’ve got Roe on the books, we’d best abide by it. What I don’t get, though, is how he squares what he told GQ with his statement this morning about supporting the GOP’s call for a Human Life Amendment. If he believes in federalism, why’s he trying to impose a constitutional solution that would prohibit states from authorizing abortion? He sounds even shiftier and more convoluted on this subject than Romney, which is really saying something.
There might be a way out, though. Geraghty reports that he’s scheduled to share the stage with Palin next month at, of all things, a pro-life dinner. Exit question: One kind word on his behalf from the ‘Cuda and the base will be back on board, no? It’d be like the Pope crowning Napoleon. Instant legitimacy!
Blowback
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in the political W.O.W. all can be used. B.O. would be some weird “disease’ to strike down your opponent.
upinak on March 12, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Allahopundit on March 12, 2009 at 3:35 PM
On another thread I complimented a blogger for posting what I consider in the top 3 of the most ridiculous posts ever on hot air. That one addressed the issue that Sarah Palin was somehow going to take SarahPAC money and fully fund the 3 RINO’s who voted for the stimulus bill.
Well AP, you just made it to the top spot by insinuating that Sarah is going to turn atheist. That’s like saying that the Messiah is going to start to believe in capitalism and be the next JP Morgan or Andrew Carnegie.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 3:40 PM
WOuldn’t that be interesting to see on the blogs.
I can see the thread: FINALLY “My love of Alaska, and the Palin I wish I had!”
upinak on March 12, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Allah, you should ban yourself and lorien1973 for those comments.
Appreciate the humor, but tone it down a bit.
davek70 on March 12, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Palin can save Steele from himself. Look how she closed for Saxby Chambliss in the runoff.
Doughboy on March 12, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Obahmbo would be a Plague Spell represented by a hooded reaper. Once his card is played everyone must give up 3 cards to redistribute to players who have lost.
portlandon on March 12, 2009 at 3:42 PM
? I didn’t say that she would, I asked what if she did. What would happen?
Besides me coming down with a searing case of Palinmania, I mean.
Allahpundit on March 12, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Not sure what you took from that.
MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Palin is like Mother Theresa… even if she lost her faith, she would be smart enough to keep her mouth shut about it.
myrenovations on March 12, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Allah, you are cracking me up on this beautiful “Break up” day. But you and searing with Palinmania… I don’t ever see happening. Not that it couldn’t.. just don’t think it will.
upinak on March 12, 2009 at 3:44 PM
S’true, but Palin brings in the donations – millions in days if you recall, though I’ll grant you this was before the infamous interviews. The question is, does she have the savvy to do other stuff beyond cheerleading and fundraising. On the other hand, the RNC chair isn’t necessarily the face of the party to public. She might be now due to the dearth of conservative leadership, but that won’t always be the case.
Or … we could be seeing a major political shift. Which would suck and cause a lot of bad things to happen (IMO) but that’s life. The R’s screwed up big time recently, and now we’re paying the price for it. In that case, however, it really doesn’t matter if Palin is the RNC chair or not.
TheUnrepentantGeek on March 12, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Pretty much every day since the election I see that reagan’s 11th commandment only applies when it is convenient. :)
benny shakar on March 12, 2009 at 3:45 PM
If you came down with Palin Mania I would know the 7th seal would have been broken and the Lord was coming shortly.
portlandon on March 12, 2009 at 3:45 PM
O_o
TheUnrepentantGeek on March 12, 2009 at 3:46 PM
yah….’cause the rest of the country is really keen on that…
Sarah Palin wins the hotair poll as who the leader of the GOP is…
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/03/09/poll-who-leads-the-republican-party/#comment-1962448
“Ninety-one percent (91%) of Republicans have a favorable view of Palin“
“Among Republicans, 66% of men and 61% of women say Palin is their choice for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012″
“Palin has a 10-point edge among Republican women”
“A Gallup Poll asked people to rank the top 10 candidates they would like to run. Topping the list: Sarah Palin (67 percent)”
number of supporters on facebook…. 516,868…
Sarah Palin faithful on Team Sarah … 67,000
and lets not forget SarahPAC, which I am certain is raking in the dough…
i could go on…
alexraye on March 12, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Remember what Rush said at his CPAC speech. Don’t treat voters (like AP) like children. Not everybody will agree with you right away, but give people time to grow; eventually some of them will come around.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 3:47 PM
I don’t like the guy, but I have to give Huckabee credit for the was he phrased this argument. It was very powerful to couch the GOP’s position on abortion in terms of the principle that no one has the right to “own” another person. It focuses the issue on a very basic human right, while simultaneously alluding to the GOP’s history of opposing slavery. Well played.
Y-not on March 12, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I am a woman under 55 (actually 35) and Sarah Palin appeals to me and all of the people I associate with. I also cannot believe that some of you find abortion to be such a nonsconsequential issue. I am very pro-life. I am not saying women should be forced to bear children, but they should be forced to take responsibility for their birth control or bear the freaking consequences! Abortion should not be an acceptable form of birth control. At that point the horse is already out of the barn.
TXMomof3 on March 12, 2009 at 3:50 PM
If we could be sure this would happen, I’d like to vote in favor.
cs89 on March 12, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Welcome to the center. Prepare to be maligned as an extreme right winger.
gabriel sutherland on March 12, 2009 at 3:52 PM
alexraye on March 12, 2009 at 3:47 PM
I couldn’t have said it any better.
But isn’t Sarah Palin ‘damaged goods’, damaged beyond repair, or not capable of rehabilitation.
Oh my, what is the MSM going to say?
Obama is still the Messiah; long live the Messiah!
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 3:59 PM
gabriel sutherland on March 12, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Hey, I will proudly wear that banner. I do not claim to be a Republican, I am a Conservative. Life is not a negotiable issue for me. For that I am not ashamed. I didn’t plan on having three kids. I was blessed with God knowing more than I did about what I needed. I have a six year old son who brings joy to all he meets.
TXMomof3 on March 12, 2009 at 4:01 PM
By the way Human Events has e-mailed its subscribers recommending they contribute to SarahPAC in March.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 4:02 PM
hey, blogger gets off a good one!
james23 on March 12, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Please give credit where credit is due, friends. Mike Huckabee has done a great thing for us, more importantly for innocent children in the womb, by taking a strong stand against RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s shockingly brutal admission that abortion (killing babies) should be an individual choice. “Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice,” he says. He is just saying if a child is inside the womb it can be killed, if it’s outside the womb it can’t be killed. I mean, this is… it is just unbelievable!! Can we find some common ground here, people. Give Mike some credit for speaking out!
This coward has only backtracked from his comments because of political pressure. It is obvious that these are his real feelings on abortion (murdering children). He fails to defend the innocent life he already knows is there. Why anybody would give states the right to have abortion laws if they are against abortion (against people killing their kids) is peddling immorality by deceit. You cannot justify the killing of a child.
apacalyps on March 12, 2009 at 4:16 PM
If b happens, c can’t. b won’t happen and we’ll continue to quarrel within the ranks about priorities while the donks continue to elect Obama types and take us down the fiscal drain, whilst allowing more Supremes on the bench who will further prevent an overturn of Roe vs Wade. The more we allow a single issue to keep us from winning elections and selecting judges, the less the chance R vs W will be overturned.
a capella on March 12, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I would suggest everyone donate $5 to SarahPac each time Allah throws Sarah Palin’s name out as chum blog bait but I don’t think anybody could afford the $300 dollars a month.
portlandon on March 12, 2009 at 4:17 PM
He should resign. This is getting ridiculous.
discojoe on March 12, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Huckabee? I agree.
MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Don’t look now. The other side is passing FOCA bills.
http://www.whatthefoca.com/illinois/
Illinois General Assembly Health and Human Services Committee? Why, our President formerly chaired that committee.
gabriel sutherland on March 12, 2009 at 4:24 PM
That’s funny.
shick on March 12, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Steele must focus on getting Jim Tedisco elected. This is the first chance that any American voter will have the opportunity to vote thumbs up or thumbs down on the Messiah’s agenda and his conduct in office.
Tedisco must be elected or the MSM will run with the template that the Messiah is loved by everybody and is virtually invincible.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 4:28 PM
The irony of it all is that Hotair.com hates Palin
Yet, she is the only reason they actually stay in business.
Go figure
joey24007 on March 12, 2009 at 4:35 PM
The federalist position on abortion is laughable. If a woman has the right to an abortion (which she should), then is violating that right on the state-level somehow more moral than violating it at the federal level? It doesn’t matter whether Congress passes an abortion ban or the people of a State do by referendum, an abortion ban is immoral. The locality of the argument does not change the nature of the argument.
Sir Andrew on March 12, 2009 at 4:35 PM
As long as the base understands that Palin also takes the federalist position. She does not support the human life amendment, at least not at this time:
“I think it should be a states’ issue not a federal government-mandated, mandating yes or no on such an important issue. I’m, in that sense, a federalist, where I believe that states should have more say in the laws of their lands and individual areas. Now, foundationally, it’s no secret that I’m pro-life that I believe in a culture of life is very important for this country. Personally that’s what I would like to see further embraced by America. “
doug1981 on March 12, 2009 at 4:39 PM
The reason why the base will accept Sarah’s position on Roe vs Wade being overturned and going back to the States is that it is what the Constitution says should happen. And contrary to popular belief, evangelicals do not want to impose a theocracy on to America, but are strong defenders of the Constitution; in addition Sarah has indisputable pro-life credentials-yes there always will be a minority who want a constitutional amendment but I believe that the vast majority will recognize Sarah’s position as following the Constitution as it is currently written and accept it.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Oh good lord. If we never mentioned her again we’d be perfectly fine. Don’t let your daydreams interfere with reality so much.
Allahpundit on March 12, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I never could figure out why Paterson didn’t appoint Cuomo to the Senate and eliminate his obvious competition for the governorship. Something tells me he accepted a deal with the Obama administration. Caroline Kennedy should have been given an ambassadorship. I think New York state is trending red, hence gun rights supporter Gillibrand. We’ll see. You make a valid point, and I heartily agree with you.
chunderroad on March 12, 2009 at 4:47 PM
joey24007 on March 12, 2009 at 4:35 PM
As they say in love, opposites attract.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 4:48 PM
They both should resign.
Huckabee is nuts and Steele is an apologist moron who thinks we should all act hip about espousing conservative ideals. Maybe he should make a rap video if he feels so strongly about his approach, but he shouldn’t be RNC chair.
discojoe on March 12, 2009 at 4:50 PM
a hard argument to make when its only the Sarah posts that reach 600+ comments…that is unless Barry did something epically stupid that day…
alexraye on March 12, 2009 at 4:53 PM
So if Steele takes the same position, as he did in that interview, why is there even a problem?
My biggest problem with Steele was that he retracted his original position. Abortion is not a federal issue, and the Supreme Court never should have even heard that case. Send the issue back to the states and get it off the federal stage so we can focus on other issues.
Keep gay marriage a state issue too…
doug1981 on March 12, 2009 at 4:53 PM
AP, how do you and Michelle get along. I know she is a big-time Palin supporter. You must be like James Carville and Mary Matalin.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Thought experiment: if you banned the word “Palin” or any reference to her; the 800+ comments on the “Romney”-thread to her would dwindle down to less than a hundred.
Norwegian on March 12, 2009 at 4:58 PM
MC Steele is about to get jiggy with unemployment. )))
He has to go.
Mister Ghost on March 12, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Dude posts on Huckabee and Steele and has to mention Palin to get interest.
I think AP’s “greatest” post in terms of comments and hits was the one where he LIED about her “supporting” the stimulus.
You gotta go what you gotta go I guess.
Distortions, Lies etc. etc.
and you don’t even have to go to MSNBC to get them!
joey24007 on March 12, 2009 at 5:08 PM
do what you gotta do even
joey24007 on March 12, 2009 at 5:08 PM
This is a good idea. Allah, I think you and Ed should go back over the last what 6 or 7 months since Palin was named VP nominee. My bet is the majority of your top 25+ most commented threads ALL had her name as part of the title or in the subject matter of the post. Assuming of course you eliminate open threads.
I was rather surprised yesterday when Ed had The Boss on his show and they were discussing the high traffic at HotAir since the election. Not one mention of Palin being one of the reasons….hmmmm, me thinks someone does not want to own up to the truth.
davek70 on March 12, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Just went to the http://www.conservatives4palin.com web site and found out that Team Sarah has issued a statement of concern regarding the appointment of Morgen Christen as a Supreme Court judge in Alaska, basically slapping Sarah on the wrist for appointing Christen who was a former member of Planned Parenthood in Alaska in the early 1990′s (before it advocated abortion) but admitting that Sarah is pro-life and faced with choosing between 2 people, neither who perfectly fit her philosophy.
Watch the trolls come out now-but let me re-emphasize the point: Team Sarah says “We KNOW that Governor Palin is pro-life. In addition to her personal pro-life WITNESS she counts pro-life advocate Susan B Anthony among her heroes.”
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 5:25 PM
I bet AP gives this nugget a separate Palin thread.
technopeasant on March 12, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Seems that it’s not just The One running a permanent campaign.
Dr. ZhivBlago on March 12, 2009 at 6:36 PM
True, and I’m not fan of Huckabee, but at least he’s not ignoring his “day job” to do it.
Y-not on March 12, 2009 at 7:07 PM
It does seem like the world’s gone mad, doesn’t it?
chunderroad on March 12, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Bless his heart, he loves Mark Sanford.
chunderroad on March 12, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Does anyone think Huckabee is relevant?
Constitution1st on March 12, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Are you saying that your biggest reason for disliking Palin is that she is not an atheist?
Could I rephrase it to say “If Palin were not a Christian what would happen, besides me coming down with a searing case of Palinmania?”
Be careful AP, such an opinion does fit in with the types of things you do tend to post here when it comes to Christianity vs atheism.
Not dissing you, just pointing out how some might take your banter.
Pattosensei on March 12, 2009 at 8:10 PM
HAHAHAHA! I love references like these. AWESOME!
ThackerAgency on March 12, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Overall, Huck posts have done better.
apacalyps on March 12, 2009 at 9:17 PM
I agree.
apacalyps on March 12, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Huck calls out Steele for his abortion comment, and rightly so. If you are a real conservative you appreciate this. If you are against advocating the murder of children this is fantastic! Thing is, I’m reading the comments in here and see many of you won’t give the guy any credit, not even a “thanks Huck,” despite all these evidences he is willing to stand up to the establishment. See, the Washington establishment hates and fears governor Huckabee because he’s not one — of them. That’s why we should be supporting governor Huckabee. Anyways, you wanna know what this reminds me of? Seriously. It is so similar. This reminds me of the lost souls during the 7 year tribulation period who can not admit they were wrong even if their life depended on it. They do anything but admit that. Their ignorance and pride are so great that they would rather endure pain than repent:
“And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” Revelation 16:9-11
apacalyps on March 12, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I’m a little late chiming in, but (raising hand) absolutely! 100%.
apacalyps on March 12, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I missed these posts earlier. Has got to be one the best posts EVER on hotair. (Some) scoff at this suggestion, but unless we break the stranglehold the current politicians have on America, America will be destroyed. I know that sounds harsh, but they will bring down America. People may not agree with Huckabee and Palin on certain issues, but they are decent respectful people who would allow you to live in the freedom you so choose despite the fact that they are Bible-believing Christians. Because to do otherwise, would go against their faith. I’m not sure you can say that about any other world-view. In fact, I’m certain of it.
apacalyps on March 12, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Napoleon crowned himself. There was a rumor that he seized the crown from the Pope, but it appears to be false. Anyway, Napoleon made the right political move in crowning himself. He would have alienated too many people if he had allowed the Pope to crown him.
thuja on March 13, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Reverse that line up and you’ve got the GOP solution.
The Huckster can and has, run verbal rings around the lefty media and has demonstrated his ability to counterpunch with the Democrat thugs. If ever there was a Republican retort to Dean & Kane buffonery, Governor Huck is it.
With respect to Governor Palin, she’s positioned perfectly for a P/VP run in ’12. Although, I won’t be disappointed if an Inuit finds Levi’s frozen carcass, sans testicles, out on an ice flow. Daddy Power!! “I’ve got a .45 and a shovel sonny…”.
“Let’s Roll”
On Watch on March 13, 2009 at 5:38 PM
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