Great article by David Mark of Politico…
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.
But Huckabee is not courting conservatives here with the “God, guns and Confederate flag” mantra that has been used in past South Carolina campaigns. Instead, he is offering a calibrated message meant to draw support from a wide range of conservatives, not just the social variety.
Huckabee’s focus on competency and inclusion may be counterintuitive in a state that has seen bruising battles over candidates’ conservative credentials in the past. But this is a different South Carolina - one to which tens of thousands of retirees, middle managers and young couples, primarily from the Northeast and Midwest, have flocked to in recent years.
As Huckabee toured the Palmetto State during a recent two-day campaign trip, he frequently touted 10 and a half years of can-do gubernatorial service, focusing as much on bread-and-butter accomplishments as on hot-button national issues like immigration and the war on terror.
“I certainly think social issues matter, because they go to the core of our convictions and principles. But I don’t think that’s all there is,” Huckabee said after preaching Sunday morning at First Baptist Church in Fountain Inn, S.C., a small upstate community. “People look at a history of effective government. People want somebody who actually has a record of being able to accomplish something - not just talk about it, but do it.”
Huckabee went on to cite his efforts balancing budget and cutting taxes in Arkansas, and using the Internet more efficiently to run state government, so residents could get car tags online in “four minutes, rather than going all over town.” Voters “want government to be functional. They see it now as dysfunctional, and very divided.”
I think this highlights part of the reason people are starting to love Mike. He is far and away the best SoCon, but he mixes that with 10 1/2 years as Governor, along with some time as Lt. Governor. That is by far the most Executive Leadership experience on the Republican side (Rudy-8 years, Mitt-4 years, Fred and McCain-Zilch), maybe even on either side (Bill Richardson may be close). And he did this in a state where 90% of the legislature were Defeatocrats when he took over (75% are today). Now, I’ll admit our Defeatocrats are for the most part SoCons (1 of 11 states without a State Lottery), but I can guarantee you they are all big welfare Democrats. I think among the blogosphere and among most pundits, Huck’s fiscal record is completely unacceptable. I would just say two things. #1 is 43% of Americans identify themselves as Moderates on Fiscal Issues, with 41% saying they are Conservative, according to Rasmussen. I seriously doubt that FiCons will bolt should Huck become the GOP Nominee. He signed the no new tax pledge and for the most part people are willing to give a guy the benefit of the doubt the first time up. Besides who are they going to run to, Hillary and HillaryCare. SoCons happen to be much “Religious”, no pun intended, about their issues. And the #2 point is, they said all the same things about Reagan, who had raised taxes plenty as Gov. of California.
And to add to what I said the other day…If I thought he could win the General Election, I might be able to get behind Mitt Romney…But his flip flops and Mormonism are too much to overcome…Take a READ…
The religious divide over Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith that his supporters had long feared would occur is emerging in Iowa as he is being challenged in state polls by Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor who has played up his faith in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Mr. Huckabee’s rise in Iowa – some recent polls now put him in a dead heat with Mr. Romney, who had led surveys for months – has been fueled by evangelical Christians, who believe Mormonism runs counter to Christian orthodoxy.
Although Mr. Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, has been able to make inroads among the evangelicals, an influential voting bloc in the state, interviews with Mr. Huckabee’s supporters make clear that a sizable number are distinctly uncomfortable with Mr. Romney’s religion and cite it as a major reason they would not vote for him in the state’s Jan. 3 caucuses.
A little later…
At Huckabee gatherings, those with serious reservations about Mr. Romney’s Mormonism are easy to find, although many also point to his shifting positions over the years on abortion and gay rights to explain why they do not support him.
Barbara Heki, 51, from Johnston, Iowa, who began volunteering for Mr. Huckabee over the summer, compared Mr. Romney to Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who was dogged by accusations of flip-flopping when he ran for president in 2004. Nevertheless, Ms. Heki admitted that her evangelical faith also figured prominently in her choice.
“Mormons spend two years of their lives as missionaries, preaching an anti-Christian doctrine,” she said. “I don’t want someone out there, if I can help it, who’s going to be acting on an anti-Christian faith as the basis of their decision-making.”
A little more later…
Danny Carroll, a former speaker pro tem in the Iowa House and Mr. Huckabee’s Iowa campaign co-chairman, said he was drawn to Mr. Huckabee in large part because of the way religion permeates the former Arkansas governor’s life. Mr. Carroll said he had reservations about Mr. Romney because of his more moderate past positions in addition to his religion, saying he was concerned about where Mr. Romney went for strength and wisdom.
“I think it just causes some uneasiness as to how somebody is going to respond when heavy responsibility is placed on them,” Mr. Carroll said. “I think the Christian would like to know that the person has a strong anchor and prays to the God of the Bible.”
At a recent Huckabee event in Iowa, Glenda Gherkey, an evangelical from Evansdale, posed a question to the candidate.
“I’m concerned a lot of Christians are thinking about the values issues and forgetting about the creator behind the values issues,” Ms. Gherkey said. “I guess I feel like this country and this world needs a president who would be able to pray to the God of the Bible and he would be able to hear his prayers.”
She wondered, Would Mr. Romney’s prayers “even get through”?
November 28th, 2007 at 12:40 am
Oh, wow, prepare for the RomBorg after THAT post!
November 28th, 2007 at 12:41 am
Incoming!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 12:43 am
A couple points:
1. Rudy served as US Attorney for the Southern District of NY before Mayor, which is an executive position, a pretty darned major one.
2. Your appeal to the polling on the electorate being fiscal moderates: are you now throwing in the towel admitting Huck is no economic conservative?
November 28th, 2007 at 12:44 am
“She wondered, Would Mr. Romney’s prayers “even get throughâ€?”
It’s scary that people like that can vote.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:45 am
Huck is Moderate to Conservative on fiscal issues…Definately not liberal…I have no problem in admitting that he isn’t a Tom Coburn pork hating Conservative(which I would be as well)…I’m behind Huck because he is SoCon with that Clintonesque ability to appeal to voters…If Clinton can overcome his affairs, Huck can overcome his Fiscal Issues…
November 28th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Hate to break it to ya, but a President’s business is half Commander in Chief, half fiscal. And a couple percent “social”/cultural issues.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:49 am
6 Metro,
It doesn’t matter he is the only canidate who can communicate with God…
November 28th, 2007 at 12:53 am
huckabee has experience, no doubt. i just dont like his ideas. i think george bush proved that big government liberalism mixed with some social conservatism is not a productive combination. if you want 4 more years of what george bush has been putting out there, then by all means vote for mike huckabee.
Also, there’s not a lot of substance there. When mitt romney rightfully attacked him on a questionable policy of tuition breaks for illegal immigrants, instead of responding with substance, he just broke out the lame “mitt had illegals work on his lawn” quip. lame. give me rudy, john, mitt, or fred before this guy.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:58 am
8 Joe,
“give me rudy, john, mitt, or fred before this guy”
Yeah I pretty much feel the same way. The only thing good he has going for him are some of his beliefs from his faith, but after that there’s nothing I like about him. And just become I agree with some of someone’s beliefs doesn’t mean I want him as my President.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:59 am
I could forgive Romney’s flip flops if I had to. But I still don’t have to like them! That said, I feel that Romney’s aren’t nearly as disqualifying as Rudy’s flip flops. Rudy has come off very dishonest to me in his “reasons” for flip flopping. I don’t like that he won’t admit he was wrong, ever.
It’s too bad that the mormon problem is holding some people back. My brother-in-law is a mormon and he’s a great guy. And I’m confident that God hears all prayers. Even mormon ones.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:59 am
also, doesn’t anyone else think its lame that evangelicals are out there so vocally deciding who is Christian, and who is not? It’s certainly their right, but I have yet to see it not come off as mean-spirited and holier than thou.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:07 am
Rett, just two points, and only because I’m in that kind of mood tonight.
1) “That is by far the most Executive Leadership experience on the Republican side (Rudy-8 years, Mitt-4 years, Fred and McCain-Zilch)”
You ought to say “government executive leadership” to make this accurate. Or change Romney’s number to 25 (6 years at Bain & Company, 14 years at Bain Capital, 4 years as Governor, roughly 1 year as CEO of SLC Olympics). Romney’s easily got the most executive experience of any of the Republicans running. And the bonus is it came mostly from outside of Government.
2) One of the (additional) reasons I am opposed to Huckabee is the way he is playing the religion card over and over again, and it makes me sick. Look, I’m a Baptist pastor. But I do not support Huckabee because of his political positions. I believe theologically, Mormonism is heretical. I disagree with just about every tenet of their faith. But I believe Mitt Romney to be the most qualified, most competent leader available to head this country for the next four years. I believe that religion and politics ought to stay separate, for the most part, and the more Huckabee plays up how “Christian” he is, the more he loses any chance he ever had of gaining my support.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:11 am
11 Joe
Yeah I’m hoping it will only take one more two generations and that type of Christianity won’t be very vocal in our society anymore. As people grow up, become educated, and get outside their own little box, they tend to be less obnoxious and less like extreme zealots.
There’s nothing wrong with someone saying they belief something and that they belief that their beliefs are correct. It’s another thing to harass others with a holier-than-thou attitude.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:17 am
Matt C,
While I really respect what Romney did with Bain and the Olympics, neither amounts to Gov’t Executive leadership…If they did Huck would still have the edge with over 10 years as head of the Arkansas State Baptist Convention and 7 years (I think) as a Pastor…The bottom line is 10 1/2 years as Governor is great experience…As far as #2 goes…Jesus calls us to be salt and light in this earth…There are many other passages in the Bible which call Christians to be active in Gov’t…hence the moral majority and the evangelical movement…
November 28th, 2007 at 1:21 am
Matt C,
As a Baptist pastor, do you agree with Romney’s latest position that killing children is a states’ rights issue?
November 28th, 2007 at 1:24 am
correction- 3 years as ABSC head
November 28th, 2007 at 1:25 am
one good thing to note – the entire democratic field combined doesn’t have the executive experience of mitt, rudy, or huck. if you take out bill richardson (who has stopped acting like a serious candidate for the nomination), they have almost none. why do democrats keep trotting out do-nothing senators when historically they have been proven to be poor candidates? on second thought, shhh… maybe they’ll keep doing it .
November 28th, 2007 at 1:34 am
rett,
I really respect you and the passion you’ve got for your guy, and would love to sit down over a cup of coffee and discuss face-to-face about salt and light, the moral majority, and all that kind of stuff.
Suffice it to say for now, in this venue, I believe Christians will always be more effective salt and light outside of politics than in, and that groups such as the Moral Majority and Religious Right have done more harm than good to both the name of Jesus Christ and the GOP over the past two decades.
I have a feeling we’ll just have to agree to disagree about those points, though – but as I said, I’d love to have a more in depth conversation and discussion than posting on a blog can provide…
November 28th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Without a doubt…We need to do coffee…Cold coffee for me…But coffee nonetheless…
November 28th, 2007 at 1:38 am
MWS,
That’s quite a setup…
What I agree with is Romney’s personal stance that abortion is not a good choice, and that is one area his and my religious beliefs coincide. As a Mormon bishop, he counseled women against having abortions and did his work at the grassroots level, where it is most effective.
What I also agree with is that abortion ought to be outlawed with a constitutional amendment, but that the country is nowhere near ready for that. So we work to do what is in the realm of the possible while working toward the impossible. I believe, as does Mitt Romney, that the first steps are overturning Roe v Wade and returning the issue to the states, because that will at least result in a decrease of abortions and reigniting the discussion of the issue at a state level, and then working to do what you can from a federal standpoint after that (parental notification, waiting periods, interstate travel bans, etc.)
In other words, yes, I believe Mitt and I line up nicely on the issue of abortion.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Matt C, in responding to your comments on #12. I am a Baptist pastor and support Mike Huckabee for President .
I do not support Mitt Romney for several reasons. He has honestly flip, floped, fliped.
Look at Mitt’s Double Flip Flop on Abortion, He is not Anti-Choice or Pro-Choice he is Multiple-Choice!
Be sure and watch the youtube video through until at least the 2:20 minute mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4
Second, I as a Evangelical Christian cannot and will not support or vote for a Mormon for President That sounds bigioted I am sure to some but I can only ask that you hold yourself to the same standard. If you critize me for my fatih which compels me to be critical of Romney’s faith to the point that I can’t support him because of his faith, then those who are not tollerant of my religous views would be bigiots by their own standards because they are not tolerant of my faith any more than I am not of Romney’s. Anyway, Matt, I don’t think that you support Mormonism at all as a faith from what I read, but I disagree with your view that Romney’s Mormonism shouldn’t matter to Christiann voters this election. I strongly disagree and encourage you and others to look at my blog articles to consider why.
http://pastors4huckabeeblog.com/are-christians-bigiots-if-they-can-not-support-mitt-romney-because-he-is-a-mormon/
From the above link I also refer back to an earlier blog that is at RettHatcher.com
The link for it is also provided below and contains my primary arguments as to why Christians should not vote for a Mormon for President.
http://retthatcher.com/2007/10/19/a-passionate-response-to-mark-demoss%e2%80%99-and-bob-jones-iii-why-evangelicals-cannot-support-mitt-romney/
I also incourage people to look at my new website, Pastors4Huchabee.com
November 28th, 2007 at 3:24 am
I read these blogs a bit and almost never post, and am always awed by the “reasoning” that goes on. All of the Republican candidates are good men with excellent records in different areas of accomplishment. I get pretty sick and tired of people trying to “take down” somebody else on petty material, especially some of the stuff here.
I’m sure Governor Huckabee is a nice conservative guy and was a competent executive. But he does not have more significant executive experience than any of the other Republicans. Rudy G was 8 years head of a city vastly larger and infinitely more complicated to govern than the state of AR, plus years of executive experience in his prosecutorial and Dept of Justice roles. Mitt R was not just 4 years in MA as Governor, but 3 years as CEO of the Olympic Games (an international venture that involved working with government from local to international level, as well as business and private entities), and 20+ as head of a major international business. Pastoral experience counts? Mitt R was also 10+ years in executive roles in his LDS faith community, leading thousands in a pastoral role.
Finally, are you airing the bigoted commentary of Huck voters against a candidate of another faith as something to be proud of? Huckabee just got called a “Christian goofball of the highest order” or some such asinine comment by some lefties, identity politics at its worst, and yet you’re willing to give any respect or deference to nonsense that Mitt R doesn’t pray to the same God or his prayers aren’t heard and therefore he should be voted against?
Any supporter of any Republican candidate should fight for respect and tolerance of candidates of diverse faith backgrounds, not stand by and endorse it with silence when such nonsense invades our politics. At least John McCain opens his mouth every time something like that is said and condemns it for the nonsense it is. God bless him.
The problem with stuff like this is that people chuckle now when they think it’s “just how it is” that Mitt R gets subjected to that kind of treatment based on his religious affiliation. But what goes around comes around. Huckabee, a darling now, will get lambasted and good for his religious background and demeanor by the media if he gets the nomination and runs against the Dem. Then will it be so funny? Look at what they do to George Bush because of his religious leanings. Finally, in tight election contests, the Republicans in this down year need all the help they can get. It’s a documented fact that the Republican party has gone after using Mormon folks as volunteers to GOTV and other efforts in recent elections and it’s made a big difference in some areas. Mormons probably don’t like to see one of their own get tarnished simply because of religious identity, and they probably have pretty long memories. Think their vote doesn’t count? Count the votes in AZ, CA, OR, WA, ID, UT, CO, HI, and NV – you’ll lose a lot of votes if they stay home next November because of religious identity politics.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:22 am
I’m an evangelical Christian and a huge fan of Mike Huckabee. I never been involved in politics, and was barely interested until Huck came along. That being said, if Mitt Romney is the Republican nominee I will definitely be voting for him. I’m embarrassed by the comments attributed to my fellow Christians in this article.
With the likely vacancies on the Supreme Court, don’t they understand the vital importance of supporting the Republican nominee regardless? If secular progressive fiscal conservatives want to kick us social conservatives (conservative Mormons, conservative Catholics and evangelicals) to the curb, we can discuss our options after the ‘08 election, but to refuse to vote for Mitt because of his religion is madness.
In case any Rudy supporters are wondering, yes, I’ll vote for Rudy, too.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Matt C,
I agree with many points you made above regarding Christians and politics. We can make the greatest impact locally through our churches, getting involved with the PTA, volunteering at pregnancy care clinics, etc. However, I disagree with your criticism of Huck. While I think that Huck may have reached the point where he’s in danger of overplaying his faith, his background as a pastor puts him in a difficult position.
Given his background as a pastor, there are MANY Christians who would be suspicious of him and write him off if he wasn’t willingly to be open about his faith. In fact, despite all that he’s said, some Christians still accuse him of being a theological moderate. Those of us who follow politics may be getting wary of Huck’s frequent references to his faith, but most people (including Christians) are not tuned into the ‘08 race yet, many haven’t even heard of Huck. He’s still introducing himself to the American public. If he’s still playing his faith this hard after Super Tuesday, then I’d agree that he’s gone too far. Actually, I anticipate that he’ll start downplaying it in Iowa in the very near future.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:37 am
In general I don’t like to disparage Romney. It’s mostly for selfish reasons. I find much in common with his supporters and his supporters have been the most polite and friendly of the other candidate’s supporters.
Mattc my father-in-law is a Baptist music minister and seems to be on the same page as you.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:18 am
As this campaign progresses, I can’t help but to think that the GOP is in big trouble. If the GOP becomes primarily a fiscal party and rejects the Creator of the Universe, I’ll no longer be registered as a Republican in my heavily Democrat state of Arkansas.
The outright disrespect for God and those who believe in God at this blog…and among some of the prominent bloggers online…is enough to make me question whether or not I still want to be identified as a Republican.
Mike Huckabee is a GOOD man. A GOOD leader. He was an EXCELLENT governor. And he happens to be Christian as is not ashamed of the fact.
Neither am I.
If the GOP is ashamed of God…I want no part of the GOP!
I am confident that there are plenty of others out there who feel the same way. Probably not around here, though.
But…then…there it is.
Mike Huckabee in ‘08…Reagan Minus the Astrologer
November 28th, 2007 at 9:22 am
It seems like Romney would be the Republican Kerry if nominated….Rudy would not be much better, and thats why Huckabee is rising. Huckabee seems real.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:23 am
It seems like Romney would be the Republican Kerry if nominated….Rudy would not be much better, and thats why Huckabee is rising. Huckabee seems real. btw Reagan raised taxes in his state by 1 billion during his governorship.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:49 am
i just had to laugh at the title of this one. yeah, experience with nannystates and raising taxes. or maybe also expereicne with being unethical. this guy is horrible.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Can anyone tell my why Mike Huckabee is still preaching in Baptist churches, as this article indicates? Whatever church allowed him to preach should have their IRS status changed. Good grief, you would think that a politician like Mike could find more appropriate venues to present his political platform.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:32 am
#30 – he does not talk about anything political at the churches. He simply preaches a sermon. I’ve been there and experienced it first hand.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:58 am
And I’ll bet that’s why you’re backing him–because you’ve heard one of his sermons. Go figure.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Mike Huckabee has experience raising taxes.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Mike Huckabee has sex with little boys.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
i must be still stuck in middle school, because i thought #34 was hillarious. i’m sitting here in my cubicle laughing. yeah i know its not appropriate, but commenters on this site could afford to chill out a little.