From Today’s Rush Limbaugh show:
Transcript highlights from today-
“My question for you evangelicals is this. If you’re looking for a real conservative, why are you supporting Huckabee? He’s completely discredited himself. What about Fred Thompson? If you’re looking for a real conservative.”
2nd Point:
“Huckabee is constantly engaging in class warfare against the producers. This laid-off line, it’s an attack on Romney, but it’s an attack on producers. It’s an attack on employers. It’s pure populism. He does oppose school choice! You don’t get the NEA endorsement in New Hampshire by supporting school choice. I think I know what is happening here, Mr. Snerdley, who is the official screener of calls here today. I think that the Huckabee campaign has finally figured it out. I think that we’ve got behind-the-scenes advisors in some cases calling in here, and advisors are having some of their people call in here.”
3rd Point:
“I’m not getting inundated here from the Ron Paul crowd; I’m not getting inundated from the McCain crowd, or by the McCain crowd. If you Hucksters think that I have been a little unfair and a little bit hard on Governor Huckabee, I’m equally as hard on Senator McCain, but we’re not hearing from any of his people. I really think here that what’s happening is sort of an organized campaign from the Huckabee people here to try to get to the program and refute what I’m saying. I’ve talked about Rudy and social issues as well as Romney and some of his flip-flops in these things.”
4th Point:
“I happen to think, if you want to close the loop here, I opened the program talking about last night’s forum in particular. If you want to know, in my opinion, who shined, it was Thompson and Romney. To me it was no contest. The problem with Thompson is, and a little bit with me, is I’m a depth guy. I like depth. Television doesn’t reward depth. Television rewards zingers, one-liners, cutesyisms. Fred Thompson produced a brilliant 17-minute video that was on YouTube that explains everything about every issue that he cares about. It’s clear he’s thought deeply about a whole lot. He got into Social Security reform last night, that was awesome and totally called for, but something he couldn’t say in 30 seconds. Romney looked like last night he actually wants to win this thing, making a big move to New Hampshire.”
He’s right. You don’t hear McCain supporters, much less Paul supporters going after Rush. I’m not saying Rush should make up your mind for you, but attacking someone because they don’t agree with your point of view is childish.
Rush isn’t trying to get a Democrat elected, but he’s honestly concerned, and he has a right to be.
More to come…
January 7th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
What’s that video about Tommy. Every campaign does that.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Jason – that video is the smoking gun of the NH election cycle – geesh – I can’t believe you’re asking what that video has to do with anything.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
While we can’t possibly know the exact details of this video, what it says to me is “I’m Mitt Romney and I approved this message: I’m the epitome of the soulless politician who will stop at nothing to become President of the United States. Whether you want Paleoconservatism, Neoconservatism, or something that my focus groups haven’t even told me about yet, I’m your guy!”
January 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I’m evangelical and support Romney. I think it’s important to make the distinction that not every evangelical supports Huckabee. Many do, and maybe most do, but not all.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Tommy,
With respect, I think it’s time to move on from Fred. He’s at 1 % in NH and in a distant fourth in SC. I’ll readily admit that it’s not looking good for Rudy, but any objective observer can’t help but conclude that Fred is done.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Oops. Jason, somebody sent me that video for a laugh. I posted the wrong one. I’ll change it.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Man, what I wouldn’t give to have that video clip played all across national news coverage for the next month….
January 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
That video is typical of what we’d expect from the RomBloc.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Rush: I’m a depth guy.
ROFLOL!!!!!!!!!
Oh, my. And that’s all I have to say about that.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Rush is an idiot. He paints himself as this great analyst but if you listen to his show all he does is rip stories off of Drudge and push National Review columns.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Adam,
Give up on my candidate in a primary? I’ll give up on him when he drops out. I’m not a sell out to what I believe. He’s not out of it in South Carolina. He’s well behind Huckabee, but so is everybody else. We’ll see how things are on January 20.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Tommy,
I’m sorry if that came across as snarky. It wasn’t meant that way. You’re one of the most even-handed and fair front-page posters on here. It’s just that sometimes I think (for meat least) it’s good to know when to come in out of the rain.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I first thought was, “That is illegal!”. My second thought was, “Who is doing that?” My final thought was, “Either Romney’s followers are stupid or some other candidate is pretty low to pull a stunt and imply Romney people are behind it.” I wish that video showed license plate numbers. On phone call with that video evidence could get some people prosecuted, as well as verify which campaign group is behind this stunt. Next time get the evidence for conviction.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
me at least*
January 7th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
People already know what Rush thinks. They knew before they voted in Iowa and before these national polls that are coming out. They don’t care what one man thinks. They can make their own decisions.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Let me have a show of hands of people who rely on Rush for serious, philosophical insight.
Lemme’ hear ya’!
January 7th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Adam,
Here’s the deal. Polls have proven to be an unreliable predictor in this race. South Carolina is 2 weeks away. We’ll see a McCain bounce (if he wins NH), and Huckabee will also end up down in NH.
Thompson isn’t campaigning in NH. He pulled out a 3rd place in Iowa, despite a report the day of the caucus claiming he was dropping out that was carried through all the media outlets prominently. That hurt him in the polls that day. People see that he’s not out, then he has to bring Huckabee down, but if (And that’s a BIG IF) McCain pulls off NH, then we’ll have a lot of thought about who can beat anyone.
If McCain wins tomorrow, then things will look a lot different. Rudy (if he finishes 4th-5th will have a lot to think about, Romney will have alot to think about, and we’ll have a lot to think about. WHo can beat Huckabee in the south? Who has hit their ceiling? Thompson hasn’t. We’ll wait and see about the others.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
“No Hand Shows”
January 7th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Oh no problem.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
“but attacking someone because they don’t agree with your point of view is childish.”
Isn’t that exactly what Rush does for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week?
January 7th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Exactly. You attack somebody him because he has a different view than you do.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
#15, #16, #18 – Rush is still considered one of the most powerful voices for conservative thought in this country – Huckabee is not a conservative – if somehow, the evangelicals push him over the finish line as the nominee, it will be the end of the conservative movement – most likely inviting a third party for fiscal and defense conservatives.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Tommy,
I have to say, Thompson pulling out a third place in IA is quite impressive considering all the stories. I talked for a quite a while to a Thompson supporter at one of the caucuses, and he was extremely optimistic about the whole of Thompson’s campaign. I am guessing there is a lot of that amongst the activists and supporters.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
No. I think Rush is a smart guy. Rush doesn’t say Huckabee isn’t a smart guy. He says he’s not a conservative. There’s a difference. He goes after the philosophy and you attack him personally.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Tommy,
I think Thompson hit his ceiling the day he announced, and I think tracking polls support that view. The Thompson of flesh and blood turned out nothing like the Thompson of myth and legend. But even accepting your premise, how does Thompson keep himself relevant in South Carolina after getting thrashed by Huck in Iowa, NH, and Michigan?
January 7th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Jason,
Thanks. Yea, we get knocked a lot by the press, but we’re still optimistic. Heck, we can’t afford not to be. I’m sure you guys have the same feelings about tomorrow.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Rush is probably one of my least favorite talkshow hosts. I have listened to a lot of talk radio and can’t say I have alot of respect for it. In my mind its more entertainment than an actual logical presentation and arguement of positions. And I have never really even found Rush all that entertaining. However, maybe thats because of my youth, I’m probablly not exactly in Rush’s target audience.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
MWS,
First of all, we’re not running in Michigan and New hampshire. But getting thrashed? There’s not much glory for 2nd place in a caucus. Ask the Romney folks. You can’t beat McCain and Romney in New hampshire, and then you can’t beat McCAin in MI, then you’re momentum is shot too.
2nd of all, how do you describe the myth? Thompson did well in Iowa despite the fact that he got hit on the specific day by bogus reports. 2nd of all, almost all the pundits agreed that the Thompson of the last couple of weeks is the thompson that everyone thought he was going to be. Saturdays debate showed that.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Here’s MY problem with Rush (from an earlier thread).
I was listening to Rush Limbaugh earlier (I can’t stand him anymore. He’s just too willing to follow the standard GOP/National Review line anymore). A few angry Huckabee callers accused him of being a sellout and said that Limbaugh is quick to attack Huck like a lion for his tax raising sins but doesn’t have a peep to say about Romney and Rudy’s deviation from the GOP line. The caller was right for his part. I don’t personally claim to be a crusader for the so-con right, but Limbaugh does. I have long suspected that the guy never cared about so-con causes – which is fine – I don’t either. But Limbaugh never wastes an opportunity to criticize Democrats and others on the moral issues. To me it seems like the guy is just as cynical as Romney.
Huckabee fans are right. This is what the GOP gets when they cozy up to the so-cons and pretend to care about their causes. When one of them is in a position to actually win, it makes things a bit uncomfortable for the Establishment. And Limbaugh is now part of the Establishment.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Tomorrow will be big! The big questions are:
1) Will McCain beat Mitt? And if so how convincing will it be?
2) Will Rudy or Ron Paul get 4th place?
3) If Ron Paul gets 4th, will Fox interview him?
4) Will Hunter finally drop out?
5) Will the winner get enough momenutm to win Michigan?
January 7th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
And more:
My opinion of Limbaugh has gone way down in the last year. This guy fought against McCain tooth and nail in 2000. He attacked and attacked and we got a guy whose last name is Bush and would never have been in the position to win if not for that.
NOW – look I’m a Rudy guy – but Rudy and Romney both have their problems and are not anywhere close to 100 percent GOP purity. That’s fine for me because it so happens that Giuliani’s views on issues and the importance he assigns to each of the major issues closely aligns with mine. But for a guy like Limbaugh that spent months attacking McCain for his Republican credentials in 2000, I find it fantastic that he has not a peep to say about Rudy and Romney – and I say this as a Rudy guy.
Limbaugh is just a whore for the GOP Establishment. His radio show is not what it used to be either. When I listen to it, it seems that all Rush does is rip and read from the Drudge Report and then say “I agree with what he said†when quoting comments from National Review. At least O’Reilly, for all his faults, thinks on his own.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
James B,
When I read Rush’s “The Way Things Ought to Be” I thought he was the Alpha and Omega of conservative thought. But then again, I was 14 then.
Huckabee is a true conservative, though of a different sort. He is of an older breed of conservative. If I was a front page poster, I would probably write a blog on it. But what Rush represents is a rather recent (and I would say warped) view of conservatism. And “true” conservatism can’t be very new, now could it?
As I have said repeatedly now on this site, conservatives would do well to spend less time listening to Rush, and more time reading Burke.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
When I was a new conservative I used to listen to Rush. I suppose that was during the late 90’s.
As I grew I realized he was mostly a demagogue like Sean Hannity.
I don’t see many Huckabee supporters being influenced by what a few fat cats with microphones say.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Adam (#29):
“Huckabee fans are right. This is what the GOP gets when they cozy up to the so-cons and pretend to care about their causes. When one of them is in a position to actually win, it makes things a bit uncomfortable for the Establishment.”
This statement is dead right. Socons have been taken for a ride, their votes & cash accepted and their causes ignored (except for a few platitudes before a close election battle). Its about time someone shook things up…
January 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
#30,
McCain by > 5%
Ron Paul will beat Rudy and take 4th place
Hunter will drop out some time between NH and SC in order to make Hucks win more decisive in SC, after he endorses him
January 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
MWS, I think Hume would also qualify as a real conservative unlike the modern variety.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
JayPe,
I don’t really think they’ve been ignored. Not with PBA, Supreme Court and Appelate Court nominees, Schiavo, faith-base3d initiative, but it sure seems to me that when one of the so-cons whose votes Republicans depended on gets close to being a true contender, the Establishment gets into a tizzy. It wouldn’t have happened if the GOP hadn’t been moralizing for twenty years.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Tommy,
“He goes after the philosophy and you attack him personally.”
I assume that was pointed at me?
I quoted you, saying that attacking someone because they disagree is childish, and said that is exactly what Rush does every day. THAT’S a personally attack? Those are your words, describing Rush’s whole raison d’etre.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Rush is not a social conservative — JUST LOOK AT RUSH’S PERSONAL LIFE — so no wonder that a REAL social conservative gets no breaks from the man.
But, no worry… once Mike Huckabee gets the nomination, Rush will support him. Rush is will criticize him to keep his credibility — just like he does Bush — but he will tow the party line (as all good party hacks do).
January 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
“Rush is will criticize him to keep his credibility — just like he does Bush — but he will tow the party line (as all good party hacks do).”
He may or may not **completely** tow the line because the party leaders might rather see Huck go down in flames, but you’re certainly right that Rush is nothing more than a party hack.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
No. Rush says he’s not a conservative. You guys (Huckabee grassroots) attack Rush, the Clubforgrowth, the CATO institute, the Federalist Society, the NRLC, Those in religion who don’t support Huckabee, Pat Robertson, \
You petition these people cause they don’t see things your way, and it’s childish. Robertson, for example, can support whoever he feels like, and you guys (Huckabee groups) trash him. I’m not a fan of his, but I don’t atack him for it.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Any predictions for NH? Here are mine.
GOP
McCain 32
Romney 28
Huckabee 14
Paul 12
Giuliani 10
Thompson 4
DEM
Obama 37
Clinton 30
Edwards 25
January 7th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Merkis, We do recognize the fact you point out, that not all Evangelicals would vote for Huckabee. Remember how he was angry about Richard Land not going for him. In fact, many of us do not mind if anyone does vote for Huckabee, but it must be for his positions, not for how he is the “most Christian” in this race. We do not want the same Carter mistake. It seems that there are too many of them.
But then, it is not 100% their fault, as the Republican Party has abandoned them. They have promised them since Reagen’s days that they will do something about the issues that concern them, and beyond appointing Roberts/Aliesa as Supreme Court judges, they really have not done anything.
It’s just that, come on, do not make us religious folks looking so shallow! They are feeding into MSM’s and Hollywood’s hand!
January 7th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Tommy,
“2nd of all, how do you describe the myth? Thompson did well in Iowa despite the fact that he got hit on the specific day by bogus reports.”
I remember there was a very funny site, satirizing all the hype around Fred before he announced. It was similar to “Chuck Norris Facts.” Thompson was hyped as the Second Coming for conservatives. Now I’m not faulting him for not living up to that (no one could). My point is that he HAS hit his ceiling- back when people thought he could leap tall buildings in a single bound, and shoot lightening bolts out of his arse.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Adam, with those results Obama would be the Dem nominee.
And the Republican race would still be up in the air. Romney would still be alive heading ot Michigan, Huckabee would get a nice bounce to take to SC, and Rudy would be wondering what went wrong?
January 7th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Tommy, I attack Pat Robertson for being a loon not for supporting Rudy.
In fact I hold Ted Olsen in high regard even though he’s supporting Rudy.
I think many Huckabee supporters oppose the folks you’re mentioning because they’re trying to force social conservative issues further off the agenda.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Tommy,
I forgot to add that I don’t think 13% is doing that well in a state Thompson camped out in for the last 3-4 weeks. I think Alan Keyes beat that against the establishment candidate (Bush) and the self-financed rich guy (Forbes) back in 2000.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I’ve figured it out -
ADAM and MWS are really liberal democrats pushing for Huck or McCain so the general will be a dem blow-out.
Know one even MWS cant say “Huckabee is a true conservative” with a strait face. If Rush telling the truth about your beloved candidate(s) gets your panties in such a bunch you might want to take up the Miami Dolphins, you’ll have better luck.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Look MWS, I don’t even personally attack Hillary. I attack her policy and ideas, and the way she runs her campaign, but I don’t personally trash her or her personal life. I speak very highly of Obama, although I can’t stand his platform.
That’s the difference. I don’t ever remember Rush going after Huckabee’s personal life, his family, or anything else in that matter. He says he’s no conservative.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
[...] he came up with a conspiracy theory that’s wacky at best. Perhaps he’s a Ron Paul supporter at heart. “I think I [...]
January 7th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
My NH prediction:
McCain 34%
Romney 27%
Huckabe 17%
Paul 13%
Rudy 8%
Fred 1%
January 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
MWS, drop by Blogs 4 Huckabee. I’d love to have you write some posts for us.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
The Truth,
Where did you come from? A liberal Democrat? I’ve been posting things here for a year. Why not go back and crawl under the rock from which you came?
January 7th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
EGS,
Robertson is a loon. Has he predicted any natural disasters lately? Is Florida supposed to get any hurricanes this year, according to the 700 Club?
Which makes me wonder, if God meant for hurricanes to punish people for their liberalism, why do they always hit red states? Why not send one to New York or Massachusetts?
January 7th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
NH DEM:
Obama 40%
Clinton 30%
Edwards 21%
Richardson 7%
January 7th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Tommy,
When did I go after Rush’s personal life?
January 7th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Robertson was a loon long before he had any interest in politics.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Sam,
Thanks, I’ll check it out.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
He is a fundamentalist like Hagee.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
EGS,
LOL!!!!
January 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
MWS, Louisiana lucks out they only get hurricanes. Massachusetts and New York get liberal politicians.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
#60, You might be right. We have been able to recover from the Hurricanes, Massachusettes and New York are stuck.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Adam -
I can’t, my rock was in AR, the taxes got to high and the illegal imagrants moved in.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
#63, That was Romney’s yard, not AR.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Good deal, Truth.
You can always move to Mass and have the illegal amigos work on your lawn. But then again maybe you wouldn’t be able to afford it. Word on the street is that various fees are too high in Taxachusetts.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Why shoot the messenger? Rush is simply stating the obvious. I don’t listen to Rush anymore, so I’m not one of the more than 20 million people in his audience. But I figured out right away that Huckabee and McCain are not conservatives. How can this even be debatable?? Huckabee gets endorsed by the NEA, gives college tuition breaks to illegal aliens with taxpayer money when a lot of Americans can’t afford college, wants to establish diplomatic relations with Achmadinejad in Iran…..anybody see any conservatism here? McCain wants to grant blanket amnesty to all illegal aliens who aren’t felons, gets legislation passed to eliminate the 1st Amendment during the heart of election campaigns, votes against Bush’s tax cuts twice….Conservative?? There’s no way these guys should be tolerated by the party, much less supported for our presidential nomination.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Adam & Michelle
No it was AR, the illegals in Mass make more money then you.
You must be from AR where the schools rank about 49th in the country
January 7th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Ok Truth. You’re just not worth engaging. Have a good night.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
If the schools in the NE produce people that like flip-flopping liberals, you can have them.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Thanks Adam – I’m sick of all the hate that springs from you keyboard.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
What Rush fails to realize is that us “Hucksters” USED to be “ditto heads”. That is why he is getting so many complaints. After years of dedicated listening to Rush, I have turne him OFF.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
#71, So have I. The same with Sean Hannity.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
It’s ironic that my inlaws are staying at JP Hammerschmidt’s guest house for the week.
So far they say Arkansas is great.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Limbaugh is usually right, but in the case of Huckabee he is totally screwed up in the head. Rush actually believes that Huck wants to treat terrorists kindly and “treat them the way we want to be treated.” That is simply not the case.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
What is a “huckster?”
Thanks, but no thanks, Rush. He calls us hucksters? I call myself a former Rush listener, at least during this campaign.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
WHOO HOOO! Keep ringin’ that establishment bell, Rush!!!!!
January 7th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
71,72,75
I thought the air was cleaner lately.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I think Rush is a genius. He quickly realized that by playing the role of “establishment attacker” he would propel Huckabee to the Oval Office.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
It’s cute to watch you kids call out Rush as an establishment guy. He’s a Conservative before he’s a Republican. He defends himself against Huckabee supporters (who he affectionately calls “Hucksters”) because he wants a Conservative candidate. Huckabee is a Republican not a Conservative and that’s okay. Just don’t call him a Conservative. He’s a populist Republican. If you don’t like that maybe you are supporting the wrong guy.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Troy,
I have to challenge you on that. Huckabee is a conservative but his record has been distorted time and time again. Unfortunately Rush has fallen prey to those who misrepresent his record so that he has come to be ill-informed. It is a rarity for him but here it is the case.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Mark,
You don’t have to challenge. Keep your dignity. I know the record and it’s not Conservative. Most of the candidates are not full Conservatives and it’s okay. Just don’t bastardize conservatism to mold it to fit your candidate of choice.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Bring it.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Well since it is not being brought, I will do as much.
Taxes: The Fair Tax is Huckabee’s plan in addition to his present support to the continuation of the Bush cuts. The Fair Tax is about has conservative as you can get.
Spending: He has clearly articulated that spending needs to be and can easily be reduced.
Immigration: Huckabee has presented his plan, which again is extremely conservative. It first seals the border, then it penalizes businesses that hire illegals, stop sanctuary cities and requires all to return home to become citizens. It also dramatically reduces the amount of time required to become a citizen so that those who return and go to the back of the line do not have to wait extended periods to return and in fact they can return in a relative short period of time.
Military: Huckabee wants to increase the size of the military.
War on Terror: He agrees with the current plan of essentially taking it to the terrorists and he recognizes that these ones cannot be negotiated with because they are fighting a theocratic war and they believe essentially that we must convert or die.
There are a few points where Huckabee clearly demonstrates a conservative view.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Huckabee is no liberal. Abolishment of the IRS and just about every tax to be replaced with a consumption tax which would make illegal immigrants and drug dealers pay.
Rush is distorting Hucks record. Today on his show he said New Hampshire is liberal because of the Massachussetts citizens who moved there to flee high taxes. Umm, Romney was the governor of Massachussetts and Massachussets is 5th in the nation for income tax while Arkansas is 48th lowest in the nation post-Huckabee.
Claims of amnesty are just unfounded if you look at http://www.mikehuckabee.com it clearly lays out his positions.
Rush touted Bush for 8 years and he actually did promote amnesty. Not to mention he gave Democrats every domestic issue in the name of bipartasanship and refused to veto a bill, which have led to the largest medicaid spending increase in history. Romney didn’t lose Iowa to evangelicals, I voted in the Iowa Caucus, 60% of my precinct voted for Huckabee, about 80% voted against Romney and it’s similar across the entire state if you look at the Des Moines Register caucus statistics. It wasn’t because we’re all mindless hicks that went out to vote when we saw a floating cross in the Huckabee advertisement as the media would like you to believe.
The honest truth is Mitt Romney is an East Coast Liberal republican and came to our state stinking of too much social lubricant. We saw passed the facade Romney was trying to pass and decided you can’t be trusted. Huckabee may have a populist message, but populist does not equal Liberal no matter how you spin it. Huckabee is almost libertarian on the opposite side of the spectrum with his message of family before government intervention.
The real question is, why would Rush Limbaugh be trying to pass Mike Huckabee, a conservative, almost libertarian off as a Liberal and promoting an East Coast Liberal who isn’t consistent as a conservative?
January 7th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Excerpt from the issues page on http://www.mikehuckabee.com
3. Prevent Amnesty
Policies that promote or tolerate amnesty will be rejected.
Propose to provide all illegal immigrants a 120-day window to register with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and leave the country. Those who register and return to their home country will face no penalty if they later apply to immigrate or visit; those who do not return home will be, when caught, barred from future reentry for a period of 10 years.
This is not a “touchback” provision. Those who leave this country and apply to return from their home country would go to the back of the line
January 7th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
“What Rush fails to realize is that us “Hucksters†USED to be “ditto headsâ€. That is why he is getting so many complaints. After years of dedicated listening to Rush, I have turne him OFF.”
Lush Rimbaugh jumped the shark in ‘06, which was a great year for Chilean wines but not for mid-west or south east Republicans. When he began to make noise for Romney I tuned him right out. Then I found out that Bain Capital bought out Clear Channel.
Whateverz. The man had a good run. He should retire from the field with honor before he becomes a joke and a byword.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
but, Huckaguys,
Doesn’t Huck want to avoid “punishing the children”? Oh wait, there was that nasty flip-flop that he’s now in favor of making them all go back. Do you really want us to believe that’s been his position all along? Please …
January 7th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Huck,
“Doesn’t Huck want to avoid “punishing the childrenâ€? ”
Punishing the children would be separating them from their families, or denying them opportunity for as long as they are here. Insisting their families go back and do it right is not necessarily punishing children. Denying children who are already here an education because their parents jumped the fence is.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Doesn’t Huck want to avoid “punishing the children�
Yet another fact that has been twisted by Romney and Rush to fit their rhetoric. The fact is that they must have or be in the process of obtaining legal status, which is the law of the land across the nation. Illegal immigrants were not eligible for benefits, they must have legal status. Huckabee never handed out benies for illegal immigrants.
He cut taxes over 90 times, and approved a few tax increases for improvement of roads which Arkansas desparately needed and was passed by the people of Arkansas, not the governor. Building and maintaining roads is one of the few duties a government should perform for defense purposes. Arkansas is almost $1,000 below the national tax burden average while Massachussets is about $1,000 higher. Huckabee wants to eliminate the IRS and pass a single tax at the time of consumption which would make drug dealers, criminals, and illegal immigrants pax into the tax system. Do some actual fact checking before you believe everything you hear.
As for the pardoning of criminals, Romney rubber stamped every request to his desk as denied, didn’t even look at them. Romney even denied a U.S. veteran who was wounded and wanted to become a police officer yet couldn’t because he had a juvenile record.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I blogged about Rush today as well. He got it wrong on the homeschool call as well and the HSDLA/Farris eondrosement. See this link for details. This endorsement is causing quite a stir among evangelical Christian homeschoolers who see through Huckabee’s rhetoric.
In fact, in a speech in New Hampshire Huckabee said he wanted to provide “tax credits” and “assistance” to homeschoolers. This is the rhetoric of a man who is a “friend to homeschoolers.”
HSDLA opposes federal asssitance to homeschoolers. And they also oppose tax credits unless they are done without regulation. But that’s nearly impossible to do because in order to get the credit you have to define who is and who isn’t a homeschooler. That’s regulation right there via the IRS.
But this is also confusing, why is Huckabee promoting tax credits when he’s for the Fair Tax? Wouldn’t he be contradicting his own platform? I blogged more about this with video here
.
And as for the commenter above who said, “Rush actually believes that Huck wants to treat terrorists kindly and “treat them the way we want to be treated.†That is simply not the case.”
If you read the speech Huckabee gave to the CFR he said in September he said essentially that.
““Many Iranians are well-disposed toward us. We should remember that on 9/11, while there was dancing in the street in other parts of the Muslim world, there were candlelight vigils and mourning in Tehran. When we first invaded Afghanistan, Iran helped us, especially in our dealings with their allies, the Northern Alliance. They wanted to join us in fighting Al Qaeda, hoping this would lead to better U. S.-Iranian relations. The CIA and the State Department supported this partnership, but some in the White House and Pentagon did not. When President Bush included Iran in his Axis of Evil, everything went downhill fast. As the only presidential candidate with a theology degree, along with years of political experience, I know that theology is black and white, but politics is not. My enemy today on one issue is my friend tomorrow on another.”
I want a President who doesn’t worry about what my enemey who wants to kill me today, thinks tomorrow.
So it might not be what Rush was referring to, but there is enough in this little bit to tell me
Huckabee’s view of the enemy isn’t quite tough enough for me.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I wish Thompson would take off somehow. I’d really like to have a second arrovw in my quiver.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:31 am
“When he began to make noise for Romney I tuned him right out. Then I found out that Bain Capital bought out Clear Channel.”
Obviously if any conservative defies the Great Huck, we should slander them with corruption accusations. Nice.
The Great Huck needs a better class of supporter.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Spunky,
I think it is a pretty well established fact among those who follow the Middle East closely, that the PEOPLE (not the leaders) of Iran are more pro-American than pretty much any other in the Middle East (with the obvious exception of Israel, and the possible exception of Kuwait). There is a large contingent of young Iranians who don’t remember the Shah, and who are sick and tired of the mullahs dictating every aspect of their lives.
Believe it or not, not every Iranian is evil. In fact, “on the street,” we have quite a bit of admiration there. Hopefully, our next President will use that to our advantage.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
MWS, I agree and I don’t think every Iranian is evil.
But Huckabee was condemning Bush for including Iran in the “Axis of Evil.”
Bush wasn’t talking about the people but the leaders when he made that remark.
So use the people to your advantage, but call a spade a spade and evil what it is. But Huckabee seems to be wrorried about what evil mullahs who want to obliterate America today will think of us tomorrow That just doesn’t site well with me.