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The Washington Post reports today that Mike Huckabee “touted his candidacy Saturday as a chance for evangelical Christians to lead the Republican Party rather than just support its candidates.”
“I don’t presume that you automatically support me because of a common faith,” Huckabee told a group of more than 100 conservative pastors. “I know I have to earn that. But I also recognize that there is a unique kind of opportunity. For a long time, those of us who are people of faith are asked to support candidates who would come and talk to us. But rarely has there been one who comes from us.”…
“Many of us who have been Republicans out of conviction…the social conservatives,” he told reporters, “were welcomed in the party as long as we sort of kept our place, but Lord help us if we ever stood forward and said we would actually like to lead the party.”…
Ed Rollins, Huckabee’s campaign chairman, said he thinks there is “some frustration in the evangelical community” that electoral victories have not provided more results on issues important to them.
Hey, boys and girls, can you say “pandering”? As an evangelical Christian concerned about social issues and who also believes in the principles of small-government and economic conservatism, there is much about Huckabee’s candidacy that I find disturbing.
The suggestion that Huckabee represents a chance for “one of us” to lead the party is yet another disrespect of President Bush – something the Huckabee campaign has become quite adept at. George W. Bush is the most publicly demonstrative Christian we’ve had in the White House in recent history. He is evangelical in his faith, and his leadership is the kind that I, as an evangelical, appreciate. When Bush came into office in 2001, he brought decency and integrity to the Oval Office. Sadly, most of the grief Pres. Bush receives from the left is the anger of those who despise his faith and his decency.
Huckabee’s religiousity contrasts with that of George W. Bush’s. Everyone knows that President Bush is an evangelical Christian, and that he’s very public about his faith and the importance of faith in his life. But despite the charges of his critics that he’s tried to “Christianize” the Presidency, he has never worn his religion on his sleeve in the sense of providing mini-sermons on what he specifically believes. He never moralizes, never sermonizes, conducts expressions of faith with decency and humility, and always respects other religious viewpoints (to a fault, at times, declaring Islam as a “religion of peace”). Whatever his other faults, Bush has provided a good example of how one can publicly hold to the importance of personal faith, while not talking incessantly about it, or being unseemly in his display. Huckabee doesn’t seem to have that “grace,” and instead is using his religion as a political weapon against the field.
Secondly, Huckabee’s brand of tribal/identity politics is offensive and shameful, and should be roundly rejected by evangelicals. His walking into evangelical settings and appealing to the audience, not based on his position on issues, but on their identity, isn’t much different from Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton appearing in black churches and expecting African-Americans to support their candidacies based solely on race. Huckabee’s appeal to “identity politics” is an insult to evangelicals who base our decisions, not simply on a candidate’s faith, but upon a broad range of issues and positions.
Regarding Ed Rollins’s belief that “there is ‘some frustration in the evangelical community’ that electoral victories have not provided more results on issues important to them,” if there is such frustration, it’s because many evangelicals have been looking for government to do what only Jesus can do, namely, change people’s hearts, reform people’s behavior and attitudes, and do it on such a broad range that it truly effects behavior and the attitudes within the culture of the nation. What the nation needs isn’t a Huckabee presidency, but spiritual revival, similar to the Wesleyian Revival in England or the Great Awakening in America in the 1740s. Go read about those revivals, Huck. You might learn something.
The Drudge Report had earlier unearthed a 1998 news story about then-Governor Mike Huckabee’s comments to a gathering of Southern Baptist pastors (remember, before he got into politics, this was Huckabee’s calling, to be a Southern Baptist pastor). As a follower of Christ, I agree with this comment by Huckabee:
“The reason we have so much government is because we have so much broken humanity,” he said. “And the reason we have so much broken humanity is because sin reigns in the hearts and lives of human beings instead of the Savior.”
But then there’s this: Huckabee also explained why he left pastoring for politics –
“I didn’t get into politics because I thought government had a better answer. I got into politics because I knew government didn’t have the real answers, that the real answers lie in accepting Jesus Christ into our lives.”
So, why did he get out of pastoring? How many people have accepted Christ into their lives because of a government program or policy? If Huckabee is truly interested in seeing this nation turned around, he should have stayed in the pulpit, where one must assume God called him years ago.
As a Christian, and as a conservative, this effort to foster a “Christian Candidate” label bothers me, and it took me a bit of time to figure out why. It’s pretty clear that evangelical Christians are to the Republican Party what African American voters are to the Democrats. They’re viewed (and, sadly, many behave) as a block of voters easily manipulated by symbolism and emotional appeals. The Democrats play the “race card;” most Republicans play the “family values card.” Like blacks in the Democrat Party, evangelicals in the Republican Party are taken for granted, and it’s assumed that they’ll fall in line whenever “culture wars” is raised. As Democrats shamelessly pander to the black voter, without much substance, many Republicans, and clearly Mike Huckabee, pander to evangelicals, without much substance.
In a book about former California Governor Jerry Brown, author James Lorenz quotes Brown from a private conversation during the campaign in 1974:
“People will tear each other apart if given half a chance. Politics is a jungle, and it’s getting worse. People want a dictator these days, a man on a white horse. They’re looking for a man on a white horse to ride in and tell them what to do. A politician can do anything he wants so long as he manipulates the right symbols.” (Emphasis added.)
Huckabee’s Christianity appears to be only another symbol to be manipulated, especially since so many conservative Christians are supposedly looking for a “man on a white horse.” The shallow pandering of some in the GOP to evangelical voters is an insult, and the fact that one of our own is now one of the chief panderers, is even more offensive.
Despite what Huckabee has suggested, I don’t think we evangelicals are welcomed in the party as long as we keep our place. I think we’re welcomed in the party as long as we add something of substance to the conservative foundation of the Republican Party, and as long as we approach politics pragmatically, maturely, and are determined to be part of a diverse coalition aimed at winning elections, which is required for political success and the advancement of our principles in the politics and policies of the nation.
Finally, a person a personal note: I have worked in government relations and politics for the past 35 years. Thirty-five years ago, in college, I came to Christ, expressed faith in who he is and what he did on the cross, so I’ve spent my entire professional career considering how my faith impacts, or should impact, the arena I work in.
A number of years ago, I was asked to speak to a group of students from a number of private Christian high schools who had come to Sacramento for a week-long Model Legislature. I was asked to talk about the role of Christians in politics and government. What I told them is that the role of Christians in government is the same as the role of Christians who are lawyers, teachers, doctors, engineers, or greeters at WalMart – to reflect the fruit of the Spirit and the character of Christ; to treat people with respect and deference; to conduct oneself with civility, honesty, and integrity; to approach one’s profession with the spirit and attitude of a servant; to bless one’s enemies and not curse them. If Christians do that, they will have a far greater impact for good in this country, and for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, than they will in pushing any particular political agenda.
My observation is that many of my socially conservative brethren, particularly those who love being pandered to by candidates for the presidency, have lost sight of this.
January 13th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I don’t like being pandered by any candidate, I find it insulting. There is only one person running for President who refuses to do so and that is Rudy.
January 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Wow!
Marvelous post. You hit a lot of points that I had already thought about and alot that I had not.
It’s posts like these that keep me coming back to this site. Huck fans beware of simply rejecting greg’s post as a huck-a-hater, as his thoughts were well reasoned and well put.
January 13th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
He is not a huck a hater per se – he made some valid points – but he is ultimately wrong in his assessment.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I think, in part, the concerns of people like Huckabee are justified, and in part, they are a failure to recognize the vastness of the situation.
I think, to a degree, there are people who have abused Social Conservative’s support for the GOP – not treating them like equals in the party, and so on. I think there are some who have shown contempt for Social Conservative, certainly a lot more than they have recieved in return. I can understand that, with people like Giuliani (abortion supporter) and McCain (”agents of intolerence”) running, Social Conservative – which come mostly from Christian Communities – want someone they can trust, and it is easiest to trust someone like yourself.
That said, I think some Social Conservatives forget that we HAVE made progress towards achieving our goals, but that getting Roe overturned, and then getting real restrictions on abortion, is a long, complicated, and drawn out process. Its not that major steps haven’t been made, its that the situation regarding the court and the president have not allowed them to be made.
This is a very political answer, but both Social Conservatives who want “one of their own”, and those who think they are going to far, have very valid points.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I suspect many Huckabee supporters are attracted to him because firstly no other candidate is trustworthy on social issues and secondly they’re attracted to his populist economics.
The fact that most social conservatives and populists are Evangelical explains a lot. Huckabee’s broad support among practicing Catholics shows he’s not a sectarian or an Evangelical “identity” candidate.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Thought-provoking. It’s quite a wonder that Huck as gotten as far as he has, balancing as he is on only one leg of the three-legged stool.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Also, I’m not sure I like the use of the term “pandering” here. Is it really pandering if a candidate really beleives it him/herself?
If it is, I think we can accuse McCain and Giuliani of pandering on terror, and Thompson of pandering on federalism. If its not, then I think we need to start using the term a lot less than we do.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Excellent post Greg. You should post it at RedState as a diary too!
January 13th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
#6
It just goes to show that you don’t have to be a so-called 100% conservative to win elections if you make up for it in the “likability” department.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
#9 I see nothing likable about Huck, but that’s the current meme.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
#3 – Brett, where is he wrong in his assessments? Please explain.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
#7 – Maybe instead of “pandering” Greg should use the word “exploiting.”
Definition of pan·der:
intr.v.
pan·dered , pan·der·ing , pan·ders
To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses: “He refused to pander to nostalgia and escapism” (New York Times).
Whatever word you want to use, Huckabee is clearly exploiting evangelical Christians.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
5, Populist economics? Is that where you talk about jobs, but ignore the fact that consumer prices have a labor cost component?
Is that where you tell the middle class you are for them, then have a trade policy that increases the prices of everything at WalMart?
I understand Edwards doing that because he is pandering to labor and cares only about sellers of labor and not buyers of consumer products, but for Huckabee to do that is just stupid.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
#12 – good point, bethtopaz. “Exploiting” describes it perfectly.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Quack, you seem to be working under the fallacy that a candidates appeal is primarily based on policy. Huckabee’s populist message appeals to some voters because of the extreme pain in the economy right now. For most Americans the economic conditions are just like a recession. Things have been that way for over three years.
As far as I can tell Huckabee’s economic policy platform is identical to John McCain’s sans the Fairtax. His message actually acknowledges the economic crack-up occurring for most people.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Same as McCain? THat is a laffer. McCain and Romney are the only candidates that ever talk about spending cuts.
Huck never says a word about cutting spending and he sure didnt cut spending in AR.
In fact he uses the sorry old line of the left to excuse his tax increases ” THe government really really needs the money”.
So its a message with no policy? Kind of like ” I feeeel your paaaaaaayne?” How Clintonian.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
“Congress is spending money like John Edwards in a beauty parlor.” -Mike Huckabee
January 13th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Awesome post man. Love it.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Then he supported 5 billion for NASA, this art and music federally funded education program, he never has proposed any cut in any program, its all a joke to him, a laugh line, and when people resist his tax increases he calls them greedy just like the left does.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Brett (#3) You a Huckabee supporter, and you did nothing more than saying Greg is off? I am sorry, but this is exactly what I, and many others, am seeing. If you are saying Greg is wrong, you are saying many of us (including 88% of NH folks who did not vote for Huckabee) are wrong! You need to explain yourself on why we all are wrong.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
20, that is not the game plane. Huck doesn’t engage on issues. Its all about cute videos and the softer side of Huck.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Act (#4) I also think many of those social conservatives have shot themselves in their foot back in 2006, when they did not show up at the booths, to punish the Republican Party as WHOLE, including some of best social conservative champions we had in the National Capitol. Yes, we are in a huge mess because we decided to stay home. Granted, there were too many RINOs that we had to kick out, but still, we suffered when we attempted to punish the whole group. Speaking of burning wheats along tares!
January 13th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
That was a great post Greg. It seems like you are a pretty great guy.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
ESG (#17) QuacknHack does have a point. Huckabee has not said anything about economy, beyond his one liners which you so love to quote. He has not present a single step on how he can make our economy better.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I hear the voice of fear being expressed in most of the responses.
Fear is generally the result of what is not known or understood.
I believe that because Gov. Huckabee is much more than just the average
Christian politician in the complexities of his platform and he has a unexplainable following
in this campaign; some people say ugly things and rush to a unfair judgment of him.
We as Republicans should be a lot smarter than that.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
We are not attending church here, we are trying to select the best candidate to beat the Dems and run our Country. Being raised a true Southern Baptist, I am somewhat ashamed to say that I do not want a preacher in Washington. We need someone who has a record and thinks on his feet, someone who can be mean, and I mean “MEAN”! GRRRRRR The world is in a heap of trouble, the preachers need to be in churches prayin’ and the politicians in Washington planning the next offensive move. Rudy’s our man!
January 13th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
SGS, he promotes the Fairtax which is a really a group of massive changes in industrial, capital, trade and tax policy.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
fair play, you are right. huckabee strikes fear in anyone who likes, small government, lower taxes, federalism, and does not like illegal immigration.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
#14 – Thank you, Lucy! If you get the opportunity, rent the movie “Elmer Gantry” with Burt Lancaster and you will see where he learned his tricks.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
#1 – fred doesn’t pander either.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Beth, Huckabee has never slid across a stage.
Elmer Gantry is Lewis Sinclair’s demonization of Billy Sunday.
January 13th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
#31 – Huckabee played guitar at the Freeper Ball in 2001. That’s enough of a slide across stage for me.