In 2008, the nation’s voters, especially after the mortgage banking crisis, turned away from the Republicans, their presidential nominee John McCain, and what were then felt to be the shortcomings of outgoing President George W. Bush.
It was a classic election in which voters were voting more against something than for something. There was also a notable factor in the Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama, because he was the first black nominee for president, and many Democrats, independents, and even Republicans, found the possibility of electing a black man as president of the United States to be attractive. (I might add that this was a legitimate factor; John Kennedy was the first Catholic president; Geraldine Ferraro the first woman vice presidential nominee, Joe Lieberman the first Jewish vice presidential nominee. Each of their nominations marked a maturing of the American voter who a century before had only considered white male Protestants for the nation’s highest office.)
But while this was abstractly an advance and maturing of the electorate, it did not necessarily represent the nation’s best interests to put in the White House a person of virtually no public administrative experience, minimal legislative experience, little international background, and no visible broad base of expertise to handle the undeniably toughest executive position in the free world.
At that time, I warned in print that the nation was about to put an amateur in its top job during a time of acute economic and international crises. I was far from alone in this warning. Mr. Obama’s chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton, belatedly recognizing her “inevitable’ nomination was threatened by Mr. Obama’s political challenge, made focus on his experience as she tried to recover. Mrs. Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton (and clearly the most experienced Democratic politician in the country) explicitly warned that Mr. Obama was likely ill-prepared to occupy the Oval Office.
But Mr. Obama prevailed, and both Clintons, as the pragmatists they are, joined up into his effort to govern.
More than two years after his residency began, it is embarrassingly clear that Mr. Obama was VERY ill-prepared to be president. The economic crisis we still face, with its chronic unemployment is excruciatingly difficult to resolve. The international crises, some already in place when Mr. Obama took office, have only grown more numerous and more troublesome.
In the off-year election just held, Mr. Obama and his party took exceptional defeats in all areas. They lost control of the U.S. house, barely maintained control of the U.S. senate (but now lack the majority they previously had which enabled them to pass their agenda of legislation), lost many state governorships and state legislatures.
But none of this means that Mr. Obama will inevitably lose his re-election in 2012. Having been given a scholarship for on-the-job training for his job, Mr. Obama is no longer as inexperienced as he once was. He will have now the opportunity to demonstrate that he has learned something, and if he does so (especially if the economy improves dramatically and unemployment falls significantly), he might win a second term.
Either way, 2012 will be primarily an assessment of the nation’s voters of Mr. Obama’s performance, and the performance of his party.
The Republican nominee, whoever he or she will be, must defer to this reality, even as their campaign must present persuasive alternatives to and credible criticisms of the Obama term in the White House.
There is a lot of discussion now in various circles of the Republican Party about who they will nominate, even as the first major candidate has not yet formally announced. Most of this discussion has been about personalities, and circumstances which are not necessarily germane to whether a candidate will be a good and effective president or not. Thus, “Mr. Tim Pawlenty is too unknown. Mr. Mitch Daniels is too short and unexciting. Mr. Mitt Romney is a Mormon. Mr. Newt Gingrich was divorced. Mrs. Sarah Palin speaks with a funny accent and manner. Mr. Mike Huckabee is too religious.” I will assert here that none of these conditions tell us anything of value about whether a candidate will be a good president.
I know. I know. “Voters often make up their minds based on these matters,” we are always told by “sage” political observers. Perhaps, and perhaps they will in 2012, but I suggest that if they do, Republicans will significantly harm their opportunity to retake the White House. Even if they do win, they will not have necessarily found the right person to undertake the transformation of the economy and foreign policy they wish to happen.
So what are the questions we want to ask of the contenders for the GOP nomination? My list would include a combination of questions about experience and demonstration of problem-solving capability. Yes, I would also, if I were a Republican voter, want to know if the contender held truly conservative views about the economy, and how they perceived the threat to our country by political, military and economic forces from around the world.
That is why a number of genuinely credible politicians who have indicated their interest in running for president are not genuinely credible, or not yet credible, to hold the nation’s highest office. That is why, although I am an admirer of Mrs. Palin, and I do NOT put down her media success, her intelligence, nor her political base, the Tea Party, an authentic grass roots movement, I do not feel she is ready yet to be president in 2012.
The GOP does have the good fortune this year to have a number of “qualified” (in distinction from “credible”) candidates who can in varying degrees positively answer the important questions voters should ask.
These include Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Mitch Daniels, Tim Pawlenty and Mike Huckabee. The latter four have been governors. Mr. Romney has successful private sector experience. Mr. Gingrich has extraordinary background as a military historian and strategist, and is expert on virtually all problematic economic issues. Mr. Daniels and Mr. Gingrich also understand the culture of Washington, DC (and thus how to get a program through legislation). Mr. Pawlenty has successfully faced down a hostile legislature. Mr. Romney has a history of remarkable problem-solving, as does Mr. Daniels. Mr. Gingrich is a genuine political visionary.
I also know that voters must like the person they vote for. Mr. Huckabee seems to be the most likable personality, but any of the others could, in the course of the campaign, win the hearts of Republican and independent voters.
There is no perfect candidate this year. There, rarely, if ever is. The voters, however, have the their choice in 2012 in their own hands. If they insist on allowing the religious faith of a candidate, his or her stand on one specific social issue, past marital circumstances, or personal characteristics beyond their control, to determine their vote, and thus deny themselves and the country the best person to be president, they will only have themselves to blame.
This is not a statement of political idealism. It’s a statement of hard, cold political realism. That’s how much is at stake in this perilous time when almost anything can happen in the world.
__________________________________________________________________________
-Please visit Mr. Casselman’s personal site, The Prairie Editor Blog.
February 28th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
So our choices come down to Gingrich, Romney, Pawlenty, Daniels, or Huckabee. Aside from the glaring omission of Jon Huntsman, I agree with the sentiment and tenor of this article. Rather than look for a reason to cross someone off the list, we should look for someone who can solve problems and get the job, in its totality, done…..and done right.
On the basis of these criteria, my list:
1. Mitt Romney
2. Tim Pawlenty
3. Jon Huntsman
4. Mitch Daniels
I don’t share Barry’s enthusiasm for Gingrich or Huckabee, but confess that a case can be made for them, and either would be a marked step up from Obama, or even Sarah.
February 28th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
My list based on balancing budgets for at least TWO terms with free market principles while working with their political opponents which btw, America loves to see..
1. 10 1/2 yr Gov Huckabee
2. 8 yr Gov Pawlenty
3. 10+ yr Gov Perry
February 28th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
does the up coming newt decision make other 2012 people scramble to hurry up and decide or do they just keep going with there decision time tables?
February 28th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Telegraph Herald – Dubuque, Iowa | Monday, February 28, 2011
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=313352
February 28th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
A Simple Government
by: Mike Huckabee
FORMAT: Hardcover
PUB. DATE: 02/22/2011
…
#1 selling book at Barnes & Noble in Politics & Government
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?STORE=book&FMT=physical&CAT=914455&SRT=SA&cds2Pid=17801
And at Amazon: Bestsellers Ranking is #12 AND #3 Nonfiction.
Also from Amazon..
#1 in Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Government
#1 in Books > Nonfiction > Government > Public Policy
#1 in Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Political Doctrines > Conservatism
The New York Times Bestseller List ranking due in a few days! #1 Non-fiction???
February 28th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I echo what Dustin said, Congrats A.J.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/50324.html
February 28th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Huckabee led a much smaller state than Mitt Romney did, I would consider that a big factor in who has more governing experience.
If governing Arkansas is like riding a bike, then governing Mass. is like driving a car. I’d take the guy driving the car, even if he only drove 4 miles compared to the biker’s 10 miles.
I’d also rather have a guy who has had a diverse experienced resume – I’ve had enough of people who have been career politicians. Especially ones like Huckabee who literally got fat off the public dime.
February 28th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Sorry about #6. Wrong post.
February 28th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
8. One would also expect someone making an argument against Huckabee to not shoot themselves in the foot by making an ad hominem attack against Huckabee, CF.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
This is enlightening…
I am actually looking to support someone who I think is dishonest and I cannot trust.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Welby,
Your snarkiness aside, can you trust Obama? 69,499,428 folks did.
And made a HUGE mistake. Experience matters and half term senators or governors don’t have it, in my opinion.
And I think in Huck’s, too.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Huckabee has a lot of experience.
He has experience raising taxes.
He has experience playing the guitar.
He has experience preaching as a baptist minister.
He has experience pardoning criminals.
He has experience listening to pastors like Rev. Wright and agreeing with them.
He has experience charming people.
Seriously, can anyone really point to something Huckabee’s done that really prepares him to be President? Does he have any real accomplishments in life? And no, simply “being Governor” and doing little to nothing as Governor, doesn’t really prepares you for anything.
Has he ever studied real economics in a prestigious school? Has he lived overseas for an extended period of time learning a new language? Has he ever run a business or had to make payroll, or hire or fire employees in difficult situations? Has he ever been in charge of a difficult situation before?
Huckabee can throw stones all day long at those who have had to make the tough choices in life, but he is really sitting in a glass house. He has barely anything remarkable to his name. He came in after Bill Clinton and sat around in office in a laid-back state milking the system and making off good…so what. That kind of experience isn’t good enough to fix the incredible mess we are in today.
Charming an audience and having “likeablity” isn’t going to impress the Chinese or the North Koreans, or those in the Middle East. Playing your guitar isn’t going to change anything in the economy.
We need to pick the best and the brightest in the room to run the country. We need to pick the person who has battled through difficult storms and has had to make the tough choices in life, failing, and picking themselves back up again to succeed. We need someone who truly understands the free market because he has not only lived in it, but led in it throughout his life. We need Mitt Romney.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Barry, very good article and points to consider. We Republicans are doing the same thing we have criticized the Democrats of doing in ’08, supporting a particular candidate based on star power or media appeal. “Cult of personality” is a particularly dangerous reason to support a candidate, as we have so keenly seen.
I hope our selection of nominee will be based the items you point out.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
POLITICO- Maggie Haberman
“MIKE HUCKABEE FULL OF LOVE FOR PRESIDENT BARAK OBAMA”
==================================
Politico confirms what I have been saying
for some time.
Huckabee is pro life and no fan of gays.
That’s all that is conservative about him.
He is liberal baptist preacher!
Do we need Obama Light?!
It will never happen.No more RINOs,let alone
Liberals.
Huckster knows that,he wants Obama to win in
2012,he’s not even thinking of running.
Imagine him running against Obama,it would be
love fast.Obama would win 57 states out of 50.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
He is totally wrong. This is not Republicans vs Obama. It is conservatives vs Washington. On the Washington side is Obama and the insiders. That includes a lot of Republicans. The fact is that George W Bush and congressional Republicans were as irresponsible fiscally as Obama. The government got bigger under Bush. The difference is that they did not do it as fast. The question is who can stand up to Republicans as well as Democrats. Who has stood up and done what they said they were going to do.
The dismissal of Sarah Palin seems to be she doesn’t have enough seniority.
That public service has to be important enough to count. I believe that we should look at the quality of the work. Sarah Palin cut state spending in real dollars and during good times. She returned oil money to the people in rebates rather than allowing the state to spend it. She passed major ethics legislation to break up the cozy relationship between oil companies and Republicans. She passed a new royalty deal which replaced the original one which heavily favored oil companies. She successfuly negotiated a pipeline deal with Canada and got it through the legislature. It also saved Alaska $1.5 billion. In addition, the NGA and Obama tried to get states to implement national standards by giving them money. The only 2 governors who said no were Rick Perry of Texas and Sarah Palin of Alaska.
Even when Sarah Palin resigned, she said something interesting. She was doing what she thought was best and if it killed her politically then so be it. We see so many decisions based on what is politically best rather than what is best for the nation and it is refreshing to see someone do the unpolitical thing.
What has she done since she resigned? She has shown more leadership than the qualified candidates. She has helped get true conservatives like Rand Paul over the objections of insiders like Mitch McConnell and Dick Cheney. She is backing Paul Ryan’s plan. The washington insiders are scurrying away from this like rats. Haven’t seen any of the qualified candidates do this. Other than Ron Paul, Sarah Palin is the only one to speak up on the damage the Fed is doing to this country by printing money. Haven’t seen any of the qualified candidates do this. Interestingly enough, Sarah Palin tweeted a message questioning why we aren’t condemning Iran’s crackdown on protestors. A short time later, Hillary Clinton gave a weak condemnation.
I think that Mike Gallagher had it right. Why are we so quick to throw her under the bus? Norman Podhoretz said it best. “What I am trying to say is not that Sarah Palin would necessarily make a great president but that the criteria by which she is being judged by her conservative critics—never mind the deranged hatred she inspires on the left—tell us next to nothing about the kind of president she would make.”
February 28th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Franklin,
It’s good that Sarah had the courage of her conviction that quitting the Governorship half way through was the right thing to do….even if it killed her politically…..because it DID kill her politically.
BTW, she would be alive and well today politically if she had had the courage of her convictions when she promised to serve her full term when running in the first place.
February 28th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Dave,
Talking about politics,who is your candidate?
Anybody among 7 dwarfs,or somebody I never heard of?
February 28th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
12.CF Says:
February 28th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
“Huckabee has a lot of experience.”
===
I agree!
!
All of the following was accomplshed as a 10 1/2 year Governor while facing a legislature with 89 Democrats out of 100 legislators in the House and only four Republicans in the 35-seat Senate.
The Governor’s strong record:
* Cut the state capital gains tax rate by 25%.
* Abolished capital gains taxes on home sales.
* Abolished the state marriage penalty tax.
* Pushed a $90 million tax cut package through the Arkansas legislature in 1997.
* From 1995 to 2005, cut taxes 90 times, returning nearly $400 million to taxpayers.
* Indexed income tax brackets to inflation, thus protecting taxpayers from being pushed into higher tax brackets by inflation.
* Doubled the child-care tax credit.
* Increased the tax deduction for single individuals to $2,000.
* Increased the tax deduction for married couples to $4,000.
* Proposed cutting the executive branch from 50 departments to 10.
* Banned illegal aliens from getting drivers licenses.
* Reduced state welfare enrollment by nearly half.
* Helped pass an unborn child amendment to the state constitution.
* Helped pass a traditional marriage amendment to the state constitution.
* Pushed through a property owners’ bill of rights that limited property tax hikes and protected homeowners from unfair tax assessments.
* Pushed through homeschooling-friendly legislation.
* Limited the increase in the overall rate of state spending to 4.9% (AFI)–not bad, considering that he was dealing with a Democratic legislature.
* Protected gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits.
* Removed restrictions on concealed handgun permit holders.
* Pushed through legislation that allowed the state to fire school boards and school superintendents in school districts that were chronically performing badly.
* When faced with a $227 million deficit for fiscal year 2002, refused to call for a tax increase and instead called for a massive cut in state spending.
So far, so good, my friend?
Good! Then, let me add this to Governor Huckabee’s accomplishments among HUNDREDS of others…
–Eliminated the state income tax for families below poverty level.
- Cut welfare rolls by 50%.
- Led efforts to establish the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights for uniform notice and due process.
- Made the interstate road system in Arkansas one of the best in the nation, where it had been among the worst, bringing in more trucking and trade. And the small tax the voters raised was repealed once the roads were complete.
-Carried out 16 executions in his time as governor of Arkansas which refutes his opponents’ claims that he’s soft on crime.
- Signed a ban on partial birth abortion.
- Worked to grant school administrators more flexibility in hiring and firing poor teachers.
- Moved Arkansas from grade “F” to a “C” in Charitable Choice compliance so Arkansas was only one of twelve states to pass.
- Balanced the state budget of Arkansas every year he was governor in Arkansas.
- AND left his state with almost $1 billion surplus, a state record.
February 28th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
16.Dave Says:
February 28th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
“BTW, she would be alive and well today politically if she had had the courage of her convictions when she promised to serve her full term when running in the first place.”
===
I agree 100% with this assessment.
It’s nice to see Dave starting to make perfect sense regarding Palin, which is a great start in understanding the political realities of this upcoming election.
February 28th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Let’s take a closer look at these qualified candidates.
Mike Huckabee blew up state spending in Arkansas. His idea of leadership on taxes is telling the legislature if they want to raise the tobacco tax then that’s fine. If they want to a surcharge on income taxes then that’s okay. A increase in the sales tax is fine. He flip flopped on school choice. In 2008, attacked Republicans for cutting taxes on the rich. basically sounded like a Democrat.
Newt Gingrich is a party man through and through. Supporting the more liberal Scozzafava in NY. He certainly is a great strategist. He got creamed by Bill Clinton. He also never made any attempts to cut any spending as his contract was largely institutional changes. He is a visionary. Making deals with Nancy Pelosi is not the vision I want. He is a part of the culture of Washington. Does anyone think he will now oppose that culture and dismantle it? Gingrich answered the question when he backed ethanol susidies which are backed by Republican insiders as well as
Democrats. If he can’t cut around $2 billion, why should we expect him to cut close to a trillion dollars?
Tim Pawlenty is Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In his first term, he got a C- because he was a big spender and raised taxes. Then he wasn’t thinking about
running for president. In his second term, he becomes a fiscal hawk and gets a A from Cato. Who is the real Pawlenty? first term Mr Hyde or second term Dr Jekyll? Also with the NGA, he pushed global warming legislation. He also worked for more stimulus spending from the Bush Administration.
Mitt Romney is a multiple choice Republican. His only credo is get elected. Throw anyone or any position you have under the bus. Pro-life? Sorry doesn’t fit with being elected Senator from Mass. Romneycare is Obamacare because the central tenet of both is forcing you to buy insurance. Everything is calculated. The jokes sound rehearsed. When his last book was released in hardcover, it was thoughtful Mitt. The paperback version is fiery Mitt. Wonder if he will manipulate the sales figures for the paperback version the way he did for the hardcover. Professing change on one hand and talking to K-Street Republicans on the other hand. Hardly change you can believe in.
Mitch Daniels is pretty much a career bureaucrat. The deficit was going up, up, and away when he was a part of the Bush Administration. His response was that he had higher priorities. Also he attempted to raise taxes on the so-called rich. Cato has described him in this way, “He wants the government to be efficient but he doesn’t necessarily want it to be smaller.” He has not ruled out tax increases. He has called schemes such as combining a flat tax with a Vat as interesting. The Vat is the most insidious tax because its hidden. He has also been interested in a tax on imported oil. Sorry Mitch, Barrack can raise the price of energy for us.
If those are the qualified choices then no seniority. Replacing Obama with these people would be going back to George W Bush and bankrupting this country at a slower pace.
V
February 28th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
As often as supporters, of other candidates, attack Palin for quitting half term without telling the full story as to why, then Palin supporters will talk about RomneyCare being way too similar to ObamaCare and that Huckabee pardoned a criminal that led to murder. I’d rather not play that game but…
February 28th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Craig:
Just in case you were too dense to understand that I was being sarcastic about his “experience”, let me clarify:
Huckabee still raised net tax rates, including sales tax over 500 million by the end of his tenure. The CATO Institute gave Huckabee an “F” on fiscal policy, and the Conservative Club For Growth also defied his claims as being fiscally responsible.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/huckabee_cut_crime_and_taxes.html
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6724
It doesn’t matter how “many” taxes Huckabee cut, if his net tax rate was still over 500 million when he left office. Of the you mention to backup his experience, because it’s misleading and deceitful.
18 of your 31 points deal with different taxes that Mike Huckabee lowered, however he left office with a net tax increase of over $500,000,000 (million). You chose to ignore this fact and mislead others into believeing he is a fiscal conservative. That leaves you with 13 points:
1 Banned illegal aliens from getting drivers licenses.
2 Reduced state welfare enrollment by nearly half.
3 Helped pass an unborn child amendment to the state constitution.
4 Helped pass a traditional marriage amendment to the state constitution.
5 Pushed through homeschooling-friendly legislation.
6 Protected gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits.
7 Removed restrictions on concealed handgun permit holders.
8 Pushed through legislation that allowed the state to fire school boards and school superintendents in school districts that were chronically performing badly.
9 Made the interstate road system in Arkansas one of the best in the nation, where it had been among the worst, bringing in more trucking and trade. And the small tax the voters raised was repealed once the roads were complete.
10 Carried out 16 executions in his time as governor of Arkansas which refutes his opponents’ claims that he’s soft on crime.
11 Signed a ban on partial birth abortion.
12 Worked to grant school administrators more flexibility in hiring and firing poor teachers.
13 Moved Arkansas from grade “F” to a “C” in Charitable Choice compliance so Arkansas was only one of twelve states to pass.
Numbers 3,4,5,6,7,10,11 are primarily social issues, so we can cross those off the list of things that will help America’s economy if Huckabee became President (IE Experience that won’t matter). Number 10 is cancelled out because of his pardoning of a criminal who ended up murdering 4 cops in Seattle.
You admit in #9 that Huckabee raised taxes. At least you’re honest here, but that won’t win you any Conservatives mentioning that.
Number 2 is too vague to really mean anything.
Numbers 8 and 12 are repeats. Not sure why you did this, other than to pad your list with bullet points. Number 13 is a poor choice to include in your list if you want to portray Huckabee as a Fiscal Conservative. Charitable Choice compliance means that your state favors an expanded Church-State relationship and generally is awarded to those who expand welfare benefits through higher tax increases.
Number 1 is voided because of Huckabees stance on awarding scholarships to illegal immigrants.
I think I covered them all Craig. You got anything else for me? Something that would actually matter to help our country out FISCALLY? Like I said, Huckabee has no real experience that America needs at this time. Mitt Romney understands Reagan Economics. He understands free-markets and how individuals can make an economy work. Huckabee doesn’t.
February 28th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Anything that Huckabee does is all Huckabee. Anything bad is Democrats controlled the legislature.
She is hardly politically dead. She is one of the to three contendors and even Mike Huckabee admits that she could run away with it if she does the right things.
Sarah Palin was facing mounting legal bills from frivolous ethics charges that were at least $600,000 and could have ended up over a million dollars.
It is worth noting that Arkansas law provides for the state to reimburse someone when they are exonerated on ethics charges. When Huckabee was exonerated his legal bills were paid for by the state. Federal law provides for the government to reimburse the president for his legal fees if they are cleared by a special prosecutor. These are done for a reason. There is no reasonable expectation that anyone will stay in office if they can be frog marched straight to bankruptcy court over phony ethics complaints.
Also the second reason was that the Democrats who had supported much of her agenda had joined with corrupt Republicans and were threatening to roll much of what had been accomplished. She reasoned that if she turned the reins of power over to her reform minded Lt Gov, that would stop the democrats from doing that. That has largely been the case. Sean Parnell has been able to continue to push reforms and what she accomplished is intact.
February 28th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Nikki Haley: I don’t ‘owe’ Palin an endorsement http://bit.ly/feEo19 #tcot 6 hours ago · reply
===
She’s going to endorse Romney, of course. Mitt’s going all in in South Carolina while spending a fortune like it’s IA ’08 deja vu. A must must must win for him. Wait, a must win for EVERYONE!!!
Since 1980, that is.
February 28th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Don’t worry. Either Palin or Huckabee will win SC. Not Romney. Were it not for Palin, Haley would not have won.
February 28th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Franklin,
I agree with the first part.
February 28th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Were it not for Palin, Haley would not have won.
It looked to me from the Huck camp that they played equal roles in helping Nikki get the nomination. Unfortunately for Palin, Haley doesn’t feel that way at all. She’s going for Mitt’s $$$.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Told ya. Nikki Haley is and always was a Romney supporter, so is Branstad.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
27.
Stephen,
Then Romney shouldn’t have any excuses THIS TIME when Huck beats him again in both states.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
http://twitter.com/FixAaron/status/42333420910682112
Huck will set her straight.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
http://ht.ly/3rR6I
Nice get by Huck.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Agreed Franklin #22.
At this moment, I am throughly disgusted with the Arkansas preacher.
After hearing from Huckabee yesterday on Chris Wallace, hearing more about his book over the weekend, and from his supporters today (Ed Rollins on John King USA and Dick Morris on Hannity), I am convinced that Huckabee is a thin-skinned, vengeful soul who only cares about himself and his own self-promotion. The characteristics he exudes are decidely un-Presidential and the way I feel right now, if he is the nominee (which is unlikely), I will vote for the Liberterian candidate whoever that turns out to be.
Huckabee remains talented and can come across as quite likable but he has fatal character flaws that make him unfit to be President. The person that possesses all of the power of the Presidency cannot be spiteful and vendictive. There are too many resources at the President’s disposal that could be mis-used by anyone who lacks the ability to ‘turn the other cheek’.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
31.
Is that you, Keith Olbermann? Miss your show since they fired you? Can’t put Huck on your Worst Person In the World segment any more? Too bad.
A vote for a third party candidate is a vote for Obama. And you know it!!!
February 28th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Read ‘em and weep, Keith O
POLLSTER.COM FAVORABILITY ..as of Today
Huckabee … 38.4% / 29.3% … +9.1
Obama ..….. 51.2% / 42.3% … +8.9
Romney …. 35.5% / 34.8% … +0.7
Palin …….. 32.0% / 55.3% -23.3
March 1st, 2011 at 12:29 am
Anybody but Huckabee,
No, we need to support Romney who has OTHER PEOPLE do his dirty work so everybody THINKS he is pure as the driven snow. For example, he and his other surrogates gave over $500,000 to Club for Growth during the 2008 primary. You know the group who spent over $1M in ads against Huckabee!!! That’s exactly the kind of integrity we need from our candidate. Or maybe, you remember how Romney made 1/2 truth ads against Huckabee and then McCain during the 2008 primary. That’s alright with the Republican Establishment if their golden boy did it against Huckabee. We didn’t hear anything about not breaking the 11th Commandment then did we??? It was Romney against all of the other candidates, but we didn’t hear anything against Romney from the Pundits or radio and TV announcers at Fox News. They also conveniently forgot to tell the public about Romneycare, and Romney’s promises to the Gay Republican group that he would be a better friend to them than the Democrat he was running against for Governor. He sure fulfilled that promise, didn’t he!!!
Funny how everybody’s mad at Huckabee for saying the same things Santorum, Perry and Pawlenty has been saying about Romneycare. Nobody cared about them, did they?
So, the fatal flaw is definitely what Romney has in spades, he just hides it better!
March 1st, 2011 at 9:54 am
BEST QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Do it Christie, go ahead and do a big belly flop right into the middle of the run for 2012. Shake up the Republicans and send Obama’s team into a wild and crazy scramble. I’d love it! ”
(just read it somewhere)
March 1st, 2011 at 11:09 am
Hey Craig, I’m still waiting for you to show me what experience Mike Huckabee has.
Mike Huckabee raised net taxes by over 500 MILLION during his tenure as Governor of Arkansas. Are Conservatives and Tea Party members really going to nominate a man that loves to tax and spend like a Democrat after 2 years of Obama’s nightmare?
Craig, is Mike Huckabee going to apologize for his tax and spend policy in Arkansas?
March 1st, 2011 at 11:31 am
Is Mitt going to apologize for RomneyCare’s intrusive mandates, massive subsidies, and all-controling big government exchanges?
AND this:
March 1st, 2011 at 11:38 am
And Romney was basically like Palin plus 6 months on the job since he spent the last year of his four year term away from his duties.
Palin = 30 month governor
Romney(Care) = 36 month governor
Compared to EXPERIENCE:
Governor Huckabee = 10 1/2 years!!
Governor Pawlenty = 8 years!!
Governor Perry = 10 1/4 years!!!
Hey, those are my top three personal favorites, too
= 28 3/4 YEARS EXPERIENCE BALANCING BUDGETS!
!
March 1st, 2011 at 11:39 am
Hey Craig, I’m still waiting for you to show me what experience Mike Huckabee has.
Mike Huckabee raised net taxes by over 500 MILLION during his tenure as Governor of Arkansas. Are Conservatives and Tea Party members really going to nominate a man that loves to tax and spend like a Democrat after 2 years of Obama’s nightmare?
Craig, is Mike Huckabee going to apologize for his tax and spend policy in Arkansas?
March 1st, 2011 at 11:45 am
Craig:
Check you facts. Romney only raised fees, not taxes.
http://factcheck.org/2007/05/gop-candidates-debate-round-2/
Again, stop dodging my question. Show me what fiscal experience Huckabee.
March 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am
CF Says:
March 1st, 2011 at 11:09 am
“Are Conservatives and Tea Party members really going to nominate HUCKABEE?”
===
YES! According to the polls!
Newest Gallup Poll lat week:
Among Conservatives
•Mike Huckabee 21%
•Mitt Romney 15%
•Sarah Palin 15%
Among those who say government spending and power are most important issues = TEA PARTY’s #1 Concerns!!!
•Mike Huckabee 18%
•Mitt Romney 17%
•Newt Gingrich 13%
•Sarah Palin 11%
Among those who say social issues and moral values are most important issues = SOCONS #1 Concern!!!
•Mike Huckabee 28%
•Sarah Palin 19%
•Mitt Romney 7% ..oh my goodness, that should play well in the South & Midwest. Not!
And in a zillion other polls Huck does great with both Tea Partiers and Social Conservatives.
Huck 1st in all current polling in …
Iowa. South Carolina. Florida.
Game. Set. Match.
March 1st, 2011 at 11:56 am
CF,
Since you obviously don’t read every comment (I don’t either – I catch about one in five since I don’t read negative stuff after the first sentence and most of the Rombot and palinite posting is negative jealousy crap).
Here it is again, just for you..with tons of fiscal achievements, as well as you asked for:
All of the following was accomplshed as a 10 1/2 year Governor while facing a legislature with 89 Democrats out of 100 legislators in the House and only four Republicans in the 35-seat Senate.
The Governor’s strong record:
* Cut the state capital gains tax rate by 25%.
* Abolished capital gains taxes on home sales.
* Abolished the state marriage penalty tax.
* Pushed a $90 million tax cut package through the Arkansas legislature in 1997.
* From 1995 to 2005, cut taxes 90 times, returning nearly $400 million to taxpayers.
* Indexed income tax brackets to inflation, thus protecting taxpayers from being pushed into higher tax brackets by inflation.
* Doubled the child-care tax credit.
* Increased the tax deduction for single individuals to $2,000.
* Increased the tax deduction for married couples to $4,000.
* Proposed cutting the executive branch from 50 departments to 10.
* Banned illegal aliens from getting drivers licenses.
* Reduced state welfare enrollment by nearly half.
* Helped pass an unborn child amendment to the state constitution.
* Helped pass a traditional marriage amendment to the state constitution.
* Pushed through a property owners’ bill of rights that limited property tax hikes and protected homeowners from unfair tax assessments.
* Pushed through homeschooling-friendly legislation.
* Limited the increase in the overall rate of state spending to 4.9% (AFI)–not bad, considering that he was dealing with a Democratic legislature.
* Protected gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits.
* Removed restrictions on concealed handgun permit holders.
* Pushed through legislation that allowed the state to fire school boards and school superintendents in school districts that were chronically performing badly.
* When faced with a $227 million deficit for fiscal year 2002, refused to call for a tax increase and instead called for a massive cut in state spending.
So far, so good, my friend?
Good! Then, let me add this to Governor Huckabee’s accomplishments among HUNDREDS of others…
–Eliminated the state income tax for families below poverty level.
- Cut welfare rolls by 50%.
- Led efforts to establish the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights for uniform notice and due process.
- Made the interstate road system in Arkansas one of the best in the nation, where it had been among the worst, bringing in more trucking and trade. And the small tax the voters raised was repealed once the roads were complete.
-Carried out 16 executions in his time as governor of Arkansas which refutes his opponents’ claims that he’s soft on crime.
- Signed a ban on partial birth abortion.
- Worked to grant school administrators more flexibility in hiring and firing poor teachers.
- Moved Arkansas from grade “F” to a “C” in Charitable Choice compliance so Arkansas was only one of twelve states to pass.
- Balanced the state budget of Arkansas every year he was governor in Arkansas.
- AND left his state with almost $1 billion surplus, a state record.
March 1st, 2011 at 11:58 am
Craig, still waiting for you to show me what experience Mike Huckabee has, other than raising taxes, killing cops, and granting amnesty for illegals.
March 1st, 2011 at 11:59 am
Now let’s look at Romney’s DISMAL fiscal record in detail:
http://romneyfacts.com/issue_tax.php
March 1st, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Craig:
Just keep ignoring my questions and rebuttals all you like, but it doesn’t change the facts that you’re being dishonest about Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee still raised net tax rates, including sales tax over 500 million by the end of his tenure. The CATO Institute gave Huckabee an “F” on fiscal policy, and the Conservative Club For Growth also defied his claims as being fiscally responsible.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/huckabee_cut_crime_and_taxes.html
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6724
18 of your 31 points deal with different taxes that Mike Huckabee lowered, however he left office with a net tax increase of over $500,000,000 (million). You chose to ignore this fact and mislead others into believeing he is a fiscal conservative.
That leaves you with 13 points:
1 Banned illegal aliens from getting drivers licenses.
2 Reduced state welfare enrollment by nearly half.
3 Helped pass an unborn child amendment to the state constitution.
4 Helped pass a traditional marriage amendment to the state constitution.
5 Pushed through homeschooling-friendly legislation.
6 Protected gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits.
7 Removed restrictions on concealed handgun permit holders.
8 Pushed through legislation that allowed the state to fire school boards and school superintendents in school districts that were chronically performing badly.
9 Made the interstate road system in Arkansas one of the best in the nation, where it had been among the worst, bringing in more trucking and trade. And the small tax the voters raised was repealed once the roads were complete.
10 Carried out 16 executions in his time as governor of Arkansas which refutes his opponents’ claims that he’s soft on crime.
11 Signed a ban on partial birth abortion.
12 Worked to grant school administrators more flexibility in hiring and firing poor teachers.
13 Moved Arkansas from grade “F” to a “C” in Charitable Choice compliance so Arkansas was only one of twelve states to pass.
Numbers 3,4,5,6,7,10,11 are primarily social issues, so we can cross those off the list of things that will help America’s economy if Huckabee became President (IE Experience that won’t matter).
Number 10 is cancelled out because of his pardoning of a criminal who ended up murdering 4 cops in Seattle.
You admit in #9 that Huckabee raised taxes. At least you’re honest here, but that won’t win you any Conservatives mentioning that.
Number 2 is too vague to really mean anything.
Numbers 8 and 12 are repeats. Not sure why you did this, other than to pad your list with bullet points.
Number 13 is a poor choice to include in your list if you want to portray Huckabee as a Fiscal Conservative. Charitable Choice compliance means that your state favors an expanded Church-State relationship and generally is awarded to those who expand welfare benefits through higher tax increases.
Number 1 is voided because of Huckabees stance on awarding scholarships to illegal immigrants.
I think I covered them all Craig. You got anything else for me? Something that would actually matter to help our country out FISCALLY? Like I said, Huckabee has no real experience that America needs at this time. Mitt Romney understands Reagan Economics. He understands free-markets and how individuals can make an economy work. Huckabee doesn’t.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:03 pm
This is getting comical. You’re seriously losing the argument here Craig. You keep using Huckabee’s record of raising taxes as a + for his record! Go on and keep posting it, it only makes you and look more and more like a fool.
Again, still waiting for you to show me some experience Mike Huckabee has other than killing cops, raising taxes, and granting scholarships to illegals.
Please, please try, try a little harder.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Huckabee is probably the most inexperienced candidate we have. It’s all about religion for Huckabee. Baptists hate Mormons, plain and simple. This is what it is really about for Huckabee and people like you Craig.
Craig and Huckabee’s Trinitarian faith believe Obama is evil, but they believe Romney is Satan himself because he is a Christian. If Huckabee was a 1st century Christian, he wouldn’t have a problem with Romney’s faith. Unfortunately, Huckabee believes in Catholic endorsed, 3rd century Trinitarian creeds. He hates Christians.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:08 pm
I’m with CF. I don’t see how experience as a governor is adequate no matter how long in office. I think broad experience in leadership is what is needed–especially to defeat Obama who is a weak leader at best. The guy had almost no leadership experience before he became president and that shortcoming has really been manifest in how he has done everything, shirking and shrugging, blaming others, allowing the far left to jerk him around.
No, being president is not just making the right decisions because if it was, there are many who could be trusted to make the right decisions. But what is needed is someone who can lead in the right direction, who knows how to get there, who is innovative, and has record of success.
Now there is no way to conclude Huckabee has any record of success of such challenges. Give it up craig/huck. You are so desperate to put your guy in good light you cannot even see that America needs so much more than Huck has to offer.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Craig: Tick Tock Tick Tock…still waiting for you to give me some hard evidence that shows Huckabee has experience to tackle fiscal spending…
Don’t be shy…
March 1st, 2011 at 12:12 pm
As of TODAY:
Well, I’ve shown you Pollster.com already in post #34 where Huck leads all (and Romney by thirteenfold!.
So here is today’s Polltracker.com to compare with Pollster:
The tracking of numerous polls by numerous polling companies each week and month…
POLLTRACKER.COM FAVORABILTY
Huckabee … 39.0% / 29.6% … +9.4
Obama …….. 50.6% / 41.7% … +8.9
Romney …. 36.4% / 35.0% … +1.4
Palin …….. 30.5% / 55.2% -24.7
http://polltracker.talkingpointsmemo.com/contests/us-favorability-huckabee
March 1st, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I have a problem with Trinitarians like Huckabee because they follow gospels outside of Scripture. They follow the gospel of Constantine, which was founded over 300 years after Christ’s birth. Their goal has, and always will be, to hunt down and destroy Christians.
I also don’t like the fact that Mike Huckabee doesn’t believe in the Bible as the word of God. That bothers me a lot. It bothers me that Platonic, Roman and Pagan beliefs are what engender Huckabee’s faith.
I’d much rather have a Christian in office like Mitt Romney, someone who believes in Christ, than a man who only believes in doctrines anathema to His Gospel.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Craig:
Hah, Craig, you crack me up! You think because Huckabee has high favoribility, can play a guitar and has charm, that this “experience” qualifies him to solve our economic problems?
Try again…
March 1st, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Still waiting Craig…what else can you come up with?
March 1st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Are while you hardcore minority Rombots go with your usual desperate playing of the religion card (everytime you lose the argument), I’m going for my morning run on the beach here in beautiful southern California.
Huckabee/Huntsman Jr. 2012
..if not, Huck/Kasich or Huck/Rubio
March 1st, 2011 at 12:29 pm
The fact is Craig, is that you can’t come up with anything to show Huckabee is qualified to fix our economic problems today.
You’re arguments are founded upon “favorability” and social issues. I’m sorry, but poll after poll shows they want someone to get us out of the economic crisis far more than they want someone who can preach to them.
People saw that in Sarah Palin. She could get a rise out of a crowd, but, like Huckabee, is a dud on exactly “how” she would accomplish anything.
Sorry Craig, but I don’t think Huckabee is even running. He’s out to sell a book and make himself fat (in more ways than one) off of sales. He’s out for himself. He doesn’t care about America.
Mitt Romney has been working his butt off since he resigned in 2008 to help this country. He deserves the nod to represent the Republican party. He will get the most support from the establishment to push him to the top to beat Obama.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Oops, Are = *And
Be back in a couple hours…
March 1st, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Craig:
You’re “going for a run”? No, you’re running away from an argument you CANNOT defend. Don’t be a coward. Huckabee needs you to stick up for him. He needs to you make up lies and false information to get him to beat the “Mormon”.
You and I both know this is about religion for both YOU and Huckabee. Don’t deny it.
March 1st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
52, Okay, this comment makes me think you are likely against Romney and trying to make Romney supporters look bad, as most Romney supporters would never say such a thing. However, in the case that you are serious, you are off your rocker. I for one hope that we’ve moved beyond picking canidates based on their view of the trinity. If Huckabee was persecuting non – trinitarians I would certainly oppose him, but I honestly have not noticed a widespread persecution of non-trinitarians going on today.
As to the trinity doctrine being platonic greek philosophy, it used the terminology of Greek philosophy to try and describe concepts clearly layed out in the Bible – namely the idea that God is one and that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are divine. Now, as a Protestant I don’t hold that the creeds and the terminology they used are sacred, but they are not bad because of the concepts they laid out. Also if you have a problem with the use of Greek terminology and concepts being used to convey Biblical concepts then you should have a problem with the New Testament as it is full of Hellenistic terminology. All of this, however, while quite interesting to me is entirely irelevant to the presidency.
March 1st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Craig/Huck the polls don’t prove the candidate has what it takes. Often the public are ignorant on abilities and barely informed on personality. I would suggest to you that polls prove nothing. Especially considering we do not have a popular vote in the US.
March 1st, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Romney’s contributing $83,500 to Republicans in the House and Senate today to help reduce the size of Government:
“It is important that we stand with our Republican Members of Congress and show that we support their pro-growth agenda and their efforts to reduce the size of government,” say Romney, in an email release. “Now is the time for all of us to send a powerful message that Americans will no longer tolerate the Washington culture of higher taxes, higher spending, and higher debt.”
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/01/romney-contributes-to-congressional-republicans/
Seriously, Romney is a classy guy. In light of the vicious attacks recently by the left and right, he’s out there quietly helping the Republicans.
What’s Mike Huckabee doing to help Republicans today? Oh yeah…selling his book and trashing Romney.
March 1st, 2011 at 4:59 pm
CF, while I, like you, am hoping for Romney to be our next president, I have a hard time with your religion bashing. It’s inappropriate, and it has NOTHING to do with the questions at hand. I assume that you are a Mormon due to your description of 1st century Christianity. I am also a Mormon, and I am asking you right now to quit your religious arguing because 1) it’s rude, 2) it’s completely irrelevant, 3) you are making Romney supporters and Mormons look petty.
Seriously, knock it off.
March 2nd, 2011 at 3:00 am
CF wrote: “We need to pick the best and the brightest in the room to run the country. ”
I could almost hear the patriotic music start to play when you got to this point in your post, followed by a flag waving in the background, kinda like when the guy on Green Acres used to wax eloquent. Very nice.
March 2nd, 2011 at 3:14 am
“It’s all about religion for Huckabee….”
All the Romney and some of the Daniels supporters excorciated me for mentioning Ron Paul’s view on a political issue, and colored by his religious view.
Let’s see if any of them have the courage to tell CF to pipe down when he goes into a religious tirade against Baptists in general, and Trinitarian Christians.