WASHINGTON – Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said he would not seek, nor accept an invitation to run for president through a third political party supported by Christian conservative leaders upset over the prospect of a pro-choice Republican candidate like Rudy Giuliani.
-
(Photo: AP Images / Cheryl Senter)Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, at a house party in Londonderry, N.H., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.
“No, I think a third party only helps elect Hillary [Clinton],” the ordained Baptist minister and staunch conservative told The Washington Post on Thursday. “I don’t see that being a good strategy for those who really care about pushing a pro-family, pro-life agenda.”
Rather, the White House hopeful said “the smart thing” for pro-life Christian leaders to do is to unite and support him as the Republican candidate.
“If they do that, I’ll become the nominee, I’ll win the White House,” Huckabee contends.
Earlier this week, Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, announced that a coalition of over 50 pro-family leaders was “considering” to throw their support behind a third-party candidate if the Republican Party nominated a pro-abortion candidate such as Rudy Giuliani.
The former New York City mayor is also being rejected by Christian conservatives for being pro-gay rights and for his record of family problems – three marriages, two divorces, and estrangement from his two children.
In an Op-Ed in the New York Times Thursday, Dobson declared that Christian conservatives should not be forced to abandon their “cherished beliefs” and support a presidential nominee that would “compromise” their principles.
“Winning the presidential election is vitally important, but not at the expense of what we hold most dear,” Dobson argued.
The FOTF head called for the “recommitment” to traditional moral values and beliefs. He believes a president should support the sanctity of human life, the institution of marriage, and other pro-family principles.
In his interview, Huckabee addressed the issue that some evangelical leaders seemed more concern about politics than a candidate’s principles.
“You hear some of them saying, ‘Well, this guy believes with us, but we want to get somebody that can raise money.’ Or, ‘we want to get somebody that we think is going to win.’ Well, when it gets down to their picking things based on completely secular reasons, and it’s not about the issues, I think they completely marginalize themselves,” said the second-tier candidate.
Instead, he advised evangelicals to become “clear about who you are, and what you’re about.”
The decidedly pro-family Huckabee has become more appealing to some conservative Republicans as was seen by his second place ranking in the Iowa Straw Poll. The former Arkansas governor said he spent little money on the Iowa Straw Poll compared to the other candidates but had a strong showing in comparison to the resources used.
Huckabee, although relatively unknown to the majority of Americans, is popular among some evangelicals for his conservative values such as being pro-life and against same-sex “marriage.”
RSS
Comments
Conservative Christian Values Voter:
Are you looking for the right candidate to support?
Please consider this essay:
"Who Was That Masked Man?"
http://truthrealm.com/?q=node/7
Especially in the last fifty years, when has ever been a 3rd party victory to advance to the presidency? "The Vote" seems to be, vote the lesser of the two evils, than truly vote for someone that lives by their Christian conscience and conviction. It's a tough call for sure. Just a thought, USA been under "God" and not the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A Judeo-Christian nation. God can/done bless & guide those in power that do not have "so called true faith." Hopefully, we repent and change our wicked ways as a nation for God to grant his Favor once again.
A President's Pull
Some political pundits are suggesting that the only thing the President of the United States does that influences the abortion issue is to appoint judges. While I certainly agree that judicial restraint is the primary concern of many in the pro-life community, it's naove to suggest it is the only concern. When it comes to judicial nominees there are no guarantees, as the Supreme Court picks of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush would attest. A President's decisions on the sanctity of human life range much wider. It was President Reagan who adopted the "Mexico City Policy," barring U.S. foreign aid to organizations that performed and promoted abortion overseas and who cut off funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) because of its role in China's coercive abortion policy. It was under President Reagan that the U.S. blocked the use of federal funds for research using tissue from aborted babies. Additionally, President Reagan surrounded himself by strong pro-lifers and even wrote a long essay on the subject: Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation. President George H.W. Bush upheld President Reagan's pro-life policies, vetoing 10 bills that contained pro-abortion provisions, including four appropriations bills. These are just a few examples of many showing how a President can influence pro-life policy - it's not just the judges. -FRC
Well, after watching the debate from yesterday my ticket is now with Rudi for the time being. He was the most comfortable candidate with the right answers regarding the war. Now his stance on abortion is an issue, but with Rudi he will be able to help put the decision on the state level where it should be.
Ron Paul was not impressive enough... I liked his answers, but his stance on the war is juvenile. Thompson did well but could do a whole lot better... and Romney... well, he needs to face up to the Republicans regarding his religion or he is DONE. The Conservative and Republican base will not vote for him until he makes them comfortable with his religion. Frankly, most people find Mormonism a bit, nutty.
A vote for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil. The Constitution Party is the only party seeking the Lord. I quote from the preamble to their platform:
"The Constitution Party gratefully acknowledges the blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe and of these United States. We hereby appeal to Him for mercy, aid, comfort, guidance and the protection of His Providence as we work to restore and preserve these United States."
http://www.constitutionparty.com/party_platform.php
"Healing" IS right but for the wrong reason. Yes, we must Pray God elects a Godly man to lead our country back to righteousness. But Yahweh USES PEOPLE to do so. Be wise and learn the truth and seek the right candidate. I am SO GLAD i do not need to be pragmatic about which candidate to vote for in Mike Huckabee. I will stand with him and watch him very closely. Mike Huckabeee will learn my name if he should waver in his promises. Well no, rather, Mike will learn my name now so he will listen if I have to come to him as a brother to show him the more perfect way. We must be as the family should be.
DO so likewise "healingtheland".
Dobson needs to back up RON PAUL for PRESIDENT!!! Support Ron Paul as a republican. He has a chance. He has the money and the supporters. He has won in many state's polls.
www.ronpaul2008.com
RON PAUL FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE
I have done my research & I personally choose to support Duncan Hunter. You can check him out for yourself at www.gohunter08.com
He's solid on values, he has defense experience & is well aware of the need to be proactive in managing our trade relations with China (even before all the current issues were brought to light.) See for yourself.
Huckabee is an adroit public speaker. He is all about calling his listeners to "do something," to awaken them to their own empowerment, and summon them to action in order that "Main Street," and not "Wall Street," will prevail in guarding the values and beliefs upon which the Republic was founded.
Huckabee puts his listeners at ease, and reassures them, articulating clear concepts in a natural, easy style (no doubt something well-cultivated as a pastor). One can easily imagine sitting comfortably with this man over a cup of coffee at the Main Street Cafe.
Most importantly, Huckabee convinces many that he is ONE with the FairTax grassroots movement. Romney''s recent WEAK response to FairTax questioning on “This Week with Geo. Stephanopoulos ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW4fa6Z_4Po )” drew a sharp contrast between Huckabee and all other presidential front-runners who will not embrace it. Huckabee understands that what''s wrong with the income tax can''t be fixed with "a tap of the hammer, nor a twist of the screwdriver." That his opponents cling to the destructive Tax Code, the IRS, preserving political power of granting tax favors at continued cost to - and misery of - American families, invigorates his campaign''s raison d''etre. “Main Street” will have to demand ( http://snipr.com/scrapthecode ) that their legislators deliver the bill to Huckabee, if elected.
DaMama, you can't get on your knees and pray if you don't know what you are praying about. God didn't call us to ignorance. He said to seek wise counsel. In America there is no excuse for lack of knowledge on the issues facing our country, the American people and Christians. We have every tool available to us and no excuse to be ignorant or uninformed. Once we educate ourselves with God's guidance, we can pray for a leader who will uphold our Constitution and our God.
James Dobson needs to stay out of politics. Most Christians should stay out too, except for getting on their knees and praying. Prayer is the greatest weapon we have as Christians. If more Christians were in their prayer closets or meeting in groups agreeing together in Jesus' name, we'd see a lot more progress in this country. Huckabee is right - a 3rd party candidate would be a guaranteed election of the Democratic nominee. You'd think people would learn from Ross Perot and Ralph Nader's candidacies. Christians - GET ON YOUR KNEES. Our power is there.
I wish Christians were not so lazy and they would study these candidates and come to their own conclusion. Don't just sit back and follow someone you think did all your homework! Do it yourself because you will be held accountable and your children and grandchildren will pay the price of your mistakes! Abortion and homosexuality are serious issues but they are just two of many!
It troubles me to see Christians being led to slaughter once again after Bush became all we thought he wasn't. Huckabee also thinks we need a second chance to rectify the practice of slavery in America even though America has spent 150 years doing just that. Huckabee's solution, give citizenship to the 20 million or more illegal aliens in our country at the expense of American tax payers! If we do not elect a leader who will uphold our Constitution we are doomed! We are becoming a Socialist and Communist nation ruled by the state government! Electing a leader who stands on the Constitution is the ONLY way to turn this tide. Huckabee's mindset is socialism and nothing less!
I would like to disagree with Janet Folger and her commentary about Mike Huckabee.
Mike Huckabee would be dangerous to have as president for the following reasons.
He only supports the death penalty reluctantly – see page 86 of "From Hope to Higher Ground" for verification.
He does not support the three-strikes law and considers it based on vengeance, according to page 87 of "From Hope to Higher Ground."
He does not believe that creation was a literal six-day event, according to his response during the debate at St Anselm College on June 3, 2007.
He wants to limit campaign financing, which means I am not allowed to give as much of my had earned money to the person I want to represent me.
According to his response during the debate at the Reagan Library, he would be more than happy to change the Constitution and allow immigrants to run for president.
And finally, according to the 2002 AR Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test, he supports a tax on purchases from the Internet.
Why should I as a Christian support someone for president who does not believe in creation, wants to add to the already too large list of taxes I have to pay and will not allow me to spend what is left of my money on the person I want to represent me?
Mike Huckabee, for these reasons, will never get my vote.
I have to agree with Huckabee that now is the time for Christian conservatives to unite around him rather than consider a 3rd-Party candidate. Governor Huckabee is a principled leader and the best communicator the Republicans have in the race. Huckabee is also a uniter, not a divider like many of the so-called frontrunners.
Great article, but I take it that the "majority of Americans" means the mainstream media. :) Actually, as Huckabee supporters, we are just getting organized, and the educating of America regarding Mike Huckabee is getting started.
Join us by visiting www.mikehuckabee.com or joining one of our many Meetup groups!
MIKE HUCKABEE 2008!!!!