WASHINGTON – Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is comfortable speaking about his faith.
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(Photo: AP Images / Patrick Collard)Presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov., Mike Huckabee, left, and his wife Janet Huckabee meet supporters Mark Palmer, and Savannah Palmer during a campaign stop at the Spartanburg Gun Club in Pacolet, S.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007.
Then again, he was a former small town Southern Baptist preacher once.
Still, the pastor turned presidential candidate is raising the bar when it comes to religious talk, declaring that faith not only influences, but defines him.
In his new TV ad, the former Arkansas governor courts Iowa’s large conservative voting base by declaring that “faith doesn’t just influence me, it really defines me.”
The ad features Huckabee at last month’s Values Voter Summit in Washington, where he said, “Let us never sacrifice our principles for anybody’s politics. Not now, not ever.”
His speech, and particularly that statement, won him a standing ovation from the conservative Christian crowd and gave him an overwhelming lead among onsite voters in the summit’s straw poll. He came in a narrow second to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, however, when online votes were added.
Moreover, Huckabee revealed in a recent CNN interview, “I put my head on the pillow and I just want to make sure that the Father above is pleased,”
“In essence, I can say that I have one client I have to please,” he said.
The Republican White House contender takes his message – the Gospel that is – to the pulpit even during the busy campaign schedule.
This past Sunday, Huckabee took to the pulpit of a Baptist church in South Carolina not as a presidential contender but as a former pastor.
“I am here today to talk about Jesus and not to talk about me,” Huckabee said to the congregation, according to CNN.
Huckabee is the first political figure since religious broadcaster Pat Robertson – who ran for the Republican nomination in 1988 – to gain such a prominent national political role while being so openly defined by his faith.
But John Green, a University of Akron professor who studies the role of religion in politics, has praised Huckabee on his handling of faith and public duty.
“It’s very rare to have someone who has a religious background; who’s been a pastor; who has also served in high public office such as a governor or senator and can put those roles together effectively,” said Green to CNN.
“Up to this point, [former Arkansas] Gov. Huckabee seems to have done a very good job talking about his faith and politics in a very comfortable and apparently sincere fashion – that’s a bit unusual,” Green noted. “There are many politicians who have a hard time putting those two things together.”
A new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows Huckabee is only four points behind Romney among Iowa Republicans. In August, Huckabee had a surprisingly strong second-place finish in August at the Iowa straw poll.
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Governor Huck,
Pretty scary when you consider . . .
3.5 years ago, we bought a log cabin in AR. Soon I noted the absence of color in the county. A neighbor said, "Ahhh, they know better than to come around here." He told me he'd recently had a major home appliance delivered to his home from a larger neighboring town. An Afro guy drove the truck. He laughed, saying he never saw a guy get back in his truck & get outa here so fast. Bergman & Zinc are neighboring towns, local headquarters for the KKK, he explained. Sorta gave me chills, not of friendliness.
GMG. I totally wholeheartedly agree! Jesus said, "Occupy until I come." annie, Webster's defines 'occupy' as: Being absorbed, busy, concerned, engaged, engrossed, filling, inhabiting, being interested in, invade, lodge in, reside, take, and use up. Webster's also includes the word, "worry" but Jesus said not to worry. However, I might find it hard not to worry if hard-line liberals run our land and decide how our children will live. Just give it all you've got, you can make a difference in our world for eternity. Especially pray! But vote.
annie, you make some good points. I'm registered republican because in my state when you vote in primaries you have to vote within your party, and though I also vote for the man, I've found that that's usually not a democrat.
Should we worry ourselves with politics as christians? I believe strongly, yes. Yes, our Lord is definitiely coming, and I like you believe it won't be too long. But in the meantime we are supposed to be living life as He called us to, which involves having a concern for who our leaders are. Think of it this way. What do we want our children to learn? The more the secular world gets their way in rewriting the constitution, and our laws, the more our children are taught that all these things we struggle against are "normal", when we know that they are not. Having strong judges, presidents, senators/congressmen and others in authority who believe that God is the author of life will help keep some of these problems at bay. Think about the struggle to keep the word "God" out of the pledge, trying to keep nativity scenes off of public property, just little things that make big impacts in what our children are exposed to. Will this make them opt for God? That's the Holy Spirit's job, but what a tougher struggle for them if they're convinced that everyone else calls it a fairy tale, and the resultant ideas that the "relative" idea must be correct because no one who knows anything would believe in God.
Sorry, it's late, guess I'm being a bit rambly. Anyway, yes I believe it's important.
And I'm not sure but I think Al Gore was taller, even if you don't count his hair!! :)
GMG, LOL! Wasn't Al Gore shorter than George Bush??
WOW! I'm really taking a long look at this man! Does anyone know anyone who lives in his state? What is his record like as a Governor? I'd like to hear from someone in his area that has been affected by his policies!
Not everyone who says Lord, bows their knee to Jesus Christ.
I was a democrat most of my ignorant young life. now I am an independent. I'm not for or against anyone person. I look at now where they are with God. I'm not going to vote for someone who does not hold to the sanctity of life, marriage and the holiness of God!
I will pray for these folks and in sincerity I do, even while I may vote for Huckabee, I know he's not perfect, David was King, but he wasn't perfect. If people are looking to these people to FIX America, there is the problem.
Only Jesus Christ can fix what ails America and the world, He's already DIED for it and my true allegience is to Him and HIS Kingdom. I'm wondering a question, and I'd like a sincere response.
Should we be involved with the affairs of this world, when we are citizens of another Kingdom? This question is something that has been on my heart lately. Nothing in this world do I want. Jesus has taken me from this world into His Kingdom, I am His warrior, why would I think that man can make any lasting changes in this world, when my Bible tells me this world is reserved for fire.
Do we not believe that The King is coming? We should be advancing The Kingdom of God not this one?? I am a good citizen, I pay my taxes, I pray for the leaders, but my heart is not here, so if I don't vote am I wrong?
The people of Israel had God for their King, and they asked for a human one, and they got what they asked for! The KING has returned and I vote for HIM! :o) Can we write in Jesus Christ?
maranatha, good point about the UN. I often wonder how certain countries, during the UN's rotation schedules for presidency, can have any credibility on certain issues like peacekeeping,
etc. It all boggles the mind sometimes.
Ask strudel for the tape measure, and tell him to be sure and discount the height of their hair!! :)
Strudelcookies, I'm thinking John Kerry is taller than George W. Bush. Anybody got a tape measure? ;-)
GMG, I totally agree with your concerns about the issues you listed. There's one more which is near the top of my list, too: that of keeping our national sovereignty in the hands of our own people, rather than subverting it to the control of the UN. It seems to me the USA is the only nation which seems to be very concerned about this. JMHO
From all I have seen and heard, it seems to me that Huckabee is the only viable candidate for those who are genuinely concerned about our nation standing for what is right and good.
"Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord."
"When the wicked are in power, the people suffer."
You're nuts! :)
Hmmm...probably Mitt Romney, if he combs his hair right. He *does* have nice hair.
Vote Romney 2008 He Has Nice Hair
That's kind of catchy.
strudel - yeah, if you ask all those countries that have socialized medicine there are stories of the long wait for treatment, parameters used as to who gets what treatment that we would find unacceptable, issues like that. And most definitiely the moral issues are at the top of the list, one day I'm going to stand before God and I have no intention of hanging my head in shame for those things I KNOW to be wrong.
And no, I don't know who the tallest runner was. Do you know who the tallest contender is in our current motley group of presidential hopefuls? :)
Sorry, just one more thing. :) I heard that in all of presidential campaign history (save one instance), the person who won was the tallest candidate. Anyone know who the tallest runner is?
I agree, totally. While I agree with some stances democrats take, moral issues, for me, take precedence. I know Hillary is also going for socialized medicine, which either Americans will love or hate. (Me = scared to death of it.) I remember studying American Hist in college and the power of states vs. federal gov was a huge issue from even before the Constitution. I think it must be difficult to find the balance in it.
More thoughts (for which I'm sure I'll get lambasted :o) I won't vote democratic for 2 obvious reasons (for anyone who reads any of my posts), the abortion and homosexuality issues. Also, their platform is chock full of entitlement, which by necessity involves much more government at the federal level, instead of less. I am very much for state rights, think federal government should set the bar and the states should fill in the details as fits their population.
Gosh, I sure hope you're wrong. I have a lot of respect for how Guillani handled the situation after the twin towers, and that tells us something about some capabilities for sure. However, I very much disagree with some of his policies, and I'm not convinced that he could handle a presidency. I'd rather see Mccain than Guillani, that man certainly has the courage of his convictions. But I can't see myself voting for either of these, and I will never vote for Hillary.
Lol...I didn't see the source! Ha. Always important to look.
I think Huckabee (and Romney, even) are good guys, but I'm worried that a lot of Americans don't want a religious pres after Bush. I'm betting it'll be between Guiliani and Hillary. Meh. We can always hope, though.
strudel - democratic underground, eh? Me thinks they might not be unbiased. Think that he removed something like, maybe his favorite personal chair, private computer, embossed pen? Who knows, but stealing doesn't seem to fit his character. As I understand it, it seems he received much in the way of praise for his policies, never heard anything about any underhanded dealings.
Lol...the Clinton's did that, didn't they! I was just an ickle kid then...
I found the "Huckabee dirt" here: http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2391337
but, meh, you know how forums are. Always trying to dig up muck on people. If it is true, then it's probably hugely exaggerated.
Strudle - you sure you aren't thinking of the Clintons? :)
I heard somewhere that Huckabee tried to take a bunch of furniture from the governor's mansion when he left office. Is this true or just a rumor?
jester, the thought did go through my mind but I didn't want to say anything, LOL.
This is a Youtube video of the candidates responding to a question as to whether they believe the bible:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vOSckbBpjCY
The only problem I might have with these candidates who talk about their faith and religion (that is if they mean it) do they have what it takes to make a hard decision (if it came down to the wire to drop a nuke on some to save this country or put men/women in harms way). Could they make a choice like that with out going into a fit or something.
I believe religion has it place but I don’t want some in office who talks a good show, but will not be able to do what it takes to take care of this country
I question Dannygirls christianity. Do i hear a second to that? Anyone?.....anyone?....
I think "servent" made that comment, not dannygirl.
To dannygirl,
interesting your comment-" I'm just glad that all of the indians didn't try to kill every english speaking person a few hundrad years ago."
However the Christian Europeans pretty much exterminated the peoples of the Americas and put the rest in concentration camps (reservations).
nut job pat robertson came in 2nd in the Republican Caucas in 1988 and robertson had high ratings in some national polls, fortunately that was his "high water mark". Mr Huckabee is probably not going to do much better than robertson, although Mr. Huckabee appears to me to be a decent and a reasonable man. He just needs to keep the religion part in his church.
According to a new Poll 12/1/07 Huckabee is now in Second Nationally! http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008__1/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
To me Hillary has more credibility than Romney. If you want to know what the people of Mass think, check out:
http://massresistance.org/romney/
I don't see a better contender than Huckabee. Duncan Hunter hasn't gotten enough momentum or I would vote for him. Huckabee is the best choice. He may not be perfect, I may not agree with him 100% of the time, but I trust him.
dannygirl,
what exactly does a chinese, or mexican, or islam coming into this country have to do with my faith in Jesus Christ? How does that effect my eternity? Maybe you should stop being so angry and narrow-minded and witness to these people when they come. I'm just glad that all of the indians didn't try to kill every english speaking person a few hundrad years ago.
BTW, I believe God owns this land and country NOT YOU and NOT ME!!!
Dannygirl, I don't think we are angry, but you may be. Also, have you not read the latest about the stem cell research, how perhaps they can now proceed to grow stem cells without harming the growing person in the womb? That should lay one argument of yours to rest at least, lol.
I don't agree with all of Huckabee's positions but do think that he is the candidate whose integrity is most evident (followed closely by John McCain). What he says is true; if one is a true believer, then those beliefs guide your actions and decisions every moment of the day. What's really at issue are ethical values such as honesty, responsibility, compassion, rather than a particular position on any one social-political issue. Whatever his views on immigration, taxation, etc., Huckabee comes across as a thoughtful, decent, compassionate (and witty) man, a man of integrity. We should spend more time weighing character of the candidates rather than political angles.
Dannygirl, a dissected embryo is a destroyed embryo. What are you referring to specifically?
The word God divides the heart and mind, and lays it bear. Exposing hearts. Why are you so angry? What did I say that was not true? Everything I have said about Huckabee was from his own record. Go to his web page see what he say about Stem Research. If it does not concern you, I do question you. But this is something you have to live with. But, you are compromised at best......................................
Danny
dannygirl, are you a plant from the other side trying to stir up division? Huckabee has never wavered once in his pro life position. I don't think any of us Christians on here are in favor of abortion. There are differences in how to end abortion, but not everyone is in agreement on how to bring this about. You don't have the right to question the faith or integrity of those who differ from you. My Bible says, judge not lest you be judged.
Oh, I like that. Freedom in Christ to use the remains of dissected pre-babies in embrynic stem cell research. I guess you are right, I'm just plain narrow minded..................................................
I still question your christianity.....................................................
I think you can look at all candidates that are running and see obvious stregnths and weakneses. I urge christians today to pray for wisdom when choosing a candidate and not choose based on media perceptions (example: voting for Huckabee just for the fact of his faith and not voting for Romney for the same reason) We just need to ask God for his divine wisdom when we select our leaders, repub or dem. With Huckabe, I see him as a likable man and Im drawn to him as a candidate the more he speaks. But he has the same issue with Obama. They are both well liked and articulate, but have not been pressed with tough questions. Obama could stumble in terms of experience and Huckabee has to be direct on his stances on illegal immigration and taxes.
What is a Christian voting record?
Go Huckabee!
Huckabee is the most viable candidate that maintains a consistant Christian voting record. He has even been distinguished as the closest to Reagan of all the candidates.
Some of you Ron Paul supporters may disagree. Ron is not consistantly pro-family. He is on record of supporting all relationships period:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul
As for Duncan Hunter, he may be closer to the Christian conservative voter's block, but he doesn't stand a chance at this point. He has no traction.
Romney is as inconsistant as it gets, read the facts:
http://massresistance.org/romney/
As per Fred Thompson, I was excited about him until he gots up on stage looking like he just got up from sitting on a whoopy cushion. He has been accused of not being consistant. He doesn't have the clarity that Huckabee has nor the consistancy:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/11/thompson_accused_of_waffling_o.php
Not much to say about Juliani, its pretty obvious!
Anybody see Huckabee in the CNN debate last night? He did great!
Dannygirl,
I am so tired of your condescending attitude. You believe that if someone doesn't fall within your narrow framework of beliefs that we aren't Christian. Arguing about salvation issues is one thing. I believe as I'm sure you do that Christ died for our sins and that we need to have a personal relationship with Him. These kinds of issues are the ones that Christians should be fighting to the death for.
But to extend this kind of importance to ideas of what a Christian has to be in the political realm is moranic.
There are many people, including myself, whose faith has taken us to a more moderate or liberal view of issues. Yet according to you, I'm not a good Christian if I don't believe like you do on immigration, national security and our country's sovereignty? Since when are any of these a measuring stick of someone's faith?
Who are you to decide what issues are important and how we should believe. Who gave you the right to question people's beliefs because of ridiculous measuring sticks like immigration. I would probably disagree with most everyone who posts here politically. But I would never question their faith over such secondary concerns.
Dannygirl, We don't watch much TV around here and didn't know about what you said regarding Mike H. It jjust so happens we are very opposed to abortion, outspoken against it, and are also very concerned about the national security issue. We study the Bible every day and take its truths and warnings very seriously. You are "preaching to the choir." If you want to post on this Forum, you will need to guard your statements because your judgmental statements are not appreciated.
Honesty,
I certainly do have a right to question anyone's integrity and christianity who claims to be a christian ignore these issues with Mike Huckabee. That means that they don't really care about the protect of the unborn child in the womb. That means that they do not care anything pertaining to national security and American law and sovereignty. While using the pretext that they are choosing Mike Huckabee because he is Christian and the abortion issue. His stand on the issuse is weak and compromised at best. Whatever it is, it should not be President.
You should read Jeremiah and Ezekiel. We are at these times today. The people buried their heads in the sand. They wanted to hear nice things. That's even quoted in those books. They were destroyed because the shedding of innocent blood, false religions, blatant rebellion.
You should care about every issue I brought up. Because so much innocent blood of unborn children, this nation is near judgement. The enemy is at the gate. We are surrounded by our enemies at our border.
The threat from china coming through SPP North American Union and CAFTA and NAFTA. China is off the Florida coast digging for oil. China owns the Panama Canal and is bring cheap Chinese junk through south America and then through Mexico. The Chinese are even coming through Southern border, Russia just threw some missiles at us last month, and no one cares. They rather watch Television.
Meixico wants south west portion of America. Muslims are coming through both the southern and northern border.
Danny
Sorry for the typos. I'll even throw in another point. Here it is again:
dannygirl, We are told not to make personal derogatory comments on this site. I was not aware of these issues you mentioned regarding Huckabee and will certainly seek wisdom. But you have NO RIGHT to question my integrity OR my Christianity.
dannygirl, We are told not to make personal derogatory comments on this site. I was not aware of these issues you mentionedre: Huckabee and will certainly seek wisdom. But you have NO RIGHT to question my integrity.
Duncan Hunter. He's stronger than Huckabee is in every issue. Hunter is a strong christian too.
Check out what Huckabee says about stem reach. He 's says he supports the use of existing line. However he does not think life should be created to be destroyed. That is a contradiction.
1- If you disapprove embryonic stem research and have no intention of using it, then why would you use the existing line/remains of dissected unborn Children at all? these are dead dissected Children.
2- The White House ha allowed this back door compromise for three years now. There were only four lines (dissected pre born babies), how con these lines never run ou?
3- They don't run out because even though the government does not fund them they still allow private investers to continue this research.
4- These embryonic lines a new victims of embryonic Research. The supply does not run out.
Then Huckabee is weak on defense, illegal immigration, national security ,and sovereignty. Huckabee has compromised and show special favor for illegal aliens encouraging breaking American law. Making ourlaws a joke. He is for the NAFTA free trade and SPP North American Union.
I have nothing personal against Huckabee. I feel he is not good enough and for a christian, he is very compromised. Especially on the sanctity of life issues.
Duncan Hunter is superior to Huckabees in in his record. He wrote many bills pertaining to Preserving the life of unborn children and outlawing abortion, no funding for stem cell research, border and immigration security, strong defense, American sovereignty. He wrote many bills for the protection of Pre babies. He wrote the border fence bill. He wants to bring back jobs to America.
With all these facts in mind, those of you who claim you are a christian and really want to see abortion end. Should really consider and take a true stand for truth and integrity.
And yes, I'm QUESTIONING your integrity and Christianity.
Danny
We have known this man and can say that to the best of our knowledge, what you see is what you get. He is sincere, courageous, and walks the talk. I think he is a surprising and refreshing voice in politics today. He has my vote for sure!
Let's hope he is sincere. and that he can accomplish what Pat Robertson couldn't...bringing Jesus to the White House.
GO HUCK!!!! nice to see him fill the pulpit to talk about my lord and savior Jesus. and really nice to see CNN talk about it. Way to bring the name of Jesus out and in hte media, go Huck!!