WASHINGTON – Rivals, pundits and the media have largely dismissed Republican candidate Mike Huckabee as a serious contender for the GOP nomination. But a group of black conservatives rallied behind him Monday ahead of the much-anticipated Super Tuesday contests to tell him to stay strong and stay in the race.
Supporters of the Republican underdog pointed to his consistent conservative record, his authenticity and his humble beginnings as reasons for their endorsements.
“He (Huckabee) does not waver from his views and we know that he is not a recent convert to conservatism,” said Don Scoggins, president of Republicans for Black Empowerment.
“And we like that his life story pretty much mirrored the background of many African Americans,” Scoggins added. “He comes from humble beginnings, he’s worked hard, and gone to college – first one in his family who has graduated from high school. We feel that his life story is something to be emulated.”
Huckabee, during his 10½ years as Arkansas governor, appointed more than 300 black Americans to state boards and commissions and received over 47 percent support from black voters during his re-election to the governorship.
“What many of us feel is that the Republican Party, hopefully with a President Huckabee, will start to be more inclusive [of black voters],” the president of Republicans for Black Empowerment hopes.
Other black speakers echoed Scoggins’ sentiment about their candidate’s conservative record and contrasted it with chief Republican rival Mitt Romney, whom they accused of flip-flopping on the values issues.
They argued against Romney’s claim that a vote for Huckabee is a vote for Sen. John McCain, calling it “absolutely not true” and that support for Huckabee should not be misunderstood as support for Romney.
“It is like dating,” explained Star Parker, conservative Christian activist and president of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education. “We knew Romney was in this race from day one. It was a set-up marriage, a plan and we went on the first date and said no.
“And to now to take a second look and to think he is more acceptable today after flip-flopping on all of the issues,” she said, noting specifically his former liberal stance on gay “marriage” and abortions.
As Massachusetts governor, his state became the first in the nation’s history to legalize homosexual “marriage.”
“For someone to get all the way to 2005 and not recognize the humanity of life in the womb, this person is not fit to be president of the country,” fired Parker, who said she had four abortions before becoming a Christian and realizing it was wrong. “We need the nation to know that we are not going to get duped into accepting a second date.
“We are going to make sure that our candidate goes all the way to the White House because we really believe that he has the best ideas for this tender and vulnerable nation.”
Some of the black conservative speakers admitted that they are ostracized in the black community and even within their families for being conservative and for not supporting Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who is vying to be the first black president.
Comments
I like Huckabee, however they have counted him out already. Isn't it just like God to help the underdog when it seems hopeless?
we need Godly first and foremost, i dont care if a democrat candidate has EVERYTHING perfect but doesnt have God, i will still never vote for him.
"What becomes of a man if he gains the world but loses his own soul?"
Hyperion,
I agree that Democrats miss the mark entirely on issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research. But their economic policies are not anti Christian, nor are their foreign exchange policies. Anyway, I am not pro-Obama.
There are plenty of Christians who get their points across in the Democratic party, just not in the way Republicans would like. They seem to be clued in on the fact that this country was founded on religious freedom and not one religion controlling everything.
Chris333
what i am REFERRING to about Obama is that if you're on the democrat side, it is impossible to be truly christian without a hidden dark agenda or an ulterior motive. The Republican side is the only place where christians can get their point across.
what need do democrats have for a renegade element that could shatter their homosexual populace appeal(among other things i might add)?
Actually, since Romney has dropped out, there still is a small chance that Huckabee could pull it off. If, by a miracle, all the Romney supporters voted for Huckabee.
Hyperion, who made you the decider of who is and is not a Christian. I do not agree with many things Obama says, but only God knows the state of his heart. I certainly do not think he is a muslim.
Also, if you are a Christian then you would not go throwing around such harsh words. We are to stand firm in our position but be gentle in our approach towards others. Do you remember what Paul said, "Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves"?
For that matter, Zenodaddy, I think you need to work on math. If Huckabee won the rest of the delegates, then he could become the next President.
Zeno, shut up,
based on their actions Huckabee is our best chance!
your statement conflicts with what your saying to begin with, so HA, you built and fell into your own sandtrap!
You all do understand the election process right? Even if Huck won the rest of the states, he still would not have enough delegates for the nomination. We are stuck with McCain... Huckaphonie wouldn't have been any better... the only true conservative did not want to run, and the only other hope was Romney... and he gave up today.
Remember, do not go by what these people say... go by their actions... Huckabee = Liberal, McCain = Liberal -- just because someone is smooth with the whole Christ word, does not make him or her a conservative. I remember a certain Clinton who did the same thing.
citsonga, your words are very unreassuring,
you, an agnostic telling us someone else is christian.
sry, it just made me chuckle quite a bit. lol
H RAY: "and if OBAMA isn't a muslim WHY did he take his oath of office on the Koran???????"
Are you ignorant or just like to spread misinformation. Isn't spreading misinformation about people a violation of one of the the ten commandments ("Do not bear false witness against your neighbor").
Senator Obama is a Christian ( I will try not to hold that against him) and he took his oath on the Bible. The only Muslim to take the oath in Congress was Keith Ellison.
Obama's Minister Honored Farrakhan
http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/obama_wright_farrakhan/2008/01/14/64332.html
The candidate who deserves religious scrutiny
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=45551
Obama aide wants talks with terrorists
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=45777
Obama-Farrakhan link off-limits
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=45682
Don't give up Huck!
obama is a Christian, and did not take oath of office on the Koran. He took it on the Bible. Keith Ellison took his oath on the Koran.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Was_Obama_sworn_into_office_with_a_Koran
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2007/dec/20/chain-email-gets-obama-religion-wrong/
Please get your facts straight before posting something totaly bogus. It make you look like a fool.