I’m praying for Macho Man Randy Savage to endorse Romney. If he endorses Huck, I’ll have to change my handle. LOL
Are people more concerned that Fred Thompson didn't invest more effort in Iowa and New Hampshire? I'm just not clear on it.
I have to say I support Fred Thompson's positions well and above what I've seen Tom Huckabee promote from a historical perspective. The only problem I have with Fred Thompson's past is his support of McCain's CFR. He's since explained that position. Tom Huckabee has promoted nanny-statism by promoting smoking bans and has a problem with his record on taxes. I just don't see where Huckabee comes off as a better alternative to Thompson.
At least I don't get it beyond seeing that the liberal media gives Huckabee plenty of free press. Thompson's pretty much been blacked out.
I know of another ‘Chuck’ that has endorsed a presidential candidate and it’s odd that the drive-by media (and even conservative media) seem to overlook it:
General Chuck Yeager endorsed Congressman Duncan Hunter early in the game.
As fine a man as Chuck Norris is, given the choice, I’ll trust the judgment of Chuck Yeager ANY day.
Now, when Soulja Boy turns out for Huckabee, he'll be a winner, fo sure.
Who has Baron Von Rascke endorsed?
I’ll say this for Huckabee...that Chuck Norris endorsement commercial was pretty clever. As clever as Fred Thompson’s Michael Moore video. My 19 year old didn’t have a clue who Huckabee was (he only knows the leading players at this point)...but when he saw the Norris/Huckabee spot on youtube he emailed it to all his friends. Not a reason to vote for Huckabee, of course, but pretty smart marketing. Who’s running his campaign, anybody know?
LLS
At some point maybe the Fred supporters will acknowledge that ridiculing the social conservatives and evangelical community wasn’t a good strategy. They were so happy their man “stood up” to Dobson that they simply refuse to see the clear evidence that Fred’s “courage” in fact has stopped him in his tracks, at least for now, and has given rise to the Huckabeee movement.
The Fred supporters can respond all they want with how unfair Dobson was to question Thompson’s christianity, how Dobson shouldn’t have a place at the table, how Thompson shouldn’t have to “kiss the ring” of anybody.
They may be exactly right, but coulda-shoulda-woulda doesn’t win elections, doing what you need to capture the votes of the constituents is what wins you elections.
It wouldn’t have killed Thompson to respectfully disagree with Dobson and meet with him to discuss matters of mutual interest, to show that Thompson, who doesn’t otherwise APPEAR to put much stock in his faith, would be open to the concerns of the evangelical and social conservative community.
By dismissing them without a care or concern, he gave them cause to dismiss HIM without a care of concern. You may think them irrational to do so, but they still are lost votes Fred can’t afford.
Meanwhile, Huckabee’s rise may give evangelicals a place other than Romney to go to, at least in the south, meaning HE might not be able beat Rudy. Rudy was NEVER counting on social conservatives, he just needs them to split their vote and he can win.
Fred Thompson was going to unite the fiscal, social, and limited-government conservatives. I think he did an OK job on the limited-government folks, and seems to have won a good number of fiscal conservatives. But he failed with the social conservatives.
Hopefully (for Fred fans), the NRLC endorsement will correct that. But given that the social conservatives TEND to like “good government interference”, and Fred certainly can’t give an inch on that point, he still has a tough road to win them back.
I’m not joyful at this, or expressing this to tear down Fred, but offering my honest assessment of what I see happening. The penchant for Fred supporters to attack the messengers isn’t helping them one bit.
Meanwhile, I’m collecting signatures to get Fred Thompson on the ballot in Virginia. I haven’t given up on him.
- Sales Tax, 1996 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/07/96)
- Gas and Diesel Fuel Taxes, 1999 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 04/02/99, 04/25/99)
- Sales Tax, 2000 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 09/25/02)
- Cigarette Tax, 2001 (Associated Press, 04/02/01)
- Nursing Home Bed Tax, 2001 (Associated Press, 06/25/01)
- Sales Tax, 2002 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/15/02)
- Income Surcharge Tax, 2003 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
- Tobacco Tax, 2003 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
- Internet Taxes, 2004 (Bond Buyer, 02/24/04)
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005
By Wesley Brown
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - In a impassioned speech before hundreds of influential Hispanic civil rights leaders from across the nation, Gov. Mike Huckabee told a captive audience Wednesday that America is great because it has always opened it doors up to people seeking a better way of life.
"I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...," Huckabee said as the largely Hispanic audience gave him a standing ovation.
Huckabee was the keynote speaker, along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens, which is holding its 76th annual convention in Little Rock.
About 10,000 political, community and business leaders, along with exhibitors and speakers are in Little Rock attending the convention at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention started Monday and runs through Saturday.
Although he never actually talked about the U.S. or Arkansas immigration policy, Huckabee made it very clear where he stood on the issue. In his opening remarks, he said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base.
He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state's capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation. "Your gathering is so very significant for our state," Huckabee said. "We are delighted to have you."
Despite several light moments, Huckabee did not stray away from several controversial issues that made him a target of criticism during the recently ended 85th General Assembly. He said Arkansas needs to make the transition from a traditional Southern state to one that recognizes and cherishes diversity "in culture, in language and in population."
"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."
During the legislation session, Huckabee criticized an immigration bill by Republican senators Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life. Senate Bill 206, which died in the Senate, would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and also force state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally. Holt, R-Springdale, replied later to Huckabee's comments that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.