HUCK, THE CONSTITUTION AND 'GOD'S STANDARDS'

MSNBC ^ | January 15, 2008 | MSNBC

[america4vr]

Huckabee's closing argument to voters here this evening featured a few new stories and two prolonged sections on illegal immigration and Christian values.

These two topics usually feature prominently in Huckabee's stump speech, but last night he got specific, promising to build a border fence within 18 months if elected and elaborating on his belief that the constitution needs to be amended.

"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Huckabee often refers to the need to amend the constitution on these grounds, but he has never so specifically called for the Constitution to be brought within "God's standards," which are themselves debated amongst religious scholars. As a closing statement he asked the room of nearly 500 supporters to "pray and then work hard, and in that order," to help him secure a victory in Tuesday's GOP primary.

Tomorrow Huckabee will visit two polling places in the morning before taking off for South Carolina where he will watch Michigan's returns come in.

[the invisib1e hand]

It’s working.

If so, it's working with those ignorant of Christianity, politics, and the dark side of human nature.

In other words, hillary's target audience.

I guess that's a circular argument...

[america4vr]

It seems Huck realizes he's in trouble and so took a calculated gamble to risk short term gain in Michigan against the long term view whereby he would be totally impugned.

I suppose he felt to say what the voters wanted to hear to live another day and sort it out later, like saying he was misunderstood, misquoted.

A truly moronic, mindless strategy/

[the invisib1e hand]

that’s how a warrior princess should talk.

[america4vr]

Please don't impugn my comments without the benefit of logic or common sense.

What is it about the separation of Church and State is it you want to point out that I don't understand?

[Red_Devil 232]

I am waiting for him to say “I feel your pain”!

[EEDUDE]

If so, it’s working with those ignorant of Christianity, politics, and the dark side of human nature.
In other words, hillary’s target audience.

The are LOTS of Christians that DO NOT want a theocracy.

What they want is a secular government that does not restrict their right to practice the religion of their choice.

But try explaining that to a liberal/atheist. It doesn’t fit their stereotypical view of Christians.

[jwalsh07]

Please don't impugn my comments without the benefit of logic or common sense.

I'll impugn any assinine comment that pleases me. Comprende?

What is it about the separation of Church and State is it you want to point out that I don't understand?

First of all there is no such phrase in the United States Constitution. Second of all, Mike Huckabee is a private citizen. Third of all, a President Huckabee's motivation for wanting to amend the constitution is not only not unconstitutional, it is guranteed by that same constitution that you, evidently, are unfamiliar with.

[america4vr]

Every school kid knows that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion but keeps the Church and State distinctly separate.

So why don't you dispense with the insults and emotionally cacophonous hysteria and explain why the inclusion of "God's Standards" as defined by Gov Huckabee is not unconstitutional if it espouses such partisan, religious points of view?

[dixiechick2000]

Video!

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/01/15/huckabee-lets-amend-the-constitution-to-bring-it-in-line-with-gods-standards/

[jwalsh07]

Every school kid knows that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion but keeps the Church and State distinctly separate.

Well you being a school kid and all perhaps you could show me where in the Constitution a citizens motivations for amending the Constitution are unconstitional?

So why don't you dispense with the insults and emotionally cacophonous hysteria and explain why the inclusion of "God's Standards" as defined by Gov Huckabee is not unconstitutional if it espouses such partisan, religious points of view?

I already did, you just don't have the wherewithal to understand that. Not my problem. But your vocabulary is impressive!

I take it that your view of America is that only secular motivations are sufficient for government actors to move legislation or the amendment process. Is that your position? The signers of the DOI would be astounded at that view but, what the heck, it's a free country.

[SoConPubbie]

No matter how he phrases it, Huckabee surely knows that his desire to amend the Constitution to reflect practices, beliefs he calls God's Standards violates the separation of Church and State and that being unconstitutional has zero chance of ever getting out of the gate. So why does he even bother to make such foolish statements?

While I am probably the loudest and most strident of Anti-Huck posters here, this post is just plain ignorant.

While I don't believe that the Huckster is mature enough or honest enough to be any type of leader, much less the leader of the free world, he is correct about both the Human Life Amendment and the Marriage Amendment.

There is nothing about either of these two efforts that in anyway violates whatever the constitution says about the seperation of Church and State.

Also, there is no such thing as Seperation of Church in State in the Constitution. It only exists in the letters of Jefferson.

[weegee]

Um, just pointing out the OBVIOUS here but if the Constitution is amended, the new amendment by definition IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

[tacticalogic]

Well you being a school kid and all perhaps you could show me where in the Constitution a citizens' motivations for amending the Constitution are unconstitional?

There are indeed no Constitutional constraints on the citizens motivations for wanting to amend the Constitution. It is, however politically oxymoronic to claim doing it is "conservative".

[DrGunsforHands]

He’s advocating the passing of constitutional amendments. When you pass a constitutional amendment, it changes the constitution. The courts keep overturning restrictions/bans on abortion, which many people’s religious belief(s) instruct is wrong. We can either wait for a Supreme Court that will uphold restrictions/bans on abortion, or amend the constitution and ban the procedure now. All arguments supporting the procedure are now null and void in the face of the law, as the procedure is now unconstitutional.

The amendment is state support for a religion, you say? Well, let’s read what the constitution says about it. Nope, nothing about religion in the amendment, all it says is that the medical procedure, abortion, is banned.

[jwalsh07]

It is, however politically oxymoronic to claim doing it is "conservative".

There is nothing oxymoronic about cliaming to be a conservative and wanting the Constitution amended to protect unborn human beings. Not a damn thing.

If you want to say that Huckabee has some moronic ideas or that he uses his religion too politcally that is one thing but what you stated is another. And you are wrong. The Constitution has provisions for the amendment process and the pro life leg of the party is part of the conservative coalition. That would include me though it isn't sufficient to describe my conservatism since I am a three legged conservative. :-}

[SatinDoll]

>>
“...why does he even bother to make such foolish statements?”
>>

Because there are voters out there who will vote for him because he says such things.

[america4vr]

Despite trying to engage you in an intellectually-honest exchange,it seems you have neither the desire nor capacity to convey anything but for what seems impressive to no one but yourself.

I should know better not to respond to anything you post in the future.

[jwalsh07]

Orky Dorky.

[tacticalogic]

There is nothing oxymoronic about cliaming to be a conservative and wanting the Constitution amended

Sure seems like it to me. If changing it is "conservative", what's there to conserve?

[america4vr]

Yes, your point is correct and well-taken. As laws they would be unconstitutional, as amendments they obviously would not.
Thank you.