Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

HORRIBLE HUCK; PUSHING POPULIST PAP
The New York Post ^ | December 3, 2007 | George Will

Posted on 12/03/2007 10:04:42 AM PST by Eric Blair 2084

snip

On the Republican side, Mike Huckabee's candidacy rests on serial non sequiturs: I am a Christian, therefore I am a conservative, therefore whatever I have done or propose to do with "compassionate," meaning enlarged, government is conservatism. And by the way, anything I denote as a "moral" issue is beyond debate other than by the uncaring forces of greed.

His is a moralist's version of the intellectual vanity once ascribed to Oxford's Benjamin Jowett:

My name is Jowett

Of Balliol College;

If I don't know it,

It is not knowledge.

Many Iowans think it would be wise to nominate a candidate who, when the Republicans were asked during a debate to raise their hands if they do not believe in evolution, raised his. But, then, Huckabee believes America can be energy independent in 10 years, so he has peculiar views about more than paleontology.

Huckabee combines pure moralism with incoherent populism: He wants Washington to impose a nationwide ban on smoking in public, show more solicitude for Americans of modest means and impose more protectionism, thereby raising the cost of living for Americans of modest means.

Although Huckabee is considered affable, two subliminal but clear enough premises of his Iowa attack on Mitt Romney are unpleasant: The almost 6 million American Mormons who consider themselves Christians are mistaken about that. And - 55 million non-Christian Americans should take note - America must have a Christian president.

snip

If Huckabee succeeds in derailing Romney's campaign by raising a religious test for presidential eligibility, that will be clarifying: In one particular, America was more enlightened a century ago.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: giuliani; huckabee; rudygiuliani; vicepresident
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-137 next last
To: NavVet

Further thoughts on this theme ...

Fact: Romney governed more conservatively than Huckabee.
Examples: Huckabee wanted in-state tuition for illegals, Romney vetoed it. Huckabee solved a budget crunch with sales tax increase; Romney cut taxes and spending during budget crunch.

Romney’s shifts on positions have been no larger than the Huckabee “I-was-for-DREAM-Act-but-now-I’m-a-maybe-on-it” dance, or any other number of issues. Yes, it is scary to see “compassionate conservatism II” in action because we got the GOP majority derailed on 3 simple issues - competence/corruption, spending, illegal immigration. AND WHERE IS HUCKABEE MOST WEAK? All 3!!

The big picture point is this - Romney is running more conservatively for President than Huckabee on these issues because that’s how he intends to govern as President.
Romney is better than Huck on exactly those issues where our compassionate conservatism has hurt us.


41 posted on 12/03/2007 10:41:53 AM PST by WOSG (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-strong defense, pro-GWOT, pro-capitalism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084
You include Fred in that list. Why?

Because I think he's a left-leaning moderate. His political career, lobbying career and his alliances all paint him as a moderate who will grow government as a status quo candidate.

FRed will be the next George W. Bush - a strong leader against the Islamic threat and a huge disappointment to conservatives who are desperate to see limits placed on the size and scope of the federal government.

His down-home way is appealing, and the one time I met him I liked him very much. But I think there's a track record of supporting initiatives that grow government.

There are only two good conservatives in this race, and I don't think either of them stand a chance.

42 posted on 12/03/2007 10:42:00 AM PST by SittinYonder (Ic þæt gehate, þæt ic heonon nelle fleon fotes trym, ac wille furðor gan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: ishabibble
Huck will straighten out the boozers just like he did the smokers. Some drinkers were all to happy to kick the smokers out so they can have the bar for themselves. Huck will fix it...

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

43 posted on 12/03/2007 10:47:10 AM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084
Rush just said that the Drive-Bys are pushing Huck because they think he is a NUT!
44 posted on 12/03/2007 10:47:19 AM PST by Miss Didi ("Good heavens, woman, this is a war not a garden party!" Dr. Meade, Gone with the Wind)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NavVet
Romney’s conversion may be insincere, but at least he’s claiming to have one. The Huckster is proudly liberal.

Huck is a proud ultra-leftist. His gleeful support of Kyoto should raise red flags to anyone who cherishes Liberty and capitalism. If Huck has any decency and honor, he would run as a Rat -- the home of rabid Socialist. Huck is a disgusting Fraud. I would like to ask where do "free will" come into the equation in his sick desire to impose nanny state solutions to everything.

Huck's first instinct to solve so called moral problems (i.e. smoking, illegals,etc) with the "force" of government doesn't sound very Christian to me. As a Christian, I am offended at how little faith the Huckster has in people "doing the right thing" because it is the moral thing to do, choices made freely.

Socialism is a cancer that will inevitably destroy any free society. Socialism at it's core is anti-Christian. Huck's rabid support of Socialism is sickening.

45 posted on 12/03/2007 10:48:06 AM PST by sand88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: SittinYonder

I think things would be different here. Fred understands that he was a necesary candidate because of grass root conservative support and if he wins it will be because of that support.


46 posted on 12/03/2007 10:49:46 AM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: sand88

Well said.


47 posted on 12/03/2007 10:50:36 AM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084

I have a great respect for George Will. He is writing us what he thinks, and on Huck, he thinks cogently.

Dick Morris, the Huckster shill and lousy weather-vane prognosticator, on the other hand ... can go suck an egg. With toes, of course.


48 posted on 12/03/2007 10:51:26 AM PST by WOSG (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-strong defense, pro-GWOT, pro-capitalism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: A. Morgan
Huckabee is a fake, a phony and a fraud

What? He is a true, pure, Christian Conservative.

The issue is Abortion and righteously moral personal life, for six months we have been told we must nominate on these issues or the social conservative will run a 3rd party candidate, to ruin the GOP. (even long time conservatives on FR were purged to make way for this candidate's wonderful attributes)

So why all the angst?
49 posted on 12/03/2007 10:52:52 AM PST by roses of sharon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: stephenjohnbanker

But what about Keith Olbermann, he has at least 9 regular viewers?


50 posted on 12/03/2007 10:52:53 AM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Miss Didi
Rush is saying that the Dems NEED George W. Bush on the ballot to get people to the polls out of hatred—someone who also wears his Christianity on his sleeve. And who is that? Huckabee.
51 posted on 12/03/2007 10:53:53 AM PST by Miss Didi ("Good heavens, woman, this is a war not a garden party!" Dr. Meade, Gone with the Wind)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: roses of sharon
While it hard to talk about boxing with anybody with the word sharon or roses in their screen name, here goes...

To the FReepers in attendance and the millions watching around the world on Pay Per View…Ladies and Gentleman...

LLLLLLLets Get Ready to RRRumblllllllle!!!!

“LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!"® is a registered Trademark of Michael Buffer, all rights reserved.

1,500,000,000 rounds of posts, arguments, insults, cheesy graphics, name calling, and ad hominem personal attacks that pass as debate for the FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!

"Introducing first, to my right, fighting out of the red corner, wearing their Sunday best with a gold crucifix...weighing in at 810 and 1/4 pounds...the social conservatives, the religious right, the champions of family values...from the Southern States...The Evangelicals!" (wild applause)

"And in the blue corner, wearing an off the rack suit, Goldwater ’64 lapel pin and a belt 2 sizes too small...weighing in at 141 pounds soaking wet...the fiscal conservatives, the last champions of limited government...from the Western States...The Libertarians!" (wild applause)

Chapter 1: Live From the Reagan Building

The winner of the bout gets to take on the Neo-Cons for the undisputed GOP Heavyweight Championship of the World!


52 posted on 12/03/2007 10:55:54 AM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084
Will despises Christians and social conservatives. Thus, the attacks on Huckabee.

It's "conservatives" like Will that actually make me enjoy the Huckabee surge even, though, Huckabee is liberal on far too many issues.

53 posted on 12/03/2007 10:58:14 AM PST by Ol' Sparky (Liberal Republicans are the greater of two evils)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OB1kNOb

See, I’ve been saying that Mr. Huckabee is a POPULIST.


54 posted on 12/03/2007 10:59:22 AM PST by GOP_Lady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084
Fred understands that he was a necesary candidate because of grass root conservative support and if he wins it will be because of that support.

Thompson's background suggests he will grow the size and scope of the federal government. I don't trust him to become a conservative now just because he's telling people he is.

55 posted on 12/03/2007 11:01:37 AM PST by SittinYonder (Ic þæt gehate, þæt ic heonon nelle fleon fotes trym, ac wille furðor gan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084
Huckaby: Lou Costello with a tapeworm
56 posted on 12/03/2007 11:02:18 AM PST by Gojira (Lather, rinse, repeat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: sand88

“Socialism is a cancer that will inevitably destroy any free society. Socialism at it’s core is anti-Christian. Huck’s rabid support of Socialism is sickening.”

I agree, socialism is anti-Christian. However, socialism gets a lot of headwind from ‘soft’ Christianity. Example, at our (Catholic) church this weekend, after Mass, they had a “Caring for God’s creation” table. I don’t know if they were selling socialism or environmentalism, but all of the ‘isms’ are being packaged as a form of ‘compassion’.

‘Social Justice’ is the same thing. It is socialism in another bottle. With a premise that inequality is evil, and a vocabulary that excludes freedom, of course you will end up with socialistic. Love thy neighbor becomes ‘tax thy neighbor’.

My conclusion is Christian belief and Christian organizations are not sufficient for conservative Governance, and in many cases lead people down the wrong path ... the path of good intentions gone awry.


57 posted on 12/03/2007 11:03:10 AM PST by WOSG (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-strong defense, pro-GWOT, pro-capitalism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Ol' Sparky

The GOP clearly needs a marriage counselor. I always thought that they would just combine Giant Douche (Huck) and Turd Sandwich (Rudy) onto one ticket and hope everyone would be happy...after reading this article I am no longer so sure.


58 posted on 12/03/2007 11:05:14 AM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Ol' Sparky

“Will despises Christians and social conservatives.”

Not true!
Read “statecraft as soulcraft”. Will’s book actually turned me *on* to a more social conservative path away from pure libertarianism.


59 posted on 12/03/2007 11:06:03 AM PST by WOSG (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-strong defense, pro-GWOT, pro-capitalism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084
Excellent

FMCDH(BITS)

60 posted on 12/03/2007 11:07:37 AM PST by nothingnew (I fear for my Republic due to marxist influence in our government. Open eyes/see)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-137 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson