I think the difference is that Huckabee wants to use the power of government to advance his 'christian' beliefs - amnesty to illegal immigrants (OK, go home & hours later return for citizenship) because that is what he thinks Jesus would do, restrictions on industry because global warming is poor stewardship of the earth, a federal no smoking law because we'll all be so much healthier, smaller cars because it is part of energy independence and God wants us to be self sufficient, etc, etc.
My problem is two-fold: A) a government big enough to smite my enemies is only an election away from smiting me, and B) I disagree with his interpretation of how Jesus would respond (in Huckabee's description, I drink a different 'Jesus juice'...which strikes me as close to a blasphemous phrase, BTW.)
I'm a conservative. Some of my fellow Southern Baptists are liberals. I disagree with their politics, but I understand that two people trying to do what God wants might come down differently on the issues.
For example, I don't think God wants us to encourage illegal behavior. I don't think global warming exists other than in long term trends far greater than anything a human can create. I don't think God really cares about smoking.
Scripture teaches us the goals we should work towards. Politics is about what steps you take to achieve those goals. Everyone wants to ease the suffering of the poor, but how best to do it?
Unlike Huckabee, Fred has a coherent political philosophy of limited government. As a conservative, he recognizes the limits of our knowledge and power. He won't create a government that will punish my enemies, and be an election away from being a tool for my opponents to punish me.
Also, Huckabee strikes me as a liar. I know many Huckabites disagree, but I've been watching his reactions and looking at his record, and I've concluded that he doesn't know what honesty and integrity are all about. Fred isn't perfect either, but he is more honest about his faults and less likely to tickle the ears with whatever they want to hear.
That is why I donated to Fred the other night.
A well reasoned argument. Fred is best on the issues. People who support Fred often fail to emphasize it and instead ridicule Huck or Romney. In a few short days, things will change. We will know who will be going to the playoffs. Fred is playing for a wildcard slot and he is now a longshot to finish in the top 3 in Iowa or the top 5 in NH. The questionis what then. Do the Fredheads take their ball and go home or do the line up behind who Fred endorses?
... Huckabee wants to use the power of government to advance his 'christian' beliefs .... Fred has a coherent political philosophy of limited government. As a conservative, he recognizes the limits of our knowledge and power. He won't create a government that will punish my enemies, and be an election away from being a tool for my opponents to punish me.