Posted on 08/14/2008 12:22:36 PM PDT by pissant
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee thinks having former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the vice presidential nominee is a bad idea, but not because Romney is a Mormon.
"I think a lot of people, not just social conservatives, but a lot of the Republicans I know are not necessarily comfortable with Romney," he told CBS. "But it has nothing to do with religion. It has everything to do with inconsistencies in positions he's held, and that's it."
Huckabee, a former Baptist minister whose long-shot presidential campaign was kept alive mainly by support from Evangelicals, was commenting on organized efforts by some of his backers in Michigan and Ohio to urge Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) not to choose Romney as running mate.
McCain told the Weekly Standard on Wednesday that he was open to choosing a vice presidential nominee who supports abortion.
Several current and former Republican officials have been reported to be in the running as McCain's vice president, including Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.
Romney, a former CEO of Bain and Co. who ended his bid for the Republican nomination in February, is reportedly on top of the shortlist. Pundits regard him as a good match for McCain, who has struggled to change perceptions that he is less adept on economic issues than Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL).
But many critics have also cited Romney's being a Mormon as a huge obstacle to his political aspirations. He has also been repeatedly criticized for changing his views on abortion and gay marriages; he initially supported abortion and same-sex unions but is now opposed to both. His home state of Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriages.
A conservative political action committee, Government Is Not God, said as early as March that Romney "utterly unacceptable"as a vice presidential nominee.
Huckabee ended his bid for the Republican nomination in March after losing considerable support among Evangelical voters to former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who is known for his opposition to abortion. He surprised everyone by winning the first contest of the primary season in Iowa, but failed to follow up with any other victories.
I dont think you can bring anything that is carbonated.
Nope, just a fantasy.
How is it weaken the party to keep a RINO from getting the VP spot, one that agreed to $700 million in tax/fee increases and passed through a health care plan that is bleeding Massachusetts dry?
Right. It's because Mike wants the job.
Yup.
Only if one considers tax/fee increases and deficits caused by universal health care plans to ideas of genius. What he did in Massachusetts isn't significantly different than what Hillary Clinton would have done.
I hope if Obama does get elected that those 'conservatives' who chose to stay home get hardest hit by his tax increases and so forth. They deserve it.
Either Romney or Huckabee are unacceptable choices for VP by the majority of conservative voters, but, this is maverick John McCain that we are seriously talking about. I still truly see McCain picking a VP who will also end up upsetting a majority of conservatives.
Featuring guest referee, Mills Lane!
You can always become a Libertarian and write in Ron Paul. ;)
That way, you don't have to deal with those pesky 'religious right fanatics' any more.
Did Huck actually make this statement, or are you just assuming that is what he believes? (I just hadn't heard that he said this.)
Oh no, nothing to do with being a Mormon. Right, Huck. You're not concerned about the pro-abortion Ridge for some reason.
Both of them do. That's why conservatives should be focusing the Bobby Jindals of GOP rather than on those that aren't true conservatives.
Huckabee must have been paid good money to commit political suicide.
*hope if Obama does get elected that those ‘conservatives’ who chose to stay home get hardest hit by his tax increases They deserve it.*
Not only they asked for it but lets include the collection of their guns.
Spot on.
It’s not too late to get a McCain/Hillary, bipartisan, gender friendly, multi generational ticket. Conservatives might cringe, but faced with the Obama/Kerry flake fest, they would come around. History proves that McCain works well with Hillary, and as a partner in national agendas, Hillary could round up support on the left while McCain crosses over the isle to work with RINOs.
Huck can kiss my grits. He is a poor example of a Christian. Snake in the grass.
Huck must be so freaking jealous of everything about Mitt.
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