Free Republic

Our 2008 Vp Stakes has ended. After four rounds of voting that narrowed the list of possible candidates down from 16 to 1, our readers choose former Arkansas Gov. Michael Huckabee as the choice for John McCain's running mate. In the final round, Huckabee clobbered former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, 81-19 percent. In total, nearly 13,000 voters visited our site in total. A summary of total votes cast per candidate is as follows:

Huckleberry hates freedom May 29th, 2008, 4:20 pm · posted by Steven Greenhut Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee always set my teeth on edge, from his hokey folksy manner to his love of big government to his shameless use of his religion for political gain. But now I understand exactly why I found the Huckster to be so offensive (and it’s hard to stand out on that score given the overall quality of presidential candidates this year). Here, hat tip to AndrewSullivan.com, is a quotation from Huckleberry on Huffington Post regarding libertarianism: “The greatest threat to classic Republicanism is...

It's been reported recently that former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee, could be a potential vice presidential running mate for Senator John McCain. So, why isn't he part of a governor's weekend at McCain's house in Arizona? According to Max Brantley's blog on Arkansas Times, Huckabee was invited out to Arizona this weekend, but regretted so that he and his wife, Janet, could celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary.

When we founded Huck PAC we did so with the idea that we would support Republican candidates who are passionate advocates for tax reform, a strong national defense, real border security, life, the family, less government and individual liberty. This week I am headed to Montana to campaign for Roy Brown and Steve Daines, candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively. House Majority Leader Brown is an able legislator who is known for his strong advocacy of tax reform, education, energy development and the strong importance of government supporting and empowering the Family. I met Steve Daines when he agreed...

Just days after officially dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Mike Huckabee is already making plans for a possible run for the White House in 2012. “We want to stay in touch and start now building a platform to continue addressing issues that brought us together in the first place,” Huckabee said in an e-mail to supporters on Wednesday. “We will keep our Web site up and as we transition, will want to create a way to keep in touch and continue the battle for our families, our freedom, and our future.” Huckabee intends to use...

My friends, I have to admit that I've been in a bit of a quandary since the Real Conservatives ® Thompson and Hunter dropped out of the race leaving us to to place our bets on one the four headless horsemen. But after having a day or three to sort it all out, I'm beginning to see a ray of hope. Number one, my worst fear that the pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun social liberal Rudy Giuliani might be nominated, and thereby bring an abrupt and unholy end to the pro-life conservative movement within the GOP has been allayed. His evil culture...

Mike Huckabee is the latest victim of a fierce game called “Nap Tag.” Throughout the 2008 election season, Huckabee’s campaign aides and traveling press have been involved in the running practical joke. The game consists of this: When a member of the press or Huckabee’s staff makes the unfortunate mistake of falling asleep while traveling from one destination to another, the others conspire to write a humorous or embarrassing comment on a piece of paper and then place it near the head of the sleeping person. A photo is then taken to memorialize the dreamy, bubble-quote moment. Almost everyone has...

I'm a Texan. And tomorrow I'm voting for Mike Huckabee in our state's primary election. Yes, I know the popular notion is to cross party lines and vote for Hillary. But what does that actually do besides artificially skewer the Democrat's delegate count? No, if I want to send a message, then I want to send a loud and clear message to the Republican Party. I want them to know how disappointed I am with them as they have ignored and abandoned many conservatives. And the number one group of conservatives the GOP has ignored? Evangelicals. Lets remember that the...

... Yes, Bill Buckley was a true conservative leader. We will miss him as we miss Reagan. But no, the conservative movement is far from dead. It's just had some of its pseudo-conservative dead weight removed... There's a sifting going on, and the conservative movement is still being sifted as those who clamor for last-minute political favor have endorsed the candidate who stands for LESS of what they say they believe. People we trusted. People we loved. But as I've told Gov. Huckabee repeatedly as leader after leader turned their back on the only guy who embraced their beliefs: God...

He’s more apt to blame America’s problems on a shadowy elite who are out to get blue-collar god-fearers but less apt to blame jihadist attacks on sinfulness. I guess that constitutes progress. Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign may be nearing its end, but those around him say he won’t disappear and is poised to claim political leadership of conservative evangelicals.Mr. Huckabee’s inner circle says he’s the perfect bridge to re-establish the Christian right, which has suffered over the last decade, as a political force that speaks for millions of voters. “He has become the leader of a new generation of Christian...

Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign may be nearing its end, but those around him say he won't disappear and is poised to claim political leadership of conservative evangelicals. Mr. Huckabee's inner circle says he's the perfect bridge to re-establish the Christian right, which has suffered over the last decade, as a political force that speaks for millions of voters. "He has become the leader of a new generation of Christian conservative voters," said Rex Nelson, who was communications director when Mr. Huckabee was Arkansas' governor. "The old leadership has either passed on in the case of [the Rev. Jerry] Falwell or...

Conservatives who find McCain unacceptable may want to consider supporting Mike Huckabee. Consider Huckabee's record as governor of Arkansas: * Cut the state capital gains tax rate by 25%. * Abolished capital gains taxes on home sales. * Abolished the state marriage penalty tax. * Pushed through the first broad-based tax cuts in decades, saving taxpayers nearly $400 million. * Indexed income tax brackets to inflation, thus protecting taxpayers from being pushed into higher tax brackets by inflation. * Doubled the child-care tax credit. * Increased the tax deduction for single individuals to $2,000. * Increased the tax deduction for...

...It is mathematically impossible for Mike Huckabee, the last remaining major GOP contender, to capture the nomination. The former Arkansas governor even turned up on Saturday Night Live recently to poke fun at himself for not going away. Let's be clear: Mr. Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, remains our choice for the GOP nomination... Aside from [McCain's] long experience and personal courage, he has a solid record of fiscal responsibility and has been on the right side of campaign finance reform and environmental issues. And he was correct and principled to lead the fight for comprehensive immigration reform last summer....

Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee will be a guest on the following television programs on Monday, March 3, 2008: CNN’s “American Morning” at 7:30 a.m. ET Fox News Network’s “Fox and Friends” at 7:45 a.m. ET MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” at 7:55 a.m. ET

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, flanked by Chuck Norris, Minutemen founder Jim Gilchrist and U.S. Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, stood beneath Laredo's railroad bridge near the riverbank Saturday morning advocating stronger border security, including constructing a border fence, having more law enforcement and eliminating carrizo."I come away from this with a better understanding of this," Huckabee said after touring Border Patrol facilities and later hiking to the edge of the Rio Grande to get a personal view of the terrain. "But also a sense of urgency that as a country we need to put our resources on border...

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee vowed Tuesday to continue his campaign for the White House despite another loss to presumptive nominee Arizona Sen. John McCain in the Wisconsin GOP primary. "It's not about ego," Huckabee told reporters at the Peabody Hotel after he telephoned McCain to congratulate him on winning the Wisconsin primary. "Let me assure you that my ego doesn't enjoy these kind of evenings where we don't win the primary election," he said, adding there are several issues, such as pro-life and taxes, he wants to continue to speak out on and hopes to do so at the...

New Texas ad (link in post #2): "It's time to stand up and be counted, not lie down and be conquered."

The Honorable John McCain John McCain 2008 P.O. Box 16118 Arlington, VA, 22215 Dear Senator McCain: It's been my pleasure sharing the stage with you this past year, as we have worked to promote our ideas to lead this county. I have the deepest respect for you as a person, politician, and an American hero – and I appreciate the way you have run such an issue-based, positive campaign. Now that the race for the Republican nomination is down to just the two of us, I believe this is the time for a real discussion about our vision for the...

This is video from a rally on Wednesday night. If you don't have time to watch it all, just watch the first few minutes.

Mike Huckabee is the choice of conservatives. On fiscal conservatism, he believes wholeheartedly in the reduction of cost to the taxpayer, especially entitlements. In Arkansas as governor, he was able to reduce welfare rolls by 50% and he held the line on taxes, leaving them the same as when he took office. He successfully fought to increase deductions and lower taxes such as capital gains. He also signed the Americans for Tax Reform's pledge to not raise taxes. Huckabee understands that money spent on entitlements is almost three times the amount of spending on the military. Thomas Jefferson said, "The...

Is Mike Huckabee staying in this campaign as long as possible in order to spread the gospel? If we take Gov. Huckabee at his word – and I’ve seen nothing to warrant otherwise – he is a believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those of us who share his faith and believe in the salvation we have in Jesus, isn’t it plausible to believe that the forum that running for POTUS provides him, is an opportunity he is sieving upon to fulfill the Geat Commission: the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to His disciples that they...

Click to see this audio-video analysis of the delegate numbers -- from someone who knows the math as well as perhaps, the miracles involved.

See Mike Huckabee at CPAC: http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/0086e20e-dfd1-4839-b8de-15eb1eb9b577

The GOP's "Big Tent" looks more and more like a Circus Tent, and the barkers inside it never wanted Mike Huckabee under its spotlight. To his success, he has ignored them, picking up victories even as they instructed him to "get out of the race." Usually party operatives tell a candidate to drop out of the race because he is likely to do badly; in Huckabee's case, they told him to get out because they feared he would do well. On the weekend before Super Tuesday, prominent GOP operatives called Huckabee "selfish" for staying in the race. He then proceeded...

I believe that the voters in this Republican nomination contest—here in Virginia and across the country—deserve a real choice. And Governor Huckabee is clearly the conservative alternative. He is the best choice, and he is my choice. So I am voting for him on Tuesday, here in Virginia. I don’t buy the idea that John McCain is a true conservative. Nor do I buy the idea that Mike Huckabee should get out of this contest. The people in the Potomac area—Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. In addition, we have many important states coming up, including my home state...

Yes, yes, yes, it's much too early to start thinking about running mates. Too bad. People are doing it anyway. And even though they won't admit it, odds are that Sens. John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are giving it at least some thought. So, too, are people who turn up their noses at the suggestion they might be a good fit, yet secretly harbor ambitions of getting the nod. Veepstakes speculation - always an undercurrent with a presidential election afoot - intensified this past week after Mitt Romney dropped out of the race, helping to clear McCain's...

A broad coalition of black conservatives from across the country are holding a press conference to urge former Governor Mike Huckabee to stay in the presidential race for the Republican nomination until the convention. "Governor Huckabee should not be intimidated to stop his bid for the Republican nomination," states Don Scoggins, veteran GOP activist and ... president of Republicans for Black Empowerment, a DC-based national grassroots organization. The concern of the group is the pressure that is mounting by Republican talking heads to push Governor Huckabee out of the race. The consensus is that Huckabee's campaign was deliberately sabotaged by...

Conservative, conservative, conservative. That was the word Mike Huckabee used again and again with reporters to emphasize his credibility as a contender for the Republican nomination... “There has been somewhat of - almost a national media spin that this race is a two-man race,” said Huckabee... “Last night, the CNN debate was very frustrating for me. There seemed to be an unequal level of time that was allocated, and if people look at the delegate count, one has to have 1,191 delegates in order to be the nominee. So far, no one has even broken a hundred; there’s only 8%...

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee viciously attacked the record of his presidential Republican rival Mitt Romney in Oklahoma City on Friday, calling Romney's actions "absurd" and accusing him of being a liar. At a press conference Friday morning, Huckabee was asked to clarify comments he made on a cable news morning show the previous day in which he claimed that Romney had yet to reach "political puberty." "I meant that on a number of issues, he had not yet discovered who he was on the second amendment – he supported Brady, he supported an assault weapon ban," Huckabee said. He...

Commentary By Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director, RFFM.org I know I'm going to regret this because every time I talk about my favorite political candidates, e-mails from RFFM.org readers with differing views come in like ants at a picnic. Because of my political opinions, one day I'm called one of the most articulate men on the face of the earth and a week later I'm being compared to one of the greatest idiots of all time. It gets even worse, but my life is pretty good, so I can't complain. What I've learned about politics is you can't please everyone...

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Wednesday he has no intention of following Rudy Giuliani's planned exit from the GOP race and he dismissed suggestions that his candidacy could split the conservative vote and help rival Sen. John McCain. With a narrowing Republican field, Huckabee could draw votes from Mitt Romney because of his strong support among the religious right - a possible boost for McCain. "If the true conservatives are looking for a true conservative, they'll pick me. Romney's record is not a conservative record, his rhetoric is not conservative, even with what he's said and done," Huckabee said....

Our focus turns now to Super Tuesday. Recent polling shows us in first or tied for first place in Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Voters in these states will have a chance to reclaim the nominating process for conservatives by casting their votes in support of our campaign. And in the states where poll after poll has shown us in second or third, please spread the word that we are still standing and we have what it takes to win. Because if I am a Republican voter in a state casting votes next week on Super Tuesday, I...

What Huckabee Signed Report by Roy Beck, executive director of NumbersUSAand president of Americans for Better Immigration (January 16, 2008) I just returned from a day in Greenville, South Carolina where I monitored campaign rallies of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.). (Please see item at the bottom of this about Sen. Thompson, Gov. Romney, Rep. Paul and Rep. Hunter.) Newspapers and internet news purveyors are beginning to report on a press conference held late afternoon at North Greenville University in which Huckabee signed a No-Amnesty pledge sponsored by Americans for Better Immigration, which rates Members of...

Mike Huck : the only Value-oriented Conservative able to win Hillary or Obama ? After Brownback, Dunkan and Thomson withdrew, to be soon followed by Paul, while Romney stil doesn't convince the People, Guliani thanks God appears lost, and McCain a too old Liberal, => Governor Mike HUCKABEE obviously remains the only real Conservative, Value-oriented Presidential hopeful able to win against Liberal Dems like Hillary or Obama. He's also the Youngest of all 2008 GOP candidates, and could be able to run also on 2012. The most important thing is that Huck attracts the Voters mainly motivated by Values :...

I am disappointed in the tactics and statements of almost all the presidential candidates, both Democrats and Republicans. My grandmother used to say that you can tell just as big a lie with a half-truth and sometimes a bigger one. Take the half-truths said about Mike Huckabee and taxes. I lived in Arkansas when he was the governor. He did away with the marriage tax penalty and the capital gains tax on the sale homes. He doubled Arkansas' standard deduction and the child care tax credit. He slashed the capital gains tax for both individuals and businesses. In 2001, Mike...

A brand new WarrenPiece1 video -- Go Mike! http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=1276

Fred Thompson's quitting the Republican presidential contest will benefit former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee more than any of his principal rivals for the nomination, pollsters and pundits are telling The Washington Times. "Huckabee benefits the most," said Portland, Ore.-based Republican pollster Bob Moore. "Evangelical voters had fewer problems with Thompson. And evangelical leaders have problems with the background or views — or both — of John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani."

Mike Huckabee tried his best to expand beyond his evangelical base in South Carolina and appeal to what his campaign called "Joe Six Pack" voters. Mr. Huckabee was the only candidate to pander to devotees of the Confederate flag, telling crowds that outsiders should leave the banner flag, now displayed in a corner of the grounds of the state capitol, alone: "If somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole, that's what we'd do." Contrast that with the comments of Mr. Huckabee's fellow Southerner Fred Thompson:...

According to CNN's fancy map of South Carolina, Fred Thompson is sapping votes away from Mike Huckabee in the socially conservative north. If that's the case, Thompson probably has a smile on his face. Thompson's distaste for Huckabee has been apparent throughout the campaign. Thompson often pushes back against Huckabee at debates and regularly sends emails critiquing Huckabee's stances on immigration and taxes. Persona-wise, Huckabee is everything Thompson isn't—charming, funny, and self-effacing. Most importantly, Huckabee possesses the start power that many Republicans hoped Thompson would have in the race. Huck is bizarro Fred. Most importantly, Huckabee has stolen Thompson's base...

Not All Presidential Candidates Are Equal The Marriage Protection Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, championed by President Bush, has not yet met with the congressional approval required for referral to the states for ratification. Will the next president continue to champion this effort? Will he sign commonsense marriage protection bills into law? Will he veto legislation that tampers with marriage? Will he appoint reliable justices to the U.S. Supreme Court? These are important questions, for when it comes to saving marriage in our laws and customs, the president makes a profound difference. And not all presidential candidates are equal. Rudy...

Question: What does $585,000 buy you? Answer: It bought Mitt Romney backers a smear job against Mike Huckabee orchestrated by Beltway Insiders. The Club for Growth has an affiliated 527 group, Club for Growth.net, running anti-Mike Huckabee ads in early primary states. - At least $585,000 in contributions from Mitt Romney financial backers. - Club for Growth has spent $750,000 against Governor Huckabee in Iowa, South Carolina and Michigan. Here are donors that have donated both to Club for Growth.net* and Mitt Romney: Name: John Childs** Contribution to Beltway Group $100,000 on 11/16/07 $100,000 on 12/31/07 Contribution to Mitt Romney...

What do you think God's standard is on anchor babies and birthright citizenship? (Manger!) Does Huckabee's God believe in borders? What is God's monetary policy? Is Jesus a capitalist? How much economic disparity will he tolerate? Wouldn't God want us all to have health care? Nice shoes? What about rendering unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's, and unto God that which is God's? Mike Huckabee is going to force those of us who have wanted more religion in the town square to reexamine the merits of strict separation of church and state. He is the best advertisement ever for...

Thompson, who has made South Carolina's primary a week from Saturday his do-or-die contest, laid down the gauntlet, challenging Huckabee, who is gaining here among Christian conservatives, and more subtly Rudy Giuliani, the most socially liberal of the contenders. "This is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party and its future," he said. "On the one hand, you have the Reagan revolution. You have the Reagan coalition of limited government and strong national security. On the other hand you have the direction Gov. Huckabee would take us in." He explained: "He would be a Christian leader,...

For me, therefore, the most interesting moment in Saturday night’s Republican debate at St. Anselm College was when the candidates were asked what arguments they would make if they found themselves running against Obama in the general election. The best answer came, not surprisingly, from the best Republican campaigner so far — Mike Huckabee. He began by calmly mentioning his and Obama’s contrasting views on issues from guns to life to same-sex marriage. This served to remind Republicans that these contrasts have been central to G.O.P. success over the last quarter-century, and to suggest that Huckabee could credibly and comfortably...

As Governor of Arkansas, I pushed through the Arkansas Legislature the first major, broad-based tax cuts in state history - a $90 million tax relief package for Arkansas families. I also doubled the standard deduction to $2,000 for single taxpayers and $4,000 for those who are married. Some taxes I eliminated entirely: the marriage penalty, bracket creep caused by inflation, income tax on poor families, and capital gains on home sales. To encourage investment, I cut capital gains for both individuals and businesses. To help people better themselves, I provided tax credits for employee training and education. In total, I...

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee rode a wave of evangelical fervor to victory over Mitt Romney in Iowa's Republican caucuses Thursday, an outcome that hardly seemed possible two months ago.... [Huckabee's] aides are wary of New Hampshire. "It's all no tax, no government there," said Bob Wickers, a top strategist. "It's not ideal." But they believe that the message of economic anxiety that he preaches will help in Michigan's primary on Jan. 15 and in states in the South, which have high poverty rates in addition to strong groups of social conservatives....

http://www.iowagop.net/

Mike Huckabee's surge in Iowa showed signs of retreat as three new polls found rival Mitt Romney climbing back. The former Arkansas governor again found himself playing defense Sunday, and he responded by saying Mr. Romney cannot be trusted to tell the American people the truth should he be elected. Mr. Huckabee, who has been pummeled with Romney attack ads and literature mailed across Iowa, considered responding with an attack ad of his own. The three-way Democratic race was nearly as tense. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama accused former Sen. John Edwards of hypocrisy for railing against special interests and then...

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was introduced on NBC's "Meet the Press" with a bit of bad news. A new MSNBC poll finds him back in second place in Iowa behind Mitt Romney. “Has Mitt Romney said anything that’s been untrue about you?” Tim Russert asked. Huckabee replied half-jokingly, “How long do we have on this program today?” Huckabee listed the areas where he felt Romney’s ads had distorted his record, and argued that Romney “left his roads a mess in Massachusetts” and raised taxes by half a million. “Fees,” Russert interjected. Huckabee asserted that raising fees had the same...

Here's an interesting analysis by WaPo's Dan Balz of Huckabee's closing-round Iowa speech, which Balz, a veteran political reporter, says is unlike anything he's ever heard in politics. Excerpts from the Balz analysis. Boldface mine: Most candidates in the final days before a crucial election offer a vision of what their leadership would mean to the lives of ordinary people. They include lists of issue priorities of the kind Hillary Clinton offers. They can wrap policy with an inspirational frame of the type Barack Obama presents or sound a call to arms in the way John Edwards is doing. They...