Posted on 05/12/2008 1:28:25 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- John McCain, who has spent the last two months trying to consolidate right-wing support as the Republican candidate for president, has a problem of disputed dimensions with a vital component of the conservative coalition: the evangelicals. The biggest question is whether Mike Huckabee is part of the problem or the solution for McCain.
An element of the Christian community is not reconciled to McCain's candidacy but instead regards the prospective presidency of Barack Obama in the nature of a Biblical plague visited upon a sinful people. These militants look at former Baptist preacher Huckabee as "God's candidate" running for president in 2012. Whether they can be written off as merely a troublesome fringe group depends on Huckabee's course.
Huckabee's announced support of McCain is unequivocal, and he is regarded in the McCain camp as a friend and ally. But credible activists are spreading the word that Huckabee secretly allies himself with the bitter-end opposition. That hardly seems possible considering his public backing, but critics of Huckabee's 10 years as governor of Arkansas say he is all too capable of playing a double game.
McCain and Huckabee were friendly rivals in this year's Republican competition, sharing contempt for Mitt Romney. Indeed, McCain could not be where he is today had not Huckabee mobilized born-again voters to upset Romney in the Iowa caucuses. All efforts by Romney to overtake McCain in conservative Southern state primaries were stifled by Huckabee's success in those contests. Huckabee quickly endorsed McCain once he clinched the nomination. They bonded publicly in Little Rock, Ark., April 24 during McCain's recent tour.
Nevertheless, reports out of the evangelical community dispute Huckabee's support. One experienced, credible activist in Christian politics who would not let his name be used told me Huckabee in personal conversation with him embraced the concept that an Obama presidency might be what the American people deserve. That fits what has largely been a fringe position among evangelicals that the pain of an Obama presidency is in keeping with the Bible's prophecy.
According to this activist, at the heart of the let-Obama-win movement is longtime Virginia conservative leader Michael Farris -- the nation's leading home-school advocate, who is now chancellor of Patrick Henry College (in Purcellville, Va.) for home-schooled students. Best known politically as the losing Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia in 1993, Farris is regarded as one of the hardest-edged Christian politicians. He is reported in evangelical circles to promote the Biblical justification for an Obama plague-like presidency.
In conversations with me, Huckabee and Farris both denied advocating that an Obama presidency should be inflicted on the country. Huckabee was enthusiastic in his support for McCain, noting how well they had bonded during their primary competition.
Farris is another matter. A vigorous supporter of Huckabee for president, he has not endorsed McCain and may never do so (though he quickly adds he never would vote for Obama or Hillary Clinton). "I am concerned about what judges he (McCain) may name," Farris told me, "and the test will be who he selects for vice president." He made it clear that Huckabee would be his choice, and ruefully adds, "I understand he is not under consideration."
At McCain headquarters, there is no doubt expressed about Huckabee's loyalty. "I feel we haven't used him (Huckabee) enough," McCain campaign manger Rick Davis told me. McCain's strategists are more concerned that the libertarian Rep. Ron Paul has not abandoned his candidacy, keeps fighting for delegates and says he will not endorse McCain.
Even taking Huckabee's professions of support for McCain at face value, he is not leaving politics for the lecture circuit. He has formed the Huck PAC to back Republican candidates, his supporters have established a Website (Huck4America.com), and Huckabee backers are behind the Government Is Not God PAC to discourage McCain from naming Romney as his vice president.
Mike Huckabee has emerged from obscurity to become a major factor in American politics leading evangelical Christians. The McCain campaign counts on him to energize supporters who would rather wait for Huckabee 2012, not to encourage those dreams.
Duncan Hunter has already said he would not, as did Alan Keyes. That Huck considers it speaks volumes.
Yup. And I knew if that asshat was our nominee, we’d be p(huck)ed.
Fred couldn't even take Tennessee.
Maybe. But wasn't that after he and McCain (and, of course, Ron Paul) were the only ones left? Although I can't remember the exact order of each state's election, I do remember that every time a polling group would produce a breakdown on how each subgroup voted, it was always clear that conservative Christians never voted for Huckabee in any great majority.
On this issue, here are the comments of Mike Huckabee himself;
I was very disturbed by a column by Robert Novak that quoted some “anonymous source” in saying that while I strongly supported Senator McCain, I thought that maybe America “deserves Obama,” as if to say that I secretly hoped he won.
Where do people dream up this stuff? Forget the “anonymous” sources—there’s nothing anonymous about my stand and here it is. We don’t “deserve” Obama—we DESERVE a President with the character, convictions, experience, and wisdom to see the problems we face and try to lead us to solve them. We deserve a President who truly loves this country and from whom there is no doubt as to his respect for Faith, Family, and the kind of Freedom that those before us have given their lives to pass on to us. John McCain meets that criteria and that’s why I am campaigning for him and not hoping for Obama. The nonsense that I want Obama to win this year so I can run in 2012 is absurd. I love my country more than my own ambition. So let the record and truth be clear. And let the “anonymous” sources either show the courage to stand up and be accountable for their comments or shut up and leave commentary to people who aren’t afraid of their own shadow.
Excerpts taken from; http://www.huckpac.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=1638
I am really, really surprised at McCain’s choice of campaign buddies (chuckle).
Remember——as he departed the race a major loser, Rooty Giuliani endorsed McCain and famously said he would willingly campaign by McCain’s side.
To date, the only place Rooty has surfaced was in St Pat’s during the Pope’s visit-——being revived after choking on a Communion host.
Rooty was not even at Ground Zero Papal ceremonies. I guess Rooty was too weak to attend (/sarc).
McCain should consider campaigning with his good friend Rooty Giuliani by his side. They make a great team. The RINO and the Reconquistador.......ROTFL.
I have wondered what happened to Rudy.
“He is reported in evangelical circles to promote the Biblical justification for an Obama plague-like presidency”.
Does anyone know what this is about?
Thanks,
AR
Please be sure to post Keyes' big numbers in November. That is if you can do so without embarrassment.
Whatever public good will he may have accumulated has long since been dissipated.
Revelations about his mayoralty using public funds for his mistress, that he calculatedly hid in the budgets of obscure city agencies, was a deal breaker.
He torpedoed himself with that cockamamie presidential campaign strategy-——campaigning and losing every primary/caucus while saying he was “saving himself” for Fla.........there, he campaigned 61 days straight and came in a distant third.
I will never have to be embarrassed... One thing that comes with voting one's conscience is peace of mind.
Well, in that case, please be sure to post Keyes’ stunning numbers anyway. After a tense election, win or lose, we’ll all need a good laugh.
That article is a load of crap. Huckabee is trying to bring on the apocalypse now. That article is a load of crap. LOL
This election cycle exposed all the dirtbags in the Republican party who gladly support Mr. $50 Abortions who raised fees more than Huckabee raised taxes, implemented forced socialist health care, and shifted government spending to counties and cities to create the illusion that he balanced the budget in Mass.
anyone who votes for him needs meds.
Where do you go to get them?
Sorry, I disagree, it's my American right to vote my conscience, at least it won't be counted as a stupid vote like anyone that votes for a DemoRat.
That person will not be Alan Keyes.
Maybe not this time, but with enough votes it may give him a chance the next time.
Yes it is your right to vote for anyone that you want to, or stay home, but a wasted vote IS a stupid vote.
Well then, write my name in, dude. I'm over 35, and I have as much chance of being elected president as Alan Keyes does.
I keep hearing a certain sound a lot on this board lately..."pocketa-pocketa-pocketa."
Canada!
Canada!
Good one!
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.