So far in this presidential season, I’ve been silent about who I’m supporting. But for the last six months, I’ve been leaning toward one candidate. It all started back in January, when I saw Mike Huckabee on (of all places) the Don Imus Show. I was impressed enough to post the following comment on the unofficial blog “Mike Huckabee President 2008″ on January 11:
http://www.haloscan.com/comments/bluestaterepublican/116849705994000530/
(My apologies to the folks at that blog for taking so long to carry out my promise. My only excuse is that “soon” can be a very relative word.)
Since January, every time I’ve seen the former Arkansas governor, my admiration has grown. The man is a solid conservative with some very innovative ideas about issues like health care and education. I’ve also been impressed by his seemingly unshakeable optimism. So it was no surprise that when I read in the Amarillo Globe-News that Mike Huckabee would be speaking at the Church at Quail Creek on Sunday, July 23, I made it a point to attend.
For those who don’t know, let me confess that I’m a Christian and a Southern Baptist (in that order). I was pleased to learn early on that Governor Huckabee is a former Baptist minister, but I’m not so naive as to believe that a person’s religious affiliation necessarily means anything; after all, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore and Bill Clinton are all Baptists (the latter from the same hometown – Hope, Arkansas – as Mike Huckabee).
The Governor’s appearance was clearly announced as neither a political rally nor an endorsement of his candidacy by the church. That was fine with me, because I’m already familiar with his politics (most, if not all of which I strongly support). I was interested in learning more about what kind of a Christian the man is.
I was not disappointed. The Wall of Separation between Church and State was not breached that morning (Democrats, take heed!). Former Pastor Huckabee preached eloquently on the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). The theme of his sermon was “The Sin of Doing Good.” It may sound like an oxymoron, until you realize that his message was about humility. True to what Jesus taught, he preached that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The sermon was seasoned with a number of self-deprecating anecdotes that illustrated that Mike Huckabee is a man who practices what he preaches. No Pharisee he!
I entered the church a supporter of Mike Huckabee the presidential candidate. I left admiring Mike Huckabee the man. Make no mistake about it, this guy is the real deal! I spoke with him briefly after the service and told him I’ll be praying that the Lord will continue to do a mighty work through him. And unlike the promise I made six months ago, this is a promise I fully intend to keep.
You might ask, “What chance does this ’second-tier’ candidate have against the likes of cash cows like Giuliani, Romney, or even Fred Thompson (if he chooses to run)?” All I can say is this: watch the Ames straw poll in Iowa on August 11. I’m not going to make any predictions, but from what I’ve read, the most popular candidate among social conservatives in Iowa is “None of the Above.”
I was heartened to hear on the news this morning that after his appearance here in Amarillo, Mike Huckabee was headed for … you guessed it: Iowa. It’ll be an uphill battle, but the more people who meet this man, the more will agree that America needs Mike Huckabee.
One postscript: The reason I posted Mike Huckabee’s picture is twofold:
1) The man definitely looks presidential (even more so in person). I know that’s superficial, but it’s important to some voters; and
2) As I found out on Sunday, Candidate Huckabee doesn’t have anywhere near the kind of face recognition he should. I arrived early at church, and within a matter of a few minutes, I was greeted by a couple and another man. The couple wanted to thank me for standing so strong for the Lord (I thought that a bit odd, since I’d never attended church there before, but I thanked them). The next man was more direct. “Are you Mr. Huckabee?”, he asked. “No,” I replied, “but I wish I was!” For those who know my trademark bald head, beard and glasses, you already realize that absolutely no one who’s ever seen a picture of Mike Huckabee could possibly mistake me for him!
As some of you might remember I’ve gotten rid of Dish quite awhile ago. I’ve been spared watching the so called debates of either side. All I’ve really heard was from the radio and local TV. The Video I want us to watch Sun or Sat if we get together will speak volumes of what you allude to in your post. I’m thinking you may have already seen it. Anyway I’ll check my e-mail tonight to see if ya’ll have responded.
I believe that Taft was elected solely because he looked presidential and he has been labeled the worst president ever. In this day looks still count, how sad. It seems to me that we need a president that is a consensus builder. No matter how good the ideas presented are nothing happens till there is consensus. I believe that a great deal problem for the current administration comes as result their inability get agreement on anything other than going war in the first place. The candidate who starts calling it war on radical Islam will be correct and will not get elected. Because we are afraid that we might offend some one. Let’s pray that Mr Mike has some consensus building skills and get some face recognition.
The good folks at mikehuckabee.com were kind enough to provide a link to this post with some very nice comments. As a result, we’ve gotten a lot of hits from all around the country.
Well, what goes around comes around (and not always in a bad way, either). Here’s a link back to their page on blogs (scroll down to see the Ivory Dome comments). It’s a great place to learn more about the Governor and the great things others in the blogosphere are saying about him. Enjoy!
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.Home
It just occurred to me that as more posts are added to the mikehuckabee.com blog page, the Ivory Dome comments will drift further and further down the page. So here’s a permalink to that particular post:
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=214
DanielHarsh,
You make some very good points. People choose some of the most ridiculous reasons for voting (or not voting) for a candidate. I read a comment recently by someone from Florida who said he could never vote for someone with as silly a name as Huckabee! That makes about as much sense as voting for (or against) a candidate because he’s (or she’s) a man (or a woman), white, black, the right (or wrong) ethnicity, or as I mentioned before, because of the candidate’s religious denomination.
Some of the things that do matter are: experience, honesty, integrity, leadership, the ability to communicate, and as you mentioned, the ability to build consensus. Regarding the last point, if you’ve ever heard Mike Huckabee talk about vertical politics (uplifting v. pessimistic, as opposed to Left v. Right), it’s clear that he has that ability, plus a lot more.
Someone needs to instill in Americans that can-do attitude that was a hallmark of the Reagan years. It was an attitude that created the phenomenon of Reagan Democrats and attracted a lot of independents as well. After four years of Carter malaise, a lot of us didn’t think we could ever get it back. But we did, and I firmly believe we can again, with the right man in the White House.
For a second there I thought he was Kevin Spacey.
I personally like Ron Paul. He’s another tier 2 candidate that deserves a good look. Former Libertarian presidential nominee, nicknamed Dr. No for voting against legislation that isn’t authorized by the constitution, wasn’t part of the flock on the Iraq vote, dedicated limited government conservative.
He’s a free trade advocate, but I guess that can be over looked.
Oh well, anyone but Romney, McCain (Sell Out!), Giuliani, or Obama.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/
Yeah Ron Paul has an appeal to me also. But the best judge of a man’s character is his personal life. If he’s never had a day of political expeariance he’ll make a better candidate if he’s led an honorable life than a expearianced career politician that has a screwed up personal life.
For a second there I thought he was Kevin Spacey.
I’d never thought about it before, but now that you mention it, there is a strong resemblance, isn’t there? Maybe Kevin Spacey can play the part of President Huckabee on the big screen someday.
Re Ron Paul: I agree with a lot of his positions, but he’s a little too angry for me.
Oh well, anyone but Romney, McCain (Sell Out!), Giuliani, or Obama.
Anyone?? What about Hillary, Kucinich or Edwards? (You did broaden the field by including the Democrat Obama.)
It was brought to my attention that not everyone knows about how Mike Huckabee took control of his own health problems by losing over 100 pounds. This article tells the amazing story (The before and after pictures are astounding!) One of the best ways to keep health care costs down is for people to pursue a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/cmi_518465/cid_7
How can you not admire someone who demonstrates that kind of discipline and personal responsibility? President Huckabee will be an inspiration to all Americans.
If he’s never had a day of political experience he’ll make a better candidate if he’s led an honorable life than a experienced career politician that has a screwed up personal life.
I can’t find anything that says Ron has a screwed up personal life.
Re Ron Paul: I agree with a lot of his positions, but he’s a little too angry for me.
Angrier then Giuliani?
He’s speaks out on lots of issues he has with the current federal government, so yeah he’s going to come off a little negative. Libertarian issues aren’t something that gets addressed with any sort of frequency.
Anyone?? What about Hillary, Kucinich or Edwards? (You did broaden the field by including the Democrat Obama.)
I named candidates that have actual chances of winning.
Hill is a DINO, so she doesn’t count as a Dem. She should choose McCain as her running partner.
Edwards is AL Gore lite; the dude is a putz and stinks of the Kerry failure. No one liked him then, and they don’t like him now.
I actually like Kucinich on the Dem side. There is stuff I don’t like such as reparations for slavery, O__o, but there is also stuff I do.
Immediate withdrawal from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Repealing the USA PATRIOT Act.
Environmental renewal and clean energy.
Protecting a woman’s right to choose while decreasing the number of abortions performed in the U.S. (The plan is to educate people about contraception to keep pregnancy rates down in the first place.)
Ending the war on drugs.
How can you not admire someone who demonstrates that kind of discipline and personal responsibility? President Huckabee will be an inspiration to all Americans.
That is very admirable. Self discipline is a very noble trait.
The only problem is that the only position I like of his is his Tax Reform stance.
Hillary, Hsu, Soros, Blythe, Kerry, Clinton; or is it a reincarnation of Hitler’s fifth column. Hsu, Chung, and Tides Foundation is turning up more than a out of work relative.
In my opinion, The wheels of Justice moves verrrrry slowly, and Ms. Clinton nee Blythe has bought votes by paying five grand for babies, and is recipient of money that no one seems to know the source, source is rumored to be National Republic of China. Never the less she is allowed to continue her vicious campaign without a slap on the palms of her hands. She and her confederates are America’s most dangerous foes. If she feels endangered after election and she has a puppet congress Ms. Rodham Clinton could very well declare Martial Law, disband Congress, fire the Justice Department as her husband did. then raid Fort Knox. Just the thought of such makes one tremble. We have a manifest duty to defeat her and her confederate democrats in government. Remember a few letters back Tides Foundation crept into the conversation now here it is from another source. Billgls
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