Mike Huckabee wants you to read the Bible more, blogs less. Get to know him in his own words.
Everyone tells me I'm a dreadful, heartless conservative. But if I'm a conservative I don't know what the hell Mike Huckabee is, because not only do I not agree with him on almost any issue: his beliefs actually scare the hell out of me.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Bennett
"What makes anyone think that anyone who is elected President will have the power to become some kind of dictator (theocratic or otherwise)?
George W. Bush
Do you have that little faith in our form of government and the other elected and appointed officials who make it up?"
Sadly, yes.
27 - Lee Richards
Re #25:
"...what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards..."
That's Huckabee being explicit about not only his values but what he would like to do to everyone else's. By God, he most certainly means his Jesus-God.
It's blind, foolish and naive to think it can't happen here. If facing facts is a scare tactic, it's a beneficial one.
28 - Dave Nalle
It doesn't actually matter whether we believe Huckabuckleonthebiblebelt can institute theocracy or not. The fact that he clearly would like to if given an opportunity says such terrible things about him that there's no justification for letting him anywhere near the white house.
Dave
29 - Ron
I have never been on this site until tonight. I have to say, that I did like Dave's view on Mike Huckabee. For me, it gave me something else to think about, since I'm already disappointed by the entire selection of candidates. I vote for the one I think fits for the time being, not for what party they belong to. I can easily say that I do not like Huckabee and I don't share his view on national policy, so if he's nominated to run, then he will not get my vote. When it comes to religion, that's a very different story for me. I have never supported the use of religious ideation in public policy, even though it's quite common to see it happen on a daily basis. Religion, in my opinion, is a personal issue and should never be part of any law that restricts any citizen from being an "American". If we used the ideation of "faith" for our basis in creating laws, then we would be no better off then a third-world country where crime against humanity is wildly out of control. For instance, the middle east is the most volitile place on earth habitated by man. If Mike Huckabee really believes in the bible being his answer to all the issues and problems that we "Americans" face every day, then lets send him to the middle east so he can learn a little bit about someone else's faith and how it's imposed upon those people.
30 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
I almost sympathize with you, Dave. But if I were you, I'd worry less about the pygmies trying to be president in your country. They're all as cute as little chihuahuas trying to be big dogs.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
The only one amongst the whole bunch with the murderousness to be president has shared a president's bed.
I'd worry a whole lot more about how your economy is going down the toilet....
31 - Dave Nalle
If Mike Huckabee really believes in the bible being his answer to all the issues and problems that we "Americans" face every day, then lets send him to the middle east so he can learn a little bit about someone else's faith and how it's imposed upon those people.
Yikes. Let's not give him any ideas.
Dave
32 - Leon
To Dave Nalle:
I really must have struck a nerve with you huh?
"It doesn't actually matter whether we believe Huckabuckleonthebiblebelt can institute theocracy or not. The fact that he clearly would like to if given an opportunity says such terrible things about him that there's no justification for letting him anywhere near the white house.
Dave"
You used my name in your ranting...I feel honored.
Did you not read the rule on this commenting section that says "Personal attacks are not allowed" in red?
It must be horrable to live without any real hope.
I leave you with this quote
So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.
Romans 1:21-22
33 - Daniel Tuttle
Amen Leon. I am a young preacher, and I would like to comment on the earlier one about doing away with over 200 years of constitutional law. Separation of church and state hasn't even been around for 100 years, much less 2. Considering the fact that it was the Supreme Court's solution to having more power over state legislation, I think it does need to be changed.
34 - Lee Richards
#33:
Daniel:
You're right, of course. What we really need is your religious faith and dogma, or Huckabee's, or mine, becoming law for the nation.
It's worked so well in many of the Muslim countries.
35 - Dave Nalle
Leon, what user did I make a personal attack on here? Huckabee is a public figure, he's fair game. What's more, my 'attack' here consists of quotes of things HE has said. If he didn't want to look like a theocrat, perhaps he should not have said them.
Now Daniel. Let me ask a question. If you're a preacher, do you regularly lie to your congregation like you lied in your comment here? Or are you just ignorant and unqualified to be a preacher altogether?
Separation of church and state originates in the First Amendment which was written 220 years ago. It's backed up by the writings of almost every founding father and it's represented in every state constitution, and most of them were written well over 100 years ago too.
Let me share with you one quote from a document passed unanimously by the Congress and signed by President John Adams just over 210 years ago:
"the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
Any questions?
Dave
36 - Lee Richards
#32:
Leon:
Quoting or appealing to some arbitrary authority is an old technique used to propagandize, and divert people from thinking for themselves.
Huckabee would be proud of you.
37 - PMD
Has anyone bothered to look up Huckabee's statement on faith and politics on his own web site?
Doesn't sound like he's interested in theocracy to me. But he's making something plain that some people here choose to ignore. It does no good to pretend that people's religious beliefs are a purely private matter. In the real world that's impossible. It does no good to pretend that only bad things come from religious convictions exercised in the public square. Great good has come from it too (on balance I think the good is greater), and great evil has been done by some of the most secular societies. Things just aren't as simple as you would like them to be. Using religion as an excuse to suppress ideas in the public square is just as intolerant as using it to enforce them.
38 - Dominick Banderas
This article is very unfounded and contains many false statements.
I would encourage everybody to go to Mike Huckabee's site or listen to the debates to find out what he really believes.. and how he has stated several times that he does not and would not force his beliefs on others.
It would scare me more to have an atheist or someone without any morals running the country.
Why are atheists so scared of God, anyway?
39 - Dave Nalle
This article is very unfounded and contains many false statements.
What, you're accusing Huckabee of lying about his beliefs? You think he's a hypocrite?
Because everything in this article is clearly sourced and comes directly from the horse's mouth.
Dave
40 - Jonathan Scanlan
Wow Dave, for once I find myself whole heartedly agreeing with one of your posts. Bravo.
41 - Huckabee: A Man of Integrity
Speaking of the Bible and Faith...we must not forget the words of President Abraham Lincoln (March 30, 1863).
"...and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."
Maybe someone should have told Mr. Lincoln about the separation of church and state...President Lincoln and Mike Huckabee = men of integrity, and sons of the Living God!
42 - Jonathan Scanlan
RE: #41
Just because he's abraham lincoln does not mean he's right. Your argument is cyclic.
43 - Lee Richards
Re #38:
It's believers who fear God, his wrath, anger and judgement and are frightened of his punishments. Jesus' words can scare the hell out of the faithful.
Atheists aren't scared of God at all.
That answers your question; now, one for Huckabee:
"Isn't it arrogant, egotistical, falsely messianic, and dangerous for someone to think their human beliefs, opinions, interpretations, and value judgements about spiritual matters belong in the fundamental document of American government?"
44 - Dave Nalle
Lincoln did make very rousing speeches, but historians generally believe that he was an agnostic or largely indifferent to religion. He certainly wasn't known for attending church, even if he could turn religious language to his purposes in a speech. He did once sum up his religious views. He said "When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion."
dave
45 - skldfjdslk
you make two remarks about him being against free speech ("where the first amendment used to be," "seems to have it in for free speech on the internet" without really backing it up, i agree with the rest though
46 - Irene Wagner
LISTEN CHRISTIAN VOTERS!!! I'm a Christian, I believe the Bible from Genesis right through to the maps, and I wish you would read this pro-life pastor's review of a book published by MOODY PRESS (as in the evangelist, Dwight L. Moody) called "Hitler's Cross." A lot of church-going people were fooled by Hitler, Lutheran pastor and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer being a notable exception. Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling Bush or Huckabee Hitler, but I am saying Christians need to be "harmless as doves AND shrewd as serpents" just like Jesus said. Please consider what this article has to say before you vote for someone because you've heard he's "God's man for the office."
Dave Nalle:
Who's afraid of Mike Huckabee,
Huckabee, Huckabee?
Who's afraid of Mike Huckabee?
Not I, not I, not I!
Huckabee isn't going to ride into office on the Gospel Train the way George II did. Many stalwart members of the monolithic "Evangelical Voting Bloc" have become disillusioned with Right Wing politics. Some of them for the first time in their lives chose NOT to vote Republican in 2006, and this had a lot to do with how well the Democrats did that year.
Yet, a certain amount of Huckaphobia is warranted, as there are many who will cast their vote for the Republican candidate whose Sunday morning looks the most like theirs. The best strategy to pull such voters away from Huckabee is NOT to get into battles about the separation of church and state--guess what, a lot of Christians want the STATE out of their CHURCH-- but to suggest alternatives who might appeal to them. I know some of the concerns you have about Huckabee you also have about Ron Paul, but you have to admit Ron Paul is far less dangerous and has good libertarian ideas espoused by no other candidate in either party.
I know you aren't optimistic about Paul's chances. Think "drawing away votes."
47 - Winghunter
Ron Paul's policies to legalize drugs and let the evil in the world do as they please is every bit as dangerous as a church state.
Although, The Huckster wraps himself in the cloak of religion he follows that path entirely and only at his convenience.
Know what I know; Candidate Research - Know Who You're Voting For ( The Easy Way )
48 - troll
Irene - Paul needs to start spending his raised millions on a national pr/edu campaign asap...as I see it you guys have 4 more years to get your revolution going
49 - Paul Roy
Dave, you better pray that Chuck Norris doesn't come looking for you for writing such an insightful piece about his boy. Oh, that's right, atheists don't pray. As a fiscally conservative, socially libertarian atheist myself (now that's a mouthful), I too am frightened at the thought of a Huckabee presidency. But I am even more frightened at the thought of a Romney presidency. But I am still most frightened of all at the thought of a democrat back in office. Lord help us! Figuratively speaking, of course.
50 - Kevin S.
When I vote, I don't look at the candidates religion at all. Instead, I look at the issues. With that said, Huckabee is right on most issues. In fact, I just wrote an endorsement editorial for the local paper and a couple of other websites (which I own).
51 - Irene Wagner
Troll - it's never too late to start mobilizing for '12. Paul's antiwar chest will get a boost from today's mass donation to honor Ron Paul's Civil Rights work. (An aside. The Google page decoration for MLK is adorable.)
Rightwinger: Ron Paul is more AGAINST the way the War on Drugs is being waged (wastefully, unfairly, intrusively) than he is FOR people running around stoned, although as an MD he is far more aware of marijuana's medical usefulness than his detractors are. Does the candidate you support have any plans to outlaw liquor? Of COURSE he/she doesn't.
52 - Dr Dreadful
We should do whatever we can to prevent Mike Huckabee from becoming President, if for no other reason than that four years of ever-more-inventive renamings (of which Dave's 'Huckabuckleonthebiblebelt' is undisputably the best so far) are going to drive me absolutely round the bend.
53 - Clavos
"...four years of ever-more-inventive renamings (of which Dave's 'Huckabuckleonthebiblebelt' is undisputably the best so far) are going to drive me absolutely round the bend.
Yeah, that one gets my vote, too!
But, Doc if you are "driven," how will you know? :>)
54 - Dr Dreadful
Clav: I'm relying on you to rescue me.
8>D~~~~
55 - Dr Dreadful
Why are atheists so scared of God, anyway?
They're not. Why would someone be scared of something that doesn't exist?
The only beings one should justifiably be scared of (and true Christians understand this just as well as atheists, albeit for different reasons) are humans.
56 - Leslie Bohn
I learned all I need to know about Ron Paul from the New Republic's story. Paul has put out newsletters for three decades that feature racist and homophobic ideas, as well as a silly penchant for crazy conspiracy theories. It's hard to believe, but an unfortunate reality, that this man still has supporters.
here's the NRO story. Read for yourself
57 - Irene Wagner
Director of Austin's NAACP supports Ron Paul. Can Ron Paul count on you for a donation in honor of MLK today?
58 - Dave Nalle
I learned all I need to know about Ron Paul from the New Republic's story. Paul has put out newsletters for three decades that feature racist and homophobic ideas, as well as a silly penchant for crazy conspiracy theories. It's hard to believe, but an unfortunate reality, that this man still has supporters.
To be fair, that newsletter was never published by or in any way edited by Paul. As I understand it, Lew Rockwell was solely responsible for the content. Yes, Paul should have taken his name off of it sooner - he did several years ago - but he has a habit of taking all the free exposure he can get.
Director of Austin's NAACP supports Ron Paul. Can Ron Paul count on you for a donation in honor of MLK today?
Isn't that amazing? Why that pack of statist jackals wouls support Paul is beyond me. Nelson Linder must be having some sort of psychotic breakdown.
Dave
59 - handyguy
My fear is that McCain will pick Huck as his VP nominee, get elected and then die in office, giving us President Huck by default. Yikes.
The Michigan debate statement about changing the Constitution to match God's word is bone-chilling. Someone asked why the MSM isn't covering this, but they certainly are. And even some evangelicals were made nervous by the extreme nature of those remarks.
60 - Leslie Bohn
Ms. Wagner:
You have not addressed the hateful racist homophobic spew in Paul's newsletters.
I think it's irresponsible for you to continue to advocate for him without this information, now that you've been alerted to its existence.
61 - Irene Wagner (via DN)
Irene Wagner is having some trouble with the site, so I'm posting this for her from an email she sent me:
Has the smear campaign against Ron Paul swung into action against Lew Rockwell then?
Those starting the new libelous charges of racism better have more than a pale
"as I understand it" to back them up. "A ghostwriter" (listen up, Leslie) does
not mean the same thing as "THE ghostwriter," any more than "someone who worked
on Paul's '88 presidential campaign" means the same thing as "flaming bigot."
Don't run, Dave Nalle, when there's no need to hide.
Interesting, Dave Nalle, that you, should wonder why a member of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People would support Ron Paul, in
the same thread where I had having a discussion about Ron Paul's criticism of
the War on Drugs. Black people, as you may know, are very often unjustly
profiled, and accused, victims of the overly enthusiastic Warriors on Drugs.
The first link in my earlier comment supplied an interview with him in which he
explains his support.
Dave (for Irene)
62 - Irene Wagner
The penultimate comment has been approved by Irene Wagner. Thanks, Dave Nalle, for posting it, and it's to your credit that you did even though I disagreed with you in it.
63 - Dave Nalle
Has the smear campaign against Ron Paul swung into action against Lew Rockwell then? Those starting the new libelous charges of racism better have more than a pale "as I understand it" to back them up. "A ghostwriter" (listen up, Leslie) does not mean the same thing as "THE ghostwriter," any more than "someone who worked
on Paul's '88 presidential campaign" means the same thing as "flaming bigot." Don't run, Dave Nalle, when there's no need to hide.
Look, when this issue came up about a week ago on one of the Republican Libertarian mailing lists, the explanation being circulated was that the newsletter was basically out of Paul's control and he'd disassociated himself from it some years ago. Paul issued a statement to that effect himself without naming names. The specific identification of Lew Rockwell as the source of the racist material associated with Paul is this open letter to Lew Rockwell.
Interesting, Dave Nalle, that you, should wonder why a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People would support Ron Paul, in the same thread where I had having a discussion about Ron Paul's criticism of
the War on Drugs. Black people, as you may know, are very often unjustly profiled, and accused, victims of the overly enthusiastic Warriors on Drugs. The first link in my earlier comment supplied an interview with him in which he
explains his support.
All these things are true, and I agree that more African Americans ought to be libertarian leaning, but that has nothing to do with my comment. My comment was one of surprise because I happen to be familiar with this particular NAACP leader and chapter and their history of using the press and the power of government influence to pursue a rather anti-liberty agenda. I will admit that they were worse under their former leader than under Linder who's fairly new on the job.
dave
64 - Leslie Bohn
Please, Ms. Wagner, read the article. It details the specific racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic sentiments expressed in the Ron Paul newsletters. There are plenty, and they're awful.
I have no idea why anyone, much less the head of a local NAACP, would support Ron Paul. I don't believe you will after you read the NRO story.
65 - Irene Wagner
The tale about who's behind the "hateful homophobic racist spew" (there Leslie, I just paid attention to you) gets curiouser and curiouser, Dave Nalle. I’d be as suspicious of the opinions of someone who posts under the self-appelation of "God’s Hammer" as I am of Hucklebee’s claim to speak for God.
66 - Dave Nalle
Having read Lew Rockwell's site and the really nasty stuff that gets posted there, I'm inclined to find Robbins credible, but I have to say that Robbins does seem like a bit of a nut himself. The guy to ask on this would probably be Eric Dondero. He's opposing Paul in the congressional election, but he's a pretty reasonable guy and was working for Paul when all this was going on. I'd be inclined to believe him. I'll see if I can get him to fill us in.
Dave
67 - Dave Nalle
For the record, it appears that another former Paul chief of staff confirms that Rockwell was the culprit, as discussed on the Reason magazine site.
Dave
68 - Leslie Bohn
Pay attention to this, Ms Wagner: The Ron Paul Political Report published the following about the LA riots:
"Order was only restored in L.A. when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks three days after rioting began. The "poor" lined up to get their handouts ... What if the checks had never arrived? No doubt the blacks would have fully privatized the welfare state through continued looting. But they were paid off and the violence subsided."
I hear you trying to implicate the source of the story, but I don't hear a response to the actual charges.
69 - Irene Wagner
It's not working, Leslie. Almost $1.75 mil so far. I'm not sure about vehemently pro-war Eric's objectivity, Dave Nalle, but thanks for keeping your ear to the ground.
70 - Leslie Bohn
OK, Ms. Wagner:
I understand where you are coming from now. I know why people don't answer direct questions.
So does anyone else know why racist, homophobic and paranoid rantings were contained for many years in various Ron Paul newsletters?
Oh, and no resorting to confusing references to THE ghostwriter or A ghostwriter or whatever. I don't get those.
Mr Nalle's link is quite damning.
71 - Irene Wagner
Leslie. I don't know. Maybe you should ask the ghostwriter.
72 - Howard
Dave, I’m so sorry you have chosen to trash Mike Huckabee simply because he eloquently expresses faith in a God you do not know. Certainly you and your fellow atheists and homosexuals have a right to an opinion. As individuals on an earth that is one of the smaller planets in one of the smaller solar systems of a constantly expanding universe, I’m sure you need some source of comfort to your life. Has trashing an apparently good man been that rewarding?
You have joined the non productive army of lobbyists, lawyers, accountants and their support staffs who will be forced to find productive employment when the Fair Tax becomes law. The changes to our lives resulting from this legislation will be wonderful for all of us. As a former member of that army, I can assure you they welcome your assist. They are terrified. I don’t expect you to listen, but Huckabee has addressed your fears on several occasions. Those pronouncements are available at his web site. In the meantime, I will pray for your soul, probably over your objections.
Howard
73 - Leslie Bohn
Ms. Wagner:
Your smug tone is amusing and says a lot.
I can make the easy assumption from your refusal to disavow this hateful bullshit. At least I know where you and Ron Paul are coming from.
Anti-semites, racists and homophobes make me sick.
74 - Colin
I'm a bit worried that his chief of staff now refers to him and his thought as Pauline! Will epistles be following?
75 - Leslie Bohn
We have 30 years of epistles. Excerpts are available here
Warning: They're full of hate against blacks, Jews and gays.