Why are conservative leaders afraid of Huckabee? October 26, 2007
Posted by Paul Edwards in Huckabee, Huckabee for President, Uncategorized.trackback
Frank Lockwood over at Bible Belt Blogger highlights the attacks on Huckabee from conservatives in the wake of his positive showing at FRCs Values Voter Summit last week. Phyllis Schlafley is leading the charge, accusing Huckabee of destroying the conservative movement in Arkansas, quite an accomplishment to lay at the feet of one man. Dr. Randy Brinson of Redeem the Vote is cited by the Washington Times saying that in a recent meeting of conservative leaders, some moved to support Huckabee, causing a “panic” at Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council.
So what is it exactly about Huckabee that concerns pro-family leaders like James Dobson and Tony Perkins? That same Washington Times piece quotes Family Research Council president Tony Perkins on Huckabee:
Mr. Perkins said during a Christian Science Monitor press breakfast that although Mr. Huckabee is good on all social issues, “he has not seemed to have found solid footing on the issue of the threat, internationally, from radical Islam. There is some concern there about that issue.”
Asked what Mr. Huckabee had said to elicit concern, Mr. Perkins said that in a Republican candidates’ debate, the former Arkansas governor “made the statement that we broke Iraq.”
“We didn’t break Iraq,” Mr. Perkins said. “Saddam Hussein broke it.”
Warren Smith at The Charlotte World, makes the following observation in a piece titled, Why Huckabee Poses a Dilemma for Pro-Family Leaders:
Among pro-family leaders, though, there is some hand-wringing because they worry that Huckabee - who is the candidate the followers of the pro-family movement are obviously behind - is unelectable. Pro-family leaders such as Gary Bauer and Tony Perkins would prefer to pick a winner, and be seen as the guys who made him a winner. However, they don’t yet see Huckabee as a winner, so they’re hanging fire.
Warren hits the nail on the head when he says pro-family conservative leaders are putting pragmatism above principle. Shame on conservative evangelical leaders who refuse to back a principled candidate simply because of the perception he can’t win. Of course he can’t win if we don’t support him. These same leaders would rather throw their support behind a tired, anemic movie actor whose own Christian principles are questionable rather than support a man who clearly articulates the values conservative Christians are known for, and does so passionately.
Mike Huckabee is clearly one of us. What makes pro-famliy leaders think Fred Thompson better represents our values than does Huckabee? Any support from conservative evangelicals for Thompson can only be justified on the basis of pragmatism (he is perceived as more electable than Huckabee) rather than on principle. I for one plan to stand on principle. If our leaders don’t stand with us on principle, it’s time for a grassroots revolt to overthrow the status quo.
Duh! “Why are conservative leaders afraid of Huckabee? ”
Could it be because he is liberal in many of his ideas? Higher taxes, more government control, pandering to the NEA, just to mention a few.
Governor Huckabee’s record as a fiscal conservative is being smeared by the elites in the pro-family movement simply because they believe he cannot win, as evidenced by John Fund’s piece in today’s Opinion Journal. However, Huckabee’s record is not as cut and dried as the Fund piece suggests. Take this from conservative bloggers Joe Carter and Justin Taylor:
Gov. Huckabee is a candidate that should appeal to fiscal conservatives. He has signed the Presidential Taxpayer Protection Pledge which binds the signer to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates”; he supports the FairTax, which would abolish the IRS and replace the Internal Revenue Code with a consumption tax; he believes in free trade (that is, fair trade) and claims that “globalization, done right, done fairly, can be the equivalent of a big pay raise by allowing us to buy things more cheaply.”
Some of us were initially duped by the white paper on Huckabee that was released by the Club for Growth. Even though CFG is slightly outside of the mainstream on conservative fiscal policies (CFG is to fiscal conservatism what the Christian Coalition is to social conservatism), we respect the organization and appreciate their valuable work. Nevertheless, we were dismayed by their report that was at times misleading, if not outright dishonest.
We acknowledge that the Club for Growth believes that state sales taxes should never be increased to pay for such entitlements as education, Medicare, highways, and economic development. We understand that this is the reason that they oppose Gov. Huckabee’s record. But we believe that most Americans—and most conservatives—are not minarchists. We do not think the fiscal conservative bona fides of a man who cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380 million, and left a surplus of nearly $850 million should be denigrated because he took such actions as implementing a 1/8-cent sales tax hike. Although we respect the CFC, we are dismayed at the disingenuous means that the group has used to smear the Governor’s character. (We plan to issue a point-by-point response to the white paper in a future post.)
Of course, Gov. Huckabee is not a perfect candidate. No candidate ever is or ever will be. But we believe that he possesses qualities that should be appealing and encouraging to all branches of conservatives.
Read the full piece at http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com
Paul
Paul,
I agree with you on this one, Governor Huckabee is not perfect, and that should not stop us from looking. Besides, which one of us can say we ar perfect? No one and we as a people need to start looking at all aspects and not just what is popular. I am personally unsure who I want to throw my support behind as I am only recently hearing about Hackabee. The more and more I hear from his speeches to interviews, I have started to have hope for the GOP, the first time in a while since I have had any hope for teh Republicans.
I will not vote for any candidate that supports the killing of babies or supports the redefining of marriage and family. I also rather see the Republicans lose 4 years then for them to think they can push less the conservative values and that all us conservatives will automaticly vote for them. If the Republicans can come up with a true social conservative such as Governor Huckabee, I might (I am still looking into Huckabee) be able to support someone like Huckabee. His speech at that you played last week, I wish I heard more Republicans talk like that. Thanks Paul for pointing Huckabee out, I at least have a little hope for know, with regard to the GOP, and will look more into what is stands for and what he has or has not done.
I am grateful that God is in control and I pray that American would wake up and start standing up for what they believe in and not what the media and select groups try to push as the only choices. Only time will tell.
While I like Mike Huckabee, there are a few reason’s why I believe he doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in…. 1. He is weak on immigration, which is why folks like Schlafly don’t like him. Phyllis is a big opponent of the North American Union, something that Bush has been engaged with since March of ‘05. It is also something that has not sat well with many traditional social conservatives, especially those who view Tim Lehaye’s version of end times as a reality. 2. He has no different strategy on the war on Terror than the Bush/Chaney neocon’s have. Most Americans, even many of the folks on the right are waking up to the fact that the situation in Iraq was more about Oil than anything. Greenspan even came out and said that Oil was a prime reason. It is tough to have Christian values of love and peace for others and support a policy that is more about plundering other nations resources than about fighting an invisible enemy. If you look at the map of the world’s Oil reserves Iran is right up there along with Venezuela. I would have to say that the nuclear threat of Iran is certainly not a reason for the War talk of Bush and his crowd. Finally, the only way for a Republican to win the Whitehouse this next term is one that would be for change in the current ways. The only one that I see espousing that is Ron Paul, he has a message that can bring democrats, republicans and independents together. Huckabee is a man of character, but America is ready for change, he does not have that message.
May I add a comment?
“The only way for a Republican to win the Whitehouse this next term…”
Unless of coarse our God desires one to be.
Now the question to be answered is, does God, or does he not involve himself in these matters? If he does, then all that is left to do is to seek his will and vote on his side, if he does not, then give it your best shot anyway. While we are deciding these issues, how about if we tell someone about Jesus and his saving grace. As far as I know, the fruit of the righteous is still a tree of life.
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
Isn’t life grand! I We get to represent the King of Glory!
To quote Chuck Steele, “GLORY”!!!!!!
Don,
From your message it appears that you are a person how is a firm believer in the sovereign will of God. I know from listening to Paul Edwards that he is a person who does as well. How does that work when folks like Paul Edwards “endorse” candidates and from what I have heard basically ask everyone else to as well, in a manner of speaking. It’s almost implying that “Christian” = “Huckabee”, if your with God, you should be with Huckabee. He didn’t say that, but it seemed implied to me. Is that stepping in the way of God’s sovereignty? I am trying to understand when God’s sovereignty and our free will play in this. I have heard your arguments before and it is usually when a comment like Iggy’s is thrown out there. Something that contradicts the message brought forth, in this case the Huckabee endorsement. Just curious, Thanks.
Pixelmaster,
My endorsing a candidate for president works with God’s sovereignty in the same way that I pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God does what he pleases, but he requires us to be faithful as well. God’s sovereignty and man’s will are a paradox great minds have failed to solve in millenia of trying. I’ve learned to live with it.
So I am praying that God’s will is done in the next election and I am also doing what Jesus told us to do: exercise our civic responsibility by “rendering to Ceaser” through the electoral process, and “praying for those in authority,” all the while recognizing that “the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Paul, thanks for clearing up your stance on the issue. I still struggle with the way God’s sovereignty seems to be used in modern Christianity. From my observation, if a Christian is not happy or complains to another Christian about an injustice then it seems like the blanket of sovereignty is laid down on the situation. I have heard this mentioned many times with regards to our current federal government. A Christian complains about the many injustices taking place and God sovereignty is invoked. It seems too convenient to me, I think there is more free will that takes place and sovereignty has been used to quell decent. Just my two cents….
Pixelmaster
I’m glad you asked. My position is similar to Paul’s. Where I very from Paul a bit is, I accept that Gods plan “includes” our will as his will and through foreknowledge nothing is altered from His plan. Where I differ a bit more is, I believe that God has foreordained that man has a part in acceptance of his grace through the “leading” of the Holy Spirit by way of personal conviction of personal individual sin. I do not see a contradiction in His will allowing our will to this degree. Explain it with clarity, I can’t, accept without apology, I do. Where I agree completely with my brother is that I also cannot rectify by way of flawed human reason this paradox either.
Where I agree completely with another Paul of esteem is quoted below:
2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
This will cause a firestorm of critiquing on this blog but here goes anyway. He keeps, (preservation) that which “I” commit. (mans will) against that day,w hen all these things will be clarified, for we shall know as we are known
Incredible to me that it should matter to the God of glory anything I have to say, but evidently it does, because we are told to come boldly before His throne! Now in the matter of what we get as a president; this seems to be small stuff in light of whom we all serve and the family position we hold. Whoever and what ever I am also persuaded that he is able to still keep all things as planed. I gave up contemplating it and as my brother Paul has done is I accept it, and enjoy my undeserved favor from my heavenly father.
No wonder the song writer wrote;~~~~~~ “Oh The Wonder Of It All”
Pixelmaster
An additional “two cents worth”. Your on the right track about free will. Some in the seminary circles, reject this idea of man’s free will because they state that this then would contradict what God has foreordained to be, and thus cannot be so. The operation of man’s free will within the will of God only illustrates to me that His ways are not our ways. His mind is past figuring out, and this paradox only furthers the magnitude of a great God and his thought process. Many get so involved with these ideas and the searching for reason that they end up with more searching than serving. Many also appear to be more concerned with the world, its obvious needs and injustices at the expense of the souls living in this injustice.
Imagine devoting an entire adult life to the pursuit of knowledge, defending these theological positions, and as you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ you have not a soul to point to that you attempted to reveal the Savior to. Now compare this to some simple soul who worked as a laborer his whole career, who when at the same judgment seat has no seminary expertise to display, no years of great debate history, no grand library to reference from, but rather a black leather book, worn at the edges, stained by tears, smeared by finger prints from usage at lunch hour, and a host of his family, neighbors, and co-workers, secure in the family behind him. ~~~~~~~Quite the contrast!~~~~~~~~~
I leave you with these scriptures for further contemplation;
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
1 Corinthians 1…
18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Let no man steal your crown!
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Romans 14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
You, I, Paul, and any other soul, will give an account. There are three great judgements among the many still to come. Study, seek, search, and above all else remember, you have a book, He gave to You!
Read it, trust it, and keep it close to your heart.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you before you let anyone else do so.
John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Hi Paul and everyone,
I agree with Iggy above, Huckabee appears to be a godly man, but I don’t feel he’s the man for the hour on all issues like Ron Paul is. Please everyone reading this, do your own research and google Ron Paul and see his website http://www.ronpaul2008.com. Read his views page on all issues. He’s been in Congress for some 20 years, has delivered 4,000 babies, he’s a Constitutional fighter if it can be put that way. There’s so much good about him - and he is electible. His supporters (me included) raised over $3 million on November 5. Let’s get behind one man and see what God will do!
Betsy and Iggy,
Ron Paul is a great candidate and great person, he has a lot going for him. I support him however, the issue with him and the reason why the major players in the Christian right will not back him is that the Christian right seems to want all their values legislated from a federal level. As we know Ron Paul certainly will not do that, he believes in states rights, what real conservatism is, not this new neo-conservatism that we see now. Of course the other thing is that the Christian right feels that we must fight Islam at all costs,(Iraq does not equal 9/11) see Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Ron Paul believes in peace, negotiation and trade, imagine that. Ron Paul certainly has the ability to bring the right, left and center in this country together, his momentum is gaining. Great post, I am with you guys on Dr. Paul and pray that God will help his cause and make this country great like it used to be.