Dems Hold Fire On Huckabee; See 'easy Kill' In General Election

[OrangeEmpire]

DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2007®

Democrat party officials are avoiding any and all criticism of Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee, insiders reveal.

The Democratic National Committee has told staffers to hold all fire, until he secures the party's nomination.

The directive has come down from the highest levels within the party, according to a top source.

Within the DNC, Huckabee is known as the "glass jaw -- and they're just waiting to break it."

In the last three weeks since Huckabee's surge kicked in, the DNC hasn't released a single press release criticizing his rising candidacy.

The last DNC press release critical of Huckabee appeared back on March 2nd.

[DNC Press Release Attack Summary:

Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) – 37% (99 press releases)
Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY) – 28% (74)
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – 24% (64)
Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) – 8% (20)
Governor Mike Huckabee – 2% (4)]

Thoughts?

 

[U-T]

I understand the point of that article but I still refuse to believe a word of Drudge

Seen too many completely and utterly made up rumors turned into so-called facts by him and IMO his made-up, fabricated sources

 

[lawgator1]

I don't see why this is either news or surprising. Huckabee is a quietly charimsatic guy who sounds very reasonable when on stage with fellow Republicans and taking questions about Republican issues.

But his record of statements on social and religious issues is so extreme that mainstream America can't possibly embrace him.

 

[GAVol]

I don't see why this is either news or surprising. Huckabee is a quietly charimsatic guy who sounds very reasonable when on stage with fellow Republicans and taking questions about Republican issues.

But his record of statements on social and religious issues is so extreme that mainstream America can't possibly embrace him.

Define "extreme".

 

[BigPapaVol]

Define "extreme".

given what I've read from him before, that would be anything slightly right of Mao.

 

[MG1968]

Huckabee won't make it through the primaries. He won't be the first to drop out and he might make it as far as Super Tuesday, but no further. I see him as VP material (if Thompson doesn't want it) or as the RNC chair after the election.

 

[CSpindizzy]

Huckabee won't make it through the primaries. He won't be the first to drop out and he might make it as far as Super Tuesday, but no further. I see him as VP material (if Thompson doesn't want it) or as the RNC chair after the election.

He's not an insider and establishment guy. He wouldn't get that seat.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Define "extreme".

extreme = Christian

 

[utvolpj]

extreme = Christian

only when he says something like "take back this country for Christ"

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

only when he says something like "take back this country for Christ"

Yeah... those radical Christ fanatics going around terrorizing people with their gospel and 10 Commandments and nativity scenes.

Worse than the Taliban. :crazy:

 

[U-T]

Yeah... those radical Christ fanatics going around terrorizing people with their gospel and 10 Commandments and nativity scenes.

Worse than the Taliban. :crazy:

Not bad as in the Taliban but just weird....and edgy...and I am myself a Christian....but these radical groups just really make people stem off from remotely coming to their side

I just found this article and it pretty much sums up how I think people view the radical religious right wing

A RADICAL Christian group with the ear of prominent politicians has blamed "sinful" Australians for the nation's record drought.

Catch the Fires Ministries, which has links to several prominent politicians including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, has hired Festival Hall so 5000 of its followers can pray for rain on Australia Day.

Leader Danny Nalliah said moral decline, not climate change, was responsible for the drought.

"Australia has turned away from Almighty God ... the sinful condition of mankind has contributed to the stem of rainfall," he said.

Radical Christians blame sinners for drought | Herald Sun

 

[utvolpj]

Yeah... those radical Christ fanatics going around terrorizing people with their gospel and 10 Commandments and nativity scenes.

Worse than the Taliban. :crazy:

both want to legislate morality based on their beliefs. Different methods of course but they both want people to live by their book.

 

[lawgator1]

My impression is that he sees a prominent role for his faith in his government. I think even most mainstream/average Christians are uncomfortable with that.

 

[GAVol]

My impression is that he sees a prominent role for his faith in his government. I think even most mainstream/average Christians are uncomfortable with that.

Despite what some would have you believe, I think it is very possible to govern with tolerance without sticking your convictions in a box that you only open up on Sundays.

 

[TheGimp]

He was quoted in 1992 as saying AIDS patients should be isolated from the rest of society. That's getting into kook territory.

Via Time

Mike Huckabee once advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general public, opposed increased federal funding in the search for a cure and said homosexuality could "pose a dangerous public health risk."

As a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 1992, Huckabee answered 229 questions submitted to him by The Associated Press. Besides a quarantine, Huckabee suggested that Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies.

"If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague," Huckabee wrote.

"It is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population, and in which this deadly disease for which there is no cure is being treated as a civil rights issue instead of the true health crisis it represents."

The AP submitted the questionnaire to both candidates; only Huckabee responded. Incumbent Sen. Dale Bumpers won his four term; Huckabee was elected lieutenant governor the next year and became governor in 1996.

When asked about AIDS research in 1992, Huckabee complained that AIDS research received an unfair share of federal dollars when compared to cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

"In light of the extraordinary funds already being given for AIDS research, it does not seem that additional federal spending can be justified," Huckabee wrote. "An alternative would be to request that multimillionaire celebrities, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna and others who are pushing for more AIDS funding be encouraged to give out of their own personal treasuries increased amounts for AIDS research."

Huckabee did not return messages left with his campaign.

When Huckabee wrote his answers in 1992, it was common knowledge that AIDS could not be spread by casual contact. In late 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 195,718 AIDS patients in the country and that 126,159 people had died from the syndrome.

The nation had an increased awareness of AIDS at the time because pro basketball star Magic Johnson had recently disclosed he carried the virus responsible for it. Johnson retired but returned to the NBA briefly during the 1994-95 season.

Since becoming a presidential candidate this year, Huckabee has supported increased federal funding for AIDS research through the National Institutes of Health.

"My administration will be the first to have an overarching strategy for dealing with HIV and AIDS here in the United States, with a partnership between the public and private sectors that will provide necessary financing and a realistic path toward our goals," Huckabee said in a statement posted on his campaign Web site last month.

Also in the wide-ranging AP questionnaire in 1992, Huckabee said, "I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk."

A Southern Baptist preacher, Huckabee has been a favorite among social conservatives for his vocal opposition to gay marriage. In 2003, Huckabee said that the U.S. Supreme Court was probably right to strike down anti-sodomy laws, but that states still should be able to restrict things such as gay marriage or domestic partner benefits.

"What people do in the privacy of their own lives as adults is their business," Huckabee said. "If they bring it into the public square and ask me as a taxpayer to support it or to endorse it, then it becomes a matter of public discussion and discourse."

 

[GAVol]

He was quoted in 1992 as saying AIDS patients should be isolated from the rest of society. That's getting into kook territory.

Obviously not a very enlightened position even 15 years ago although it also could be a case of a guy playing to an audience who went too far . . . which isn't really any better. It will be interesting to see if he gets branded a religious kook or if he gets credit for being open minded enough to have now taken a more moderate stance.

 

[CSpindizzy]

I think it's amusing that stories about these previous positions are coming from the same camp of a guy who has flipped on almost every major issue within the past ten years. Pot calling kettle black maybe? Stories might have a little more credibility if they came from someone who remains pretty set in their positions within the past few years.

 

[MG1968]

Huckabee's pardons and grants of clemency are what will ultimately keep him from being a contender. He can spin the Wayne Dumond story all he wants, but he screwed up, then lied about screwing up.