Who Gives a Huck? I Sure Don’t…
The current headline of Drudge Report is “Huckariddle: Will he or won’t he?” and a link to a WaPo blog post about Huckabee’s “very important announcement.”
I am absolutely no fan of former governor Huckabee, coming from the Libertarian wing of the Republican Party. Here is my take on Huckabee from 2 years ago.
The problem for Huckabee is that these aren’t flukes. Using a software analogy, they aren’t bugs: they are features of the system. A devout Southern Baptist would have to believe that redemption of even the most heinous criminal was possible, and it would require such a believer to divorce his religious beliefs from his secular responsibilities. Huckabee has clearly shown that it was impossible for him to compartmentalize these two spheres in his life.Worse, by resorting to tarring institutions instead of accepting responsibility Huckabee is acting like the liberals he usually criticizes. Finally, by stating “If I could have known nine years ago this guy was capable of something of this magnitude, obviously I would never have granted a commutation” Huckabee shows poor, liberal-like judgment. His actions would be expected from a bleeding heart, not from a member of Ronald Reagan’s own party.
Huckabee is one of the usual suspects that the media trots out as a presidential contender, but the guy is a loser. In fact so many of the “GOP hopefuls” are right now. Gingrich has personal problems – especially the fact that almost nobody likes him. Ron Paul makes the mistake that most libertarian politicians make: they open their mouths. Paul’s isolationism doesn’t work and hasn’t since the advent of cheap international travel, and his pro-jihadist stances personally appalls a Jew lover like me.
Who else is out there… The Donald has already flamed out. I don’t think I’ve seen a story about him in the news since Bin Laden became lead-tainted chicken of the sea. I get the impression that Trump shrinks or grows depending on the amount of press coverage. Right now he must have no trouble squeezing into Gary Coleman’s hand-me-downs. The people of Pennsylvania got fed up with Rick Santorum and showed him the door; I don’t see why they’d vote for him for president. Besides, we’ve already made one prima donna senator the President, we need to stop before it becomes a habit.
That leaves former governor Mitt Romney. Romney was a governor, which fits the belief that governors make successful presidents. Romney is taking hits for the health care reforms he instituted in Massachusetts as governor; better to get through it now rather than a year from now. Earl Ofari Hutchinson believes that Romney has the best chances to beat Obama, especially with a social conservative like Huckabee as his VP.
My biggest problem with Romney? His first name, but after 2 1/2 years of Barack I can let “Mitt” go. Besides I get emails all the time from Reince Priebus – a name that sounds like it came out of Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica “Captain Picard, may I introduce you to the ambassador to the Federation Reince Priebus.” – so it shouldn’t be tough to get over.
UPDATE:
So The Donald drops out. And the Huckster as well. I can’t say that I miss either of them. As for Newt Gingrich…. (What is it about Republicans and weird names? Is his brother named Salamander?) Newt committed seppuku on national TV by criticizing Paul Ryan, a Republican that people like more than him. Now his best hope is to run as a Democrat.
In the comments Richard asks my opinion about Herman Cain. I like him. He’s a straight talker and I like his candid responses to hypothetical questions in the first debate. But his claim to fame is being a businessman, and I’m not sure the White House is the place for one. Managing a company is different than a democracy. In a company, a boss can issue an order and expect it to be followed. If it’s not, he can fire whomever he wants. The President’s firing abilities are actually quite limited. Beyond his appointees there really isn’t anyone s/he can send packing. Much of the President’s job is arm-twisting and horse-trading, wheeling and dealing with Congress to get his (or her) agenda through the democratic process. In practice that means the President recognizing that others have power and control that s/he doesn’t have. This is the basis of the belief that governors make better presidents.
I also failed to mention Mitch Daniels. Honestly I don’t know much about him even though I’m somewhat of a political junky. There is a personal issue about his wife leaving him and then returning, but that doesn’t seem like a big deal – how can that be used in an attack ad against him? I don’t know much about his record in Indiana, but I’m sure as time goes by I’ll learn more.
richard red:
What about Hermin Cain? I don’t know anything about the man other than he isn’t a career politician. Is he worth looking into?
16 May 2011, 1:18 amrdred
Rob Miller:
Hello Scott,
Mitch Daniels has very questionable views on Israel, which is to be expected since he’s of Syrian Arab extraction.He recently was the proud recipient of an award from the very anti-Israel Arab American Institute, a group he’s been involved with for over 20 years.
Also,when Scott Walker was fighting his heroic battle to bring the public employee unions to heel in Wisconsin, Daniels knuckled under to them and stomped on his own GOP legislators who wanted to promote similar legislation.
Regards,
17 May 2011, 10:32 amRob
Scott Kirwin:
Thanks Rob.
17 May 2011, 10:59 amThose two issues knock Daniels out for me.
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