Amazingly, he's gotten
good press. When the former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, decided to run for president, I half expected him to be either grilled by the media or altogether ignored. Neither has happened. In fact, it almost seems as if most reporters actually
like him--despite the fact that they would disagree with him on virtually every single issue, large and small. In the current issue of the
Atlantic Online, Marc Ambinder explains why.
Dr. Grant -
ReplyDeleteDid'nt you write a book with (or for) him? How well do you know him? Is he a worthy candidate?
Jason: Yes, I did write a book with him when he was governor--it was on the subject of school violence. He is a really remarkable, substantive, and principled leader. I see him as one of only a very small handful of "worthy" candidates currently running in the presidential primaries.
ReplyDeleteI like him, I like him not, I like him, I like him not . . .
ReplyDeleteEvery time I begin to warm to the governor, I read something that backs me back off. That blog states: "First of all, the media does seem to share Huckabee's views on immigration, global warming and poverty."
Uh-oh. Based on my knowledge of the media, I would have to assume that means Governor Huckabee supports open borders, believes my sizzling steaks on the backyard grill is causing glaciers to melt, and that prosperity (except for liberals) is evil.
Help me out here.
Richard: Well, I think the governor should speak for himself--so, I'll refer you to his own platform and speeches on his site. But, as for a quick explanation: he is definitely NOT a Wall Street Republican--in other words, he does not equate "free markets" with a "free ride for the big conglomerates." In addition, he has embraced a TR-like "Conservationism" as opposed to liberal "Environmentalism." He has strong views regarding the stewardship of our natural resources and he is a real advocate for ordinary citizens, middle class land-owners, and the dispossessed poor--but, without resorting to Socialism. When it comes to immigration, I think he takes a sensible, honest approach--one that simply recognizes that our current policies are jsut not working. What the media sort of likes is the fact that he is honest about where our policies have failed. But, he is way, way too conservative for them to like the solutions he proposes. It's just that he is so refreshingly unpretentious that the media is taken aback.
ReplyDeleteI like Mike. A couple of years ago a friend of mine and I were discussing the upcoming presidential race. I made the comment to him that what I wanted to see was a modern Teddy Roosevelt. He agreed but then stated that there wasn't anyone like that anymore. I told him I knew of one man, but he most likely would never run and if he did the media would pummel him. His name? Mike Huckabee.
ReplyDeleteI'm originally from Arkansas. I was not there during his tenure, but I was watching. It surprised me when he actually began to run.
I do believe that he is a very good man for the office. The kind of leader we despeartely need.
Huckabee's relaxed and commanding delivery stands out amongst the more famous celebrity candidates. He doesn't sound like he's buttoned down with talking points and I think anyone can appreciate that. Especially after enduring my fellow Texan for the past seven years! Huckabee's definitely my man and I'm thrilled that he's finally getting some attention.
ReplyDeletePlease accept my apologies for the poor spelling in my previous post. Exhaustion is a terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification George. I guess I'm back to "I love him."
ReplyDelete:)
Seriously, I do like those positions you stated, especially NOT being a "Wall Street Republican."
I like Gov. Huckabee, but he pales in comparison to Dr. Ron Paul.
ReplyDeleteJosh: Ron Paul is indeed a remarkable patriot. I've known him since my early days in Texas when he was still in private practice as a physician. He has always been a champion of freedom, stable economic policy, and keeping the government out of anything and everything the government has no business of being in--which is pretty much anything and everything.
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