Paul Weyrich Endorses Huckabee

By: Joy Lin
Topics: Mike Huckabee

(CBS)

From CBS News' Joy Lin:

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. -- Mike Huckabee received the endorsement of longtime conservative activist Paul Weyrich, a former Romney supporter who called him this morning with the news.

"He called me first of all and initiated the conversation and indicated to me that he felt like I was the one guy that was left that was a true conservative that really believed things that mattered to a lot of conservatives and it involved everything from strong national defense to immigration to tax policy, the life question. There were many different reasons, and, you know, so obviously, this is good news for me. I appreciate it," Huckabee said.

He added that John McCain did not come up in the conversation, although, "he may have with some staff members" because other people visited with him after the phone call.

Asked how beneficial the endorsement would be since it hadn't helped Romney, Huckabee shrugged, "Well, but a lot of things didn't help Mitt Romney, including $100 million."

Huckabee said he hoped the endorsement would help win the support of voters in the three Mid-Atlantic primaries in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. tomorrow and he was "certainly grateful for it" because it gave him personal encouragement.

"He has been one of my political heroes and mentors, and I've admired his tenacity as a conservative stalwart," he said.

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by allenfuller-2009 February 12, 2008 10:20 AM EST: I''ve been following Paul Weyrich''s excellent series "The Next Conservatism" for some time.

I thought from the beginning that Huckabee was a natural fit for Paul because his philosophies fit very closely with those described in his series. Paul early on expressed favorable views toward Huckabee, but also expressed some unease because of the tax record and clemencies and the other false attacks and distortions that were flying around at that time. I think it was all so new that he couldn''t get past those. He ended up endorsing Romney but I''m glad to see he''s coming back to where he should be.

Really, politics fries a lot of peoples'' brains, including people I respect. I think Paul Weyrich is finally going for principle above politics. I can understand he would be nervous but he should have investigated more on his own. Too many of our leaders failed us in this respect, but hey, we''re still here. So now it''s their turn to come around. :D; Reply to this comment


by allenfuller-2009 February 12, 2008 10:19 AM EST: For those still left who believe the attacks on Huckabee:

Huckabee''s record on taxes and spending is very fiscally conservative, put in the perspective of his 10.5 year tenure. Spending went up only half as fast as in the rest of the 50 states; and almost all of it was for population growth, education and roads. Huckabee cut the budget drastically before being forced to raise taxes by the courts. Just two years before having to raise taxes, he was fighting the idea tooth and nail. He even created the "Tax Me More" fund for people who thought taxes were too low. I remember talk show hosts praising him for it at the time.; Reply to this comment


by allenfuller-2009 February 12, 2008 10:18 AM EST: Huckabee did NOT give over 1000 pardons. Governors in Arkansas give "clemencies" and commutations, which often mean just a shortening of an otherwise long sentence. Sometimes this meant some people then became eligible for parole but this was the decision of the parole board, not the governor. Recidivism among those to whom Huckabee granted mercy was around 10%-- compared to an average of 70% for the prison population at large. Also Arkansas had a prison funding problem at the time... people were talking about releasing even more prisoners, but Huckabee preferred to INCREASE SPENDING (gasp!) on prisons to keep more prisoners off the streets.

And so it goes, down the line of distortions, sound-bite attacks, and sometimes outright lies about Huckabee''s record. I encourage you to THINK FOR YOURSELF this election season. Vote for Huckabee. He still has a good chance to win at the convention... all he has to do is deny McCain an outright victory by capturing 55-60% of the remaining delegates!; Reply to this comment


by johnjacobs99 February 12, 2008 12:12 AM EST: Huckleberry,

Give it up. Your 1033 pardons, Amnesty, Ethic complaints, "Christian" slams just won''t cut it outside the South. I would consider you except you are a bigot.; Reply to this comment


by jennyowen February 11, 2008 11:45 PM EST: America is missing out on a truly great leader who can bring refreshing and stable change, if they fail to put Mike Huckabee into office..

But if you people want to coronate John McCain, you will get Washington as usual, no change and the same old failed policies. A John McCain Presidency would be about as refreshing as the scent of an old stale cigar...; Reply to this comment


by michaellitz2 February 11, 2008 11:13 PM EST: This election is NOT over yet! Those of us who desperately want a REAL conservative as the republican nominee still have about HALF of the primary contests and half a YEAR to make it happen! Let''s speak loudly and clearly while we still have a VOICE and the ability to influence this election!!!; Reply to this comment


by marinepatriot February 11, 2008 10:18 PM EST: We like Mike Huckabee and we want that man to run our Country!!!!

Mike Huckabee is a man of Honor.; Reply to this comment