Huckabee Reflects on Yesterday's Press Conference
(CBS)
SERGEANT BLUFF, IOWA -- "We made a tough decision yesterday in our campaign, I hope its the right one. We'll find out Thursday night," Mike Huckabee said, referring to his press conference in which he decided he would not run negative TV ads against Mitt Romney.
"I've been relentlessly attacked...in the mail, on television... And you know, every piece of political advice is, you gotta to and attack those guys right back, and we were prepared to dothat, actually prepared a spot," he told about 125 supporters packed into the Pizza Ranch restaurant.
"And I know there's a lot of people cynical think, well we pulled a stunt yesterday. I'll tell you what, I just decided that, if that's what it takes to get elected, that's a lousy way to run the country...it came down to--if a man gains the whole world and loses his own soul, what does it profit him? And I decided even the presidency, as important as it is, if I can't do it with self respect and can't do it with decency, it isn't worth doing if its not worth doing right."
Supporter Pinky Person explained to me after Huckabee's speech: "When I was on my way to prayer last Friday morning, the Lord told me to pray for the wisdom of Solomon." Person was seated in the front row for Huckabee's event, regularly nodding her head in agreement during his remarks.
"I believe that's what happened yesterday morning when he decided to pull the negative ad. Because he needs widsom and yesterday the Lord said, he doesn't need Saul's armor. It doesn't fit him, which is, you know, is how the normal thinking goes. Because he has his slingshot which is his mouth, and five smooth stones are the words God has given him to speak, and that's how he's going to win the election." She was referring to the story of when David slayed Goliath with stones instead of using the king's armor and sword.
"I pray for him everyday, and I believe that, if he wins, it's going to be [the will of] God," said Person, a pastor in Cherokee.
She will be caucusing for the first time after living in Iowa for seven years.
Huckabee supporter Bob Dunker, president of Western Iowa Technical College, railed about the media when approached by a reporter. "Oh you guys are all a bunch of liberals," he said.
"He's a man of God. This country was founded on God. You guys in the liberal press want to take God away from us. You do it every chance you get."
FACT: Mike Huckabee''s substantial tax hikes far surpassed his modest tax cuts, with the average tax burden increasing by a whopping 47% over his tenure. (Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
FACT: Mike Huckabee raised more taxes in 10 years in office than Bill Clinton did in his 12 years.
(SOURCE: The Leader, Who''s biggest tax raiser 11/30/2007)
His engaging smile and sense of humor have been overshadowed by what appears to be a nasty shrill voice. Why did he think that we would not be cynical when we read about his phony news conference?
Why did it come to this? Maybe it was inevitable. When he talks about policy issues he seems to struggle. His idea about a federal sales super-tax is regressive and not likely supported by anyone except the very rich. His gaffes about foreign affairs seem to show him as somewhat of a country bumkin. His attempts to wrap himself in religion have offended many, including Christians like myself, who don''t feel that people should manipulate religion for political purposes.
Regardless of what happens in Iowa, I suspect that others, like me, will look elsewhere for leadership. Too bad, he did have an engaging smile.
Mike Huckabee is on a direct course to lead America to higher ground with a new American spirit.
In the heartland of Iowa, especially in Iowa integrity is a huge plus for a presidential candidate.