Horserace
August 13, 2008 5:25 PM

Huckabee Says Problem With Romney Is His "Inconsistencies," Not His Faith

Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee today commented on the efforts of some of his supporters in Michigan and Ohio to convince presumptive GOP nominee John McCain not to ask former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney to be his running mate.

"I think a lot of people, not just social conservatives, but a lot of the Republicans I know are not necessarily comfortable with Romney," Huckabee told CBSNews.com. "But it has nothing to do with religion. It has everything to do with inconsistencies in positions he's held, and that's it."

In response to buzz about the former Massachusetts governor becoming McCain's running mate, an alliance of Ohio social conservatives, many of whom are former Huckabee supporters, have formed a group called "Social Conservatives Against Romney." Romney had moderate positions on many hot-button social issues, including abortion, before his run for president.

Huckabee has also been discussed as a potential running mate for McCain, though he is seen as a long-shot possibility.

Evangelical leader Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, told CBSNews.com last week that Romney "would be an excellent choice" for McCain.

"There are people in the evangelical community who would have a problem with his Mormonism," he added. "I am not one of them. I mean, I'm very clear that I do not believe Mormonism is a Christian faith. But that does not disqualify someone from being President or Vice President. And my guess would be that, probably, about 15 to 20 percent of the evangelical community would have a problem with his Mormonism."
Tags:
Mike Huckabee ,
Mitt Romney
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Mike Huckabee
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by jmurrieta1 August 13, 2008 6:08 PM PDT
"There are people in the evangelical community who would have a problem with his Mormonism," he added. "I am not one of them. I mean, I''m very clear that I do not believe Mormonism is a Christian faith. "

So John McCain''s backers don''t think Mormons are Christians.

Hope they bear that in mind in Utah and Nevada come November.
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by paris1969 August 13, 2008 6:17 PM PDT
I think Pawlenty will be McCain''s pick ... and I think conservative Democrats will like him!
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by allurfears August 13, 2008 6:18 PM PDT
Now ROMNEY looks like the Anti-Christ to me. This guy is just scary.
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by giantrobot2 August 13, 2008 6:22 PM PDT
*** NEWS FLASH ***

transcript 171.08-0.4 dated 8/13/08 @ 6:21pm EST

Secret sources used in high level poltical seasons have released another CODE word by Senator John McCain. This is the second CODE word released by the Senator to let others know of the pending VP announcement for Governor Mike Huckabee.

"Huckabee is one of the most decent individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing," McCain said.

The first CODE words released after his symbolic meeting with Mike Huckabee on 8/8/8 to coincide with the start of the Olympics in the Governor''s home state of Arkansas are as follows:

"McCain said Huckabee "has earned a very large role in the future of the Republican Party."

Sources are indicating the Senator will be releasing additional CODE words before the official annoucement is released to the public on Friday August 29th at 12:03 pm EST. It is said millions of viewers will be watching television, internet media sources and radio broadcasts during lunch time hours for his official announcement to maximize the energy and excitement for the Republican convention.

Confidential sources have also indicated another CODE word will be released on 8/24/08, but have indicated it will be a "special" CODE word to indicate Mike Huckabee''s new assignment as John McCain''s Vice President. Irontically, this coincides with another symbolic date as it is Governor Huckabee''s birthday.

end transcript 171.08-0.4 dated 8/11/08
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by gdbforever August 13, 2008 6:22 PM PDT
Romney supporter just want to us the bigot card to get sympathy, nobody is voting against Romney because of his faith. There are many including myself that just don''t trust him, and with good reason too. So if calling me a bigot makes Governor Romney supporters feel better by all means have at it.
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by granny_t August 13, 2008 6:29 PM PDT
The majority of Evangelicals I''ve communicated with want McCain to choose a VP that has consistently supported the social values important to us. Romney''s inconsistency on those values are why we object to him.

It is unfortunate that reporters continue to stir up the religious controversy. The Constitution clearly states there is to be no religious test.
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by liberalme August 13, 2008 6:51 PM PDT
What a hypocrite!! And an "envious" one at that!!

Better read your 10 Commandments Huckabee---you''re judging and shouldn''t be. LOL
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by liberalme August 13, 2008 6:55 PM PDT
And my guess would be that, probably, about 15 to 20 percent of the evangelical community would have a problem with his Mormonism."


And about 80% of the country has a problem with evangelicals!
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by randynason August 13, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
Hucka-wanna-be can be such a trickster with his barage of Christian verbiage. I sure hope he doesn''t grab his gun and go do something stupid.
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by nrobyar August 13, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
I wish the media would stop trying to make Mitt Romney OR Mike Huckabee''s religion an issue in the elections. Neither should be either a reason to vote for or against these men. However, a strong consistent message is a sign of leadership that can be counted on and trusted. Those who have a problem with Romney don''t recognize those qualities in him. Also, we don''t feel he should be "rewarded" with the vp spot after the very negative "attack" campaign he ran against Senator McCain and all the other major players. Political leaders should be respectable role models and Romney''s primary run reminded me of the way a ruthless businessman tries to overtake a company. When Huckabee conceded the race he said "I''d rather lose an election than lose the principles that got me involved in politics in the first place." When Romeny gave his concession speech at CPAC he said "I HATE TO LOSE." These two statements say volumnes about the men who spoke them.....
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by random_radar August 13, 2008 7:01 PM PDT
"The Constitution clearly states there is to be no religious test.

Posted by Granny_T at 06:29 PM : Aug 13, 2008"

The constitution only says you have to be 35 years old and a native born citizen. Choosing based upon religion or any other criteria is entirely acceptable under the constitution. Indeed, only a fool would fail to weigh any criteria important to himself.
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by random_radar August 13, 2008 7:03 PM PDT
"The Constitution clearly states there is to be no religious test.

Posted by Granny_T at 06:29 PM : Aug 13, 2008"

Furthermore, I will bet you are one of the hundreds of millions of Americans who have never actually read, let alone understood, what the constitution actually says.
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by courvalkc1 August 13, 2008 7:04 PM PDT
I would like to see Romney as VP because he''s the best choice but I don''t know if McCain has a fully developed spine to be able to select the best person. He is easily swayed by the snake oil salesman (Huckabee) and his narrow-minded, bigoted followers.

Oh well, good for you, Huckabee followers - thanks to your hateful words and behavior, if you get your way Obama will be our next president.

Thank you for losing the election because of your religious hate speak. Obama owes you a big THANK YOU!!
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by radlandon August 13, 2008 7:04 PM PDT
Nobody cares about Romney''s faith. But Romney has flipped and flopped on social issues. I don''t believe his is a man of strong convictions.
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by courvalkc1 August 13, 2008 7:14 PM PDT
Huckabee is disgusting. He hates Mormons (some Christian he is). His words are full of prejudice, disrespect, ignorance, and deceit. He gives me the creeps.

"I''m very clear that I do not believe Mormonism is a Christian faith... And my guess would be that, probably, about 15 to 20 percent of the evangelical community would have a problem with his Mormonism."
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 13, 2008 7:19 PM PDT
Hmmmm...sounds more like a ''neener neener'' thing to me.

What''s the matter Huck, can''t stand it the people chose McCain as their nominee instead of you?
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 August 13, 2008 7:22 PM PDT
Hmmmm...sounds more like a ''''neener neener'''' thing to me.

What''''s the matter Huck, can''''t stand it the people chose McCain as their nominee instead of you?

Posted by WellHell3 at 07:19 PM : Aug 13, 2008

Why do people who are so uneducated that they can''t read and UNDERSTAND what is being said always telling us what someone means. Could YOU read what Huckabee said? I certainly could and I, being and educated and intelligent person, could form my OWN opinion. But NO! This pathetic 6th grade drop out has to tell me what the man REALLY said. LOL GO figure!!
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 August 13, 2008 7:25 PM PDT
Political leaders should be respectable role models and Romney''''s primary run reminded me of the way a ruthless businessman tries to overtake a company. When Huckabee conceded the race he said "I''''d rather lose an election than lose the principles that got me involved in politics in the first place." When Romeny gave his concession speech at CPAC he said "I HATE TO LOSE." These two statements say volumnes about the men who spoke them.....

Posted by nrobyar at 07:01 PM : Aug 13, 2008

So YOU think winning like Bush and now McSlime have done is to be respected?? LOL I got news for you friend. NO ONE who has used the methods of Rove, Bush 1, W or McSlime will have ANY respect from anyone. Winning like they are will result in ANOTHER Worst in our history. What the Republican''s need more than anything is ONE honest Man. So far I haven''t seen on, Romney included.
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by lostcause09 August 13, 2008 7:54 PM PDT
But it has nothing to do with religion...

WAY RIGHT... MAGIC UNDERWEAR?
Reply to this comment
by ragnar30066 August 13, 2008 8:04 PM PDT
I think Gomer Pyle (Gov. Huckabee) is trying to do to Romney''s chances what John Edwards did to Hillary''s. Just my opinion(s).

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by billpl-2009 August 13, 2008 8:09 PM PDT
Mormonism is the official:

"I''m better than You, Religion"

...we already have enough of the that kind of crapp...we don''t need it nor him.
Reply to this comment
by JedMerrill August 13, 2008 8:12 PM PDT
Let it go Huck.

This is not a time for divisiveness and backbiting.

Romney is McCain''s smartest pick, and you are just making things harder on the Republican ticket.

If I were McCain I would decide quickly and end this unfortunate, unproductive squabbling.

My picks at this point for McCain to win would be Romney and Rice, and Rice doesn''t want it.
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by bdribus August 13, 2008 8:20 PM PDT
Romney undoubtedly has droves of paid trolls who descend on articles such as this one to peddle the "poor discriminated-against Mormon Mitt" angle, but they have one big problem: youtube.com. On youtube.com you can see Romney flip-flop on every issue under the sun. Sorry Mitt, we aren''t buying.
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by JedMerrill August 13, 2008 8:25 PM PDT
Huckabee has always been the Barabbas candidate, only in the race at all because a few people won''t vote for what they don''t understand.

The great threat of Mitt Romney is that his good example will help reveal the deep lies and misrepresentations that Baptists have told for decades about Mormonism.

If McCain has the sense to pick Romney in spite of these charlatans, he will gain not only my vote but my respect.

America needs Mitt, and this, as far as I am concerned, is the first test of whether McCain will put America''s needs first.
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by JedMerrill August 13, 2008 8:33 PM PDT
billpl,

Mormons are not better, but different. They are different because they choose to follow Christ instead of the mob.

Are they perfect? No way, but they set a higher standard and do a pretty good job of sticking to it.

bdribus,

The idea that Romney has paid trolls at this stage of the game is ludicrous. Try committed fans, some of whom have met him and know his decency and intelligent answers to contemporary questions.
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by davide73-2009 August 13, 2008 8:48 PM PDT
Mike Huckabee is telling the simple truth. With all his money and all his media support, Romney could not win the hearts of Republicans because they saw him as inauthentic. To choose him as VP running mate would be the death knell for John McCain.
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by davide73-2009 August 13, 2008 8:51 PM PDT
Richard Land is a complete and total idiot.
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by davide73-2009 August 13, 2008 8:53 PM PDT
The earlier comment that Huckabee said that he would rather lose an election than his principles, while Romney said he hates to lose, tells it all. The moneyed elite will keep pushing Romney but it is a suicidal move for them.
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by davide73-2009 August 13, 2008 8:53 PM PDT
The earlier comment that Huckabee said that he would rather lose an election than his principles, while Romney said he hates to lose, tells it all. The moneyed elite will keep pushing Romney but it is a suicidal move for them.
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by verified-cbs August 13, 2008 9:18 PM PDT
Barack Hussein Obama is an angry black muslim who became an angry black christian.

That isnt racist. That is just an observation.
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by formrusmcsgt August 13, 2008 9:26 PM PDT
I hope McCain picks Romney.

That will marginlize the ticket even more...
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by mrsp6 August 13, 2008 9:29 PM PDT
I am a christian. I am not a Romney supporter.

But to say the latter comes BECAUSE of the former is a case of POST HOC ERGO PROPTER HOC.

My opposition to Mitt Romney comes because of his INCONSISTENCIES (translation: flip-flops) on a variety of issues. They include: (1) Abortion, (2) Gay rights (ENDA), (3) Gun rights (a federal assaults weapon ban, and the Brady Bill)

This list is not intended to be complete. Romney has flip-flopped on a MYRIAD of issues. THAT is what makes me very uncomfortable with the thought of him being VP.
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by verified-cbs August 13, 2008 10:13 PM PDT
Barack Hussein Obama is an angry black muslim who became an angry black christian.

That isnt racist. That is just an observation.
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by realpatriot1 August 13, 2008 10:22 PM PDT
The local news in Raleigh is reporting that Colin Powell will endorse Obama and appear at the Democratic Convention.
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by liberalme August 13, 2008 10:29 PM PDT
This list is not intended to be complete. Romney has flip-flopped on a MYRIAD of issues. THAT is what makes me very uncomfortable with the thought of him being VP.

Posted by MrsP6

And I''m uncomfortable with the fact that you vote!

Sorry, the christian "right" won''t win this time--religion has no place in politics.
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by kansas1946 August 13, 2008 10:34 PM PDT
Barack Hussein Obama is an angry black muslim who became an angry black christian.

That isnt racist. That is just an observation.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Verified-CBS at 10:13 PM : Aug 13, 2008
+ report abuse
****************************

Well, the sun revolves around the earth. That isn''t a fact. Just an observation.
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by davide73-2009 August 13, 2008 10:47 PM PDT
The economic conservatives who are in the process of bankrupting this nation always try to confuse the issue by claiming that evangelical Christians don''t like Romney because is a Mormon. That is nonsense. They don''t like him because he doesn''t stand for anything and will say whatever it takes to win an election. He is a tool of those conservatives, but they are going to be driven from power this year, one way or another.
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by twister61 August 13, 2008 10:56 PM PDT
Alot of you Huckabee supporters are much like the liberal side.....very angry inside! You hate Mitt Romney for his wealth and success.You claim to be Baptist,but is this a religion that teaches to hate other religions? You Baptist should be ashamed of yourself and Huckabee!
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by kirstinharr August 13, 2008 11:31 PM PDT
Huckabee is the ONLY conservative option left for VP. Romney will not work for Christians and it''s much more than the 20 percent estimate in this article. The majority of Christians are totally uncomfortable with Romney and not just because he''s a Mormon. He''s flip flopped on core issues on the conservative agenda. He''s also a Ken Doll...
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by hsinco-2009 August 13, 2008 11:42 PM PDT
This list is not intended to be complete. Romney has flip-flopped on a MYRIAD of issues. THAT is what makes me very uncomfortable with the thought of him being VP.

Posted by MrsP6

What about all of McCain''s flips and flops?

What flips and flops? You ask?

Here''''s a partial list of McCain Flip-flops, to see more, go to www.crooksandliars.com, where 4 weeks ago McCain had over 60 flip-flops. Yeah John, we really want you for president!
1. Social Security Privatization.
2. Raising - and Slashing - Defense Spending
3. First Term Balanced Budget Pledge.
4. The Media%u2019s Treatment of Hillary Clinton.
5. The Estate Tax
6. FISA, Domestic Surveillance and Telecom Immunity.
7. Restoring the Everglades.
8. Divestment from South Africa.
9. Fighting Job Losses in Michigan.
10. Opposing Hurricane Katrina Investigations.
11. Alternative minimum tax, was for repealing it, now wants to phase it out.
12. Litmus test for judicial appointees, was against it, now he''''''''s for it.
13. 1999: was against off-shore drilling, now he''''''''s for it.
14. 2001: "Cannot in good conscience support tax cuts"
15. 2005: McCain anti-torture amendment, 2008, voted against the ban.
16. 2006: McCain immigration bill, 2008 DID NOT vote for it!
17. 2000: Called Jerry Falwell and Pat Roberts "Agents of Intolerence"; 2006, pandered to Falwell and spoke at his college
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by randynason August 13, 2008 11:44 PM PDT
Hucka-wanna-be wants to sit next to the wrinkled, white-haired dude; the GOP one, not the GOD one.
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by hosers22 August 13, 2008 11:48 PM PDT
Huckabee not bigoted toward the Mormon Church? Some people should google up Huckabee''s last trip to the Mormon Headquarters during the Southern Baptist Convention held in Salt Lake City around 1998. Huckabigot was a key speaker, telling the Mormons there they were going to burn in hell if they didn''t repent and join the Baptist Church. The Baptist church has more pamphlets teaching it''s members how to hate the Mormons than Brigham Young had wives.

Yet it "isn''t about Romney''s religion". Please!
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by emelder August 14, 2008 12:05 AM PDT
Richard Land is a fool ... to be a man of faith yet interject himself into politics. He has zero credibility with me.
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by beboldin09 August 14, 2008 12:12 AM PDT
hosers22, by your logic, anyone who disagrees with a religion is a "bigot" towards it. So by YOUR logic, you''re a bigot towards Christians.

Again, by YOUR logic.
Reply to this comment
by beboldin09 August 14, 2008 12:13 AM PDT
Romney is not what McCain needs. Ridge would be far better and Mormonism is not a Christian faith in the true sense. It has far too many deviations from Scripture.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by linymo at 11:58 PM : Aug 13, 2008

AMEN.
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by shelbycares August 14, 2008 12:25 AM PDT
I pity the Huck supporters who still are being fooled by their reptilian con man Huck. This loser was never a viable candidate yet the Huckies believe he still could have a chance even after Huck''s vile Obama comment at the NRA!

Google "Huckabee Obama gun". You WILL GET A MILLION HITS !!! Huckadumb made a HUGE colossal irreparable gaffe suggesting the assassination of the Dem''s messiah! McCain wants to win this election--thus HE WILL NEVER SELECT THIS HUCKABEEN DISASTER!!! Go away losers!
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by shelbycares August 14, 2008 12:26 AM PDT
I pity the Huck supporters who still are being fooled by their reptilian con man Huck. This loser was never a viable candidate yet the Huckies believe he still could have a chance even after Huck''s vile Obama comment at the NRA!

Google "Huckabee Obama gun". You WILL GET A MILLION HITS !!! Huckadumb made a HUGE colossal irreparable gaffe suggesting the assassination of the Dem''s messiah! McCain wants to win this election--thus HE WILL NEVER SELECT THIS HUCKABEEN DISASTER!!! Go away losers!
Reply to this comment
by shelbycares August 14, 2008 12:31 AM PDT
Awww...poor Huck''s jealous that he''s not a Ken Doll too...
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by samthetvcat August 14, 2008 12:57 AM PDT
---"Huckabee Says Problem With Romney"---

Huckabee, the guy who stayed in the race until the New York Times piece on McCain''s affair broke, is suddenly badmouthing the apparent front-runner? Because overall don''t more evangelicals support Romney than the Gov. of Minnesota don''t they, so isn''t that kind of odd?

What''s his deal - you think he''s trying to do a ''Hillary'' so when Magoo/Romney loses he can swoop in in 2012 on the ''I told you so'' platform?

Or is it just personal . . .

I can''t imaging McCain''s going to choose based on comfort because he doesn''t really have that luxury . . . like doesn''t winning come first? :o
Reply to this comment
by ci2eye August 14, 2008 1:02 AM PDT
Kirstinharr,

Please don%u2019t attempt to speak for all Christians regarding Romney. Your statement %u201CRomney will not work for Christians%u201D claims to represent the opinion of Christians everywhere and your bigoted remarks certainly do not represent this Christian.
Mitt Romney appears to me to be a man of outstanding intellect and class. Unlike Huck, he gracefully withdrew from the race when it was apparent that McCain would be the nominee and since then has done everything to help McCain in his quest for the White House. Romney holds three degrees; two from Harvard and everything he has touched, has been successful. He is lauded for his skills in turning failing organizations around. I believe the Nation needs his skills. And, while I do not share his religion, our Constitution prohibits imposing a religious test on candidates seeking the Presidency and none of the 43 men who have served before has ever been considered Pastor-in-Chief in addition to Commander-in-Chief. Not one has ever attempted to establish a National religion and they have come from varied backgrounds including Deists, Congregationalists, Methodists, a Catholic, and a Quaker.

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