Huckabee's Foreign Policy Faux Pas

Weekly Standard: Disastrous Essay Shows GOP Candidate's Success Puts His Party's Future At Risk

(Weekly Standard)  This column was written by Dean Barnett.

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Since Mike Huckabee's meteoric rise in the polls, questions regarding his gravitas have dogged the latest Man from Hope. Oh sure, he can toss out witticisms with the best of them and he's as likable a politician as we've seen in decades, but many wondered whether he had the policy chops to be a capable president. Those doubts often hailed from magazines like this one; snot-nosed policy wonks, be they writing in journals of opinion or in the blogosphere, were dazzled by neither Huckabee's wit nor his ability to make rhymes like an extremely pale Jesse Jackson.

In an effort to answer these questions once and for all, Huckabee took to the pages of Foreign Affairs to dramatically lay out his foreign policy vision. As its name suggests, Foreign Affairs tends to be a dry read. The notoriously serious Council on Foreign Relations publishes the magazine, so Huckabee's trademark wit would be of no service. Apparently sensing the sobriety of the occasion, Huckabee chose to write the essay under the handle "Michael D. Huckabee" rather than the more familiar and colloquial "Mike."

The essay was a disaster for both Michael D. Huckabee and Mike Huckabee. Their bid to persuade America's most serious foreign policy analysts that Huckabee understands global affairs was equal parts embarrassing and unintentionally comic. In one part of the essay, Huckabee somberly intoned that "Sun-tzu's ancient wisdom is relevant today: 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.'" The only problem with citing this ancient piece of wisdom is that it comes not from Sun Tzu, but Michael Corleone. Unfortunately, the rest of Huckabee's essay was silent as to what America should do about Hyman Roth and his Sicilian message boy, Johnny Ola.

Huckabee's confusion regarding Sun Tzu and Michael Corleone obviously didn't reassure Republicans who harbored doubts about his seriousness as a thinker. Other parts of Huckabee's Foreign Affairs opus uncomfortably suggest that the governor isn't just playing at being a rube. Repeatedly, Huckabee clumsily tried to make purportedly serious points in Bumpkin-speak. "When we let bin Laden escape at Tora Bora," Huckabee reminisced, "we played Brer Fox to his Brer Rabbit." At the risk of revealing my lack of bumpkin bona fides, I don't know what that's even supposed to mean.

But that faux pas and the Corleone confusion were hardly the essay's lowlight. Huckabee's opening paragraphs were positively jaw dropping both for their style and their substance:

"The United States, as the world's only superpower, is less vulnerable to military defeat. But it is more vulnerable to the animosity of other countries. Much like a top high school student, if it is modest about its abilities and achievements, if it is generous in helping others, it is loved. But if it attempts to dominate others, it is despised.

"American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out. The Bush administration's arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad."

Perhaps I'm a harsh grader, but comparing America to a high school student and geo-political affairs to the interplay between the jocks and the geeks does not reflect a world class intellect at work. Maybe Huckabee dumbed down his essay to make it accessible to the notoriously slack-jawed hillbillies who make up Foreign Affairs' core audience. Or maybe he really thinks that way.

Worse still is his reference to President Bush's "bunker mentality." This comment echoes one of the rhetorical tics that has become so common on the left, its denizens seldom even notice it anymore -- referring to the president with imagery reminiscent of Hitler. We'd expect such rubbish from a Daily Kos diarist. But a presidential candidate? And a Republican?

And then there was the speech Huckabee gave in conjunction with the essay's release. In his speech, Huckabee made certain points that he didn't put in the magazine, perhaps for reasons of space or maybe because some Foreign Affairs editor has a well developed sense of mercy. "The bottom line is this," Huckabee cautioned. "Iran is a regional threat to the balance of power to the Middle and Near East; Al Qaeda is an existential threat to the United States."

Stunningly, Huckabee got it perfectly backwards. Al Qaeda is a menace to American security. But a nation governed by a hostile regime poised to produce a small arsenal of nuclear weapons that its leadership promises to use presents a truly existential threat. We can only conclude that "existential threat" does not mean what Mike Huckabee thinks it does.

The Foreign Affairs essay and its accompanying speech came on the heels of numerous suddenly famous Huckabee comments from the past that painted the picture of someone who not only comes from a small town, but who comes across more than occasionally as its village idiot. In 1998, Huckabee wrote that "a wife is to submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband." When I bounced this idea off my bride, she responded by bouncing her rolling pin off my head.

1998 was apparently a golden age for Huckabee silliness. That same year, he also took aim at those callow East Coast elites, declaring, "It is now difficult to keep track of the vast array of publicly endorsed and institutionally supported aberrations — from homosexuality and pedophilia to sadomasochism and necrophilia." Institutionally supported necrophilia? There are institutions out there paying people to have sex with corpses? While I would put nothing beyond Congress and its lustful infatuation with pork, this is an obviously ludicrous straw man. In Huckabee's defense, though, the passage does rhyme.

So how is this guy sitting among the Republican front-runners? For one thing, Huckabee obviously has charm to spare. It's tough not to like him. He's the most skilled retail politician in the Republican party by a country mile. None of the other Republican contenders have connected with the Republican electorate with great (or even not-so-great) effectiveness. Huckabee connects.

Huckabee is also a shrewd office seeker. Until the intellectual train wreck he wrote for Foreign Affairs, Huckabee hadn't made a single misstep the entire campaign. It's almost like he knew that parts of the Republican base would come to him after deciding that none of the other contenders set their hearts on fire.

Huckabee's ascent, fueled by those voters, leads us to the most disquieting aspect of his ascendancy. On every major issue save for abortion and gay marriage, Huckabee is dramatically out of step with the Republican Party. He talks a class warfare game that would make John Edwards blush. His foreign policy prescriptions make one yearn for the comparably muscular approach favored by Jimmy Carter. His anti-business rhetoric and his past regard for tax increases have left the Club for Growth types fuming. His leniency towards criminals is rapidly becoming legend.

Huckabee has risen because of identity-based politics. The bottom line rationale for his candidacy is frighteningly close to that of a Jesse Jackson campaign. Addressing a sliver of the electorate, Huckabee in essence says, "Vote for me because I'm one of you."

Of course, Huckabee is more clever than Jackson could ever dream of being. The sliver Huckabee's going after is quite a bit larger than the one Jackson targeted. What's more, Huckabee operates subtly where Jackson had all the subtlety of sledgehammer.

In his first television spot (after his good-timey debut with eager supporter Chuck Norris), the writing on the screen proclaimed Huckabee a "Christian Leader." I know — that doesn't sound particularly subtle. The subtlety was that the phrase popped up when Huckabee was decrying flip-flopping politicians. In other words, the words "Christian Leader" illuminated the screen while Huckabee was attacking the Mormon candidate.

The best thing about this gambit is that it attacked Romney with the same kind of elusive slickness that John Edwards used when he outted Dick Cheney's daughter during their vice-presidential debate. Both Huckabee and Edwards could express shock if anyone called them on their vulgar displays of identity politics. As a consequence, no one made an issue of it.

Just this week, Huckabee revealed a new ad where he did nothing other than wish the voters a "magnificent" Christmas. It was Huckabee at his best. And his worst. On the one hand, it was nearly impossible not to like the nice man on the screen who was taking the time (not to mention the money) to do nothing more than wish the voters a Merry Christmas. On the other hand, it was a not-particularly-subtle reminder that his main contender in Iowa, Mitt Romney, isn't a mainstream Christian.

At least Jesse Jackson's version of identity-based politics made a modicum of sense for his party. Jackson was a pedestrian doctrinaire liberal. Practically the only things separating Jackson and Michael Dukakis were eight inches and 80 pounds. Although Jackson would have been a scandalously unqualified Democratic nominee in 1988, at least he would have made ideological sense.

If the Republican Party nominates Huckabee, it will nominate a man who is both unqualified for the job and ideologically out of step with the party. The Republican Party's main advantage over the Democratic Party the last few decades has been the fact that Republicans were united by principle, while Democrats were a motley pastiche of special interest groups, each looking to tear a little piece off the government's bloated carcass in exchange for their support.

If Huckabee's ascent turns out to be anything more than a personality fueled blip, it will signal trouble for the Republican Party. It will mean the ideology that has defined the Republican Party since the age of Reagan is no longer enough to hold the party together. If Huckabee gets the nomination, it will mean that base identity politics have officially supplanted conservative ideology as the Republicans' uniting principle.

Mike Huckabee may be a sunny guy, but that's a dark prospect.

[quatrops]

A frequent nominal Republican contributor to these posts advised several days ago he was going to vote for Obama as the best alternative since he believed NO Republican could win in ''08. May I (humbly?) suggest to GiantRobot2 and others to go the same route rather than get excited about the cannibalism extant in the Republican campaign?

Also, I was asked (argumentatively, I think) in a now- closed-to-reply article what the definition of "neo-con" was. Not to bore any readers (further?) with an inclusive lengthy response, a couple key areas where neo-cons have distanced themselves from traditional conservative Republicans:

1. Fiscal irresponsibility - cutting, or not raising, taxes while increasing spending. (2) Environmental issues - substantially lower priority. (3) Foreign entanglements - see "Farewell Address". (4) Minimal but EFFECTIVE legislation and execution that would make the public interest a priority but still provide a healthy environment for the corporate community. The recent FCC decision is a good example of neo-con orientation. Traditional conservative Republican legislators are OPPOSED to Martin''s decision.

''Nuff said! Even I am bored now! What''s YOUR definition, Alan?

[giantrobot2]

Mr. Dean Barnett,

You should be ashamed of yourself for writing such a biased article. Your job is to report the news, not twist it in your own words to change the readers mind. You went over the line, let me remind you that you are getting paid to report the news so the readers can decide not the media.

Please forward this article to your boss and tell him I think you should "not" get a raise this year or "no" bonus for your shameful article.

And talk about foreign policy, Let me remind our readers which candidate said he would call his lawyers "first" if a Nucleur bomb was heading our way in a National televised debate instead of taking action to fight back?

It was Mitt Romney who said that. Do we want a president who wants to cover his own behind before first protecting the American people?

And diverging from the Republican base as Mr. Barnett wrote. Ha! Who''s diverging from the base the most?

It is Rudy Guiliani of course with his stance of abortions is ok. That is not the Republican party platform.

Your boss should not give you a pay raise this year. With all your lies in this article and twisted truths you should be ashamed of yourself as a news reporter.

[quatrops]

It''s either a sign of my twisted psyche or my love for my country (or both?), but I certainly am enjoying watching the proto-fascists devour each other! Hannibal Lector must be enjoying this show!

[sebastian27-2009]

It is interesting to observe the arrogance in the NR''s article. I believe that anyone hailing from a town anywhere West of the belt way would be a "rube" in their opinion.

[sandycat2]

MCVET, you have stopped being a real American when you equate the US with Hitler and Nazi Germany.

[bluestardad]

LOOKS LIKE MIKE MADE THE ISRAELI LOBBY GROUP AIPAC MAD!

HE BETTER GET ON THEIR PAYROLL OR HE WILL NEVER BE IN THE GOP PRESIDENTIAL RACE FOR LONG.

ALL HE HAS TO DO IS SWEAR TO DO WHAT EVER ISRAEL SAYS AND HE CAN GET THE NOMINATION...

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS BOTH DO IT EVERY ELECTION...

BAD THING IS THAT STAYING IN THE MIDDLE EAST HAS NEVER BEEN IN AMERICAS NATIONAL INTEREST...

AMERICA YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!

DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT OR SHUT UP!

[mcvet]

There''s no place in America for these FASCIST or this Nazi Rag PERIOD! I don''t know what happened to the REAL Republican''s or their party but the failure of the last 7 years is so obvious anyone can see it and the Policy of Bush has created more enemy''s than it has prevented, of this there is no debate. When you look at our position in the world, NEVER has it been worse, NEVER. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[myidoncbs]

It''s fun to watch the repugs attack their own.

[jbrewster7]

I don''t care that Huckabee is a so-called christian. What bothers me, is that he has consistantly used his so-called religious accomplishments to boost his campaign as well as attack others.


The only thing Huckabee wants you to think is that he is some how qualified to be president because he used to be a baptist minister and is a so called true "Christian Leader".

Look through his "Awe Schucks" act and see him for what he really is. Mike Huckabee is a wolf in sheep''s clothing that uses the religion card to push his own agenda.

[jbrewster7]

MIKE HUCKABEE WANTS MORE OF YOUR MONEY.

FACT: Mike Huckabee signed a sales tax hike in 1996 to fund the Games and Fishing Commission and the Department of Parks and Tourism (Source: Cato Policy Analysis No. 315, 09/03/98)

FACT: Mike Huckabee supported an internet sales tax in 2001. (Source: Americans for Tax Reform, 01/07/07)

FACT: Mike Huckabee publicly opposed the repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002. (Source: Arkansas News Bureau, 08/30/02)

[jbrewster7]

MIKE HUCKABEE WANTS EVEN MORE OF YOUR MONEY.

FACT: Mike Huckabee signed bills raising taxes on gasoline (1999), cigarettes (2003) and a $5.25 per day bed-tax on private nursing home patients in 2001. (Source: Americans for Tax Reform, 01/07/07 and Arkansas News Bureau 03/01/01)

FACT: Mike Huckabee proposed another sales tax hike in 2002 to fund education improvements. (Source: Arkansas News Bureau, 12/05/02)

[jbrewster7]

MIKE HUCKABEE ON TAXES.....

FACT: Mike Huckabee%u2019s 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 opposed a congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003. (Source: Arkansas News Bureau, 11/21/03)

FACT: Mike Huckabee in 2004, he allowed a 17% sales tax increase to become law. (Source: The Gurdon Times, 03/02/04)

[jbrewster7]

MIKE HUCKABEE TOUGH ON CRIME....

FACT: Mike Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers, one of which "Wayne DuMond" shortly after his release moved to Missouri where he raped and murdered Carol Sue Shields. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in Clay County, Mo., in 2003. He died in prison in 2005.

[jbrewster7]

MIKE HUCKABEE THE REAL "CHRISTIAN LEADER"....

FACT: Mike Huckabee stole over $70,000 worth of furniture from the Arkansas governors mansion.

Google: Counting the furniture Huckabee takes his office furniture; a conflict on Mansion gift. (Source: Arkansas Times 12/14/06 Leslie Newell Peacock)

FACT: Mike Huckabee set up a nonprofit entity so he could give paid ``inspirational'''' speeches without having to disclose the donors.

Google: Huckabee''s Boom May Be About Ready to Bust: Margaret Carlson (SOURCE: Bloomberg Dec 12, 2007 Margaret Carlson)

[jbrewster7]

MIKE HUCKABEE ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION....

FACT: Mike Huckabee supported in-state higher education benefits for children of illegal immigrants.

FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a federal raid of 119 illegal immigrants at an Arkansas Tyson poultry plant, 107 of whom left the country either voluntarily or through deportation.

(SOURCE: Melissa Nelson, "Huckabee Risks Political Fortunes To Denounce Immigration Raid," Associated Press, 8/5/05)

[jbrewster7]

MIKE HUCKABEE A GOLD DIGGER......

FACT: The ethics commission fined Huckabee $1,000 for failing to report that he paid himself $14,000 from his 1992 U.S. Senate campaign and $43,000 from his 1994 lieutenant governor''s campaign.

FACT: Huckabee accepted more than 300 gifts worth at least $130,000, ranging from $3,700 cowboy boots to a $600 chainsaw.

Google: Huckabee rivals unearth ethics complaints (Source: POLITICO Kenneth P. Vogel Nov 21, 2007)

Look through his "Awe Schucks" act and see him for what he really is. Mike Huckabee is a wolf in sheep''s clothing that uses the religion card to push his own agenda.

[brianbwb-2009]

Mr Barnett

I understand the mistake of assuming that the proverb about one''s enemies is commonly assumed to come from "the Art Of War", but, even though I will never vote Republican, Huck''s characterization of Hitler''s "bunker mentality is spot on, as is his reference to "Br''er Rabbit", The current debacle we are stuck in is exactly a version of the "tar baby" story, perhaps if you read it, you would then understand.

"...publicly endorsed and institutionally supported aberrations %u2014 from homosexuality and pedophilia to sadomasochism and necrophilia." Institutionally supported necrophilia?..."

Perhaps not the latter, as far as we know, but which of the other aberrations has not been exposed amongst those drawing a government paycheck in DC?

[bethtopaz]

Great article, Mr. Dean Barnett. I could even hear your thick as chowda accent. (Yes, I am a Hugh Hewitt fan.)

Again, great writing and you hit Mike Huckabee''s MO spot on!