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Tag(s): Christianity; Faith; Iraq; Iraq; Israel; Military; Occupation; Peace; Peace; Presidency; (more...) Religion; Republican Racism; Republican Take Back The GOP; Republicanism; War; War; Wars (less...)
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December 20, 2007 at 10:37:56

Headlined on 12/20/07:
Will Republicans Nominate an Evangelical Minister to Be Commander in Chief?

by Kevin Zeese Page 1 of 2 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Huckabee Would Open a New Chapter in War Against “Islamic Extremism”

Governor Mike Huckabee is leading the pack in the campaign to be the standard bearer for the Republican Party. Is the Republican Party, and the United States, ready to have a commander in chief who is an evangelical Christian minister? What would be the impact of having a minister as president when the U.S. is involved in a war perceived by many as a war against Muslims – or at least “radical Islam,” as they call it?

Huckabee has consistently described himself as a “Christian leader” in television advertisements. His current Christmas season ad highlights the importance of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. His website links to 14 bloggers with the word Christ or Christian in their title. Huckabee has endorsed the Biblical statement on manhood and womanhood issued by the Southern Baptist Convention and said in a debate that he did not believe in evolution.

On his website Huckabee says that: “A significant part of his adult life was spent as a pastor and denominational leader. He became the youngest president ever of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, the largest denomination in Arkansas. Huckabee led rapidly growing congregations in Pine Bluff and Texarkana.” In a Republican field filled with religionists Huckabee has captured much of the Christian right.

He is exclaiming his Christianity as if it were a job requirement for the U.S. presidency. And maybe, for winning the Republican nomination, wearing religion on your lapel is an essential requirement.

How does his Christianity affect his policy positions? Huckabee says “My faith is my life - it defines me. I don't separate my faith from my personal and professional lives.” When it comes to his foreign policy he sees the occupation of Iraq as central to the war against terror and says the U.S. must fight to win. He is prepared to use military force against Iran. And, he promises to provide Israel with state of the art weapons because “Israel is an important partner in the spread of freedom and democracy throughout the Middle East and the world.” I don’t think many in the Middle East would agree with any of those positions especially his description of Israel.

The combination of Huckabee’s support for the Iraq occupation, military attack on Iran and support for Israel along with his Evangelical Christian ministry is sure to further define the war on terror as a war between Christianity and Islam. It was bad enough during President Bush’s term when the U.S. had generals who defined the Iraq war as a crusade against Islam, but to have a commander in chief who says Christianity “defines him” is sure to escalate the war in the Middle East and the risk of terrorism against Americans at home and abroad.

Huckabee may not get the Republican nomination. Key parts of the Republican base are not all thrilled with Gov. Huckabee as their candidate. Rich Lowry, columnist for the National Review, wrote at townhall.com that the GOP is about to commit “Huckacide” if it continues down the path of supporting Gov. Mike Huckabee for President. Lowry wrote: “Then, there’s national security, the Republican trump card during the Cold War and after 9/11. Huckabee not only has zero national-security credentials, he basically has no foreign-policy advisers either. . . .”

Another prominent Republican blogger, Rick Moran of Redstate.com, writes the Republicans have “a walking, talking disaster-in-the-making that is Mike Huckabee - former governor of a small, impoverished state, a Baptist preacher whose conservative views on social issues make him a perfect candidate for the Leave it to Beaver wing of the GOP, and a man whose thinking is so shallow a warning sign should be plastered on his forehead reading ‘Absolutely no diving beyond this point.’”

And Sean Hanity aggressively interviewed Governor Huckabee when he appeared on Fox’s Hannity and Colmes quizzing him on his Christianity and on providing clemency to prisoners while he was governor.

It is possible that the Republicans will go with the candidate who has received the most financial support from active duty troops, Ron Paul or the resurging John McCain, or one the two former front runners Romney and Giuliani, but he is certainly getting a lot of energy from the Christian base which is very formidable in the Republican Party especially with the other candidates dividing the economic and traditional conservatives.And, if he gets the nomination will the Republicans be committing “Huckicide” or will he be a surprisingly formidable candidate.

Huckabee should not be underestimated. The Democrats are likely to miscalculate and follow their tradition of losing to candidates they should bear. This could be a Ronald Reagan repeat. In 1980 Democrats insisted that the B Actor Reagan was the weakest opponent against the incumbent president, Jimmy Carter. In the end, Carter was defeated and the U.S. took an extreme right turn.

During a General Election Huckabee will downplay his Christianity. He will emphasize other parts of his biography, e.g., Governing Magazine named him as one of its ‘Public Officials of the Year’ for 2005, Time Magazine honored him as one of the five best governors in America, and later in the same year, Huckabee received the American Association of Retired Person’s Impact Award, Huckabee served as chairman of the National Governors’ Association (NGA), president of the Council of State Governments, and chairman of the Southern Governors Association. He’s taken the lead on the very hot immigration issue and has received the endorsement of Minuteman Project founder, Jim Gilchrist. And, he’s a rock and roll playing musician with a band named Capitol Offense, who is a down home-friendly guy who was able to lose more than 100 pounds when he decided to lose weight. What’s not to like?

And, maybe in the General Election Huckabee will turn the other check and show the other side of Christianity. Yes, during its two thousand year history Christianity has been used to justify and rationalize all sorts of wars, but there is another side caught in the slogan “Who Would Jesus Bomb?” The teachings of Christ certainly can provide a rationale for a peace candidate. During his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said three things related to war:

· Blessed are the peacemakers.

· Turn the other cheek.

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6 comments

Ernest is not a professional writer. Nor well educated in political affairs. However, he has uniquely experienced life styles of those who have little.
ErnestErnest is not a professional writer. Nor well educated in political affairs. However, he has uniquely experienced life styles of those who have little.

Nice Op-Ed Kevin.......................

You know Kevin, Hypocrits are a dime a dozen..................both the Bible and the Holy Quran warned of these people..............I can't help but believe that the majority of the candidates for Presidency are lined up for a shot at the Pie in the Sky called "The Windfalls of War"............

But, I will say this and I believe it with all my heart (and this is also said in the scriptures of both books), "Only the Very Humble will enter the Kingdom of Heaven"...........................................

by Ernest (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 132 comments) on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 2:47:56 AM

Having lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bill SamuelHaving lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Mixed Messages

It's hard to figure out Huckabee and just what he would do as President. He has seemed to take the standard GOP militaristic line. Yet he has also blasted President Bush for the arrogance of his foreign policy, something which has gotten a number of his fellow Republicans.

“American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out,” Huckabee wrote in Foreign Policy magazine. “The Bush administration’s arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad.”

Wouldn't we all agree with that?

People worry about his faith background. Yet he has been received cooly by the leadership of his denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, because he has a strong record of siding with the moderates in the SBC against the conservatives who became dominant.

I'm still inclined to believe he would not be as bad for the country as any of the other Republican contenders, except Ron Paul.

by Bill Samuel (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 277 comments) on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 4:52:20 PM

Michael Collins is a writer who focuses on clean elections and voting rights. See this summary of his articles plus Election 2004: The Urban Legend and groundbreaking research and commentary in "" His web site, Election Fraud News & The Money Party, offers a collection of resources and commentary on critical issues facing the country.
Michael CollinsMichael Collins is a writer who focuses on clean elections and voting rights. See this summary of his articles plus Election 2004: The Urban Legend and groundbreaking research and commentary in "" His web site, Election Fraud News & The Money Party, offers a collection of resources and commentary on critical issues facing the country.

Excellent

We need to focus on Huckabee's true philosophy and attitude toward violence and death. World War III against Muslims, called "Islamic fascists" by Huck, is just rediculous. He drank the cool aid a long time ago and is a hard cord siupporter of the most violent, misleading theory possible. We're headed for the Nostradamus version of the end of the world. His philosophy regarding WWIII is enabling theory to take us to his End Times. The interesting thing here is that those times end with almost all of us in Hell and an earth consisting of the true blue believers. This guy is dangerous.

There's a certain inferiority complex that he shows also, as though he's the victim of disrespect for his views. Well, when you say that Adam & Eve were the first humans, when you say that evolution is just a "theory," and when you advocate for World War III, the natural response of most people, religious or not, is - "What the heck is this guy talking about?" He's earned the derision.

by Michael Collins (96 articles, 16 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 344 comments) on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 5:37:17 PM

retired and loving it
dave stanleyretired and loving it

"Will Republicans Nominate an Evangelical Minister to Be Com

Will seas freeze over in july is a better question

by dave stanley (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 286 comments) on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 11:11:19 PM

Kevin Zeese is Executive Director of the Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics (www.FreshAirCleanPolitics.net) whose projects include Voters for Peace (www.VotersForPeace.US., True Vote (www.TrueVote.US and www.TrueVoteMD.org) and Climate Security (www.GlobalClimateSecurity.org). He is also president of Common Sense for Drug Policy (www.csdp.org).
Kevin ZeeseKevin Zeese is Executive Director of the Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics (www.FreshAirCleanPolitics.net) whose projects include Voters for Peace (www.VotersForPeace.US., True Vote (www.TrueVote.US and www.TrueVoteMD.org) and Climate Security (www.GlobalClimateSecurity.org). He is also president of Common Sense for Drug Policy (www.csdp.org).

HUCKABEE THINKS GITMO IS 'TOO NICE'

Saw this on Progressive Review.

HUCKABEE THINKS GITMO IS 'TOO NICE'

THINK PROGRESS - During a campaign stop in Iowa, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee commented on the conditions at the military detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, saying that "the inmates there were getting a whole lot better treatment" than "prisoners in Arkansas." "I hope our guys don't see this," added Huckabee. "They'll all want to be transferred to Guanatanmo."

"If anything, it's too nice," said Huckabee. . .

In June, Huckabee said on CNN's Late Edition that "most of our prisoners would love to be in a facility more like Guantanamo." At the time, he said we couldn't close the facility because hypothetically, "if we let somebody out" they could "come and fly an airliner into one of our skyscrapers."

FBI agents who worked at the facility have reported that detainees were subjected to harsh conditions, including "the use of growling dogs" to "intimidate detainees," at least as recently as 2004:

"Detainees at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were shackled to the floor in fetal positions for more than 24 hours at a time, left without food and water, and allowed to defecate on themselves, an FBI agent who said he witnessed such abuse reported in a memo to supervisors."

A recently released operations manual for the prison, dated March 28, 2003, "indicates that some prisoners were hidden from Red Cross representatives." Presumably, such 'no-access' detainees would have been hidden from visitors like Huckabee as well.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/21/huckabee-gitmo-too-nice/

by Kevin Zeese (77 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 44 comments) on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 7:23:43 PM

Huckabee: "take this nation back for Christ."

REV. HUCKABEE WANTS WIVES TO BE SUBMISSIVE TO HUSBANDS JUST LIKE THE CHURCH IS SUBMISSIVE TO CHRIST

AP - Mike Huckabee, a Republican relying on support from religious conservatives in Thursday's hard-fought presidential caucuses, on Sunday stood by a decade-old comment in which he said, "I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ." In a television interview, the ordained Southern Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor made no apologies for the 1998 comment made at a Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Salt Lake City. . .

He gave the speech the same year he endorsed the Baptist convention's statement of beliefs on marriage that "a wife is to submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ." Huckabee and his wife, Janet, signed a full-page ad in USA Today in support of the statement with

129 other evangelical leaders.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071230/ap_po/huckabee_religion

by Kevin Zeese (77 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 44 comments) on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 5:33:18 PM