Earlier this week, Abby Johnson--the former Director of Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas--stepped down after claiming she had experienced a spiritual awakening while witnessing an abortion on an ultrasound machine. Ms. Johnson reported seeing the baby trying to move away from the doctor's probe and realized that she could no longer represent an organization that profited from and encouraged the destruction of innocent life. And, although some are now claiming that the resignation came as the result of a work-related investigation into Ms. Johnson's performance, the issue here is not the alleged pro-life conversion but the use of modern technologies to illustrate that an abortion is not a "procedure" but a homicide.
Rev. John Shaffer, the executive director of Capital Area Pregnancy Center in Camp Hill, PA told Jennifer Autry of The Sentinel Online (www.cumberlink.com) that "The technology we have now allows the ultrasounds to be so precise that sometimes you can see the baby’s eyelashes. After seeing her baby on an ultrasound, one client told us, ‘This changes everything.’ The ultrasound had a significant impact on that woman, and she chose not to have an abortion because of it.”
Autry reports that 90 percent of the women who have the free ultrasound offered by the CAPC decide not to have an abortion as opposed to only 30 percent of women who choose not to have the pro bono ultrasound. My thanks to Ms. Autry for her fine work on this piece. As she points out in her article, the beauty of the ultrasound technology is that its legitimacy cannot be refuted. With any luck, the validity of the pro-life movement's claims will be similarly validated.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Hoffman Surging in the 23rd Congressional
In what is shaping up to be an amazing race in New York's North Country, the Conservative (and conservative with a lower case "c") candidate, Doug Hoffman is catching fire at just the right time. Think of him as the political version of the Colorado Rockies who managed to overcome a 15 1/2-game deficit to win the National League Wild Card race. Hoffman is now within striking distance of moderate (see liberal) Dede Scozzafava and ten points back of Democrat Bill Owens. And while that may sound significant, consider the fact that Hoffman has picked up 7 points in just two weeks and that the 9/12 movement has started promoting Hoffman nationally and fundraising on his behalf. Grassroots organizations across New York are also joining forces with the Hoffman camp and are rumored to be providing both manpower and fundraising support for the Conservative challenger. This is a campaign that could shake up the RNCC. Stay tuned...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
"Huckabee Shows Republicans the Way"
For those who haven't yet read Star Parker's latest piece, it's worth a look. You can find the article on TownHall.com. Rather than recap the entire article which you can read for yourself, I would like to highlight one vital point made by Ms. Parker who accurately claims that "Huckabee is singular in staking out principled and courageous stands badly needed today." On one end of the political spectrum, we have anti-free market statists who would prefer that an all-powerful federal government control massive segments of our economy, from banking to health insurance to education financing and most everything in between. On the other end, we find a disturbing trend among the far right towards a libertarian mindset which borders on anarchy. There are painfully few conservative voices in our country today arguing for a balance between individual freedoms and a set of laws and regulations designed to protect the greater good. Hopefully, Ms. Parker's kind words will resonate with a fractured nation in desperate need of principled leadership.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Huckabee wins Values Voters Straw Poll
The Governor won a resounding victory over potential rivals for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2012 by taking over 28% of the vote in a straw poll held at the Values Voters Summit in Washington, D.C. Now, I know that his critics have been quick to note that Huckabee is expected to win the social conservative vote but let’s not forget that the last year the straw poll was held in 2007, Mitt Romney edged out Governor Huckabee by 30 votes.
Monday, May 11, 2009
On Virtual Representation
Although the concept of virtual representation was well-known to our colonial American ancestors, the idea sounds strangely anachronistic to a republican society accustomed to the more familiar forms of direct and indirect democracy practiced here in 21st century America. And yet, the growing concern that our elected officials no longer represent the interests of their constituents has prompted me to revisit the British theory to help illustrate a common grievance of a disillusioned and disenfranchised majority.
Perhaps the most eloquent explanation of virtual representation comes to us courtesy of Harvard scholar Bernard Bailyn in his Pulitzer Prize-winning text, The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. The English argument, according to Bailyn, was a logical extrapolation of the Parliament’s right to levy taxes in England itself, where the franchise was limited to perhaps one-tenth of the people of Britain. In theory, the American colonists were as equally represented in Parliament as the majority of Englishmen and women who were not permitted to vote. As one defender of the Parliamentary right to legislate on behalf of the colonies wrote, “None are actually, all are virtually represented.”
Not surprisingly, the colonists themselves disagreed, arguing famously for “no taxation without representation.” Pamphleteer Daniel Dulany aptly noted that virtual representation was impossible without shared interest between representatives and constituents—an arrangement which did not exist between Americans and members of Parliament. “Not a single actual elector in England,” wrote Dulany, “might be immediately affected by a taxation in America imposed by a statute which would have general operation and effect upon the properties of the inhabitants of the colonies” (Bailyn, 168). In the mother country, the situation was quite the opposite where the security of the non-electors against oppression was that the oppression would likewise fall upon electors and representatives (Baily, 167). Such an unhappy result, Dulany argued, provided English freemen—even those outside the franchise—with a measure of protection against tyranny not shared by their American cousins.
It is my contention that a modern, domestic version of this very grievance has led our country to its present disenchantment with the performance of Congress and many of our respective state legislatures. As working-class American families have watched their retirement plans and children’s college accounts decimated by a preventable financial crisis, our elected representatives rest assured in the knowledge that our tax dollars guarantee the financial security of their golden years. While Congress bemoans the inevitable collapse of the Medicare/Medicaid system barring dramatic intervention, the health care plan enjoyed by federal officials remains unscathed, subsidized by taxpayers who can ill afford a medical emergency or unforeseen health crisis. When gas prices soared above $4 a gallon, Americans were treated to lectures praising the environmentally friendly, mass transportation options many of us do not even have available to us. For her part, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi protested that her taxpayer-fueled private jet could not be waiting on the tarmac at all times in the event Ms. Pelosi decided to spend a long weekend on the Coast. And, despite the recent influx of stimulus funds, school districts across the country are facing budget cuts and layoffs while our elected aristocracy avoids public education entirely.
In these distressing economic times, it has become only too obvious to struggling American families that the burden of rescuing the national economy has not been shared by our representatives. The global economic meltdown resulting from the sub-prime mortgage crisis further underscores the need for a citizen legislature as opposed to a national Congress composed of career politicians. It is difficult to imagine the fiscal recklessness of the past year being foisted on an unwilling body politic by elected officials who would return to their districts and employment in the private sector at the conclusion of their term. Nevertheless, two successive Presidential administrations passed unpopular stimulus packages which will cost the American taxpayer nearly one trillion dollars and burden even our grandchildren with an estimated $36,000 in debt.
Perhaps the most insightful analysis of our present situation was written in 1765 by Massachusetts lawyer James Otis who wrote of the colonists’ virtual representatives in the English Parliament, “Does he know us? Or we him? No. Have we any restriction over his conduct? No. Is he bound in duty and interest to preserve our life and liberty? No. Is he acquainted with our circumstances, situation, wants, etc.? No. What then are we to expect from him? Nothing but taxes without end” (Bailyn, 169 from Considerations on Behalf of the Colonists, James Otis).
Perhaps the most eloquent explanation of virtual representation comes to us courtesy of Harvard scholar Bernard Bailyn in his Pulitzer Prize-winning text, The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. The English argument, according to Bailyn, was a logical extrapolation of the Parliament’s right to levy taxes in England itself, where the franchise was limited to perhaps one-tenth of the people of Britain. In theory, the American colonists were as equally represented in Parliament as the majority of Englishmen and women who were not permitted to vote. As one defender of the Parliamentary right to legislate on behalf of the colonies wrote, “None are actually, all are virtually represented.”
Not surprisingly, the colonists themselves disagreed, arguing famously for “no taxation without representation.” Pamphleteer Daniel Dulany aptly noted that virtual representation was impossible without shared interest between representatives and constituents—an arrangement which did not exist between Americans and members of Parliament. “Not a single actual elector in England,” wrote Dulany, “might be immediately affected by a taxation in America imposed by a statute which would have general operation and effect upon the properties of the inhabitants of the colonies” (Bailyn, 168). In the mother country, the situation was quite the opposite where the security of the non-electors against oppression was that the oppression would likewise fall upon electors and representatives (Baily, 167). Such an unhappy result, Dulany argued, provided English freemen—even those outside the franchise—with a measure of protection against tyranny not shared by their American cousins.
It is my contention that a modern, domestic version of this very grievance has led our country to its present disenchantment with the performance of Congress and many of our respective state legislatures. As working-class American families have watched their retirement plans and children’s college accounts decimated by a preventable financial crisis, our elected representatives rest assured in the knowledge that our tax dollars guarantee the financial security of their golden years. While Congress bemoans the inevitable collapse of the Medicare/Medicaid system barring dramatic intervention, the health care plan enjoyed by federal officials remains unscathed, subsidized by taxpayers who can ill afford a medical emergency or unforeseen health crisis. When gas prices soared above $4 a gallon, Americans were treated to lectures praising the environmentally friendly, mass transportation options many of us do not even have available to us. For her part, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi protested that her taxpayer-fueled private jet could not be waiting on the tarmac at all times in the event Ms. Pelosi decided to spend a long weekend on the Coast. And, despite the recent influx of stimulus funds, school districts across the country are facing budget cuts and layoffs while our elected aristocracy avoids public education entirely.
In these distressing economic times, it has become only too obvious to struggling American families that the burden of rescuing the national economy has not been shared by our representatives. The global economic meltdown resulting from the sub-prime mortgage crisis further underscores the need for a citizen legislature as opposed to a national Congress composed of career politicians. It is difficult to imagine the fiscal recklessness of the past year being foisted on an unwilling body politic by elected officials who would return to their districts and employment in the private sector at the conclusion of their term. Nevertheless, two successive Presidential administrations passed unpopular stimulus packages which will cost the American taxpayer nearly one trillion dollars and burden even our grandchildren with an estimated $36,000 in debt.
Perhaps the most insightful analysis of our present situation was written in 1765 by Massachusetts lawyer James Otis who wrote of the colonists’ virtual representatives in the English Parliament, “Does he know us? Or we him? No. Have we any restriction over his conduct? No. Is he bound in duty and interest to preserve our life and liberty? No. Is he acquainted with our circumstances, situation, wants, etc.? No. What then are we to expect from him? Nothing but taxes without end” (Bailyn, 169 from Considerations on Behalf of the Colonists, James Otis).
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Few Thoughts on “Huckabee Conservatism”
As the Republican Party completes the post-mortem on Senator John McCain’s unsuccessful bid for the Presidency, much will be made of Obama’s resounding victory and the alleged demise of the conservative movement in America. If there is to be any hope of winning back the White House in 2012, the painful process of self-reflection must begin now, even before the installation of the 44th President of the United States next January.
With the primaries, caucuses, debates, campaigning and electioneering now safely behind us, we must focus a critical eye on the path that led us to this unhappy occasion and remember that Reagan conservatism rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the Jimmy Carter years. To that end, with my personal bias clearly established, I would like to offer a few thoughts on why so many self-proclaimed “rock-ribbed conservatives” hopelessly mischaracterized Governor Huckabee’s positions and why we must begin rallying the foot-soldiers of “Huck’s Army” for the Republican primaries in 2011.
On Social Conservatism. No single issue can be more important to social conservatives than the protection of innocent life from conception until natural death. Sadly, we—as pro-life conservatives—have done a spectacularly poor job of education on this vital issue. We must argue this point vociferously and be prepared to counter the toxic, illogical and plainly dishonest objections of the pro-choice movement. To wit, there is no humane justification for partial-birth abortion, period. Second, we must emphasize that the concept of trimesters is not a medical, scientific or philosophical development but a legislative justification for the abortion of a fetus that is not yet “viable.” And yet, that very fetus has its own heartbeat within 10 days of conception. To this point, we must ask if this is a fetus or a rapidly developing human being? Surely, if we can propose legislation to save the whales we can at least consider the actual stages of embryonic development before we declare that a baby in the womb is no more than a “ball of cells” which “is not viable” outside of the mother. Governor Huckabee has always been and will remain a staunch advocate of pro-life issues ranging from abortion to cloning to stem-cell research.
On Fiscal Conservatism. Was it not convenient that Senator Fred Thompson figured out he was running for President just in time to lambaste Governor Huckabee as a fiscal liberal during the South Carolina debate prior to the primary? To be certain, the true fiscal liberals are the “faux conservatives” in Washington—current administration included—who continue to spend money like drunken sailor on leave while passing the bill to the state and local governments. With all due respect to this devoted public servant, Senator Thompson continues to be a part of the problem by refusing to accept any responsibility for the myriad of unfunded mandates passed down from on high. In a recent insurance seminar, it was shared with the audience that 86% of my home county’s last budget was allocated to Medicaid funding. Since the federal government pays for only half the tab and the State of New York passes on its responsibility to the individual counties, our county residents are forced to pick up the check. Is it fiscal conservatism or fiscal irresponsibility at the national level which results in such oppressive tax structures at the state and county levels? In truth, Mike Huckabee would be a much stronger advocate of fiscal conservatism at the national level because he understands that the irresponsibility displayed in Washington, D.C. is felt at the local level. As the Governor argued in a recent conference call with his blogging alliance, fiscal conservatism is living within your means, balancing your budget and cutting wateful spending. Spoken like a true conservative!
On Illegal Immigration. As I have written on this topic in the past, I will keep this brief. Suffice it to say that Senator McCain’s about-face on the humane treatment of illegal immigrants was one of the primary factors in losing the Hispanic vote which helped carry President Bush to victory in 2004. Governor Huckabee has likewise been criticized for his excessively kind treatment of illegal immigrants while Governor of Arkansas. Put simply, this is a federal issue which the federal government has failed to address, again leaving state and local officials to clean up the mess. Still, this is not simply a legal issue, it is a human issue. And, to his credit, unlike Governor Mitt Romney who has morphed into the “conservative’s conservative” seemingly overnight, Mike Huckabee’s position on this important issue has been not only humane and consistent but with an understanding that this is, first and foremost, an issue of national security which must be addressed in Washington.
On Tax Reform. Only one national candidate is continuing the fight to overhaul our current system of taxation and that is Governor Mike Huckabee. Not an economist by hook or by trade, the simplest way to look at this issue is by asking if we should be taxing (i.e. penalizing) productivity or taxing consumer spending? This concept—though imperfect—gives more power to the American worker by allowing him or her to decide how much he or she wants to pay in taxes by adjusting consumer spending. This would also encourage saving and investing as Americans could, in essence, invest dollars pre-tax at anytime. Or, to quote the Governor himself, wouldn’t it be nice if April 15 was just another spring day?
As you may already be aware, Mike Huckabee’s new book hits the shelves today—just in time for the holidays! Despite the gathering media hype over a few isolated passages which are critical of several party rivals, the book as a whole is more of a blueprint for the future of the Republican Party. Seen in that light, I look forward to the next four years in hopes of another Huckabee run at the Presidency as he continues to be the only Republican at the national level who truly embodies traditional conservative principles.
With the primaries, caucuses, debates, campaigning and electioneering now safely behind us, we must focus a critical eye on the path that led us to this unhappy occasion and remember that Reagan conservatism rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the Jimmy Carter years. To that end, with my personal bias clearly established, I would like to offer a few thoughts on why so many self-proclaimed “rock-ribbed conservatives” hopelessly mischaracterized Governor Huckabee’s positions and why we must begin rallying the foot-soldiers of “Huck’s Army” for the Republican primaries in 2011.
On Social Conservatism. No single issue can be more important to social conservatives than the protection of innocent life from conception until natural death. Sadly, we—as pro-life conservatives—have done a spectacularly poor job of education on this vital issue. We must argue this point vociferously and be prepared to counter the toxic, illogical and plainly dishonest objections of the pro-choice movement. To wit, there is no humane justification for partial-birth abortion, period. Second, we must emphasize that the concept of trimesters is not a medical, scientific or philosophical development but a legislative justification for the abortion of a fetus that is not yet “viable.” And yet, that very fetus has its own heartbeat within 10 days of conception. To this point, we must ask if this is a fetus or a rapidly developing human being? Surely, if we can propose legislation to save the whales we can at least consider the actual stages of embryonic development before we declare that a baby in the womb is no more than a “ball of cells” which “is not viable” outside of the mother. Governor Huckabee has always been and will remain a staunch advocate of pro-life issues ranging from abortion to cloning to stem-cell research.
On Fiscal Conservatism. Was it not convenient that Senator Fred Thompson figured out he was running for President just in time to lambaste Governor Huckabee as a fiscal liberal during the South Carolina debate prior to the primary? To be certain, the true fiscal liberals are the “faux conservatives” in Washington—current administration included—who continue to spend money like drunken sailor on leave while passing the bill to the state and local governments. With all due respect to this devoted public servant, Senator Thompson continues to be a part of the problem by refusing to accept any responsibility for the myriad of unfunded mandates passed down from on high. In a recent insurance seminar, it was shared with the audience that 86% of my home county’s last budget was allocated to Medicaid funding. Since the federal government pays for only half the tab and the State of New York passes on its responsibility to the individual counties, our county residents are forced to pick up the check. Is it fiscal conservatism or fiscal irresponsibility at the national level which results in such oppressive tax structures at the state and county levels? In truth, Mike Huckabee would be a much stronger advocate of fiscal conservatism at the national level because he understands that the irresponsibility displayed in Washington, D.C. is felt at the local level. As the Governor argued in a recent conference call with his blogging alliance, fiscal conservatism is living within your means, balancing your budget and cutting wateful spending. Spoken like a true conservative!
On Illegal Immigration. As I have written on this topic in the past, I will keep this brief. Suffice it to say that Senator McCain’s about-face on the humane treatment of illegal immigrants was one of the primary factors in losing the Hispanic vote which helped carry President Bush to victory in 2004. Governor Huckabee has likewise been criticized for his excessively kind treatment of illegal immigrants while Governor of Arkansas. Put simply, this is a federal issue which the federal government has failed to address, again leaving state and local officials to clean up the mess. Still, this is not simply a legal issue, it is a human issue. And, to his credit, unlike Governor Mitt Romney who has morphed into the “conservative’s conservative” seemingly overnight, Mike Huckabee’s position on this important issue has been not only humane and consistent but with an understanding that this is, first and foremost, an issue of national security which must be addressed in Washington.
On Tax Reform. Only one national candidate is continuing the fight to overhaul our current system of taxation and that is Governor Mike Huckabee. Not an economist by hook or by trade, the simplest way to look at this issue is by asking if we should be taxing (i.e. penalizing) productivity or taxing consumer spending? This concept—though imperfect—gives more power to the American worker by allowing him or her to decide how much he or she wants to pay in taxes by adjusting consumer spending. This would also encourage saving and investing as Americans could, in essence, invest dollars pre-tax at anytime. Or, to quote the Governor himself, wouldn’t it be nice if April 15 was just another spring day?
As you may already be aware, Mike Huckabee’s new book hits the shelves today—just in time for the holidays! Despite the gathering media hype over a few isolated passages which are critical of several party rivals, the book as a whole is more of a blueprint for the future of the Republican Party. Seen in that light, I look forward to the next four years in hopes of another Huckabee run at the Presidency as he continues to be the only Republican at the national level who truly embodies traditional conservative principles.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Albany is STILL For Huck!
Happy Tax Day 2008! The timing could not have been better for Governor Huckabee to unveil his new website and launch his new Political Action Committee. For many of us in the Capital District who had the distinct pleasure and privilege of volunteering for the Governor's Presidential campaign, the new marching orders could not have come at a better time. As you are probably aware, the Governor spoke at Union College in Schenectady last night to a capacity crowd at the Memorial Chapel. If you who were unable to attend, I am sorry to say that you missed yet another hour of inspiration from the man who should, and will, be President of the United States.
Now able to speak from personal experience, I can assure you that you will never meet a man of now-national prominence who displays such good humor, wit, humility, and working class common sense. Last night's theme of personal accountability and responsibility resonated with liberal and conservative attendees alike. His continued emphasis on vertical as opposed to horizontal politics avoided the hateful rhetoric to which we have become so accustomed--especially at the national level. And as College employees and students alike pleaded with the Governor to cut short his post-speech meet and greet with supporters, Mr. Huckabee politely continued listening to personal accounts, answering questions, shaking hands, posing for photographs and thanking volunteers like myself for our efforts. I have been a Huckabee supporter from the day I first read about his daring campaign in the New York Times. Last night, I left the Union College campus a devout follower.
And so, with this post, I am returning to the blogosphere which I but briefly visited several months ago to continue what the Governor started when he announced his candidacy in January, 2007. When asked if he will run for President again in 2012, Gov. Huckabee chose his words carefully. He reminded us that much depends on the outcome of this election but that he would be willing if this groundswell of support continues. We need to ensure that it does.
Please visit the redesigned http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ and the grassroots headquarters of Huckabee supporters at http://www.hucksarmy.com/. Keep the faith and the movement alive!
Now able to speak from personal experience, I can assure you that you will never meet a man of now-national prominence who displays such good humor, wit, humility, and working class common sense. Last night's theme of personal accountability and responsibility resonated with liberal and conservative attendees alike. His continued emphasis on vertical as opposed to horizontal politics avoided the hateful rhetoric to which we have become so accustomed--especially at the national level. And as College employees and students alike pleaded with the Governor to cut short his post-speech meet and greet with supporters, Mr. Huckabee politely continued listening to personal accounts, answering questions, shaking hands, posing for photographs and thanking volunteers like myself for our efforts. I have been a Huckabee supporter from the day I first read about his daring campaign in the New York Times. Last night, I left the Union College campus a devout follower.
And so, with this post, I am returning to the blogosphere which I but briefly visited several months ago to continue what the Governor started when he announced his candidacy in January, 2007. When asked if he will run for President again in 2012, Gov. Huckabee chose his words carefully. He reminded us that much depends on the outcome of this election but that he would be willing if this groundswell of support continues. We need to ensure that it does.
Please visit the redesigned http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ and the grassroots headquarters of Huckabee supporters at http://www.hucksarmy.com/. Keep the faith and the movement alive!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Huckabee Takes National Lead!
Due in large part to a long travel day spent driving to Concord, NH in a failed effort to meet the Governor in person, I am going to do no more than offer you the following excerpt from a USA Today blog:
"On the Republican side, Gallup says Iowa caucuses winner Mike Huckabee has jumped into a national lead for the first time. The rundown: Huckabee, 25%; Rudy Giuliani, 20%; Sen. John McCain, 19%; Fred Thompson, 12%; Mitt Romney, 9%; and Rep. Ron Paul, 4%.
Huckabee's support rose 9 percentage points from mid-December. McCain's rose 5 points. Giuliani's fell 7 points. Thompson's fell 2 points. Romney's fell 5 points."
If conventional wisdom holds true and Huckabee picks up the bulk of Fred Thompson's supporters--assuming he pulls out of the race of course--then we could expect to see another bump for the Governor. Though the race for the nomination is far from over, there is no question that Huckabee has become a national force in American politics.
"On the Republican side, Gallup says Iowa caucuses winner Mike Huckabee has jumped into a national lead for the first time. The rundown: Huckabee, 25%; Rudy Giuliani, 20%; Sen. John McCain, 19%; Fred Thompson, 12%; Mitt Romney, 9%; and Rep. Ron Paul, 4%.
Huckabee's support rose 9 percentage points from mid-December. McCain's rose 5 points. Giuliani's fell 7 points. Thompson's fell 2 points. Romney's fell 5 points."
If conventional wisdom holds true and Huckabee picks up the bulk of Fred Thompson's supporters--assuming he pulls out of the race of course--then we could expect to see another bump for the Governor. Though the race for the nomination is far from over, there is no question that Huckabee has become a national force in American politics.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Romney's Arrogant, Bunker Mentality
Last night’s ABC debate in New Hampshire revealed to all Americans what many on the campaign trail have whispered for months—that Mitt Romney is uniformly disliked and resented for his aggressive tactics and misrepresentation of his opponents’ policies.
The evening’s first topic—foreign policy—allowed Romney to remind voters that Governor Huckabee had accused the Bush administration of an “arrogant, bunker mentality” in a recent Foreign Affairs journal article. To his credit, Huckabee again criticized the mismanagement of the Iraq War and pointed out Romney’s own disagreements with President Bush—a charge which the former Massachusetts Governor patently denied. Romney had apparently forgotten his comments at a news conference in Johnston, Iowa only five days earlier.
"I think we did a less than effective job in managing the conflict following the collapse of Saddam Hussein," said Romney. "I think we were under prepared for what occurred, understaffed, under planned, and, in some respects, under managed." Not surprisingly, Romney did not demand an apology of himself for violating Ronald Reagan’s eleventh commandment, “Thou shalt not criticize a fellow Republican.”
But the right-wing rhetoric machine has somehow missed these near-daily contradictions from the Bostonian snake charmer. Huckabee’s same article in Foreign Affairs earned the following analysis from Michael Goldfarb of the Weekly Standard:
“In the Iranian context, his policy is being interpreted as a change, calling for bringing to the table non-military options as well. Huckabee is of the opinion that relations with Iran deteriorated following Bush's "axis of evil" speech. In many points his message on Iran is more akin to that of the Democrats: there is a need for dialogue with Iran, and more diplomacy is needed. He quoted the Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, who authored The Art of War 2,500 years ago: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
It is this exact “bunker mentality” which Huckabee rightly dismissed as arrogant and counterproductive to American interests. Goldfarb’s fraudulent attempt to discredit the former preacher as an idealistic, Democratic do-gooder in Republican clothing neglects the United States' present, unenviable position of near isolation. Amazingly, for a party that demands unquestioning adherence to global trade and open markets, diplomacy and alliance-building have been abandoned in favor of unilateralism and pre-emptive strike.
The evening’s first topic—foreign policy—allowed Romney to remind voters that Governor Huckabee had accused the Bush administration of an “arrogant, bunker mentality” in a recent Foreign Affairs journal article. To his credit, Huckabee again criticized the mismanagement of the Iraq War and pointed out Romney’s own disagreements with President Bush—a charge which the former Massachusetts Governor patently denied. Romney had apparently forgotten his comments at a news conference in Johnston, Iowa only five days earlier.
"I think we did a less than effective job in managing the conflict following the collapse of Saddam Hussein," said Romney. "I think we were under prepared for what occurred, understaffed, under planned, and, in some respects, under managed." Not surprisingly, Romney did not demand an apology of himself for violating Ronald Reagan’s eleventh commandment, “Thou shalt not criticize a fellow Republican.”
But the right-wing rhetoric machine has somehow missed these near-daily contradictions from the Bostonian snake charmer. Huckabee’s same article in Foreign Affairs earned the following analysis from Michael Goldfarb of the Weekly Standard:
“In the Iranian context, his policy is being interpreted as a change, calling for bringing to the table non-military options as well. Huckabee is of the opinion that relations with Iran deteriorated following Bush's "axis of evil" speech. In many points his message on Iran is more akin to that of the Democrats: there is a need for dialogue with Iran, and more diplomacy is needed. He quoted the Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, who authored The Art of War 2,500 years ago: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
It is this exact “bunker mentality” which Huckabee rightly dismissed as arrogant and counterproductive to American interests. Goldfarb’s fraudulent attempt to discredit the former preacher as an idealistic, Democratic do-gooder in Republican clothing neglects the United States' present, unenviable position of near isolation. Amazingly, for a party that demands unquestioning adherence to global trade and open markets, diplomacy and alliance-building have been abandoned in favor of unilateralism and pre-emptive strike.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Touchback Amnesty Flap
One of the issues Huckabee detractors consistently use to undermine the Governor’s conservative credentials is the much bally-hooed “touchback amnesty” plan. Sadly, I have personally learned within the past few days just how many potential Huckabee supporters have been concerned that the Governor favors amnesty for illegal immigrants. Even worse, a number of anti-immigrant groups have harshly criticized Huckabee as a fraud who supports “touchback amnesty” whereby illegal immigrants are sent home and return to the United States “within days.”
To be sure, the Governor’s nine-point strategy for immigration enforcement and border security posted on his website, http://www.mikehuckabee.com/, clearly states that any illegal immigrants who register with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and leave the country must reapply for legal entry. The action plan further states that “this is not a ‘touchback’ provision. Those who leave this country and apply to return from their home country would go to the back of the line.”
Not to be outdone, the grassroots immigration reform organization, Numbers USA, reportedly took Huckabee to task for the above proposal which spokesman Michael Crowe claims will force illegal immigrants to return home for just a couple of weeks. “That’s a touchback amnesty, “ Crowe told the online news source “One News Now.” Crowe further explained that Huckabee received poor marks from Numbers USA “based on several positions he took as a governor.”
Crowe’s statements, however, are either purposefully inaccurate or woefully ignorant of his organization’s own research. The report, which can be found at http://www.betterimmigration.com/candidates/2006/prez08_gop1.html, gives the Governor a score of either “Good” or “Excellent” in 10 of 16 categories. The only categories in which a “Poor” ranking was given relate to his stance on two specific legal immigration issues—controlling foreign workers and offering citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants.
While they may both be legitimate points of disagreement, the organization’s rating system actually positions Governor Huckabee quite favorably when compared to the other Republican candidates remaining in the hunt for the White House.
To be sure, the Governor’s nine-point strategy for immigration enforcement and border security posted on his website, http://www.mikehuckabee.com/, clearly states that any illegal immigrants who register with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and leave the country must reapply for legal entry. The action plan further states that “this is not a ‘touchback’ provision. Those who leave this country and apply to return from their home country would go to the back of the line.”
Not to be outdone, the grassroots immigration reform organization, Numbers USA, reportedly took Huckabee to task for the above proposal which spokesman Michael Crowe claims will force illegal immigrants to return home for just a couple of weeks. “That’s a touchback amnesty, “ Crowe told the online news source “One News Now.” Crowe further explained that Huckabee received poor marks from Numbers USA “based on several positions he took as a governor.”
Crowe’s statements, however, are either purposefully inaccurate or woefully ignorant of his organization’s own research. The report, which can be found at http://www.betterimmigration.com/candidates/2006/prez08_gop1.html, gives the Governor a score of either “Good” or “Excellent” in 10 of 16 categories. The only categories in which a “Poor” ranking was given relate to his stance on two specific legal immigration issues—controlling foreign workers and offering citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants.
While they may both be legitimate points of disagreement, the organization’s rating system actually positions Governor Huckabee quite favorably when compared to the other Republican candidates remaining in the hunt for the White House.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Today--Iowa, Tomorrow--the White House
The National Review's White House correspondent, Byron York, wrote an interesting column about Governor Mike Huckabee's campaign early this morning. He wrote that on the eve of the Iowa caucus, Huckabee was still not viewed as a serious threat to overtake Mitt Romney because his supporters were merely "a loose confederation of fair taxers, and homeschoolers, and Bible study members." Political pundits extolled the virtues of the campaign infrastructure developed by other Republican and Democratic candidates by comparison and argued that the candidate with the strongest organization on the ground would win the day. But that candidate did not win.
Huckabee's victory may not have come as a surprise to his supporters in the Capital Region, but the margin of victory was certainly unexpected. How could this happen? How could a relative unknown with a few hundred thousand dollars, a handful of staffers and "a loose organization" of volunteer meetup groups upset the Republican field? The answer is brilliant in its simplicity. In truth, the Governor does not merely resonate with voters, he identifies with them in a deeply personal way. That genuine connection to people of all backgrounds and walks of life cannot be bought; it cannot be taught; and it cannot be granted by the will of a political party or big-money backers.
In a number of interviews with Huckabee supporters in Iowa, a few important and insightful observations were made by two voters in particular. One was quoted as saying that she resented the fact that political campaigns had become all about the money. She went on to say--and I apologize for paraphrasing here--that the American Presidency is not up for sale. A second supporter simply stated that the Governor was just like him, running the kind of campaign he would run if he were ever to seek elected office.
These two wonderfully simple explanations captured two of the essential themes of the Governor's historic campaign through Iowa. First, it's not about the money. It's about the candidates. It's about ideas. It's about believing in a cause and articulating a vision for America, for all Americans. And second, voters prefer supporting candidates that they can identify with; candidates that understand the unique challenges and rewards of being among the hundreds of millions of working-class Americans. Governor Huckabee understands middle America because he IS middle America.
In this way, political campaigning is like sales. I once heard that "If people like you and trust you, you will always be successful in sales." I think the same could be said of politics. Certainly, we can now argue that Governor Mike Huckabee is both well-liked and trusted by those that take the time to listen to his message and to his vision whether it be through a personal appearance, an interview on Meet the Press or The Tonight Show, or by visiting his website at http://www.mikehuckabee.com/.
About an hour ago, I had an opportunity to speak with Pat Gray who is hosting the Glenn Beck radio program today due to Glenn's illness and I asked listeners to do nothing more than to educate themselves about this moderate, clear-thinking, compassionate conservative before assuming that his presidential campaign is nothing more than a year-long faith-based initiative. For my part, I support the Governor whole-heartedly because, in his own words, we need a leader, not a manager. I want a President who has a vision for this country that is not to be defined by its adherence to a particular ideology but by the opportunity that vision offers all Americans to pusue those inalienable truths we once held to be self-evident.
In short, I like Mike.
Thank you for taking the time to visit the Albany for Mike Huckabee blog. Please visit our website at www.mikehuckabee.meetup.com/135 for more information. To be continued...
Huckabee's victory may not have come as a surprise to his supporters in the Capital Region, but the margin of victory was certainly unexpected. How could this happen? How could a relative unknown with a few hundred thousand dollars, a handful of staffers and "a loose organization" of volunteer meetup groups upset the Republican field? The answer is brilliant in its simplicity. In truth, the Governor does not merely resonate with voters, he identifies with them in a deeply personal way. That genuine connection to people of all backgrounds and walks of life cannot be bought; it cannot be taught; and it cannot be granted by the will of a political party or big-money backers.
In a number of interviews with Huckabee supporters in Iowa, a few important and insightful observations were made by two voters in particular. One was quoted as saying that she resented the fact that political campaigns had become all about the money. She went on to say--and I apologize for paraphrasing here--that the American Presidency is not up for sale. A second supporter simply stated that the Governor was just like him, running the kind of campaign he would run if he were ever to seek elected office.
These two wonderfully simple explanations captured two of the essential themes of the Governor's historic campaign through Iowa. First, it's not about the money. It's about the candidates. It's about ideas. It's about believing in a cause and articulating a vision for America, for all Americans. And second, voters prefer supporting candidates that they can identify with; candidates that understand the unique challenges and rewards of being among the hundreds of millions of working-class Americans. Governor Huckabee understands middle America because he IS middle America.
In this way, political campaigning is like sales. I once heard that "If people like you and trust you, you will always be successful in sales." I think the same could be said of politics. Certainly, we can now argue that Governor Mike Huckabee is both well-liked and trusted by those that take the time to listen to his message and to his vision whether it be through a personal appearance, an interview on Meet the Press or The Tonight Show, or by visiting his website at http://www.mikehuckabee.com/.
About an hour ago, I had an opportunity to speak with Pat Gray who is hosting the Glenn Beck radio program today due to Glenn's illness and I asked listeners to do nothing more than to educate themselves about this moderate, clear-thinking, compassionate conservative before assuming that his presidential campaign is nothing more than a year-long faith-based initiative. For my part, I support the Governor whole-heartedly because, in his own words, we need a leader, not a manager. I want a President who has a vision for this country that is not to be defined by its adherence to a particular ideology but by the opportunity that vision offers all Americans to pusue those inalienable truths we once held to be self-evident.
In short, I like Mike.
Thank you for taking the time to visit the Albany for Mike Huckabee blog. Please visit our website at www.mikehuckabee.meetup.com/135 for more information. To be continued...
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