why does mike huckabee exploit religion so much?

Question

i was watching a debate where he gives these long speeches about how devoutly religious he is....the man believes in creationism and not evolution... it seems like the man talks more about how hed be a good president because hes such a conservative CHRISTIAN and devout believer, as opposed to having any good policies.

and yet he still is winning certain polls...isnt it sad that just proclaiming how you are a devout Christian is enough to get people to vote for you

Answer 1

Maybe that is all he has. He knows that a certain segment of the US population will actually base their vote for President on something like religion. It is highly disturbing to see the candidates having a "No I'm more Christian than you" contest. A candidates personal religion should not even be up for discussion.

Answer 2

You mean UNlike all the other candidates? ;)

Seriously, though, politicians who know they are about to get a drubbing will aim for the lowest common denominator in order to get one last gasp of campaign funding.

Toward the end of the recent Kentucky Gubernatorial election, incumbent Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher made rambling remarks that Democratic opponent Steven Beshear would open the State to Gay Rights initiatives, thinking that would swing the mostly Christian, right-wing State his way. Boy, was he wrong! He lost by a 2-to-1 margin!!!

On the other hand, sometimes it works, as in Republican Presidential Candidate (the elder) George Bush's nationwide campaign ad making it appear as if Democratic Candidate Michael Dukakis (Massachusetts Governor) had a "revolving door" policy which allowed prison inmates to be released early. It scared the voters enough to cost Dukakis the election even in his home State! Never mind that the issue involved early-release furloughs, which is akin to early parole.

And, then, there are candidates who simply assume that the populace would "naturally" vote for the more well-known, intelligent, worldly, articulate, candidate, as opposed to one who was, well, to be kind, let's just say, "not any of the above", so they do absolutely nothing in the way of true campaigning, even to the point of failing to lambaste the other candidate when the latter failed to respond to questions asked during a nationwide debate! Guess who won the election? (of course, is that a failure of the candidate or of the People?)

Regardless, if you don't like anyone espousing Christian ethics, we can always find a different religion for you! ;)

Answer 3

He is pandering to a base of religious fundamentalists. Huckabee thiks that by being a "good Christian" he would somehow become a great president. There is nothing he has really said about his goals that doesn't include his personal beliefs. Is become a contest of religiosity than actual experience.

Answer 4

Its worked for the GOP for years...

Which is funny because
12 years of GOP congress
5 out of 9 Supreme Justices are Cons
7 years of W

The the Religious right still have not gotten what they wanted.

Answer 5

I think in one respect it is absolutely wonderful:

He will concentrate the vote of all the people who think exactly the way he does and they will finally see what a true minority they really are.

So - I for one, would not have him change a thing - not to please me... He is giving himself just enough rope.

For far too long, the Republicans have been operating in "fear" of the Religious Right.... that time is coming to either a validation or an end... we'll see.

Answer 6

I don't think that Mikey is any different from other politicians, I always believed that church and state are separate but politicians don't act that way

Answer 7

Wouldn't you if the base of your voting block were religious fanatics?

Answer 8

What ELSE has he got?? Void... vaccuum... just ANOTHER Dictator Dumbya in waiting.

Answer 9

To get elected? No mystery there.