Religion in Mike Huckabee's campaign: What do you think of it?

Question

Obviously, he's decided to make it a centerpiece of his campaign. What's your take on this?

Answer 1

It worked to get him elected governor in Arkansas. It worked to pass legislation in Arkansas banning gay marriages. It worked in Arkansas to get his "covenant marriage" act pushed forward.

It disturbs me..a native Arkansan and lifelong Arkansas resident.


I've been stunned to realize that he has achieved any prominence or consideration to be the leader of the United States. It scares me, quite frankly. His legacy and record are all slick rhetoric followed by pandering to a fundamentalist fan base.
The environment suffered greatly under his administration..civility and respect for diversity suffered..every aspect of social, educational and economic advancement that had happened under Clinton was set back. The fundies had a field day while he was governor.
He supported and convinced voters to deny homosexuals rights to have civil marriages
He supports refusing them the right to foster children

His "covenant marriage act" that he lauded as such a wonderful victory for families is now chosen by a miniscule number of new couples marrying beause of the hardships it places on women in abusive relationships seeking divorce!

http://marriage.about.com/od/covenantmarriage/Covenant_Marriage.htm < read here about covenant marriages and the pitfalls


Here are some pages to check Huckabee's record. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/huckabees_fiscal_record.html( also do a search on Huckabee at factcheck and these items appear:
Huckabee claimed he would “abolish the IRS.” He failed to mention that he’d replace it with another big tax bureaucracy.
Huckabee said he had proposed to make children of illegal aliens eligible for Arkansas scholarships if they "had been in our schools their entire school life.” Actually, the proposal required only three years in Arkansas schools.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee praised a "fair tax" but failed to note that it would ease the burden on the richest Americans while imposing a stiff retail sales tax of perhaps 34 percent. Whether thie proposal he said he supported is "fair" or not is of course a matter of opinion. In fact, President Bush's bipartisan Advisory Panel on Tax Reform rejected the idea, saying it would substantially increase taxes for 80 percent of U.S. taxpayers while benefiting those at the top. The panel calculated that a sales tax would have to be set at 34 percent of retail sales prices to bring in the same revenue as the taxes it would replace, meaning that an automobile with a retail price of $10,000 would cost $13,400 including the new sales tax.


LOOK HERE also to see if what he supported in 2002 is what you want for your president..( He refused to answer the questions to these issues again in 2007) http://votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=1657 < Project Vote Smart

Here it indicates when given the choices of supporting either k) Support age-appropriate sexual education programs that teach about abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
or
l) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
He chose the abstinence only sexual education program.
I went to school in the 60s and 70s and we learned about STD's THEN! I can recall learning that a girl in my very own class figured out she HAD an STD from watching the film in high school that taught about it. I cannot imagine a responsible parent, yet alone responsible leader not wanting a populace that is educated about our own bodies.

Is he afraid if children and teens learn about contraception and STDs that it encourages sex in that population? ( if so, he is also too ignorant to be the leader of the U.S. )

Can the U.S. afford a President whose science literacy is so low that he believes that creationism is a legitimate *alternative* to a scientific theory?

For a time I just wrote off the popularity of Huckabee among the vocal Christian conservatives in Arkansas a reflection of our states lower educational and economic status..but now that I see his rise in popularity in the general populace it downright terrifies me to think I live in a nation that is heading into the dark ages, educationally, socially and morally.

Here is one of the more outrageous and frightening legacies of Mike Huckabee..regarding animal cruelty issues. http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2007/12/the-presidentia.html Please read this then tell me, after all I've pointed out..Is this a man of compassion, ethics, intelligence, sound judgement and one who would safeguard our Constitution for the rights of all citizens?

It feels like the right wing agenda is leading our nation to hell in a handbasket and all I can do is look on with horror.

If this is an episode of the Twilight Zone, I sure need a commercial break about now.

Answer 2

I am not sure about Huckabee, but Giulinani is divorced and does not really get along with his kids. Yet another reason I don't like the guy! If he can't take care of his family, how can we expect him to take care of our country?

Answer 3

if I were able to vote, I would not vote for anyone who has a cross behind him in an advertisement.

Then he makes it worse by claiming it was just an accident.

Sorry, but religion MUST be kept separate from the state.

To the person who said that All Republicans candidates are using religion in their campaigns - that is not true. Ron Paul is not using religion as the main focus of his campaign. Yes he favours pro-life and is anti-abortion, but he advocates that the STATES make those decisions, not the federal government.

Answer 4

Isn't fanatical religion only one of the party lines Huckster proclaims. He touts his strict adherence to the whole party line, war, tax cuts for the wealthy, high profits for health insurance companies, pollution guarantees, no global warming, the world is flat and four thousand years old, no evolution, science and education are the enemy of the state and the Earth is the center of the universe. He's a well rounded candidate if you don't care much about a more perfect union and Constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Answer 5

I HATE when politicians play the religion card to pander for votes.

I also hate when they say "You should vote for me, because I am such and such a religion", and then get all bent out of shape if anyone starts asking questions about their religion.

I would be happy to MYOB when it comes to a candidates religion, but if THEY bring up their religion as somehow making them a more qualified candidate than anyone else, then asking them questions about their religion, and how their religion will influence the way they do their job is fair game.

Answer 6

All Republican cadidates are touting religion as the main reason why people should vote for them. It's ridiculous. Mike Huckabee is the worst, because he's misleading people into believing that a strong religious foundation will solve all of soceity's problems. It won't.

Answer 7

He is running for President of the United States, not pastor of a Church or religious organization.

I personally think he is using his beliefs to deflect from his track record as Governor of Arkansas. I hope that the American people will see though this and dismiss him for it.

A political campaign should be based on political issues, not on which church you go to.

Answer 8

We are screwed if he gets elected president. The guy is psycho. Imagine people being drowned, burned, hanged. It is very easy to twist people's minds with religion, which mass hysteria is very dangerous.

I don't mind a president with a religion, as long as it doesn't interfere with making decisions etc..

Answer 9

Religion and government don't mix, nor is being religious a good ploy to use to get elected because it will FAIL each and every time. People may have their beliefs, but none are ignorant to REALITY.

Answer 10

If he wants to believe in the funny dude up in the sky, that's his business. If he wants to say that the funny dude up in the sky gives him hope, that's his business.

If he pulls a George H. W. Bush and claims that atheists shouldn't be considered citizens, then that's MY business.
.

Answer 11

whatever stand you or he or someone else takes...........I would rather be in disagreement than be lied to....

No one will be able to say that they did not know where he stood.....your agreement or disagreement is up to you....but he is upfront and not coniving, he is not using his faith as a political prop for the cameras. He is upfront and candid.....spent your vote wisely.