Mike Huckabee Wins Important Online VP Poll

CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
May 22, 2008 – 12:55 p.m.

CQ Politics VP Madness: And the Winner is.....

By Greg Giroux, CQ Staff

The polls have closed, the votes have been tallied, and it’s a landslide: CQ Politics readers think Arizona Sen. John McCain should pick former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his vice-presidential running mate.

Huckabee was the winner of CQ Politics’ inaugural “VP Madness,” a college basketball-style tournament that whittled a field of 32 potential McCain running mates that were selected by CQ Politics editors and reporters. Visitors to CQ Politics could vote once in each of five single-elimination rounds spread out over three weeks. The voting ended Wednesday at noon.

Huckabee, who was a McCain rival for the presidency before endorsing him in early March, crushed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the final round, 72 percent to 27 percent. Some blogs even promoted the selection of Huckabee and Palin.

Huckabee has signaled his willingness to share a ballot with McCain: “There’s no one I would rather be on a ticket with than John McCain ,” Huckabee said on NBC’s Meet the Press program last Sunday.

Huckabee’s backers have touted his executive experience — he served more than a decade (1996-2007) as governor of Arkansas. He’s articulate and likeable, and he campaigned respectfully against McCain and eschewed scorched-earth tactics. McCain has made it clear that he’s looking for a much younger ticket-mate, and Huckabee will turn 53 a few days before McCain turns 72. Huckabee’s social-issue conservatism could help McCain assuage some activists on the political right hold about the independent-minded Arizonan.

Huckabee’s social-issue conservatism could be a minus, though, if McCain and his advisers think that selecting Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, could turn off political independents. The Club for Growth, a group that emphasizes tax cuts, restraint in spending and free trade, has described Huckabee’s fiscal record as “mixed, at best.” And the quick-quipping Huckabee had to apologize for making a joke at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting about someone trying to shoot Obama.

Other Republicans who performed well in the VP Madness were Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty , who lost to Huckabee in one semifinal, and Rob Portman, a former Ohio congressman (1993-2005) and former Bush administration trade and budget official who lost to Palin in the other semifinal.

Meanwhile, the real vice-presidential vetting process has begun. At least two of the final eight choices in VP Madness — Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist — plan to meet with McCain this weekend at his Arizona home, according to press reports. So will former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney , a former McCain rival for the presidency who lost in the second round.

McCain’s campaign is describing the meetings more as social visits and less as auditions for potential running mates. McCain will select a candidate before the Republican convention in St. Paul the first week of September.

Stay tuned for the Democratic version of “VP Madness” in the coming days or weeks — or whenever the Democrats settle on a nominee. Feel free to use the comments section to opine on who you think that McCain and the Democratic nominee should — or will — select as their running mates.

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Huckabee Picks Anniversary Trip Over McCain AZ BBQ

The Huckabee's, Hope, Arkansas, May 1974.

Governor Huckabee made the right choice in putting his wife and their anniversary as his first priority. This is another fine example of the upstanding character of Governor Huckabee.

Massachusetts For Huckabee wishes the Governor and Mrs Huckabee a VERY Happy Anniversary!

by Fin Gomez
FoxNews

Washington, D.C.-As FNC has reported, Sen. John McCain will be meeting with several potential running mates this weekend at his ranch in picturesque Sedona, Arizona . Those on the rumored short-list who are attending McCain’s barbecue include Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal,OMB Director Rob Portman and former opponent Gov.Mitt Romney.However, there had been a few notable exceptions to the list of BBQ attendees and possible veeps, like former AR Gov Mike Huckabee, who was one of the last standing rivals against McCain during the GOP primary season . Since first reported, several pro-Huckabee websites have been theorizing, and lamenting over the omission. So did Huck not make the cut for the much ballyhooed BBQ?

Fear not Huck supporters, says Sarah Huckabee, daughter and former high-ranking campaign aide for the Iowa caucus winner. Huckabee was in fact invited,she says.

Huckabee, along with a few others said to be considered by McCain for the GOP ticket , including Minnesota Gov.Tim Pawlenty, and NC Sen. Richard Burr, were invited but have prior commitments.

So what’s Huckabee’s prior commitment?

A long-planned trip with his wife, Janet, to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary.

Video: Mike Huckabee Addressing The Graduating Class Of Patrick Henry College 5/19/08

Update: the below media players are a little slow, please give them a minute to load, then turn the volume on the player up and you should be able to hear Governor Huckabee. If you have a trouble, email me: lisacamp11@gmail.com


Make A Difference

The Founding Fathers Would Be Appalled

From Leesburg, Virginia Today:
Students at Patrick Henry College are known for their ready access to top government and political leaders. That held true Saturday when former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee stopped in Purcellville to deliver the commencement address to the college's seventh graduating class.

Employing his trademark humor and strong dose of Baptist ministry, Huckabee urged the 63 graduates of the classical Christian liberal arts college to use their experience at the school to make a difference in the world-promoting strong moral values, self governance and adherence to the Golden Rule.

The nation's founding fathers, Huckabee said, would be appalled by the size of the federal government. The excess of government regulation and bureaucracy, he said, is caused by the failure of citizens to follow a strong moral code and to treat others as they would want to be treated.

Huckabee also urged students to focus on the next challenge ahead of them rather than trying to correct past missteps. He told the class of his training for a governors' bobsled challenge in Utah before the Winter Olympic games when a young instructor advised him to simply "steer for the curve ahead," noting that nothing could be done to change the performance on the path behind.

Huckabee recounted his experiences on the campaign trail as the southern governor emerged as a national champion of the Republican Party's conservative wing. In talks with reporters after the ceremony, Huckabee said that he continues to campaign in support of Sen. John McCain, the party's presumptive nominee, but said there have been no formal talks about the possibility of joining the ticket as a vice presidential nominee.

The college emphasizes coursework and internships in government service, journalism, history, literature and liberal arts. Students from 44 states attend the college. Of the 63 members of the graduating class, three were from Hawaii and three were from Loudoun County.

Huckabee noted that the students are coming to the campus to be trained as leaders.

"They are not just coming to get an education. They are coming to go forth from here as real leaders and as change agents," Huckabee said.

PHC Chancellor Michael P. Farris presented Huckabee with an honorary doctoral degree.

Huckabee Receives 16,000+ Votes in Kentucky Primary

100% reporting

John McCain 142,855

Mike Huckabee 16,239

Ron Paul 13,439

Video: Mike Huckabee on The Tavis Smiley Show 5/19/08

This blog has not been updated in a few days, sorry about that, stick with me while I play catch up!

McCain, Huckabee & Evangelicals

by Mike Huckabee

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Janet and I hope you had a great Mother’s Day weekend. After seeing our niece graduate from Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday, Janet went to Hope to visit her Mother. After church on Sunday, we had a great visit with country singer Josh Turner, his wife Jennifer and their 19th month old son Hampton, and Jennifer’s mother. We had gotten to know Josh during the campaign and not only love his music, but especially love he and his wife’s authentic faith and personal character. In an entertainment business filled with uncontrolled lifestyles and egos, Josh Turner is a wonderful example of an incredibly talented man who hasn’t forgotten where he came from and what is important to him. He is just a refreshing voice in music. Josh was on a bill with megastar Carrie Underwood and we went to the show. It was terrific. Being a musician, I couldn’t help but spend most of my time watching the bass players in each of the truly amazing bands---I was probably the only person in Alltel arena who mostly watched the bass players! Carrie had been the musical guest the night I was on Saturday Night Live, so I had the opportunity to meet her and her band that night. I truly admire and appreciate talent and even more, I admire people who take their talent and work incredibly hard to polish it to the point of performance perfection. Many fans think these guys just get on stage and play well—what they don’t see is the sacrifices of time and rehearsal that take it to a true art form.

On another note, I was very disturbed by a column by Robert Novak that quoted some “anonymous source” in saying that while I strongly supported Senator McCain, I thought that maybe America “deserves Obama,” as if to say that I secretly hoped he won.

Where do people dream up this stuff? Forget the “anonymous” sources—there’s nothing anonymous about my stand and here it is. We don’t “deserve” Obama—we DESERVE a President with the character, convictions, experience, and wisdom to see the problems we face and try to lead us to solve them. We deserve a President who truly loves this country and from whom there is no doubt as to his respect for Faith, Family, and the kind of Freedom that those before us have given their lives to pass on to us. John McCain meets that criteria and that’s why I am campaigning for him and not hoping for Obama. The nonsense that I want Obama to win this year so I can run in 2012 is absurd. I love my country more than my own ambition. So let the record and truth be clear. And let the “anonymous” sources either show the courage to stand up and be accountable for their comments or shut up and leave commentary to people who aren’t afraid of their own shadow.

I hope you have a great week. I will be doing some commentary Tuesday night on MSNBC’s coverage of the election and later in the week will be speaking to a health conference in St. Louis, the national NRA convention, the graduation exercises at Hope High School in Hope, Arkansas where Janet and I graduated 35 years ago, and then Saturday, I’ll be the commencement speaker at Patrick Henry College in Virginia. Somewhere in the midst of that, I will be writing more on the book that comes out this fall—and I still hope you’ll share YOUR stories of the campaign with me.

God bless, keep the faith, and pray for America!

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Catching Up With Mike Huckabee

by Mike Huckabee

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I’ve been traveling almost as much as during the campaign. I’ve been campaigning for Senator McCain and for candidates for Congress, Governor, and Senate. I’m doing a lot of speaking and meeting some great Americans along the way. This week, I had the opportunity to speak at an event for an amazing pro-life group based in Missouri, Vitae Caring Foundation. Vitae is Latin for “life: and this organization raises funds to produce and present some of the most effective ads for the pro life cause I’ve ever seen. They have been at this for 15 years and have been able to have a real impact in helping young women to choose life. I will doing future events with them in coming months. I spoke for the Wiregrass Children’s Home in Dothan, Alabama recently. This very special home takes in children whose families are in crisis and provides them with shelter, safety, and a loving environment with a Christian atmosphere. I spoke for a Diabetes conference in Washington, D. C. to push for a greater awareness of prevention and disease management.

Of course, you may have heard that I’m working on a book that will be released November 17 that will not only detail many of the moments along the campaign trail, but puts forth how we can and must repair the “conservative brand” in this country. I think you’ll likely see yourself in this book. I’d love to have you send your favorite story from the campaign that helps show how ordinary people made the great sacrifices to make the effort one of the most surprising and interesting in the election.

Janet and the family are doing well. Everyone is trying to adjust to life “after the campaign.” Janet is back working for the Red Cross after taking a leave to be on the campaign trail full time. She has had her hands full with the aftermath of the tornadoes that ripped through the state lately and will start a new assignment soon working with military families. The “boys” Jet, Sonic, and Toby, are doing well, but wish we were home more. We do too! We will be taking a few days off for our 34th wedding anniversary which we observe May 25. Hard to believe it’s been that long! John Mark, our oldest, is in California trying to break into screenwriting; our son David is back at his job in Little Rock working with banks servicing mortgages, daughter in law Lauren is reviewing options to put her law degree and experience from the campaign to work (she now is truly an expert on ballot access and election law after doing that for the campaign), and daughter Sarah is working with Huck PAC, setting up events and working with candidates we are supporting.

We love keeping up with the larger “family” we came to know during the campaign and are preparing to make major improvements in the website with more updates, more material, and more forums.

God bless you guys!

****Huck PAC can sure use your donations, click [HERE] to contribute.

Huck PAC is founded on the principles that make America great: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Our Republican Party embodies these ideas and is best suited to lead America forward.

Huck PAC is committed to helping Republicans regain control of the House and Senate, regain a majority of governorships and elect John McCain as the 44th President of the United States.

Huck PAC will support Republican candidates who are passionate advocates for tax reform, a strong national defense, real border security, life, the family, less government and individual liberty.

Huck PAC will identify candidates who hold firm to these principles, promote their campaigns and financially support their efforts.

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If you were a Huckabee supporter during the presidential campaign then you likely heard about the Huckabee Rangers. Huckabee Rangers made calls on behalf of the campaign and raised money. The final statistics: $1.1 million raised and incredibly over 450,000 voter contact calls made by Ranger Volunteers. Incredible stuff.

My Huck PAC is the Ranger program reborn. We have lots of new features we plan on adding but no matter what we do, the success of this program depends on the individuals that are a part of our team.

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Meet & Greet with Governor Mike Huckabee And Greg Davis

Gov. Mike Huckabee to Campaign for Greg Davis

May 1, 2008– Former Presidential candidate and Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will be attending a “Meet and Greet” for Greg Davis, candidate for Congress in Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District. Governor Huckabee is in town to endorse Greg Davis and to ensure that the residents of the district come out and support Davis’ bid for Congress.

With the special election runoff on May 13, Governor Huckabee will meet with Greg Davis and his supporters this Saturday, May 3rd at 9:45AM at Joe Joe’s Espresso & Café in Tupelo, MS.

Davis stated “I’m honored to welcome Governor Huckabee to Mississippi. He is a true conservative leader, one who shares the values of the voters of Mississippi’s First Congressional District. This election is about the difference between principled leadership and those who will say anything to get elected. I am honored to stand with leaders like Mike Huckabee on principles, not politics.”


The public is invited to attend.

Huckabee: Rev. Wright Needs Obama To Lose

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Wednesday that Barack Obama's bid for the White House is not being derailed because he is black but because his former pastor does not want him to prove the country's race relations have progressed.

Obama, a Democrat, has struggled in recent weeks to distance himself from incendiary comments made by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

"His campaign is not being derailed by his race, it's being derailed by a person who doesn't want him to prove that we have made great advances in this country," Huckabee told reporters following a fundraiser for Montana gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown.

Wright has claimed AIDS was created by the government to kill "people of color" and that the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were spurred by the United State's "terrorism" against minorities at home and abroad.

"Jeremiah Wright needs for Obama to lose so he can justify his anger, his hostile bitterness against the United States of America," Huckabee said.

On Tuesday, Obama, an Illinois senator, said he was outraged by Wright's comments and denounced the remarks as "giving comfort to those who prey on hate."