Huckabee Beats Palin For President In 2012 Straw Poll

WASHINGTON — A straw vote suggests former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is a favorite among religious conservatives to be president in 2012.

That's according to a vote held Saturday at the annual Values Voter Summit in Washington.

About one-third of the 1,800 registered attendees cast ballots indicating their preference among potential GOP candidates. Huckabee was tops with 28 percent of the vote, which the group calls a straw poll.

Four people tied for second, each with about 12 percent of the vote. They were Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind.

Those casting ballots also listed their top issues. They were abortion, protection of religious liberties, same-sex marriage and tax cuts.

Comments

[Faelsun]

Actually a rather sane choice given the options, I mean really he's civil with liberals and one of a handful of repubs who can or will sit across the same table from Jon Stewart or Bill Maher. But he will still be young enough to run when Obama's tenure is over, something he has probably considered. He should wait for Palin to totally destroy herself and for the crackpots like Beck/Hanni­ty/Limbaug­h to make themselves a liability.

I mean odds are it's a repub in 2016, it could be soooooooo much worse.

[stellamartin]

Lest anyone deem Huckabee a bigot, please take notice:

1) Mike Huckabee lobbied an all-white Baptist church to include black members in the 1980s, years before he ran for political office.

2) After he was appointed Governor of Arkansas following the Whitewater conviction of Jim Guy Tucker, this Social Conservative was elected - and re-elected - governor with a significant showing of black Democrats.

3) "Black Pastors Endorse Huckabee on MLK Day," FoxNews, January 21, 2008

4) "Black Conservatives Rally to urge Mike Huckabee to Stay in Presidential Race," PRNewsire, February 4, 2008

5) Doesn't sound like a bigot to me, or to J.C. Watts: "Missing Mike Huckabee already," Pahrump Valley Times, March 7, 2008

6) "All-American Presidential Forums, Gov. Huckabee, PBS" (Tavis Smiley, debate moderator on YouTube)

And if anyone considers Huckabee a bigot AND religious fanatic, consider that the majority of black voters are opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage. Hmmm. So does that make Black voters bigoted religious fanatics, too?

a) "Most Blacks stick with Democrats in spite of opposing abortion, Free Republic," 1/10/04
b) "70% African-Americans backed Prop. 8," Los Angeles Times, Nov. 5, 2008
c) "Abortion for Dummies," TheBlackSphere blogspot, November 29, 2008

Next time you're tempted to judge harshly, at least do some research before displaying YOUR OWN racial and religious intolerance.

[sippewissett]

You make a good case for Huckabee not being racist, but is that the issue here? The larger question, it seems to me, is whether he has the intellect, ethics and drive to be an effective president. We've already had a dry-drunk/religious ideologue for the last 8 years. I'm pretty nervous at the idea of a reformed fat man/religious ideologue for any four years. Not sure I see enough difference.

[AlwaysRightLeftist]

Haha, where's Jindal?

[Bitsko]

Huckabee is the epitome of fascism with a smiling face.

[cobaltbluedog]

Harry Shearer!!!! Are you out there? It occurs to me that Huckabee is just a frustrated, wannabe, rock musician. He loves playing his bass, so Harry, do us all a solid and lure this guy away from us. He'd throw away all of his political ambitions for a good gig! It's all he's ever really wanted.
Harry, you've got the juice to make this happen. Give Mike M. and Chris a call, tell them to do it, for the sake of our nation. Add Mike Huckabee, to the Spinal Tap lineup. Put him in spandex, teach him to extend his tongue like, Gene Simmons and take that show on the road. The rest will be history.
MH, singing, Big Bottom....

Save us, Harry

[callmecrazy831]

Ahh Huckabee. I happened to catch the tail end of his show on Fox the other day. Mr. Huckabee had a guest band playing a song about health care reform. Huckabee also performed with this band. Within the lyrics was a line suggesting that a panel could decide the fate of a family member. I'm not sure if this band, Mr. Huckabee or the audience have gotten the news yet...but there are not now, nor have there ever been anything resembling a "death panel."

I wish you no luck in your possible bid for president in 2012 Mr. Huckabee.

[dmsdzinr]

WOW! Old MIke Huckabee has PUT ALL those lost LBS., back on again!

[tom90069]

how much do we love that. as we all recall his solution for health care was his diet plan. now he's fat again. i think he's pandering to the conservative southern biscuits and gravy base.

but seriously, huckabee beats palin? and how is that any feat?

[mrcontinental]

This is disturbing on so many levels that I don't even know where to begin...

[PWM]

If the base wants him, then he is not good for the country.

[cobaltbluedog]

That sure does boil the truth down to it's essence.

[Dbos]

MMMM donuts

[bigironal25]

If Huckabee gets the nomination in '012 remember this folks: Huckabee has an adult son who just loves to TORTURE little animals, e.i. puppies and kittens and it isn't heresay either ! The kid got busted at least once and he's been in therapy for most of his teen age years because of his "hobby"! This is just as spooky as Romney strapping the family Irish setter to the top of the family station for an 8 hour terror filled ride to the family cabin! If either Huck or Romney get the nomination we have PLENTY of ammo(P.E.T.A.)in order to sink both of these clowns!

[force fed up]

Not to mention the same son tried to board a plane in 2008 with a loaded gun and then claimed he didn't know he had it when it was discovered.

[bigironal25]

Oops, I completely forgot about that little gem! Thanks for the heads up!

[Scentedflower]

That shows how bright the Rebugs are- straw poll.

[JHCowboy]

The Rethuglicans are right back where they were at the beginning of 2008. The teabagging extremists want a religious nut to lead the nation and bring it right back to where it was under Bush. Not gonna happen!

[mollymac]

They're both glory-seekers. Notice me! It's all about me! Me! Me! and more Me! Gag on both of them.

[BlueFloyd]

hmm, straw poll....straw man....