My Conversation with Mike Huckabee

Earlier today, I spoke with former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. After asking him to clarify controversial remarks he made recently about Barack Obama, I gave him a chance to correct the record on media reports that he is actively campaigning to be John McCain's running-mate.

The full conversation airs tonight on PBS.

Comments

[KarenJW]

To think that the likes of this man actually ran for the highest office in the land is SCARY!

[LawrenceL]

I hope Huck *is* McCain's running mate: a guy with a short fuse, running with a Baptist minister who makes jokes about assassinations of political opponents.

I can't think of two people more likely to represent what America has become (or is becoming): a land of impatience, intolerance, and ignorance. Facts? We (McCain/Huck) don't need 'em.

And considering how McCain has contradicted himself, when confronted, he can always reach into his hat and pull-out a statement that contradicts whatever *other* statement he has made. He's truly a man for all seasons: everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

[Dorraj]

The joke really is not funny when their campaign is receiving bomb threats. Huckabee should know better.

[adavis08]

Huckabee talks out of both side of his mouth, depending on who he is talking too, in this case the NRA, in Kentucky no less. Don't forget the KKK had lots of preachers in it's membership. They used Christianity and the bible to substantiate their superioity claims.

[Raymondf]

Hukabee, won all cauces votes in West Virginia He could a big help to McCain in West Virginia, and a lot of other states, but I really think Leiberman can help him more.

[VOTER]

Why haven't Republicans RENOUNCED Preacher Huckabee?

How can they continue to claim him as a member of their Party after his hateful "joke" about

Senator Obama?

WHERE ARE THESE CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS NOW?

[HowietheScreamer]

DUh, because they are Repubics. Being Repubic means NEVER having to say "sorry" They are the PARTY of hate. It's ALL THEY HAVE.

Look at it this way, they USED to say they were the party of smaller government, then they increased the government to it's largest size in US history.

They USED to say they were the party of Balanced Budgets, but they have increased the debt to the highest level in US history.

They USED to say they were the party of Personal Responsibility, then NEVER took responsibility for ANYTHING that happened.

They USED to say they were the party of Meritocracy, then they put a Bush crony in EVERY JOB POSSIBLE.

The Repube party is NOT Christian. They are, by EVERY ACTION, ANTI-Christian. They don't REALLY believe in Jesus or his teachings. That is just propaganda for the silly people to believe.

The repubes are FLAT on their ass. They can't even motivate their BASE to support McStain.

[PKSSK]

I think Huckabee has shown his true colors. He is the typical GOP politician who has played his past role of pastor and religion as a tactical ploy. He worked hard to create the appeal of a man with great religious character and, unfortunately, he failed to realize that one can only play a role for so long before the truth comes out in public. This is a page out of the Rove playbook that was used in past elections and gave us the current administration. Huckabee is a thing of the past, as we will not buy into this political theme again.

[suntzu]

Here's a HuffPo article by Murray Waas about Huckabee's politically motivated release of a convicted rapist who went on to commit more rape and murder one victim.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/04/documents-expose-huckabee_n_75362.html

[MarieMeyer]

Huckabee supports the "castle doctrine" - the idea that it is OK to use deadly force not just to defend self/family, but also private property. So if you think someone is stealing your car from your driveway, it is OK to go out and shoot him.

I wonder what Jesus would think of that.

[Tator]

Huckabee supports the "castle doctrine" - the idea that it is OK to use deadly force not just to defend self/family, but also private property. So if you think someone is stealing your car from your driveway, it is OK to go out and shoot him.

And I agree with him....course we already do this were I am from (and the sheriff will shake your hand and thank you for removing a piece of human debris and saving the cost of a trail) so we have almost no crime. Criminals know this so they go to the hug-a-thug cities and prey on Liberals.

[conscioushope]

Uh~

Where do you live?


I want to be sure I never move there.

[aaronr2000]

Ouch! Oh do tell where you're from? Although we would all love to live in a crime free society like you do doesn't that come at an extremely high price of lowering yourselves, snuffing a human life over - stuff?

[andyboy]

Tator,

So the criminals migrate from your neighborhood to the "hug a thug" cities? Is that right?

[JailNeoconVicts]

I guess this is how a Christian turns the other cheek...if he's an ass.

[bigironal25]

He wouldn't be very pleased!

[Raymondf]

I guess I do too then.

[loax]

Because he made the stupidest remark ever, not only from an ex-candidate but from a pastor his chances of becoming the VP for McCain goes out the window. If McCain does pick him, there will be a thrashing of the like never before seen in American politics.

[harriscrl3]

I hope that he is NOT picked for VP because this joke is NOT getting the kind of coverage it should. The sweetie comment Obama made got more coverage. Huckabee's comment is frightening to me andI may sound likea conspiracy theorist but I'm not sure that he wasnt putting ideas in people's head. In Kentucky of all places he made this comment this shoudl be INVESTIGATED further. I would rather the put Mitt romney on the ticket than him thats how OFFENSIVE and FRIGHTENING I find Huckabee's joke. Something like that should NEVER come out fo a politicans mouth much less a pastor. They are so many crazies out there and what you may think is a joke may not be viewed as such by some.

Carol

[QuietAmerican]

My first thought was, what's a preacher doing at an NRA convention anyway? As for his remark and non-apology, the word "ass-clown" comes to mind - except that gives him too much credit.

[init]

Huckabee is weird anyway.

[genia]

I have a real problem with this......
First, let me state that I really, really liked Huckabee. He seemed up front, honest....yadda yadda....
I watch him explain this.....he just ...brushes it aside, making it look as if shit happens....it happens all the time.....yada yada.
BUT.......The man is at the podium...at a NRA thingy, he's there with all his republican buddies.....suddenly, backstage there is a loud bang sound...HIS mind................goes right to Obama....
forget about the gun part for a minute. The first thing out of his mouth was "He just tripped off a chair.... "
.....tripped...off.....a....chair???
Would he say this about Clinton? ...or....anyone else?
I guess my problem is.....I don't get where it went wrong? ...wrong from where? what was..or would have been funny if he hadn't messed up? What did he mean to say that came out wrong?
I don't see any way...any how this would have ...could have been funny.
The man heard a loud bang and ........he reacted..he blurted the first thing that came to his mind.
He meant it,..... he said exactly what he was thinking......the only mistake he made was blurting it out without filtering it...or thinking.
There simply is no other explanation.
But oh my...can you imagine if a D said this instead of a R ???
I lost all respect for Mr. Huckabee.... I think he's getting a free pass on this.

[Gemma08]

When the Apartheid police murdered Struggle hero Steve Biko in illegal detention, the OFFICIAL story was that he died after falling off a chair.

Yes. Absurd isnt it. But that was the official cause of death. He was in fact beaten to death.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story of Steve Biko, Denzel Washington played him in the movie "Cry Freedom" that was banned in SA when it was initially released.

This sends CHILLS down my spine. I dont lie when I say I fear for Obama's life.

[vietveter]

I imagine that you like(d) him because he says what he means.

He still does.

The difference is NOW you and I don't like what he is saying.

He hasn't changed a bit; we just wised-up.

[Daly]

I like(d) him too not because he said what I wanted to hear but he as a pastor had a way of saying what I thought HE believed.

It seems that his personal goals have grown larger than his faith path and in this instance things go bad.

Huck is now willing to side with a vision that do.es not honor his own values but may go a long ways to honor his aspirations. Glitter is hard to resist the "good book" is full of examples of people going for the glitter it is the easy path; not the right path.

[conscioushope]

Genia~

Read my comment above yours. All politics aside, do not be taken in by Huck.

[sophistwatch]

With a few words Huckabee disqualified himself from this race. He made a racially charged assassination reference and he HUCKABEE IS OFF THE LIST.

Y'all do what you want. I know what happened when he tried to say he was just playin. I have several generations from Georgia, I grew up listening to "folks" like him.

[whatsthatsound]

Loud and clear, sophistwatch. His few words spoke volumes about his character.

[polaris12]

Don't be so sure he's off the list. He fits right in to the Republican mentality.

[ProgressiveThought]

Tavis you haved officially lost me.