Aren't you glad Huckabee didn't become president?

Horswaggle, you speak too soon. I must admit, I started this discussion in this manner with the intention of ruffling some feathers, which, apparently I did. lol. Xfahctor, thanks for the warm welcome to the politics section of myLot. I appreciate it. I will preface my comments by saying that I don't think ANY politician, much less one who desires to be president, should be wasting precious time having a show on television. To me, that time would be much better spent furthering that candidate's causes and issues. I am certain that we all choose the candidate we support based on our own beliefs and desires of how the U.S. develops in the new millenium. With that said, I am a Democrat. I did NOT vote for Obama. Now, with all silliness aside.... I am a firm believer in the necessity to keep church & state separate. This is my biggest issue with Mr. Huckabee. I don't hold the fact that he is a "born again" ordained Southern Baptist minister against him. After all, freedom of religion was one of largest reasons the pilgrims set sail. What I do find disturbing is his desire to intertwine his beliefs into the Constitution. Mr. Huckabee has stated that being a pastor is "pretty good preparation for leading a country". Sure, if the entire country shared the same religious convictions. In 1998, he stated, "I got into politics because I knew government didn't have the real answers, that the real answers lie in accepting Jesus Christ into our lives." That's fine for him. However, I believe it only alienates those who don't share those same beliefs. On MSNBC's Morning Joe, broadcast January of 2008, Mr. Huckabee stated, "I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living god. And that's what we need to do-- to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view." "God" means many different things to many different people. These types of comments are extremely disturbing to me. True, Mr. Huckabee later clarified his comments by saying that they had more to do with the Republican stance on "right to life". Which leads me to my second "problem" in having him in the presidency. I am a woman. I am against any man deciding for me what I can and cannot do with my own body. To me, morality has no place in the discussion. You're welcome to your own views of abortion, as am I. Once a man has been through a "coat hanger" abortion, then they are welcome to discuss the why's and how's of this topic. His views on this issue are well known and I feel no need to turn this into a debate about abortion. Along the same lines, I disagree with his views of the use of embryonic stem cells for medical research. Another topic I have no wish to debate. I've got a problem with the high number of pardons granted to criminals in Arkansas during his tenure, more particularly his leniency with those prisoners who were "saved" or "born again". Just because someone says they have "accepted Jesus Christ as their lord and savior" is no reason let let them off the hook for crimes they committed. Case in point, his commutation of Maurice Clemmons or that of Wayne DuMond. In the Sept. 17, 2007 GOP Values Voter Presidential Debate the question was posed: Will you support a federal marriage amendment, and what else will you do to protect the institution of marriage? Mr. Huckabee's response: I would try to do the same thing that I did as governor of Arkansas, where I led a constitutional amendment that was passed overwhelmingly by our voters that affirmed what marriage is. Marriage is a relationship between one man, one woman, for life. I also believe that we need to do other things. I declared a state of marital emergency in our state, called pastors and other clergy together to commit to community marriage policies, to not engage in carrying on marriages unless they had counseled with the couple beforehand. We were one of the few states that passed a covenant marriage bill in Arkansas. I would support strongly and lead--not just support, but lead--an effort to have a constitutional amendment to affirm marriage as between one man, one woman, for life. Personally, this kind of amendment has no place in the Constitution. "Marriage" itself is a religious institution. I have to wonder if he will ban divorce as well, if he were president. There's no guarantee a marriage will last for life, no matter who you are. Religion is a private matter and, to me, has no place in shaping policy for the nation. To quote our pledge of allegiance, the U.S. is "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." As God is in the heavens, of course we are under him. We certainly are not indivisible and there is certainly no liberty and justice for all. For the record, I have many issues with many presidential hopefuls and realize that not all people can be pleased all the time. However, I do believe the world is changing and we need to change with it. Along those lines, Mr. Huckabee came of military age just as the draft was ending. He did not serve the country in this fashion. Some form of military "awareness" is a dire necessity at this time in American involvement overseas. MHO Is that enough for now? These are one citizen's viewpoints. Feel free to share your own.

incidentaly, don't let my typing skills steer your judgement of my intelect...I can't type and I acknowlege that.

I'm sure glad Al Gore didn't get voted in as president, what with his statement the ice caps (which have been increasing the last two years) will be gone by 2014! Gas, fuel, and energy prices would have limitlessly skyrocketed by now, and we would perhaps be burning furniture and books like some are in Europe this cold winter trying to stay warm. They're always ahead of us over there.. (Political correctness has run a muck too and you can be sued or jailed for what you say, as opposed to that old tired concept of free speech.)

I found a KICKAZZ clip of his band, capitol offense covering Boston's "more than a feeling. He's got him self one seriously good rocking band. here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbXopS12oH8

I appreciate your comments, Taskr36. In a nutshell, I personally believe no viable candidate for commander in chief should be spending that much time on television. Please read my other comments in this discussion for a more in depth answer.

How do you feel about all the time Obama spends on Television? He has spent more time on television and preempted more TV shows than any president in HISTORY and he hasn't even completed his first year in office yet.

The discussion is about Huckabee.

Did you read past my first sentence?

I did. Did you read my other comments?

Being personable does not qualify one to be a viable candidate for presidency. Sure, it helps. Feel free to read my post to others in this discussion for a broader answer to why I don't believe he's the right man for the job.

That remains to be seen as it seems Mr. Huckabee may try again in 2012

I've not read it but intend to search for it. I'll get back to you afterward. I have, however, read how then Gov. Huckabee increased state spending by more than 65% between 1996 and 2004. During his tenure there was a 20% increase in state government workers and state debt was increased by $1 billion as well as a court order requiring him to put money into public schools, which I believe he wouldn't have done otherwise.

Finally got to read your suggested piece. Here's a link to it for anyone else wishing to educated themselves on this "nice" man: http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/11/13/huckabee/ Thanks Jmowreader for this contribution. There are things mentioned in the article that I was not aware of and it shows the man's true colors. Really strengthened for me why I think it's a good thing he wasn't elected! Yet, the GOP is still pushing for him for 2012. Hopefully people will take the time to educate themselves about him before jumping on the Huckabee bandwagon because he's a "nice guy".

Sure, he's a likable guy, but, that doesn't qualify him to be president. I wholeheartedly agree with you, Annie, about his comments about reshaping the Constitution to fit the bible. I have quoted some of them in response to another responder. To me, his religious views are much too tied to his politics.

Ok. But the discussion is about Huckabee.

I appreciate your input, both of you. However, the discussion is about Huckabee.