Flip/Flop Is Too Nice Of A Term

When I was young, I was always taught that if a person cheats on or lies to other people, they will eventually cheat on or lie to you. The principal that Anne Coulter fails to realize in her praise of Mitt's Tricks on the Dem's (see my post Tricky Mitt video #2) is if a person(s) is capable of it (as is everyone) with one person or group, that individuals character flaw will not allow them to draw the line no matter who's team they happen to be playing for.

Mike Huckabee's book: Character IS The Issue point's out very strongly how Mike Huckabee feels about doing what's right. Even his campaign today- almost ten years after his books release, he fights against advisers (like me) to resist the temptation of counter-attacking the attack ad's with similar negativity. Though Mike Huckabee has been creatively making counter-statements (as well he should), the like's of Mitt Romney (who has now added John McCain to his adversarial list albeit without Faux News assistance - only Evangelical Mike receives that honor as a distaste to Washington Insiders) and all his wealth and attack ads cannot escape his own shifting shibboleth.

Please browse through these documented quotes about Washington's latest subject of infatuation (Mitt Romney):

Abortion rights
"I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard." Boston Herald Debate, 10/29/02

"Roe v. Wade continues to work its destructive logic throughout our society This can't continue." Speech to the Massachusetts Citizens For Life Mother's Day Pioneer Valley Dinner, 5/10/07

[ok, ok, a man can change his heart - even if it is right before he runs for President. Even if he changes...I suppose I'm still supposed to understand Romney's 2007 belief that states like Massachusetts should have the right to remain Pro Choice - Mitt Romney is Soft on Abortion BTW: Need a great deal for an abortion? Drive to Massachusetts - Romney signed a bill that allows for $50 Co-Pay's for Abortions - a bill that could have been vetoed by Pro-Lifer's as dedicated to the cause as Romney after such a thoughtful life changing decision as he SAYS he had. I RECANT my former statement about Romney being Soft on Abortion - - He remains to be Pro-Abortion]

Immigration reform

"With these 11 million people [here illegally], let's have them registered, know who they are....those that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process towards application for citizenship." Lowell Sun, 3/30/06
"One simple rule: no amnesty. If that [Kennedy-McCain bill] is not a form of amnesty, I don't know what is." New York Times, 6/4/07

[If I hear anyone is soft on immigration without Romney being included in the list - I think I'll be sick]

Gun laws

"We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them. I won't chip away at them; I believe they protect us and provide for our safety."
Romney in 2002 gov. debate, Boston Globe, 1/14/07

"I have a gun of my own. I go hunting myself. I'm a member of the NRA and believe firmly in the right to bear arms." Boston Globe, 1/14/07

Amendment to ban gay marriage

"Mitt does not support it...As far as Mitt is concerned, it goes farther than current law, and therefore it's unnecessary." Romney spokesman, Boston Globe, 3/22/02
"When I was Governor, we took every conceivable step within the law to stop, block or slow down this unprecedented court decision." Speech to National Right to Life Convention, 6/15/07

"No new taxes" pledge

"I'm not intending to, at this stage, sign a document which would prevent me from being able to look specifically at the revenue needs of the commonwealth" Associated Press, 3/27/02
"Signing the pledge now sends a very clear message to those in Washington who have voted against tax relief and for tax hikes that such actions will never grow our regional and national economies." Romney spokesman, Boston Globe, 1/5/07

Minimum wage

"I think the minimum wage ought to keep pace with inflation. I think the minimum wage is a good thing to have in our economy and I think it ought to be updated." Boston Globe, 10/17/94
"[T]he challenge with raising the minimum wage excessively is it is a hurt to those that are entering the work force, the very poor, those that are trying to get early jobs, get those first jobs." Associated Press, 7/25/06

Cutting Social Security

"I don't think you go back and rewrite the contract the government has with people who've retired." Boston Globe, 10/17/94

"Personal accounts would be a big plus."... [Romney]also said changing the retirement age could be considered, as well as basing the Social Security cost of living adjustment on a different inflation gauge. Union Leader, 6/7/07

Adoption non-discrimination

Governor Mitt Romney and a legislative leader yesterday delivered unwelcome news to the Catholic bishops of Massachusetts, who plan to seek permission from the state to exclude gay and lesbian parents from adopting children through its social service agencies. The governor said he was not authorized to give such an exemption... Boston Globe, 2/17/06
"And then another slide along the slippery slope. The Catholic Church was forced to end its adoption service, which was crucial in helping the state find homes for some of our most difficult to place children... Now, even religious freedom was being trumped by the new-found 'right' of gay marriage." Speech to National Right to Life Convention, 6/15/07

Stem cell research

[Romney] endorsed embryonic stem cell research, saying the controversial science might one day help treat his wife's multiple sclerosis...."I am in favor of stem cell research. I will work and fight for stem cell research. I'd be happy to talk to [President Bush] about this, though I don't know if I could budge him an inch." Boston Globe, 6/14/02
"FACT: Governor Romney Opposes Using Taxpayer Money to Fund Embryo-Destructive Research." www.MittRomney.com A Record of Protecting Life

Bush tax cuts

Governor Mitt Romney refused yesterday to endorse tax cuts at the heart of President Bush's economic program...In addition to refusing to endorse the president's tax cut, the governor surprised several people at the meeting by saying he is open to a federal increase in gas taxes.
Boston Globe, 4/11/0

[Romney] said it was "absolutely critical" to renew tax cuts proposed by President George W. Bush. Letting them expire would result in a "massive tax increase" that would retard economic growth, Romney said. Detroit Free Press, 2/8/07

Reagan Republicanism

"I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush." Boston Herald, 10/27/94

"Ronald Reagan is ... my hero. ... I believe that our party's ascendancy began with Ronald Reagan's brand of visionary and courageous leadership." Boston Globe, 1/19/07

[This to me is the biggest Elephant In The Room. No one is bringing this into the lime-light and I don't understand why]

Desire to serve in Vietnam

"I was not planning on signing up for the military. It was not my desire to go off and serve in Vietnam..." Boston Herald, 5/2/94
"I longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam and be representing our country there and in some ways it was frustrating not to feel like I was there as part of the troops that were fighting in Vietnam." Boston Globe, 6/24/07

[this flip flop is just plain offensive - my apologies to any Democrat Vietnam Vet's for this GOP candidate named Mitt Romney]

In Closing: I was shocked to learn last night in a discussion with friends that in Mitt Romney's Anti-Socialized Healthcare rhetoric - he passed a law as Governor in Massachusetts that MANDATES every citizen of Mass. to have Health Care. This is a John Edwards plan implemented. In other words - in case your not familiar with the word "MANDATE" - In Mass., you would be REQUIRED to own Health Insurance. Well - what if I were wealthy enough or had enough investments that I didn't need healthcare to spend my hard-earned dollars on - if I get sick - I'll just pay for my hospital visit out of my pocket - - but NOT in Mass. where Mitt Romney had Executive privaledge. In my understanding that is the epitomy of SOCIALISM coming from a GOP Candidate named Mitt Romney.

Without once stating the issues I have regarding his Mormonism - we have a complete list of why NOT to vote for Mitt Romney.

Quote for the Day: "Mitt Romney spends all his time telling people why we should not vote for other candidates but very little time explaining why we should vote for Mitt Romney." - Mike Huckabee

Explain yourself Mitt

Mike Is RIGHT for U.S.

Some Facts About A Favorite American Statesman!

He was born to hard-working parents in unpretentious surroundings.

He graduated from high school and worked his way through college.

He was an avid outdoorsman and loved dogs.

He ran for Governor as a Republican in a very Democratic state and served two terms.

As Governor, he was criticized for raising taxes to eliminate the budget deficit.

He was able to consistently balance his state’s budget and end each year with a surplus.

He was faced with a very Democratic legislature and learned to work with members of the opposite party.

As Governor, he enlisted the help of parents in the education of their children.

In his run for President, there were 7 other Republican candidates running.

He refused to attack the other candidates and ran a positive campaign.

He was criticized for not having any foreign policy experience.

He was criticized for his occupation prior to his political career.

He was not ashamed of his Christian faith and referred to himself as a "born-again Christian."

He was known for his wit, charm and sense of humor.

He was able to cross party lines with his message of hope and vision for America.

He spoke with ease, with conviction, with passion -- and was able to communicate with the people like few politicians can.

His National Campaign Chairman was Ed Rollins.

His name is Ronald Reagan.

How many of you thought I was referring to Mike Huckabee? :) It is both interesting and exciting to see the similarities in the lives, ideas and policies of Ronald Reagan and Mike Huckabee. With so many of the current Republican candidates trying to assume the mantle of Ronald Reagan for the profit of their campaign, it is very special to be able to support the candidate that really does have the same principles as our great 40th president. This is evidenced by the fact that Ronald Reagan’s National Campaign Chairman, Ed Rollins, has recently joined Gov. Huckabee’s campaign in the same capacity. Mr. Rollins stated that since the days of Reagan he has been looking for another statesman like that, and that Mike Huckabee comes closer to Ronald Reagan than any other politician. Coming from a man who knew Ronald Reagan very personally, that’s a powerful statement! Instead of looking back and wishing for the days of Ronald Reagan, it's time to look forward into the bright future our country can have with a president like Mike Huckabee!

Written By Anna www.11smithsforhuckabee.com December 19, 2007

Tricky Mitt: His 2007 definition of Pro-Life - wait - choice - no wait - Life, I Think

Iowa Still High On Huckabee

According to Mike Huckabee in a conference with Bloggers Friday afternoon the "Enthusiasm is High in Iowa." Thursday evening the Governor spoke with 1500 people and noted that the overflow area contained as many people as the main room.

"We are experiencing a dramatic surge of activity and enthusiasm" Huckabee said and noted this in spite of the "enormous number of attack ads primarily from Mitt Romney" who has spent "a half million dollars in attack ads."

"We are relentlessly being attacked on the one hand and yet relentlessly supported by people getting out in the snow" to work for the campaign and to come out to hear Mike's message for Iowans.

Governor Huckabee stated that many people are calling from around the country to ask how they can help in Iowa. The advise he offered for this point in the campaign is "send money, send money, send money." Not to be portrayed as a candidate always with his hand out, Huckabee clarified with a follow-up statement that "there are no hotel rooms left available here" indicating that the help in Iowa is a packed house, no need for you to be here in person.

Mike noted that "significant funds" were raised on the day after Christmas as well as the 27th fund drive. He maintained the motivational reporting by stating "In the National polls we are in either #1 or #2 spot." "If we actually win - it will be a seismic event on the political scale that will be noted for years to come as we have been out-spent 20 to 1."

NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING

Many of the questions posed to the Governor focused on the enourmous onslaught of negative attacks from Romney, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and others that have hammered the Huckabee campaign from as many angles as can be invented ranging from personal family attacks toward his son David's teenage indiscretions (a famous GOP insider tactic since Ross Perot), being likened to a modern day "Jimmy Carter," to being pro-embryonic stem cell research. As to the latter accusation Governor Huckabee stated "it's a pretty long stretch to accuse me of supporting embryonic stem-cell research."

In his rationale for the relentless onslaught of negative attacks against him from those who should be "fair and balanced" in the reporting of their own, Mike stated: "I'm not going to Washington because I want to be invited to all the party's. ...I think [Washington] needs changing. I don't want to be an insider. Much of the Republican party are not interested in those of us who have strong convictions about pro-life." "I am an economic conservative" Mike stated and related to us that because Washington did not "give birth to me....I am not one of them."

The Governor also noted as many bloggers and discussion forum's have done over the last week "These people [news networks, talk show hosts, and commentators] are closely tied to my competitors. That is not something I can help."

The response to the onslaught - or at least one response according to Huckabee - is to continue to point people to the "truth squad" at www.mikehuckabee.com where the attacks are responded to. He further stated that "we have over 500 dedicated bloggers to help counter-attack the negativity."

In Mike Huckabee fashion, with his ability to offer anecdotes for tough situations, he stated that he learned a long time ago not to get into a fight "If you can't stand the site of your own blood."

Certainly we know those anecdotes must keep the governor going on days when the political battle is raging at its worst. The Governor's HIGH ROAD position on attack campaigning is:

"We want to stay positive in Iowa against advice to attack back. We want to
answer in a voice that is FOR THIS COUNTRY and what is best for it."

IMMIGRATION

When asked to simply explain his immigration position - since one of the largest attacks comes from the accusation of Mike being "soft on immigration" Mike offered the following position.

"Our website has our '9 Point Immigration Program'" Jim Gilchrist, founder of the multi-ethnic Minuteman Project, says that our immigration policy is the "strongest...program presented by any of the candidates."

The Governor stated: "It should not take eight or nine years..." to become a citizen in this country. "It should take weeks/months - or however long it takes to process those immigrants in front of you" alluding to the further point that Mike is AGAINST AMNESTY for those here illegally today. Negative campaigning has accused Mike Huckabee of stating that illegal immigrants would gain legal status within a "one day time frame." Mike responded to this by saying "The ONE DAY THEORY is bogus - I never said that and don't know who came up with that." "I have been criticised that my immigration policy is TOO TOUGH - not soft. It is a tough policy."

FISCAL CONSERVATISM

"I'm not trying to make rich people poor - but I have a system that will make poor people rich." Mike stated when asked to comment on his Fiscally Conservative views. "Republicans have forgotten that SMALL BUSINESS is what creates job's in this country..." a statement that we haven't heard from any candidate since Ronald Reagan campaigned on that very topic until Mike Huckabee. "Get the taxes, regulatory and litigation system off his [small business owner's] back and let him know that his toughest competition won't come from his own government." "I will institute economic policies helping everyone from top to bottom..."

The Governor further added that he would "...push for total transparency of spending in congress....we ought to know how much it costs to mow the lawn in an Iowa federal court house. If we had a transparent expenditure system and transparent tax system - which the fair tax does - in 100 days the texture of the spending in this country would change."

CAMPAIGN DIRECTION

When asked how specifically Ed Rollins - former campaign manager to Ronald Reagan who orchestrated the 1980 landslide victory for the President - has impacted the Huckabee campaign, the Governor had this to say:

"Ed Rollins looked at our campaign from top to bottom" when he came on board. Mr. Rollins was "amazed at what we had accomplished with the resources we had to work with." Rollins asked "How can you run a campaign that gets this far [with so little]?" crediting Chip Saltsman for "doing a lot with a little."

"[Mr. Rollins] brought a perspective that we needed from [his experience of] running the successful campaigns we have run. His Rolodex is worth a 'gazillion' dollars. He can pull any number of contacts out to get the assist we need with this campaign."

WRAP

Though not exactly the answer I was hoping for - quite possibly it's simply too soon to see the REAL impact Mr. Rollins will have on this campaign. I was left with the impression that Ed Rollins has taken the helm of an already stable ship - on the right course - and will steer the campaign through the murky waters of attack and negativity - keeping us on course into clear water and sailing for the long haul once Iowa is chalked up as a victory.

I came away from this call feeling much better (or at ease) about Iowa seeing a 3 point drop in the polls this morning and following the negative campaigning. I'm glad to see Iowans being able to see through the Faux New's tactics of getting their candidate elected. I hope Faux News pays attention to their ratings, I'm seeing in the discussion rooms a lot of people turning the station to CNN for the more recent fair and balanced reporting.

I was glad to learn of the 9 point immigration policy being liked and lauded by Jim Gilchrist. Now Gary Bauer has nothing to complain about - unless he starts believing the newest spins that are sure to come.

Thanks for the opportunity Governor to be involved in your campaign, my national community, and a caucus victory in Iowa.

My favorite quote today:

"If your catching a lot of flack - you must be over the target."

Mike Is RIGHT For U.S.

A Conversation with a Former Presidential Candidate

Not For The Weak Hearted:

It's not all that bad - but I've been conversing with Gary Bauer over the past few months. He certainly has been approachable and for the most part respectful - as I have tried to be with him (you'll have to ask him for my report card on that one). Most of our conversations via email could be shared - although not all of them, as he requested they be held confidential. My post today is my response to Mr. Bauer on the last email we exchanged. I'm leaving off his original statement because I'm a bit uneasy sharing his statements without permission (I desire to be ethical here) - so I'll play it safe. But my reply is fair game and something I was quite obviously "worked up" over (as you will see) as I attempt to explain to this "Evangelical Leader" we need to stick with our own. I feel Mr. Bauer has fallen to the media spin and though he claims not to "publicly endorse" any candidate - he has no problem publicly discrediting one either (to put it nicely after I just back-spaced over my "real" thoughts) which is what began our tête-à-tête.

Enjoy:

Mr. Bauer,
I disagree completely. Everyone you mentioned are Washington Insiders. Rush Limbaugh has jumped off the cliff of truth - not following his normal procedure and policy. Rush has NEVER taken the word of a blogger to use as a tool to attack someone in politics - be them GOP or DEM, but now all of a sudden - after spending time with the Giuliani camp, he uses an unidentified individual to make a case? Please. Not Rush-like in the least, which tells me he's been sold out. And further, the MSM and FOX (who isn't any better) folk won't allow Mike Huckabee to focus on issues (real fair and balanced, huh?) - they keep him pinned to his religion and the fact that he is a Baptist Minister - thinking that will hurt him. When it actually back-fired on them and Mike gained popularity - out came the spin, lies and half-truths to further discredit him in Clinton Machine fashion - and he (though taking some hits in the polls) still seems his metal is withstanding the fire.

I just have GREAT difficulty believing that the fire comes from his own. Let the Clinton Machine come, let the Washington Insider's come - but Evangelicals need to stand with their own. You of all people should know that having felt the same brunt of the Eighties Evangelical evacuation.

Whether they (the list you mentioned) like Huckabee or not - I could care less - but to ATTACK the man and not REPORT the progress of his campaign is totally out of character and will serve as a DRIVING WEDGE to send Christians on the run in the political process - to go back to being the political wall-flowers we were before Reagan (it's already happening here in Maryland).

Washington Insider's don't like the grassroots/mainstreet type of government that Mike Huckabee has successfully run in Arkansas. The Democrats have shown their ability to win an election with the lowest satisfaction rate in American History with a President and Congress. We better be thinking of a man who can speak to both sides of the aisle. Bush failed in that campaign promise and if Romney can do it - he'll only be able to do it by being fake for now - and showing his true colors later (after elected - remember in 2004 he stated "I'm not a Reagan/Bush Republican"...hmmm....we certainly hear differently today).

The soft immigration position (that you call it) is not soft - it's Biblical....wouldn't you as a Christian prefer a Christian country to handle the immigration with a Christian response? Afterall, we are a Christian nation.

Almost Every President in American History has claimed that they read the Bible daily, but to what end - if it offers no practical solutions to government? Mike Huckabee understands that better than any other GOP Candidate on the sale block, and his governing of Arkansas has been reflective of that on every issue from immigration to education.

As for his immigration bill in Arkansas that failed - I stated in one of my former blogs - that had I been an Arkansas State Senator - I too would have voted that bill down - however - I in the doing - I would have applauded the Governor's efforts for at least TRYING to resolve the problem that the Federal Government was ignoring and simply stated - go back to the drawing board and bring something we can accept.

He has stated time and again that he is for building a wall to stop the influx of illegals. He is AGAINST amnesty and AGAINST Sanctuary cities and states. He follows the law as it is presented and he understands there is a lady in New York harbor that cries "bring me your poor..." -- not build freeways from Canada to Mexico and open the flood gates selling out our country one NAFTA bad deal at a time (both coming from GOP Presidents).

That's why the Washington insider's truly don't like Mike - he is not in their pocket - he's in the American People's pocket - being one of us.

It is the same old argument that raged rampant when Bush announced his hero being his "Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" when he ran against you. Only this time the heat has been turned up because Mike - a legitimate Christian with a History of being Christian - can actually reach across the aisle in Washington and that scares insiders. What also scares insiders is that he is FOR smaller government and can actually make it happen. That's why Senator's (former or current) don't make good Presidents. They see the White house as a victory over the Dem's not as what the American People want our country to be.

Americans want change - not business as usual. If the GOP puts up a nominee that is Biz as Usual - we better be prepared for another Clinton regime.

And the false accusation of being soft on immigration, and sounding like John Edwards and Hillary is only media spin meant to drive the Christian right out of the race.

Take a look at my blog (http://www.elephantroom08.blogspot.com/) I posted last night (I didn't write it...I copied and pasted from a radio host/pastor in Detroit - with permission). http://www.godandculture.com/.

The attacks on Huckabee aren't only sickening to me - but there are non-Huckabee people that are making statements of frustration and dissatisfaction with the attack policies against him (Romney, Thompson, and Giuliani supporters). Negative campaigning works - there's no doubt - but to what expense? I've been telling the Huckabee campaign that for months back when Huckabee was not only NOT being attacked - but he wasn't seemingly coming across as tough enough in the first couple of debates - but negative campaigning is also divisive to the party as a whole.

If the goal of Evangelical's is to create a legitimate 3rd party - I'm fine with that - - tell me where to sign up, because they certainly are on the right path.

You once sent out an email requesting input as to the Christian response (Evangelical Response) to the immigration issue. Mike has the correct, Biblical response to that issue. He also has the ability to carry the south in November. Your accusation in a former email about Mike's position on Islamofacism needs a bit of clarification before I can address it. Everything I'm reading on Huckabee is right on target. He does talk about promoting peace before going to war - but he also has warned that they are a dangerous enemy and a win in Iraq is imperative for victory in and getting out of Iraq (that I heard from his mouth to my ear in a phone conversation). He also warned in a GOP debate that Hillary in the White house is a scary thought in light of our current situation with Islamofacism. So he is not Clinton-like on foreign policy.

His being a Governor gives him the mainstreet experience to become elected and being one of the most Popular Presidents since Reagan if not prior to. Government is supposed to be FOR THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE not by Washington Insiders, tongue slinging commentators, and sinister spinisters. Mike Huckabee governs for the people.

Just because of his faith and the distaste that other politicians have for mixing the two (faith and politics) - he is not wanted by GOP's. The polls say American's like him....why can't the GOP's and Washington Insider's accept that? If they are or have a better candidate - let them run on the issues - not pull Huckabee down to boost their poll numbers.

These tactics are pathetic and I think - I HOPE - the American Public can see through it. Rush is only the latest Ace up the sleeve of Washington insiders to try to take Mike down. It may prove successful - - but then --- it may not, as it also serves to rally the Huckabee troops.

If you and people like you want to support Fred Thompson (or anyone else) - - - God Speed - but don't tear apart another person in the process to get your man elected. It's Not Evangelical. It's Not Christian.

BTW: My original email was not intended to strike up a confrontation with you regarding Mike Huckabee - I was a bit taken back with the response. However, I was dealing with the Negative campaign tactics from a generic standpoint and a "what if" scenario - because that's where I see this thing headed. Like you, I understand the fervor that builds - and no harm done, no apologies expected or wanted - not my point. I actually enjoy that back and forth and can give as well as take. I do ask that you take me at face value and with no underlying intent behind my emails and comments.

Evangelicals and Christians (may need to be considered as separate entities after this election) have both been in the back ground of politics since before the "Moral Majority" in the '70's. Now - they win elections (And to prove that is a God-thing - George Barna statistics indicate that only 8% of the American population consider themselves as Evangelicals - yet we are a political force in elections??). It took some years to bring Evangelicals to the forefront and a "deciding factor" in elections - if they - as Robert Novak states - are not considered as serious GOP's and quite seemingly unwanted - that's where this election process is driving them indeed, back to the side-lines of obscurity and to becoming the unwanted dance partner waiting in the wings, until they can't win an election without us.

I don't mean to be offensive with this, but I don't know how else to put it: emails like your last one to me prove that you are part of that process, not just because you choose not to vote for Mike - but because you choose to be part of the negative campaigning against him. Endorse your candidate publicly...have my blessing in the doing....but leave Mike out of your commentary. If you can't say something good - best not to say anything at all...That's the correct Evangelical approach.

Now - when all this is said and done and Huckabee is the nominee or not - can we still be friends? :-) By the way - - my emails have won over a Huckabee defector back to this side after flirting with Thompson (at least he said it was my emails). He has become a grassroots leader in Maryland for Mike as a result - so I'm not giving up on Gary Bauer just yet. As for Thompson - should he win the nomination, I can certainly consider supporting him - but his actions toward Huckabee will make all the difference for me. Thus far - Giuliani's camp has been the most respectful toward Huckabee and has all the reasons to be otherwise. Could there possibly be an undercurrent strategy taking place? Time will tell (and I'm not even sure I like the sound of that).

In His grace - yours,
Michael Phillips
Waldorf, MD
http://www.elephantroom08.blogspot.com/

When the going get's tough - the tough get ___________________!!!

How do you fill in that blank?

I have just been informed by someone who talks to a lot of Hucksters - that there is some discouragement, some dissatisfaction, and overall distraction among our support base. (don't misunderstand - the campaign is not tanking in the very least - in fact new poll numbers in Iowa show us that Huckabee is still on the rise).

Now is the time to rally and get our candidate a win in Iowa. The campaign has stated from the beginning that we need to come in as a top 3 spot in Iowa.

I don't know all that much about running a campaign - but I know that if we don't win in Iowa - we're in BIG Trouble for the rest of the trip. In fact - IMO we will need to start thinking of who we're VP'ing for. BUT WE ARE FAR FROM THAT POINT.

I'm hinging this campaign on a win in Iowa, South Carolina, and a 2nd in Florida - while thinking we'll make a showing in NH even if we're dead last (of course Faux News - my new favorite term - will have a hayday should that happen). I believe we could pull a win if we spent time and money in NH - but probably isn't worth the effort at this point. A win in Michigan would seal the deal for a nomination and I think we own most of the South.

We have a lot of YOUNG supporters that don't have deep pockets. I am convinced by the way this campaign has been successful that we don't really need deep pockets if every one of our supporters simply gave a Buck for Huck once a week from now until Super Tuesday - how awesome that would be in financial gain. Most people - when you ask them to give a buck - will probably do better than that after going to the trouble.

What we ABSOLUTELY CANNOT DO is let the NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING that has onslaughted us have the victory. If we go down (and I don't think we're really even breathing hard yet - much less going down) but if we do go down - we don't go down without a fight.

When your asked to make phone calls to Iowa - - volunteer.
When your asked by the campaign to spread your workload a little thin - - "take up your cross and bear it" but realize somebody can help you. DELEGATE! If your in Iowa - and getting discouraged because your overloaded - send me an email (reply to this post) - I'll make some phone calls from Maryland to recruit some help for you, and If I'm not successful - at least you'll be encouraged that I tried.

If you don't like the way the campaign is handling its business or the direction it's going - send them an email. Start a Blog (They pay attention to bloggers - I know from experience).

The bottom line here is - We need to "keep our powder dry" (whatever that means - my old preacher used to tell me that and it seems to fit here), and tighten our shoe-laces and keep running. Mike Huckabee's analogy of this camaign has always been that of a Marathon. In a marathon you set target's or goals and you meet each one - one at a time. The target before us is WIN IN IOWA. Ask someone - ask me if you don't know anyone else - what you can do to help the campaign meet that goal, then be willing to do it.

I have had so many people in Maryland ask me "what can I do to help." I have gathered a huge number of email addresses as a result. I sent an email to each one today asking for volunteers to make phone calls to Iowa. I received ONE volunteer. I understand the fear, the discomfort, and the challenge it takes to call someone you don't know - but if we're not willing to do the work - or if we get distracted by the complaints and discouragement - we will not be able to pull a victory for the nomination.

Huckabee is my man. I'm sold on him as a great Political and yes - even Spiritual leader with a broader audience than I - as a Pastor - could ever reach. He's the man for the job in the White House, and I will do whatever necessary (and legal) to help him get there. If he doesn't make it - I won't be sitting back pointing fingers or wishing I could have done more - I'll do what I can as much as I can.

I've had my discouragements with this campaign. I've had my disagreements and let-downs, some of them pretty disheartening. But, I'm still in it - and I'm still involved because the greater good is that Mike Huckabee get's to Washington. I ask everyone reading this post - to be willing to do the same. Not just verbally or by posting a "get-r-done" Hoorah reply - but by contacting someone at the campaign and volunteering your services in your state or in other states if you can. If you need my help in doing that - don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks
Mike Is Right For U.S.

Social Conservatives are Mad

[NOTE: This article posted by www.Townhall.com written by Paul Edwards - Finally an exposing of the likes of FOX News, Ann Coulter, and even the Evangelical's that fell prey to the GOP Washington insiders]

Since about the time the Moral Majority coalesced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Republican establishment has welcomed social conservatives to help get their candidates elected so long as they let their concern for moral issues take a back seat to fiscal policies. The leaders of the pro-family movement have always been more than willing to comply with the demands of the Wall Street insiders just to keep their place at the table. If the unity of this social-fiscal conservative coalition ever fractured, social conservatives bore the brunt of the blame.

And so it goes in the present race for the Republican presidential nomination. The Republican establishment has once again told social conservatives to suck it up and accept Giuliani as the de facto nominee in spite of their reservations about his record on abortion and the homosexual agenda to redefine marriage. Why? Because Rudy has the fiscal credentials. And, right on cue, a number of leaders of the pro-family movement complied, vis-à-vis Pat Robertson.

Republican Presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, campaigns in Waterloo, Iowa in this Dec. 20, 2007 file photo. Sure, the presidential candidates have their talking points on taxes, their policies on poverty, their white papers on war. But look beyond their top-tier issues and voters can find an eclectic assortment of ideas that reflect the candidates' particular passions, their attention to the arcane and, in some cases, outsized expectations. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

But just as their leaders were turning left, the rank and file of family values voters turned right, falling in behind Mike Huckabee, much to the chagrin of fiscal conservatives.

Cue Romney—the fiscal conservatives’ alternative to Giuliani. The idea seemed to be to convince the social conservatives that Romney was one of them, only much more refined than that “country bumpkin” Huckabee. The plan went something like this: have Romney deliver a major speech about his faith under the guise of being persecuted because of his faith (even though 80 percent of potential Republican primary voters polled said Romney’s faith was not an issue for them), and then if anyone questioned his faith, accuse them of being a bigot. Further, have Romney stretch the truth about seeing his father “marching with Martin Luther King,” as an appeal to the African-American values voter, and then when the record indicates George Romney never marched with MLK, explain it all away by saying the candidate was speaking “figuratively.” This strategy was supposed to lure the drifting rank and file back into lock-step.
There was just one problem with this plan. Social conservatives looked at Romney’s record on social issues and discovered he was “effectively pro-choice” throughout his political career just as he told Tim Russert on a recent edition of Meet the Press. Romney, it turns out, looks like a Giuliani in sheep’s clothing.

“But wait! Romney is a changed man,” you say. We’re all for death-bed repentance, but social conservatives rightly question whether a man who has exerted all of his political energies his entire political life for socially liberal causes can be trusted to appoint justices who will be strict constructionists.

Thus, the Huckasurge. Having been told for 30 years to sit quietly, ”take one for the team,” and let the fiscal issues take precedent, social conservatives are mad as hell and aren’t taking it anymore. There is a grassroots revolt taking place among the rank and file of social conservatives that has found its voice in Mike Huckabee, leaving the leadership of the pro-family movement wondering where their influence has gone.

Huckabee is not the fiscal conservative the Republican establishment would like. Horror of horrors, he has actually advocated using tax dollars to help the poor. Huckabee, it seems, actually applied what the Gospels say about our responsibility to the poor and suffering to tax policy in Arkansas. On issues like HIV/AIDS, the plight of the inner city poor, and education, Huckabee’s positions are admittedly more center left than center right. And while he believes in securing the border, Huckabee reminds us that there is lady standing in New York Harbor with a torch raised high beckoning ”your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” to come here, to the land of the free. Can we fault them when they actually do?

The Republican establishment has looked down its nose at social conservatives far too long, tolerating us because they need our votes. But now the tables are turned. The grass roots are looking up at the establishment with the will of a Lech Walesa, demanding that fiscal issues take a back seat to moral issues for a change. It’s long past time for the moral and social issues of our times to be given more than just lip service. It’s now time for our fiscal policies to be informed by our social policies rather than sacrificing our morality to our economic standing in the world.
Don’t expect the Republican establishment to take this lying down. The New Media tanks are already rolling in to suppress the revolt.

Paul Edwards is the host of The Paul Edward Program and a pastor. His program is heard daily on WLQV in Detroit and on godandculture.com

Dallas Morning News Endorses Huckabee

Many Republican voters are dissatisfied with the GOP presidential candidates this year. We share that frustration. But one of these men is going to be the party's nominee. Of this field, Mike Huckabee is the best choice.

It was a hard decision. In most respects, Mr. Huckabee, who governed Arkansas as a pragmatic, compassionate conservative, is not dramatically different from his main GOP competitors. He is somewhat better on energy and the environment, and though none of the Republicans are as forward-thinking about Iraq as they should be, Mr. Huckabee's emphasis on diplomatic engagement in the Middle East is fresh and welcome.

Mr. Huckabee established a respectable record of fiscal responsibility in Arkansas. Rather than run up deficits, he backed raising taxes to pay for needed infrastructure, health care and education. That's called prudence, and it was once a Republican virtue.

Mr. Huckabee is not an ideal candidate. Once a Bush-style Republican on immigration, his recent hard-right turn smells of opportunism. He too often wings it on foreign policy. But Govs. Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush also took office without foreign-policy experience. Much depends on the quality of a president's advisers. A chief executive's core foreign-policy convictions matter most, and on those, Mr. Huckabee is a standard conservative.
His religious conservatism, particularly his past rhetoric on women and gays, can be alarming. But religious conservatives aren't easily pigeonholed. A liberal Arkansas professor told The New York Times Magazine that Mr. Huckabee was a good governor. ''When he first came to office, people like me were worried about the religious aspect," she said. "And he is very orthodox on gays, guns and God. But he knows there's more than just these issues."

Indeed. Mr. Huckabee has a stout heart for working families and the poor, which as governor got him crossways with some Republicans. Though his strident criticism of free trade is misguided, the economically moderate Mr. Huckabee seems particularly attuned to the anxieties ordinary Americans face in this era of rapid change.

And he is one social conservative who's acutely aware of the call to racial healing. In 1997, when Little Rock Central High commemorated integration's 40th anniversary, Gov. Huckabee delivered a magnificent speech about race, justice and reconciliation that left many in the audience weeping.

It was a profound and profoundly moving address, and it revealed an unusual gift for leadership. Plain-spoken and eloquent, Mr. Huckabee strikes us as decent, principled and empathetic to the views and concerns of others – an antidote to the power-mad partisanship that has led U.S. politics to a dispiriting standstill.

"I'm a conservative," he likes to say. "I'm just not mad about it." Along those lines, what sold us on Mr. Huckabee is a sense that of all the Republicans, he is the change agent the nation most needs. John McCain, whose candidacy is quite appealing despite concern about his age and temperament, was arguably that man once. But his moment has passed.

America needs a clean break from the bitter politics of the recent past. From the right, Mike Huckabee, a progressive conservative with a pastor's heart, can deliver...

Mormonism: A Fake Faith From A Fake FORMER Front-runner (Part III)

Newsmax.com must get the credit for this post. Their intent is to stick Mike Huckabee with one of politics "embarrassing moments" but the article fails to make the case on Mike and actually makes the case against Mormonism. I am only going to post the portions of the article that deal with my intent of explaining/exposing the truth of Mormonism and not the False Doctrine that Mitt Romney calls Faith. At best Mormonism is a Religion and that's putting it more nicely than the SBC is quoted below. Whichever way is the most politically correct, there is no misunderstanding from my viewpoint, Mormonism is far from faith.

"...in June 1998, the Southern Baptist Convention held its annual meeting in Salt Lake City, the backyard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — the Mormons. The annual meeting created a stir between the Baptists and the Mormons.

The keynote speaker at the gathering was then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

At the annual meeting, the SBC distributed copies of a book entitled “Confronting the Contradictions Between Mormon Beliefs and True Christianity,” whose lead author is R. Philip Roberts, director of the Interfaith Witness Division of the North American Mission Board of the SBC.

The book maintains that while Mormons claim to be Christians, they propagate a non-Christian view of God, a non-Christian view of Jesus, and a non-Christian view of the gospel.

...the book quotes a Mormon apostle as saying: 'Satan is a person with a spirit body in form like that of all other men. He is a spirit brother of ours and of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

In another passage, Roberts and his co-authors state: 'Mormons claim that the early Christian church contained all the same teachings the LDS [Latter-day Saints] embrace today. However, with the death of Christ’s apostles, they believe the church fell into total apostasy, instituted false doctrine, changed the Scriptures, and lost the authority to minister in God’s name. Mormonism claims that every baptism performed by a minister outside of the true Church of Christ is rejected by God.'

The book also makes these assertions:

'Mormonism is not just a cult in terms of doctrine; it is a culture that seeks to attract and hold people and their families for generations.'
'Mormonism teaches that God is confined to a physical body and is married.'
'The more sinister and controversial aspects of Mormon history are not known by the average Mormon.'
In his address at the SBC meeting, Huckabee never addressed the Mormon controversy but he did say that he hoped Americans would 'take this nation back for Christ.'

See The Difference?

ANY QUESTIONS?

A Whole New Race

Those Pesky Cell Phones!

This morning when speaking in a Baptist Church in Delaware, at quite a critical point in the message someones cell phone began to ring. I know we all love when that happens. Usually, a person quickly catches the phone, hits the "stop ring" button allowing the caller to go to voice mail. Not today!

Normally I get a little judgemental in that situation - however - recalling my own similar experience - and watching a woman in the third row from the front (all eyes in the church being on her) struggle to find her loudly ringing phone, just as I was wrapping up the message and bringing it to an altar call (you know - a very serious moment), I sympathized with the lady. My only recourse was to make light of the situation, and asked the rest of the congregation "Don't you love technology?" I followed up with "I don't mind waiting, it has happened to me..." After what seemed like an eternity to me - and longer to her I'm sure - she finally got the phone turned off. But not to be outdone by the devil that caused that phone to ring in the first place, I wrapped up my statement - finished with a powerful song that related to the message, everyone in tears - and we ended with one of the better services I've been involved in a while.

Isn't the Lord great that way? I am primarily blogging today to share that cell phone experience (no real message or analogy to go with it). As stated above, I've had a similar instance happen to me about a year ago. I had a cell phone that I could download various ring tones of favorite songs (I have since upgraded to a phone that would remove that temptation). I happened to run across one of my favorite secular singers singing a song I like so I downloaded it. Little did I know that on a given Sunday after preaching one of my better sermons and bringing the message to an invitation - people's heads bowed, eyes closed, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse - the invitation song for that Sunday's altar call was loudly and clearly Michael Bolton singing the words "When A Man Love's A Woman..." Had it only been mother's day, maybe I could have salvaged the service, but needless to say that invitation was unrecoverable.

Feel free to share your cell phone war-stories.

I Seem To Recall - Not So Many Months Ago...

...when Mike Huckabee wasn't even polling in double digits - and yet he simply plugged away in states like Iowa and New Hamphshire giving his message of Faith Family and Freedom (have I told you that my MD church where I serve as Pastor is named Faith Family Fellowship, hailing from Arkansas - NLR in fact - as my home town - I can't help but like Mike).

Not too much further in the campaign Mike broke double digits, causing O'Reilly to lose his dinner deal with Dick Morris.

In all of that hustle and bustle of Campaign (months before Christmas) two things I never heard - We're concerned about Mike Huckabee's poll numbers - - AND - - Mike Huckabee attacking those in the #1 and #2 (and #3 when it applied) spots in the polls.

Funny how that was Not So Many Months Ago....

In recent weeks, the process started when Mike tied and overtook Mitt in Iowa, Rudy in Florida, own's South Carolina, climbing in New Hampshire (with another steep hill before him). Fred wakes up from his winter slumber to slap Mike 6 times with negative statements (I wonder if he wakes up next to his "trophy wife" - his words not mine - with the same attitude and gives her 6 negative statements). Romney twists and turns every statement of Mike's to make him look mean and unconcerned about other religions and GOP politics, regardless of the fact that Mike thinks more like mainstreet voter's than Washington Business as Usual Politicians. And now McCain - who Mike has never publicly spoken any discouraging words or negative comments other than to call McCain a National Hero and thanked him publicly for his service to the country - only to receive a false accusation of Push Polling in New Hampshire. Which may be happening - but not from Mike Huckabee's directive, in fact latest news indicates that Mike Huckabee has also called on the NH Attorney General to investigate and stop the party from doing it (possibly a person trying to hurt the Huckabee campaign).

At the time I'm writing this blog - so far - Rudy has stayed away from the negative fray regarding Mike...He has kept to the high ground, and as I have noticed, Mike and Rudy tend to maintain a political respect for one another. Pay attention Mitt Romney and Fred, that's Presidential leadership material in action.

Mike didn't need to bring other's down to rise to the top over the course of the last 3 months. If your counting the "Jesus' brother" remark as negative - again - twisted and out of context from Romney's camp - but - Mitt got his apology nonetheless, then turns to slam Mike's statements on Bunker Bush tactics today. I don't get it (actually I do get it). But Negative campaigning will hurt you more than it helps you.

I like Rush Limbaugh's encouragement: Stick to the Issues. Getting distracted on the religion issues is only confusing the American Public [but still - keep reading my Mormon analogy on this blog (-: ].

Today has been a very huge day politically. Lot's of activity taking place. Hope your keeping up. Thank you for reading my blog - - as usual any and all comments are welcome (as long as they are on topic with the post your commenting on).

Cleaning Up The Game

Today as John McCain stumps in South Carolina to try and build his support, he stops to answer a question about the Steroid scandal in Major League Baseball

"it's time we get serious about the testing, its time we get serious about the penalties, its time we get serious about the integrity of the game..."

Certainly, this is a good statement about baseball - but where does it bleed over into McCain's politics? So far it doesn't. McCain is falsely accusing Mike Huckabee of the illegal tactics of Push Polling. Push Polling is basically the practice of phone calls to people's home's negatively shmearing (too much time at Einstein's bagels) other candidates. Never mind the phone banks and push polling - let's use the mainstream media like Mitt and McCain are doing today.

THE FACT's (as I am currently aware and will be looking to http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ the truth squad link for the campaign's take) as I understand it:

1. The Push Polling for Mike Huckabee is being done by a Third Party to which Mike Huckabee's campaign has requested they stop.

2. The polling from this particular third party was not smearing other candidates, but rather keeping the message positive and truthful - such as talking to people about Pro-Life who happen to be supporting McCain - exposing the harm that McCain has done for the Pro-Life movement as a Senator. That is not smearing - that is offering the facts - facts by the way that are not spun or twisted as what passes for "facts" from other camps when slamming Mike.

So - How does McCain's MLB remarks bleed over into his politics? Let's get serious about the issues, let's get serious about change in Washington, and let's get serious about the integrity and character of the candidate and the campaign game. John McCain has done enough to hinder the GOP in this election year with the McCain-Feingold bill. It has hurt the GOP's and the Dem's aren't affected. Makes you wonder the motivation behind the bill from this candidate with little or no money.

Mormonism: A Fake Faith from a Fake Front-runner (Part 2)

What role does Joseph Smith play in the Mormon Religion?

In Mitt Romney's "Faith in America Speech" the former anti-Reagan/Bush governor who believes that Mike Huckabee would make a great President stated the following:

There is one fundamental question about which I often am asked. What do I
believe about Jesus Christ? (http://www.mittromney.com/News/Speeches/Faith_In_America)

The Governor went on to state that he "believe(s) that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind."

While these two statements in and of themselves are certainly true, the question arises - are they genuine? Though it isn't always ours to judge the faith statements of others, the Bible tells us "try [test] the Spirits." Alongside of testing the Spirits - we are warned by the same Bible in II Peter 2:1 that Mr. Romney "says" he believes:

"...even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies..."

"Damnable Heresies" what harsh language, but God-inspired nonetheless.

I am reminded of the Old Testament story (also inspired by God even as an historical account of the acts of God with the Children of Israel) that I used as a sermon earlier this year prior to even knowing who Mitt Romney was (I'll spare you the sermon re-run here) entitled "Strange Fire." The Scripture accounts for two servants of God being killed by fire in Leviticus chapter 10 for using as their "igniting" fire from the wrong source to light the fire on the Altar in the Holy of Holies. The wrong fire (ie., Strange Fire) being used was in direct disobedience to God in the first place. There is so much rich historic value in this story - please don't take my skipping over it for sake of space and time as thorough analogy of the scriptural account. However there was a deeper - symbolic - message in God's decision to strike the sons of Aaron to their peril. It was a futuristic message of a coming Savior that God would offer upon the Altar of Sacrifice at Calvary's Cross - namely Jesus. The impact of the symbolism is that God will accept no other sacrifice for the sins of humanity than acceptance of "his fire" - a prescient message to the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ.

If Jesus is the True Fire of God - ie., the source of God's pleasure through sacrifice upon the cross, a prophetic fulfillment of the symbolism of the Temple Altar of sacrifice in the Holy of Holies - where does that leave Joseph Smith?

Joseph Smith - according to the doctrine of Mormonism - is a Prophet. There are several ways to define the term Prophet - all of which are arguably closely related. The more modern definition of a Prophet is simply "one who speaks for God." Under that particular definition, I am a Prophet, because every Sunday I speak for God from my pulpit at church. The Traditional view of a Prophet is someone who is "inspired as one who has a received a direct message from God meant to be shared with humanity through the Prophet." While closely related to the more modern version, there is a difference in that in my "prophetic state," I use God's word from the Bible - I haven't heard an audible voice as Moses did at the burning bush experience. Most Christians hold to the more traditional definition where a Prophet has more of a God-given "foretelling" that goes beyond the knowledge offered throughout the Bible which did not exist during the early church while much of Bible was still being written.

The "prophet" Joseph Smith - according to LDS Doctrine takes the definition of prophet a step further than traditional definition. Joseph Smith's prophetic state is equal to that of the Diety of Jesus Christ, as according to mormon doctrine, you are required to believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet in order to go to Heaven. We must believe in Jesus as Savior to get to Heaven - and we must believe in Joseph Smith's prophetic state. Why not Moses? Why not Isaiah? Why not Habakkuk? Afterall, there is no question as to their place in the prophetic roll-call of the Old Testament. As the founder of Mormonism, it's quite self-serving to require belief in that founder to keep the religion going.

“There is no greater prophet in any dispensation than Joseph Smith… Joseph Smith
was a prophet, and all the calumny and aspirations to the contrary cannot
controvert that fact. Anyone who has concern for the
welfare of his eternal soul should give attention to this
message. Every man who has lived since the days of Joseph Smith is subject to accepting him as a prophet of God in order to enter
into our Heavenly father’s presence” (A. Theodore Tuttle,
“Joseph Smith re-established fullness of true gospel, Church,” Church News,
March 17, 2001, p.14).

I purposely chose to highlight the above portions in red because these are very serious statements. They are Damnable Heresies. It is the epitome of "strange fire" as mentioned in Leviticus 10 which caused Aaron's sons to be struck dead. Aaron's sons were good guys, but disobedient just the same. A lot of good Mormon people will be sent to Hell because they have negated their belief in Jesus Christ by adding the "strange fire" of Joseph Smith and their belief in him as the "additional way to Heaven"

Jesus said: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me. (John 14:6). Earlier in the gospel of John He stated "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). Notice that Jesus' only requirement for eternal life is belief in Him and only Him...no other.

The writer of Hebrews states that Jesus is the "author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2) which would suggest to the true Christian that no belief in any other is required for the ultimate goal or "finish line" before us as we run this "race that is set before us." (Heb. 12:1).

A belief in Joseph Smith - without which deems all non-Mormons as apostates - is a "strange doctrine" indeed.

Mormonism: A Fake Faith from a Fake Front-runner (Part 1)

On December 6th, former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney delivered his "Faith In America" speech from the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, TX. Much expectation was afloat for the governor to present his mormon faith as an explanation to his beliefs and quell the qualms of those believing Mormonism to be a cult, concerned with a President adjoining himself with such beliefs. Much to many's surprise, the word mormonism was only mentioned once in the speech and most comments were left to rhetorical, politically correct speak that Presidents are to be leaders of the entire country not just any particular sect of people - to which I agree - even though the U.S. has never elected a President that did not claim (whether lived up to the term or not) to be distinctly Christian, which mormonism is not.

Now that some time has passed and even Mike Huckabee posed a question as to what mormons believe - which was spun into a negative slam by both mainstream and unfair/unbalanced media outlets - the Elephant in the room is that the subject of mormonism (The Church of the Latter Day Saints - LDS) and what they actually believe and teach has yet to be addressed, to which I believe the LDS and their Presidential candidate hopes ambiguity abides.

It will be my attempt over the course of the next few posts to explain exactly what LDS teaches their following. Whether or not those teachings has an impact on a potential President - you can be the judge.

Personally speaking, (IMO) a person cannot separate him/herself from their core beliefs. Our faith indeed defines who we are. Though a Presidential candidate need not run for office based on his religious beliefs, his lack of faith should be a concern to Americans who enjoy the freedoms of our great nation that were founded by Christian men.

In the CNN/YouTube debate in Florida, the question was posed "do you believe this book [the Holy Bible]." The questioner then clarified his question so there was no mistaking the question by stating "Do you believe in this book" (turning the spine showing THE HOLY BIBLE inscription as he moved it close to the lens). Even if the question was a fake implant by the left wing as an attempt to expose the radical religious bent of conservatism, allow me the license to accept that question as "legitimate." As such, the implication in the question is: the Holy Bible is the ONLY word of God.

True or False: Mormons believe the Holy Bible to be the Word of God. False
They - as Mitt Romney stated in the debate mentioned above - believe the Bible to be the Word of God. The statement that Mitt Romney made as to his belief in the Bible is Fake - or False - that is if he truly holds to mormonism. To say that one believes the Holy Bible to be the Word of God must in fact believe that God spoke to the writers of Genesis to Revelation and inspired the message of the Bible. Theologians call this theory the plenary verbal inspiration of scriptures. (That is as deep as I will go in this format for Theology - you can thank me later).

Psalm 90:2 states: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you have formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”

Joseph Smith (the founder of LDS) has this to say about God - in direct contradiction to the above scripture:
“We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see. These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.345; also cited in Gospel Principles, p.305).

I should probably go further on this subject - but will save it for another post. I want to close this post with an interesting answer to Mike Huckabee's question about mormonism:

Though Mitt Romney stated that it was a common falsity of Jesus being the brother to Satan and the LDS church has rejected the notion, I found this quote:

The 12th Mormon President Spencer W. Kimball wrote,
“Long before you were born a program was developed by your creators ... The principal personalities in this great drama were a Father Elohim, perfect in wisdom, judgment, and person, and two sons, Lucifer and Jehovah.” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 32-33).

This also goes to the false claim of believing the Bible to be the Word of God as Psalm 148:1-5 describes Lucifer as an Angel. Angels are created beings. The Son of God is the Alpha and Omega - the Beginning and the End.

It doesn't get much clearer than that. It simply sounds to me that Mitt Romney should run for President of the LDS and leave our Christian nation - distinctly Christian. More to come on this subject......

"...we need to make sure that we have a strong person who can take the baton from President Bush, and Gov. Huckabee is certainly one of those individuals. He'd make a fine president.” - Mitt Romney in 2005

2005: Romney says Huckabee would make a great president

[Note: this blog entry is copied and pasted from www.huckabeehound.blogspot.com - just too good not to bring it to the Elephant Room]

In 2005, while at the Arkansas' Governor's Mansion for a meeting about health-care, Mitt Romney had the following to say about Mike Huckabee if he were to run for President:

"...we need to make sure that we have a strong person who can take the baton
from President Bush, and Gov. Huckabee is certainly one of those individuals.
He'd make a fine president.”

Is this another flip-flop by Mitt Romney? It seems like whichever way the wind blows, his position blows right along with it.More from the article...

The Arkansas News Bureau reported in August 2005 that Romney said Huckabee would have the support of many Massachusetts Republicans if the Arkansan were to run for president in 2008.

While at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion for a meeting about health care, Romney demurred when asked whether a presidential race was in his future but had nice things to say about his host.“Who knows what the future will hold?” Romney said in 2005. “Most likely, we’ll all stay as governors or find other offices, but we need to make sure that we have a strong person who can take the baton from President Bush, and Gov. Huckabee is certainly one of those individuals. He'd make a fine president.”

Read the whole article from the Times Record by clicking here.

It's A Delaware Thing

[Note: This post was published by the Delaware News Journal as an Op/Ed on 12/13/07]

Last week I had the privilege of working in Delaware for the Mike Huckabee campaign. The State of Delaware requires each Presidential Candidate to obtain five hundred signatures in order for a candidate to be on the ballot in the February 5th Primary election. The Huckabee campaign and other candidates sent their volunteers to the First State to knock doors, stand at malls, haunt the halls of GOP Headquarters and any variety of places where we could encourage people to sign petitions.

Being lightly leery of going door to door, I forged ahead in a hard driving snow to a Newark Neighborhood and began ringing doorbells. Much to my surprise, with my clipboard in hand and stuck with a Huck sticker on my chest, the reception I received at each door and with each individual I approached was one of welcome and hospitality. I was invited in to two homes - a practice I wouldn't encourage, but with an inch of snow on my ball-cap who was I to question? I shook hands with Congressman Castle, Senator Carper, Committee Woman Priester, and many others - Democrat and Republican alike.

All First Stater's were equally approachable and welcoming to this visiting Marylander whose roots and accent extend to Arkansas. Was it the sticker I was donning, my Arkansas accent, or just my good looks? Neither. I believe it was the warm friendliness of Delaware residents and even their politicians whom I met in 28th District's special election - all of which were equally receptive and welcoming. I was even asked to leave two locale's (a post office and a shopping area) but the approach to me was in such a nice and polite way that I couldn't even muster up a discouraging word to hopefully stay - I simply said "thank you for being polite about it" shook their hand and moved on.

Delaware has made an impression on my life over the last 16 years of marriage to a New Castle resident. Any preconceptions of the openness and friendliness being simply because I married into it has now dissipated. It's a Delaware Thing - your just friendly people.

From Maryland, my family, and Mike Huckabee - we thank you.

The Truth on Mike Huckabee and Immigration

- The Governor opposes and will never allow amnesty.

- Governor Huckabee believes that securing our borders must be our top priority and has reached the level of a national emergency.

- The Governor supports the $3 billion the Senate has voted for border security. This money will train and deploy 23,000 more agents, add four drone planes, build 700 miles of fence and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, and put up 105 radar and camera towers.

- In this age of terror, illegal immigration is not only an economic issue, but also a national security issue.

- Governor Huckabee opposed the amnesty bill that was attempted to be rushed through Congress this summer, and opposed the misnamed DREAM Act, which would have put us on the slippery slope to amnesty for all.

- Governor Huckabee opposes and will not tolerate sanctuaries for illegals.

- Governor Huckabee opposes giving driver's licenses to those who are illegally in our country and supports legislation to prevent states from doing so.

- Governor Huckabee believes illegal aliens who try to vote or try to apply for welfare benefits should be arrested.

- Governor Huckabee will stop punishing cities which try to enforce our laws and protect the economic well-being, physical safety, and quality of life of our citizens.

- Governor Huckabee opposes and will not tolerate employers who hire illegals. They must be punished with fines and penalties so large that they will see it is not worth the risk or profitable.

- Governor Huckabee opposes the economic integration of North America that would create open borders among the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

- Governor Huckabee will never yield one inch of American sovereignty.

- Governor Huckabee will take our country back for those who belong here. No open borders, no amnesty, no sanctuary, no false Social Security numbers, no driver's licenses for illegals.

It has been reported that Mike Huckabee supported benefits for illegals immigrants while he was Governor of Arkansas.

Governor Huckabee never supported benefits for illegal immigrants. In Arkansas, illegal immigrants do not receive welfare benefits or food stamps. Governor Huckabee has always, and will always be supportive of the laws and regulations of the country. It has also been said that Mike Huckabee was in favor of providing college scholarships for illegal immigrants while he was Governor.

The governor only supported the measure that applied to those who met the academic qualifications and applied for legal citizenship. The measure didn't pass. Governor Huckabee stressed that any student would simply be treated as any other graduate of an Arkansas High School, and not given any special consideration. Critics say that Governor Huckabee's motives behind opening a Mexican consulate office in Little Rock was to court illegals to come work in Arkansas.

The Mexican consulate provided Arkansas businesses with access to Mexico and opportunities to expand their markets, and would help further ensure that immigrants from Mexico are legal and better able to secure legal documentation. At the same time, the office would open up opportunities for Mexican investors to invest money with Arkansas partners, which would help create more jobs in the state.

A Fair Question From Gary Bauer

You Be The Judge!

As Mike Huckabee continues to improve in the polls, his positions on the issues are coming under greater scrutiny. Over the last week, a heated debate has broken out between Huckabee and many of the other candidates over the immigration issue, and particularly the question of providing benefits to the children of illegal immigrants.On Friday, many of the leading groups fighting illegal immigration blasted Huckabee for his position on the issue. While Governor Huckabee now says he is against amnesty and for secure borders, he continues to raise eyebrows with his defense of scholarships and other taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.

Since the illegal immigration debate will continue to be a big part of the 2008 campaign, and no doubt a key item on the legislative agenda in 2009, as it has been in Congress for the past few years, I want to get your take on the controversy.

The FactsWhen he was governor of Arkansas, Huckabee supported legislation allowing illegal immigrants who had attended Arkansas high schools to participate in a scholarship program to attend college. Huckabee lost that debate, and the bill failed. He also strongly opposed an effort by state Senator Jim Holt, also an ordained Southern Baptist minister, to end taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants in Arkansas and to require proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. Huckabee denounced Holt's legislation as "race baiting" and "demagoguery."

Huckabee's ArgumentGovernor Huckabee strongly defends the positions he took as governor on aid to illegals. He argues that denying illegal immigrant students scholarship money would be punishing children for what their parents have done. He says, "my soul will not let me" do that. On ABC News this weekend, when he was asked whether or not he would support federal scholarships for illegal immigrant students, Huckabee said, "I'm not sure." Senate Democrats recently proposed the "DREAM Act," which would have allowed illegal aliens to receive taxpayer subsidized in-state college tuition rates that out-of-state American citizens cannot get.

The "DREAM Act," like other recent immigration "reform" efforts, failed to pass due to overwhelming public outrage. One year ago, Huckabee compared America's response to illegal immigration to slavery by remarking, "One of the great challenges facing us is that we do not commit the same mistakes with our growing Hispanic population that we did with African Americans 150 years ago. I think, frankly, the Lord is giving us a second chance to do better than we did before."

The Critics' Response

Critics of Huckabee's positions point out that many illegal immigrants are entering the U.S. because they want to get benefits for their children. Increasing those benefits, such as college scholarships, would serve as a magnet for illegal immigrants. Since scholarship money is always limited, every scholarship that is given to an illegal immigrant student is a scholarship that is taken away from an American citizen. In addition, they point out that while it is a Christian responsibility to help the poor, it is not Christian to take someone else's money through the power of Big Government to redistribute it to the disadvantaged. Huckabee's critics also say that comparing slavery to illegal immigration is a complete distortion. Finally, they reject Huckabee's argument that children shouldn't be punished for their parents' actions. Children do get hurt when their parents are punished, including when a parent is imprisoned for criminal behavior.

My Take

I think the critics are closer to the truth in this debate. I believe any Republican presidential nominee who has a soft record on illegal immigration will have a hard time distinguishing themselves from Hillary Clinton, who, as you know, is tripping over herself to avoid appearing to be soft on illegal immigration.

What do you think?

Please address the issue I have presented. I have accurately described the two sides of the debate, so I am not sympathetic to the idea that simply posing the question is somehow anti-Huckabee. Rather this is part of an ongoing debate we need to have in order to understand what the conservative position on immigration "reform" is and to ensure that we have a clear conservative nominee in 2008. This issue cuts across party lines and many Americans - Republicans, Democrats, Independents - were outraged by the repeated efforts of politicians in both parties to push comprehensive immigration reform. Please feel free to pass on this "End of Day" update to interested friends and family members.

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