by James Oliphant
Mike Huckabee's triumph in Iowa is being felt in Washington.
The left-leaning advocacy group People For the American Way today released a statement this afternoon on the Arkansas Republican's win in the caucus. Long story short: Don't be fooled by a few folksy one-liners, PFAW says:
If there were any doubts that Religious Right voters are still a powerful force in the Republican Party, Mike Huckabee’s huge win in Iowa put them to rest.
Huckabee’s rise was built on fervent grassroots organizing by Religious Right activists who embraced him as their dream candidate, even as the movement’s national leaders kept their distance while making calculations on electability.
Huckabee has pledged to support every item on the ultraconservative wish list – a far-right Supreme Court, a constitutional ban on abortion, a veto of legislation to protect gay and lesbian Americans from discrimination, support for a bill to keep federal courts from intervening when local officials abuse the power of their office to promote their religious beliefs – and more.
Huckabee’s friendly folksy demeanor can distract attention from the disturbing fact that he and his backers essentially urged conservative evangelicals to vote for him based on his being the “right” kind of Christian. That should make Americans very nervous.
The statement came from Peter Montgomery, the group's VP of communications. That means that Huckabee is officially on the radar here.
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Comments
Who was that linebacker in the brown dress standing to the side of Huckster just out of site of the camera? I noticed the Huckster positioned Chuck Norris' arm candy behind him so that her pretty face could be seen during his speech. Was that Amazon linebacker in the brown dress Huckster's wife? What a slob.
Posted by: Paul | January 4, 2008 2:12 PM
Nothing like enlightened political commentary there, Paul. "Don't vote for Huck! His wife might be fat!" Good stuff. And let's not forget the People for the American Way: "Don't vote for Huck! He's going to enact laws forcing everyone to go to (an evangelical) church! Then, he's going to take all your tax money and give it to (evangelical) churches across America! And then he'll close the schools and replace them with Christian madrassas! And then he'll round up all the gays and send them to psych wards to be cured! Preserve America against the Christians! Beware, bewaaaare!" All this hysteria for what will probably be a footnote in American history.
Posted by: JB | January 4, 2008 3:33 PM
ONE REPUBLICAN VOTING FOR RON PAUL, WHETHER A REP OR INDEPENDANT CANDIDATE, NOWAY, WILL I SUPPORT HUCKABEE, WILL EITHER STAY HOME OR SUPPORT A DEMOCRAT.
Posted by: Gary H. | January 4, 2008 4:01 PM
I could care less about who any of these candidates are married to and what they look like. But the results last night literally gave me the chills. Am I wrong or was our country founded with the strict intention of a separation of church and state. Please tell me where on earth these conservative Christians got the right to use government positions to impose their religious beliefs upon the rest of us. JB chides hysteria but I say people are not afraid enough.
Posted by: Ashley | January 4, 2008 4:35 PM
No matter how hysterical the American Left becomes, there'll always be a DNC Swamp reporter to pass along their hysteria.
"Mike Huckabee" a "threat" to anything? Get real. PFAW makes this American very nervous.
Posted by: Bruce | January 4, 2008 4:40 PM
"Huckabee’s friendly folksy demeanor can distract attention from the disturbing fact that he and his backers essentially urged conservative evangelicals to vote for him based on his being the “right” kind of Christian. That should make Americans very nervous."
Amen to that!!! This guy gives me the creeps. So for that matter do Iowa republicans.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | January 4, 2008 4:49 PM
"Don't be fooled by a few folksy one-liners"
I thought they were talking about Boy Wonders speech which are like Chinese food - they tase good, but leave you hungry.
Posted by: Terry | January 4, 2008 4:57 PM
No matter how hysterical the American Left becomes, there'll always be a DNC Swamp reporter to pass along their hysteria.
"Mike Huckabee" a "threat" to anything? Get real. PFAW makes this American very nervous.
Posted by: Bruce | January 4, 2008 4:40 PM
Bruce will always be there to CRY foul. Cry baby!
Posted by: Huckabee Schmuckabee | January 4, 2008 5:54 PM
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/12/21/huckabees-courting-of-the-far-far-right/
Any woman who votes for this guy needs to have her head examined, unless she wants to stay home barefoot, pregnant and taking care of her deadbeat, philandering husband.
Posted by: DD | January 4, 2008 6:07 PM
Wow, liberals are terrified of people who want to worship as they wish and keep "In God We Trust" on our money, but "celebrate diversity" when a shrouded terrorist wants to blow them up.
Only in America....
Posted by: Darby | January 4, 2008 6:13 PM
Huckabee has 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. . . . I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ.”
Darby, I hardly call that the spirit of "people who want to worship as they wish" and yes, I'm terrified by statements like the above.
Posted by: DD | January 4, 2008 7:47 PM
I was hoping that this election was going to be Neoconservatives versus those who believe that strength abroad begins with strength at home;
I'm disappointed that Huck's victory could turn this into Religous Republicans versus Secular Democrats. With the US's position as a superpower under question, do Americans really need to resolve this issue right now?
Posted by: atreus | January 4, 2008 8:30 PM
When they start calling you names, and belittling you religion and spread lies about you it only says one thing...Their worried and scared.
Posted by: Paul Jaeger | January 4, 2008 8:49 PM
"
Wow, liberals are terrified of people who want to worship as they wish and keep "In God We Trust" on our money, but "celebrate diversity" when a shrouded terrorist wants to blow them up.
Only in America....
Posted by: Darby | January 4, 2008 6:13 PM"
Darby,
You seem to have entirely missed the thrust of church/state debate.
You are so far behind the curve you are out of sight.
Posted by: C.Morris | January 4, 2008 9:28 PM