Comments on: A Look at the Huckahate

By: Adam Graham

Adam Graham — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:15:20 +0000

I think such hate doesn’t ruminate with liberals towards Huckabee, but rather from quite a few people on the right.

By: Tom von Alten

Tom von Alten — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:20:33 +0000

The headline teased me over here, wondering whether some expression of “hate” was prompted by the bad joke at the NRA. But no sign of that, just “general negativity” at worst.

I’m generally skeptical of accusations of hate, because it seems to be a convenient projection to discredit someone with whom you disagree. (As in “why do Democrats hate this country?” sort of thing.)

I’m not following Huckabee on the lecture circuit, because I don’t think he was, or is, a credible candidate for Executive office. But I have no reason whatsoever to “hate” him; he’s entertaining in a strange sort of way. He may even have some political ideas I could agree with, I just can’t recall hearing any.

By: BillH

BillH — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:13:09 +0000

cynical (I used to type better too)

By: BillH

BillH — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:12:29 +0000

If it’s of any interest Adam, I used to be a LOT more cunical than I am now We’ll see what happens.

By: Adam Graham

Adam Graham — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:07:02 +0000

First of all, I respect your blog and your opinion. Hopefully, by 2012, our opinions will be closer together. Though I have a preferred direction.

I don’t think McCain has changed on McAmnesty. He’s said as much in recent days. He was careful in the campaign not to say amnesty pledges. He also hasn’t convinced any border security folks that he’s serious.

Huckabee got Jim Gilchrist and Duncan Hunter, men I trust greatly on this border issues to support his effort. That sold me. I think he genuinely listens to folks and made an Iron Clad committment.

By: BillH

BillH — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:12:46 +0000

My only point Adam is that promises made while trying to get a nomination ring rather hollow for me when compared to a record made while previously in office. I don’t think I’m being overly cynical by doubting a politician making “change of character” promises during a campaign run. And it isn’t like we haven’t been led down the path before… “read my lips” comes to mind, as does Governor Ahnold reverting to type. There is a large part of this country, including a large part of the Republican party, who will support and work for amnesty as long as they have power because they believe it is the right way to go. Ask Larry Craig, who despite being a conservative, feels it is his sworn duty to facilitate “affordable labor” for the various ag industries in the state, and sees amnesty as the best and most logical solution. I believe John McCain is in that line, and I think Huckabee is too. So when they tell me they’ve seen the light, I don’t believe them. When they all gather around for the vote next week in the Senate on the amnesty for ag workers bill that Larry has been pushing lately, would anyone care to wager which way John McCain will vote? Or do you think he’ll just skip another embarrassing vote? I know you love the game of politics Adam, and you see it differrently than I do (respect you for that btw), but I’m just a cynical old citizen, and I have to call it the way I see it. Vote that way too. Frightening, isn’t it

The Reagan joke was hilarious. The Huck/Obama joke was pretty lame.

By: Julie in Boise

Julie in Boise — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:21:56 +0000

Adam, just an addendum to what I wrote earlier. CNN reported that the audience laughed, but a video shows there was little, if any, laughter. So it was indeed a failed joke – and I’l give NRA members more credit than I was prepared to after reading the initial reports.

I’d forgotten about the Reagan joke. That was appalling, yet as you say, it didn’t hurt him. But I think we’re all a little more sensitive these days than we were in the 1980s – which is why Hillary Clinton’s “obliterate Iran” comment was one of the final nails in her chances at the nomination.

By the way, lots of Dem bloggers are calling Huck’s quip a racial slur, but I disagree. My first thought when I heard it was of RFK, not MLK, and that’s why I find it so chilling. Apparently some of the NRA crowd did, too.

By: Adam Graham

Adam Graham — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:35:57 +0000

Julie, I think it takes a little more than a failed joked to disqualify someone from the Presidency forever. Reagan joked about beginning a bombing of Russia and got re-elected by an overwhelming majority. They’ll probably be an apology and we’ll move on.

By: Julie in Boise

Julie in Boise — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:11:22 +0000

I think Mike Huckabee probably disqualified himself for 2008 – and perhaps for future runs – with his joke at the NRA convention today. From CNN:

During a speech before the National Rifle Association convention Friday afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky, former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee — who has endorsed presumptive GOP nominee John McCain — joked that an unexpected offstage noise was Democrat Barack Obama looking to avoid a gunman.

“That was Barack Obama, he just tripped off a chair, he’s getting ready to speak,” said the former Arkansas governor, to audience laughter. “Somebody aimed a gun at him and he dove for the floor.”

This saddens me, because the Huckster is actually one of my favorite Republicans. Anyone who says we ought to listen to more music and less talk radio is A-OK in my book. But this asort of remark, even as a joke, is unacceptable.