It’s the Republican establishment that is most concerned about the rise of GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. That’s because Huckabee’s surge “represents a break with what has been standard operating procedure within the GOP for more than a generation,†wrote Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne. Huckabee’s evangelical supporters are bucking the marching orders of entrenched religious right leaders, Dionne said, and his economic populism has Wall Street worried.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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100 Comments
Huckabee says his campaign has the backing of God. Therefore if anyone disagrees with Huckabee or doesn’t vote for him must hate God.
Doug,
Here is a quarter, go buy yourself some logic.
I’ll give the man credit for having the political sense to zero in on a possible new coalition in the wake of the W. disaster.
But “economic populist”?? By neo-con/WSJ standards, I guess.
He supports extremely regressive taxation (i.e. the “fair tax”).
Give the wealthy a huge income tax break, while po’ folks pay thru the nose for bread-and-butter items?
Sounds like business-as-usual to me.
Sorry Nathan, Huckabee is a reverend so he speaks directly to God. So if he says God spoke to him and endorsed his campaign then he must be telling the truth. You are clearly anti-God with that sort of statement you made.
Seriously Doug, go buy some logic.
I don’t need logic, I have the prophet Huckabee and his campaign manager God with me. From a bumper sticker I read Jesus is driving the campaign bus. Are y’all with Huckabee or are you riding with the devil?
Rage,
The fair tax offers a prebate for those bread and butter items.
Sounds like you have no idea what you are talking about to me.
Doug,
Care to give the source for your claim that Huckabee says his campaign has the backing of God?
Something tells me you are either misquoting him or completely taking the statement out of context.
And me going to bed and so without any further posts.
You seem at a loss for words Nathan.
When I awake tomorrow, will I find better from you?
Nathan, Huckabee said the explanation for his political surge was “beyond human,” and was due to people praying for his success.
Think about that: He’s claiming his supporters have convinced God to, in effect, rig the election (or, alternately, to alter the thinking of people who would otherwise not support his candicacy).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSQNSlUUoOc&eurl=http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2007/12/6426_huckabee_god_re.html
If that’s not claiming the endorsement of God, it’s close enough. And it’s bugf##k loony.
JR,
Should I need to waste more words on such crap from Doug?
Rage,
Do you believe in God at all?
Taking out of context? Naturally Nathan you are less informed than me. You can hear Huckabee’s words himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSQNSlUUoOc
You should just remind yourself that I always know more than you.
“Do you believe in God at all?”
I used to, quite some time ago.
Your point?
And this IS my last.
Tell me why I should Nathan.
Believe in God that is.
JR, if you believe in God then you get into the special club and learn the secret handshake. Not to mention if you show your godcard you get a 10% discount at Dairy Queen.
Isn’t that reason enough? If you don’t believe in God you’ll spend the rest of your life watching Seinfeld reruns and have a boring handshake. You best play it safe and believe.
Rage,
The point is that you would probably find anyone who thinks God is answering prayers to be crazy let alone Huckabee.
Doug,
No where did he say his campaign has the backing of God.
He, like many other Christians do, simply thank God and give him credit for good things in their lives.
Huckabee advocates a 23% federal sales tax. In addition to state and local sales taxes. In addition to property and gasoline and every other tax.
This includes sales taxes on food and medicine.
Huckabee’s tax proposal removes tax deductions for mortgages, deductions for business expenses.
That’s your Republic Party frontrunner, folks.
JR,
Because God loves you and wishes to have a relationship with you.
MonkeyHawk,
Have a source for that?
Nathan, he said that the reason for his increase in the polls and the success of his campaign was because God was giving him support and aid. How is that any less of an endorsement? As usual you are trying to twist reality to fit into your perverse view of the world.
Perhaps if you stayed informed on current events you wouldn’t look so foolish.
Huckabee’s national sales tax:
http://www.latimes.com/la-na-salestax24dec24,0,5286232.story?coll=la-home-center
Glad you asked, “Nathan” –
Read it and weep:http://tinyurl.com/ysbqxr
“JR,
Because God loves you and wishes to have a relationship with you.”
Wow, JR must be a lucky guy to have a monogamous relationship with a deity. Perhaps God should have enough balls to ask him out himself rather than go the 8th grader route.
The point is that you would probably find anyone who thinks God is answering prayers to be crazy let alone Huckabee.
Posted by: Nathan | December 24, 2007 at 01:30 AM
Not really. Irrational, yes, but there are degrees of irrationality, and make some allowance for basic human feelings. Giving God credit for helping a sick relative recover is far, far different than claiming God’s personal intervention in the Earthly political process. Given the complexities of political coalition (the often attendant moral ambiguity), how would Huckabee EVEN KNOW—let alone be so all-fired CERTAIN about it?
Logic aside (is God a Republican?)the arrogance of such a self-serving declaration is breathtaking.
It’s also frightening, and a textbook example of why this country was founded on the separation of church and state.
Doug,
The only person here twisting things is you.
No where did he say God was giving him support and Aid and that is by no means saying that God has endorsed him either.
The only perversion going on is you trying to twist that into some way to bash Huckabee.
What on earth this has to do with my being informed on current events, escapes me.
As usual, you try to turn this into personal insults.
MonkeyHawk,
He supports the “fair tax”
It is much more complicated than simply saying it is a 23% tax on everything.
When you do away with the traditional way of collecting taxes and restructure the entire system it will balance out.
Try reading about it instead of falling for the hype.
I am not saying it is perfect or that I even support it. But if you are going to argue against it, at least do so intelligently.
Try reading about it first:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FairTax
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer
I’m just paraphrasing what Huckabee says, he does a good job of making himself foolish I don’t need to add anything. You are the one claiming that someone who campaigns for a person doesn’t actually support their campaign. However you never one who was intimate with reality.
Doug,
Once again, can you post one time without having to throw an insult on at the end?
I never claimed that someone who campaigns for someone doesn’t actually support their campaign.
Try keeping the discussion on point instead of making your strawman arguments.
Nathan, how can you claim to know more about Huckabee’s position on taxes when this is the first you’ve heard about it? Just add water and instaexpert?
Heck, you probably didn’t even know that Huckabee unwillingly supported euthanasia when trying to justify his son’s torture and execution of a stray dog.
“Im watching “a Christmas Carol the musical”
And this is my last.
I will suspend my fire on faith and the faithful for this day.
I do not know your God Nathan. I don’t care to. I find him cruel and judgmental. Certainly I have seen no blessings from him.
And from you one of his faithful I get ever the down the nose treatment.
Gee Nathan, there you go flip flopping on your statements again. Try a little consistency next time. God wanted Huckabee to rise in the polls therefore he supports Huckabee. It’s pretty simple. Huckabee has a red line to God and found all this out otherwise he’d be taking his name in vain. For a guy who wants to hang the Protestant version of the 10 commandments in the White House you’d think he knows about it.
Doug,
When did I ever say this is the first I have heard of it?
On top of that, the fair tax idea has been around for some time.
I have been listening to Bortz explain it for years.
You can go to several websites and read about it as well.
So when I see Rage and MonkeyHawk here making the same arguments I have seen made about it long before Huckabee even started talking about it, it is not that hard to respond.
They are arguments made by people who have not read anything about it except for one liners attacking it.
You asked for proof of the 23% sales tax that Huckabee supports. That’s an indication that you’ve never heard of it. Are you that stupid that you forgot a post from a few minutes ago?
Good night Doug.
I tire of your ability to keep completely disregarding anything I actually say while then making little more than strawman arguments.
But Nathan, we didn’t even get into Huckabee’s desire to slaughter gays, teach superstition as science, and require women to submit all authority to men. The guy is a nutjob so I wouldn’t be surprised if you support him.
So when is a 23% sales tax not a 23% sales tax?
I guess it depends on how the definition of “tax” taxes.
Rage,
No one is saying it is not a sales tax.
I am saying that yours and MonkeyHawks characterizations of it are what is wrong and what I was questioning.
When you say it doesn’t take into account “bread and butter” you obviously have not read anything about it.
J R:
I don’t know if You can hear meOr if You’re even thereI don’t know if You would listenTo a non believers prayerYes, I know I’m just an outcastI shouldn’t speak to youStill I see Your face and wonderWere You once an outcast too?
Please help the outcastsHungry from birthShow them the mercyThey don’t find on earthPlease help my peopleWe look to You stillDo help the outcastsOr nobody will
Republicans:I ask for wealthI ask for fameI ask for glory to shine on my nameI ask for love I can posessI ask for God and His angels to bless me
J R:I ask for nothingI can get byBut I know so manyLess lucky than IPlease help my peopleThe poor and downtrodI thought we all wereThe children of GodGod help the outcastsChildren of God
JR,
It is a tad bit hyocritical to try to post something which would be a nice prayer asking God to help those less fortunate and then at the same time bashing Republicans.
Of course I wouldn’t expect you to understand though.
I was surprised that religious posters here did not pick up on Huckabee sooner. I am still mystified as to why outlander is sticking with Mitt.
I do believe that Dionne has it right, there will be a very fascinating free-for-all in the Republic party this primary season. And his question as to which will crush Huckabee, the Republican financial conservatives or the democratic opponent? will be one of the more interesting ones in the upcoming year. I believe with those odds against him, Huckabee is toast before he even gets started. Hey, maybe that outlander is on to something… Hank, Nathan be sure to put those Huckabee stickers on all of your vehicles.
Sorry, “Nathan” –
But when you write, “…if you are going to argue against it, at least do so intelligently,” your whining about personal insults rings hollow.
I know about the so-called “Fair Tax,” and nothing advocates of a 23% national sales tax bothers to mention the elimination of mortgage deductions, or that everything — including food and medicine — would be slapped with the most regressive tax imaginable.
The so-called “Fair Tax” is Steve Forbes old failed “flat tax,” and the same thing as the “Value-Added Tax” and it’s essentially a sales tax… a 23% federal sales tax… and there’s nothing “fair” about it to anyone who earns less than $300,000 a year.
The “complications” you allude to include the reduction of tax deductions for charitable contributions, deductions for dependents, and only “balances out” on the backs of those who’re are less able to pay.
If you’d read the cite I gave you (which you asked for) you’d have realized that it isn’t just an evil Liberal like me who sees through the sham of the “Fair Tax,” but stalwarts of the Republic Party’s fiscal conservatives who are scared spitless at the prospect of Huckabee’s proposed 23% national sales tax.
Even if — and it won’t — “it would all balance out” as you alledge, then why bother changing a tax code that promotes home ownership, raising a family, subsidizing individuals’ business expenses, etc?
Under Huckabee’s proposal everything you buy — everything — will automatically cost 23% more than you pay today. McDonald’s Dollar Menu would automatically become a Dollar-Twenty-Three menu. Every gallon of gasoline you buy will cost 23% more. Every bullet you purchase to fire at anyone who doesn’t like your dogs will cost nearly one-fourth more.
But it will all “balance out,” right?
MonkeyHawk,
Again you completely mischaracterize the fair tax.
When you take out the current tax structure the cost of things will go down.
When you say everything will cost 23% more you fail to take into account that things will cost less before that 23% tax and people will have more money as well since they are no longer paying payroll taxes.
I am not even saying I like it. I simply seem to understand it far better than you do.
Question: Why not just exempt food and medicine from the tax? Wouldn’t that be fair and simple?
Answer:
Exempting items by category is neither fair nor simple. Respected economists have shown that the wealthy spend much more on unprepared food, clothing, housing, and medical care than do the poor. Exempting these goods, as many state sales taxes do, actually gives the wealthy a disproportionate benefit. Also, today these purchases are not exempted from federal taxation. The purchase of food, clothing, and medical services is made from after income tax and after payroll tax dollars, while their purchase price hides the cost of corporate taxes and private sector compliance costs.
Finally, exempting one product or service, but not another, opens the door to the army of lobbyists and special interest groups that plague and distort our taxation system today. Those who have the money will send their lobbyists to Washington to obtain special tax breaks in their own self-interest. This process causes unfair and inefficient distortions in our economy and must be stopped.
Question: Is the 23% inclusive FairTax rate higher or lower when compared to the income taxes people pay today?
Answer:
Most people are paying that much or more today – much of it is just hidden from view. The income tax bracket most people fall into is 15 percent, and all wage earners pay 7.65 percent in payroll taxes. That’s 23 percent right there, without taking into account the 7.65 percent employer matching! On top of that, you have to add in all of the taxes embedded in the goods you buy (another 20 to 30 percent).
Effective tax rates vs. stated tax rates Because the 23-percent inclusive FairTax (30% sales tax at the register) would not be imposed on necessities (prebate), an individual spending $28,808 on taxable items would pay an effective tax rate of only 15.6 percent maximum, not 23 percent. This rate becomes even lower when adjusted based on spending for nontaxed items. That same individual will pay 17.3 percent of his or her income to federal taxes under current law regardless of their spending choices, and their employee would also pay 7.65% in FICA matching taxes.
For your knowledge:
http://www.fairtaxplan.org/faq.php
I just know I will be burning in Hell for referencing Ann Coulter!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucac/20071220/cm_ucac/theresahuckabeeborneveryminute
Despite the overwhelming popular demand for another column on Ron Radosh’s review of Stan Evans’ book, this week’s column will address the urgent matter of evangelical Christians getting blamed for Mike Huckabee.ADVERTISEMENT
To paraphrase the Jews, this is “bad for the evangelicals.”
As far as I can tell, it’s mostly secular liberals swooning over Huckabee. Liberals adore Huckabee because he fits their image of what an evangelical should be: stupid and easily led.
Nathan?
Your dad recently bragged about a trip he took to London so he could have fish and chips.
He bragged from London. He blogged from London.
Just to show he could.
Am I supposed to support a plan that will get the beyond me already rich richer still?
I don’t think so.
JR,
What on earth does my parents trip to London have to do with the rich getting richer or the fair tax plan?
When you can show me in an intelligent and well thought out way how the fair tax is going to make the rich richer, then we can talk about it.
Sorry, “Nathan” –
But you’ve steadfastly refused to address the facts of Huckabee’s 23% federal sales tax. Instead, you merely assert you know more than I do.
On this — as with so many issues we’ve discussed on this forum — you’re wrong.
None of the sites you referenced address the financial chaos that would result when middle-class citizens automatically lose their mortgage deduction, should Huckabee’s 23% national sales tax replaced the current tax code. You choose not to address business and family deductions which are core elements in the American economy.
You’ve fallen for the fantasy that your gross income will automatically become your net income and figure you can get by paying a buck-twenty-three for a dollar burger at McDonald’s and you’ll somehow come out ahead.
The so-called “Fair Tax” will eliminate all income, FICA, and capital gains taxes (if, in fact, it were to live up to all the promises spewed by the citations you offered). What is designed to be a progressive tax — assessing those best able to pay higher rates — would be replaced with the most regressive tax scheme imaginable, and the burdon of taxes would fall even harder on those of lower income.
You assert you know better, “Nathan,” then steadfastly refrain from providing any evidence that might support your assertions. You whine that others insult you then turn around and cast snide remarks that do nothing to support your assertions… merely proclaim you “know better.” With no evidence at all to support your arrogant claim.
What’s even more remarkable, “Nathan,” is your repeated disclaimers that the so-called “Fair Tax” isn’t something you necissarily support, even as you implicitly support it or choose to fling insults toward me and others who reaize it’s a cheap political scam. It’s like you’re going out of your way to pick a fight in which you don’t have the courage of conviction to own your position.
You haven’t refuted a single argument I’ve presented against the so-called “Fair Tax.” Instead, you’ve merely asserted you “know better.”
You’ve been reduced to whimpering that I and other posters have somehow hurt your feelings with insults, real or imagined.
What a wimp you’ve turned out to be.
MonekyHawk,
Did you bother to stop and read even one of the links I posted?
I have given you ample evidence, quoted it for you, posted links, and explained it to you.
I can’t believe you actually typed that much and said so little.
Romney Strategy in Peril With Huckabee’s Ascent
Win Iowa and New Hampshire by wooing fiscal and social conservatives, and use that momentum to overwhelm the competition in the primaries that followed. But with less than two weeks before Iowans vote, that strategy is in danger of unraveling because former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has seized the conservative mantle and has emerged as the front-runner.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/23/AR2007122302444.html?hpid=topnews
Go Huck!!!!He’s just the republican candidate Democrats need to win the election in a landslide.
For a very good, objective analysis of the Fair Tax proposal (not one spun by either proponents or opponents), see http://www.factcheck.org/taxes/unspinning_the_fairtax.html.
From a public policy & tax policy standpoint, it is a legitimate proposal to consider but it is by no means an obvious “cure” for our complex tax system. Those of us in the middle would still get the short straw with this approach.
I am not religious at all and religion should have nothing to do with this campaign, but I do know that our country is in big trouble, mainly because of big business greed.Of all the canditates I see only one that can unite us and give this once great country back our soverenty.(I may not be a great speller, but I have been around long enough to know what is right).Let ‘We the People’ take back our country.Vote for Mike Huckabee
I agree with those who say: “Oh please lord, let Huckleberry be the nominee.”
Dear J R,
I didn’t really “brag” about going to London, just mentioned it. Didn’t go there to “eat fish and chips” either. In fact, didn’t eat any fish and chips at all. Well, we did spend a day in Minneapolis and I had some fish and chips there.
I merely surprised my wife with tickets to “Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre”. We spent three days in London and stayed in a reasonably priced B and B. “Phantom of the Opera” is my wife’s favorite and if you haven’t seen it in London, you haven’t seen it.
If I am rich in your estimation you might want to change you definition of ‘rich’. I merely saved and did without a lot of things for the past year so I could put aside the money for the trip.
I currently drive a seven year old pickup and my wife drives a salvaged Pontiac we bought from a friend in Missouri. My wife and I live very frugally so that we can afford little trips now and then.
I have the best sheep herding Bearded Collie in the nation and I have a pup coming along that is going to be better. (That my friend, is a brag!)
Who cares?
You’re still a reichwing nutcase.
And Apophis, you are still a grammatically challenged, brittle socialist doctrinaire who, perhaps, once had an original thought, which was early on snuffed out by your mother (probably). On a positive note, compared to other leftist bloggers here, your material is much easier to scroll over.
1. Huckabee raised taxes as governor of arkansas more than the 3 prior governors of arkansas COMBINED! 2. Went to a PAROLE BOARD hearing for a RAPIST and EXPRESSED HIS DESIRE to see him LOOSED to the board! The board looses the RAPIST for HUCK and then the RAPIST KILLS 2 WOMEN! THANKS HUCK! 3. David Huckabee, THE PREACHERS SON, was fired from the BOYSCOUTS at 17 as a SCOUT LEADER! WHY? Simply he and another leader found a DOG, GOT A ROPE, HUNG THE DOG, then STONED the DOG, then SLIT ITS THROAT! ( apples dont fall far from the tree ), and not only that, REV HUCKABEE when approached by teh STATE POLICE on the DOG KILLING by his son, SIMPLY SWEPT IT UNDER THE RUG and FIRED THE POLICE CHIEF for even consdiering PRESSING CHARGES! SAD THING!SADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
This is the PREACHER that says GOD told him to RUN! I say more than likely that HUCK is a DEMOCRAT disquised in ELEPHANT CLOTHING! THERE IS NOT WAY I WOULD VOTE FOR HUCKABEE he is in no way a TRUE REPUBLICAN! He’s just one of the NEO CONS!
Hank
Saw a story on Discovery or History channel, showing specially trained dogs (from Norway, I believe it was) at Glacier National Park being used to ward off bears from lodges and campgrounds. Was surprised to see how scared the bears were of a medium size barking dog … they say it has dramatically reducesd the number of bear incursions at lodges etc …..
And Apophis, you are still a grammatically challenged, brittle socialist doctrinaire who, perhaps, once had an original thought, which was early on snuffed out by your mother (probably). On a positive note, compared to other leftist bloggers here, your material is much easier to scroll over.
Posted by: Santa | December 24, 2007 at 08:10 AM
………..just another repubulic party fascist spewing.
Oh please Santa, please tell us all of the GRAMMAR rules for a blog.
Please, please, please
I consider it an honor to be labeled a leftist!
The guy who”saved” the bacon of the average Joe herabouts was recently voted most admired/best politician, ever. He was a Baptist minister who got into politics where he continued to promote and live the Social Gospel. I knew of his accomplishments of course, but not that he was a Minster of the Gospel, until he retired. I kinda that like he wasn’t a tagged with the “God” thing all those years and that his vocation wasn’t held against him. Joyeaux Noel!
That’s the way, Brownlee, every one knew you could put out a religious flame bait topic on Christmas eve.
“his economic populism has Wall Street worried.”
Hickabee’s embrace and shilling of the “fair” tax is NOT economic populism.
Just for the record, this also scares me the liberal. If he wins, that means he’ll pursue a hard line social consevative view. And American will suffer for it.
That’s the way, Brownlee, every one knew you could put out a religious flame bait topic on Christmas eve.Posted by: Kansas | December 24, 2007 at 09:16 AM
LOL
As the Swift Boaters and their ilk have so loudly proclaimed since 2004, if a candidate (like Huckleberry) runs on his religion, then his religion is fair game. Huckleberry runs as America’s Pastor, and that makes his religiosity fair game. Right? :)
If yall new Republics could just make others do as you say and not as you do then yall’d r00l fo’ sho’!
This is otherwise known as “‘what goes around comes around’ shall be freely applied in a world where Conservative standards are freely negotiable.” Alternatively, when you salt the earth then reaping what you’ve sown can certainly be a bitch.
Enjoy it! Embrace it! After all, it’s yer own crow yer eatin’!
LOL
Actually Huckabee ran as a former Governor of Arkansas just like Bill Clinton.
It’s the MSM and Libs making a big deal out of his faith.
I am enjoying it because it demonstrates what hate mongering religious bigots the Libs are.
That’s the way, Brownlee, every one knew you could put out a religious flame bait topic on Christmas eve.Posted by: Kansas | December 24, 2007 at 09:16 AM
I am enjoying it because it demonstrates what hate mongering religious bigots the Libs are.Posted by: Kansas | December 24, 2007 at 10:02 AM
LOL
I hope they find you a comfortable neck brace for Christmas! ‘Cuz you appear to be on one helluva emotional roller coaster ride!
LOL
“Kansas” writes (yet again) –
“It’s the MSM and Libs…”
Yeah, right. Evangelicals are robo-calling Iowans with all sorts of anti-Mormon propaganda. Huckabee runs the “floating cross” campaign ad that touts Jesus as a Republic Party partisan.
But in the odd little world where “Kansas” lives, “It’s the MSM and Libs…”
Hey Kansas,
I pretty much agree with you. Talking about your faith in politics makes the libs run like a bunch of cock roaches when you turn the light on. Leading democrats are only religious in black churches!
Approximately 75% of Americans consider themselves Christian. Although many of them are uncomfortable with a politician running with his faith as one of the issues if you attack his faith you take the chance of alienating a large number of voters. Many of the Christian voters will realize that it’s the MSM making Huckabee’s faith a big issue.
Huckabee has a problem in that he is concentrating most of his resources in Iowa. Iowa is make or break for him. He doesn’t have the organization in New Hampshire or South Carolina that the other front runners have. Romney seems to have a lock on New Hampshire.
All in all, the republican nomination is up for grabs until super Tuesday.
Contrary to popular belief I think that Huckabee could make a good showing against any of the democrats. I would worry about Obama the most. I think that Hillary will beat him like a rented mule. I also think that the coming ugliness in the democrat primaries will help the republican in the long run.
Huckabe has pissed alot of catholics off by speaking at the preacher’s mega church who believes Nazis and catholics joined together to eliminate God’s Chosen people.
Will Huck be driving his campaign bus down Issaha 35, formerly I-35?
Many of the Christian voters will realize that it’s the MSM making Huckabee’s faith a big issue.
Huckabee has a problem in that he is concentrating most of his resources in Iowa.
Posted by: Hank | December 24, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Huckleberry’s ‘other’ biggest problem is (a) his name (b) his religiosity, and (c) his party’s coalition. As the OP pointed out, it’s actually a bigger problem in the Republican party than it is in the nation as a whole.
I have nephews and nieces who could write THAT ad campaign for the Republics (and later for the Dems). I’m pretty sure the Republics will do a Brutus on him before the Dems ever get a chance.
But hell, let’s play, shall we? :) There is just no telling what smart, touchy-feely Dems, their real dollar advantage over the RNC, and certain of the mercenaries behind the Swift Boat smear campaign will be able to do with it.
Like I said, the Republics gleefully salted the earth with the Swift Boat smear. Now we’ll see what they reap for it.
LOL
Hey Pedant!
For you:
http://www.swiftvets.com/videos/theyserved.mov
I do hope Huckster gets the nomination. It’ll be Open Season!
Awww, isn’t that sweet, Pedant wants revenge for Swiftboating.
It was a select group of people that financed and publicized the Swiftboating not the general public.
Republicans won’t have to worry about doing anything to the Democratic Party, the Demorats will do “it” to their own party with character assassination TV ads and mysterious radio and Internet messages.
The guy done screwed up. http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2326769820071223
For Republicans and the conservative bent, I wish kharma as a present this holiday season.
May the good they have done (in hidden or otherwise unknown ways) come back to them. May also they be visited with a return on their investment in the exploitation of human suffering for their personal gain.
Ghosts, or whatever ya have to do. Just try and make those people care about something a little bit bigger than themselves and how much they got and get.
Not really The Phantom…
Most people who claim to be Catholic haven’t been inside of any Church in decades.
Besides, I would say that Evangelicals like the Hagee Church where Huckabee went has congregational members that vote in much, much higher percentages than part time Catholics.
I don’t think Huckabee would be allowed any pulpit speaking time in a Catholic Church do you?
Merry Christmas to all Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Greens, Libertarians, and others regardless of your professed religious faith!
…or even lack thereof.
One of my many issues with the “fair tax” is that only new goods are subject thereto. I’d expect any new consumption would be subject to the tax, whether the goods are new or used.
The “prebate” is another issue with which I’ve some difficulties. I’d exempt nonprepared food and prescriptions, and let everything else be subject to the tax.
I do not have any issues with subjecting the purchase/sale of residential real estate to the tax, with elimination of the current mortgage interest deduction which, IMO, artificially inflates both the cost thereof and the interest rates for mortgages.
I’d also tax business to business sales as a part of the scheme. Who knows, the rate might be reduced.
Merry Christmas to all.
I join in wishing everyone Merry Christmas. I hope we’re all surrounded by peace, love and joy.
76.9 mil. catholics in the U.S., not a group Huckster wants to alienate.
He spoke at Hagee’s church? The same Hagee who blamed the Holocaust on the Jews and wants to see them wiped off the planet?
Damn, someone is gathering the nuts in one basket.
Doug, As I see it having the nuts in one basket is a good idea. It isn’t the Huckabees and Hagees I worry about as much as the people who listen to sound bites and nothing more. Those who are convinced and scared easily. There are many, and if they can be scared badly enough to go to the polls we could be an overnight theocracy.
I agree Linda–past Repubs have courted religious extremists with various degrees of conviction, but Huckabee would be ONE of them.
And, as I’ve said before, unlike previous entries (Alan Keyes, Gary Bauer–ha!), the man is very slick (Romney, by contrast, is merely oily!).
One might think some of his nuttier statements might sink him, but, if election is close at all, it will come down to who has the best 30-second ads.
He scares me.
“Actually Huckabee ran as a former Governor of Arkansas just like Bill Clinton.
“It’s the MSM and Libs making a big deal out of his faith.
“I am enjoying it because it demonstrates what hate mongering religious bigots the Libs are.”
Flangrant hypocrisy used as a weapon.
Re: KansasDNFTT
“Hey Pedant!
“For you:
http://www.swiftvets.com/videos/theyserved.mov ”
It’s still bullsh*t Hank.
http://www.factcheck.org/republican-funded_group_attacks_kerrys_war_record.html
Whether the swift boat vets served, or served honorably, does not make their claims about Kerry true. Reality does not support their claims. However, the claim that the attack on Kerry was dishonest win at any cost partisan politics is supported.
Give it up.
Hagee verses Donohoe.
Dueling jawbones of asses.
No wonder the tax & spend GOP hypocrites who claim to fiscal conservatives are intimidated. They are afraid that they are going to lose their power to shake down the corporations for contributions for corporate welfare.
Huckabee’s support of the FairTax will completely eliminate the ability for corporate lobbyists to proposition the Smemebvers of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee. The corporations would only lobby Congress over regulation issues.
Under a Fairtax Spendaholic liberals will vote for an increase to 27% while heartless penny pinching conservatives will want to vote for a decrease to 19%. The whole debate about taxation will be moot and the debate will be shifted to spending so that the GOP lawmakers will actually have to propose cuts to pork barrel spending. No wonder the GOP establishment is intimidated.
The important thing is that poor people will get a tax credit rebate to pay for the increased sales tax. There will be less class warfare on tax issues except on the estate tax which I support. I don’t care if the feds tax 50% of the wealth of any one with more than $20,000,000. Maybe these rich dudes will follow Bill GAte’s example and donate to common sense philantropic causes which will reduce the need for nanny goverment programs.
The Fairtax will eliminate the need for the IRS to audit you or employer. The states currently audit for sales tax. The well intentioned federal government won’t be able to manipulate your behavior by giving you deductions or tax credits if you buy something that they want.
The most important aspect of the Fairtax is that it would eliminate the deduction for charitable contributions. Imagine that. Americans actually tithing because they wanted to be charitable. The IRS and the federal government could not threaten to take away the tax status from churchs like Spirit One Christian Center who complain about corrupt politicians. There would be more pressure on non-profits and churches to have their “good works bear fruit”
Imagine if all of the wimpy pastors in America finally were able to preach whatever they wanted to preach. You can’t have justice with out truth. And you can’t have truth with out freedom of speech.
Bill McKean kiakahahaha@yahoo.com 316 293-6079
I heard Hucklebee speak for about 2 1/2 hours in a series of interviews. After hearing that, I have a great deal more respect for the man. He is one of the best speakers I have ever heard. Hucklebee is witty, convincing and thinks quickly. But an extremist, he is not. I expect that he will be a great debater when they get past the raise your hand/ sound bite stage.
I would be afraid too, if I were backing a Democrat.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! PEACE TO ALL ON EARTH!!! GOD BLESS, WHATEVER YOU CONCEIVE GOD TO BE!!
AND MOST OF ALL, GOD BLESS THE WORLD TONIGHT!! ALL OF IT!!
How about no income tax and no fair tax?
“Tom Paine” –
According to supply-siders who worship the Laffer Curve, all America needs to do is reduce the tax rate to 0% and the feds will be swimming in surplus.
Hopefully Hukster will get the nomination. At one time I was kind of afraid of him as a Democrat. I always thought “hey this dude knows how to talk” but since the bright light of truth has been shined on him, I would actually favour running against him. All the Democrats have to do is air some reverse Willie Horton ads where we out the family members and photos of murder victims and rape victims on TV and tell the people the Huckster pardoned them all!
According to Pat Robertson God has already endorsed Rudy Guiliani!
Mike Huckabee has most of the dogs of meadia on his heals. At every nasty jab, Mike Huckabee comes back with an intelligent and to-the-point answer that leaves them with mud on their faces. There have been many accusations thrown at Huckabee, but none poven. Even the case of the man he supposedly pardoned being released and murdering a young women. The media are speedy to reveal that the letter he sent him started out that Mr. Huckabee would like to see him paroled. However, what the sly dogs of media overlook is the second sentence which read “however I find it necessary to deny your sentence commutation” They are getting desperate to find mud to sling. The pond is particularly dry on a good man. He has the experience to run this country, because he has had experience running a state. That is more than any senator can say. He is an excellent speaker and a particularly likeable person to be around. Ignore the media hatchet jobs and listen to articles that endorse a man for real change. Mike Huckabee. Iowa loves you Mike and so will South Carolina. Mike will surprise them all.