Huckabee takes on the ‘heartless, callous, soulless’ libertarians

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Rumor has it that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee hopes to be seriously considered for the VP slot on John McCain's ticket. The reasoning, the conventional wisdom suggests, is that Huckabee is very strong with the GOP's religious right base, which McCain a) is unpopular with; and B) will need in several competitive states.

But like any party, the Republican Party is comprised of factions. Huckabee may help represent one, but he's decided to trash another.

In an interview yesterday, Huckabee described his concerns about the state of the GOP. As he sees it, Democrats are moving to the "center," while Republicans "are becoming libertarians." As the former governor sees it, that's a recipe for defeat.

"Republicans need to be Republicans. The greatest threat to classic Republicanism is not liberalism; it's this new brand of libertarianism, which is social liberalism and economic conservatism, but it's a heartless, callous, soulless type of economic conservatism because it says, 'Look, we want to cut taxes and eliminate government. If it means that elderly people don't get their Medicare drugs, so be it. If it means little kids go without education and healthcare, so be it.' Well, that might be a quote pure economic conservative message, but it's not an American message. It doesn't fly. People aren't going to buy that, because that's not the way we are as a people. That's not historic Republicanism. Historic Republicanism does not hate government; it's just there to be as little of it as there can be. But they also recognize that government has to be paid for.

'If you have a breakdown in the social structure of a community, it's going to result in a more costly government … police on the streets, prison beds, court costs, alcohol abuse centers, domestic violence shelters, all are very expensive. What's the answer to that? Cut them out? Well, the libertarians say, 'Yes, we shouldn't be funding that stuff.' But what you've done then is exacerbate a serious problem in your community. You can take the cops off the streets and just quit funding prison beds. Are your neighborhoods safer? Is it a better place to live? The net result is you have now a bigger problem than you had before."

I see. So, Mike Huckabee is disliked by the anti-immigration crowd, the Norquist anti-tax crowd, and the hawks and neocons who can't take him seriously on national security issues.

But now Huckabee also wants to make sure he really offends the libertarian wing of the party.

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Huckabee is a Democrat in disguise. This will drive up Barr's vote, and we all know who that helps

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Huckabee is a Democrat in disguise. This will drive up Barr's vote, and we all know who that helps

He's not a Democrat...it's just that the Republicans since Reagan have adopted a more libertarian philosophy of government when it comes programs for the elderly and poor. His message has a lot of appeal for social conservatives who are themselves struggling to make it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Huckabee is a Democrat in disguise.

He must be - what he is quoted as saying there actually make a lot of sense.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Huckabee is a Democrat in disguise.

He must be - what he is quoted as saying there actually make a lot of sense.

There are a lot of evangelicals that share the same sentiment. The brokered marriage between the Republican Party and the Christian Right is over as many finally came to the realization that no single party represents or champions all their values. The days of Family Values as a political slogan are long gone.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The days of Family Values as a political slogan are long gone.

They will be back. McCain may not be a great spokesperson for it, but the GOP will eventually nominate someone (in a future contest) who will.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The days of Family Values as a political slogan are long gone.

They will be back. McCain may not be a great spokesperson for it, but the GOP will eventually nominate someone (in a future contest) who will.

Regardless, the Republican Party has lost it's clout with the Conservative Christians and leaders like Huckabee are pointing out why.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm libertarian and I have two souls. PWNED

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'm libertarian and I have two souls. PWNED

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

social liberals, social conservatives...hmmm....i'm some what in the moderate range myself these days. mccain choosing huckabee is going to turn me off from him completely. i wonder what the democratic nominee will pick as a running mate?