This Week: Huckabee Gets Grilled On Flip Flopping & Major Gaffes In Campaign
By Logan Murphy Saturday Jan 05, 2008 11:09am
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This morning on This Week, host George Stephanopolis notes criticism Mike Huckabee got from his fellow GOP candidates during last night's debate for his Bush "bunker mentality" statement, then grills him on his changing opinion of the surge in Iraq. Huckabee claims he's been for the surge from the very beginning, but George plays a clip from another show where he took a different position. Huckabee didn't get much of a bounce coming out of Iowa, and with the numerous gaffes he's made along the campaign trail, it appears his candidacy is losing some of its luster.
As the primary season moves forward, it's interesting to note how GOP candidates are being forced to rally around President Bush and his failed policies. For the most part, they've tried to distance themselves from him, but when it comes down to the real issues the rabid, far-right base of the party wants to be reassured they'll get more fear, war and religion from their candidate in 2008 and they just can't wriggle free.
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The GOP created this religious right monster and now they are stuck with it. They have to feed it fear and war and such whether they like to do it or not. The rest of the country is calling bullshit on it, but the Republicans have put themselves in a corner and they can't get out.
Huckabee seems to be a nice guy and all but he just isn't smart. The repubs don't want a preacher to represent them but that's what you get when you only use and play to one segment of the population. Eventually someone from that one segment will gain strength and then what do you do?
I'm watching this now on the west coast.
pissed off patricia @ 1:
You have to peel away the Republican Democrat labels. There are good people within both parties and both parties have been hijacked.
The two party system is a divide and conquer construct to control the people.
I look at these people for what they are, liars, crooks and thieves.
Throw them all out with a couple of exceptions.
Peace
After viewing this clip, I have to say that Huckabee is saying what people want to hear and then tries to rationalize what are clear contradictions. He appears to be dishonest!
Oh Stephy stop it! You understood, as I understood what he meant.
Your doing a Bush "I don't understand what Kerry means by his abortion answer."
I thought you were better than Bush.
"Huckabee seems to be a nice guy and all but he just isn't smart. The repubs don't want a preacher to represent them but that's what you get when you only use and play to one segment of the population. "
I agree. He may surprise many by being the most formidable candidate. He has a charisma and likeability that the other Repub's lack. (That's pretty easy, I guess.)
Romney is on now. He doesn't think Bush has a bunker mentality. I question whether Bush has any mentality.
Huckabee is pretty darned good on the hotseat.
I must admit, I am having great fun watching the GOP money men's heads explode over him.
Huckabee is very smart and very likeable. He is just as right-wing as the rest of the Repub. field. However, he doesn,t hate poor people enough for the rest of them. The Repub. hierarchy will never allow him to get the nomination.
I would like to beg all New Hampshire voters to vote for true change agents. In the Dem. field this would be Edwards or Obama. If you cannot vote for either one of these two and absolutely must vote the status quo, then vote in the Republican primary for any one of them . They are all status quo.
I'm not seeing where his contradiction is. Stephanopolis is obviously trying to exaggerate what are clear distinctions in what Huckabee was saying. It is not hypocritical to say you support the surge, but not if it requires the guard and reserves to deployed for long periods of time. He was also 100% right about the Bush Administration regarding the war...
George was being a jag and I think Mike did good job of holding his ground.
With that said, go Dennis K!!
Glad to see this charlatan pretender to bush's throne getting grilled so vigorously, and having his hypocrisy revealed so often.
His only running advantage is that there are so many religious wackos in the country who will vote for him over anyone else simply because he says he is christian. Unfortunately, as we learned from bush, saying and acting the part are two very distinct things. The slack-jawed don't seem to care though - they say they vote what their god tells them :)
There are a lot of people who are religious and have wonderful intentions in what they do. Usually the ones who are doing these nice things do not crow about it. They do it because they think it's the right thing to do.
I do believe that Huckabee is playing to his fellow born again religious people, especially when he says that god is responsible for his campaign taking off the way it did a few weeks ago. As if god wants him to win or something.
Is he sincere about his faith? I have no idea, but as he has demonstrated more than a few times, he doesn't keep up to date on world affairs. Seems someone seriously running for president would make a strong effort to do that.
When he was asked about Schiavo, that's when he sounded more like a religious politician. He got tangled up in what he had said in the past and what he says now. He tried to wiggle his way out of foolishness.
Wait until they start looking into Huckabee's "tax plan". That thing actually made me laugh. He actually thinks that he can cut ALL taxes paid by everyone in the U.S. (I.E. estate, gift, income, capital gains, etc.) and still expect the Government to function. In his words, there will be no taxes what so ever to pay except for a flat tax. That flat tax he proposes to replace them all is going to have to be a whopper to replace that lost revenue the Government usually takes in. I've seen numbers stating that the flat tax would have to be as high as 30% or above on all goods to replace that shortfall. Huckabee is a twit and has no business running a car wash let alone the nation.
I understand the people in Arkansas have plenty of negative things on him and they don't like him. I hope some of that starts coming out.
bns @ 10:
Amen. So much of what passes for political analysis in the media has more to do with potential gotchas than discussion of what is being said. I completely disagree with Huckabee on most things, but what he's saying about National Guard troops is reasoned and wise, and not a contradiction to what else he's said.
I wish someone would stand up and expose Stephanopolous and the other talking heads for their own hypocrisy, expose their biases in favor of their corporate owners much as Olbermann has done with the Bush Administration. We no longer have a free press. It's totally co-opted by the oligarchs.
Go Dennis!
Any of the Candidates talking about the economy yet? As in $20 trillion in debt?
L.A. Confidential @ 16:
it was cokie (i think) who pointed out, on this show, that hillary was the only one who brought it up last night...
darn...
L.A. Confidential @ 16:
Think about it. How many sane people would support and back a group of people who sticks them for $20 trillion in debt?
Huckster is far from perfect, but up against Edwards or Obama he is ideal for the big Democratic win we all expect in November.
L.A. Confidential @ 18:
I can't argue with that. No one in their right mind would which is why they are not going to bring it up. Instead, they will pile more debt on as usual.
pissed off patricia @ 1:
Now they're stuck in a Hucka-B Movie.
Anyone?
How about,now they have to reign in the Hucka-beast.
Hmm? Hey its early.
I said a long long time ago that the bush administration had gotten a credit card with our name on it and they were using it to buy things they shouldn't be allowed to buy. Talk about identity theft, this might be the biggest case ever.
re: .."rally around President Bush". This is why the "impeachment is off the table" was such a disastrous move. Whether it would have failed or not, it would have clearly shown, through evidence and testimony, that the *entire* Republican administration (not just Bush & Cheney) is lawless and corrupt. I can't imagine how these candidates could distance themselves from their own party! It would have been a perfect setup to an overwhelming Dem win in November.
I'll have a slice of hucka-beast with a side order of chucka-beast.
I listened to some of what Chuck Norris was saying at a huckabee gathering. Jesus, that guy is so bad it was painful to watch him and listen to him. You know those times when a person is so awful that you get embarrassed for them? That's the way I felt. I had to turn it off. Why in hell did he pick someone like that to campaign for him? I don't know what Norris did before, but if it was public speaking, he was a total failure.
I wonder how vigorously George would be pounding on the Huckabeast if the GOP liked its chances with him.Stephanopolis seems typical of the MSM group think mentality to me.
pissed off patricia @ 24:
I work with a guy that has a black belt in some form of martial arts (I forget which) that said he trained with Chuck Norris a while back. When I showed him the "Huck and Chuck" video he cringed. He said, "What the hell happened to Chuck? He is supporting Huckabee? I can't believe he would stoop so low to support that idiot."
pissed off patricia @ 24:
Chuckie boy is an "actor" of sorts-we'll use that term very loosely.He's actually a black belt in some form of martial arts,the discipline which escapes me.He doesn't strike me as being too bright either...
if you know anything about the history of huckabee... he is not smart, nor nice.... he has everyone fooled because well, america is full of gullible dumbasses. I accredit that to most of them being religious though. Huckabee is a dangerous idiot who would have his brand of fundamentalist christianity (not too far from radical islam) take hold here..... he is a thin skinned, vindictive man who apparently teaches his children its ok to mutilate animals
Joe O. @ 26:
Joe O. @ 20:
We'll be lucky if we can catch up on the interest payments on it.
I REALLY hope they run this bible-whacking phony moron...shit, I probably could beat him myself. The only people who believe him are the idiots who believe in anything their parasitic preachers tell them to.
If Huck objects to the use of the Guard and Reserves, where in hell does he want to get the soldiers to do the surge? Wishful thinking will not make them magically appear.
Vote for Huck. And post a photo of yourself with your new draft card.
capnmike @ 31:
I doubt that will ever happen.The powers that be are actively pounding his ass as we speak.They'll swift boat him soon if they have to.
You know, when you look at Huckabee all he has is his charm and popular religious appeal. He panders to the very religious and does it extremely well. But, when you break down his actual foreign policies or economics for example he almost seems childish. His tax plan for example is not well thought out as the Economist Magazine pointed out in a recent article. Plus, he knows nothing about what is happening in the world around him. I think the Economist was right when they said that Huckabee appeals to the poor and mostly under educated. When it comes to intellectuals, he has no chance.
Huckabee has simply flipped on the light switch in the GOP room and the cockroaches are scampering. And it’s such a fine sight to see, too.
If you want to see a dem victory in Nov, let Romney win - he's everything voters don't like or want in a new admin - a wealthy slick talking salesman who comes across as a complete corporate phony, which is why he lost in Iowa. Bushco won 2 elections more because he was the have-a-beer-with fella than he was a corporate shill. No one wants to be misled by the con artist who sold them a shitty insurance plan, they'd rather be misled by the folksy pastor they can confess to.
LIAR, LIAR pants on fire!
Stephanopolis consistently splits hairs.
I hate religion in politics and I have no regard for religious people seeking political offices, especially somebody who would use a floating cross in an ad.
However, my bullshit meter wasn't registering at all for this clip, except for Stephanopolis' exaggerated gotchas.
Limp-Dick Blimpaugh @ 37:
Obama supporters should avoid the phrase "pants on fire," since it might cause people to google the combination.
Just a suggestion.
pissed off patricia @ 24:
Patricia, Here's some info from wikipedia about Chuckie:
Chuck Norris Facts are satirical "facts" about martial artist and actor Chuck Norris that have become an Internet phenomenon and as a result have become widespread in popular culture. The "facts" are normally absurd hyperbolic claims about Norris' toughness, attitude, virility, "alpha-male status", sophistication and masculinity, for example:
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad Chuck Norris has never cried. Ever.
The "facts" typically claim that Chuck Norris is some type of irate, all-powerful, superbeing. Some of these "facts" have also turned into popular jokes. Like most Internet phenomena, the Chuck Norris facts have spread around the world, leading not only to translated versions, but also spawning localized versions mentioning country-specific advertisements, other Internet phenomena, etc. Allusions are also sometimes made to his use of roundhouse kick attacks to perform seemingly any task, his large amount of body hair with specific regard to his beard, and his role in the action television series Walker, Texas Ranger.
Contents
[hide]
1 Background
For more background on Mike Huckabee the dangerous extremist and radical reactionary, see:
- "Top 10 Moments in Mike Huckabee's Extremism."
- "10 More Moments in Mike Huckabee's Extremism."
JTM @ 39:
Careful. You're treading on thin ice spreading lies.
DocRoss @ 15:
Well, look at who Stephanopolis is: a former Clinton Administration official. Any wonder he had the "round table" of old-timer-Washington-cocktail-party-hacks on to talk about how Hillary is like "Fast Eddie" the card shark, running the table at last night's debate? Or that none of them like Huckabee, when it's really McCain who's off his f-ing rocker, wanting to keep American troops in Iraq for 100 years--as long as it's everybody else who's dying.
Why does anybody listen to a damn thing these people say? They've been wrong all along, so now they'll use their positions as Sunday morning "experts" to school all us ignorant folk on what's best for us.
Cokie Roberts needs to be put out to pasture.
Chuck Norris is taking out his frustration with the media's scrutiny of his prayer partner on his total gym
Mr Huck, can you define the word: "Awareness?" ....something your not.
Stephanopolis.
He is such a dip *hit.
Say what you want about Huckleberry, when he talked about evangelicals and the current republican party he was absolutely right when he said "They're happy to allow us on the bus as long as we don't drive it"
Well now...when are they going to get around to asking Obama some of those hard questions. He is really sliding along on a clear sail.
Mr Huckaberry,is an idot.I live in Arkansas,i have heard him say some dumb stuff.My dad can not stand the man,people from both parties think he is an idot to.Chuck on the other,is a second rate actor.His tears cure cancer my ASS,they cause cancer and will bring back the BLACK DEATH.
Huckabee is indirectly splitting the religious wing away from the fiscal conservative wing. Normal everyday middle class religious people who are not rich will end up getting turned off by Romney smearing him.
The Democrats best bet is for Romney to win the GOP nomination.
Remember this?
http://wonkette.com/politics/teh-huckbeez/mike-huckabees-aids+less-famil...
This will never be the first family, but if in some parallel universe they were, I wonder who their choice would be for white house chef. Colonel Sanders, perhaps?
.
I have a difficult time understanding how Huck, having been a pastor and is going after the EVILgelical voter, can actually hold two opposing truths as his truth.
He says he's a Christian, but I'm not sure Christ encouraged mankind to kill thine neighbor or throw stones because America is Righteous.
As a Christian, how can he support an endless, illegal war that has taken the lives of over a MILLION PEOPLE, NEEDLESSLY!
WHO WOULD JESUS BOMB?
.
I almost feel sorry for this guy for being a republican. His own party is now out to trash him in favor of the goons, like Mitt and McCain for the reasons to win he will have to question the corporate right.
Don't get it wrong folks. The guy is just as bad as ALL the others, he just does it nicer
Why doesn't Stephanopoulous play hardball with Hilary, Rudy, Obama? He's harmmered Kucinich and he's hammering Huckabee but he doesn't hammer the popular Beltway candidates. He's just a short bully.
Stephanopoulos was being a bit to literal in my opinion. You can support something and still draw distinctive criticisms of it. I support the right to Choose, but personally I have a problem with a abortion. Simlarly, you can support the surge, but be against the use of national guard troops to accomplish it. Romney openly flouts his support of a ban on gay marriage, where several years ago, he was campaigning for the rights of gays to form a legal union.
Dolts like Stephanopoulos only make the issue black and white, removing the nuance that is so vital to a democratic discussion.
Now I'm waiting for the hate response about how I'm a bad person who hates democracy.
Huckleberry Hound for President!
That way, even Hillary or Bill Richardson might actually win against him.
Barf!
you know -- as a solid democrat (as i always remind when i post) i think that the non policy hits on Huckabee have been pretty paper thin and ridiculous. He didn't flip flop on the troop surge -- he just didn't answer it YES or NO -- AND they played a clip that was totally not contextualized and then asked him to comment on it. Also -- the casino thing is ridiculous and i'm glad Huckabee has said so.
I want to see Huckabee get the Republican nomination -- not b/c I agree with him -- but b/c i believe that he represents a long time needed split between the religious right and the corporate right -- i just don't think Huckabee is a dishonest guy and I don't see him making huge huge HUGE policy mistakes like George W. Bush.
I think the RNC won't want him -- FOX NEWS will go after him as much as they can -- and ultimately his campaign will fade b/c the establishment knows he's trouble for Corporate America.
JTM @ 39:
No one cares about your "suggestions" sympathy troll. If you have nothing constructive to add to the conversation, just leave. [Deleted. Abusive. Please keep it civil. Site Monitor]
bns @ 10:
The contradiction is that Huckabee knew that the surge did require primarily the National Guard. So George accurately pointed out that Huckabee is trying to have it both ways, since there wasn't any possible surge that did not require his Guard troops, and he knew it.
Disappointing George. Playing stupid, "gotcha" journalism. He's really turned into a hack lately.
And worst of all that jerk GS made me defend the Huckabee, damn it!
The point that if you really ARE going to engage in long term occupation (which I don't agree with here), you HAVE to do that with regular forces, not national guard or reserve! The definition of "reserve" should tip you off to that. It's really a no brainer. So Huck things essentially we should have the draft to increase those regular forces. Because recruitment numbers tell us not nearly enough are joining willingly.
Wouldn't THAT be a good question George? Does he support a draft? To turn you freaking brain on and think about what the people you are interviewing say? Instead of reading talking points, regardless of the answer, like this was Jerry Springer or B'Orally?
There is SO much else that Huckabee is wrong about (like imperialism in the very first place) that playing dumb here just makes George look like a bias Hillary lickspittle.
He may claim to be "liberal" but he is part of the problem.
we have 4 great candidates at the last debate... similar messages in some areas,
different in others....
LET'S TRY NOT TO GET SOOOOOOO HOT ON ONE CANDIDATE THAT YOU DON'T SUPPORT WHOEVER WINS...
WE NEED THE WIN IN 2008
REMIND YOUR FRIENDS THAT DUE TO THE EXPECTED LARGE TURNOUT,
DEMOCRATS WILL BE VOTING ON NOVEMBER 4
REPUBLICANS ON NOVEMBER 5
Fox News took orders and trashed the hell out of Huckabee last night. Frank Luntz tv poll was rigged for Romney. All the people in the diner switched to Romney and echoed the talking point of the day - "Huckabee only one won iowa because he is religious". This is bs. He is a very charismatic guy. Huckabee is more like Bill Clinton than Hillary is. That is way the gop fears him. He is not like Bush. Huckabee actually practices the teachings of jesus christ. bush doesn't even give them lip service - he just lives by the old testament.
DocRoss @ 15:
But the kind of surge we got was one that DID use National Guard troops. Sooooo, if Huckabee was opposed to any surge which required reserve troops then he would have to have been opposed to the one that happened. Even if you think there is some grey area left for him to play with on this issue its obvious that his position wasn't clear enough to justify calling out Romney the way he did.
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