Thursday, January 3, 2008 | Reason : Political | print version

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Huckabee: Guns, God and rock'n'roll

by Guardian Unlimited

Thanks to Linda Ward Selbie for the link.

Reposted from:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections08/mikehuckabee/story/0,,2234358,00.html

Ewen MacAskill in Des Moines
Thursday January 3, 2008
The Guardian

God and rock'n'roll were invoked by the Republican Mike Huckabee in his final campaign rally in Iowa, with quotes from the Book of Isaiah and calls for tonight's caucus-goers to get on their knees to ask for God's wisdom.

The former governor of Arkansas and Baptist preacher then strapped on a bass guitar to join the Boogie-Woogers in Sweet Home Alabama, Twist and Shout and Blue Suede Shoes.

The rally at the Val-Air ballroom in west Des Moines marked the end of an extraordinary Iowa campaign, both poorly funded and unconventional, which saw Huckabee jump from outsider to frontrunner.

The success of his social-conservative pitch - Christianity, anti-abortion, liberal gun laws and low taxes - was evident in the ballroom's snow-covered car park, which was jammed.

Among the 2,000 people crowded into the ballroom was Jack Yoesi, 55, who drove almost 1,000 miles from Virginia with his wife and five children to support Huckabee. "He best represents my values: conservative values of family, faith and freedom," he said.

The influential Christian radio network in Iowa is urging listeners to get out tonight to participate in the caucuses. About 40% of Republicans in the state are part of the Christian right, and Huckabee, who believes in creationism - that the world was created by God in seven days - has won public support from 90 of the state's pastors.

Huckabee is part of a battle for a new direction for the post-Bush Republican party. His mother grew up with "dirt floors and outdoor toilets"; he is part of a redneck insurgency, outside the traditional mainstream represented by Mitt Romney, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.

Promoting his image as the humble man of the people, Huckabee won the second-biggest cheer of the night when he told the audience: "I am not asking to rule but to serve. You are the ruling class." The biggest cheer came when he introduced his biggest celebrity supporter, the martial arts actor Chuck Norris, whom he described as "a great American hero". Norris praised Huckabee for fighting a clean campaign, unlike Romney, who has spent millions on a series of anti-Huckabee ads. "Let me tell you, I am getting tired of this negative campaigning," the actor said.

He either did not know or chose to ignore Huckabee's press conference on Monday in which the former governor announced he had decided against running an ad criticising Romney as "dishonest' - and then proceeded to show it to the media, thereby securing publicity.

Eric Woolson, Huckabee's Iowa campaign manager, said it was hard to predict whether there would be a voter backlash from the tactic. But he said he remained confident that his candidate would do well - he confirmed that a plane was booked for tonight to fly to New Hampshire for the next stage of the campaign. Outsiders tend to drop out if they have a poor showing in Iowa.

Woolson played down the significance of Christian evangelical support: "He has support across the board," he said. "I am a Roman Catholic."

The outcome tonight "depends on the level of volunteer enthusiasm", he added.

One of those that Huckabee is relying on is Greg Brown, who was in the audience. Brown, who works in insurance in Des Moines and is a member of the Cornerstone Family Church, said he would be taking part in a caucus for the first time at the age of 46 to vote for the former pastor.

Posted: Thursday, January 3, 2008 | Permalink

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1. Comment #106809 by The Truth, the light on January 3, 2008 at 1:56 pm

With a gun toting fruit loop like Chuck Norris on your side, how could you loose.

Other Comments by The Truth, the light

2. Comment #106815 by al-rawandi on January 3, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Chuck Norris doesn't sleep.... he waits.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

3. Comment #106816 by eno on January 3, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Chuck Norris. CHUCK NORRIS? Is this an article from The Onion? Oh America. Oh dear.

Other Comments by eno

4. Comment #106818 by alexmzk on January 3, 2008 at 2:08 pm

God and rock'n'roll were invoked by the Republican Mike Huckabee in his final campaign rally in Iowa, with quotes from the Book of Isaiah and calls for tonight's caucus-goers to get on their knees to ask for God's wisdom.

The former governor of Arkansas and Baptist preacher then strapped on a bass guitar to join bad actor with bigoted viewthe Boogie-Woogers in Sweet Home Alabama, Twist and Shout and Blue Suede Shoes.

shit, that sounds awful.

Other Comments by alexmzk

5. Comment #106819 by thirdchimpanzee on January 3, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Chuck Norris doesn't go hunting. That implies the risk of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.

Other Comments by thirdchimpanzee

6. Comment #106822 by al-rawandi on January 3, 2008 at 2:12 pm

Chuck Norris eats a bowl of diamonds for breakfast every morning.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

7. Comment #106827 by acrocker on January 3, 2008 at 2:20 pm

eno :

It's no joke, check out this ad on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUQW8LUMs8

Other Comments by acrocker

8. Comment #106832 by notsobad on January 3, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Chuck Norris is a creationist idiot .. so their cooperation makes sense.

Other Comments by notsobad

9. Comment #106834 by Scott McMeekin on January 3, 2008 at 2:38 pm

"There is no jawbone behind Chuck Norris' beard - only another fist."

Scott.

Other Comments by Scott McMeekin

10. Comment #106838 by seekerofall on January 3, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Mind-boggling...frightening...redneck, and thats the nicest thing i can think of to say....get on your knees Iowans and prepare to give lip service to the biggest con in history...'God' has chosen Mike Huckabee to lead you into the battle of Armageddon.......

Other Comments by seekerofall

11. Comment #106839 by theantitheist on January 3, 2008 at 2:52 pm

When Chuck Norris was born he immediatly shagged the mid wife. That was the second women he had sex with.

I'm also going for the following, Mary didn't have an emaculate conception, Chuck Norris's sperm is so powerful it managed to impregnate some broad 2000 years before he was even born!!

Hey that's my believes, respect em!

On a more serious side is there anyway we can ignore america if he wins? (yes i know he won't but...) i mean it would be kinda embarrasing hanging round em

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12. Comment #106840 by BigC on January 3, 2008 at 2:52 pm

When Richard Dawkins ridicules creationism, Chuck Norris cries.

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13. Comment #106841 by phatbat on January 3, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Chuck Norris doesn't read books, he just stares at them until they give up the information.

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14. Comment #106842 by Fedler on January 3, 2008 at 2:57 pm

As an Iowan who will be at the caucus tonight (my first one), I can at least assure everyone here I won't be voting for Huckabee.

Other Comments by Fedler

15. Comment #106844 by seekerofall on January 3, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Thank You Fedler

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16. Comment #106846 by Devolution on January 3, 2008 at 3:08 pm

I found this very strange list of Chuck Norris raves on a the Los Angeles Craiglist website. Some are hilarious!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/rnr/527422996.html

My fav: "Chuck Norris doesn't have hair on his testicles, because hair does not grow on steel."

Other Comments by Devolution

17. Comment #106849 by The Smart Patrol on January 3, 2008 at 3:14 pm

I dunno, a small part of me kind of wants the next American president to be some sort of Christian comedy figure. If someone sensible gets in we'll be losing some great satire on the TV over here in Britain. I don't think I'd be happy with any of them as the next US leader, to be honest.

Other Comments by The Smart Patrol

18. Comment #106858 by Garnok on January 3, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Huckabee is part of a battle for a new direction for the post-Bush Republican party.

What new direction would that be: downward or very f#cking downward?

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19. Comment #106864 by Szymanowski on January 3, 2008 at 3:42 pm

"Let me tell you, I am getting tired of this negative campaigning," the actor said.

Er. Do his supporters not see the irony in this statement?

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20. Comment #106867 by robotaholic on January 3, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I'm telling you people, we could have a preacher for a president- it's truely frightening to me :((

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21. Comment #106870 by robotaholic on January 3, 2008 at 3:57 pm

in 2012 it's gonna be a snake handler

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22. Comment #106873 by sidfaiwu on January 3, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Chuck Norris doesn't create conclusions based on evidence. Chuck Norris creates evidence based on conclusions.

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23. Comment #106881 by axisaudio on January 3, 2008 at 4:23 pm

Mike Huckabee is an idiot, but Chuck Norris is an even bigger one for supporting his campaign. Great way to insult everyone and bring in the vulgar by pimping your faith and performing a rock concert. Again, faith is not a virtue nor is it adequate criteria to pick a president. It reqires the suspension of reason and the suppresion or flat our ignoring of evidence. If we're electing Presidents on this criteria, we might as well elect them based on stupidity or leave the dolt that we already have in office.

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24. Comment #106884 by _J_ on January 3, 2008 at 4:25 pm

The former governor of Arkansas and Baptist preacher then strapped on a bass guitar to join the Boogie-Woogers in Sweet Home Alabama, Twist and Shout and Blue Suede Shoes.

I hope I still live in a Britain in which a campaigning politician would be savaged for this.

Huckabee, who believes in creationism - that the world was created by God in seven days

And that.

"I am not asking to rule but to serve. You are the ruling class."

Hang on...:

quotes from the Book of Isaiah and calls for tonight's caucus-goers to get on their knees to ask for God's wisdom.

So, God's to make all the decisions and the people are to respond to His wisdom. Just what sort of responsibility does Huckabee see for himself in his presidency? Strumming his gee-tarr and cuddling Chuck Norris?

Ah well. It's all entertainment, I suppose. But if he gets in, I'm moving to Gliese 581c .

Other Comments by _J_

25. Comment #106898 by He'sAVeryNaughtyBoy on January 3, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Hey theantitheist,
it's worth knowing that the immaculate conception wasn't the conception of Jesus - it was the conception of Mary (according to Catholic dogma). Them fruitcakes reckon we are all born into sin due to two people in a garden thinking that they might like to better themselves and learn some stuff, but the big bad dog turns around and says "no - I want you to remain ignorant and stupid" and so punishes humankind to be forever with sin.

Due to the immaculate conception Mary was without sin, so when god got her knocked up at a party, after he'd given her a few drinks and slipped some rohipnol in there, Jesus too was without sin.

Don't ask me to explain this stupidity, it's not my make believe friend. I can understand why somebody not of the religion might not know the difference between the immaculate conception and the virgin birth, but the funny thing is that most religious people aren't aware of the difference.

Cheers.

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26. Comment #106906 by zenmite on January 3, 2008 at 4:54 pm

I told my wife a couple of weeks ago; I like Mike Huckabee, and that scares me. It scares me because that may mean he has more of a chance at actually winning the nomination or even the presidency. Unlike Bush, Huckabee can put two sentences together and he has a certain degree of self-depracating charm, even clintonesque in some ways. He appeared on Bill Maher a few weeks ago and seemed to charm that (presumably) hostile audience. Remember, in america, it's all about the charm and confidence...the guy / gal you'd feel comfortable having a beer with, etc. Never mind any substance.

Don't get me wrong. I'd be horrified if Huckabee wins. I disagree with him on nearly everything. But he shouldn't be taken lightly.

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27. Comment #106917 by stereoroid on January 3, 2008 at 5:17 pm

"...family, faith and freedom..."

He's got the family, he's got the faith... he's got the freedom to believe what his "good book" tells him to believe. Two out of three is something, I suppose.

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28. Comment #106937 by Philster61 on January 3, 2008 at 5:50 pm

President Huck-a bee.Sort of rolls of your tongue doesnt it.Like Dubya.Another good ole God fearin,War mongerin Boy.(Or was that Whore mongering) LOL.
Roll on election 2008.Anybody wanna bet that another Republican religious nutcase gets in again?

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29. Comment #106939 by theantitheist on January 3, 2008 at 5:54 pm

He'saverynaughtyboy
it's worth knowing that the immaculate conception wasn't the conception of Jesus - it was the conception of Mary (according to Catholic dogma).

Sorry, that's just crazy, however due to the even wierder stuff they believe i did check it out with my fundamentalist catholic boss who's studying theology (I know it's not a proper study). If it was Mary who was immaculatly conceived and Jesus was through the whole Joseph not being the daddy thing then it would be incest on a cosmic scale. Though let's face it that's minor when it comes to religious crimes.

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30. Comment #106948 by Rtambree on January 3, 2008 at 6:21 pm

Dickhead #1 won, and it was a long way back to Dickhead #2, who has conceded.

God Blessed America.

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31. Comment #106964 by Fedler on January 3, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Hi everyone,

I just came back from my local caucus and Obama won in my town on the Democratic side, and the state seems to be reflecting the same so far. It appears Clinton and Edwards are in a battle for second place statewide.

I don't know about the Republican side in my town, but Huckabee does seem to be in the lead over Romney so far statewide.

Not all precincts have reported results though.

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32. Comment #106968 by ICONIC FREEDOM on January 3, 2008 at 7:01 pm

So I can only presume from those of you who have disdain for Huckabee that you also are not for any Democrat since they are spewing their religiosity and pandering to the religious.

Or are you playing your own "faith" card by not being committed to the atheist foundation and are willing to tell yourself whatever you need in order to rationalize your political choice?

Excusing ANY candidate only shows your political bias and lends you no credential or credibility as your position reveals itself as Democrat or Republican not Secular or Non-Secular.

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33. Comment #106969 by bentleyd on January 3, 2008 at 7:03 pm

Oh well, remember Bill Clinton strapped on a saxophone and rocked the vote on late night TV. Both sides can be just as wacky. I'm rooting for Giuliani among the conservatives.

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34. Comment #106970 by Rtambree on January 3, 2008 at 7:04 pm

33. Comment #106968 by scooternyc

Agreed - Many of the American atheists on this site have admitted to voting for Godbotherers. One form of brainwashing gives rise to another.

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35. Comment #106973 by Fedler on January 3, 2008 at 7:16 pm

Many of the American atheists on this site have admitted to voting for Godbotherers.

In all fairness, all we have to vote for are Godbotherers. The only other option is not to vote, but then we would be yelled at for that, too.

Personally, I chose Obama tonight partially because of his desire to transform religious concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values during public debate. He seems the most atheistic candidate out there in this regard.

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36. Comment #106974 by Chris Bell on January 3, 2008 at 7:17 pm

At least the Democrats have pledged to maintain the separation of church and state - which is more than can be said for the Republicans and is the best we can hope for in the current climate.

Remember, freedom requires religion....

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37. Comment #106976 by Rtambree on January 3, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Radesq, Fedler, Chris Bell

The last two federal elections did have a nontheist third candidate. Furthermore, he didn't support the Iraq War either.

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38. Comment #106982 by Fedler on January 3, 2008 at 7:31 pm

Rtambree,

Who were the non-theist candidates? I can't remember them off hand.

As Radesq noted, the election is not entirely about religiosity.

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39. Comment #106987 by Chris Bell on January 3, 2008 at 7:43 pm

I think he is referring to Nader, which makes me echo the idea that religion isn't everything to this voter.

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40. Comment #106988 by Fedler on January 3, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Ah, Ralph Nader. That's why I didn't remember him...

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41. Comment #106992 by Rtambree on January 3, 2008 at 8:03 pm

36. Comment #106972 by Radesq
>since there isn't one

37. Comment #106973 by Fedler
>all we have to vote for are Godbotherers. The only other option is not to vote

You guys can choose theists over nontheists all you like. It's your vote, it's your country. But don't pretend you don't have a choice.

Other Comments by Rtambree

42. Comment #106993 by zenmite on January 3, 2008 at 8:05 pm

If you live in a muslim nation and the election is between a believing muslim that supports a secular government vs an islamist that is bent upon transforming your nation into an islamic theorcracy, I think it makes sense to support the lesser of two evils and vote for the supporter of secular government, even if they are personally a believer. The same holds true for the US, imo. In recent years the republican party has been dominated by evangelical christians, most of whom seem intent upon pushing the country in the theocratic direction or at least eroding any wall between church and state. I would not support a theocratic party no matter what nation I lived in.

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43. Comment #106994 by Rtambree on January 3, 2008 at 8:09 pm

45. Comment #106993 by zenmite

>and the election is between

If there's only two choices, sure, I agree with you. But we were talking THREE candidates, not two.

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44. Comment #106998 by Rtambree on January 3, 2008 at 8:23 pm

>Because RN had no chance of obtaining a majority

So you don't vote for someone because they have no chance?

That's circular reasoning isn't it?

Anyway your strategy didn't work - Bush still got a majority. You make a deal with the devil and vote for a theist, can't sleep well at night, and you still get the Born Again as President. Worst of all possible worlds, huh? Stupid system, having to pre-empt everybody else.

But the original point is that there IS one, so your post #36 is wrong.

Other Comments by Rtambree

45. Comment #106999 by Klaatu barada nikto on January 3, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Comment #106995 by Radesq

Definitely

I'm less worried about the potential presidential candidates then I am about the future Supreme Court appointees. I will cast my vote to keep the balance "as is" if not better.

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46. Comment #107002 by joeyoap on January 3, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Well who could have dreamt that American politics could get any more ludicrous.It would be hilarious if it wasn't for the fact that enough idiots will vote for him.

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47. Comment #107011 by dlitt on January 3, 2008 at 9:59 pm

Just wait - this is Norris' introduction to politics. He knows actors can become Presidents. Certainly 'macho' actors can become Governors. What'll you bet that Norris will be in the White House one day? By professing his support for a religious nut-bar, he'll be a shoe-in.

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48. Comment #107014 by room101 on January 3, 2008 at 10:02 pm

The biggest cheer came when he introduced his biggest celebrity supporter, the martial arts actor Chuck Norris, whom he described as "a great American hero".

Uhhh..Huckabee thinks that a 2-bit ACTOR who plays a hero in movies is actually a "great american hero"? Isn't it borderline ludicrous to take something that isn't even real - a fantasy, if you will - and believe that it actually IS true, I mean --

--oh, wait.

PS: This just in: Huckabee kicks a$$ in the Iowa caucus. Hmm, maybe Chuck & Huck are the real deal afterall...

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49. Comment #107015 by Nick Good on January 3, 2008 at 10:16 pm

The last two federal elections did have a nontheist third candidate. Furthermore, he didn't support the Iraq War either.

Well the Democratic nominee in the last US election - Kerry did vote FOR the Oct 2002 Iraq War resolution (No: 107-243), before he was against it.

With regards to this presidential race, I'd put Guliani as by far the most secularly inclined contender in both the Dems and the GOP. He is still, even after Iowa, the Republican front runner, though by a shrinking margin. Guliani didn't canvas in Iowa, as the Telegraph today points out...

The former New York mayor, 63, took the gamble of abandoning Iowa, where Republicans hold mostly church-going, anti-abortion views not predisposed to a thrice-married, pro-choice Yankee.

His decision will, however, allow him to dismiss what is likely to be a poor result. Coming third will be a triumph.

He has taken an even greater risk by winding down his campaigning in New Hampshire, hoping that none of his rivals will have significant momentum going into "Super-Duper Tuesday" on February 5, when 22 states vote.

He is still the national frontrunner, but the gap is closing all the time.

As for celebrity endorsements, US politics most certainly has no monopoly on that iffy practice, it's happens all too often in the UK too.

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50. Comment #107016 by Nick Good on January 3, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Hitchens adds some needed perspective

http://www.slate.com/id/2181008/

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