The Real Secret to Huckabee’s Rise in the Polls
EmailLast Wednesday, speaking at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, former Arkansas Gov. and Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee said that "Divine providence was responsible for his recent surge in the polls in Iowa," as he noted that he "is the candidate with much less capital firepower than his rivals."
That’s according to Falwell’s son, Rev. Jonathan Falwell, writing HERE.
My colleague, Teddy Davis, points out that Liberty University’s web site includes this additional description of Huckabee’s words from Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr., who introduced Huckabee by recalling that last year Huckabee told university leaders during a visit that "if this candidacy really took off it would have to be a God thing."
After a student asked Huckabee what he attributes his surge in the polls to, Huckabee replied: "There’s only one explanation for it and it’s not a human one. It’s the same power that felt that … two fish and five loaves could feed a crowd of 5,000 people. … There literally are thousands of people across this country who are praying that little would become much and it has."
I wonder if God will in fact smite his opponents …?
– jpt
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Interesting this ex-governor who over saw many executions as governor, theology expert, active minister, dodged a very religious question in the republican debates with a joke, he was asked what would jesus do on death penalty issue, no doubt Huckabee dodged the question expertly, saying jesus was too smart too fun for public office, but, even a layman on bible like me unlike the theology expert Huckabee, knows of the bible parable of the adultress brought before jesus with this very same issue, gods law and law of the land called for her death by stoning, no ifs no buts, but very wisely jesus did not dodge the pharisees trickery, but answered let he that hath no sin cast the first stone…, none could, all condemned of their owns souls left, the only one whom was sinless and capable of stoning her too death, told her go and sin no more, and that he was not there too change gods law but too fulfill it…, Huckabee is typical of the hypocrites who populate the republican elite, cry at death of unborn fetuses, but lust for blood of the condemned in prisons, give tax cuts/benefits too the 2% richest in our society, but cry that those on welfare deserve their poverty as lazy, scum, shiftless, worthless.., demand they be denied the poverty level welfare checks, and in same breathe brag they are helping them forcing them onto those poverty level minimum wage jobs, but demand no minimum wage raises, as it cuts too much into their corporate profits, dividend interest.., yes they are the self proclaimed compassionate, conservative, family moralists, who on judgment day fit to the tee the blind biblical goats whom jesus will not know, for they ignored the poor, hungry, naked those sick and in prison…, yes I wonder if their rhetoric will fly on judgment day, and their pleas of when did we see you lord in these conditions, which will gain them nothing but “when you did it too the least of these you did it unto me”, truly if we are in last days, it is not surprising who worship the Bush & company and the republican party…
Posted by: R Hill | December 3, 2007, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
I just think it is cool that the question and answer I received from Huckabee is in the news…this is awesome.
Posted by: Daniel | December 3, 2007, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
Not surprising to see a liberal so fearful of Mike Huckabee, his authenticity is crossing party lines. I guess if the worst thing the liberals can find against Mike is that he has a relationship with the lord Jesus Christ, thank the lord this country truly isn’t as bad off as I thought it was. Mike has been honest with the American people since he started campaigning, it’s just sad to see that some Americans have such a visceral hatred for anything or anybody conservative. I’m an African American and Mr. Huckabee has my support 100%
Posted by: McFox | December 3, 2007, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
Christ did not change the law. He did not open the prisons. He judged one woman for one crime. He showed the hypocrites of his day that He had the authority – that He was The Judge.
Conservatives whether we like them or not give more of their own money to charities than do liberals. Liberals, on the other hand, give more of other people’s tax money instead through taxes.
Posted by: r schulze | December 3, 2007, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
Huckabee is one of those preachers who distort our relationship with God by thinking that somehow they are in God’s “favor” … God does not “favor” anyone … as he can read in the Bible … God is “no respecter of persons” … and most of the time in the Bible God worked through the disenfranchised … not religious types.
Posted by: Jackson | December 3, 2007, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
Take a GOOD look at Huckabee and the FairTax – why is the FairTax studies only evaluate incomes up to $200,000? Because the effective tax rate for billionaires under the FairTax is less than 1%. You can buy things of great value all day long without ever buying a new one. Think mansions, land, yachts, valuable coins, stamps, bullion, stocks and bonds – all of which increase his wealth and none of which is taxed. The things that are NEW that the super rich require will be provided them as perquisites by the businesses they control. Think company car, company house, company jet – all of which use our infrastructure and none of which is paid for by the entity using them. Why should Walmart pay for roads and bridges when they can get you to pay for free? This is another attempt by the liberal media to face ANYONE but Dr. Ron Paul. Much as we’d like politics to be positive, it is in fact ruled almost entirely by negatives. For instance, what’s the biggest negative the Republican Party is facing in 2008? Iraq – a staggering 70% of people favor IMMEDIATE withdrawl from Iraq. Who is the only candidate that doesn’t have that negative? Dr. Paul, who advocates using those trillions of dollars to secure our border (perhaps against Saudis who were 20 of the 24 terrorists in 9/11) and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure which is far more worrying than the loss of Social Security. Hm, full employment, withdrawl from Iraq and a huge boost to our economy from rebuilding our infrastructure – what Democrat wants to run against that. Hence the behavior of known liberal biased network CNN, who wants us to nominate either Guiliani or Romney – both of whose negatives are so high the copy practically writes itself!
Posted by: Louis Nardozi | December 3, 2007, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
Just Great. After the debacle of the last eight years we get – Bush lite. Will God get me a pony??
Posted by: Scot | December 3, 2007, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
R Hill,
Your comment displays your ignorance of Gov. Huckabee. He is not part of the “Republican Elite”. He was born in the same small town that Bill Clinton is from. And into the same lower-middle class. He has repeatedly stated that he is most concerned with helping out that same middle class. He is from Arkansas, one of the poorest states in the country, and also mostly Democratic which says a lot considering that the only reason he isn’t in office still is because of term limits.
I could go on and on, but my point is that you should probably go read a few articles and watch a few videos before you cast judgment.
Posted by: Interested Voter | December 3, 2007, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
LOUIS NARDOZI: Obviously, you have not taken the time to study the FAIR TAX ACT of 2007. As an advocate of the fairtax act of 2007 (H.R.-25),since 2005, I know it by heart. The information you are stating is totally incorrect. All consumers will be required to pay the same inclusive tax rate of 23%, no matter their income with the exception of those earning up to the federal stated level of poverty and will pay no tax due to the fairtax prebate. To quote from the fairtax data here is an example: Effective tax rate vs. stated tax rate. Family of 4-2 adults 2 children earning $27,380.00. Their tax rate is zero. Same family earning $109,520. Their rate is 17.3%. Same family earning $438,000.00. Their rate is 21.6%. Family earning $876,160 Rate is 22.3% Anything over that rate is 23%. Because the 23 per-cent Fair tax rate of $0.23 on every dollar spent is not imposed on necessities, an individual earning $30,000 pays an effective tax rate of only 15.5%, not 23%. That same individual will pay 17.3% of his or her income to federal taxes under current law. One of the most frequently asked questions about the FAIR TAX is this: Is it fair for rich people to get the same fair tax prebate from the federal government as the poorest person in America? Answer: Let’s look at a BILLIONAIRE under the fairtax act. If he spends $10 million dollars he pays a tax of 2.3 million. He gets a prebate of $4,697.00 (assuming he is married) His effective tax rate as per-cent of spending is 22.95%. As to not taxing used items, that goes for anyone, including that $200,000.00 used house you may wish to buy. I hope this clears up your 1% fallacy. As to used items of great value being provided by companies to employees as perks, when the item was first produced and sold as new, the tax was PAID ORIGINALLY by the first purchaser on that item. If you spend a little time READING the FAIRTAX ACT of 2007, you will probably find yourself in favor, especially after you click on the link titled “Presidential Scorecard” and scroll down to where you will find DR. RON PAUL STATING HE “SUPPORTS” THE FAIRTAX ACT. Next time educate yourself before posting.
Posted by: gc | December 3, 2007, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
For those who want to evaluate who they are electing, this is good to know:
“Huckabee and Giuliani Support Tuition Breaks For Illegal Immigrants”
Mon, 12/03/2007
Posted by: Debrar | December 4, 2007, 2:58 am 2:58 am
For those thinking of supporting Huckster, you need to see his record first.
Posted by: Debrar | December 4, 2007, 3:04 am 3:04 am
It’s no secret.
Most of the candidates stink.
I will tell you what the media is keeping secret.
Ron Paul is the real frontrunner.
And has been for a very long time.
Ron Paul’s Straw Poll Results
Updated on December 1, 2007
Ron Paul’s Head-to-Head Straw Poll Records (Win-Lose-Tie):
Ron Paul v. Rudy Giuliani 38-7-0
Ron Paul v. Mitt Romney 30-15-0
Ron Paul v. Fred Thompson 29-15-0
Ron Paul v. John McCain 39-5-0
Ron Paul v. Mike Huckabee 37-6-1
Ron Paul v. Tom Tancredo 42-1-0
Ron Paul v. Duncan Hunter 41-2-0
I mean…Come on.
Who is the leading candidate?
RON PAUL!
Posted by: tumbleweedin | December 4, 2007, 6:08 am 6:08 am
We have had a religious warrior in the Whitehouse for 7 years now, I don’t want another one. Keep religion out of politics. If he continues to expouse religion on every subject or question asked, he will only hurt his chances of being seen as centrist.
Posted by: vnvet68 | December 4, 2007, 7:07 am 7:07 am
Huckabee needs to wake up. Maybe he says God is helping him because he can think of no other reason why anybody would like him. Huckabee, nobody wants to hear about how you are in favor with God, you sound like a rapper at an awards show. Give everything up to God when it is convenient, huh. However, at the debate you wouldn’t even tell the truth about what Jesus would think about the death penalty. Ahh, no we see your true colors. It was a nice dodge around the question, with your, “Jesus was too smart,” bit. Give me a break, Huckabee. I can’t believe people are buying into your BS. You know what God would think about a DEATH PENALTY don’t you preacher? Everyone out there, DO NOT vote for Mike Huckabee, he is lying just like the rest of them. You want to vote for a Republican, vote for Ron Paul and let him show how to lead a country.
Posted by: Justin | December 4, 2007, 7:48 am 7:48 am
Quite frankly, I’m waiting for Gov. Huckabee to invoke some of the other, more colorful Biblical plagues–like the plague of locusts, the plague of frogs, the plague of open sores, and the plague of famine–to attack his Repub opponents. It would be far more fun to watch than simply smiting them, wouldn’t it?.
Posted by: chuck | December 4, 2007, 8:31 am 8:31 am
WOW!! IF YOU WANT A PASTOR AS PRESIDENT VOTE HUCKABEE!!! IF YOU WANT A MAN OF FAITH WITH REAL BUSINESS EXPERIANCE AS A CEO IN SOME OF THE BIGGEST COMPANIES IN AMERICA, AND WILL CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE VOTE MITT ROMNEY!!
One thing I have noted is that Romney was a bishop just like Huckabee was a pastor!! Actually Romney was a pastor over pastors. Also Romney DIDN’T GET PAID FOR IT! IT WAS CALLED SERVICE! ROMNEY UNLIKE HUCKABEE WON’T TURN THE WHITE HOUSE INTO A CHURCH
VOTE MITT ROMNEY
Posted by: sam | December 4, 2007, 9:30 am 9:30 am
Oh, McFox, you’ve go it all wrong. We liberals are praying for Huckabee. A man who thinks that his improved standing in the polls is attributable to God (idea for a story: God’s confusion concerning the butterfly ballot)? Perfect face for today’s Republican Party.
Posted by: DKNY | December 4, 2007, 9:36 am 9:36 am
Remember, the last theocratic government was called “The Dark Ages”
Anyone who talks to “God” is normatively insane and perfectly capable of shifting blame for ANY actions or decisions onto God’s shoulders by simply saying; “It was God’s Will”
Be careful.
Posted by: owlafaye | December 4, 2007, 9:54 am 9:54 am
Now we know whose campaign is behind the push polling. He doesn’t claim any responsibility for it. This is a familiar tactic used by scheming and corrupt individuals. Keep the dirty deeds at arms length so that there is not a direct link back to the beneficiary. Always use a proxy. It seems to have worked for him since this is the likely element behind his surge in the polls.
Posted by: lorax_mbell | December 4, 2007, 10:12 am 10:12 am
R Hill wrote: “…even a layman on bible like me unlike the theology expert Huckabee, knows of the bible parable of the adultress…”
Justin wrote: “You know what God would think about a DEATH PENALTY.”
How can one impose a belief on what Christ or God would believe regarding the death penalty based on just that one or even a few examples, especially since there are contradicting examples. First what about the flood. God sent the flood to destroy the wickedness of mankind. Only Noah and his family and “two of every kind” survived. And then God told Noah, in Genesis 9:6: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” What about when Christ was crucified. The two thieves next to him were also crucified. Christ could have condemned their crucifixion but he didn’t.
Then there is the 6th Commandment: “Thou shall not kill.” Opponents of the death penalty love to cite this as proof that God was against the death penalty. But many theologians believe this to mean thou shall not commit “murder,” thus the taking of innocent life. That punishing someone found guilty of murderer with death would not itself be murder.
So it’s not so black and white.
Posted by: James Danley | December 4, 2007, 10:56 am 10:56 am
Did he actually say “Divine providence” is responsible for his surge in the polls? Now that’s scary! Huckabee is a charming man with a quick sense of humor, but I really don’t think religion should play such a huge role in politics. Frankly, I’m less concerned with who Jesus would vote for and more concerned with who George Washington or Thomas Jefferson would vote for! Besides, was it “Divine providence” that told him to raise taxes in Arkansas?
Posted by: Uniblogger | December 4, 2007, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
Perhaps God should just smite wise*** bloggers?
Posted by: noah | December 4, 2007, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
To Jackson- you should read your Bible a little closer- I ask God daily to find favor in me because that is scriptual and the no respect of person is something totally different. I don’t believe Mr. Huckabee has ever stated that God favors him over anyone-everything is done in Gods timing and his will and God willing I pray Mike becomes the next president!!
Posted by: carolyn samuel | December 4, 2007, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
carolyn samuel: God’s will is one thing, but Huckabee will probably need to win the election of he wants to be President.
Posted by: DKNY | December 4, 2007, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
Go for it Repubs – Huckabee is your man! I hope you all continue to be led around by the God squad component of your party – the same folks who gave us Bush The Compassionate Incompetent. I can’t wait to watch as Huckabee’s intelligently designed, directly linked to God campaign further helps to destroy your sorry excuse for a political party cause this time around the whole world is hoping the American voter doesn’t get fooled again…
Posted by: Boo Radley | December 4, 2007, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Regardless of anyone’s negative comments about anyone who serves God and runs for politics, the fact is America, like every nation on earth, is far better with God fearing men in power than with idiots who believe in whatever is blowing in the wind at the moment. All you have to do is look at Chavez or all the countries in Africa run by murderers and thieves. God forbid we are ever led by someone who turns his back on God.
Posted by: lou | December 4, 2007, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Think about this, all you “fair taxers”: If God only asks 10% to run the GLOBAL church, why does our government need any more than 10% to run just one country? Probably because people of God do not foolishly waste their resources, and know there is power in sharing those resources efficiently. Obviously people who solicit, then pay millions of dollars to get elected to a job which pays only about $400K per year have other agendas, which we foolishly pay for constantly.
Posted by: pete | December 4, 2007, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Lou, you really think the choice is between god fearing men and “idiots who believe in whatever is blowing in the wind at the moment?” How’d god fearing leadership do for the children molested by catholic priests?
And most people I know who do not believe in god have very well-formed moral values. The difference is they arrived at them by thinking, not by accepting as gospel a work of fiction.
Posted by: DKNY | December 4, 2007, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Whatever…bicker all you want. America is just a name now. The real country is gone. Why even hold an election when they are just going to be consolidating the continent? It’s all folly. A joke. LOL!
Posted by: Rick Hoyt | December 4, 2007, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
DKNY–People practicing immorality whether it be a priest or a lay person, are not practicing the truth of the bible nor are they fearing God. The fact is that the arts, sciences, and the great thinkers of the past had deep convictions about the God of the bible, so to imply that god-fearing individuals are not intelligent shows the depth of your knowledge. Higher critics do not deny the validity of the gospels even if they do argue about the person of Christ.
I believe that if enough believers commit themselves to prayer for our leaders and this country, God will move and act on our behalf, whether that be through Huckabee or anyone else that God should rise up. He is not bound by our dispositions.
Posted by: parapidemos | December 4, 2007, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
If Huckabee gets the nomination say hello to President Clinton. Simple as that. The only real faith that Huckabee has is that proclaiming that he is a God-fearing man will net him about 24% of the vote. Actions speak louder than words.
Posted by: J Timler | December 4, 2007, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
This “preacher” is exactly what America doesn’t need.Hasn’t the Bush “regime” done enough damage ? I’m sick of the “family values” crowd,hypocrits all ! Never has a political/religious philosophy been proven so wrong for America. It destructive for us,and been proven disastrous for any country that subscribes to that ideology.There are currently 313 religions being practiced in the USA.It can never be fair or unbiased. Keep “your” religion in church where it belongs,or give up the tax relief and exemption’s.They have no tolerance for anyones else’s religion,only those elite right wing folks are the chosen ones. I want MY country back ! These arrogant fanatics can’t understand the 3 most important words in the Constitution, “WE THE PEOPLE”.
Posted by: Sharon White | December 4, 2007, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
Daniel,
You conveniently forgot another death penalty case which Christ judged.
While on the cross dying for our sins
(for which the penalty was Death) He
forgave the sins of the criminal next to him who repented and believed.
He did not however, take him off the cross.
Posted by: Greg H | December 4, 2007, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm
As an African-American, female, ex-democratic, I would like to express especially to the previous blogger. (1) all people types and personalities infiltrate any group this hate needs to stop and respect and reasoning of others need to be present. (2)The Bible has to be understood in total context, culture, time, taking a scripture does not necessarily justify an argument. My self I’ve been back and forth on the death penalty yes Jesus came in grace but we are also to respect the law of the land as long as it doesn’t go against God’s commands. (3) Im against the death penalty because innocent get killed in the process especially our black men, but on the other hand I’ for it, one’s actions bring consequences and if we castrate or put to death some of these child molesters maybe that will save a childs life. So what am I saying these issues are complex and because someones opinion is different then yours doesn’t make them a hypocrite at least they are trying to make some stand. Did Hukabee dodge the question yes just as cleverly as Jesus did with the Pharisees, why put the woman to death where was the man? that would have been complete justice both were to be stoned according to the Jewish law of the day. Jesus didn’t stop the men on Golgotha with him from being crucifed, He could have. One blogger said they wanted the true America back well let me clue you in writer even though nothing has been perfect and won’t be as long as humans are on this earth, when morals was at its highest and there was more respect for God and authority less people were mercifulessly killed, raped, violated, other then the blacks and Jews but we survived inspite of. Too bad our liberal black brothers can’t see the detriment we as a people have come to because they look for the government to rescue us when we are well capable of rescuing ourselves if we get back to our roots and spirituality. If you are reading this be blessed and I also recommend my black brothers and sister read “Black Rednecks and White Liberals” by Thomas Sowell Also stop hating and take responsibility for our own lifes and making it better.
We as a nation are losing our freedom because many want to live without any boundaries thats not freedom thats chaos, liberals want unlimited tolerance until it comes to those they disagree with, Hum! Who’s the hyprocrite
Posted by: Nanci Edwards | December 12, 2007, 11:15 am 11:15 am
I find it most interesting as I browse some key liberal Dem sites that the candiddate they least want to run against is Huckabee and that was being brought out before the surge hit the levels it has today. I also find it interesting that Huckabee can be grilled extensively and seathingly on his beliefs and that is not an attack (since he is an evangelical). On the other hand if anyone should dare bring up what some mite consider odd Mormom beliefs in an interview with Mitt ( such as a Mormon male with a temple recommend believes he will be a God of his own planet), they would be immediately accused of attacking his faith. If the comment about Mormons believing Jesus and satan are brothers was untrue why didnt Mitt just say so. Or if that in fact is a true Mormon belief (which it is) then why would it offend Mitt or why would he be ashamed to say yes that is what I believe. Mike Huckabee has not been afraid or ashamed to stand up for his faith. Mitt should do the same and encourage open questions about the deeper teachings of Mormonism.
Posted by: SpfldFT | December 12, 2007, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm