Political Insider

By mo

December 12, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

This is what CNN and the AJC choose to report.

Mike Huckabee has chosen to insult Mitt Romney when he thought he could get away with it, and he is “aw shucks” all contrite when he is caught.

He is a small-minded, mean-spirited bigoted Gomer when all is said and done. He doesn’t know * about the economy, foreign policy or anything that doesn’t involve losing weight. He’s a small town guy on the big world stage.

Stop listening to the lame stream media trying to tell us that this guy is viable - Hillary can be beaten only by Mitt or Rudy. Period. If you keep listening to CNN youi’ll start believing that Goobers can fly.

By Chris

December 12, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

If Huckabee wins the nomination he will loose Utah and Idaho. Only 9 votes but in a close race it might make a difference!

By Chris

December 12, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

If Huckabee wins the nomination he will loose Utah and Idaho. Only 9 votes but in a close race it might make a difference!

By Chris

December 12, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

If Huckabee wins the nomination he will loose Utah and Idaho. Only 9 votes but in a close race it might make a difference!

By Steven

December 12, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Read the context of Huckabee’s comments. He volunteered the comment. He WASN’T asked. He’s running a really nasty whisper campaign and now that he caught up with him, it’s aw shucks.

Mo: You’re EXACTLY right. This guy is dangerous.

By Paul

December 12, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

There are good things about Huckabee but this Mormon slam shows not only that he’s a dirty politician, but that he ought to do his homework before talking about someone else’s faith. Romney’s ability to brush off these attacks impresses me, and I think I’d rather have him sitting down with the leaders of the world. At least I’ll know that Romney will respect the other person’s beliefs.

By Tamara

December 12, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

It’s easy to say “I’m sorry” after the fact - he got what he wanted to get printed! I hope that people will see him for what he is. Huckabee’s apology is superficial - this isn’t his first “unintentional” slam on Mormons and will no doubt not be the last. On the other hand, Mitt Romney displays the character that I want to see in my President. He’s definitely got my vote!

By Steve

December 12, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Something that I find interesting is that while the media have always wanted Romney to comment on the “Mormon issue”, Romney has always tried to keep the conversation back to the matter at hand which is what he is running for. Now that Huckabee is getting the spotlight he does an interview with a major media outlet who wants him to comment on the “Mormon issue.” Huckabee obliges. Bad move. Keep on track and stay focused to the matter at hand, the Republican presidential nomination.

By ed thanet

December 12, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

Interesting but not surprisingly the NYT and AP team up to deliver a one-two punch on Huckabee in an attempt to stave off oblivion for Mitt. First a reporter for NYT Mag asks leading questions of Huckabee: “What’s this I hear about Mormons, Jesus, and the Devil . . ?” Then the NYT operation leaks their pull quote to the AP which is promptly linked to by Drudge who’s probably on the Romney payroll. After buying off Frank Luntz and his bogus-focus group made up of stealth Romney backers who parrot scripted responses his campaign then manages to top off the news cycle in the afternoon by sending out word that Romny has accepted Huckabee’s apology; how magnanimous of him. Actually it may be not so much that Luntz & Roger Ailes are backing Romney as Rupert Murdoch has decided to throw in with HRC for mercurial reasons of his own, probably related to expanding his extensive PRC media operations, and Mitt is HRC’s chump of choice next year.

Libby Quad the AP reporter dutifully writes “The authoritative Encyclopedia of Mormonism, published in 1992, does not refer to Jesus and Satan as brothers.” This allows the media to sidestep the issue for now. From the POV of the Dems this whole brouhaha is like a triple-bank shot 1.) it’s gets the Baptists & Mormons going after each other 2.) buys Romeny a news-cylce or two in order to recover from his free-fall in the polls 3.) best of all once Romney secures the nomination the same establishment news outlets will then reaveal — GASP! — yeah, in fact, the Mormons do actually believe Satan and Jesus are brothers!

A google search “LDS SATAN JESUS BROTHERS” would reveal from the LDS own website (the top item returned!): From http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-6,00.html

By Gary

December 12, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

Huckabee is an ordained Baptist minister. Have you ever asked your Baptist minister or your local “Christian” bookstore for information on Mormons? Nothing but bash, bash, bash. Just like Pavlov’s dog, Huckabee just falls back into his trained condition mode when the word “Mormon” enters into into his psyche.

By mac

December 12, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

I find it interesting that Huckabee says he hopes people aren’t voting for him because of his religion yet he runs an ad touting himself as a “Christian leader.” Huckabee should of known better than to go down the road of talking about Mormonism—especially a comment as lame as the one he made. The minute the reporter went down that road he should have said that he hoped we could get beyond a religions litmus test and ask to talk about substance. It seems to me that Huck is ignorant about a lot of things—Mormons, how you get AIDS, the effect of taxes, etc.

Huck is a great speaker and comes off very likable, but in terms of substance, I just don’t see his appeal. The fair tax idea he touts (i.e. abolish the income tax and go to a consumption sales tax) is pretty revolutionary. But we all know that idea ain’t going to fly anytime soon. What is he going to do to help us win the war on Islamic fascism or help us win in Iraq, give them a Bible and tell them to accept Christ as the personal Lord and Savior? Some how I don’t think that would go over well in the Islamic world. How is he going to help us fix our long-term fiscal problems?

As far as I can tell, Romney is probably the smartest guy in the race (JD/MBA from Harvard). And he isn’t an ideologue. It seems like he would solve our problems like he did in the private sector—by analyzing them, looking at the data, and making a decision. If you ask me, that is what we need more of, not bitter partisan gridlock based on narrow religious ideology that takes us nowhere but down a dead end.

Romney not only sounds good, but he seems to be competent—something that we haven’t seen much of for the past 7 years. I like Huck, but he seems all style and little substance.

By Paul

December 13, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

Romney has shown class while being the target of endless attacks from the Dems and the media, even while we’re in the primaries. The only attacks Huckabee has seen have come from his primary opponents. Hmmm…do you think maybe the Dems are hoping Huckabee is the republican of choice? I wonder why…

By Carl Loeber

December 13, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this

Rights .. Romney is all about results .. business .. getting things working .. right about the non-partisan core too .. I can even see him becoming a Democrat if he thought that was the way to accomplish what was necessary .. he is about results ..

By paul

December 13, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

ed, you miss the point. why should I care if any candidate believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers any more than I care if he or she believe Jonas actually lived inside the belly of a whale for three days or that all of the animals of the earth got inside a boat (in pairs) while the earth flooded? it’s irrelevant. all religions have things that seem crazy to outsiders! oh, and I’m sure it’s a conspiracy, just like everything else that happens that happens that you don’t like. all Huckabee needed to do was to keep his mouth shut. it’s not like he is new to politics! one more thing, I checked out your link. I also looked for the press release in response to the issue. I found it on their website after a little digging (http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/answering-media-questions-about-jesus-and-satan). I think the press release speaks for itself. that said, I applaud your effort to find a credible source about their beliefs.

By Mike Huckabee

December 13, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

Mike Huckabee=Gomer Pyle/Don Knotts.

By Wendy73

December 13, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

Let’s talk real issues:

In August of 2005, I was called for an interview by THV-TV News out of Little Rock Arkansas to comment on Governor Mike Huckabee’s comments complaining about an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on local chicken plants, which resulted in the arrest of 119 illegal aliens. What I said during the interview is even more relevant today “Governor Huckabee is known nationally as an illegal alien’s best friend!”

At the time, Mike Huckabee was known nationally for supporting in-state tuition for illegal aliens, which is massively opposed by American voters four to one! This plan forces American taxpayers to subsidize tuition for illegal aliens, thus replacing American students in the limited seats in colleges, while providing the wrong message and encouraging more people to illegally immigrate and bring their children into the U.S. to be trained for jobs, it is illegal for them to have!

The fact that Mike Huckabee would support a policy change despised by 80% of those he swore to represent in public office says a lot about what we could expect from the man as President.

Furthermore, his open denouncement of ICE raids in Arkansas is probably the result of his heavy financial support from Open Borders corporations like Tyson Foods. In Arkansas, the chicken processing lobby is so powerful they call it “Big Chicken”.

While the public was cheering the raids, Tyson Foods was upset about ICE raids and so was their bought and paid for politician Mike Huckabee!

Tyson Foods Inc., has their global headquarters located in Springdale, Arkansas and they are the worlds largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork. They were large contributors to Mike Huckabee as Governor and now their federal political action committee, TYPAC, is backing his campaign for President.

Tyson Foods Inc. is one of the most egregious corporate violators of our Federal laws against hiring illegals in America!

In 2003, the U.S. Justice Department claimed that 15 Tyson plants in nine states had been conspiring since 1994 to recruit illegal immigrants, and that this practice was known by senior executives at Tyson corporate headquarters. It was determined in court that Tyson managers had been intentionally working with organized crime elements and temporary service agencies to import illegal alien workers, replace their American workers, and drive down wages. Tyson agreed to join the basic pilot program to screen new employees in 2004, but later raids continued to find large numbers of illegal aliens working for Tyson!

Earlier this year, the company supported the thrice-failed “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” amnesties that were pushed in the U.S. Senate. These legislative attempts to legalize Tyson’s illegal labor workforce failed due to massive public opposition with Zogby polls showing only 3% of Americans approving of how Congress was handling the issue! The backlash was so massive that angry calls to lawmakers, which were ranging 50 to 1 opposed, overloaded and shut down the entire Capital phone system!

Mike Huckabee is now experiencing a surge in the polls as GOP core voters continue to abandon John McCain and Rudy Giuliani for their pro Amnesty pro illegal alien records and stances. This is bringing Huckabee’s immigration stances into the limelight for scrutiny and his campaign is fully aware that missteps on this issue can send him back down the ladder like McCain and Giuliani.

That is why his campaign has released the “The Secure America Plan” which details his 9-point plan to facilitate the “enforcement of our immigration laws and results in the attrition of the illegal immigrant population”

This is exactly what America wants to hear, America wants to hear about reducing the number or illegal aliens in America. Americans want illegal aliens to return to their home nations as current law dictates!

However, there is a big problem with Huckabee’s plan. While most of the provisions will be positively received by the American public, especially voters, his promises to crack down on employers, build a fence, and bolster the border patrol are all nullified by positions number 3 and 9.

Huckabee makes it clear that illegal aliens will have to leave the U.S. However, what he is advocating is the ‘touch back’ provision which was a trick fielded by the supporters of the failed “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” amnesty bills in the U.S. Senate this year.

In position #9, Huckabee says he would increase visas and expedite immigration processes so “those patiently and responsibly seeking to come here legally will not have to wait decades to share in the American Dream”

Such changes would clearly increase legal immigration levels, which already stand at 1.4 million per year, making America the most generous nation in the world for legal immigration. The majority of the American public, while generally supportive of legal immigrants, is in no mood for such a massive expansion of legal immigration levels considering the intense public backlash against illegal immigration.

Huckabee’s intent to expedite legal immigration ties into the real problem with his plan. This is revealed in item #3, where he would grant amnesty to illegal aliens by having them sign up with the government and then leave the U.S. for a day or two and later on pick up new documents across the border to walk back in and say “Look at me! I came in legally this time!”

What a devilish farce! Millions of illegal aliens in America would quickly have no fear of immigration law enforcement and would be on the “path to citizenship” receiving benefits at the taxpayers’ expense. This provision would in effect nullify all of the other immigration enforcement promises of Mike Huckabee.

The mere fact that Mike Huckabee’s campaign is imitating the tactics that the pro Amnesty lobby in Washington, DC deployed earlier this year tells us exactly who he serves and that he is willing to try and deceive the American public to accomplish his political agenda! Mike Huckabee has is now promoting the Pence Plan that we call SHAMNESTY!

One more President like that in the White House and we can kiss America goodbye. We will have millions of illegal aliens who have become untouchable by immigration authorities and millions more on the way once America has shown she is defenseless against the Global corporations pushing this agenda!

It gets worse, according to Michelle Malkin’s article “Meet the GOP’s Border Control Cross-Dressers” (Dec. 11, 2007) Huckabee joins McCain and Guiliani on the dishonest pro amnesty politician front!

It appears that Mike Huckabee has been pandering to the Open Borders Hispanic racist group LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), where he has promised them an ‘open door’ policy. He has also criticized state legislators in Arkansas who wanted to require proof of citizenship to register to vote! That really takes the cake when you think about the fact Mike Huckabee wants illegal aliens to be able to vote!

Even more disturbing is Mike Huckabee’s decision to follow the deplorable lead of Senator’s Harry Reid and Ted Kennedy by deriding Americans who are concerned about illegal immigration and opposed to the Senate AMNESTY bills as “driven by racism or nativism.”

In an attempt to build street credibility, the Huckabee campaign claims they were inspired to create their plan from an article by Center for Immigration Studies (Cis.org) Mark Krikorian. While Mr. Krikorian is renowned for his concepts of attrition enforcement, he is opposed to the Touchback amnesty provisions Huckabee’s team built in as this measure would nullify all of the other enforcement provisions listed! Mr. Krikorian, while cited as a source by Mike Huckabee’s team, would probably call the plan another “No Amnesty Amnesty”.

Mike Huckabee is clearly an Open Borders fanatic.

This is why there is a shockwave moving through the immigration enforcement movement after hearing of the endorsement of the Huckabee campaign by Co-Founder of the original Minuteman Project, Jim Gilchrist.

The embarrassing truth is that Jim Gilchrist has forced distance between himself and the vast majority of other groups and leaders in the immigration enforcement movement over the last year because of his egotistical, unstable, destructive, and growingly bizarre behavior. His behind the scenes actions have created a great deal of alarm from groups such as ALIPAC who were a part of the original Minuteman effort and who have supported Mr. Gilchrist in the past.

After Jim Gilchrist split with co-founder Chris Simcox of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, he quickly made enemies out of any group that refused to take a side in the conflict. He would not respect the neutrality of other sovereign groups and adopted an “with us or against us” stance that drove many away.

Jim Gilchrist’s last attempt to muster Minutemen volunteers fell apart during the Laredo Texas operations he launched. While the opening day had many attendees, within one week there were less than ten volunteers on the border and Gilchrist himself was not even present most of the time.

Since that time, Jim has been engaged in a bitter battle against the Executive Board of his 501(c) organization after they terminated him from his position as director, which has thrown the whole organization into court battles. While most of our movement was neck deep in the battle against the Senate “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” amnesty bills, Gilchrist was busy sending out his next wave of bitter e-mails decrying the actions of the “hijackers” of his organization.

Many of us in the movement have been keeping quiet about these problems, the threatening e-mails, and personal attacks, hoping that Jim Gilchrist would fade into the background, where his reckless behavior and failed organization could do no further harm to the movement, which is much bigger than Minuteman. We had hoped that his initial contributions to the cause in Minuteman 1 could be saved from his actions of late. Today, the rest of the nation is painfully learning what we know about Jim Gilchrist, due to his endorsement of pro amnesty Open Borders Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

Since the Minuteman Project is a tax-free nonprofit organization, which is prohibited by law from endorsing candidates, one has to wonder why Jim Gilchrist is making endorsements for President, which will surely be challenged by other Presidential campaigns and pro amnesty groups.

Perhaps Jim just skimmed over the Huckabee plan like many Americans will do and fell for the bait? It is likely that he was so happy to hear from a Presidential campaign in the midst of his isolation that he jumped at the opportunity to be relevant again?

Jim Gilchrist and Mike Huckabee have made a terrible mistake by supporting a Presidential campaign which has stances in favor of “touchback” amnesty for illegal aliens, benefits for illegal aliens, voting access for illegal aliens, “comprehensive immigration reform” amnesty, expanded visa programs, and more legal immigration. They are both attempting to give the illegal aliens, the US Chamber of Commerce, and their supporting groups like Tyson Foods, LULAC, and La Raza exactly what they want, while trying to dupe the American public.

As Americans representing the 80% of our fellow countrymen and women who oppose this radical Open Borders agenda, we must do all we can to expose Mike Huckabee’s true stances and record. We must also make it clear to Jim Gilchrist that he has just erased any positive contributions he may have made in the past to the immigration enforcement movement by lending his support to an ‘Illegal Alien’s best friend’.

President of Americans for Legal Immigration PAC ALIPAC www.alipac.us

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

Copyright © 2007, NewsBlaze, Daily News

By Laura

December 13, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

I don’t see why people are making such a big deal about a “Mormon” running for president. Why aren’t the other candidates being slammed for whatever religions they are. I am a very active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you people who are against “Mormonism” and are vocal about it should be ashamed about it. text to be linked You will find the true answers at this website.

By Rosa

December 13, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

All the republican candidates are pandering to the religious right just the way Regan started and Bush perfected. Religion has no part in who we should choose to lead our country. Let them believe what they want to but keep it out of the public arena.

By Steve

December 13, 2007 3:19 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t figure out why Huckabee had asked such naive question on Mormonism belief. Isn’t that an ordained minister should have known the basic belief of other religions? He must have failed the religion 101 class badly while he was in ministry school.

By Steve

December 13, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this

I have not read all the commnents so hopefully I am not going over old ground. Huckabee said that he did not know much about Mormons and then said don’t Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?”. He is a Baptist Minister, of cause he knows. That tells me a lot about his character.

By Nicho

December 13, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this

In response to the fellow up there who went off with his conspiracy about Romney and the Times and god knows what else, if you actually CLICK the link that he provides it takes you to a part of the LDS website that talks about how jesus is your savior and the devil tried to tempt him but Jesus said no. Sounds like pretty standard christian stuff to me.

By Unaffilated Voter

December 13, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

ROFLMAO!!!

GOMER Huckabee!!! this is too funny!

the Huckster’s got WAYyyy too much baggage to contend with…flash in the pan, while Ron Paul runs circles around all of them with his unassuming machine!

www.TeaParty07.com

www.RonPaulBlimp.com

www.DailyPaul.com

By Elbeau

December 13, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

Here’s Huckleberry at yesterday’s presidential debate: “I’m still in awe that this country would afford kids like me the opportunity to be a president”

Why in awe? All you had to do was flash “Christian Leader” in your TV add, then go to Salt Lake City to preach that “we need to reclaim this nation for Christ”, then claim that God was making your poll numbers go up, then tell the media that Romney needs to explain whether or not his religion is a cult, then start spewing anti-Mormon talking points today.

Then there’s my favorite part when he apologized to Mitt today saying that he “really doesn’t know much about Mormons”. Sure. Did he miss that day when he was getting his theology degree? Or when the Baptist Convention sent tens of thousands of “cult-kits” to the various Baptist congregations, did his get lost in the mail? When he was pastor at two churches, did the issue really never come up?

Ok…sure. I mean, he must be right, how could he be wrong…he’s a minister.

By Andrew Price

December 13, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Yes - but Mitt Romney does believe that Jesus is the Devil’s brother . Thats the issue - and here is another thing Romney believes - that God the Father is married on a star called Kolob . Since Romney is claiming to be Christian voters are entitled to know what does he mean by this .

By Elbeau

December 13, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Ah, the venerable Andrew Price is blogging again. In order to understand this guy, please google “Andrew Price Mormon”. It’s always good to see where someone is coming from.

Also, his comment “Christian voters are entitled to know what does he mean by this” would be a lot more impactful if he was actually an American.

By Rebecca

December 13, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

The statement that Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers is a favorite of the Evangelicals. It sounds pretty crazy in that context and serves their purpose quite well…those Mormons are weird!?! Mormons believe that all of us are spirit offspring of our Father in heaven. Since Satan was once an angel of God, this would include him, making him a spirit brother of Jesus. The Mormons also believe that Satan was cast out of heaven and took a third with him, a fallen angel - just as the Bible teaches us. This proclamation doesn’t sound so strange when given in context BUT full context isn’t required or desired when trying to slam another religion. I’m not an expert on Mormon theology but it’s easy to find on the internet. If someone wants an honest explanation they should go to the Mormon website! Mike Huckabee has done exactly what he intended to do - he got the thought out there. I’ve heard that a big concern about Mitt’s religion is that the so called “Christians” are afraid that people would get interested in Mormonism and possibly convert. It’s interesting that those who “worry” about his faith are the very ones bringing the dreaded attention to it! Mitt Romney stays focused on what is important - the issues facing our country. I hope that Huckabee’s ignorance on the issues and his dirty tactics show him for what he is. It should concern Republicans that the democrats won’t attack Huckabee now - they are saving it for later should he become the nominee. I think they realize that he could be a lot more easily defeated than someone with the morals (and I do think he has morals) of Mitt Romney. Something to think about.

By Andrew Price

December 13, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Mr Elbeau as I have pointed out before which you seemed to accept - American citizens are always on British TV Commenting on the politics , economics and govermental processes of other countries . Therefore I hope it is not unresonable for a UK citizen to comment about your forthcoming Presidential elections . Since Britain has been the only true friend and ally apart from Israel and a handfull of other countries to the USA I am sure most of your fellow countrymen have a more generous spirit than you and are quite happy for a Brit to comment - even if they disagree with him .

The Mormons spent $400 ,000 to stop certain parts of my work - they can afford the top lawyers which I cannot afford Since you have raised this on the blog you will be interested to know that out of 6 court confrontations they have won two and I have won four including a comprenive defeat for them in Scotland .Yes they can afford the top lawyers and top lawyers can get results you only have to look at OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson to that , but whether they were just outcomes will others to decide . It is interesting that the Mormons have not tried anything in the USA , they know I would fight them all the way to the Supreme Court if required . Yes they might win but what bad publicity for them - altogether inconvenient when they are fielding one of their own as a Presidential candidate .

Finally with regards to myself as you know I have many Mormon friends who would be in jeopardy of their Temple Recommends if their leaders knew they mixed with me . Their friendship I greatly esteem which is in contrast to that which I have received from other Mormons . I have been kicked , punched , spat upon , my wife and I have received obscene phone calls , in Salt Lake I received a death threat and in Boise a Mormon drew a hunting knife at me. In the bad old days the Mormons simply murdered their opponents now they resort to litigation - they have the money .

Enough about me because thi blog is about Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney . May the American people [ and a Brit ] ask a question about Romney’s view on race . As a mature young man in his twenties did he go along with the Mormon organization’s view that black people were cursed ? When there were protests outside the Universities in Provo and Salt Lake in the 1970’s what was he thinking and doing ?

Mr Elbeau - we dont know your real name you hide behind a blog name perhaps you are one of Mitt Romney’s famous sons concerning whom Romney famously said they are serving their country by helping him - maybe you can tell us what was Romney’s view of black people ?

By Elbeau

December 13, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Andrew Price: “Mr Elbeau - we dont know your real name”

…yeah…I don’t want you stalking me. You do have quite a history of that. My neighbors don’t want you screaming anti-Mormon talking-points in front of my house. I don’t want you following me onto the subway yelling anti-mormon slogans. I don’t want you pounding on my door for hours at a time. You have a wonderful history of these things.

YOU are the reason blogging is anonymous.

By Andrew Price

December 13, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Rebecca - on the contrary the Democrats would be so pleased if Romney were to win the nomination . Remember the high water mark of the Republican vote was at the last General Election where Bush galvinzed the Christian base to turn out en masse . Even with the spectre of Hilary , out of princple , many Christians will not vote for a man that impugns their Saviour . They do not appreciate their Saviour being called the Devil’s brother . What would probably happen in the event of Romney winning the nomination is that there would be a third party candidate of the right . Anyway it seems that sense is dawning on the Republican Party and they will opt for the combination that will have the best chance of defeating the Democrats - and that combination is almost bound to have Huckabee on the ticket . The American people will not be saduced by the Romney millions .Romney cannot win votes and states for the Republicans - he can only loose votes and states . Do you really think Romney could exceed the high watermark which Bush achieved ?

By Matthew Malaikal

December 13, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Elbeau is an unadulterated, blithering idiot and unmitigated bigot whose megalomania in all-encompassing and axiomatic. I wonder what his teeth-to-tatoo ratio is? I’m sure it is low like most of the anti-Mormon bigots.

By Elbeau

December 13, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Matthew Malaikal: you need to read your posts better. I’m LDS…the anti-Mormon bigots you are refering to are quoting me and you are thinking their responses are my posts.

By Jan-Beetle

December 13, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints (Mormons) own web site. They say that Jesus is the brother of Satan. Here’s the link. http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-6,00.html

So what is Huckabee apologizing for? It is a fact, not a smear.

By Mac

December 13, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Can someone please tell me why Huckabee should be the next President? Other than his speaking skills and ability to connect with average Americans, I don’t see many other compelling reasons to vote for him. Am I missing something?

As for Mr. Price, I’ve never heard of him nor do I care. But from the tone of his email, we should all probably be glad he can’t vote in the US. As for Romney’s views of “black people” as Mr. Price calls them, I suspect that he strongly believes in civil rights given that his father marched with MLK. As a Mormon, Romney should understand what it’s like to be discriminated against. Are Catholics anti-women because they can’t join the Priesthood? Of course not. Nor is Romney necessarily anti-black because his church didn’t allow blacks to have the Priesthood before the 1970s.

By Claire

December 13, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Still waiting for Huck to apologize to all LDS — lest Mitt be the only Mormon.

And how on earth can he say he knows little of the faith — that sure didn’t stop him from speaking in Salt Lake City and passing out anti-mormon literature to the congregants at the Baptist convention — all while serving as the sitting Gov. of Arkansas.

By Elbeau

December 13, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

“So what is Huckabee apologizing for? It is a fact, not a smear.”

It is a religious doctrine, not a political argument and it enables the religious test for office that our founders prohibited.

He should apologize for that comment and for the general conduct of his campaign for “Pastor in chief”…the popular term of the day.

By Andrew Price

December 13, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Mr Elbeau - if my wife receives obscene phone calls from you as we have on several occasions from other Mormons I might well knock on your door . Remember you are in the country where recently a man in Texas shot dead two burglars in his neighbours house . In my country this is utterly condemned . It is only a handfull of conservatives and strongly pro American people like me who understand this mind set and action and indeed support it.

Back to the real subject in hand ie Mitt Romney . Everyone knows about Romney’s Winter Olympics involvement . Why was he called in to save the games in the first place ?

Further since Romney is trying to court Christian Pastors can he confirm that in the secret Mormon Temple ritual he YES he was involved in a ceremony which depicted the Christian Pastor as being in the hire and pay of Satan . I suppose we Christians should lay back and smile sweetly and say - oh that doesnt matter he is only running for President of the USA - Can you imagine the outrage if Mike Huckabee was involved in secret and bizarre rituals which say depicted the Rabbi in this manner . Ah the wretched secrets of the Mormons - the wretched secrets of Mitt Romney which he is so desperate not to speak about . Republican voters if you think the Democrats will not deal with these and a host of other issues concerning Romney if he were to win the nomination you are mad . A sure way of giving victory to the Democrats is to nominate Romney .

By Mac

December 13, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Can someone please tell me why Huckabee should be the next President? Other than his speaking skills and ability to connect with average Americans, I don’t see many other compelling reasons to vote for him. Am I missing something? Is it really just because he is Baptist?

As for Mr. Price, I’ve never heard of him nor do I care. But from the tone of his email, we should all probably be glad he can’t vote in the US. As for Romney’s views of “black people” as Mr. Price calls them, I suspect that he strongly believes in civil rights given that his father marched with MLK. As a Mormon, Romney should understand what it’s like to be discriminated against—just look at the comments on this post from people like Jan-Beetle (people are still obsessed with the whole Jesus brother thing as if it was relevant).

JEAN-BETTLE: Can you please tell me why I should care whether or not Mormons believe Jesus and Satan were brothers? How is this relevant? By the same logic, I should vote for someone based on whether he/she believes Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. Please, please explain your logic. You are leading us down a scary path if you believe we should be concerned with such religious doctrines when choosing a president. But I’m sure you are wiser than me, so please enlighten me, please.

By David

December 13, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Andrew your comment about the Mormon temple is completely and totally false—I say this with first-hand experience. You have no clue what you are talking about. Why DO you hate Mormons so much? Why all the smears? Are you taking medication for your condition?

By Andrew Price

December 13, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Mac - I am sorry to disabuse you of your views on the Romneys both father and son - they did not join the civil rights protests . On the contrary they supported the Morrmon position that blacks were cursed and agreeing with the position as stated in the Book of Mormon that white people are “white and delightsome” see 2 Nephi 30v6 in editions of the Book of Mormon pre 1980 .

By supernovia

December 13, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

And to think I thought Huckabee was a decent guy. I appreciate his apology, but for him to pretend he didn’t know what he was saying when he asked this question is ridiculous.

He says he doesn’t really know much about Mormons and that it’s just something he’s “heard” … yet Baptist Ministers have been preaching that as a fact about Mormons from the pulpit for years.

For him to have been a minister and a theology graduate, and then to go on and feign ignorance makes me wonder if all Arkansas politicians have memory loss issues.

By Andrew Price

December 13, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

David - I dont know when you went through the Mormon Temple because the ritual was changed in 1990 . If you went through the Temple after 1990 then you will not have experieced this and your leaders will keep you ignorant . The point is Mitt Romney received his Mormon Temple endowments before 1990 . So I ask again - why is he trying to court the support of Christian Pastors when he was happy to participate in a ceremony which depicted the same Pastors as being in the hire and pay of Satan ?

By Matt

December 13, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

See John 3:13. Why all the hate? What ever happened to loving thy neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39)?

By Tamara

December 13, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

There are plenty of anti-mormon blogs out there, this isn’t supposed to be one of them. This article is what the comments are supposed to be about. The underhanded, Clintonesque politics of Mike Huckabee. Make a statement and apologize - it’s out there and nothing can be done about it…aren’t they clever? The LDS believe ALL humans are spirit brothers and sisters. I’m pretty certain that some very evil people have had righteous siblings - the idea of Jesus and Satan being brothers prior to their earthly existence doesn’t in any way lessen the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ or exalt Satan. Some of you folks really need to get a grip! As a Baptist minister Mike Huckabee knew exactly what he was doing - the Baptists are, for the most part, very anti-mormon. Most know only what they have been taught by their ministers about Mormons and they aren’t taught the truth…or at least it’s a twisted truth. The good thing that’s happened is that Huckabee’s record is now being exposed, it may not have had he not achieved the current (and hopefully short lived) place he holds.

By J Scott

December 13, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

To Ed Thanet: I don’t think I have read so much baloney in a post since I have been on the internet. You are just a stooge for the Huckleberry.

By J Scott

December 13, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Andrew Price. To put things into perspective concerning blacks and the Mormon Church: You have already noted that the church position of Blacks holding the Priesthood.

Did you know that in 1845, the Southern Baptists were considered a cult by the Northern Baptists?

By the 1830’s tension began to mount between the Northern and Southern Baptists. Baptists in the South were embracing slavery because it was the core of their social and economic order.

Baptists of the North were saying that God would not condone treating one race as superior to another while Southerners said that God intended for races to be separate. In around 1835, the Southern states began complaining that they weren’t receiving money for mission work.

Let’s put things into perspective. In 1865 over 620,000 Americans died over the slavery issue. Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians all fought for the right to own black people. The LDS Church has always been against slavery. Can the Southern Baptist Convention claim the same? NO.

Don’t forget that it was only in the 1990s that many Southern churches asked forgiveness for their segregationist stance.

By Jeff H

December 13, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

One of the main reasons why our country was established was so that its citizens could be free to determine those things they most value, including their religion. This was to be a land of tolerance, where each person could pursue those things he/she valued within the guidelines of the declaration and constitution, without recrimination. Those who attack people for what they believe are unamerican and almost always used to bolster the ego of the attacker. As to Mike Huckabee’s question about Mormons, I believe it shows a major lapse of judgment. During a recent interview with The New York Times Magazine, Mike Huckabee asked the interviewer, “Don’t Mormons…believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?” The question I have to ask myself is, did Mr. Huckabee purposefully and calculatingly ask the question for political gain or was his question “innocent”? It is hard to believe that such an experienced politician, who has been Governor for over 10 years and been involved in hundreds of interviews, would bring up such a comment during an interview without some sort of purpose in doing so. Such an experienced politician should surely know to pay careful attention to what he says during an interview and that any comments made are going to be published—i.e. that is the purpose for an interview. So, if his comment was intended for political gain, it shows that Mr. Huckabee is not above using religious smear tactics to further his ambitions. On the other hand, if his remarks were “innocent”, which is what he claims, this shows a major lapse of judgment on his part. If elected, such lapses of judgment during high-stakes diplomatic meetings would be disastrous. Is this the kind of person we want as a president—at best, one who makes serious lapses in judgment during important interviews and at worse, one who uses divisive and insensitive tactics for political gain?

Jeff H

By Nalangan

December 13, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

I am not american, but i am always interested about things happenning in USA, perhaps because i always believe that the USA is a great country. However, i am also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and its shocking to know that in that great nation there are also people who easily get excited by their religious bigotry maybe they have forgotten the things being taught in your history, how the great American nation was founded.

By Core Theology

December 13, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Mormonism may not matter to some, but it would be helpful for people to have a clear background against which to judge the religion issue.

Mormonism is a cult, if you define cult as “Any religious group that deviates from orthodox teachings of historic Christianity, while claiming to be “true Christians” by way of some special revelation or privilege”. There are lots of cults out there, Mormonism being one.

Christians and Mormons worship two DIFFERENT Gods.

Here is more of what Mormons believe: 1Mormon – God was once a man like us. 1Christian – God was, is, and always will be God.

2Mormon – Many Gods, an unknown number of them 2Christian – One God. Isaiah 44 “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God…Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.”

3Mormon – Salvation by grace AND works 2 Nephi 25:23 3Christian – Salvation by faith alone. Many verses, one example Ephesians 2:8-9

4Mormon – Men become Gods, have a marriage and children in Heaven 4Christian – “Men become Gods” is blasphemy. Jesus said we will be neither married nor given in marriage in Heaven. Matthew 22:29-30

Mormons and Christians worship a different Jesus as well:

The Jesus of the Bible: Co-Eternal with God, without beginning or end.

The Jesus of Mormonism: Created by a God, who was himself also created. At one time this Jesus was not, then, having been created by God, became. This Jesus is thus less than God.

Each religion has a different Jesus, and a different God. One is Christian, one is clearly not.

By Phil

December 14, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this

So is religious tolerance not something a man who has specialized in religion his whole life even capable of? If he can’t tolerate another Christian’s views, how does he feel about Jews, Muslims, and everyone else? Or does he just lash out when it’s politically advantageous? And then to lie about not having volunteered the comment! For someone who studied the Bible his whole life, he obviously doesn’t get it. Good thing he’s never studied Law or Business…I mean, woops…

By Robert

December 14, 2007 3:08 AM | Link to this

J Scott, re the comparison of the Mormon treatment of blacks versus the Southern Baptist support of slavery:

Both were wrong. But there is one major difference. The Baptists were wrong, and they admit they were wrong. They admit that their forebears were wrong to do that, and that it was never right for white people to treat blacks as inferiors.

On the contrary, as far as I can tell, the Mormon church does not admit that their prophets were wrong when they denied blacks the priesthood. They believe that God approved of this teaching, up until the policy changed in 1978.

Perhaps someone can correct me if I am wrong on this point.

I think this is important because it has bearing on the question of whether Mormonism should be considered a variant of orthodox Christianity, or should be viewed as a different religion. Orthodox Christians do not believe God gave any sort of teachings like this in the 19th and 20th centuries.

By Craig

December 14, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

The precedent for the idea that Jesus and Satan are brothers is the 2,000 year old belief that Jesus was the son of God. Neither of these purported familial relationships of Jesus are either more or less probable than the other.

Romney’s religion is his own business. But there has been a disturbing rise in Mormon-bashing since his candidacy started to take off in a big way. I’m less interested in these stories about purported controversial Mormon teachings than I am in learning who’s behind feeding these stories to the news media.

By Marc

December 14, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Robert, Don’t be a hater. Life’s too short bro.

By Louis Nardozi

December 14, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Huckabee never finished the seminary, so I can KINDA believe him when he said he didn’t know about Romney’s religion. Of course, comparative religion is a sort of low level class, but give him the credit for not being studious and drop it. He DOES believe in creationism, so at least he was awake PART of the time. I wonder how he does on other religions stuff. I know he got his Baptist girl friend Diane O’Connell a government job even though she had no experience. Cost Arkansas 1.6 million, so I guess he fails at not lying. Let’s see, he stole $60,000 out of the taxpayer fund so I guess he missed that class about not stealing. He tried to pay himself as a consultant in his own Senatorial election, so he missed that class on not cheating too. He opened a wedding registry at Target and Dillard’s while he was governor so his grateful subjects could buy him presents when he and his wife renewed their vows. Hm - guess he missed that class about not coveting his neighbor’s possessions too. Wait - maybe there’s a simpler explanation. Maybe the Huckster thinks YOU’RE stupid. After all, he DOES support the FairTax, which doesn’t tax corporations AT ALL, and millionaires and up at the same rate as someone who is near poverty level - i.e. less than 5%. Here’s the thing - religious people really ARE religious. Who among them wants any truck with THIS devil?

By getalong

December 15, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

The problem is Huckabee has directly insulted my faith. He is capitalizing on that. He knows what he’s doing and so does everyone else. Just like Clinton and the drugs with Obama. I just can’t tolerate that kind of behavior. To be fair to Huckabee he was at a conference in Utah helping rally members of his faith to convince mormons to change religion. So him stating he doesn’t know much about mormonism is absurd. And to be fair mormons go on missions to convert others.

Huckabee is running for president. His responsibility is not only to christians but to all people in the U.S. He has intentionally discriminated against mormons. This causes me to believe he will discriminate against others, such as Catholics and other non-christian faiths. Believe me this will hurt him in his elections. I won’t vote for him and most of Utah and mormons won’t. Though I live in California. He’s putting down my faith to gain votes from other christians who have issues with mormons. I don’t think it’s wrong to have different opinions and differences in beliefs. And yes if you don’t feel comfortable electing a mormon then that is your decision. Though I must admit I think you’re naive, mormons have voted for several republican christians to become president. So obviously we share the core values as most “faith voters.”

But Huckabee is intentionally using another religion for his on gain to be elected president.

If Huckabee is the chosen republican then you will see Utah and many mormons nation wide vote for either an independent or if he wins the democratic seat “Obama.” And for the first time in many years Utah will come out as a Democrat vote instead of Republican. If you don’t believe me just wait and see. Glenn Beck has stated that if Huckabee is elected the presidency will go to the Democrats. I’m confident that’s exactly what will happen in that scenario. I believe that the key to being a president is respect for others personal beliefs as a President. If our president is not uniting us together then we are in big trouble as a nation.

By levotb

December 16, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Gilchrist was a fool to fall for Suckabee. He (Gilchrist) will pay for this in lost membership in his org and a greatly diminished status in the Movement overall.

If he somehow wins the GOP nomination, Suckabee will lose to whomever the Dems put up as their nominee. This is because most conservatives will stay home rather than, as with Bush, vote for “the lesser of two evils”. As Terry Anderson says, “When you vote for the lesser of two evils, you’re still voting for evil!” Suckabee cannot win the Northeast or the West, where the major populations and electoral votes are.

There is two other GOP candidates as unappealing as Suckabee—Ghouliani and psycho McCain. Romney is pandering to the Bush family, and that hasn’t helped him with conservatives. If he doesn’t win NH, he’s cooked.

What all this does—Gilchrist slapping Tancredo’s face by endorsing an open borders Tyson Chicken/illegal alien-loving evangelist—is make Tancredo look more Presidential. As a result of his boycott of the Univision debate (where all other GOP candidates pandered to the illegal aliens), Joe Farah of WND has today endorsed Tancredo for President. I expect in coming days more endorsements for patriot Tancredo.

By Craig

December 17, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Tom Tancredo is the Joe McCarthy of this race, condescendingly telling people what to be angry about, making them afraid of it, and telling them who’s to blame. Tom might be ideally suited for the job of Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan but he’s not cut out to be President.

Back to Romney. Why is he the only candidate whose religious beliefs are an issue for some? Former Baptist minister Huckabee has publicly affirmed his belief in creationism and I haven’t heard a single journalist grill him about that.

By Debbie

December 17, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Thompson Gets Key Endorsement in Iowa

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/?hpid=topnews

Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King, one of the most conservative members of Congress, endorsed Fred Thompson this morning — providing the former Tennessee senator with a much-needed boost in the rapidly approaching Iowa caucuses.

Thompson issued the following statement about the endorsement: “Congressman King’s leadership in support of the sanctity of life and his efforts in the fight against illegal immigration have made him one of Iowa’s great Republican leaders. He’s a tireless fighter for the 5th district of Iowa and I’m honored by his support. I look forward to working with Congressman King over the next three weeks and into 2008 in support of the traditional conservative values he and I share.”

King’s endorsement was heavily sought by all of the leading Republican candidates. Since being elected to the House in 2002, King has emerged as a leading conservative voice in Congress, particularly on the issue of illegal immigration.

Since entering the race this fall, Thompson has cast himself as the only consistent conservative candidate in the field. His campaign has lagged, however, as the initial buzz surrounding Thompson failed to translate into real momentum, leaving Mike Huckabee to coalesce much of the support in the social conservative community that Thompson was hoping to win over.

Thompson, however, showed signs of life in last week’s debate in Iowa (a rare moment of vitality in an otherwise lackluster debate), and King’s endorsement should lend to the sense that the former senator may have a bit of momentum in the Hawkeye State.

Campaign spokeman Todd Harris said, “This endorsement comes at the perfect time for our campaign, right when Iowans are making up their minds. We kick off our Iowa bus tour tonight and this is the perfect start to what will be a very aggressive and ambitious 16 days of campaigning.”