Mike Huckabee: I will not seek the Republican nomination for President this year

Mike Huckabee used the last few minutes of his Huckabee show to announce to Fox News viewers that he is not going to seek the Republican nomination for President.

This has been a much anticipated decision as it affects other potential candidates who have not yet declared. Mike Huckabee will be on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace where he will further discuss his decision. 

As a strong supporter of Mike Huckabee in 2008, I had hoped that he would run again in 2012.  Mike Huckabee had asked his supporters to pray for him-discernment-so that he would make the right decision.

As I was driving to go hear him speak in Dallas this week, I did just that, I prayed that Mike Huckabee would hear what God's will was for him.  That if God had other plans for him, that Mike Huckabee would clearly hear that calling.  For believers in Jesus Christ, we know that when God closes one door, he opens another.

Mike Huckabee not only consulted his strategists, family members and friends, but he more importantly consulted God.  And as many of us know, it is easy to take time to pray to God, but it is harder to take the time to sit and listen to what God has to say.

Mike Huckabee gave a thoughtful, well thought out reason for not seeking the nomination.  I for one am proud that he acknowledged that he sought the Lord in this major decision.  Mike Huckabee said that he found peace once he came to his decision.  Now his supporters must do the same.

Key aspect of Mike Huckabee's statement from HuckPAC:

When people asked me what it would take for me to run, I would tell them the same thing---pray for me to have clarity in the decision. I don’t expect everyone to understand this, but I’m a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. That relationship is far more important to me than any political office. For me, the decision is ultimately not a political one, a financial one, or even a practical one ---it’s a spiritual one.

The past few weeks, the external signs and signals and answers to many of the obstacles point strongly toward running. When I am with people encouraging me to run, it’s easy to feel the strength of their partnership and commitment to help me to the finish line. Only when I was alone, in quiet and reflective moments did I have not only clarity, but an inexplicable inner peace—a peace that exceeds human understanding. All the factors say GO, but my heart says NO. And that is the decision I have made and in it have finally found resolution. I don’t fully understand it myself—but I’m sure the pundits will. But I know that under the best of circumstances, being President is a job that takes one to the limit of his or her human capacity. For me, to do it apart from an inner confidence that I was undertaking it with God’s full blessing is unthinkable. I can’t know or predict the future, but I know for now my answer is clear and firm. I will not seek the Republican nomination for President this year.

Will he or Won't he? Mike Huckabee to announce his decision on Huckabee Show

Mike Huckabee said that even his executive producer does not know his decision on a 2012 presidential run. Only his family members were told.  

Tune into the Huckabee Show on Saturday Night to hear whether or not Mike Huckabee will run for president.

Mike Huckabee on Bush Tax Cut Deal

Mike Huckabee was recently interviewed by the National Journal.  Here is his answer on the tax cut deal working its way through congress:

NJ: What do you think of the tax-cut agreement that President Obama and congressional Republicans reached earlier this week? Was it a fair compromise?

HUCKABEE: I think it's the best anyone can hope for at this point. Obviously, it's a much better deal than letting there be complete limbo about the tax rates. It's good news for those who were wondering what the tax code was actually going to be. I wish it had been longer than two years. Politically, I was shocked it was going to be two not three, because it puts this whole thing in the very center, the bull's-eye of the 2012 presidential election. It doesn't have it resolved. But it does allow people to forecast for the next couple of years, and it'll make a big difference in people making some decisions about expansion and hiring. It means more money in the hands of the private sector and less in the hands of government. So those are all very, very good things.

The most bizarre part of the whole process was watching President Obama self-destruct at the podium yesterday. I was just stunned--I really couldn't believe that a man that was elected president was as amateurish as he was, and essentially launched from the podium at some of his own, taking aim and mowing down everybody in D.C. and walking away having not understood that he just lost a lot of people.

You can read the entire interview with National Journal here:

Mike Huckabee speaks at Beit El Dinner

On the fifth night of Hanukkah Gov. Mike Huckabee was honored to be a keynote speaker at the 28th annual Beit El dinner. He said he was "grateful to be amongst so many in the room who have shown courage in seeking to stand with Israel... the right of the Jewish people to have a homeland did not originate with the Balfour Agreement or the United Nations, but with God himself."

The Jewish Week notes that Huckabee used his sense of humor when addressing the crowd of about 1100:

 "If I ran with John McCain in 2008 the Republicans would have had a McCabee victory."

“Where we are now is between a Barack and a hard place,” he quipped.

He used a more serious tone to take on the Israeli settlement issue, in which Huckabee has consistently said that the Obama administration is wrong to pressure Israel to stop building on their own land.

“A cessation of land development in order to make peace with an adversary that refuses to recognize your right to exist is counterintuitive,” he said. “It seems to me there should be pressure put on the Palestinians, not the Israelis.”

"As for those critics of the $3 billion dollars of U.S. aid to Israel, Huckabee said he wants for the people who are not Jewish to recognize why the Jewish people should be safe and secure."

Mike Huckabee has been a true friend of Israel's, visiting there 12 times, touring rocketed torn land, being honored at a special Knesset event hosted by Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Danny Danon and attending private meetings with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.  On his last visit in 2010, he toured Israel with his daughter Sarah Huckabee who had last been there when she was 11 years old. Huckabee tells the story of his daughter's reaction to seeing Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum in Israel. As a young child she wrote in the guest book, "Why didn't somebody do something?" 

Huckabee continues on after the story stating that one of his greatest nightmares is that someday in the future there will be a museum dedicated to the great country called America who forgot who it was and why it was here. He ended his speech stating that we need to ensure that what happened during the holocaust never happens again. Encouraging the dinner guests, "You will see to it that America and Israel never allow something to happen again to any people, any time, any place, for any reason."

Related articles:

 

Mike Huckabee At Bet El Dinner

Mike Huckabee Stirs Emotion at 28th Beit El Dinner
  

Huckabee, Jewish Leaders Shine at 28th Beit El Fete

Mike Huckabee on Extending the Bush Tax Cuts and Eliminating Earmarks

On Dec 1st, Gov. Mike Huckabee posted his thoughts on eliminating earmarks on his HuckPac website titled:  Senate Democrats Reject Moratorium On Earmarks

Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted on a motion that would've put an end to earmarks for fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013.


The Senate, with a vote of 56 to 39 rejected the motion.  Sadly, there were 8 Republican Senators who voted against the motion.


Consistently casting votes like this is an indication that our politicians in Washington are more interested in bringing the pork back to their states and districts than they are about funding meritorious projects and saving tax dollars.


Until next year, the Democrats are still in control of the Congress and once again the Democrats have shown (although unfortunately supported by a disturbing number of Republicans) that they are not serious about listening to the will of the people by eliminating earmarks.


I know that the overall perception of earmarks is toxic. Americans  realize that federal spending is out of control and that we must take action now to rein it in - and an earmark moratorium would have been a good way to start.


Recently, I had suggested to simply ban earmarks for the next 20 years. My reasoning is that Congress has already spent enough money for about the next 20 years, so that should just about catch them up. But if they won't go for 3 years, 20 years for sure isn't going to happen.


Many Democrats and some Republicans argue that earmarks are only a pebble in the sand of wasteful government spending. But we must start somewhere. In fact, I believe that anything we can do to reduce spending immediately will be helpful. As the late Senate leader Everett Dirksen put it, "A billion here and a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money."

Yesterday Gov. Mike Huckabee was on FBN's The Willis Report and talked about  how congress has not extended the Bush tax cuts and how this has caused much angst amongst small business owners.

* Congress is busy getting nothing done.

* We are not sure what the cost of doing business is next year.

* Marriage penalty on Mom and Pop style businesses.

* On extending unemployment benefits-It's not about extending a hand, its extending the RIGHT hand.

* Healthcare costs, Regulations, New EPA regulations are going to wipe out small businesses.

* On politics of extending Bush Tax cuts-its Extending the current tax rates that already exists, not giving away anything.

Gov. Huckabee does not support the DREAM Act

Gov. Huckabee was on the Laura Ingraham radio show and they discussed the DREAM Act.

While McCain originally supported Amnesty and was blasted for it by the talk radio crowds, Huckabee did not, but was still blasted for his compassion to those children who were brought here illegally by their parents.

In the 2007/2008 debates Huckabee was labeled as soft on immigration because in his home state of Arkansas he signed onto a bill that would allow illegal children who had been brought up through the Arkansas school system an opportunity to be eligible for scholarship.  In defense of this bill, during the CNN Youtube debate Huckabee said, “We’re a better Country than to punish children for what their parents did. We're a better Country than that.” 

  

Huckabee to this day, still stands by that bill’s provision. Twice in his conversation with Laura Ingraham he talked about those children, giving one example of a young four year old who went through the Arkansas school system, graduated as valedictorian of his class, and yet was denied the opportunity to receive a scholarship.  These scholarships would not have taken anything away from “legal” kids, but would have extended the opportunity to illegal kids who met the same guidelines.

Huckabee has always said that the border needs to be closed and reinforced with better security and technology.  He received the endorsement of the minute men founder Jim Gilcrest after he posted his Secure America Plan: A 9-Point Strategy for Immigration Enforcement and Border Security. 

While this plan came across as much tougher, he still kept the same principle and tone regarding illegals-the USA needs to treat them humanely, allowing them to come out of the shadows with their heads held high on their quest to become American Citizens.

As to Huckabee’s stance on the DREAM Act, which the Democrats in congress are trying to get passed during this Lame Duck Session, Huckabee stated:

*  He does not support it

* Too expansive

* Too many loop holes

* Should be a state issue, not a federal issue.  Allow each state to make the decision on education and citizenship of its students.

* Age limit goes way beyond young adult up to age 35

* Not a good idea the way it is written

My sense is that Huckabee will continue to defend the plan that was defeated in Arkansas.  He will also stand strong for closing off our borders, increasing the presence of National Guard troops along the border, and building a national secure fence.  Huckabee will continue to treat illegals humanely while telling them they need to go to the back of the line and enter the United States legally.

Huckabee remains classy when asked about Romney, Bush's and Palin

Gov. Huckabee was on Laura Ingraham's radio show today to discuss his Christmas Book and current political events.  While they discussed the Dream Act and Congressional spending, bloggers seem to be focused on only part of the conversation.

Laura brings up that Huckabee is at the top of the polls and wonders if he is going to run.  Huckabee redirects Laura back to congress focusing on the Bush Tax cuts but Laura wants to know Huckabee's thoughts on former President Bush 41 and Barbara Bush.  Laura Ingraham even phrased it stating Bush 41 mentions Romney but not you.

In his response, Huckabee never mentions Romney.  Huckabee does state that:

Barbara Bush-I love her, respect her, but don't agree with her, and in that case I did not agree with her, I am not going to be critical of her,  she has earned her right to speak her mind.

George H.W. Bush-41 is one of the most classy individuals ever, served this country magnificently in many many roles.

Huckabee does say that the Bush's never supported him, that they did not want him to be president, and that he was never on their radar screen.

Then Huckabee shows his class by stating, Just because they don't speak highly of me, doesn't mean I need to speak poorly of them.

But as always, the blogosphere is already skewering their write up on this.  Laura Ingraham's website earlier today said "Mike Huckabee takes swipes at the Bush’s, Romney", and now it says Huckabee slams the elites.

If you take the time to actually listen to this interview, you will see that Huckabee does not slam them, but stands up for himself.

Huckabee at both Nixon and Reagan Presidential Libraries

While on his Christmas Book Tour, Gov. Huckabee had the opportunity to give a speech at the Nixon Presidential Library and gave an interview while at the Reagan Presidential Library.

Gov. Huckabee discusses the current state of the union and the conservative principles that should be applied to get America back on course.

Discussion about 2012, North Korea, Huckabee's background, Obama's federal pay freeze, Extending unemployment benefits/welfare, Dilemma in California with GOP having 12% fewer voters than Dems, Wikileaks, Fitness/Diet during the Christmas season.

Here are two articles on Huckabee's trip to the Golden State of California:

Gov. Huckabee Woos Em and Wows Em in California

 

Huckabee Considering A Run For The Presidency

Huckabee, a True Friend to Israel

Gov. Huckabee is scheduled to keynote the upcoming 28th annual Beit El Dinner on December 5^th.  He along with Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, will address some 1,500 expected attendees.

Huckabee has been a staunch ally of Israel for quite some time.  He has visited Israel 12 times.  Huckabee lead a tour there in 2010 and has plans for an upcoming tour  in January 2011.    Huckabee is one of the few Republicans who has actively come out against a two state solution.  He has shown strong support for Israel's right to sovereignty over the disputed territories of Judea and Samaria, stating that America would not tolerate another country telling them where they could and could not build in New York.  Huckabee added, “I think we can certainly advise as a friend to Israel,” he explained, “but we have no right to dictate and outright tell another country what it should or shouldn’t do.”  Huckabee also stated, in regards to the threat of a nuclear Iran that he, “would support Israel doing whatever Israel needs to protect [itself].”  

My HuckaFriend at LawlessVid's created this video of Huckabee and Israel:

In addressing this group at the Beit El Dinner, Huckabee hopes to gain not only their vote but also access to their pocket books.  In the recent U.S. midterm elections the Republican Jewish Coalition spent millions on campaign ads to affect the outcome. They felt their efforts were constructive as 1/3 of the Jewish vote went to Republican candidates.  While 2/3 of American Jews did not help turn the country Red, they are disheartened with Obama and could look to the Republican Party come November 2012.  Israel is still important to the Jewish population in America and many were upset with how President Obama not only handled his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu but also with Obama’s policy on Israeli settlements.  For many of the Orthodox Jews, the US relationship with Israel is a deciding issue.  As this core group of voters looks to the 2012 horizon, Huckabee could gain their endorsements as well as their funding.

Another area Huckabee hopes to gain in addressing this group, is their confidence and trust in him as a key defender of Israel against the threat from Iran.   The speech will give Huckabee the opportunity to address concerns by those Israeli panelists who in 2007 did not give him a high score on the Israeli survey called The Israel Factor.  The Haertz newspaper panel (made up of analysts and academics) ranks the candidates according to how good or bad they will be for Israel and her interests. Using some analysis by the HaAretz’s US correspondent, the panel anonymously votes each month producing a score for each potential US presidential candidate. This At Beit El Dinner speech could be evaluated by the panel for it’s next set of evaluation rankings.

The Israel Factor panel began its 2012 analysis on November 14^th with their rankings below: 

While the panel did give out these initial scores, they did not give out intricate details behind the numbers. 

We will have to see how Huckabee’s speech to the attendees at the At Beit El Dinner is received.  The initial reaction from the dinner announcement article shows an enthusiastic group eager for Huckabee to jump into the 2012 race for the White House.

Below are recent articles regarding Israel. It will be interesting to note how many of these topics Huckabee touches upon in his speech:

The IRS is now asking Jewish organizations if they support the existence of Israel.

Israel angered by Palestinian report on Western Wall-asserting the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites, is not Jewish.

  

Obama's UN Officials Silent on Anti-Israel Statements at UN 

GOP figure shakes up Israeli media

On Saturday, November 27th, Gov. Huckabee had Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Danny Danon, on his show.

 

Gov Huckabee Returns to Iowa

Today Huckabee returned to his beloved Iowa to address the theme of Energizing the Church to Engage the Culture.  Prior to his keynote speech to about 1500 attendees, he answered questions at a press conference.

Below are highlights from David Shedlock's live blog of the event.  Caffeinated Thoughts recorded the press conference and posted it on youtube.  

SPEECH/SERMON: 

“I’m not here to announce any plans, or deny any plans”  He congratulated the people of Iowa for ousting the judges who thought they could do anything they want.  Those who govern are ultimately accountable to the governed.   He thanked every mom, every dad, and every pastor who stood up.

 *We have a dad deficit.  We could save $300 billion a year by having fathers take care of their own children. Huckabee has great respect for single mothers doing the best they can.   But if we can’t fix the family we won’t be able to fix things in Washington.   The most important unit of government is the family.  There we learn values, structures and manners.  We learn there to work hard rather than be lazy.  We’re getting a nation full of spoiled brats thinking it is government’s job to bail us out, and clean up our messes.

*It takes a great deal more depth to understand the issues from eternal values that cannot be changed.  Christians are not intellectually inferior.  They are wrong who say we should not talk about”social”  issues of life or think that a manipulation of the tax code by the elected class.   If 2/3 of the women in poverty were married to the father of her children they would not be in poverty.  We need mothers and fathers who raise their own kids. The government continues to spend us into great debt.   Charlies Rangel got by 17 years without paying taxes, because he didn’t understand the tax code which he helped write.  And a box of Kleenex was the only price he’ll pay.

*Sgt Salvatore Guinta io Iowa received the Congressional Medal of Honor for running into a wall of bullets to try and save the life of one of his comrades, Sgt Josh Brennan, who lost his life.  When he received the award Guinta stated, “”I would give this back in a second to have my friends with me right now.”

*If we choose our own comforts on the backs of its weakest, terminating them at will we will face God’s judgements.  There will be no strong economy without protecting each other.

*We ought not value some lives more than others, the 12-year old rather than the child 3 months in the womb.  We cannot live in a culture where people are terminated because they are financial burden.  These are not extraneous issues.  Life is valuable because God created us.  It is at the heart of our democracy.  You will never see me apologize for my stand on life.

*There is no one person more valuable than another in this country: We are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights.  We are not made better or worse by our bank account, our IQ, the name we inherited, our family tree.

PRESS CONFERENCE:  Will Huckabee base his decision on if Sarah Palin runs?  “No question, she will be a very, very strong presence and force, if she gets in,” Huckabee told reporters in Des Moines Sunday. “You know, she may run away with it. And that’s one of those things everyone needs to be prepared for.”  “If I get in, I prefer she not and that she endorse me,” Huckabee then joked.

What is Huckabee's timetable for making a decision?  “I’m not on a timetable. I’m not on somebody’s calendar to say this is the time when I have to decide,” Huckabee said during a press conference before the annual fall fundraiser for The Family Leader, a social conservative policy and political group that includes the Iowa Family Policy Center.

“Am I keeping the option open? Yes. Am I open to it? Considering it and giving, you know, thought? Of course,” he added. “I think I would be foolish not to in light of having been through it, understanding what it’s about.”

Huckabee was asked if he could beat Obama?  “I always believed I could,”Huckabee said. “I wouldn’t have run the last time if I didn’t think I could and the good news for me is a majority of American voters seem to think that. In the last poll, I was the only one who polled above (Obama) outside the margin of error.” 

Please check out Caffeinated Thoughts as they have several entries on Huckabee's visit to Iowa.

Mike Huckabee talks with Steve Deace of WHO radio

Huckabee talks with Steve Deace of WHO radio on November 17, 2010

* HuckPac results for 2010

* Will Huckabee run in 2012?

* Huckabee talks about his own personal finances

* Public challenge regarding Campaign Finance rules

* 2010 election results in Iowa and their implications for Iowa  Caucuses in 2012.

* Dynamics at Foxnews.

* Odds of running 60/40?

There are many websites that are posting articles based on this interview:

Caffeinated Thoughts:

Mike Huckabee: Money Not Determining Factor for 2012 Presidential Hopeful (Corrected)

Iowa Independent:

Huckabee praises ouster of Iowa judges, says president must take on courts

GOP12: 

Huckabee: Don't let candidates transfer campaign accounts

Huckabee "definitely" not ruling out run 

Politico:

Mike Huckabee lauds defeat of Iowa Supreme Court judges

My Ronald Reagan:

Mike Huckabee’s Visit to Iowa: The Beginning of the Beginning?

Mike Huckabee President 2012:

It Sounds to Me Like He's Running:" An Interview with Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee has a busy couple of weeks

For those looking to get their HuckaFix, Huckabee's upcoming schedule offers a little bit to whet everyone's appetite.

This Sunday,  November 21, Gov. Huckabee will be the keynote speaker at the Celebrate the Family 2010 event set up by the Iowa Family Policy Center Action.  Huckabee was invited to speak about the political issues of the day and how they shape the culture of our country.  The theme is Energizing the Church to Engage the Culture.



Then next  Sunday, November 28 Huckabee will present his book to children at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California.  Gov. Huckabee will share his heartwarming story meant to teach children about patience as a virtue.  I wonder if the kids will show up in their pajamas and slippers as the event is scheduled for 8 pm.

Followed by the Following Sunday, December 5 where Huckabee will co-keynote at the annual dinner of the American Friends of the Beit El Yeshiva Center and Arutz Sheva in Manhattan.  Huckabee will be joined in speaking by Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. For reservations and more information, contact Baruch Gordon:  baruch@IsraelNationalNews.com



Of course you can always wait in line to see him on his upcoming book tour through Arizona, California, Florida and New Jersey.  Where Huckabee will sign both A Simple Christmas and his new children's Christmas book Can't Wait Till Christmas!  Check out the great illustrations by Jed Henry.  He will be at the Villages in Florida on Wednesday December 8 from 4-5 pm.

Mike Huckabee talks 2012 with Alan Colmes

Gov. Huckabee sat in on the Alan Colmes radio show and discussed the 2012 race. Huckabee once again is honest in his assessment of whether or not he will run in 2012.

* The one nice thing whether I should decide to run or not is that more people at least would know me by what I actually believe or say as opposed to what my opponent has defined me to be and that is kinda encouraging.  If I would have had that opportunity four years ago, things might have turned out differently.

* I see this process for me being much later than earlier.

* I need to see what the field is... I honestly might evaluate and see a person who has a better chance at being elected than me... There are a number of very qualified, capable people who could carry the banner for the Republicans.

* I love the retail end of politics.  I hate the glad handing for money.  I love talking to people who aren't necessarily the ones who can write the big checks.

* My own decision will be based on something within myself.  Similiar to when I ran marathons in the past.  My Race, My Pace 

On July 4, 2006, Gov. Huckabee ran in the Little Rock Marathon.  His number was 2008.  By coincidence, the guy running behind him wore a T-shirt that said Grass Roots.

Huckabee discusses the CNN poll and its implications for 2012

Huckabee and Cavuto discuss CNN's 2012 poll and its implications on a Huckabee 2012 run. In the CNN poll, Huckabee beats Obama 52 to 44.

Huckabee says "One should never base decision on externals and distractions."



In this clip, Huckabee talks about what he has learned in running 4 marathons. "If you start looking around at what other peope are doing, how they are pacing and what kind of race they are running, you will never finish. My Race, My Pace, Keep Focusing on what you are doing."

In other words, I am not going to focus on Romney's money war chest or Palin's huge crowds. I am going to focus on the finish line. And if I see an opening, I will be ready to sprint ahead, give it my all, and win the race.

Are you ready for Huckabee vs Obama in 2012?

Mike Huckabee ponders 2012

The Governor has Obama impersonator Reggie Brown on Huckabee

Obama worries about running against Huckabee in 2012





While Gov Huckabee has not made a decision on whether or not he will run, he tells Brian Kilmeade his thoughts on running against Obama.



K: As an outside observer, I saw that you, outside John McCain, would have gotten the nomination. You came out of nowhere, got some celebrity and political insiders on board.

H: I don't just quote the company line of the RNC and I am not going to. What gave me credibility? When I thought they were right I was with them, but when I thought their language was astute and elite-I called them out on it.

K: In response to the Peter Baker quote on Obama VS Huckabee in 2012

H: It was an interesting and startling assessment on their part. I can't tell you right now if I am going to make a run at it. I simply don't know. 2010 is more important than 2012 because if Republicans are able to get a majority in the house and even in the Senate, than it doesn't matter what Obama wants to do. Now there will be a brake system in place and Obama won't be able to push a radical agenda.

H: I wanted corporate boards to regulate company CEO salaries, not government regulation.

K: What has hurt Obama? Obama a one term president?
H: 1. Obama has surrounded himself with ideaniks, not necessarily people who practical experience in how to run businesses and how the economy works. 2. Obama blames Bush. People are tired of the excuses. People want Obama to act like an executive.

K: Do you think Obama will be touch to beat in 2012? H: Yes-the good news for Republicans in 2010 is the good news for the Democrats in 2012.

K: Will that make you not want to run? H: It ought to be an ideas game, not a money game.