Month: February 2008

Today is Super Tuesday – if voting is taking place in your state – don’t let your opportunity slip by. Get out and have a say.

As I think about the campaign and the differences in opinion among “evangelical leaders” and the GOP I can’t help but notice some of the differences in the varied camps. It seems to become more and more clearer that the old guard – the so called “staunch conservatives” and those whose view of the Gospel may be more “conventional” are struggling to find their candidate. There’s not one candidate who they can grab hold of comfortably. Yet many who might lean more towards an “emerging” view of the Gospel seem to have no problem supporting a Huckabee presidency. Maybe I’m off a little bit but it seems like the GOP party is struggling between Western colonialism and new emerging ideas like caring for the poor, loving our neighbor, helping the downtrodden.

From the Mike Huckabee campaign:

Recently, out on the campaign trail, a voter asked if my personal faith informed my decisions. My answer was simple, just as it always has been: my faith is my life – it defines me. My faith doesn’t influence my decisions, it drives them.

Real faith makes us humble and mindful, not of the faults of others, but of our own. Because of our faith, we become less judgmental in that we see others having the same frailties as ourselves. Faith gives us strength in the face of injustice and motivates us to do our best for “the least of us.”

Our forefathers birthed this great nation in a spirit of faith – not a mandate telling us what to believe, but an acknowledgement that divine providence pervades our world.

I firmly believe the greatness of our nation then, does not come from our government or politicians, but lies in the hopeful, optimistic spirit of everyday Americans. Americans who acknowledge that providence has set us apart.

I have campaigned long and hard for the Republican nomination for President because I believe this to be true. There have been peaks and valleys. Yet throughout the journey there has always been my fervent hope that the good people of America will come together and support my candidacy, because they share these same principles and optimism. If you share these beliefs, your vote tomorrow is critical to my success. I humbly ask for your vote.

Now I could go on and tell you how great I am and why you should vote for me. I won’t. Instead, I have asked prominent religious leaders and friends to share with you, what they think of me and why your vote for me is important.

Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church:

“I know most of the candidates running for president but I’ve known Mike Huckabee the longest, since we did our graduate degrees together in the late 70s. Mike’s a man of vision, compassion, and integrity. I’ve watched his uncanny ability to identify with normal people in ways that many leaders don’t. That’s probably why TIME named him one of the five best governors in America. He’s definitely presidential material. But honestly, what I find most appealing is his self-deprecating humor. That’s a key sign of a spiritually and emotionally healthy leader – someone who is comfortable with himself, is authentic, doesn’t wear a mask, and is secure enough to be humble. People love that.”

Janet Folger, World Net Daily:

“We don’t have the luxury to sit back and wait to see what happens without us. Too much is at stake. Bypass the “Fear Tier” who have negotiated the non-negotiables of life and marriage and turn to the candidate from the pro-family tier who has the best chance of winning: Mike Huckabee. The good news is now we don’t have to choose between a pro-life, pro-marriage candidate and a “tier one” candidate “who can win.” Huckabee just became both. Now we just need to unite behind him.”

Stephen Strang, who was recognized by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the “Top 25 Evangelicals in America”:

“Mike Huckabee is an outstanding communicator who has a proven track record of success as governor of Arkansas . He is a true conservative who holds values common to most Americans. Governor Huckabee is a strong, Bible-believing candidate who articulates our values as well as any politician in my lifetime.”

Rick Scarborough, who heads Vision America, a national coalition of Pastors whose mission is to call Christians to be proactive in restoring America to her Judeo-Christian heritage:

“In Mike Huckabee, we have a man who has successfully bridged the chasm that divides people of both parties who share common values and faith. At this time in American history, we desperately need someone to lead us who can step over the partisan divide and unite people if we are going to solve the massive problems facing our nation.”

Jerry Cox, who is also the past director of Unborn Child Amendment Committee:

“Long before his involvement in politics, he was a defender of the unborn, a promoter of character in our schools, and stalwart champion for traditional values. His compassion for people, his command of the issues, his faith in God, and his genuine desire to work with people on both sides of the aisle are a rare find in the politics of today.”

Jim Pfaff, who is president and CEO of the Colorado Family Action and has been active in pro-life/pro-family politics for more than 20 years:

“It is critical, at this time in the history of our country, that our elected representatives truly understand the significant role that families play in our culture today and in the future. Mike Huckabee has been a reliable champion for the values of faith, family and the protection of the unborn over many years of public service.”

Mathew Staver is Dean of Liberty University School of Law and founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a nationally prominent legal, educational and policy organization specializing in religious liberty, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family:

“We need a leader who understands and is prepared to confront radical Islamic terrorism, who will protect America and her boarders, who does not merely lip sync moral and religious values but who really believes and practices them, and who has the experience and personality to govern a divided Congress. Mike Huckabee is that man.”

Kelly Shackelford, who serves as Chief Counsel of Liberty Legal Institute and president of Free Market Foundation:

“The reason you are starting to see everyone coalesce around Mike is that he doesn’t just talk about conservative issues, he breathes them and has a passion for them. He speaks the truth with an honesty and grace that no other candidate can match in either party.”

Phil Burress, the president of Citizens for Community Values who won this year’s Focus on the Family Grassroots Action Award:

“I have met and interviewed most of the Republican Presidential candidates. After several months of research, I am pleased to announce that Governor Mike Huckabee is the most qualified candidate to hold the office of President of the United States ,” Burress said.