Why Huckabee... and not Ron Paul?

It seems that at least a few of my readers are staunch RP supporters, based on some of the comments to this post. Rather than respond in the comment section, I'd like to here. (An aside: I do appreciate the very courteous civility with which they "disagreed". Thank you!)

I know plenty of “Ron Paul people”. I respect them. But I don't think they are backing the best candidate in this race.

Biggest reason why:
State's rights are a good and necessary thing. But I find Ron Paul's views on them, and on Constitutionalism, disturbing in their extremeness. When questioned about his stance on many issues, including the life issue, he answers that yes, he is pro-life, but rather than support a Constitutional amendment to protect life or nationally overturn Roe vs. Wade, he believes in placing this completely in the hands of the states. The problem I see with that? Our government is too corrupt at too many levels. Ideally, the above mode of action could be a great one, but only if our executive and judicial systems at local levels were less corrupt. Look at what a mere local judge was able to do in the case of Terri Schiavo! For an issue as vitally important and gravely serious as the abortion issue, we cannot afford to "give it back to the states". That is saying that 50 states can have 50 different stands on a moral issue. It just doesn't work. If there's anything that the United States of America must be united on, it's the standard of truth and morality that begins with respect for the worth of every single human life. There is a delicate balance between infringing on states' rights, and over emphasizing them. We were founded the United States of America.

In addition to that, Ron Paul just hasn’t generated the national support he would need to win the nomination. Meanwhile, Huckabee is still very much contending with the other two GOP candidates (despite the media’s dishonest attempts to shove him out the last few weeks).

Is Huckabee a “perfect” candidate? No. I disagree with him on Immigration and the Death Penalty. However, on what are the big fundamentals for me: Life, Family, Marriage, and Homeschooling, he is solid. And I firmly believe that he’s the only GOP candidate who has a chance at beating Hillary or Obama in November. Huckabee has the tact, freshness, honesty, wit, and humility that is absolutely crucial for the above to happen.

And to respond to the criticisms of Huckabee and homeschooling, I say this. I personally think it is very, very foolish of us to pick apart this candidate’s record on homeschooling and criticize it, instead of uniting to support him as the one who is closest to our values AND still has a chance of victory over those who would really make things hard for us. I found it distasteful and somewhat petty to see the large amount of Huckabee criticism going on at some prominent homeschool blogs. I mean, who is more dangerous for the homeschoolers: Huckabee or Hillary? I know that things may not have been “ideal” for homeschoolers in Arkansas under Governor Huckabee, but he did help them. He does not intend nor want to work against us.

HSLDA, who endorsed Mike Huckabee for President, released a very helpful article last month to help clear up this subject. Check it out.