Huckabee is not disappearing

...and neither is Huck's Army.

I've wanted for several days to post on the election developments since last Tuesday's primaries. But now I can do nothing better than point you to an outstanding just-released article by Alex and Brett Harris. I could not do any better trying to sum up my own thoughts on Huckabee's campaign... and its impact on the future of politics.

Huck'sArmy.com blazes an Internet trail

"As first-time voters and teenage members of the Web-savvy Generation Y, we've been right in the middle of one of the clearest themes in the 2008 presidential primaries: More than Howard Dean in 2004, the Internet really does
change everything.

From Ron Paul's impressive online fundraising and Barack Obama's slick social networks to Hillary Clinton's online "conversations" and the quirky CNN/YouTube debates, the Internet has played a bigger role in selecting our next president than ever before.

But none of these provide the best example of how the Internet is changing the political landscape. No, the true trail blazers of Election 2008 were the members of HucksArmy.com, an independent, national, grass-roots campaign for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the surprise candidate of the primary season.

...For a candidate who started with little name recognition and who always operated with less staff and resources than his rivals, the impact of this new breed of grass roots was truly remarkable. It propelled Huckabee from his position as a political asterisk to eight primary wins, including a stunning upset in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and a surprising five-state haul on Super Tuesday. Four days later, he shocked the world again, trouncing McCain in Kansas by a 3-to-1 margin, winning the Louisiana primary and placing a close second in Washington state.

...In recent days we've been asked repeatedly what all this means. With Huckabee leaving the race after McCain clinched the nomination on Tuesday, was it worth it? Will Huck's Army be anything more than a curious footnote in the virtual pages of Wikipedia?

We believe the answer is yes, and we're determined that it will be. The Internet may have made it possible, but Huck's Army was more than just the Internet. Huckabee inspired a movement. His message and ideas captured hearts and minds alike. And we're still here.

Members of Huck's Army can articulate issues, principles and a positive conservatism. We're a new generation of conservatives who recognize that a consistent conservative philosophy can speak to demographics and issues where
Republicans traditionally have failed.

Huckabee was opposed by the Republican establishment and ultimately fell short, but his ability to connect with the people cannot be denied. It reminds us of another candidate who failed in his first presidential bid -- 12 years before we were even born -- but who spent the next four years building a coalition that led to victory in 1980 and 1984: Ronald Reagan.

...Call us young idealists, but it was worth it -- and it's not over."

Read the whole article here!

A couple of my favorites

of the insights shared on Huck's Army Forum the last few days:

"You know, every time I remember God moving mightily in my life, it has always been at the 11th hour. I have learned to like it that way, makes things more exciting. And, like a previous poster reminded us, God gets all the all the glory that way - love it! This is the first time I've ever been involved in a campaign, and it is because it is first time I've ever been presented with a candidate that I can get excited about - a genuine person of character, who unashamedly stands for the right things. There is no question in my mind that Mike Huckabee is the best candidate to lead this nation, and that is why I became involved in this campaign. Never mind that when I started, he was behind - but I didn't care. I wanted to look back and be proud that, regardless of the outcome, I did everything I could to help get this nation on the right track with the right candidate. Nothing's changed, I still want that! We're still in this folks! Let's buck up and stand our ground, and after we have done everything, to stand! "

And...

"Governor Huckabee is not speaking the idle words of a dreamer when he says he will continue until somebody reaches 1191 delegates. The Lord has trained him all his life to persist against all obstacles until victory is achieved. Statistically, he should still be back in Hope, Arkansas, having quit high school to make a living and raise a family. Statistically, he should have been a Democrat instead of one of the handful of Republicans in his entire county. Statistically, he might be a pastor in a struggling little church of 100 or so. Statistically, Republican pastors never run successfully for public office...

Statistically, Governor Huckabee should never have been reelected again and again to serve 10.5 years [as Governor of Arkansas]. Statistically, nobody loses 110 pounds and starts running marathons in middle age. Statistically, this should not now be a two-man race with the Baptist pastor as one of the two. Statistically, God does not do miracles on the basis of statistics!"

LOVE that last sentance! So very true.

From the Governor

Governor Huckabee had a great personal message on his website Tuesday night, after Virginia's results...

The first question I am often asked these days is: "Why are you still
running for President?"

It is because I believe that I am the best candidate to represent you in
the fall against the Democrats. Why? Because I have core conservative beliefs
that I have never wavered from:

I believe in the Human Life Amendment and I will fight for it from Day 1 of
my Presidency.

I believe in the Marriage Amendment.

I believe in massive tax reform and am an advocate of the FairTax.

I believe that President Bush's tax cuts should be made permanent.

I believe in the Surge, our troops and General Petraeus.

I believe the 2nd amendment is one of the best ways to protect us from
tyranny and I will work tirelessly to protect it from activist judges.

I believe in real border security and have proposed a detailed 9 point plan
to secure our borders.

I believe the best judge is a conservative judge that won't legislate from
the bench.

These are some of the reasons why I am running for President and let me
also say that YOU are another reason. I am running to give you a voice in the
process. To lift up your voice with mine and to tell our Party and our
government that we need to do better. We need to think big and fight for our
ideas.

There’s lots of voting left to be done before our Republican Party’s
nominee is decided.

Share this blog post with your friends and family and spread the word. We
are still in this race and we are running hard.

And his message from yesterday...

The path before us is clear: a primary in Wisconsin on Feb. 19 and then
four primaries in Texas, Vermont, Rhode Island and Ohio on March 4. Our
challenge moving forward is to redouble our efforts on the ground and raise the
money we need to compete.

Last evening I explained in my email [the text above] why I am
running for President and what issues I am fighting for. I am also running to
give you a voice in the process. To lift up your voice with mine and to tell our
Party and our government that we need to do better. We need to think big and
fight for our ideas.

Thank you to everyone for their words of support and encouragement. I
am truly humbled by the faith you have placed in me and reinvigorated for the
race ahead.

Keep praying!

Pray Today for Huckabee!

It's interesting that the after-Super-Tuesday elections that no one thought would matter severals months ago are actually highly important. No one nominee emerged with 1,191 delagates that day, so the race is still on. It's now a two-man race between McCain and Huckabee (with both Romney and Paul suspending their candidacy over the past week). And though McCain remains leading in delegates, Huckabee's campaign is far from over. On Saturday, he swept Kansas with 60% of the vote, also won the Louisiana primary, and was within 200 votes of McCain in Washington. In fact, the daily tracking Rasmussen poll from yesterday reports that "among Republicans, McCain is viewed favorably by 66% and Huckabee by 67%." Finished? Hardly! Huckabee's momentum and funds have been growing by leaps and bounds!

Virginia holds their primary today. Will you all please join me in praying? 68 delegates at are stake— winner-take-all.

My favorite quote from Huckabee this week, in answer to the many media personnel trying to say it's "mathematically impossible" for him to win the nomination (which it isn't, by the way):

"I didn't major in math... I majored in miracles."

Go Virginia!

Dispelling Huckabee Myths

I seem to have heard from an awful lots of folks lately who have taken their cues from the secular news media and either thought Huckabee had dropped out of the race, or that he didn't stand a chance.

For once and for all, let's clear things up: Huckabee is still very much in the race. And yes, he is still competative! (I'm amazed at how many folks actually listened to the media's claims that he was out of the race or didn't stand a chance. Come on, people! :) Don't believe everything the liberal, biased, secular media tells you!).

The scoop: Huckabee took five states yesterday, which is way better than any of the pundits predicted. They're calling it his "Southern sweep" (Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia). Romney did worse than expected yesterday (especially for the amount of money he spent). McCain took a number of states, but even though delegate-wise he is in the lead, the analyzers have sat up and acknowledged that Huckabee's campaign has the momentum to still take the nomination. Or to end up with a brokered Republication convention (in which no one candidate has a majority of delegates, and so the decision process could actually come out in favor of either).

There are about 20 states that haven't had their primaries yet. Huckabee's strong showing yesterday has kept him very much a contender in the race (and finally after a few weeks of ignoring/discounting him, the media is acknowledging that he's still in and still strong).

To quote an article today in the Washington Post:

"Huckabee stormed back into the race yesterday with wins not just in
his home state of Arkansas but also in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and West
Virginia, complicating the race for the Republican nomination all over
again.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who had expected to emerge from Super
Tuesday with the nomination virtually locked up, was left facing still more
questions about his ability to win in deep red Republican states. Former
Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was left wondering why he could not win the conservative votes McCain was losing."

(I find it almost humerous that they say "stormed back into the race"... as if he left it and returned! That's our fair and balanced media for you.) =)

In regards to the second paragraph: many of McCain's wins have been in states that "go blue" (Democrat) in the general elections. All of Mike's wins have been in states that go red (Republican). This is significantly taken into consideration at the convention...

In closing this post, I have to say that I've learned so much about the electoral process while following this election! And about how much we need to pray and sacrifice for our nation!

Today's great article: 5 Reasons Huckabee Can Win Despite the Current Delagate Count

Today's wonderful link: www.hucksarmy.com

"Huck's Army" was founded by Alex and Brett Harris (19-year-old twins; the same guys who founded TheRebelution.com), and it has over 17,000 members (all volunteers)! Incredible people, incredible site. Amazing effort. Check it out! And consider getting involved!

Huckabee is far from over!

He took five states today! ...West Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama, Tenessee, and Georgia. Quite a shock and shake-up to the secular news media who tried to count him "out of the race" in the last few weeks...

Remember, our Lord loves to use the "underdog" to manifest His power! Deo Gratias.

FoxNews: Huckabee Wins 1st Super Tuesday Contest, Capturing West Virginia

Get the full scoop here. Praise the Lord!

Our pastor gave a wonderful homily on Sunday before the Super Bowl, about how our Lord loves to use the "underdog" to show His power. After the Giants went on to stun everyone by rising against all odds to victory on Sunday, I think we have a great example of what can happen today for Huckabee, by God's grace!

Pray for America!

Catholic.org: Interview with Huckabee

Here's the link to a great interview that Catholic.org did with Huckabee a few months ago...

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.

His Thoughts

After Huckabee barely missed the win many of us hoped for in South Carolina yesterday, I opened my Bible during night prayer last night and happened upon the following verse...

"Now many nations are assembled against you...

But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD,

they do not understand his plan..."

And indeed, how frequently we don't understand His plan (though we think we do). This race is far from over. We have our own hopes and evaluations of how things need to "work out". At times, it may seem as though the nation is assembled against us :), but in reality the thoughts and plans of Christ surpass any we have. Our God is a God of suprises. And of mystery. And of twists and turns in the road. And of power... power that will ultimately prevail if we trust Him enough.

Enjoy this beautiful Sunday! (That is, I'm assuming it's as lovely by you as it is here: very crisp and cold, but sparklingly beautiful, with sunshine turning brilliant the little layer of snow on our ground, and clear blue skies overhead. Frigid and frozen, yet magnificent!)

Back with a Bang

I'm burning with topics to write about, talk about, and shout about! I'll dive back into my blogging with a bang here: let's talk politics. I've kept abreast of the presidential race for some time now, and tend to be the one who keeps my parents — and some others too :) — informed. Some of you may recall my excitement a year ago at Brownback's candidacy early in the presidential race. Needless to say, since he dropped much has changed since then. So do I have a candidate? I do. And I'll come right out and say it: I am proud to support Mike Huckabee for President.

In the coming days, I hope to be able to offer facts and thoughts on this race. Every election is important, but I'm convinced this one is monumental.

For now, I'll offer the top ten reasons I'm backing Huckabee...

1. He is a man of Faith who knows the One ultimately in charge. Huckabee is not afraid to declare and defend fundamental Christian truths. He has openly asked for prayer, and is a man of prayer (for example, he reads Proverbs each morning as part of his daily devotions). Above all, we need men of Faith in government. These men rely not on their own wisdom, but on a higher wisdom. A nation such as ours needs much more than mere human wisdom to govern it!

"My faith is my life - it defines me. My faith doesn't influence my
decisions, it drives them." - Mike Huckabee

2. He is a dedicated family man. Huckabee has been faithfully married to his wife, Janet, for 33 years, including standing by her through a life-threatening disease. I love this quote (found here on Huckabee's website):

"My wife Janet and I celebrated our thirty-third wedding anniversary this
past May. For us, every anniversary is a miracle. When we were both twenty and
married just over a year, when I was in my last semester of college, Janet was
diagnosed with cancer of the spine. I can't tell you what a stunning blow it was
- two kids just starting out, you don't think something like that can happen
when you're so young. Yet there we were, staring death in the face. At first,
they told us that even if she lived, she might be paralyzed from the waist down,
so I'd be a young man with an invalid wife. After I learned she wouldn't be
paralyzed, I was told that because of the radiation she had to receive following
surgery, we'd probably never have children. I wanted children very much, I
couldn't imagine never being a father. During that time, a lot of things went
through my mind. But one thing never did - the thought of leaving her. If Janet
were in a wheelchair today, if we'd never had children, I can tell you this -
she would still be my wife." - Mike Huckabee

3. He is firmly pro-life. He believes than Roe vs. Wade should be overturned. He supports passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. He opposes research on embryonic stem cells. For Huckabee's clearly explained positions on the sanctity of life, visit this page. I love how prominent he makes the "Sanctity of Life" page on his website!

4. He understands and is ready to defend marriage as the union between one man and one woman, and supports passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines the above. Another excellently explained page here.

"Our true strength comes from our families." -Mike Huckabee

5. Huckabee recognizes the benefits of homeschooling and supports the rights of parents to homeschool their children. He even appointed a homeschool parent to the State Board of Education in Arkansas! Check out this terrific video about some of what he did to help homeschoolers in AR.

6. Huckabee is the three "C's" that I look and long for in any politician: consistant, clear, and competant. He doesn't beat around the bush, water down his answers, or bow to political trends.

7. He is an outstanding and articulate speaker. Time and time again in the debates and in interviews, he has answered pointed and difficult questions with poise and passion.

8. Alex and Brett Harris, founders of The Rebelution and two young men whom I admire for their well-balanced, thoroughly-researched, highly-intellectual and very godly judgement, are supporting Huckabee. And are proving that by God's grace, a pair of 19-year-olds are capable of literally affecting the course of the nation.

Watch an outstanding ABC news video clip featuring the Harris brothers
Listen to a great radio interview with Brett Harris
Head over to the Harris brothers' blog: I Heart Huckabee
Visit "Huck's Army", the impressive nationwide network and forum founded by Alex and Brett

9. As a musician and Suzuki music teacher, I so appreciate Huckabee's acknowledgment in his own words that he is a "passion, ardent supporter" of art and music in education. At the Suzuki Institutue I attended this summer, a group of us teachers were lamenting the lack of government support/funding for music and arts, as compared to math and sciences. Huckabee's our man! See this page, and check out this video.

"Music and the arts are not extraneous, extra-curricular, or expendable - I
believe they are essential. I want to provide every child these 'Weapons of Mass
Instruction.'" - Mike Huckabee

10. He is a man of the people. Huckabee is not arrogant, self-centered, or power hungry. He is an American ready to serve God, nation, and people as our next President.

Won't you join me today in both supporting and praying for him? Let us all pray, fast, and sacrifice for God's will be to carried out in these elections.