Despite a gaffe that showed he's not yet familiar with Washington-speak on abortion, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee won the values voters straw poll, held after the first-ever Values Voter debate Monday night.
The debate's relevance was undercut, though, by the absence of the four top Republican candidates, and it underscores another oddity of this election season -- the schizophrenic power of social conservatives.
By contrast, Democrats have attended forums sponsored by gay rights groups, a Spanish-language television network and various labor unions, and all made time to attend a debate aimed at black voters.
As for the values debate, Huckabee's gaffe was that he didn't know that the Mexico City policy -- which prevents U.S. federal funding from going to international family planning organizations that provide abortions -- is a U.S. policy, not a Mexican policy.
Sam Brownback, who is jostling with Huckabee for the slot of pro-life leader among the presidential candidates, jumped on the mistake, which his campaign called "ignorance of a major element of pro-life policy on the federal level."
Still, Huckabee didn't seem hurt too badly -- organizers said he topped the rest of the field, receiving nearly five times the voted of the other candidates.
-- Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (1)
Mike Huckabee is the candidate the Democrats should be most fearful of. He is above the fray when it comes to Iraq war fallout, and also protected from backlash against the intensely irresponsible spending habits of the Republican Congress.
If America realizes that the Senate will probably be close to having the magic number (60) of Democrats, they may not be averse to voting for this seemingly honest and forthright man.
I have never voted GOP in a presidential election, but might be tempted if the Democrats put up Hillary Clinton, and I know there is a safe majority in the Senate to block any more Alito/Roberts Supreme Court nominees.
It is a shame that pundits are actually talking about star power, name recognition, and electibility when they should be talking about proven, moderate executive experience and the ability to actually herd the cats in a legislative body.
The best the Democrats had to offer, Vilsack and Mark Warner, fled the race because of the irresponsible nature of the media vis-a-vis presidential elections.
Huckabee v Richardson is about the best we can hope for now, but unfortunately we will likely end up with Hillary Clinton vs Fred Thompson.
Before you lambast me out of hand for not being conservative, remember, its people like me you need to get your candidate elected. Appreciate us moderates.
Semper Fi,
Terry
Posted by Terry Mahoney | September 19, 2007 11:46 PM