Huckabee, as usual, scores with a quip

Long before Mike Huckabee caught the political tailwind now propelling his presidential campaign, he had established himself as fast on his feet during debates. He proved it again during tonight's CNN/YouTube debate featuring the Republican presidential contenders.

Tyler Overman, from Memphis, posed "a quick question for those of you who would call yourselves Christian conservatives. The death penalty.  What would Jesus do?"

Huckabee meets that criteria. And, as governor of Arkansas, he signed off on executions. So the question went to him and he began his answer, predictably, by saying carrying out death penalties represented one of the "toughest challenges" he confronted in office.

He continued: "I believe there is a place for a death penalty.  Some crimes are so heinous, so horrible, that the only response that we as a civilized nation have for a most uncivil action is not only to try to deter that person from ever committing that crime again, but also as a warning to others that some crimes truly are beyond any other capacity for us to fix."

His words won applause. But moderator Anderson Cooper pressed him, noting, "The question from the viewer was, 'What would Jesus do?' Would Jesus support the death penalty?"

Huckabee didn't miss a beat: "Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office."

This time, the crowd laughed long and hard. And once again, Huckabee had demonstrated the rhetorical deftness that has distinguished him from the start.

-- Don Frederick       

   
      

Comments

[John Morris]

For video, polls and stats (in graph form), and commentary on Huckabee, check out:

www.mike-huckabee.blogspot.com

[Nanellen]

Mike Huckabee is able to answer difficult questions because he is only concerned with answering as honestly as he can. Questions that might give other candidates pause, because they are concerned about being quoted later and/or don't want to be pinned down on a potential campaign issue, don't pose the same problem for Huckabee. He is definitely the best all-around candidate in this 2008 race. Conservative, but independent, and compassionate.

[chukmaty]

Huckabee is a truely rare once in a generation candidate. With his strong gains I think he capitalizes for a big upset.

[Winghunter]

Who would have thought that within the Hucksters only education of being a Baptist Minister would he be able to handle such difficult questions on religion...it just boggles some folks minds, doesn't it.

I can't wait until he offers any claim at all towards the education a President requires such as foreign governmental affairs, the war of terrorism, balancing the budget without increasing taxes...that alone would be a new trick for the Huckster.

Don't be fooled by the talk his talks today, look at the way he walked while governor before you allow a con artist to buy a pair or Presidential snake oil.

I finally saw his records begin to surface today and no one will consider him after that.

[rsmith]

winghunter, if you actually knew what you were talking about it would make a difference but you don't and any informed person knows it. I have lived in Arkansas probably all your life and you need to do some research on Mike. He was a wonderful Governor and is a wonderful leader and man of integrity. The ethic charges were minor and only a few stuck and we citizens of the state knew this. What he did for us was substantial.....for over 10 years...in the face of the Clinton political machine.

[Pistol Pete]

Huckabee's response to the question "What would Jesus do about the death penalty?" was brilliant. "Jesus would be too smart to run for public office." I greatly respect a politician who refuses to reduce a complex moral issue into a 30-second sound byte. He's got my vote.

[Michael Snyder]

Winghunter,
Hillary won't allow her White House records to come to light after eight years of editing and you think Huckabee's record will be questionable?
I don't think you'll find the string of dead bodies (yes real dead people with real families and friends) behind any candidate that can come close to the string of suicides and unsolved murders that trail the Clintons.
Perhaps you'd better save your innuendo for someone with your attention span.
O' yea, we're in California... Press on.

[brian]

Huckabee is ridiculous, how can a baptist minister kill people. Isn't it in the bible as a commandment, though shall not kill. I guess Huckabee is smarter than God. I'm not falling for his rehearsed soft spoken responses, this man will say anything to get elected just like the rest. Comeon a minister pro death penalty, give me a break.

[Liz]

Since we discovered Mike Huckabee a few months ago, there has been no doubt that he will receive our votes. In well over 25 years of voting we have never contributed to a campaign and have never been so excited about a candidate. We have now made three contributions. If you go to his website you will find out there is a LOT of first time contributors (even crossover dems and independents). Mike Huckabee is authentic, gives honest answers and a hope for unity in America. He has a remarkable record in Arkansas (my grandfather lives in that state). You may also want to visit the Dick Morris website and check out his article on Mike Huckabee to become better educated on the true facts.

Some excerpts:
"let me clue you in: Mike Huckabee is a fiscal conservative"
In Arkansas, the income tax when he took office was 1 percent for the poorest taxpayers and 7 percent for the richest, exactly where it stood when he left the statehouse 11 years later. But, in the interim, he doubled the standard deduction and the child care credit, repealed capital gains taxes for home sales, lowered the capital gains rate, expanded the homestead exemption and set up tax-free savings accounts for medical care and college tuition.

Most impressively, when he had to pass an income tax surcharge amid the drop in revenues after Sept. 11, 2001, he repealed it three years later when he didn’t need it any longer.

He raised the sales tax one cent in 11 years and did that only after the courts ordered him to do so. (He also got voter approval for a one-eighth-of-one-cent hike for parks and recreation.)

He wants to repeal the income tax, abolish the IRS and institute a “fair tax” based on consumption, and opposes any tax increase for Social Security.

And he can win in Iowa.

[Chris]

Huckabee is a great guy, like that time he destroyed 300,000 dollars in computers at the State government. What is he trying to hide ??

Or maybe the 400 plus papers of ethics violations, 5 seperate violation he was found guilty of.......

Maybe it was the time he had tax payer funded furniture upgrade and took everything in the manison except the light switches when he left.

He is a Pro Life Bill Clinton, he even sounds like him. LOL LOL Fair tax ???? Give me a break here man. The guys is a freakin idiot and a huge problem as President.

He got great experience

Radio DJ
Baptist Minster (not a bad thing)
3 Term Governor.

NO REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE !!!

He tells a few jokes and your ready to hand the Presidenecy to him,

Let's remember here people, we are stuck with whoever we pick for 4 years.

Look at Mitt Romney, and leave your bigotry in your narrow mind.