CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
Sept. 19, 2009 – 6:27 p.m.
Huckabee Favorite Among ‘Values Voters’ for 2012
By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, was the favorite for president in 2012 in a straw poll at an annual conference of social conservatives.
Huckabee, who earned strong support from conservatives when he ran for president in 2008, was the presidential choice of 28 percent of conference-goers who participated in the survey. They were given nine names to choose from; votes were cast by 597 of the 1,825 people registered for the Washington meeting, which was sponsored by the Family Research Council.
Participant Chris Balkema, from Channahon, Ill., said religion was one reason why he voted for Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister.
“As the Constitution says, the country is founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and so therefore any candidate who aligns himself with those beliefs and the fact that we believe in a creator that created us, I’m going to put my bets on that person,” Balkema said.
“I like what Mike has stood for,” said David Zwale from Severna Park, Md. “He’s a very principled, leader, he speaks very well, and he seems to be tied really closely to the fundamentals of my country.”
In a well-attended speech to the group on Friday, Huckabee spoke about religion, President Obama’s administration, health care, and social and fiscal issues.
“I think he has his finger better on the pulse certainly of conservative voters,” said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.
There was nearly a four-way tie for the straw poll’s No.2 choice.
Receiving between 12.4 percent and 11.9 percent of the vote were, in descending orde, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who ran for president in 2008; Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty,; former Alaska Gov.Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee; and Indiana Rep. Mike Pence .
Pence, Huckabee, Pawlenty and Romney all made appearances at the summit, which showcases conservative leaders and brings activists together.
Rounding out the field were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the favorite of 6.7 percent of straw poll voters; Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal , 4.7 percent; former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum,9 2.5 percent; and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, 2.18 percent. The rest were either undecided or cast a vote for “other.”
Abortion was identified by 41 percent of the participants as the primary issue that would determine their choice for president. A distant second-choice issue, selected by 18 percnet, was protection of religious liberty.
Abortion was selected as the top issue for 41 percent of participants, followed by “protection of religious liberty” with 18 percent.
“To me, abortion is the first and foremost issue because the right to life is prior to everything else,” said attendee Schuylar Crist from San Antonio, Texas. “Without the right to life, none of your other rights matter.”
“It’s not a far jump from not valuing infants to not value senior citizens,” said Melvin Greene from College Park, Md. “And I don’t think it’s no coincidence that now talk has moved into that arena, because the value of life has been messed with.”
Abortion, and more specifically, whether Obama’s health care overhaul plan will fund abortions, figured prominently in the weekend’s discussions.
Comments
Oh, I guess the GOP doesn't really mind losing after all. Cuz if they nominate Huckabee, I'll vote 3rd party -- just like I did last election....
BREAKING NEWS... A huge grassroot movement by Huckabee Fans help Mike Huckabee clinch the 2012 Presidential nomination at the Value Voter Summit. Check out Huckabee's gigantic fan base, just google: Huckabee Fan Club
What constitution is he referring to? "As the Constitution says, the country is founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs..."
Hucksterbee is a tool when it comes to anything but peddling snake oil, religion and how to cook a squirrell in a popcorn popper at home in your trailer park. This guy is the Jimmy Carter of the Repulicans. A joke. I will vote 3rd party again also if that clown gets the nomination. We do not need another McLame or Bob Dull nominee from the obtuse republicans. Huckasquirrell is a conservative like Bill "Bloviating" O'Reilly is a conservative. Neither one of them understand the concept.
To Mike Huckabee: If you decide to run again and I think you should, I would suggest one thing and that is not to attack Mitt; Romney's Religion on TV or publially even though we as christians may disagree with it.. The reason is that I suggest this is because I think it made you look bad. I was leaning towards voting for you until you started doing that. It turned me off. That is his religious right even though we as Christians know better. I would suggest sticking to the issues and having solutions to them, and whoever wins, maybe use the talents of the other two in your cabinate. Mitt Romney would be great as the Economic Director because of his business backgrown and success. Shara Paylyn knows energy and would be a great Director of Energency, getting us energercy independent. To me you are are a great communicator and have a charm and way of talking to people. That's why your talk show is doing so well. Forgive my spelling, and hope you or your staff gets this. Sincerely Gerald Lambert
I personally like Mike Huckabee but believe we need a stong conservative with constitutional principles and unwavering foundation. That man is Ron Paul.
As the Constitution says, the country is founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs, The above quote, taken from a values voter participating in the Family Research Institute poll, illustrates my problem with the religious right. According to the Constitution, people have the right to any belief they want. I support the Constitution. "Christian" voters have the unconditional right to vote any way they want, but they should be truthful about the Constitution.
Hi Team - As I study the U.S. Constitution, I am always struck by the obvious and the more subtle references to Judeo-Christian beliefs. I am interested in your thoughts on the following: 1) Article 7. The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same. Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. My observation - the team references the date as the Year of our Lord. It appears that they were referencing the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. 2) Amendment 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. My observation - The team went out of their way to state that Congress cannot establish what England, as well as many other countries have done, establish a national religion. As the Bible illustrates, each person is entitled to his or her own free will - they can choose God or not. The writers of the Constitution wanted to ensure that people were free to exercise their religious beliefs and openly assemble in publish to worship their Creator. 3) We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. My observation - the word "Blessings" in the phrase "secure the Blessings of Liberty..." is most likely derived from the word "blesian" which means to make Holy or Sacred. The Founding Fathers illustrate that having Liberty is something that is Holy & Sacred or a Blessing I can provide more data but I'm interested in your thoughts on the data that I have referenced so far....
The Republican National Committee is making a serious mistake by not courting former Indiana House of Representative, former U.S. Senator and American Representative fo foreign countries, Dan Coats. He does not have a "blemish" on his record, and is a "considerate" Conservative. If he was "courted" by the true conservatives, I am convienced he would be a candidate. "He is not known" many will say -- I say he is. Governor Palin was NOT known just a few days before it became public that she would be on the McCain ticket.
Great thing for Mike Huckabee. I hope his assent continues. He strikes me as a man that loves his country and its people and cares about them deeply. Chris -- you analysis is correct. The greater majority of our founding fathers were deeply religious Christians. So there religious words like blessings and ordain would have been a natural part of their language. In fact our founding principles as stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are chiefly derived from the Bible. God gave us free will so we can praise him freely. What good is praise from a bunch of mindless robots. With free will comes the responsibility to make sure you keep it for yourself and your fellow man. You should not enslave him as you would not want to be enslaved. Freedom also requires that you accept the consequences of you actions positive or negative. That is something the Obama administration is taking away from us.
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