Governor Mike Huckabee – “Do The Right Thing” – Cultural Conservatism and the 2008 Campaign

Mike Huckabee latest book, “Do the Right Thing”, offers a candid, behind-the-scenes, view of one of the most interesting campaigns of the 2008 general election. Huckabee, former 2-1/2 term Governor of the State of Arkansas, takes the reader through the campaign, which serves as a context and background on where the conservative movement needs to go. As in other books by Governor Huckabee, he addresses and then offers common-sense solutions on the challenging issues facing American’s today.

“Do the Right Thing”, releases today, the 18th, and last evening Governor Huckabee took the time to talk about the book as well as issues facing the Republican Party and conservatism in general. One of the first questions asked was if he would run again is 2012 – a question he’s been fielding since November 5th – he duly noted it was “too early” to make that decision. Most of the questions asked were about the 2008 general election and the role of cultural conservatives in the Republican Party. A brief (abridged) transcript follows:

The Conservative Movement

On the conservative movement and where it needs to go, Huckabee feels that it’s not about what’s wrong with the past, but what needs to be right – from economics to values issues. When asked how to get voters focused on the message, in a political atmosphere that remains highly partisan, Governor Huckabee noted that one problem Republicans’ face is that “we’ve expounded upon the what, not the why”. “If we focus on the why, and carry it out to its logical conclusion – on issues such as health care, national election reform - why they are serious - and here’s how we can fix them – that’s what people are looking for in politicians – what can we do to fix it (the problem) and really fix it”

On Cultural Conservatism

Governor Huckabee also believes that cultural conservatives kept John McCain as close in the race as he was. He went on to explain that Four years ago, George Bush won by a margin of 49 to 51 percent, and the pundits called it a slim victory while in 2008 Obama’s margin was only one point higher, 52 to 48 – Cultural conservatives didn’t lose the election because they are pro-life, they (Republicans) started to loose elections when “we acted like it didn’t matter”. Those people that didn’t see the different between the two parties went ahead and voted for a Democrat for a change.

On Campaign Strategy: Why he went to Michigan with South Carolina in the balance?

“We went to Michigan briefly – two quick trips – one of the things that was happening was that there was a perception that we were only able to play in the evangelical areas of South Carolina and Iowa – what we needed to demonstrate that we were viable outside of the evangelical world, and there was a growing interest in Michigan, the national media was following this, and so we knew we needed to play there – and we had to challenge that philosophy.

On the Division in the Conservative Base: (Those that voted for McCain because they felt they had to and those that just couldn’t)

“It’s easy to second guess tactical or strategic issues, the truth is, this was a tough climate – it would have been tough – McCain was a better candidate than Barack Obama - as to what I believe and what I stood for – it was largely that we did not take the strong stands, on economic policy an the values issue, should have come out against the bailout, be adamant about how crazy that was, get the word out how the Democrats stonewalled. We often got so caught up in the issues that didn’t resonate with the people, a lot of people didn’t care about Reverend Wright - they are worried about getting a paycheck.”

On His Support of Chip Saltzman for the RNC Chair

“The chairman’s race is easy to comment on, obviously I’m supporting Chip Saltzman because I saw his ability to operate a good organization – secondly he has a good understanding of using technology and trying to take our party into the future – on our campaign, it was the creative use of the Internet that got us to where we were – Chip understands the power of new media forms, and I’m convinced that if we don’t get in that game, we’re going to keep getting beat.”

On the Somewhat Negative Book Review in Time

“If people read the book, rather than just read a review, they will realize the reviewers took the most controversial pieces and reduced it down to a paragraph – I do name some names in the context of the campaign, specifically issues that we had with Mitt Romney and I could not tell the story about what’s going on in the party, without some candor, so I talk about it, I was very specific, It was for a purpose, because if I had just said, Mitt Romney didn’t represent a certain position, it could be challenged, but when I talk about times, dates, places and specific comments, it comes to a point where if someone has to challenge it would be a fact not an opinion but that’s not the focus of the book, it’s by intent somewhat provocative, what I try to do is point out that some present themselves a pure conservatives when they aren’t , they are more libertarian”

What Governor Huckabee hopes is that this book “causes discussion, even those that hate it, that’s fine, I want them to show me where I’m wrong, show me how I’m wrong, how there is no connection between the way we live and the cost that it results in. So I think that’s why you’ll find this book provocative but it will be the basis for quite a bit of discussion.”

Having followed the Huckabee campaign from 2006 onward, and having read other books by Governor Huckabee, he gives readers solutions in language that makes sense – common sense. There are hundreds of lengthy tomes, by those “Washington elite” that do the same thing – geared towards members of both parties, in minute detail - and although critically acclaimed they also act as a “sleep aid” - they reach an intended audience, not a general audience. Huckabee, on the other hand, writes so that “we the people” are able to see his vision of the future, as well have a chuckle or two (his humor is part and parcel of his books), and feel that, yes, there is a place in politics for those “outside the Beltway”. His ability to reach people, without preaching dogma, (yes, he was Baptist Minister), is what took him from the Governors’ office in Arkansas, to a serious contender for the Republican nomination in 2008 – on a shoestring budget, bolstered by people who felt they were understood, by a man who does understand, and who explains his positions, not in rhetoric, or canned party phrases (pick a party, we’ve heard them all), but by connecting to those who want to see the party of Lincoln returned to its roots – those roots are as viable today as they were when they party was founded – a unique blend of inclusive, cultural and fiscal conservatism.

To learn more about Governor Mike Huckabee visit: MikeHuckabee.com
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