Ponderstorm My Brainstorm on Life & Politics

I’ve been thinking about the Presidential primary elections so far and it seems that John McCain has gained some momentum after his narrow South Carolina victory over Mike Huckabee. That gives McCain two solid first-place finishes and some other good showings as well. Huckabee has done very well also with a strong first place finish in Iowa and some impressive double-digit performances in other states including a close second in South Carolina.

Looking at how both of these two men have campaigned — especially with respect towards one another — and how their strengths are perceived by many, I see some potential synergies with them working together. Here are some of them. Read More…

Posted under John McCain, Politics

A headline seen on the Drudge Report today states “Huckabee Delivers at NH Church: ‘We have signed up to be part of God’s Army, to be soldiers for Christ’…” and links to a Washington Post article by Perry Bacon, Jr. entitled “Huckabee Steps Back Into the Pulpit at Evangelical Church in N.H.” While many will try to paint Huckabee as a religious extremist, I think a few things need to be put into perspective before jumping on these headlines and running wild with them.

First, as clearly stated in the article, Mike Huckabee, who is a former Baptist minister, stated the above quote in a 20+ minute sermon he delivered on January 6 in a church. His sermon was on how to be part of “God’s Army” and was for the church members and not for the campaign. Bacon’s article clearly states that the Huckabee campaign “did not allow cameras into the church, and the candidate did not make an appeal for votes as part of his sermon.”

I have a problem with those who attempt to take obvious spiritual quotes out of context and apply them within a political context.  He was delivering a sermon, not a campaign speech! Mike Huckabee is a Read More…

Posted under Politics

The recent success of Mike Huckabee in Iowa and in many polls suggests that many Republicans are not happy with their party in general and are looking for a leader who is not part of “the establishment.” While some may say otherwise, I don’ think a vote for Huckabee is an outright rejection of Republicans in general or Bush in particular since President George W. Bush remains popular with most Republicans. I do feel, though, that most Huckabee supporters are very dissatisfied the poor performance of the previous Republican-controlled Congress and are eager to see real change. Let me explain.

Read More…

Posted under Politics

Obama and Huckabee’s win in the Iowa caucuses yesterday suggests that at least a plurality of voters in both parties are seeking significant change in Washington. I could easily see both of these candidates securing their party’s nomination and facing each other in November.

If such a contest materializes, I predict we will experience a political debate that energizes people beyond anything we have seen in decades. Such a national debate would be good for the country since both men are able communicators of bold ideas. Both Huckabee and Obama also appear to be less partisan than many others in their parties and more willing to focus on ideas and bring people together.

Posted under Politics