For most of the last fifteen years, I have been an avid listener of Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk show hosts. During this time, I have listened to countless thousands of conversations between Rush and callers to his show.
On several occasions, I have heard Rush talk with disillusioned Republican voters who have felt neglected by the party establishment. Usually, these people were social conservatives. In most cases, these callers would openly contemplate staying home on election day; in other cases, they would call for the creation of a third-party. (These conversations were especially prevalent during the term of Bush 41 and the first term of Bill Clinton.)
When faced with such open dissent, Rush played the role of the pragmatist. He would say words to the effect of, "If you agree with the Republican nominee on some, if not most, of the important issues, then why would you ensure the election of a Democrat who opposes all of these issues by staying home or by bolting from the party?" To Rush, this seemed like foolishness.
My how times have changed! Today, John McCain and Mike Huckabee--two men for whom Rush has expressed open disgust--have garnered the support of most Republican voters. As a result, Rush has openly stated that he may not support the Republican nominee for President. (His fellow-traveller Ann Coulter has even stated that she would vote for Hillary over McCain.)
I find this to be hilarious. When social conservatives in the 1990's dared to question the Republican Party's direction, conservative pundits like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter preached the gospel of party unity through pragmatism. But now that their oxen are being gored, they want to take their marbles and go home.
Crybabies!
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To the degree that people just listened to Limbaugh, I'm afraid they failed to think for themselves. I know many loyal Limbaugh listeners who completely disagree with him on this. It is sad that he has let himself be so misled by misleading attacks and by his own (usually correct) instincts. In this case he never recovered from the first impression he got of Huckabee.
Rush didn't give himself enough time to learn about Huckabee and went with his gut. I also disliked Huckabee by instinct on first impression. But Huckabee is a stereotype buster. To fully understand him you have to know where he's coming from, what is real plans are, and not just judge him by his rhetoric on the stump. He's trying to reach out to bring voters into the Republican Party, as Reagan did, but he's managed to turn off a lot of people in the process.
I've had my own journey with Huckabee. First I wrote him off. Then I became interested during the "Huckaboom," but again wrote him off because of all the anti-Huck propaganda being echoed by many conservatives I respected.
I finally did the research for myself and found the attacks largely to be distortions or falsehoods. Moreover, I discovered a man who can lead. He leads by inspiring, not by browbeating people. He's got a bold, positive vision that includes the FairTax and energy independence. These are the issues of today.
We would all love to have Reagan back. But although Reagan's principles are timeless, the concrete proposals needed are different today. We need energy independence, instead of Star Wars. We need the FairTax, not just tinkering with the tax code.
We need a tough, enforcement-first immigration policy that still affirms and praises legal immigration, not an amnesty followed by a promise of enforcement.
For all these reasons, I've chosen to think for myself and vote for Huckabee. I believe in the man, and if truth wins out, he will win the nomination and the Presidency.
Is it time to Flush Rush?
After several weeks of listening to Flush and his wannabees declare they will split the party and support Hillary Clinton if they don't get Slick Willard as their nominee, I finally came to the conclusion that it's time to think for myself. I've included a copy of the symbol of my dissent on my own blog, QuiverDaddy.
For too long, Social Conservatives have been told to shut up and vote. Now that we are thinking for ourselves, it irks the Commentocracy. Sorry 'bout their luck. I don't want to see a McCain nomination any more than they do, but it's time Social Conservatives remind Flush and the gang, "A vote for Mitt is a vote for McCain.... time to get on board the Huckabee Bandwagon."
They won't bite. They're more than anxious to vote for Hillary. After all, her policies aren't much different than those of the real Mitt Romney.
Rush really insulted conservatives who support Huckabee and Rush's reputation will be forever tarnished. Is he really trying to tell us Mitt "Abortion/Gay Marriage/Universal Health Care" Romney is conservative? Does he think we're idiots? I'll never forgive Rush for sandbagging Huck. I hope McCain picks Huck as VP.
The Hannity and Willard Show (Sorry Mr. Colmes)is just plain disgusting to watch. It's gut wrenching to see Sean whore himself for profit and protection from the Bain/CCC buyout.
Really, Fuller actually makes the case for Rush and other true conservative pundits by trying to make the exact opposite case. It's all too apparent that the attacks on these conservative pundits by lieberals(sorry Freudian-slip)in the past that they are just shills for the GOP must be wrong then? Is Fuller saying we really just need to follow lockstep into the socialist abyss because that's what the GOP says to do? The fact that conservative pundits like Rush are speaking out against a front-runner for the GOP forever dispells 15 years of liberal naysayers shrugging off their comments as just GOP flag waving. Maybe what this means Mr. Fuller is that these gentlemen and gentle ladies are really true conservatives afterall? Thanks Mr. Fuller for pointing out the objectiveness of these pundits!
Great post! I'll throw you a link on a post of my own with a different angle.
I have been a Repulican for many years....Since when did Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Michelle what ever and others become the establishment?....Ann and Michelle are still wearing training bras..The establishment???? When Rush first came on he was a right wing nut....Since he found pain killers is a little better....And Sean all he wants to do is sit next to Mitt.....I think he gets a charge out of it....
Exactly.
For this and a dozen other reasons I did my own research. My conclusion...
Huckabee 2008. I'm voting for Gov. Huckabee with my wallet and my vote.
If I have to wait 4 years for results, then so be it.
Puhleeese. The reason that Rush can't support Huckabee is because he is not a fiscal conservative. The reason that people who vote for things other than "he was a preacher" also look at his rhetoric and record and come to the conclusion that he is a slimy opportunist, who did NOTHING for the unborn as Governor of Arkansas. While evangelicals would apparently nominate Jim Baker or Al Sharpton, they are "Christian" after all, it would be stupid for Rush to endorse a non-conservative. I have not listened to Rush in years, and never the other "elites" you mention but it seems to me that they are correct and you are wrong. Huckabee supporters believe that because he raised taxes for "good" reasons he is still conservative? He didn't give clemency to murderers? Saying that he is naive in foreign policy is an understatement.
Oh, he really, really loves Jesus, can tell a joke and jams on the bass, I almost forgot.
Huckabee has ZERO chance of winning, even the nomination, much less the election. Huckabee supporters are going to guarantee the nomination of a mean, old, Washington insider who will be savaged by the MSM as soon as he wins the nomination. A vote for Huckabee is in reality a vote for McCain which is a vote for the Democrat.
"Fair tax" is populist for "tax the evil rich" shouldn't Huckabee supporters be voting Democrat? Oh, as I just pointed out, THEY ARE VOTING DEMOCRAT.
nofanofrush writes:
"Huckabee supporters believe that because he raised taxes for 'good' reasons he is still conservative?"
So when Ronald Reagan raised taxes in California by nearly a $1 billion in 1967, I suppose he wasn't a conservative, either.
I am an evangelical Christian from Utah. I am also a McCain supporter but would like to see a McCain Huckabee ticket. I have been a Rush Limbaugh fan for years but now can no longer listen to him. Mostly I am amazed by the free pass he has given Romney. Huckabee has been attacked for garnering all of this evangelical support but little has been said about the almost unanimous support given Romney by Mormons. How is it that Romney's changes on abortion/ homosexual rights, get looked at as some kind of conversion experience? This man was an ecclesiastical leader in a church that has a pro life stance. Romeny knew the issues before he ran for governor of Massachusetts. It is this simple- he would not have been elected in Massachusetts as a prolife candidfate. He cannot be the republican nominee as a pro choice candidate.
I would also say that Rush/ Hannity and Coulter are amazingly naive when it comes to Mormonism. Romney's speech at Texas A and M put the religious issue to bed for many of the conservative talk show hosts but Mormonism will reemerge in the general election. It won't even be the Clinton attack team having to do the dirty work. If Mitt Romney were to win the nomination I cannot imagine what would happen in the general election when the press gets a hold of the more peculiar aspects of Mormonism. When all is said and done- Mitt Romney will not be able to win a general election against Obama or Clinton. Electability does matter. McCain and Huckabee are good men, and the right men to lead this nation.
Last week Rush said the majority of his listeners won't receive the stimulus rebates;meaning he thinks most of his listeners are the rich and powerful elite. It appears the other conservative talk show hosts are pandering to the same elites. This explains their hatred for McCain and Huckabee. Huckabee supports the Fair Tax because he doesn't believe in penalizing productivity. It appears the biggest thing they have against Huckabee is his populism. Unless they are biased against evangelical Christians???
“We the people” don’t see anything wrong with a presidential candidate being someone who is “a believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people.” (m-w.com definition) We love how consistent he has been on values issues that are dear to our hearts. We know where he will stand tomorrow because his walk talks the same as his talk talks.
Mitt cannot buy my vote! I'm voting Huckabee!
America needs to realize that Mitt Romney is not the usual candidate. People like Romney do not usually run for office. He is doing this because he feels that he is the right person for the job at this time in Americas history. I think when the topic of the economy comes up in the White House our President should be the smartest person in the room. That person is Mitt Romney. He is not a polished politician or comedian. He is a serious man for a serious time for America. I am tired of Washington insiders running this country. I am ready for new ideas outside of Washington. Republicans should wake up and vote for Mitt Romney.
Here is the dirty BIG secret that Dick Morris, the Democtrats and libereal media don't want McCain and Huckabee supporters to understand:
1. a vote for Huckabee at this point in the race is a vote for McCain. Huckabee CANNOT win the primary and is almost out of money.
2. a vote for McCain in the Primary is a vote for Obama or Clinton in the general election. McCain CANNOT win the general election and he knows that without the base of the party he like Dole before him will loose. The base will never support liberal McCain. Independents will flock to Obama.
For the reasons previously stated in this post, McCain who is hated by the Republican base will go down in flames in the general election. Anyone voting on super Tuesday and beyond who is considering McCain or Huckabee needs to think long and hard about who they are rally voting for. Do these folks prefer Obama or Clinton over Romney. If so my friends, you are playing right into the Democrat playbook to win the Whitehouse in '08.
ALL REPUBLICANS NEED TO FLOOD THE INTERNET WITH THIS MESSAGE, SAHRE AND DEBATE IT WITH MCCAIN AND HUCKABEE SUPPORTERS AND TAKE BACK OUR PARTY.........IT IS NOT TOO LATE.....AND WE CAN WIN THE WHITEHOUSE IN '08
Mattman responded to: "Huckabee supporters believe that because he raised taxes for 'good' reasons he is still conservative?" with
"So when Ronald Reagan raised taxes in California by nearly a $1 billion in 1967, I suppose he wasn't a conservative, either."
____________
You are correct, in 1967 Reagan wasn't a conservative.
I should have spoken directly to the "Fair tax". These words could be from Shillary herself. Directly from Huckabee's website:".. we will have the FairTax, a simple tax based on wealth." This is not conservatism by any measure. Class envy is the game of Democrats and Leftists.
This from his website about the sanctity of life:"To me, life doesn't begin at conception and end at birth. Every child deserves a quality education, first-rate health care, decent housing in a safe neighborhood, and clean air and drinking water. Every child deserves the opportunity to discover and use his God-given gifts and talents."
While I applaud his belief in protecting the unborn the comments about "quality education, first-rate housing, clean air and water"?! Are populist enough to come from, again, Hillary.
I do not "dislike" Mike Huckabee. I think he is probably a nice man. I disagree with his stated positions and do not find them conservative. If he is the devout supporter of Life that is claimed, can someone, anyone, direct me to the Pro-Life laws that he signed as Governor of Arkansas? Other than, "I worked with Democrats to pass laws supporting the rights of the unborn" I couldn't find a single specific thing! Wow, what a fighter for the unborn! I expected to find dozens of times where the man put it on the line for the unborn. I can't find any.
nofanofrush...
So basically, Ronald Reagan, the man who had spoken so eloquently on behalf of Barry Goldwater just three years earlier (inviting the American people to have "a rendezvous with destiny") was a liberal when he ran the state of California. Is this what you are saying?
So let me guess, he was conservative in 1964... became a liberal again in 1967... then he became a conservative again in 1976.
No, Matt, I believe that Ronald Reagan had a very mixed record as Governor of California. "Was" he a conservative? I can only judge his actions and words.
Are you suggesting that because he spoke for Goldwater, however eloquently, his signature on tax increases and liberal abortion laws represented conservative values? Are Huckabee's attacks on "coporate globalism" conservative?
Great post. What this party needs is a healthy dose of pragmatism.
I am actually excited this year about voting. Indiana does not primary vote until May (our vote usually does not count). I hope that Mike stays in the race so that I and my wife can vote for him. I have also listened to Rush for a long time. I first started listening while stationed in Japan back in 1992. When he compared Huck supporters to zealots he lost me.
I am now back to listening to Dave Ramsey and my local Christian station.
www.jasonejohnson.com
Go Huck!
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