Comments on: Huckabee and the Limits of Compassion

By: OpinionEditorial — Blog — You Know That Society Is Doomed . . .

OpinionEditorial — Blog — You Know That Society Is Doomed . . . — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:16:23 +0000

[...] When a 74-year-old Wal-Mart greet is punched in the kisser. When Mike Huckabee doesn’t stand a chance of being prezdent because he’s too nice a guy. [...]

By: Of Crime, Cowards, Clemmons, and Caricatures » First Thoughts | A First Things Blog

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:40:51 +0000

[...] I was one of those who made this very claim. Ross quoting my blog post on Huckabee in which I said, “the “prudent tactic would have been to simply refuse to grant any [...]

By: The Pasty Little Putz and Krugman « Marion in Savannah

The Pasty Little Putz and Krugman « Marion in Savannah — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:30:24 +0000

[...] to emphasize its folly. Joe Carter, who handled rapid-response for Huckabee’s 2008 campaign, acknowledged that the “prudent tactic would have been to simply refuse to grant any leniency — [...]

By: Huckabee’s Clemency under Scrutiny after Police Killings

Huckabee’s Clemency under Scrutiny after Police Killings — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:25:29 +0000

[...] Carter, the former research director of his presidential campaign, wrote for First Things that “His naivete about how his actions would be judged was compounded by his own belief in [...]

By: Arthur

Arthur — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:59:04 +0000

I’m sure former US president Michael Dukakis will be happy to hear from various commenters above how this incident will in no way impede Mike Huckabee’s political career.

By: JWoods

JWoods — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:36:07 +0000

Joe,
I do not agree with you. That is my bias.
Why couldn’t Mike Huckabee be President of America?
First of all, Governor Mike Huckabee is a once in a lifetime politician. Mike is a breath of fresh air among the field of politicians. In my opinion, Mike has the unique ability to become one of the most outstanding Presidents of the 21st Century. His qualifications and character are without question. Polls reveal that Americans prefer him and rank him as the leading potential candidate for the 2012 election this early in the race before he has even announce his willingness to run.
Voters have long sought out a person with whom they could identify. Mike qualifies as a unique presidential candidate because he has many desirable qualities. He is personable, openly honest, intelligent, articulate, trustworthy, well-informed, and one who is willing to accept responsibility for his actions – both the good and the bad. Mike also has a good track record of being a favorite Governor of Arkansas with many outstanding accomplishments.
Mike has openly revealed the facts about his part in the Maurice Clemmons’ case. Mike was asked by the parole board and the sentencing judge to help them reduce the sentence from the 108 years to 48 so he would be eligible for parole. Mike said he agreed to help this young teenager.
His openness to reveal the facts and take full responsibility for his decisions – even those that he wishes he had not made – is uniquely refreshing and uncommon among the field of politicians. In fact, it is a rare quality.
It’s clear that the Democrats are trying to make a political issue out of the Clemmons’ case. The facts do not bear out their concerns. Mike Huckabee has not hidden any fact or detail. He has expressed his regret at the chain of events that resulted in the execution style killing of four police officers. Because Mike has been open accepting of his responsibility, the matter should be closed.
America would do well if we held those who failed to file charges against Maurice Clemmons for the violent crimes that he committed in Washington State. We need to hold Maurice Clemmons responsible for the killings. It would be a welcome change to our attitudes that we could begin holding each person responsible for their own actions.
By the way, we have never in the history of America elected a President on the basis of his religion. Mike’s religion may define him, but it does not disqualify him.
America will gladly welcome Mike as a very desirable presidential candidate.

By: Hot Air » Blog Archive » Huckabee: Given the same set of facts, sure I’d commute Clemmons’s sentence again

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:00:40 +0000

[...] affect his approach to each case? I’m not sure he has any regrets, although some of his most eloquent and devoted supporters clearly [...]

By: Things of Heaven…Stuff of Earth | Republicans United.

Things of Heaven…Stuff of Earth | Republicans United. — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:19:43 +0000

[...] Carter, in his excellent post about Huckabee muses that the governor was naieve. Maybe so, but isn’t Christianity at its root somewhat [...]

By: Eric Rasmusen

Eric Rasmusen — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:51:38 +0000

“Judging from the records, the governor also seemed to put a lot of weight on conversion stories—a common trait among evangelicals, who believe the gospel is sufficient for restoration and redemption of character.”

Very astute. We evangelicals are suckers for redemption stories. It is good that we believe in miracles. The problem is that the dominant belief in America is no longer the Puritan Total Depravity but the Methodist Moral Perfectibility, even though (or perhaps *because*) the pastors don’t teach theology to their flocks. Thus, we have the idea that church people don’t sin— at least not most church people— reinforced by nobody wanting to admit that they sin. Just one step further, and we have the idea that somebody who has converted will stop sinning.

And of course we’re rather gullible too, easily satisfied with words. We trust someone who says he’s changed and become a slave of Jesus even if he’s living with his girlfriend, shirking on child-support payments to his ex-wife, and selling pornography at the gas station where he works. It isn’t considered polite to question whether someone else’s faith is true.

By: Huckabee’s pardons | Cranach: The Blog of Veith

Huckabee’s pardons | Cranach: The Blog of Veith — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:55:20 +0000

[...] pioneering Christian blogger Joe Carter, who now blogs for First Things, served on Huckabee’s staff during his presidential campaign. He thinks highly of Governor [...]