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Huckabee praises the Clintons

August 20, 2007 10:02 AM

Huckabee_blog On NPR's "Bryant Park Project," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said some nice things about his fellow razorbacks -- Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Huckabee, like President Clinton, hails from Hope, Arkansas, and was president of the state's Baptist Convention when Clinton was governor.

"We've had a very cordial relationship," Huckabee says. "I've never hated the Clintons. I have great respect for them. There are two things about Bill Clinton I tell Republicans. It drives them nuts, but here it is.

"Number one, don't get it lost on you that a kid from a very small, southern rural state aspired to be President of the United States. This kid came from a dysfunctional family, alcoholic abusive father and yet, he didn't just aspire, he was elected president of the United States not once, but twice.

"That is an affirmation of the system. And it is a wonderful testament to give to every kid in America that no matter where you come from, you've got an opportunity to do something extraordinary.

"The second thing, and this will really rankle some of my Republican colleagues: Bill Clinton and Hillary went through some horrible experiences in their marriage because of some of the reckless behavior that he has admitted he had. I am not defending him on that, it's indefensible.

"But they kep their marriage together. And a lot of the Republicans who have condemned them and talk about their platform of family values, interestingly, didn't keep their own families together."

Huckabee, who lost 110 pounds a few years ago, also offered some tips on how to diet while on the road.

You can listen to it HERE ...the Huckabee interview comes about 49 minutes into the show.

Will Huckabee's nice -- dare I say Christian -- comments about the Clintons hurt him in the GOP primaries?

-- jt



August 20, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (17)

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I am a born again believer, I also am a republican, and I am taught not to put people down, thank you Mr Huckabee for holding up that banner. It is a shame the way we are divided as a nation left wing, right wing, liberal, conservative. Can't we all just look at America's best interest.

Posted by: Shelia Jordan | Oct 25, 2007 8:01:50 PM

chuck - I just realized you were looking for me in your first post.

See the problem with complimenting a Lib and in this case falsely compliment one, is that they slap your hand and stab you in the back. See President Bush reached too much over party lines and see where it got him, 'Bush Hatred Syndrome'.

When has a lib ever complimented a Republican nevermind a conservative. When has a Lib ever said they want Liberty or Patriotism or better yet complimented our military. NEVER

Family Values is more then staying together for Political Reasons, it is not cheating on your wife, it is not spying on Americans like Hilary did as first lady (had to add that)

Oh and I am not a right-winger, I consider myself a conservative. Social and Economic.

chuck you say distortion but yet you do not give examples of fact. did you know Kerry averaged a 'D', Bill Clinton failed out of some diplomatic school (Forgot what it was but i will look up later if you need me to)

Posted by: spock | Aug 23, 2007 3:42:16 PM

Thanks for proving my point with your irrational ranting and distortion of facts.

Posted by: chuck | Aug 22, 2007 12:01:58 PM

First - Hey Mike - President Bush was higher then a 3.8 Grade point Average. did he not graduate from one of the most respected Universities. Stop the lies, FYI- that was Kerry who had the low grades.

Huckabee - FYI they are staying together for Political Reasons, not Family Values, If they had values he would not of cheated on his wife. This is why you are behind.
Learn a lesson DO NOT give praise to a Lib, especially on the ability to Lie!

The time has come to say Goodbye to the 60's hippies Clinton so please Retire now!!

Posted by: spock | Aug 22, 2007 11:27:15 AM

Wow, only a repub with a few too many beers would admit to that!
The thing the GW presidency unfortunately proves is that a C average high schooler born into wealth and priviledge can become president and pretty much screw the whole world up. Then again the contrasts between Bill and GW maybe a very good lesson for our children.

Posted by: Mike | Aug 21, 2007 3:14:48 PM

It was only a few months ago that Huckabee downplayed his hometown ties to Bill Clinton. Something to the effect that they weren't "friends", but did know each other.

Your running to the middle too early Mike. You first need to attack anything Clinton to appeal to the base, and then after being nominated play kissy face. Just watch how Slick Mitt is doing it; he's textbook.

Posted by: Richard | Aug 20, 2007 10:43:50 PM

It is always very amazing to me that people can use the words hate and Christian in the same sentence ... it makes for a sad day for Christianity and a sad day of ignorance.
I commend Gov. Huckabee for having the courage to speak what he honestly believes ... and I agree with him.

Posted by: Rev.Hank Bates | Aug 20, 2007 9:52:41 PM

That's good insight into Huckabee the person.

There are some Republicans this will hurt him with, some it will help him with. There are many Republicans who are themselves are very unchristian and it certainly will hurt him with them.

Posted by: Bill Rocker | Aug 20, 2007 7:27:33 PM

Since an American presdent is the leader of the free world, Why don't we ask them who they would vote for? the answer would come back ,Hillary. Bill and Hill is what this country needs during these times the rightwing created.As for me it would be the ultimate victory for two of the finest Americans.

Posted by: ashwin patel | Aug 20, 2007 6:32:24 PM

If everyone would push the chips off of their shoulders and put aside the notion that one's political party choice is of no more importance than that of one's favorite sport team.. If more folks could just clean out/air-out their own stubborn-narrow minded-set in stone- brains!! Start from scratch, Research the backgrounds(in books at the library! not on fox or Cnn) research the lives/platforms- backgrounds- of those running for office--you may be surprised what you find out! You might even CHANGE YOUR MIND!! I did and perhaps others will too?? Continue to Hate the Clintons if you must but at least allow the hatred to come honestly and not because some one told you to hate them -- What I discovered after just a single evening at the Book store and two cups of coffee was that Hillary Clinton was not Begat in Transylvania but to real parents! And first in college-afterward and for much of her life,She was and is a child advocate- doing so much to help those in need and in pain and from the very start would fight for the rights of those less fortunate than she-- I also discovered that unlike many of our best known politicians including(George Bush)- Hillary Clinton did strive to learn all she could about our Country-politics- Government,and what she (and we as U.S citizens )should/could do to make our country the best/safest place on the globe to reside!
As a Citizen-Woman-Wife -Mother and Democrat! I pray she becomes our next President! My family,my loved ones, my friends, all of us!! We all deserve to live in a Country that is safe,prosperous, and not divided by hatred and classes and finger pointers! Why is it that so many Angry,loud mouthed, unbudging- opinionated -talk show and radio show people do nothing but spread rage and fear through the air waves?? If just once in awhile we could hear the good things those in Governmental positions do, I think we all would feel more hopeful for our futures. Not everyone is Evil in Washington and I wish the media would show us more of the good sides of these folks instead of their exagerated dark sides.. Go on.. read for yourself the truth!!

Posted by: lori | Aug 20, 2007 5:06:49 PM

No wonder Governor Huckabee did so well in Iowa. He talks like a reasonable human being, not just another Rove-idolizer like some other Republican candidates.

Posted by: US Citizen | Aug 20, 2007 4:34:50 PM

We don't need Clinton's story , bad or good ,how cares?????????? We don't want Hillary propaganda's politics. Talk about yourself Huckabee..ok ? Stupid....

Posted by: muizuzu | Aug 20, 2007 2:32:51 PM

Nobody cares about Clintons their time is over..........lets turn Clintons 's page We don't need those comments,good or bad we know all those things, don't play politics Huckabee ,talk about yourself........not Clintons.

Posted by: Bernard | Aug 20, 2007 2:28:26 PM

I'm not quite 'I (heart) Huckabee', but I actually like this guy a lot better than most of the other GOP candidates, announced or not

Posted by: phillygirl64 | Aug 20, 2007 1:33:51 PM

Those types of comments make Gov Huckabee a perfect running mate for the likes of Rudy Giuliani. He has the Christian faith and ethics that conservative Republicans respect and trust. Rudy would be well-advised to start reaching out to him now.

Posted by: goldfinch32 | Aug 20, 2007 1:31:08 PM

Yes, those comments will hurt Gov. Huckabee if the GOP still holds its ideological standard high, that standard being never say anything remotely complimentary about any opponent, especially if they're of the opposing party. What compounds Gov. Huckabee's "sin" is that he's speaking about the Clintons, the family which all right-wingers (are you out there, spock?) have an off-the-charts irrational hatred for.

Posted by: chuck | Aug 20, 2007 11:51:37 AM

wow. That's nicer than anything Gore had to say about the Clintons.

Posted by: cordelia525 | Aug 20, 2007 11:22:32 AM

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