Political Punch
Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper

« Previous | Main | Next »

Huckabee on Novak's Column: "It's Total and Absolute Nonsense"

May 12, 2008 2:45 PM

Bob Novak today has a column suggesting that some "U.S. Christians are not reconciled to McCain's candidacy but instead regard the prospective presidency of Barack Obama in the nature of a biblical plague visited upon a sinful people. These militants look at former Baptist preacher Huckabee as 'God's candidate' for president in 2012. Whether they can be written off as merely a troublesome fringe group depends on Huckabee's course...

"One experienced, credible activist in Christian politics who would not let his name be used told me that Huckabee, in personal conversation with him, had embraced the concept that an Obama presidency might be what the American people deserve," Novak writes. "That fits what has largely been a fringe position among evangelicals: that the pain of an Obama presidency is in keeping with the Bible's prophecy.

"According to this activist, at the heart of the let-Obama-win movement is longtime Virginia conservative leader Michael Farris -- the nation's leading home-school advocate, who is now chancellor of Patrick Henry College (in Purcellville, Va.) for home-schooled students. Best known politically as the losing Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia in 1993, Farris is regarded as one of the hardest-edged Christian politicians. He is reported in evangelical circles to promote the biblical justification for an Obama plague-like presidency."

I e-mailed Gov. Huckabee for a response, and he quickly shot back: "it’s total and absolute nonsense! I told Bob this last week in a phone call. He went with the story with his 'unnamed source.' Should have been listed as an 'unbrained source.' He must have liked the story no matter how ludicrous it is. There was NO conversation between Mike Farris and me to that effect. None. I don’t know of anyone who feels that 'America deserves Obama.'

"I have no idea where this comes from unless from someone jealous because of the really good relationship that I have with McCain and hoping to diminish it. You guys (in the media) need to remember that I was the one guy who didn’t have to take back a thing I ever said about McCain since if anything, I was accused of being TOO supportive of him."

Huck notes that he also wrote about this on the Huckablog today.

- jpt

May 12, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (41)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

I would like the true Democrats, both Clinton and Obama supporters alike, to beware that there are Republican/Limbaugh operatives posing as Democrats in here who are trying to stir division amongst ourselves.

It's easy to tell who these people are: they are overtly racist, emotional, and do not offer any substantive reasoning. I've seen many of these people spend their entire day commenting on various websites under various bogus identities, copying and pasting the same talking points in order to disrupt civil discussion and stir up division.

No true Democrat is going to vote for McCain and have 4 more years of war, recession, no health care and a stacked Supreme Court that will overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Posted by: politicjock | May 12, 2008 4:41:28 PM

Interesting how there were 21 comments to this post, and now it has returned to 16, with my post being removed. People don't think that you are reading all the comments there are to read here.

Posted by: Little Bit Farm | May 12, 2008 4:40:20 PM

BROWN1925, this country is Barr and Paul's country too. They love their country and hope for the best for America. From thier wisedom McCain is not the solution rather part of the problem. So they have to fight for their beloved country. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | May 12, 2008 4:28:36 PM

McCain/Huckabee is just what the GOP needs to fight Obama. Obama fits the Democrat's socialistic liberal agenda to a T. But, the majority of black Americans consider themselves to be moderate to conservative. Huckabee had 48% of the black vote in Arkansas. He is a champion for civil rights. Both McCain and Huckabee appeal to the lower - middle income earners. (which is the majority of voters) Huckabee also appeals to the youth voters. His consistent stand on moral values will energize the religious right not only to get out and vote but also to work with their strong grassroots support. The day of the wealthy fat cats controlling the GOP is over.

Posted by: T Granny | May 12, 2008 4:22:23 PM

Wow! And you folks say the Obama kool-aid is strong? lol

Obama '08/'12

Posted by: Nobodys fool | May 12, 2008 4:14:45 PM

Watch and learn, Democrats. This kind of nutty faction is a window into the future of the Democratic Party if you let extremists take over by voting Obama into the White House. Centrist candidates are the way to go; too far left or too far right only wreak havoc. If Obama is the nominee your only choice is to vote McCain or lose your party.

Posted by: HoosierSue | May 12, 2008 4:14:06 PM

My father in law voted to re-elect Bush, bacause he beleived he was put on this Earth by God to hasten the Apocalypse, and he wanted this to happen so that he "wouldn't miss it", and get the chance to be assumed into heaven without being defiled by the grave.

Absolutely true story. When I heard this, I realized anything is true of the fanatical religious right. ANYTHING.

Posted by: fontapa | May 12, 2008 4:12:56 PM

I think the worse thing about this column is that the nuttiness of it, not you the writer but the storyline.

OK, let me get this straight there are Christians on the Republicans right who are boycotting McCain for this election.

They are not only saying they are not willing to support McCain, but they are saying they'd rather have Obama than McCain.

This stems from a biblical belief, did they cite the scriptural support for this prophecy?, that Huckabee is God's candidate on Earth.

DO THEY REALLY TALK LIKE THAT? Also, do they plan to stay at home or actively vote for Obama?

"I don’t know of anyone who feels that 'America deserves Obama.'" I believe Americans deserve to have a change. Whether that change is Obama or a realignment of parties and political agendas, I don't know.

Posted by: Genna | May 12, 2008 4:06:14 PM

Actually Pastor Wright is a good man.. He is very frank and brave to express what is his feeling and his toughts and his belief...

He truly believe in God and he believe the world has not treated Black people well or fair so far...

He is angry about the unfairness of this world.. He is straight and has gut to speak out..

However, Obama is just a politician who says a politician should say...

So please don't blame Wright for racism.... it is the fact...

Don't blame Obama either, he has just told people a politician should tell...

Nothing wrong with Obama, he has done a good job on his political game and he is leading by the game rule...

Posted by: True Truth | May 12, 2008 4:05:14 PM

Why do people keep saying Hussein Obama. You idiots, don't you know that one of our best allies in the middle east--Jordan--was led by King Hussein. His son now rules and is a friend of America and has established coed schools based on his education experience in the United States. BTW: King Hussein's wife was American.

Using Hussein as a negative insults his memory and country. If Obama was named after anybody it was King Hussein of Jordan a great friend of America. Shame on you all.

Posted by: Mr. Coffee | May 12, 2008 3:55:01 PM

Senator Obama will bring choas, death and tears to America. Vote rational. Do not vote for a Marxist.

Posted by: Marion | May 12, 2008 3:54:59 PM

"Protests are planned in Michigan and Florida when Obama visits. Floridans are planning to attend Obama events and turn their backs to Obama while he speaks. Obama turned his back when Floridans tried to have their primary votes counted. They will not give him their general election vote. Turn your back on Obama, as he did you."

It's like my wife, the die-hard feminist with one of her degrees in women's studies said when she heard a Hillary supporter tell her that Hillary has lost due to her gender...

"or she just sucks..."

Genious.

Posted by: fontapa | May 12, 2008 3:50:17 PM

How many supporters are you expecting at the July 12 Ron Paul march?

Posted by: Question for Chris | May 12, 2008 3:35:32 PM

Rebecca -

But don't you see, they sat in that church for 20 years! Hearing racism and hatred every week for 20 YEARS!!!

Just kidding... You're absolutely correct. Fighting fire with fire just makes it bigger, and the whole world burns.

Bin Ladin was just pandering when he claimed his hatred for America had anything to do with Islam. Islam was just a tool he used to attack us.

Once wingnuts like these turn it into a Real holy war, he wins. Pure and simple. We should meet extremism with reason, fanatacism with calm, violence with patience.

War with diplomacy. It's the only way to "win" this time around.

Posted by: fontapa | May 12, 2008 3:34:32 PM

Hey Jack Tapper. I have a better topic for you. Since 82% of Americans now say that America is on the Wrong Track, why not make your topic "Is bush the worst ever?"

Posted by: pt | May 12, 2008 3:34:22 PM

And people like to complain about Rev. Wright...

"How can the republican base sit in that racist, hateful anti-American church for 20 years!!!!!!!!"

Posted by: fontapa | May 12, 2008 3:24:51 PM

I thought HRC was the anti-Christ?

Posted by: I'm confused | May 12, 2008 3:22:26 PM

Nothing could affirm my conviction that Obama is the right choice for President than these types of anti-endorsements from the Far Right Evangelical psycho-thumpers.

Even more exciting, their crucial support is being withheld from McCain, they just don't like this guy.

So George Bush's crazies hate Obama, and McCain can't get them to come out in numbers and support him in November.

Could there really be a more perfect scenario for the Democrats?

Posted by: fontapa | May 12, 2008 3:18:53 PM

This view is shared by most evangelical church-goers. They are basically being told by their preachers that Obama is the anti-Christ who will lead the world into The End. The sooner, the better. A pro-Obama bump?

Posted by: matt | May 12, 2008 3:14:15 PM

If you ever want a good laugh, just go look up the positions of Michael Farris. It's hysterical. The guy is so backwards and nonsensical in his logic that it is absolutely terrifying that anyone takes him seriously.

Posted by: Tom G | May 12, 2008 3:13:59 PM

Post a comment





 

POLITICAL VIDEOS