Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Quite the Two-Step

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  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Well - he has a sense of humour, at least:

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Well - he has a sense of humour, at least:

    That's weird ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    The Huckabee phenomenon is interesting on a number of levels; his economic policy is all over the place - he wants to abolish income tax - but in general he genuinely appears to be the 'compassionate conservative' George W pretended to be, and is an advocate of large-scale state based solutions to social and economic problems (The Libertarian Cato Institute gave him an 'F' for spending and tax policy in 2006). The only thing that differentiates him from the left is that he feels the solutions should all be 'faith based'.

    If he wins the nomination it will signify that the transformation of the GOP from a conservative party into a Christian party is complete.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • JP Hansen,

    "Home, home on the range
    Where the deer and the antelope play"

    Can't get more American than that! Well, unless you're shooting the deer and antelope.

    Waitakere • Since Nov 2006 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    but in general he genuinely appears to be the 'compassionate conservative' George W pretended to be, and is an advocate of large-scale state based solutions to social and economic problems

    So long as that solution isn't "let's have another great big war".

    Something that just occurred to me about Iraq. The received wisdom that war is good for the economy seems to have been completely forgotten.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    "Home, home on the range
    Where the deer and the antelope play"

    It does seem that on Bush's Range, discouraging words are seldom heard.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    and besides - that mixing of deer and antelope - that's just gonna have to stop right there when the christian right take over ...

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Something that just occurred to me about Iraq. The received wisdom that war is good for the economy seems to have been completely forgotten.

    Not as much as the "we're saving the women of Iraq from the Islamic extremists" rationale has been forgotten.

    But there's a reason for that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    The only thing that differentiates him from the left is that he feels the solutions should all be 'faith based'.

    And being fervently anti-abortion and opposed to gay marriage. He talks about a 'culture of life' but

    When asked what Jesus would do about the death penalty: "Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office, that's what Jesus would do."

    Ha ha. Now answer the bloody question, how do you reconcile being 'pro life' and 'pro death'? He wants Creationism taught in schools, but believes science has proved bumblebees can't fly, and uses that as a metaphor for his campaign.

    Seeing him represented as a smart, moderate candidate just goes to show how low the bar is.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Conor Roberts,

    I've been watching Huckabee for a while now. He is very interesting.

    I think he'll win Iowa, as 40% of the Republican voters are evangelical Christians and he is an ex-preacher. Also the evangelicals know how the somewhat odd Iowa caucus system works…

    Huckabee has spent around $9 per vote in Iowa against Romeny's $200 (and before critics of the EFB say 'ha', perhaps you should consider how much worse Romney would be doing if he didn’t just outspend Huckabee).

    This is pretty amazing considering how well he is doing there, his is truly a groundswell campaign - but he'll struggle going forward without staff and campaign infrastructure. What is does show is how unsettled the Republican race for the White House is, whilst Giuliani is out front – I don’t think many Republican voters like him much, and his numbers have been sliding.

    Heading to liberal New Hampshire and out East, Huckabee will struggle. Especailly since he thinks evolution is a myth. Although if he can at least hang in there until South Carolina, things might get interesting.

    Whatever you say about American politics – it’s bloody fascinating.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 57 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Is Huckabee his real name?

    It just seems so perfect….

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Ha ha. Now answer the bloody question, how do you reconcile being 'pro life' and 'pro death'? He wants Creationism taught in schools, but believes science has proved bumblebees can't fly, and uses that as a metaphor for his campaign.

    Check this out. The director of the school science curriculum in Texas has been forced to resign after sending a private email to several colleagues notifying them of a talk on the conflict over teaching evolution.

    Yup: science teacher forced to resign for implicitly endorsing science ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Neil Morrison,

    He wants Creationism taught in schools...

    he won't be interrested then in The Genetic Basis for Political Participation

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    If science had proved Huckabee can't be POTUS it might make sense.

    I still think Creationism has a place in schools - at least one class in which the 20 most famous creation myths are placed side by side. If it's treated in an anthropological way, it's just another branch of science - "What did primitive people think?". It would be worthwhile to chuck in quite a lot of other stuff that primitive people thought and did to put the wisdom of the ancient world in perspective.

    But I know that's not what people who want Creationism taught are thinking of. The surprising resemblance of the North Island to a flat fish might just swing them in behind pre-European Maori Creationism. Or the extremely gory and violent Creation of the ancient Greeks might be more appealing to those so inclined.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    Don't worry - this whole thing will stop being an issue when Destiny take over the govt .....

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    PS: And don't forget to vote for the Public Address Word(s) of the Year 2007.

    Would a little alphabetical action have hurt too much? Hours I tell you, hours!

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    On the other side of the race, Hilary's in some trouble.

    And the failure of Operation Barbarossa was some trouble for the Third Reich. Ok, that's an overwrought analogy but is her campaign loaded with Obama sleeper agents?

    And before anyone accuses me of being a partisan Hillary-hater, WTF can I say about the unspeakable fuck-tards that make up the GOP slate that wouldn't get me sent to the (virtual) naughty step for a long time out? Perhaps when the GOP are locked out of the White House and Congressional majorities for a couple of decades, Republican moderates and real conservatives are going to get their spines out of hock, bring the theo-cons to heel, and take their party back.

    Believe it or not, if I was American I'd change my voter registration to Democrat just so I could cast a primary vote for Obama. Not a flawless candidate by any stretch of the imagination, but forget all this crap about 'Is America ready for a black President' and ask this one: Is America - and the world - ready for a President who can be mistaken for an adult with the lights on?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Believe it or not, if I was American I'd change my voter registration to Democrat just so I could cast a primary vote for Obama. Not a flawless candidate by any stretch of the imagination, but forget all this crap about 'Is America ready for a black President' and ask this one: Is America - and the world - ready for a President who can be mistaken for an adult with the lights on?

    Me too. I keep waiting for something to snap me out of it, but I just keep finding him impressive.

    His main whoopsie with potential Democrat voters so far has been failing to put sufficient distance between him and a preacher who claims to have been cured of homosexuality.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Believe it or not, if I was American I'd change my voter registration to Democrat just so I could cast a primary vote for Obama.

    A friend of mine is considering doing just that. She voted for Bush twice, and now can't bring herself to choose any of the current slate of Republican candidates.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    His main whoopsie with potential Democrat voters so far has been failing to put sufficient distance between him and a preacher who claims to have been cured of homosexuality.

    He did get there in the end. In fact, his speech on this made quite an impression with me, as it contains, y'know, policy and stuff. Commitments.

    McClurkin is a talented performer and a beloved figure among many African Americans and Christians around the country. At the same time, he espouses beliefs about homosexuality that I completely reject.

    The rest of the Obama speech

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Neil Morrison,

    Is America - and the world - ready for a President who can be mistaken for an adult with the lights on?

    well I think Bill Clinton qualified in that category and The World at the time was full of talk about evil America was. So maybe this time round with a Dem pres the world will be ready to ditch all the crap about imperialism.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Ha ha. Now answer the bloody question, how do you reconcile being 'pro life' and 'pro death'?

    Well, to be fair Emma it isn't only right-wingers trying to position themselves as moderates who start spinning more fudge than Willie Wonka on speed when asked that question. Seriously, what do think would happen to either Clinton or Obama if they stood up and said "I support abortion on demand, and oppose the death penalty because a felon - no matter how heinous - is a human being; a fetus during the first trimester is not." I may be wrong, but it sure seems to me a lot of people who consider themselves moderates or even liberals would consider than excessively candid.

    You can deride the late John Paul II as a nasty old Polack reactionary, but at least when he talked about the 'culture of life' he was entirely consistent about it -- abortion, the death penalty and euthanasia were all wrong for the same reason. Life begins at conception, ends at natural death and God doesn't need any assist from you on the latter score.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    well I think Bill Clinton qualified in that category and The World at the time was full of talk about evil America was. So maybe this time round with a Dem pres the world will be ready to ditch all the crap about imperialism.

    I don't think everyone thought that. Clinton was a rock star when he made his APEC visit here, and pretty much everywhere else on that trip. The incumbent doesn't seem to have quite the same touch.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Well, to be fair Emma it isn't only right-wingers trying to position themselves as moderates who start spinning more fudge than Willie Wonka on speed ...

    Heh. Your best colorful metaphor in ages Craig.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    ... Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman (and new National Party candidate for Wigram) Marc Alexander.

    That would be former Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Marc Alexander.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

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