But the rise of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and a simultaneous sharp decline of the Giuliani candidacy in Iowa and other states with large numbers of socially conservative voters make at least one thing clear: Social conservatism continues to exist as a mass movement that cares very much about its core beliefs. Supporters of this movement may have some unusually tough decisions to make in the 2008 presidential cycle, but anyone analyzing American politics under the premise that social conservatism will soon disappear–or that these days it amounts to little more than an eccentric sideshow–is very likely to be proved wrong.

Finally, someone with some insight…someone who gets it!
Alive And Kicking.

As for the Country Club for Growth, I call BS on their biased indignation. They are going to sell us a poke filled with “hope” from their chosen candidate with “mixed results” in tax cutting, that couldn’t even get his one pet tax cut pushed through? Yet, they will not extend that same latitude to any other candidate, in this case, Mike Huckabee? What a phony bunch of conservatives. I think what has them concerned the most is his fair tax proposal, not his record for cutting taxes(which they seldom mention), not his religious foundation, and not his pro-family/pro-life stance. That Smith Jr. has a grudge against Mike is also a serious flaw in their bias.
I have been cautioned and lectured to for years, about not being a single issue candidate. I have always tried to be a big picture kind of guy, like RWR, but when it comes to nut-cuttin’ time, my number one issue is our 2nd Amendment freedoms, with all the other oft mentioned conservative issues bunched up at #2. While I do believe in cutting taxes for all the right reasons, it is not my only, or even primary, issue.
I get the impression that the Country Clubbers would toss all of the other issues, including the one that matters to me the most, right out the window, as long as they had the candidate they want, and would cut taxes, but not promote our other freedoms or social issues.
To me this crowd of ideologues rate right up there with the Paulistinians with their myopic view of politics, and strict adherence to doctrine.
I once considered the Country Club for Growth an ally in the battle between conservatism and marxism, but not any longer. I view them as an obstacle to good governance, and a hindrance to the advancement of the conservative agenda.

After having fought the trench battles with Thompson supporters over at Free Republic, it’s too easy to generalize and oversimplify.

I enjoyed your forum.

I haven’t heard the rumor. But I did think it was interesting to hear Newt’s comments on one of the cable channels recently, telling Huckabee to refine his rebuttals to a 20-second sound bite, put them to bed, and move on.

I know it’s a rumor, that’s why I posted it, and stated that in my post. I wouldn’t suprise me, as I’ve heard this before, but I’m not confirming it.

Tommy Oliver