As former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has moved up as a contender for the GOP presidential nomination, he's gotten more scrutiny and criticism. Many have faulted him for naive views on foreign policy (supposedly he thinks talking more nicely will solve our problems with Iran) and for insouciant big-governmentism--he speaks breezily of a federal smoking ban, and having Uncle Sam do something about CEO's being paid too much, and people getting too fat.
But what has rallied so many to his cause is the belief that he's the real deal at least as a so-called "social conservative"--meaning, folks count on him to be a determined advocate of the unborn.
So it is surprising to learn that in 2006, Huckabee received $35,000 in speaking fees from Novo Nordisk--a company that grinds up embryonic unborn children for the sake of "research." I had forgotten, but Mitt Romney got a lot of criticism because his blind trust invested in this same company.
This news comes out in the context of other reports that, as governor, Huckabee accepted quite a lot of such fees--over $370,000 from corporations as governor. So reports the Weekly Standard, here.
Huckabee has a lot of explaining to do; and folks who have high hopes for Huckabee may want to look closer, and ask him some tough questions.
Posted by Father Martin Fox at 9:33 AM
Fr. Martin Foxis a Catholic priest, and pastor of St. Mary and St. Boniface Parishes in Piqua, Ohio.
Re: Why did Mike Huckabee take stem-cell money? i didn't get wind of this till now but i decided right off the bat to look into it:
DISCUSSION OF HUCKABEE'S SPEECH Had it been better he not take the fees and speak there?Probably.I have some issues with McCain too and if i size it up between a speaking engagement for diabetes(which Gov Huckabee had)for which he was paid and John McCain who holds these position:
Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research
Q: Would you expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research?
A: I believe that we need to fund this. This is a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community. I would remind you that these stem cells are either going to be discarded or perpetually frozen. We need to do what we can to relieve human suffering. It's a tough issue. I support federal funding.
Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC May 3, 2007
Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them
On “Meet the Press,” McCain said he had “come to the conclusion that the exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother are legitimate exceptions” to an outright ban on abortions. “I don’t claim to be a theologian, but I have my moral beliefs.” If Roe v. Wade is overturned and abortion outlawed, McCain said he believes doctors who performed abortions would be prosecuted. “But I would not prosecute a woman” who obtained an abortion.
Source: Boston Globe, p. A9 Jan 31, 2000
Yes,Huckabee should not have taken these funds because they were questionable;but speaking on diabetes is a far cry from McCain's absolute support for embryonic stem cell research.
I think the story is an attempt to smear Gov Huckabee and needs more investigation.
However,i also think because the company does this kind of research he should have thought more carefully about speaking at the conference.But that's a far cry from actually SUPPORTING embryonic stem cell research.
I do know that Gov Huckabee got 2 amendments to Ark state consitution passed. Life begins at conception and ends at natural death and the marriage amendment;stating it is defined as between a man and woman.
So given this was a speech on diabetes and his long standing pro life record;and McCain's obvious support for embryonic stem cell research and abortion under certain conditions who does that leave? We know where Obama and Hillary are on this issue. However,i am glad that we're aware of these kinds of what seem to be inconsistencies.
What happens is the opposition sees hypocrisy and points this out.
Do i think Gov Huckabee should be questioned on this ?Sure!! Definitely. Should Fr Mark look into the matter? Definitely.It looks hypocritcal on the face of it-but i hardly believe Mike Huckabee supports embryonic stem cell research or abortion.
Seriously,who would that leave among the candidates?
God Bless,
p4p
Last edited by praying4patience, 2/21/2008, 1:36 pm
I have some issues with McCain too and if i size it up between a speaking engagement for diabetes(which Gov Huckabee had)for which he was paid and John McCain who holds these position:
I have issues with McCain as well. He's not 100% prolife because of his position on embyonic stem cell research as well as allowing for abortions in certain situations.
quote:
Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research
Q: Would you expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research?
A: I believe that we need to fund this. This is a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community. I would remind you that these stem cells are either going to be discarded or perpetually frozen. We need to do what we can to relieve human suffering. It's a tough issue. I support federal funding.
Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC May 3, 2007
McCain opposes embryonic stem cell research that uses cloned human embryos, but supports research using human embryos left over from fertility treatments. In 2006, McCain supported a trio of Senate bills designed to increase federal funding for adult stem cell research, ban the creation of embryos for research and offer federal support for research using embryos slated for destruction by fertility clinics.
quote:
Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them
On “Meet the Press,” McCain said he had “come to the conclusion that the exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother are legitimate exceptions” to an outright ban on abortions. “I don’t claim to be a theologian, but I have my moral beliefs.” If Roe v. Wade is overturned and abortion outlawed, McCain said he believes doctors who performed abortions would be prosecuted. “But I would not prosecute a woman” who obtained an abortion.
Many, including clergy members, believe that most women are the second victims in abortions and should not be prosecuted. I'm not sure where I stand on that at this point.
As far as the exceptions go, rape, incest, life of the mother, President Bush holds those same exceptions and has never been 100% prolife either.
quote:
Yes,Huckabee should not have taken these funds because they were questionable;but speaking on diabetes is a far cry from McCain's absolute support for embryonic stem cell research.
Why would he take money from those companies? He couldn't speak to the issue of diabetes without doing that?
I can't seem to find any mention anywhere of Gov. Huckabee's position on stem cell research on existing embryos left over from fertility treatments. He doesn't believe in creating life for the sole purpose of destroying it but what about so called leftover embryos? What is his position on these?
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I think the story is an attempt to smear Gov Huckabee and needs more investigation.
Smear him about what? He took the funds. I don't think he supports creating embryos for the purpose of research but even you said he shouldn't have taken the funds. Some, like Father Fox, think it's blood money.
quote:
However,i also think because the company does this kind of research he should have thought more carefully about speaking at the conference.But that's a far cry from actually SUPPORTING embryonic stem cell research.
I agree.
quote:
So given this was a speech on diabetes and his long standing pro life record;and McCain's obvious support for embryonic stem cell research and abortion under certain conditions who does that leave?
As I said earlier, Huckabee is the best prolife candidate. The problem is that Huckabee can't win the nomination at this point. IMO, is it not realistic to think that he will garner every remaining delegate in all of the remaining primaries and Romney's delegates as well, in order to overtake and beat McCain.
quote:
We know where Obama and Hillary are on this issue.
Yes, we do, and if Huckabee doesn't secure the Republican nomination, a vote for him as a third party candidate is as good as voting for Clinton or Obama. Whether he's a write in candidate or runs as an Independent, voting for him in the General Election will only split the Conservative vote and make the victory for the Democrats a certainty.
quote:
However,i am glad that we're aware of these kinds of what seem to be inconsistencies.
Yes, there's no harm in being aware of and discussing these issues.
quote:
What happens is the opposition sees hypocrisy and points this out.
Do i think Gov Huckabee should be questioned on this ?Sure!! Definitely. Should Fr Mark look into the matter? Definitely.It looks hypocritical on the face of it-but i hardly believe Mike Huckabee supports embryonic stem cell research or abortion.
Seriously,who would that leave among the candidates?
Huckabee is the best candidate for the prolife cause, as I've said before, but since it appears highly unlikely that he will garner the Republican nomination, McCain is the next best candidate for the prolife cause.
National Right to Life is also grateful for the strong pro-life voting record on abortion of Senator John McCain, and appreciates the pro-life position he has taken in his Senate campaigns and in this presidential campaign.
If Huckabee secures the Republican nomination, I'll vote for him. If McCain wins it, I'll vote for him. Unfortunately, voting for either one as an independent or a write in is tantamount to voting for Clinton or Obama. I'm voting for whoever secures the party nomination. At that point the most important goal is to keep Clinton or Obama out of the White House.
Re: Why did Mike Huckabee take stem-cell money? i wrote to Father asking this question:
If Gov Huckabee had waived the fee what difference would that have made?I don't get the gyst of his speaking would have been ok,had he not taken the fee.
Because Gov Huckabee spoke on diabetes at the invite of a compnay that destroys unborn children does not equate with Gov Huckabee supports destroying unborn children.I do know as Gov of Texas he passed 2 constitutional amendments.One on human life beginning at conception and ending at natural death.The other defining marriage as between 1 man and 1 woman.
Can i ask where this story originated?
I do wonder that he couldn't have found a better venue for this speech but i would have to guess that because they're so associated with diabetes and they had invited him is why he chose this one.
Will see if i can find out where Gov Huckabee stands on this issue.
Sigh.It does sound like if McCain wins i'll have to plug my nose..but i wouldn't write Gov Huckabee off yet.Texas could make the difference.
God Bless,
p4p
I dislike McCain with a passion. Would vote for Obama over him, and yes, I have no problem crossing a party line this year.
Obama supports abortion on demand and partial birth abortion.
He supports so-called gay marriage.
He supports embryonic stem cell research.
Of those three intrinsic evils, McCain supports one, embryonic stem cell research. One to three makes the decision for McCain over Obama not terribly difficult for me.
Pope Benedict [as Cardinal Ratzinger] wrote:
quote:
When a Catholic does not share a candidate’s stand in favour of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons. LINK
What proportionate reasons do you find to choose Obama over McCain?
Re: Why did Mike Huckabee take stem-cell money? You mean beyond the mudsling and lies from the last campaign? and the fact that in the last campaign he was also everything Obama is now?
I realize that from a few years to now it might be easy to forget, but McCain lost on similiar grounds from plain speaking about pro abortion. Ok so he flip flopped for this election? Or did he have some sort of conversion?
Show me, because as of right now, none of them have my vote. I know what the Pope said.
I also know what the Virgin said...
Pray, pray, pray.
Which is why I didn't vote in the last election, either.
typo....Arkansas. Not Texas. If you want the Texas guv, I would be glad to ship him to you. Just tell me how you want him wrapped.
We have Perry as governor because those who ran against him were even less appealing.
quote:
I dislike McCain with a passion. Would vote for Obama over him, and yes, I have no problem crossing a party line this year. I dislike them all.
Don't understand the dislike of McCain "with a passion" position that many people have. He is the only real moderate choice in the entire thing. But I digress.
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quote:
Sigh.It does sound like if McCain wins i'll have to plug my nose..but i wouldn't write Gov Huckabee off yet.Texas could make the difference.
Huckabee, I can verily say, will not win Texas. The polls show a distace well outside the margin for error for any kind of error in the overall result.
--- Guilty people wear pumpkins for Landmine Awareness Day.
Re: Why did Mike Huckabee take stem-cell money? And before this runs into a bigger raging debate...
May I also add that for the majority of the laws, the President has not near the power over these issues as does the congress.
The Congress is probably more corrupt than anything, but can offset the balance in the favor of Pro life more than any shyster in the Oval Office.
Between the two years reps have to be voted for and Senators can be changed, the Prez can be locked out of his own agenda.
That and there is more to run on seeing how the popularity contest for the prez can get congressional members in and out of office faster that I can spit.
Huckabee, I can verily say, will not win Texas. The polls show a distance well outside the margin for error for any kind of error in the overall result.
He may be pro-life, but he is weak in showing. Texas is an NRA state. Weak is not good here.
quote:
Don't understand the dislike of McCain "with a passion" position that many people have. He is the only real moderate choice in the entire thing. But I digress.
He comes out strong for his ideas. Passionate. Idealistic. Everything you want in a man. That is till the Strong Opinions flip flop and go in the opposite direction.
Remember in the previous elections, when Bill Clinton ran for office, and Bush too, that word 'waffling' was used. If you are vociferous about your position and then switch and are vociferous for your (opposite) stance, you are not looked at favorably by many.
I see his as a shuckster who flipped to get the vote. That means he can flip back if need be...
There is no safety in a man who doesn't stand ground.
There are other, better, candidates out there that are overlooked because they dont have enough money to toilet paper a front yard with. A few are pro life as well...
