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Huckabee speaks at Waco rally
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and a Southern Baptist pastor, addressed about 1,000 people gathered at a rally today at the Waco Hilton.
Tribune-Herald reporter Emily Ingram was at the scene, which she described as being as enthusiastic as a rock concert.
Among those on hand to offer their support for Huckabee’s candidacy was pop culture icon and actor Chuck Norris, star of the TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Huckabee noted that Norris was a major reason many attended the rally.
“Hey, I’m not stupid,” he said. “I know y’all showed up for Chuck Norris. Well, I’ll say this: I showed up for him, too.
“Chuck Norris doesn’t just draw a crowd. Chuck Norris shows up and the crowd materializes,” he joked.
Huckabee, who trails Arizona Sen. John McCain in the chase for the nomination, told the crowd the race isn’t over yet.
“Most assume that the real race is between Hillary and Obama,” Huckabee said. “I’m sure they assume the Republicans have already decided their candidate. But I don’t believe that’s so … until someone has 1,191 delegates, we don’t have a nominee yet.”
In appealing for people to vote for Huckabee, Norris said the former Arkansas governor is ready to lead.
Huckabee “is a man who has experience, a man who has youth and he has a vision to lead us forward,” Norris said. “People, we need this desperately.”
Norris said despite Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s seemingly insurmountable lead, he knew Texans would not let the odds stand in their way.
“What I like about Texans is that we are free thinkers,” Norris said. “We don’t let the pundits tell us what to do.”
A Baylor student on stage led the crowd in the “Sic ‘em Bears” chant, which Norris joined as the crowd went into a frenzy.
The room hosting the event holds normally 500 people, a Hilton spokesman said, but 660 were crammed inside and more than 150 people stood in an overflow area in the lobby.
Matt Hess, 29, the education director at the local World Hunger Relief Farm, was among the local residents gathered to listen to Huckabee.
“We want to make sure that Christians aren’t just represented by some values, but also take a stand against hunger and poverty,” Hess said. “So we’re hoping to hear Huckabee speak on those issues today.”
Several college students were in attendance, with people ranging in age from toddlers to senior citizens waiting for the event.
John and Linda Tomlinson of Hillsboro, ages 65 and 64, respectively, were among those waiting to listen to Huckabee.
They both said they had cast their ballots for the former Arkansas governor and Southern Baptist pastor during early voting.
“We hope he becomes president,” John Tomlinson said. “That’s what we hope and pray for every day. We pray for a righteous leader.”
When asked if it was unusual for Waco to host such an event, Linda Tomlinson laughed and said, “Huckabee being here, that’s not every day that it happens. But we do have a president who comes to town pretty often.”
The reference, of course, was to President Bush, who frequently returns to his ranch just west of Crawford.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Categories: Politics
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By Heather NC
February 28, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
North Carolinians are watching Texas! We want Huckabee, and we hope Texas wants him too. We don’t vote until May 6. Show us how it’s done!
By Lucy Wilson
February 28, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Will John McCain accept this debate invitation??
Mike Huckabee Accepts Values Voter Presidential Debate Invitation February 27, 2008 Little Rock, AR – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee accepted an invitation to participate in a Values Voter Presidential Debate to be held on Monday, March 3, 2008. Huckabee received the invitation on Wednesday, February 27, for the debate which would also include Senator John McCain, Congressman Ron Paul.
“I look forward to discussing the issues that are important to the people of America such as health care, education, energy independence, terrorism and national security,” Huckabee wrote in his letter of acceptance. “I will clear my schedule to make time for this important debate, provided Sen. McCain participates, otherwise we will keep our current campaign schedule.”
On Tuesday, Huckabee challenged Sen. McCain to a Lincoln- Douglas Style debate, but has yet to receive an acceptance from Sen. McCain.
The Values Voter debate is scheduled to be held at the Marriott Riverwalk, 711 E. Riverwalk St. in San Antonio, Tex.
By Dave
February 28, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
I hate politics. I am the type of person who longs for a “none of the above” box when filling out my ballot. I have never supported any candidate, nor made any campaign contribution, ever. I have never placed any sort of bumper sticker on my vehicle.
Until this year.
Why? I am not really sure why. All I can say is that back in April 2007 I heard one candidate speaking on CSPAN, and I was intrigued. He was articulate, was an excellent communicator, seemed very intelligent, had some great ideas and experience, and yet seemed also to be able to relate to, and show genuine interest in, everybody. He seemed to be a real person, not a politician. He spoke about what he believes is best for the country, not what he believes people want to hear. He talked about what he has done, and what he would like to do, to make this country better (not just “changed”). He did not seem to be running a popularity contest. He made me think about some very important things.
By now I am sure you know I am speaking of Mike Huckabee.
I won’t list all the reasons I support him. You can ask me about those. Someone on the grassroots site www.hucksarmy.com summarized Mike and his supporters much better than I can: http://tinyurl.com/yo4qoc
OK, I can read your mind - you’re saying to yourself “but McCain has it wrapped up already”. Nobody has it wrapped up until they get 1191 delegates. Anything could happen - a successful smear campaign; money problems; a slip of the tongue; or any other myriad of (in)actions which have led to the downfall of politicians. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Mike is staying in the race because millions of people want him to - especially the people who have not had a chance to vote yet.
Another question for you - if you have checked out Mike and generally like what you see, why would you vote for someone else? Because you think they are ahead? The people of America need to get back to voting with their heart, not with the (perceived) herd. The pundits, talk show hosts, & media do not control this country, the PEOPLE do. That is, if they listen to their heart. This is not a popularity contest, folks. Our nation and planet are headed into extremely murky waters. We are a very divided nation. Our standard of living, freedoms, and bright future seem to be slowly sinking. We need a leader, not someone who has just voted for things.
Mike has a track record of beating the odds, of doing what seemed impossible. I have no reason to believe that he has lost that ability.
I will close with a quote from a conversation I had recently with someone from Arkansas. I don’t trust the media or any “club” to give me a clear picture of what the people who lived under Mike’s leadership think of him. I want to hear from them directly, so I sought out some Arkansas residents and asked them some questions about Mike. Here is what one of them had to say when I asked what they thought of Mike’s fiscal decisions:
“I was very supportive of Gov. Huckabee’s fiscal policies. The media has created the impression that Mike just came in, ran up a huge tab, and sent us Arkansans the bill and this is simply not the case. The voters decided in the polls on many of the issues they speak of involving taxes. The best example is the gasoline tax which passed with flying colors. Our highways were in the worst shape of any state in the country and the people of Arkansas were fed up with the impotence of previous policy makers regarding the importance of healthy infrastructure. We overwhelmingly embraced Gov. Huckabee’s ideas and, as a result, now have the most improved roads in the country.
Gov. Huckabee changed the face of education in Arkansas, causing it to save Arkansas tax payers millions. Reforms put in place by Mike made Arkansas public schools much more economically efficient, while at the same time pumping up the arts, which I believe will end the “ignorant Arkansan” stereotype in time. No previous governor in Arkansas was bold enough to accept the inevitable challenge of fixing Arkansas education. Gov. Huckabee handled it with grace, wisdom, and, ultimately, success.
Gov. Huckabee’s health reforms in the state took Arkansans from among the most unhealthy in the country to a trend of setting examples of healthy lifestyles. His Arkids First program is a sort of “no child left behind” policy in health care that has and is experiencing marvelous success.
The list goes on and on. Many in my state feel that Gov. Huckabee has been the best thing to happen to Arkansas in recent, or maybe even not so recent memory. And that is saying something when referencing a republican in a state that is 99.9% Clinton-built democrat.”
Of course this is just one person, but as I talk to other people from Arkansas, I get pretty much the same picture.
You have heard it before, but I will say it again - do your research, think for yourself, vote with your heart. You will be glad you did.
By Dave
February 28, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the triple post - the form timed out on me three times when I posted. Hopefully an admin can delete the extras.
By Zach Doty
February 28, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Huckabee was great, and the crowd was packed. I arrived on time per se, but the crowd was out the door. Fortunately, I had my camera and school press credentials on me, and was able to shoot from the risers with the media in the back. (I did send a few photos in, no word back yet.)
By TrueColors
February 28, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Those who support Mike Huckabee: LET’S ALL DEMAND A DEBATE BETWEEN Mike and McCain! Mike has not had a chance to really showcase himself in the past debates! He has, of yesterday, invited McCain to a debate and McCain isn’t biting ….WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! AS A HUGE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT, WE CAN HELP MIKE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Write to the McCain campaign website…demand that he and Mike debate before March 4th!! LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD! Email the major networks demanding debate; email O’Reilly, Hannity, and MSNBC’s Tim Russert etc..WE NEED TO WORK HARD TO HELP MIKE! BELIEVE AND IT WILL HAPPEN!!!
By Pam
February 28, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
I agree with Lucy!!!!
Go, Mike, Go.
He will make a great President.
By Shelby
February 28, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Mike Huckabee has a closet full of skeletons from ethics complaints to illegal immigration to tax increases to his son’s torture of a dog and his support for releasing convicted rapist Wayne Dumond who then raped and killed a woman. Please do your homework if you are thinking of voting for Huckabee!
Mike Huck’s Skeleton Closet: http://www.realchange.org/huckabee.htm
And also many facts and articles at: http://mikeyhuckabee.blogspot.com
By Matt
February 28, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Great event for Mike Huckabee. If you believe human life should be protected, a secure border should not involve amnesty, and a tax system should not punish people for working harder, vote for Mike Huckabee. Let’s make a loud noise on Tuesday.
By charles
February 29, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
If someone gets a chance to go to the Town Hall meeting that McCain is holding, Some one should ask him why he wont debate MiKe Huckabee, He is denying us a fair election process.
I know I will be voting Huckabee. It just really gets to me that McCain has denyed the voters a debate. Shame on you John McCain. The democrats get a fair and balanced process why not the republicans. Some of the local students should get together and call him out on it during his town hall meeting. Go Huckabee - thanks for giving us a choice.
By Maria
February 29, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this
Shelby,I don’t buy lies. Vote Huckabee! He’s the only candidate who can beat Hillary or Obama.FAIR TAX! FAIR TAX! Ebables workers to keep their entire paycheck. Enables retirees to keep their entire pension.
By Rocky Moore
February 29, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
This is yet another example that Huckabee brings along with him youth and that is going to be one of the most important vote segments in this election and another reason why http://www.McCainCannotWin.com. Huckabee is the only candidate that stands a chance against Obama in Nov.
Huckabee has the Republican Youth vote. He is far more a conservative than McCain and he has actually been running a goverment successfully for years. He is pro-life (true pro-life, he does not support embryonic stem cell research as does McCain), he is pro-family and supports consitutional amendments to ensure both life and family.
We do not need a candidate that supports civil unions and embryonic stem cell research.
I sure thank you for hosting this video!
By s benn
March 2, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
Right now Mike Huckabee is the only candidate we have to stop the McCain machine. McCain has not been chosen in any state by a majority of conservatives. Most states he got 1/3 or less votes from those who described themselves as conservative Republicans. His support has come from Moderates, Independents and even crossover Democrats voting in the open primaries and caucuses. Most states that have the winner take all gave him all the delegates when Mike or Mitt or Fred had nearly as many delegates. The 3 of them divided the true Reagan Republican vote, leaving McCain to gain. After Mitt dropped out then Huckabee surged and won the following primaries. Then old mass media stepped up and started telling everyone it was over and they might as well accept Huckabee as their candidate, and according many did but he still did not win by majorities in most states. Voter turnout dropped…except the ones the Democrats will carry in the fall anyway. Well media will not tell me who to vote for! This man does not represent me on many issues and will not be able to carry us to victory in November. We need a candidate who can unites us. So vote your heart. Vote for Huckabee, Romney or Fred Thompson, all who are still officially in the race and have not given up their delegates. If we stop McCain from getting the magic 1191 votes then we will have a brokered convention where true Republicans will choose the candidate. Visit www.opengopconvention.com to learn more. Let’s take back our party with pride Tuesday!