Thursday, January 31, 2008

CNN Debate Reaction

We weren't able to watch the debate last night because the live streaming wasn't working well with our internet connection, but we were able to listen to the whole thing, and of course, we thought that Gov. Huckabee easily won the debate!

The debate was planned to be a McCain-Romney show, but it turned into a McCain-Romney squabble with Gov. Huckabee coming across as comfortable, well-informed and very presidential, even with the small amount of airtime given him. Click here for CNN political analyst Bill Schneider's analysis of the debate, and click here for a story from Politico about Gov. Huckabee changing some minds by his performance.

The time each candidate had to speak was as follows:
Romney - 20 times (25:55)
McCain - 16 times (22:00)
Huckabee - 11 times (15:10)
Paul - 6 times (6:35)

Gov. Huckabee has never been given as much time to speak in the debates as his rivals. The fact is, he hasn't needed it. He is such a great communicator that he is able to articulate his message, ideas and principles clearly and concisely and with a conviction and passion that speaks right to the heart of the American people.

The clip below of Gov. Huckabee's answer to whether or not Ronald Reagan would endorse him is just a sample of how he handled the questions last night. For the full debate transcript and more video, go to http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/30/GOPdebate.transcript/index.html

Huckabee in Nashville video

Click here to see part of Anna's interview with News Channel 5

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Gov. Huckabee Shines At GOP Debate

Gov. Huckabee had a great debate performance tonight! Praise the Lord! More on this tomorrow... for now, check out this article from CNN: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/30/schneider-the-nights-big-winner-huckabee/

Giuliani and Edwards To Drop Out Today

Rudy Giuliani and John Edwards both plan to make speeches ending their Presidential campaigns this afternoon after failing to win any Presidential primaries or caucuses.

CNN will be hosting a Republican debate at the Ronald Reagan Library tonight at 7:00 CT.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Exciting Huckabee Encounter - Part 1

The 11 Smiths with the next President!!!!
A group of about 60 supporters gathered at the Nashville airport to
welcome Gov. Huckabee to Tennessee
Melissa
Daddy talks with Chip Saltsman, Huckabee's campaign manager
Jonathan and Deborah with Mr. Saltsman
Anna, David, and friend Andrew Poole, waiting eagerly...

Daddy visits with our friend, Jerry Woods, a former classmate of Gov. Huckabee's!

The jet arrives!!


Gov. Huckabee approaches the building...
...and enters to cheers and applause!

Gov. Huckabee signs autographs and talks to Anna and Jonathan
Gov. Huckabee signs our copy of his book Gov. Huckabee signs an autograph for Sarah






Luke and Andrew Poole with Gov. Huckabee
Anna is interviewed by a News Channel 5 reporter!

The group was just the right size. Everyone had the opportunity to shake hands with Gov. Huckabee, talk to him, and get his autograph.

It was amazing and wonderful to be able to meet Gov. Huckabee!! What impressed us the most about him was how he was so genuine, so sincere, so caring, and so real! He expressed heartfelt gratitude and thanks to each supporter he spoke with, sometimes more than once! It was evident that he was interested in the life of every person there -- from the way he talked to an expectant mother about her baby due next month, went out of his way to go over and shake hands with airport employees who directed the landing of his jet, and thanked people for having their picture taken with him! He was grateful and honored that everyone would come to see him!

We are more convinced than ever that Gov. Huckabee is the man to lead our country. It is so wonderful to imagine having a President who realizes that he is the servant of the people, not the ruler of the people!!

The Exciting Huckabee Encounter - Part 2

After the event at the airport we had lunch, then headed to the Legislative Plaza where Governor Huckabee was scheduled to be later that afternoon.


We had to park several blocks away, so we did some sign waving in downtown Nashville on the way there. We got several honks and waves.




We spent some time in the Capitol Building while we waited.

David and Andrew Poole pose in the Old Supreme Court Chamber
Waiting for Governor Huckabee's arrival

The Exciting Huckabee Encounter - Part 3

After our time in the Capitol, we returned to the Legislative Building to await Gov. Huckabee's arrival. A big crowd of media, legislators, interns and supporters began to gather.
While we waited, Fox News17 interviewed Daddy.

Gov. Huckabee arrived, and waved to us, then was hurried into the Lt. Gov.'s office for a press conference. After the press conference, Gov. Huckabee met with Tennessee leaders in the office. He planned to come out and talk to the crowd afterwards.

We waited and waited and waited...
While we were waiting, Daddy was interviewed by the Arkansas Democratic Gazette and by another news channel. Melissa was interviewed by ITV, making 5 interviews in all for our family.

Still waiting...our signs and buttons being taped by the media...
After 2 hours...
Gov. Huckabee finally emerges!
Because the meetings had taken so long, all Gov. Huckabee had time to do was shake hands on the way out.

David asked Gov. Huckabee if he had a message for the readers of our blog. Gov. Huckabee did, and Sarah videotaped it. When we figure out how to put it on the computer, we'll post it!
One man gave his cell phone to Gov. Huckabee so he could talk to his wife!
Gov. Huckabee is hurried away to his next event.
Our autographed books, signs and bumper stickers!
Click here to watch FoxNews17's coverage of the Part 3 event, featuring Daddy's interview and some video of us!! The video will be on the page linked to.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Tennessee Right to Life Endorsement

The TN Right to Life plans to offer their endorsement to Gov. Huckabee tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thanks to everyone who helped to contact the TN Right to Life, and a big thank you to TNRTL and President Brian Harris for this important endorsement. Be sure to send them a note at info@tnrtl.org or bharris@tnrtl.org to show your gratefulness!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Huckabee is coming to Nashville!

On Monday, January 28, Governor Huckabee will be coming to Nashville for a fundraiser luncheon.

We will not be attending the $1,000 a plate luncheon. However, we are getting together a group of supporters to meet him at the airport when he arrives. (We have been in touch with Jennifer Hatten from the Little Rock office and she has arranged for us to meet him there.)

The last report we had is that we need to be at the hangar by 11:00 a.m. Governor Huckabee will have a tight schedule and will probably not be able to spend much time there, but we would like to have a crowd there to encourage him.

If you are interested in joining us in welcoming Governor Huckabee to Tennessee, please leave us a comment. We will let you know where to meet and will keep you updated on any new information we get.

What is the FairTax?

A comment left on our blog earlier today addressed the FairTax. Since Governor Huckabee is a strong supporter of the FairTax, I would like to take some time to explain it to those who may not have researched it.

So, what is the FairTax?

The following is taken from the FairTax website:

The FairTax plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with an integrated approach including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment.


The FairTax Act (HR 25, S 1025) is nonpartisan legislation. It abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities.


The FairTax taxes us only on what we choose to spend on new goods or services, not on what we earn. The FairTax is a fair, efficient, transparent, and intelligent solution to the frustration and inequity of our current tax system.


The FairTax:

-Enables workers to keep their entire paycheck

-Enables retirees to keep their entire pension

-Refunds in advance the tax on purchases of basic necessities

-Allows American products to compete fairly

-Brings transparency and accountability to tax policy

-Ensures Social Security and Medicare funding

-Closes all loopholes and brings fairness to taxation

-Abolishes the IRS


The FairTax replaces our current, complicated tax system with a simple alternative, an easy-to-use sales tax. Instead of paying multiple taxes on your income, you are taxed only on spending.
The FairTax calls for a simple 23% sales tax. Compared to our current sales tax, this seems to be a huge tax. However, when you buy an item now you are paying more tax than you realize. Because the item has already been taxed several times before the consumer purchases it (the producer has been taxed, each individual item in the product has been taxed, etc.), the retail price has been raised to include those taxes. With the FairTax each item will be taxed once - when it is purchased. In addition, there will be no tax on used items (cars, items from resale shops, etc.).


Many people have been concerned about how the FairTax will affect the poor. Because of the monthly prebate, the FairTax actually ends up un-taxing the poor. Click here for a clear explanation of the prebate.


The FairTax website has a wealth of additional information and research, answers to critics of the FairTax, a list of which Presidential and Congressional candidates support or do not support the FairTax, and much, much more.

Will you give 10 minutes to Huckabee today?

Huckabee supporters all over the country have already made over 6,800 phone calls to Florida voters using the easy online phone bank. The campaign has set a goal of 25,000 phone calls by the end of the day. Will you give 10 minutes to help them reach this goal?

The Huckabee campaign has put together an easy way for all supporters to help with phonecalls. Click here to get started! Once you sign up you will be provided with phone numbers to call and a phone script.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

More Endorsements and the Debate

Today Gov. Huckabee received the endorsement of Florida's conservative pro-family leadership. Click here to read more.

Tonight there will be a Republican debate broadcast by MSNBC at 8:00 CT. The 5 remaining candidates for the GOP nomination will be participating.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Hunter Endorses Huckabee!

Former Presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter has just announced his endorsement of Mike Huckabee!

Read the CNN article below to see why Hunter chose to support Huckabee.

January 23, 2008
Hunter endorses Huckabee
Posted: 03:15 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — California Rep. Duncan Hunter, a former presidential candidate, announced Wednesday he is endorsing Mike Huckabee's White House bid.

“I got to know Governor Huckabee well on the campaign trail,” Hunter said in a statement. “Of the remaining candidates I feel that he is strongly committed to strengthening national defense, constructing the border fence and meeting the challenge of China’s emergence as a military superpower that is taking large portions of America’s industrial base.

"Along with these issues of national security, border enforcement and protecting the U.S. industrial base, I see another quality of Mike Huckabee’s candidacy that compels my endorsement," he added. "Mike Huckabee is a man of outstanding character and integrity. I saw that character over the last year of campaigning and was greatly impressed. The other Republican candidates have many strengths and I wish them all well."

Tennessee Endorsements

Fellow Tennesseeans:

Please contact our elected officials and ask them to endorse Gov. Huckabee now that Fred Thompson has dropped out.

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander: (202) 224-4944
U.S. Senator Bob Corker: (202) 224-3344
U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn: (202) 225-2811
U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp: (423) 756-2342
U.S. Congressman John Duncan: (865) 984-5464
Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey -- email: lt.gov.ron.ramsey@legislature.state.tn.us

Contact the Tennessee Right to Life at: info@tnrtl.org
President of the Tennessee Right to Life Brian Harris: bharris@tnrtl.org.

Wallbuilders' Voter Guide

Click here to see a comparison of the candidates' positions on important issues like biblical marriage and the protection of human life. This guide provides links to articles and videos that document each candidate's position in his own words.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Gov. Huckabee On Roe V. Wade

January 22, 2008 -- "Today is the 35th anniversary of a great American tragedy, the Roe vs. Wade court decision that has led to the loss of millions of innocent lives. These children were denied the right to life our Constitution grants to everyone in America, only because they had yet to emerge from their mother’s womb. As President Bush noted today, America is better than this. I support and have always supported passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. As president, I will fight for passage of this amendment. My convictions regarding the sanctity of life have always been clear and consistent, without equivocation or wavering. I believe that Roe v. Wade should be over-turned. I applaud those who are marching in Washington and elsewhere to call attention yet again to this terrible injustice. I stand with them in calling for the passage of a Constitutional amendment to overturn Roe v. Wade and restore the constitutional rights of the unborn, and I will march with them next year if I am elected president. As president, I pledge that I will continue the fight so that every child can have his or her God-given right to life."

- Gov. Mike Huckabee

Fred Thompson Drops Out!

Fred Thompson, former Tennessee Senator, dropped out of the GOP race today. ://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/8039.html

This is great news for conservatives, and especially for us in Tennessee!

Video: A Reminder

Urgent: Contact the Florida Right to Life

The Florida Right to Life has not endorsed a candidate yet. Please join us in flooding their office with calls and emails requesting their endorsement for Gov. Huckabee.

Contact: (407) 834-5433
Email: frtl@embarqmail.com

Monday, January 21, 2008

On To Florida!!!!!!!!!!

A splitting of the conservative vote in South Carolina between Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson handed the victory to John McCain, a moderate who lost the state to George W. Bush in the 2000 primary. The good news is that Gov. Huckabee easily won the largest percentage of the conservative vote as well as the largest percentage of the Republican vote. And now it's on to Florida! The Florida primary is only for registered Republican voters, so McCain's independents won't be helping him there. He'll be splitting the moderate vote with Rudy Giuliani, and hopefully the Florida conservatives won't waste their votes on the dying campaign of Fred Thompson. Click here to read an article from the St. Petersburg Times on how the Florida primary system could be helpful for Gov. Huckabee.

There is a lot of work to be done in Florida before the 29th. If you are interested in volunteering, you can email Cherie Short at cheriereopro@hotmail.com. Please remember to send emails, make phone calls, write letters to the editors of Florida newspapers, contact uncommitted Florida leaders and ask for their endorsement, donate to the campaign and anything else you can think of to help!

This race is far from over!!!

Watch this personal message from Gov. Huckabee to all of us at Huck's Army yesterday!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

South Carolina Votes Today!

Gov. Huckabee speaks to a crowd in South Carolina

The latest polls show Gov. Huckabee and John McCain in a close race in South Carolina, but with Gov. Huckabee's momentum building. Click here to see the final South Carolina poll put out last night by the American Research Group. It has Gov. Huckabee leading by 6 points. That's good news, but we need to keep praying! Pray for the weather to clear up -- there are reports of snow and rain across S.C. right now -- and pray that Huckabee supporters will get out the vote!
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3

Click here to watch Gov. Huckabee being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer yesterday.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

South Carolina

Gov. Huckabee continues campaigning in South Carolina today. Click here for today's schedule of events. If you know people in South Carolina, share these events with them and urge them to go hear Gov. Huckabee speak.

South Carolina's Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer endorsed Gov. Huckabee this morning. Click here to read more.

Sign up here to volunteer to make phone calls in South Carolina. Don't forget to pray that the large portion of undecided voters will make the decision to vote for Huckabee on Saturday. The Rasmussen Report South Carolina poll released today has Huckabee and McCain tied at 24% each.

In national polls, Rasmussen Reports has Gov. Huckabee at 23%, leading McCain by 3% and Romney by 5%.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Voting for Huckabee!

Early Voting in Tennessee began today!

The polls opened at 9:00 We were the first ones to vote in our County,
so the first 9 votes were cast for Huckabee!

Anna casts the VERY FIRST VOTE in McNairy County! Deborah votes for the first time ever!
Since Daddy and Melissa want to be Huckabee delegates, their names are on the ballot

Melissa thought it was funny to vote for herself!

Happy to have voted for Huckabee!