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Huckabee visits Midland, shares thoughts about election
Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Tuesday night that it speaks well of the U.S. and Barack Obama for Obama to have won the Democratic presidential nomination,
by Bob Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Former Arkansas governor tells crowd at Centers for Children & Families banquet that 'many kids would be not just unfulfilled but unfortunate' without services
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Tuesday night that it speaks well of the U.S. and Barack Obama for Obama to have won the Democratic presidential nomination, but he said the Illinois senator is not ready to be president because his policies "would be very harmful" to the nation.
Before addressing 800 people at the annual fundraising banquet of the Centers for Children & Families at The Horseshoe, the ex-Arkansas governor said it is commendable for the country to have made so much progress that an African-American presidential candidate can be considered without prejudice.
"I admire Sen. Obama for what he has accomplished," said Huckabee, who recently cautioned his party "not to demonize" the Democrat. "But he is not prepared to be president and his policies would be very harmful.
"For example, doubling the capital gains tax would inhibit investments, business start-ups and jobs creation. It's an amazing point of naïveté not to make that distinction."
Huckabee told the Reporter-Telegram he had not met with representatives of Republican presidential nominee John McCain about running as the Arizona senator's vice presidential nominee. He said Republicans should avoid demonizing Obama because doing so could create a voters' backlash against McCain.
After an invocation by Judge John G. Hyde and an introduction by County Judge Mike Bradford, Huckabee opened with a remembrance of Tony Snow, President Bush's former press secretary and the originally scheduled speaker, who died July 12.
Then he ladled up a generous helping of humor, saying his firefighter dad used Lava soap in Hope, Ark., "and I was in college before I realized you could take a shower and it didn't have to hurt."
He was last in Midland on March 3, the last day of his campaign, with an appearance at The Horseshoe with actor Chuck Norris. "If everyone who says they voted for me had actually voted for me, I'd be my party's nominee for president," he joked.
The eloquent 52-year-old Southern Baptist minister commended the Centers for Children & Families in Midland, Odessa and Abilene for their counseling, post-adoption support and "Kids First," "Parent Power" and parental education programs.
"Not everyone is living the life that leads to sheer joy," Huckabee said. "If not for these centers, many kids would be not just unfulfilled but unfortunate."
Centers officials Cookie Wetendorf, Carolyn Gregory and Judy Terry said the organization's top annual fundraiser would net $150,000 with $10,000 each from a silent auction and raffle of a red Yamaha four wheel vehicle.
They said the event only raised $95,000 last year because Midland County Club only had room for 55 tables while The Horseshoe had space for 98. "We had to turn people away," said Terry.
Board Chairwoman Patti Humphrey welcomed the participants while Executive Director Ann Bradford presented the Harriet Herd Founder's Award to the Midland Junior League.
Board member Bo Zertuche entertained with his band, Brother Z, and TV newswoman Tatum Hubbard of Odessa was the master of ceremonies.
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Tuesday night that it speaks well of the U.S. and Barack Obama for Obama to have won the Democratic presidential nomination, but he said the Illinois senator is not ready to be president because his policies "would be very harmful" to the nation.
Before addressing 800 people at the annual fundraising banquet of the Centers for Children & Families at The Horseshoe, the ex-Arkansas governor said it is commendable for the country to have made so much progress that an African-American presidential candidate can be considered without prejudice.
"I admire Sen. Obama for what he has accomplished," said Huckabee, who recently cautioned his party "not to demonize" the Democrat. "But he is not prepared to be president and his policies would be very harmful.
"For example, doubling the capital gains tax would inhibit investments, business start-ups and jobs creation. It's an amazing point of naïveté not to make that distinction."
Huckabee told the Reporter-Telegram he had not met with representatives of Republican presidential nominee John McCain about running as the Arizona senator's vice presidential nominee. He said Republicans should avoid demonizing Obama because doing so could create a voters' backlash against McCain.
After an invocation by Judge John G. Hyde and an introduction by County Judge Mike Bradford, Huckabee opened with a remembrance of Tony Snow, President Bush's former press secretary and the originally scheduled speaker, who died July 12.
Then he ladled up a generous helping of humor, saying his firefighter dad used Lava soap in Hope, Ark., "and I was in college before I realized you could take a shower and it didn't have to hurt."
He was last in Midland on March 3, the last day of his campaign, with an appearance at The Horseshoe with actor Chuck Norris. "If everyone who says they voted for me had actually voted for me, I'd be my party's nominee for president," he joked.
The eloquent 52-year-old Southern Baptist minister commended the Centers for Children & Families in Midland, Odessa and Abilene for their counseling, post-adoption support and "Kids First," "Parent Power" and parental education programs.
"Not everyone is living the life that leads to sheer joy," Huckabee said. "If not for these centers, many kids would be not just unfulfilled but unfortunate."
Centers officials Cookie Wetendorf, Carolyn Gregory and Judy Terry said the organization's top annual fundraiser would net $150,000 with $10,000 each from a silent auction and raffle of a red Yamaha four wheel vehicle.
They said the event only raised $95,000 last year because Midland County Club only had room for 55 tables while The Horseshoe had space for 98. "We had to turn people away," said Terry.
Board Chairwoman Patti Humphrey welcomed the participants while Executive Director Ann Bradford presented the Harriet Herd Founder's Award to the Midland Junior League.
Board member Bo Zertuche entertained with his band, Brother Z, and TV newswoman Tatum Hubbard of Odessa was the master of ceremonies.
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