Huckabee Discusses His New Book; Comments on the Arkansas Republican Primaries
Mike Huckabee hosted a conference call today to discuss his new book “A Simple Christmas” with bloggers. I took the opportunity to ask Huckabee not only about his book but also his views on Arkansas politics.
Huckabee said that his new book “makes no apology for the fact that it is a Christmas book” and not a holiday book. “I wanted to remind everyone that the first Christmas in Bethlehem was a simple Christmas,” said Huckabee.
The book shares twelve Christmas stories from Huckabee’s childhood to being a father and on through his years as governor of Arkansas and running for President. Previously Huckabee’s books having largely focused on politics so I asked him if this represents a change in his focus. “Not at all,” said Huckabee. “I enjoyed writing this book but my next one will focus heavily on policy issues.”
I also asked 
Huckabee if he had any views on the upcoming Republican primaries in Arkansas, specifically for the U.S. Senate and the Second Congressional District where Gov. Huckabee is a voter. “I think that the number of candidates interested in running show that these two incumbents (Sen. Lincoln and Rep. Snyder) are extremely vulnerable,” said Huckabee.
He did not indicate whether or not he planned to support any one candidate in the race. Although Huckabee has hosted a private fundraiser for Senate candidate Curtis Coleman, and he has previously endorsed Gilbert Baker in his state senate campaign in 2008.
This comes on the heels of reports from the AP that Baker will host a fundraiser at the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Earlier the NRSC got involved in the Florida Senate primary with support for Florida Governor Charlie Crist prompting criticism from Gov. Huckabee who has endorsed Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio.
Baker’s campaign manager Alice Stewart did not comment directly on the NRSC fundraiser but did tell the Tolbert Report, “We are grateful for the support we are receiving in Arkansas and around the country. Conservative donors want checks and balances against Obama’s extreme agenda.” She also highlighted the support Baker received earlier this week from the majority of the Republican state legislators in Arkansas.
Speaking of state legislators, I wonder how many will be lining up to get Gov. Huckabee to autograph their copy of Huckabee’s new book when he comes through Arkansas on his book tour (How’s that for a segway.) Huckabee has stops planned in Rogers at Walmart on 11/09 at 8:30 PM, Fort Smith at Books-A-Million on 11/10 at 1:00 PM, Blytheville at That Bookstore on 11/11 at 9:30 AM, Little Rock at Barnes & Noble on 11/24 at 7:00 PM, and finally HotSprings at Books-A-Million on 11/27 at 7:00 AM.
Tags: 2010 Candidates
November 6th, 2009 at 10:01 am
So is Sen. Cornyn hosting the fundraiser or not?
And how is that not an endorsement by Washington?
Looks like Gilbert is already playing the part of “politician”.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am
The last Republican Establishment candidate (NY-23) that everyone endorsed did not go so well.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I dont know who fsrepublican is or what dream world you live in but Gilbert is running this race to win not to be another Jim Holt. More power to him. To you anyone who has been elected is no longer a candidate of the people. You could not be more wrong. The worst thing we could do in nominate a senate candidate that has no political/government experience. The Republican party must build a farm team to draw from in the leg. it has done some and needs to do more. No one who has not had some experience needs to be running for the senate. YOu are one of that group of Republicans who can never been made happy.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
You got it wrong “w”.
I am for the people of Arkansas deciding, not the party in LR or DC.
I’m also sure Gilbert is in no danger of becoming Jim Holt – Jim didn’t cut a deal with a dem to the detriment of a fellow party member.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
So…FS, if the Republican establishment endorses Baker, then he is a lapdog. But if Baker shows independence from the party and votes against Bisbee for good reason, then Baker is a traitor? So he’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t?
Baker will win the primary.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
C C Watervack i couldnt agree with you more. FS my infact be Bisbee. FS and his crowd want to never win and always have something to bitch about.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Baker show independence in his Bisbee vote?
Laughable!
Baker showed he was out for Baker.
Wonder if Whitaker and Pritchard are hurting knowing that the Bisbee precedent will screw them out of the pro temp slot too.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Not only did Baker oppose Bisbee but other Republicans in the senate did as well. Build a brige and get over it already. The move was actually good for the party and those senators. Bisbee was never a loyal republican and never worked well with conservitives in the State Senate. Move on and stop trying to hurt the party over your own sour grapes.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
FS…
Independence-freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.
The best part, after you laugh, you follow right back up and say that Baker was doing it his way.
Seriously, you’re a walking contradiction.
November 7th, 2009 at 12:17 am
I wonder what some of those NWA folks and FSRepublican would have thought if the US Senate elected Olympia Snowe as its leader. That is what it would have been like if Bisbee had been elected as pro-temp. Critcher and Johnson allowed the GOP senators to have way more influence on policy than Bisbee would have.
November 7th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Back to the book. I have read it and it is really a great read. I thought I would read a chapter here and there, but honestly couldn’t put it down. It is not a political book but I will say it is a great one. I encourage everyone to get one. If you are on my christmas list, you will be getting one for sure.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
W
So does describing Bisbee as “never a loyal republican” not violate Reagan’s Commandment?
And does that not violate Gilbert’s secondary tenet of his campaign behind the “mo’ money” one?
November 7th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
James is right. The book is so bold. I am so proud of Huckabee for have the courage to write on Christmas and to use his PAC buddies like Tolbert here to push the sales. I have not only bought one for all my Christmas presents but copies to hand out at birthdays, wedding, and funerals as well. I have read it 42 times so far and am currently reading it backwards in search of hidden meanings.
Thank you President Huckabee (in my mind, you are ALREADY President!)
November 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
FSrepublican you are so blinded by your hate for Sen. Gilbert Baker that you cannot think straight. Having Bissbe as leader would have heen great for the dems and bad for the Republicans.
November 7th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Sounds to me like some of the Ds have invaded this blog. Hasn’t Bisbee previously said that he had forgiven those who did not vote for him?
And didn’t we have an R gov at that point that had a say in the matter as well? Gives it (the alleged vote) some perspective.
Ds can continue to come on this blog and lob bombs at both sides. They love to do that. But we know better.
The Rs have a great field in the US Senate race. It appears, so far, that Gilbert Baker is winning the “money primary.” If someone else steps up, fine. But if no one even comes close to Baker in the money primary, then it is time for all of the malcontents to move to Benton County and ask your favorite County Judge for a government job (like every good Dem should).
November 8th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Bisbees recent statements make it clear he has not forgiven anyone.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Jane, I seem to sense some sarcasm in your post, which I don’t think is called for. If you haven’t read the book you shouldn’t talk about it, and is there something wrong with him writing a Christmas book? Don’t be jealous. Just be quite.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
James, sarcasm? No way. I spend all my time reading Huckabee’s masterpieces in his books, watching his television shows, listening to him on the radio, and reading every single blog I can find about him. Oh, and also making sure to vote in ANY online poll he is listed on. He truly is the next Ronald Reagan or Jimmy Carter, cant decide. But he is great.
I am so honored he is making himself available to us litle folks as long as we buy his books. I may just follow him around on all his stops.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Jane you sound a little bitter or jealous or something. I didn’t even vote for the man but I’m not upset that he has had success either. If I could write a book and sell millions of copies I’d do it in a heartbeat. Quit hating other people for their success.