Pastors Urged To Caucus By Huckabee Supporters

« Weird Connections | Main | Get This Man A Map! »

Pastors Urged To Caucus By Huckabee Supporters

28 Dec 2007 08:00 am

Here's an explicit example of how Mike Huckabee is relying on an outsourced Get-Out-The-Caucusers effort and on the implied support of pastors -- under the radar.

Pastor Rick Scarborough is hosting a conference call with Iowa pastors to discuss the caucus... joining him are Dr. Tim "Left Behind" LaHaye and Dr. Michael "Home School" Farris.

All three are committed supporters of Mike Huckabee. An e-mail sent to Iowa pastors advertising the call doesn't mention Huckabee -- that wouldn't be legal -- but does say that pastors "have a duty" to keep their congregants "informed" and to lead them to "participate" in the caucuses.

Farris has been a senior unpaid adviser to Huckabee from day one and was key in helping to organize the families of home schoolers to attend the Republican straw poll in Ames last summer.

This is all, again, legal, provided the pastors stay within certain guidelines. But it's very easy to see that a mobilization of pastors and their congregants helps a single candidate. And given how successfully evangelicals have knocked and dragged their voters in the past, their might -- even uncoordinated -- could overwhelm the most established of Iowa organizations on caucus night.

(Note: I've cut and pasted from the original e-mail in order to make the e-mail fit ... I only deleted the dial-in information.)

Comments (43)

It is absolutely ridiculous. These religious leaders goad their congregants into caucusing for one candidate. Given the endorsement by the NEA for Huckabee, does he inform them of those warning signs?

Posted by mikeVA | December 28, 2007 9:21 AM

You know...growing up Mormon you find out quickly that not everybody in America has a high opinion of you. When you see someone from your church run for office, you expect a lot of the ridiculous fear-mongering that we're seeing from the evangelicals...no big deal.

What IS a big deal is that Huckabee has not just promoted himself as a religious person, but he is using every opportunity he can find to enforce the prejudices that people have against Romney's religion...for the sole purpose of promoting himself into political office. The other thing that IS a big deal is that people are buying it.

Please...Iowans...I implore you...If America should elect this guy, he would be my president too. I couldn't stand Bill Clinton, but I could go to bed at night feeling that he hadn't attacked my civil rights in order to get into office. I cannot say the same about Huckabee. He has no regard for the constitution of our country or my rights as a citizen. I voted for and supported President "W" in both elections, happy to have a man of faith leading our nation.

I honestly feel that Huckabee has told me to sit at the back of the bus because of my religion. Everyone following the race knows it's true. Can you really vote for someone who so brazenly lays aside the civil rights of 2 million citizens of our country?

Now, I'm not saying to vote for Romney. There's plenty of political things to consider and there are plenty of other contenders...but PLEASE don't vote for Huckabee and let me have the dignity of knowing that our party as a whole rejects religious bigotry.

Posted by Elbeau | December 28, 2007 9:29 AM

I think that the writer of this article is a poor sport and fundamentally wrong to complain about religious leaders making an effort to get their people to the polls. First of all, Black religious leaders have been doing far more blatant things with their congregations for decades and who has complained? Secondly, Why shouldn't religious groups who have issues of concern in this and other elections not have the right to make their voices heard just as other groups do in every election cycle? This "People of Faith shouldn't be allowed to play" mentality is the real BIGOTRY going on in this election.

Posted by litzaus@comcast.net | December 28, 2007 9:36 AM

There is a growing revolt among homeschoolers as well. Homeschoolers are waking up to the fact that Farris had his reasons for endorsing Huckabee and they were NOT in the best interest of homeschoolers.

Here's what Ned Ryun had to say,

""I just find it somewhat humorous and frightening all at once that the homeschoolers are supporting him; he’s playing them. When I saw his “floating cross” ad, and other materials coming out of the Huckabeee campaign, I thought, “He’s playing the evangelical bumpkin card.” He assumes, and sadly enough, rightfully so, that if you say Jesus, Christ, God, show the cross, and on every occasion use terms of faith, then you can win the evangelical vote. But go back to where he actually stands, not what he’s saying. If evangelicals insist on ignoring the other issues, like the fact that he’s a foreign policy light weight, he welcomes and appreciates increasing taxes and government, etc., and want to focus on the social issues, then ask does he still think the same way about Lawrence v. Texas and why does the NH NEA feel so strongly about him? So far, the Huckster’s manipulation of the evengelicals in Iowa is working. As Ann Coulter rather bitingly said, Huckabee’s followers are easily led."

Who is Ned Ryun and why should we care what he has to say? Here's his bio....

A former presidential writer for George W. Bush and son of sitting U.S. Congressman Jim Ryun, Ned Ryun is the Director of the Generation Joshua program, a division of Home School Legal Defense Association. Ned also directs the HSLDA Federal Political Action Committee.

I've written several blog posts where Huckabee's homeschooling and education policy directly oppose the stated positions of HSLDA. The evidence is obvious to everyone except Michael Farris, who, for whatever reason, has chosen to ignore the obvious and convince homeschoolers to vote for a man whose policies that will be detrimental to conservative Christian homeschoolers.

HSLDA opposed legislation that Mike Huckabee signed in 1998 that imposed restrictions upon homeschoolers. That's not just my take but the HSDLA website says it as well. Huckabee managed to hustle homeschoolers in Arkansas to support this bill and go against the stated opposition of HSDLA, a group designed to DEFEND them against such restrictions!

Wake up homeschoolers and get the facts. I've written extensively on my blog over the last week exactly how his policies will hurt homeschoolers. If you take the time to do the research you will see that if homeschoolers help Huckabee get elected it will be the second time Huckabee has hustled the homeschoolers.

You can read more about the first time here.

http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2007/12/huckabee-and-homeschoolers.html

Posted by Spunky | December 28, 2007 9:38 AM

Questions for HRC:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/12/clintons-dont-a.html

1. Why did your husband, Mr. Clinton, repeatedly call the Register editors to support your candidacy? Why did he apply pressure? Why did he claim that your experience is right for the nation (yet your records are not accessible to the voters)?

2. What exactly are your proud of in your service as a senator from NY? What is your most accomplished policy that you yourself have initiated? (Please do not mention policy where you simply joined as a co-sponsor, after polls showed that the policy was right for America.)

3. As a spousal beneficiary, what do you think of people who have to climb to the top on their own? For instance, Mr. Obama took a risk to become a community organizer (around $10K annual salary) after his Columbia degree. What did you take risk after you graduated from Yale (or Wellesley)?

4. Why did you fail your bar exam after graduating from Yale? At Yale, did you represent the Yale law society in any manner? Where you a President or an Editor?

Posted by eorse | December 28, 2007 9:39 AM

And as for the pastors help, perhaps they can take some time on Caucus night and explain to Huckabee what Mormons believe. He "innoncently" asked a NY Times reporter about their beliefs. But given that he claimed to have a theology degree that he never really did, I guess his confusion is understandable. If he can't keep his own degree straight how can he possibly handle the intricate details of Mormonism?

Posted by Spunky | December 28, 2007 9:44 AM

The only thing that makes this homeschooler easily led is comparing Huckabee to the rest of the candidates. Having met the man and studied his positions carefully, he appears to me to be the most well-balanced candidate available this time around.

Posted by Edward Greer | December 28, 2007 9:54 AM

PRESIDENT MIKE HUCKABEE / VICE PRESIDENT JOHN MCCAIN 2008

More on Romney’s Leadership check out these links:
www.massresistance.org and http://rightsmart.blogspot.com/

See this video for Mitt Romney caught lying!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DJO_XuM4eM
mitt Romney saw his dad march with Martin Luther King! CAUGHT IN A LIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_zpa77Ehic

Romney is a flip flopping flake, I just found out that he has stock in all of the companies that are major promoters of homosexual rights & abortions, he is not going to do anything to these companies or the procedures but try to implement things that would advance them another example of how eloquent speaking politicians are embedded within Wall Street! HE IS ANOTHER WALL STREET CANDIDATE!all this rhetoric is follishnes and an intent denial to dismiss truth. The Demo-wacks have had control over congress for 2 years now and have done NOTHING but fund pork barrel projects and have not come close to making any kind of real progress that the promised their poor demo-wack supporters. There credibility is SHOT! and as for Huckabee... People fear that he will win, which he is... At this point I will vote for anybody other than a Demowack. i am so frustrated that I have changed party position and will vote Repub this year.I am so proud of Huckabee i do not know what to do. He is a man of principle and he surely just sealed the deal with my vote. He will win and big he will, and while the pundits try to demise him, or his other political rivals try to make him look bad. They may want to look at the mirror at themselves. You got flip flopping mitt, dead fred, pimped out guiliani , small brain mccain, and “paul is crazy and deranged”! And as for the Dems: you got Hell-ary that have sold her soul to the left party lobbyist in america, and you got chronic smoking Obama? which neither one has ANY experience in foreign policy. If it was not for Hell-ary having bill clinton last name, she would not even be known.Huckabee is the sure winner and will win big. I can not wait for romney to get out of the race. i bet he will go back to hiring illegals to work in his yard. check more out about him at www.massresistance.org he is the biggest flake since kellogs!

Posted by sha | December 28, 2007 9:55 AM

Great...another day of "Sha" pasting the same comment into every blog on the internet. Don't bother responding, "sha" is long gone and doesn't reply.

Posted by Elbeau | December 28, 2007 9:59 AM

Any way to get out the wily evangelicals, right?

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by matt | December 28, 2007 10:30 AM

Democrats do this kind of stuff all the time in African American churches and have done so for decades now, yet there is nary a peep from the IRS or the liberal media. Why the double standard?

Posted by Dhein | December 28, 2007 10:39 AM

Why the double standard?

Because the front-running candidate has used religious bigotry as the foundation for his campaign, and is recruiting his fellow ministers to carry the cause forward.

You're right, these same types of tactics have been used for many years to promote black candidates, but none of them have ever been in a position to win an election based on their not-so-subtle bigotry.

Posted by Elbeau | December 28, 2007 10:46 AM

Hi Marc,

Interesting post...the plot thickens...

Wish you would have left the phone number. I would have liked to have listened in:)

Posted by katrina | December 28, 2007 12:14 PM

"Why shouldn't religious groups who have issues of concern in this and other elections not have the right to make their voices heard just as other groups do in every election cycle?" - litzaus

They certainly can - if they start paying property taxes. Churches and other civic groups are granted exemptions to the property tax because they are seen as both beneficial to the community, and open to everyone. If a church (or any other organization) starts advocating for any particular candidate, the second point goes out the window. It has stopped being a church and started being a political organization.

I haven't been to any "black churches" lately, but if they're doing the same sort of thing they should have the same standard applied to them. Can anyone name any specific churches where this is happening?

Posted by Tel | December 28, 2007 2:13 PM

Hopefully 2008 will be the year that the evangelicals truly vote in their own favor rather than mindlessly follow the edicts of pretenders like Karl Rove (i.e., the atheist). If Huckabee is the man, good for him. But I hope they'll actually ask him questions this time and hold his feet to the fire after he's in office. The evangelicals gave Bush a big fat blank check in 2000 and 2004 and got nothing in return. Or were tax cuts and war in Iraq the top priorities of evangelicals?

Posted by Tim Lyons | December 28, 2007 2:15 PM

Anyone Republican stupid enough to vote for Huckleberry might as well skip the primary or caucus, change their party affiliation, and vote Democratic in the general. Same basic effect.

Posted by DG | December 28, 2007 2:48 PM

Anyone Republican stupid enough to vote for Huckleberry might as well skip the primary or caucus, change their party affiliation, and vote Democratic in the general. Same basic effect.

Posted by DG | December 28, 2007 2:48 PM

Any Republican stupid enough to go for the Huckleberry schtick (or the anti-Mormon sideshow) might as well skip the primary or caucus, change party affiliation, and vote for Hillary in the general. Same basic effect.

Posted by db | December 28, 2007 2:50 PM

Poster Elbeau writes:
If America should elect this guy, he would be my president too. I couldn't stand Bill Clinton, but I could go to bed at night feeling that he hadn't attacked my civil rights in order to get into office. I cannot say the same about Huckabee. He has no regard for the constitution of our country or my rights as a citizen. I voted for and supported President "W" in both elections...Can you really vote for someone who so brazenly lays aside the civil rights of 2 million citizens of our country?

Well, you did when you voted for "W" the second time, who, as you must know, is supported by those who feel gay moms and dads have no right to marry the ones they love, and are working hard to eliminate any and all legal rights and civic dignity they have in relationship to each other.

Religious bigotry is the defining characteristic of the Republican party today, thanks to voters just like you.

Posted by Scott | December 28, 2007 5:43 PM

Do they still pass out the "candidate checklists" in churches? I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and remember seeing these handed out at church back in the early/mid 90's, where they picked out their pet issues (abortion at the top of the list) and put big check marks by all the Republicans (surprise!) and X's by all the Democrats. It may have been put out by the Christian Coalition, I'm not sure. Are churches allowed to put out information to voters which clearly instructs them who to vote for? Many evangelical churches are not so subtle and just go for it right from the pulpit with political sermons, it has to be more widespread than most people think.
I have no problem with a candidate that happens to be a Christian (or any other religion or of no religion at all) as long as they are right on the issues and can run for office without turning it into a religious crusade. Nothing is more prideful than exalting your own piety in order to get people to vote for you. Huckabee is doing nothing more than prostituting the faith he claims is so precious to him.

Posted by Rusty | December 28, 2007 6:37 PM

Fox News, terrified at the growing support of Congressman Ron Paul's Presidential Campaign, has excluded him from their Jan. 6th Roundtable discussion which includes Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson

Posted by amy lynn | December 28, 2007 10:09 PM

In response to Rusty,

The irony of your post is that while the "candidate checklists" were common in churches while you were growing up, you'd never hear anything political preached from a Mormon pulpit. Every election year a standard letter is sent by church leadership in Salt Lake City to congregations across the nation which basically says that the church the church takes no position on political candidates but that members are encouraged to make their own choice. Church buildings and information cannot be used for any political purpose.

Posted by pilgrim | December 28, 2007 10:45 PM

I thought this response by tel to a question was worth repeating:

"Why shouldn't religious groups who have issues of concern in this and other elections not have the right to make their voices heard just as other groups do in every election cycle?" - litzaus

They certainly can - if they start paying property taxes. Churches and other civic groups are granted exemptions to the property tax because they are seen as both beneficial to the community, and open to everyone.
If a church (or any other organization) starts advocating for any particular candidate, the second point goes out the window. It has stopped being a church and started being a political organization.

AMEN!

Posted by Jan | December 29, 2007 7:45 AM

Bush may have a "Bunker mentality", but
Huckabee has an "Archie Bunker mentality".

Posted by Ron | December 29, 2007 9:39 AM

Iraq can't have an Islamic priest as president but it's OK for the U.S. to have a Christian ordained minister.

Posted by Douglas | December 29, 2007 9:41 AM

Huckabee has foreign policy experience? He doesn't even know middle east geography...as per his recent Pakistani gaffe. The only fault you find with Obama is his past as a smoker? Huckabee as president of the U.S.??? What are you smoking?

Posted by jah | December 29, 2007 10:03 AM

I live in Arkansas and I know a lot of evangelicals that can't stand Huckabee. I supported and voted for him, but came to deeply regret it. He is a wolf in sheeps clothing. He is not conservative on fiscal, immigration, or foreign affairs.

I very much fear that Iowa evangelicals have yet to learn the hard lesson that Arkansas evangelicals had to learn. Voting for someone because 'he's one of us' is a huge mistake when you ignore his policy positions and lack of experience. When he pardoned murderers because they were saved he put his personal beliefs above his duty as governor. When he let them go free he ignored the demands of justice. His so called mercy toward these murderers was extremely dangerous and painful for many other people. In his arrogance he took on the role of judge, jury, and God and set them free on society.

Posted by llctr | December 29, 2007 11:02 AM

Religions should stay out of politics the same reason that actors/actresses should stay out of politics. It is not their area of expertise. Religions should deal in spirituality, only. I find it ironic that the only religion that is not given any credit for its beliefs (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is the only church to practice political neutrality.

"The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.

The Church does not: * Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.
Allow its church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be used for partisan political purposes. * Attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they should give their votes to. This policy applies whether or not a candidate for office is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. * Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader.

The Church does:
* Encourage its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections.
* Expect its members to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.
* Request candidates for office not to imply that their candidacy or platforms are endorsed by the Church.
* Reserve the right as an institution to address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church." quoted from lds.org

This is why the church can have both Senator Harry Reid (D) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R) in the Senate. Both are active members of the church, yet have different views of politics. Nor is it possible for either Senator Dodd (his wife is a mormon) or Mitt Romney to speak in any Mormon Church) or any other candidate for that matter. I believe that this shows that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are perhaps the most open minded religious people when it comes to politics. Hence, how can the church be a cult when they act by their own conscience?

Posted by apr | December 29, 2007 11:31 AM

Well, now Mormons are getting a taste of the Republican Party tactics. It's not pleasant being singled to be scorned for political purposes is it? Ask any Mexican living legally in this country what the politics of the Republican Party feels like. Religious affiliation obviously has little to do with the realities facing a President, yet much is made of these trivial differences in order to divide the country. I think all folks of any religion, and even those with no religion basically share the same core values for this nation. We may disagree over some single issues, but as for the broader issues and the future of our country, I'm sure most would find agreement. The Republican Party has become a party based on creating false and meaningless divides among the elctorate. I feel sorry for the Mormon poster. He or she now feels
the unfairness and the pain brought about by these tactics. Who cares what Mormons believe? They are good people and excellent citizens that value families and country. They have taken action to remove bigotry from their doctrine. Huckabee is a sham. He masks his small vision for this country with base, dirty and divisive political ploys.

Posted by jah | December 29, 2007 12:59 PM

What people are forgetting is that Christians are not left out of the political process by design. Neither are Mormons, Muslims or any other groups.

Spunky noted that the head of the PAC that endorsed Huckabee opposes him. That should be enough to show that Evangelicals (like homeschoolers) do not all walk in lock-step.

Further, the notion that a FORMER minister should be barred from the presidency is not only bigoted, it's un-American. Anyone who meets the constitutional requirements has an equal right to seek the office.

The anti-Christion bigotocracy has not posted a single article or on-air commentary about Huckabee without reminding us that he is a former pastor. He brought that on himself by including it in his resume. However, he has done much more in the past two decades than serve as a pastor. Christophobes only wish to focus on what they fear.

Why not fear the fact that Mitt Romney is an ordained Elder in the LDS church. He may have served as a Bishop as well. Neither of these positions disqualifies him as a potential president for the same reasons being a former minister does not disqualify Huckabee. Mormons do not remain members in good standing without regularly affirming their faith (we had fast and testimony meetings every month when I was a kid). Likewise, they must tithe to the church just as other Christians do. Assuming Mr. Romney was true to his faith, he would have held beliefs that are antithetical to the American ideal -- that African Americans are decendants of Cain and therefore should be denied the priesthood. He has since recanted that doctrine, but apparantly held to it until the church recinded it in 1978.

Even that set of beliefs does not disqualify Mitt Romney. Clearly he did not agree with the discrimination or he would not have "wept" the day the church announced a change in policy. It is NOT Huckabee that is bigoted, but our culture at large. You have to be a Mormon to understand their beliefs fully. In the same way, Pat Robertson was attached for believing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He was endlessly questioned about whether he believed in speaking in tongues, whether he had engaged in this practice and so forth. Had this not been an issue, maybe he would have done better in the primaries.

People who think Huckabee has somehow trampled on Mitt Romney's civil rights are mistaken. He may be ignorant -- even biased -- about Mormonism, but neither he nor Mitt has committed an unforgiveable offense in the area of religion because their respective faiths are irrelevant. What they'll do about terrorism, taxes, education and environment, to name a few issues, far outweighs whether Mitt wears Temple garments or whether Huckabee believes in baptism by immersion.

Grow up America! Either man would be a great president -- not merely because of one man's religion, but because of the faith that informs their values. It isn't a matter of Baptist v. Mormon, but of consistency, integrity and honesty. My guess is that in spite of their good qualities, neither is at 100% in those areas -- nore are any of us.

Posted by Quiverdaddy | December 29, 2007 12:59 PM

Hello, your site is amazing, i want say : "big thanks!" for you ! But my music site is coolt, too.

Posted by Zprf | January 12, 2008 10:39 PM

Hello, your site is amazing, i want say : "big thanks!" for you ! But my music site is coolt, too.

Posted by Zprf | January 12, 2008 10:39 PM

Hello, your site is amazing, i want say : "big thanks!" for you ! But my music site is coolt, too.

Posted by Zprf | January 12, 2008 10:39 PM

Your site is super, thank you !
Regards, http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/member.php?u=68908 ">youporn

Posted by bcaszut | February 17, 2008 2:35 PM

Move it!

Posted by Heralca | February 24, 2008 5:08 PM

Your site is good, thank you !
Regards, Michel Gawayan