Peter Wehner on Mike Huckabee & 2008 & Foreign Affairs on National Review Online
The Problem With Pastor Mike
Foreign-policy foolishness just wont suffice.By Peter Wehner
Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has written an article for Foreign Affairs magazine, the first two paragraphs of which are stunningly silly, misguided, and unfortunately for Huckabee, deeply revealing.
The two opening paragraphs read this way:
The United States, as the worlds only superpower, is less vulnerable to military defeat. But it is more vulnerable to the animosity of other countries. Much like a top high school student, if it is modest about its abilities and achievements, if it is generous in helping others, it is loved. But if it attempts to dominate others, it is despised.
American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out. The Bush administrations arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad. My administration will recognize that the United States main fight today does not pit us against the world but pits the world against the terrorists. At the same time, my administration will never surrender any of our sovereignty, which is why I was the first presidential candidate to oppose ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty, which would endanger both our national security and our economic interests.
The above quote (except for the last two sentences) really makes me wonder about Mike Huckabee. A perusal of this page from the Huckabee campaign site might depict some fence-straddling positions.
Fred Thompson was my main hope when he announced his candidacy a few months ago. I hadn’t really considered Huckabee until his recent surge brought him to the fore. There is a lot I like about him — on the surface at least. Statements such as the above erode his conservative appearance. Maybe I’ll vote for Thompson, instead. I have a lot of studying to do before next month’s presidential preference vote!
