Huckabee: Nice Guy, or Slanderer-by-proxy?
The conventional wisdom is that Mike Huckabee is a Real Nice Guy, and his soft-spoken manner gives superficial credence to this assertion, and yet, like so much of the press corps groupthink that evolves over the course of a presidential campaign, it is a lot of malarkey: aside from his demagogic appeal to naked emotion over logic and facts in his contretemps with Ron Paul at the New Hampshire debate, Huckabee apparently leaves the dirtier smears to his local accomplices, according to the Nashua, New Hampshire Telegraph:
“‘That guy (Paul) is the most un-American person in this country as far as I’m concerned,’’ said Hudson Republican Sen. Robert Clegg, a big Huckabee backer.”
Au contraire, Senor Clegg, methinks you are the rightful bearer of that title: the Most Un-American Person in This Country Award is yours hands down.
This kind of crap has got to stop: there will be a discussion of the war, and the foreign policy of this country, not only in the general election but in the primaries, too, and if that is “un-American” by comrade Clegg’s standards, then that’s just too damned bad, now, isn’t it? To call Ron Paul “un-American” because he opposes the Iraq war, and invokes a long Republican tradition of anti-interventionism in opposing our crazed foreign policy, is typical of the red-state fascist drivel that passes for Republicanism these days — but, you’ll notice, it isn’t working. No one believes that the Good Doctor, a man who swears by the Constitution and is arguably the most conservative member of Congress, is an anti-American subversive — not even, I’d be willing to bet, Gov. Huckabee.
Mike Huckabee is said to be a Real Nice Guy, at least that’s what the national press corps is telling us, and so now he faces a crucial test in the Nice-ness department: he ought to disavow Glegg’s mean-spirited smear, and acknowledge that Rep. Paul is as patriotic in his dissent as he, Huckabee, is sincere in his insistence that we must stay the course.
How about it, Governor? Or is the nice-ness angle just another of the Huckster’s scams, like the “fair tax“?
Oh, and here’s Senator Clegg’s contact information, just in case you want to give him a piece of your mind:
Senate Office:
Statehouse
107 N. Main St., Room 124
Concord, N.H. 03301
(603) 271-8630
robert.clegg@leg.state.nh.us
Home:
39 Trigate Road
Hudson, N.H. 03051-5120
(603) 880-6193
And tell him Justin Raimondo sent you ….
UPDATE: And it isn’t like Clegg, New Hamsphire Senate majority leader, is just another rank-and-file Huckabee supporter: he traveled with Huckabee throughout Iowa, and has acted as a spokesman for the campaign. Clegg smearing Paul as “un-American” is like Huckabee saying the same thing.
evilpaul
September 10th, 2007 at 10:49 am
I sent him an email. I think not mentioning Ron Paul by name will most likely make it more difficult for them to filter/dump specific emails enmasse. (He isn’t worth the cost of a long distance phone call in my opinion.)
TheOneLaw
September 10th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Noting the gloves are coming off.
Fangs and talons are now being extended all around Ron Paul
this day.
The Constitution betrayed in full,
the axis of treason will now unleash its ungodly fury
and demonstrate the depths of Neocon Depravity.
RDNZL
September 10th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Dr Paul’s gonna be on Fox’s “The O’Reilly Factor” tonight
oughta be interesting
lester
September 10th, 2007 at 11:45 am
the “I hate Huckabee” movement/ thing starts right here. enough with the folksy demenour and home grown witticisms. you ass. why don’t you wear some overalls and chew on a piece of hay the next debate. I hope he gains back 400 pounds
Bob Shipp
September 10th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Well, I just called his office. A secretary answered and seemed non-plused when I complained. I was polite, but asked her if it was true that Sen Clegg had called Ron Paul “the most un-american person in this country.” I told her that if that was true, then Sen. Clegg should be ashamed of himself. She took my name and number (which I gave with no regrets.) I doubt that I will get a return call, but we’ll see.
If they do call and refuse to retract the slur on Ron Paul, I have every intention of donating to whomever runs against Clegg in the next election. If Hilary Clinton and Ted Kennedy have a love child on the ticket against Clegg, I’ll still send money!
cesar
September 10th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Please do not call this guy’s home.
Laura
September 10th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I agree with Cesar–PLEASE don’t call the guy’s home. Those of us who support Dr. Paul need to understand that if we do or say things that are over the top, they will be tied to Dr. Paul, just as this guys words are being tied to Mike Huckabee. If Ron Paul were called upon to answer for all of the nutty things some of his supporters said, he’d never have time to campaign.
Jim
September 10th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Here is the letter I sent to Clegg and the Nashua Telegraph:
Senator Clegg,
I can’t begin to express my disappointment over your statement:
“‘That guy (Paul) is the most un-American person in this country as far as I’m concerned,’’
Perhaps you need to listen to the words of Robert Taft, Mr Republican:
“As a matter of general principle, I believe there can be no doubt that criticism in time of war is essential to the maintenance of any kind of democratic government … too many people desire to suppress criticism simply because they think that it will give some comfort to the enemy to know that there is such criticism. If that comfort makes the enemy feel better for a few moments, they are welcome to it as far as I am concerned, because the maintenance of the right of criticism in the long run will do the country maintaining it a great deal more good than it will do the enemy, and will prevent mistakes which might otherwise occur.”
I have served 16 years in the Air Force. I earned three aerial achievement medals for combat support operations in Iraq, Somalia, and Bosnia. I support Ron Paul and I oppose the Iraq war because I sincerely believed it has jeopardized our security by providing an excellent recruiting tool for Al-Qaeda. I say this based on my first hand experience in Saudi Arabia in the 90s (the country where most of the hijackers of 9/11 came from, and whom we defend to this day).
Am I also un-American? Are the 70% of Americans who oppose the war?
Jim
James Maynard
September 10th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
If we follow governemnt blindly in order to preserve a republic, what are we fighting for? Dissent is at its most needed and should be its most cherished in times of war. Republicans FOREMOST should be against an unprovoked war – war is the ultimate big-government project.
If Clegg did say that, then yes, he should be opposed by the numerous pro-liberty groups here in New Hampshire.
And Cesar, here in NH, we make a HABIT of calling representatives and Senators at their homes. If you are elected to our house or Senate, it is EXPECTED that you will receive calls at home. Why do you think we keep about 425 of them in Concord, only representing 3,089 people each? We have a tradition here of keeping them close enough to politically “grab them by the scruff of the collar and shake them” when they screw up. :O)
JM
NH
September 10th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Funny, Huck said NICE things about Ron after the debate, even while Frank Luntz was trashing him in the focus group. What a scam that was!
Don’t forget, this is the same Senator (I think) who is supposedly an R but supported our little communist control freak anti-parental rights governor last election!
Jim
September 10th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
JM is right about NH. Heck, the people in the House don’t have office #’s – you always call them at home. But I would recommend maybe that people from out of state stick to emails or calls to the office. There are enough of us in state to keep him busy.
martha
September 10th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I agree with cesar there. If enough people harass the man at home it creates undesirable sympathy for him in the greater populace. That happened in Iowa. It becomes one more thing to brand Paul supporters in a negative light, and also ends up being one more thing the ‘official’ campaign has to spend time disassociating itself from. There are plenty of other ways to get yourself heard.
NH
September 10th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Way to go JM!
Be polite please, but I’m all for ‘his Clegg-ness’ to experience a little blowback for THAT comment!
Albert Meyer
September 10th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I sent him this e-mail:
“‘That guy (Paul) is the most un-American person in this country as far as I’m concerned,’’ said Hudson Republican Sen. Robert Clegg, a big Huckabee backer.”
Senator Clegg,
As far as millions of Ron Paul supporters are concerned, Ron Paul is the only true American patriot in the campaign. He personifies honesty, integrity and consistency. However, as such character traits are unheard of in the halls of Congress I’m not surprised that you haven’t noticed. Ron Paul not only swears an oath to uphold the Constitution, he actually keeps his word.
The next time you speak to the Rev. Huckabee, please inform him that the US military was not on a shopping spree in Iraq when they broke the vase. A handful of neo cons hi-jacked our foreign policy and driven by special interest groups plunged us into a war of aggression. If you would take the trouble to read Ron Paul’s speeches prior to the war, you would see that he alone acted like a true American, invoking the Constitution in an effort to forestall a war, the consequences of which have been disastrous both for our military families and the millions of Iraqi’s who have had to deal with the death and destruction that has come to plague the country following our ill-advised invasion.
Sincerely,
Albert Meyer
Layne
September 10th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Here is my letter:
Subject: Were you misquoted?
Dear Senator Clegg:
I was astonished to read the following quote from you concerning Congressman Ron Paul: “‘That guy (Paul) is the most un-American person in this country as far as I’m concerned,” said Hudson Republican Sen. Robert Clegg, a big Huckabee backer.”
My first thought was that you had obviously been misquoted, but the more I have been thinking about it I wonder if you really hold these feelings. It is particularly concerning given your position as an elected official.
What I am concerned about is why would you consider Congressman Paul un-American? Is it his belief that, according to the Constitution, our country should not wage war without a declaration of war from Congress? Is it is belief that the federal government should be limited to the roles distinctly spelled out by the Constitution, and that all other functions of government fall on the States where necessary? Is it is belief that Roe v Wade be overturned, not just because it violates the rights of the unborn baby, but also because it is an unconstitutional law? Is he un-American because he served in the military? Is he un-American because he wishes to restore the GOP and this country to its Constitutional roots? What is it?
Am I un-American for respecting his views and understanding his points? If so, I am confused as to why I served this country for six years in the Navy. I thought it was to carry on in the tradition of those who have come before us, to defend what this country was founded on, what was outlined in the Constitution. Congressman Paul is the only candidate on both sides of the aisle who seems to care about our Constitution. The others seem more concerned with sound bites and image.
If Congressman Paul is un-American, then I am also, as are many more who have served this country. It sickens me to think that an elected official would stoop to such a level, that is why I trust you were misquoted.
Sincerely,
Layne Buck
Tom Mac
September 10th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Senator:
Not classy, nor nice.
I think you owe Dr. Paul an apology. Like Fox News says, although tough to believe, we are Fair and Balanced. Governor Huckabee has every right to disagree with Dr. Paul, and, in turn, Dr. Paul has every right plus an obligation to disagree if he feels the the present Foreign Policies will cause us more problems as a country.
kcscoops
September 10th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Well I guess he thinks two thirds of America is unpatriotic since that’s how many want to end this stupid war. I doubt he even is aware how ugly that makes him look. Gotta admit, calling 2/3 of Americans unpatriotic is not a cool political move, but hey, I think he really believes it and THAT is truely Anti-American.
kcscoops
September 10th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
And another thing. The Huckster and comrad clegg must also think the vast number of soldiers who are supporting Ron Paul’s campaign financially are un-patriotic too.
Albert Meyer
September 10th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Good point, kcscoops!
lollyjolly
September 10th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
I called this guy a couple of hours ago. He wasn’t very nice and hung up on me when I said it wasn’t a very Christian thing to say.
Dan Warner
September 10th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I think all of us that are Ron Paul supporters should give Mike the benefit of the doubt here. Let’s not attack him unless he openly supports this statement. Afterall, he didn’t say it himself. He, just as Ron Paul, should not be attacked because of what other people may do or say.
In my humble opinion Mike dropped the ball when he denied history, like Rudy did, and said we should kill more people to defend our honor. To me that’s kinda crazy and disqualifies him to be president in my mind.
Ron Paul is a true patriot in every sense of the word. He has worked harder than any man that I can think of to stand up for the American people and our liberties. If Ron Paul is unamerican then Pamela Anderson is flat chested.
chukmaty
September 10th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
phil
September 11th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Huckabee is the political equivalent of a pro-wrestling Jobber who is set up to lose matches. The GOP knows he cannot win so they will throw him under the bus to try and stop Ron Paul. The GOP knows that a face to face debate between Paul and Cheap Imitation Reagan or, whoever they are promoting this week as their frontrunner, will be disasterous.
Huckabee will do the “job” and be rewarded for doing so.
Thats politics and thats pro wrestling.
John D
September 11th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Lester -
How ironic that you would be truly insulting of Governor Huckabee, even wishing him ill (gaining 400 is unhealthy for anyone), yet the focus of Justin Raimondo’s blog was that a supporter of Gov. Huckabee was “out of bounds” because he called Congressman Paul “un-American.” Senator Clegg’s claims can at least be debated at an intellectual level; your comments are truly nothing but a “mean-spirited smear” (to quote Justin).
The article is about a supporter of Governor Huckabee making statements which Justin believes ought not be part of the rhetoric. I do not believe Gov. Huckabee or any other candidate is responsible for apologizing for what others say in their own capacities. It’s trivial, in my opinion, to constantly chase after such comments. Congressman Paul’s campaign is structured differently, but there have been plenty of blog comments that were equally as critical of those who disagree with Dr. Paul’s perspectives. He does not need to apologize, either.
However, I will make this challenge to Mr. Raimondo: if you believe Gov. Huckabee ought to apologize for and disavow Sen. Clegg’s remarks, will you follow suit and do the same with Lester’s insults?
NH
September 12th, 2007 at 12:51 am
WARNING:
Word has it that some who have been calling Clegg are being abusive and threatening. They are cursing and swearing and threatening him (something which only makes him more resolute) are not doing Dr. Paul any good.
Justin, please call these people off? If they don’t have the good sense to simply show their dismay by numbers and not by nastiness they are not doing us any good at all.
Thanks.
Jim
September 12th, 2007 at 6:23 am
I second NH’s recommendation, please, please, call off the dogs here. He’s gotten the message. This recommendation is coming from the NH Republican Liberty Caucus, who endorses Ron Paul.
Nick Michelewicz
September 13th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Please be respectful in contacting Senator Clegg. We can object strongly but with civility. Be none threatening, Keep it clean, etc.
If even a few Paul supporters come off as making threats, or being crude it reflects poorly on Dr. Paul and the whole campaign. Stick to the high road.
I’ll be writing, but I’ll be sure to keep it clean and civil. Otherwise you’re dealing the campaign a backhanded slight.
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May 12th, 2008 at 2:58 am
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