| Like many of you, over the summer and into the | | | | person in his family to graduate from high school. |
| fall, I've been watching, listening, and scrutinizing | | | | And he worked two jobs in college and graduated |
| the presidential candidates, and contemplating | | | | in two-and-a-half years. He connects to people |
| about whom I believe could lead this country as | | | | through stories and metaphors and a geniality that |
| our next president. | | | | can't be faked. I think people want that in a |
| I have long hoped for the ideal candidate, who is | | | | leader. |
| both a religious conservative, and a competent | | | | Governor Huckabee demonstrates a unique depth |
| leader to run our country as president. Yet at | | | | of understanding about the needs of our country. |
| election time when it comes to casting my vote, | | | | In view of his list of accomplishments, (see |
| if I can't find both characteristics in a candidate, I | | | | attached) I believe he has the ability to lead us in |
| try to choose a competent leader, over the | | | | meeting those needs. More than anything he has |
| religious conservative. | | | | done or can do, however, it is first who Mike |
| I take the same approach when it comes to | | | | Huckabee is that impresses me most. |
| choosing physicians, dentists, financial advisers, | | | | A long-time friend of Mike's, Rick Scarborough, |
| technicians and mechanics. I want competency | | | | and a Minister from Pearland, Texas, who heads |
| first, and if the person is also has conservative | | | | Vision America, said of him, "Mike is a committed |
| values, for me that's an immeasurable bonus. | | | | husband and father. He has always prioritized his |
| There is one candidate who has been viritually | | | | family before politics. His wife, two sons and |
| unknown, whom I believe has demonstrated | | | | daughter speak his highest praise." |
| great leadership --Mike Huckabee. , not because | | | | These are indeed perilous times we are living in, |
| he is "perfect," nor just because he is a a religious | | | | and who knows, but that God may be sending us |
| conservative, but because I believe him to be a | | | | a man "for such a time as this." Who better to |
| competent leader. | | | | lead a nation nearing moral collapse and perhaps |
| After examining his experience and track record, | | | | World War III than a president who is also a |
| I have concluded that Mike Huckabee is not only a | | | | pastor with 10 years of senior executive |
| committed follower of Christ, but also a man of | | | | experience as a governor? |
| vision, character, compassion, and integrity. He is a | | | | Interestingly, he is mounting a campaign for all |
| compassionate conservative. Though solid in his | | | | Americans- - Republicans, Independents and |
| faith and standing for traditional family values, he's | | | | Democrats alike. When I first heard about |
| not an uncaring extremist. He lives what he | | | | Huckabee's campaign for president, he was a |
| believes, and respects others' beliefs even when | | | | relatively unknown candidate, running 7th and 8th |
| they disagree with him. | | | | place in the polls. But a recent Rasmussen poll |
| As "New Man" men's magazine said (July/August | | | | (Nov 8 reports that he pulled within three points |
| 2007), "His proven ability to cast a compelling | | | | of frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, who drew 46% of |
| vision, as he did while governor, that transcends | | | | the vote, while Huckabee drew 43%. I noticed |
| party, ideology and class might enable America to | | | | just this week, that many in the secular press are |
| unite and begin to heal, an especially important | | | | now reporting that Huckabee is a legitimate |
| goal at this point in our history." TIME magazine | | | | first-tier candidate whose star is rising while |
| named Mike Huckabee one of the five best | | | | others are fading. Millions of voters are gravitating |
| governors in America. He's definitely presidential | | | | to him. |
| material. | | | | Mike Huckabee may not be the "perfect" |
| But what I find most appealing about Mike | | | | candidate, but I believe that in him we have a |
| Huckabee is his humor and humility. Those are | | | | levelheaded, stouthearted candidate who will listen |
| key indicators of a spiritually and emotionally | | | | to wise counsel. After careful consideration, I |
| healthy leader - someone who is comfortable with | | | | have concluded that Governor Mike Huckabee is |
| himself, authentic, doesn't wear a mask, and is | | | | our best hope, a proven leader who can take our |
| secure enough to be humble. Another one of his | | | | country in the direction we need to go. |
| greatest assets is that he alone, among all other | | | | We are entering the season of primary elections |
| Republican, Independent, and Democrat candidates | | | | where little is much in terms of turnout, and I if |
| "speaks American." | | | | we as Christians are going to send a godly man |
| Mike Huckabee hasn't lived an isolated, | | | | like Mike Huckabee to the White House, it's time |
| out-of-touch life like so many politicians. He was | | | | for us to rally behind him, support him financially, |
| raised in Hope, Arkansas, with a dad who was a | | | | pray for him, and spread the word of his |
| firefighter and always had a second job. Mike and | | | | character, platform and experience. I want to do |
| his sister grew up as ordinary middle class | | | | all I can to support him because I so strongly |
| Americans, not privileged elite. He was the first | | | | believe that he is the man for this hour. |