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