An Open Letter to Gov. Mike Huckabee-By: Michael A. Minton

Dear Mr Minton. I know you mean well, but I believe you're misguided in you're attempt to "save" the Republican party.

Gov Huckabee has always said that he is first a follower Christ and that his faith, defines him. It defines his conservative worldview and it defines the principles by which he makes decisions in his life. I believe his allegience is primarily to God, his family and his country in that order. He is a Republican and has been since he campaigned for Ronald Reagan as a teenager - but he is not beholden to the party - he is beholden to his conservative principles which are informed and supported by his faith. I think that Gov Huckabee like Reagan, believes in the people and that he respects their voices and he believes the Republican party needs a reformation and a new face. This race is about the future of America not the Republican party. What direction will the candidates lead? Romney didn't lead Massachusetts' conservatively - far from it!

The truth is Romney is no more a conservative savior than McCain is an enemy of conservatism. Why should this be a two-man race at all? How does Romney represent me as a lifelong conservative? He's been wrong as much as McCain - the only difference is he hasn't thumbed his nose or cursed the conservatives in the process and is in fact pandering to the right to get elected just as McCain has pandered to the left for his political gain.

The face presented by Gov Huckabee on the other hand is one of genuine integrity and character, a consistent conservatism guided by principle. He is not perfect no one is, but he has conducted himself like a leader throughout the campaign raising the bar instead of lowering it. And I believe he has a earned the right to a second look by all conservatives.

A vote for Huck is a vote for Huck. Vote according to your principles not for expediency. This is a delegate race and Gov Huckabee is still in it just as as much as Romney or McCain.

I am trying to think of another area in life where a pastor has the authority to step in and recommend a man set aside his principles to supposedly help a man who has consistently lied about his record and who himself hides an agenda that is far from being conservative or Christian.

Just yesterday, CNN's Roland Martin emailed me to confirm that Romney told him that he still supports "gay rights" (he didn't mean equal rights - they have those already!).

You are wrong to assume that Romney would be better at uniting the party and the country than Huckabee. Both McCain and Romney are hot-tempered, as evidenced in the debates. Huckabee is the true conservative. He truly cares about working-class Americans. His wonderful personality and humor reminds me so much of Reagan. People are willing to listen to his ideas because of his calm nature. That's the type of person who will unite us.

If McCain ends up with the nomination, then Romney & Huck could team up as independents and win. They are both great candidates and do not need the blessing of the Republican party to get to the White House.

Pastor Minton - just two days ago you blogged:

"We must not vote for a candidate simply because the polls tell us that candidate would stand the best chance of beating the Democrat nominee. We must vote with conviction, and with what we know, deep in the smalls of our hearts, is the right thing to do."

Now, you want Mike Huckabee and his voters to do exactly the same thing in order to stop McCain.

Would you and Mitt please let us know when you make up your minds about what you want us mind-numbed robots to do?

Inconceivable!

(by the way, what is the small of my heart? Is that a bosom feeling?)

I am far from a pastor-although I assume you are referring to my "preaching."

You quoted my article, "We must not vote for a candidate simply because the polls tell us that candidate would stand the best chance of beating the Democrat nominee. We must vote with conviction, and with what we know, deep in the smalls of our hearts, is the right thing to do."

I am not asking anyone to change their vote here. What I am doing is calling for a man who, honestly, stands no chance of winning the nomination, to step aside.

I understand all of your points of view here, even if I disagree with some of them.

Soulsamari: You write that "This race is about the future of America not the Republican party." I believe I made that very clear in my article.

As far as Gov. Huckabee's integrity and being led by his beliefs, that's fine in personal life, but when you are elected to public office, you ARE beholden to those who elected you to follow the rule of law.

As governor, Mr. Huckabee had more pardons and commutations than his 3 predecessors combined. One of which was a child rapist who went on to murder.

I am all for compassion, but when it clouds your judgment, it's time to re-examine how your faith and job intertwine.

"I am not asking anyone to change their vote here. What I am doing is calling for a man who, honestly, stands no chance of winning the nomination, to step aside."

In fact, the result is the same. In essence, you are asking Huckabee to not vote for himself.

If you have integrity you will check the record on those pardons and commutations. The case you mentioned was not a pardon and the commutation was denied by Huckabee. The parole was given by those who are ultimately responsible - the Democrat members of the independent parole board. Governor Huckabee has taken full responsibility for his role, which was to recommend for a parole.

Reagan had 575 pardons as Governor of California and another 406 as president (GHWB only had about 75!). I suppose you think Reagan was soft on crime.

Reagan had 575 pardons as Governor of California and another 406 as president (GHWB only had about 75!). I suppose you think Reagan was soft on crime.

I never said Reagan was perfect...although he was a might better than anything we've seen since.

From the newspaper accounts I read about the rapist/murderer that Huckabee recommended for pardon, the pardon board said they felt pressured by Huck to do so.

However, like I said, I am not suggesting that he step out because of his positions on issues, just for the good of the country.

Call it a double standard if you wish. But I don't see it as that. Hey, I voted for Perot when I knew there was no chance. And that was a wasted vote.

I would never suggest that any American not vote their conscience. Just, if Huck wasn't there to vote for in protest, maybe we wouldn't get stuck with McCain. But, that's just my opinion (allbeit a RIGHT one...:)

Mike

I meant parole, not pardon.