(CNN) – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee suggested Wednesday that a desire to back a frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination is being calculated into the decision making process by some social conservatives even if the presidential candidate does not have solid socially conservative credentials.
Huckabee said in an interview Wednesday that Pat Robertson’s endorsement of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was “somewhat of a surprise” to him. The former Arkansas governor added, “But, politics is all about surprises.”
In addition to Robertson’s endorsement of Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was recently endorsed by Paul Weyrich, founder of the Free Congress Foundation. Despite a solid conservative record on social issues like abortion, the social conservative movement has not moved en masse behind Huckabee’s candidacy.
“Some people have become more process-focused than they are principle-focused,” Huckabee said when asked about the endorsements by Weyrich and Robertson. “So they look at it from the stance of who does it look like might be ahead of the game.”
Related: Giuliani, McCain pick up key Christian conservative backing
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Mike – WHY do you think the libertarians (Ron Paul) are running under the Republican banner?
Because they have NEVER won a Presidential Election (and they still won't this year). But the notion is – stay pigeon-holed in your hardlined views and you'll win the praise of your few followers. Embrace a broader view and win an election – maintaining a voice in Washington, the Supreme Court, the world.
I would HANDS DOWN rather have Guiliani than Hillary the Socialist.
I really like Huckabee, but Im afraid the progessives are afraid of the fact he is a conservative christian. they will drill him on the fact that he doesnt believe in evolution, even though technically it is still a theory. But the tolarant people of this great nation will not tolerate someone who doesnt believe what they do.
The emporer has no cloths. Power is the highest principle behind 'Social Conservative' leaders. What a punch to the gut for REAL Conservatives!
A skookum 'front runner' will package up with Huckabee as the VP candidate to insure the social conservative vote. A listen to Huckabee will insure all conservatives' and a solid percentage of liberal 'God fearing' votes.
If Mike Huckabee just figured this out today, where the heck has he been for the last decade and a half?
When US politics moves from win-lose, us vs. them to win-win via cooperation and compromise, we may actually become a better nation.
Republicans in 2007 are like Dems in '79. Overfed, complacent, defending entrenched special interests. Let the house-cleaning BEGIN!
I don't agree with social conservatives that much, but in this case, I agree completely with Huckabee
This is the Fresh Blood needed in D.C. My vote is going to this man.
Same symptom for both parties, I'm afraid.
Joe in NC said it all ...
I am so tired of all this pandering and second guessing as to what the voters want ...
We want leadership, intelligence, backbone and vision ... and someone who puts the good of the country ahead of the what's thought to be best of their political party. Honesty would be a great blessing, to.
Perhaps even the Republican social conservatives (translated: hate filled Bible banging bigots) are starting to understand that the rest of America is tired of having religous mumbo jumb jamed down our throats. If you hate gays, dont associate with them; if you hate abortions, dont have one. But dont try and force your hate filled views of society on the rest of us.
He's right when he says: “Some people have become more process-focused than they are principle-focused,”.
I like Mike.
And this comes as a surprise to whom????
When November 2007 gets here, most social conservatives won't vote for Giuliani or his ilk. The GOP is setting themselves up to fail by fronting inconsistent and liberal candidates, and that's exactly what will happen in about 12 months!