December 27, 2007
Posted: December 27th, 2007 06:30 AM ET

Watch scenes from Huckabee's hunting outing Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - It's become a campaign staple for all presidential candidates: perform an activity that demonstrates 'regular-guy' status.

Republican Mike Huckabee took his turn Wednesday, going on a pheasant hunt in Osceola, Iowa during which the Arkansas governor made it clear he is no stranger to the great outdoors.

"Maybe it will show that I certainly understand the culture of being outdoors," he said of the expedition. "It's not something we had to go out and get a primer in. It's very much ordinary to me."

Huckabee's team brought back three pheasants - one of which the candidate claimed he personally shot - and promised they'd be "cleaned and eaten."

Huckabee, who polls show continues to hold onto his lead in Iowa eight days before the state¹s caucuses - also joked the trip could serve as a metaphorical campaign message.

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Huckabee said he was as a lifelong hunter, a statement that harkened back to rival Mitt Romney's similar claim earlier this year. The former Massachusetts governor later backtracked from that statement, saying he had only hunted "small varmints" occasionally.

Huckabee's rise is fueled in part by his "normal guy" appeal, and the governor took the opportunity to reinforce his heartland roots.

“People in Middle America feel like folks will come and campaign in Iowa, and then they get elected and they forget that people out here in flyover land still exist," he said. “Some of us grew up in the middle of the country and still live here."

– CNN's Alexander Mooney and Dana Bash

Filed under: Iowa • Mike Huckabee • Mitt Romney


jan   January 18th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

huc-kill-berry- please stay out of florida.your llying ,cheating, racest,ignorant ways and fake preaching ways aren't wanted here.the more we hear about the truthful hateful you.the more i like mitt and john. we can't count votes here very well,but we are great judges of character. you are phoney.your theme song should be – hit the road jack,and don't come here no more.

Yogi   December 29th, 2007 2:08 pm ET

Bhutto seems to have become a bigger phenomenon in USA than she ever was even in Pakistan!

Bex, TN   December 28th, 2007 2:55 pm ET

You can judge a guy pretty well y the way he treats animals, and if anyone cared to look into this guy's history they would see the sorts of horrific things he and his family have done. His son hung a dog and slit its throat for fun, and he himself caged his dog an put the poor creature on the roof rack whilst driving... and now he's shooting birds and essentially threatening o shoot us if we don't vote for him?
You know what though, it'll be hilarious if he does get elected, he seems to represent what republicans are all about.

PW Va   December 28th, 2007 1:46 pm ET

Cheney wouldn't happen to have been along on this little jaunt, would he???

Kathy, TX   December 28th, 2007 11:56 am ET

Oh come on CNN.....That's not Huck....it's Gomer Pyle! Gaaahlee. :)

arfisher, Midlothian, VA   December 28th, 2007 9:16 am ET

I think this hunting trip was an absolutely horrendous mistake for Huckabee. The picture says it all, followed by the comments of this is what is going to happen to those that oppose me? Not good. Not a president not even a pastor for me.

Pancho   December 28th, 2007 12:51 am ET

Just read a great story on CNNSI re Obama playing hoops in Iowa against an SI writer. Wait, who is Obama pandering to? Black people in Iowa? Are there any? He should have gone pheasant hunting w/ Huck.

Elly Werner, great grandmother   December 27th, 2007 11:41 pm ET

Huckabee is showing his bravado by shooting birds in Iowa, and using this as a message in humor or otherwise: Vote for me or this is what happens. You live or you die. How many times have we seen this scene played out in our school shootings? Is he sending a message to the youth on how to act out their future? Huckabee, put down your gun if you want to be president. We have had enough of a gun minded president!

Roy   December 27th, 2007 10:04 pm ET

Dear Jesus, please let the Republicans nominate this neochristian Elmer Gantry bumpkin as their Presidential Candidate. After eight years of Bush we need the comic relief and the joy of watching another neocon jerk getting his butt kicked by the likes of Hillary or Obama. Amen

Travis, Gainesville, FL   December 27th, 2007 9:50 pm ET

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL – I think you're on to something. At the minimum he's a BAD shepherd. And I know how what to compare him to since I know about the GOOD shepherd.

Kevin   December 27th, 2007 8:16 pm ET

Mike Huckabee claims he hunts ducks 30 times a season, but he doesn't know how to turn the safety off his gun? I smell a skunk!

Sue F, Wentworth NH   December 27th, 2007 7:33 pm ET

The ringneck pheasant was not nearly wiped out. It is an introduced species from asia that is raised for eating and hunting. It is probably the most docile and close to domestic of the pheasants kept normally in captivity. It doesn't belong released into US forests and fields. A better choice would be the breeding of a native game bird. It is not a native bird. Shooting into a flock of chickens would be just as sporting.

I regularly have the poor things wander onto my farm looking for food and sanctuary. They are released opening day and immediately have macho men shooting at them. The fish and game people often have to tell the hunters to wait until the men are clear before shooting. Raised in pens and fed by humans all their lives until they are stuffed in crates and dumped in the middle of nowhere the birds suffer. What the hunters don't kill the native predators get. They aren't given time to adjust from being a chicken to being a wild bird.

Everybody near here has a pheasant horror story from carcasses left to rot missing just the wings and tail, to feeding a bird in the backyard only to have a moron with a gun pop out of the woods and shoot it while the family is right there near the bird. I had a goat shot opening day of pheasant season. I had an old horse die of heart failure because morons went under my electric fence and were shooting near the horses. They even thought it was funny that their dog got electrocuted. Some things should be. Pheasant hunting is one of those nasty things. It seems to attract idiots.

floridasandy   December 27th, 2007 6:50 pm ET

he creeps me out big-time. no wonder he had a son who caught, tortured, and slit the throat of a stray dog! ugh!!!

Laurinda   December 27th, 2007 5:11 pm ET

Oh Brian from Syracuse, you are so funny. I loved what you said.

Rhino   December 27th, 2007 5:01 pm ET

If you're not into hunting, that's fine – but don't push your values onto those of us who are.
If you'd take a moment to become familiar with the sport, you'd soon find that pheasant hunting in Iowa can be a real treat, probably overshadowed only by South Dakota for the avid pheasant hunter's places they'd like to hunt.
Huck wasn't doing anything other than what thousands of out-of-state hunters – which include politicians, ditchdiggers and CEOs – do every year.
He even tried to head off the whining by reminding people that were it not for hunters, pheasants most likely wouldn't thrive anywhere in the U.S.
Some of us enjoy taking some responsibility for the food we consume by harvesting it ourselves and actually enjoy the whole experience. Some people just as soon load their meat into a steel cart in a local supermarket. One is not "worse" than the other, just different – deal with it.

Jose Card - Independent   December 27th, 2007 4:38 pm ET

I wonder where Huckabee's son got the idea of hanging that stray dog.

Kristy Sanborn, Buckhorn, Mo.   December 27th, 2007 3:14 pm ET

I wonder since Bhutto's assassination, if Huckabee still thinks his joke is funny?

john   December 27th, 2007 2:10 pm ET

fergusmom: ummm, huh? i understand hunting for food, but how is hunting for sport (the fun of killing something) more ethical than hunting for politcal advantage (the fun of having power)? i wonder if the bird can tell he's being shot for politics instead of just for sport...

by the way....interesting words from a preacher: 'vote for me or i'll kill you.' pretty sure that's not wjd (or say).

Raymond   December 27th, 2007 2:01 pm ET

Normal guy? Globalist elitists are NOT your average Joe. And don't let that Baptist preacher nonsense fool you either. Christians that flock to this guy are like sheep lined up for the slaughter.

You think we have an immigration problem NOW, just imagine what it will be like if this guy gets elected. North American Union.

Scottish Pajamas   December 27th, 2007 1:37 pm ET

He just lost my vote. What an embarrassment . Gun ownership is our constitutional right, but THIS? This is newsworthy? This is the kid with the Red Rider BB gun. still the dweeb, twice the size.

Janet Kern, Hewitt, NJ   December 27th, 2007 1:26 pm ET

I realized last night that the only thing that Huckabee is going to "feed" with this act of cruelty is his stupid ego. After seeing this, I sure am glad I don't go to church, because if this is what happens from a so called "man of god", I'll just stay home.

Sharilyn K. Hartwell   December 27th, 2007 1:03 pm ET

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

While I agree I was alarmed by this comment ... and yes this type of joke is considered "sick" IMO and is not cool. But there are a lot more serious reasons why I would never consider voting for him ... 1) he made a deal with Mexico's then President Vicente Fox (Arkansas's illiegal aliens group really flourished under his term) so he is not for secure borders - his plan is to send them home one day and allow them to come back the next day – legalized. He "thinks" that is what Americans want???? He sure has a fuzzy thinking problem IMHO. 2) he raised taxes on gasoline and cigarettes, etc 47% in Arkansas.

We need to elect Presidential candidate RON PAUL - the Champion of the Constitution ... to restore our freedoms and country.

Hyattsville, MD   December 27th, 2007 12:59 pm ET

Animals are killed to be eaten, sea creepy-crawly animals (some of them are even cooked alive) are killed to be eaten and so are birds. That does not change my vote.

Ted, Riverhead, NY   December 27th, 2007 12:30 pm ET

I'm a Republican, not a supporter of Huckabee, but am I the only one that thinks he looks like Elmer Fudd here?? I didn't read every single blog, so sorry if someone else said the same thing. Oh well, I'm off to hunting wascilly wabbits.......

Jason NYC   December 27th, 2007 12:23 pm ET

Just the good ol boys, never meanin' no harm......

Yeee Hawwwww!

Jed in Texas   December 27th, 2007 12:11 pm ET

Well first think ya know old Hucks a billionaire Kinfolk said Huck move away from there, D.C is the place ya aught to be, so they loaded up the jet and they moved to Georgetown weeeeeeeee!

Steve Blaine Washington   December 27th, 2007 12:06 pm ET

Does everyone remember the Student who knocked on someone's door in Louisiana and the owner opened the door and shot him dead. Nothing happened to the person who shot the Student.
Louisiana is the only State which has strick laws for carrying hand guns. While I was residing in Mississippi in the 90's it was legal in the other Southern States to carrying handguns in your auto and to and from your auto without a permit. I remember two articles in the paper where Black people were killed by white people. In the first incident a black man was coming out of a white persons house with some goods and the white man shot him in the back with a 44 magnum. In the second incident a delivery guy shot a black man coming out of a store with something he shoplifted.
nothing happened to either one of the shooters in either incident.
Time for things like these to end and the election of someone from the South as Presidebnt is not going t0o end such incidents.

Stacey, Durham, NC   December 27th, 2007 11:59 am ET

David, NC, the FairTax is NOT the answer to all our problems. Overspending and entitlements is our problem. The only candidate that has proven himself a serious fiscal conservative is Romney.

You want the truth about Huckabee and not what he's trying to sell himself as now that he's running for POTUS?

http://taxhikemike.org/

K Wilkinson MG TX   December 27th, 2007 11:57 am ET

Romney 2008!

Believer, Durham, NC   December 27th, 2007 11:50 am ET

Lee Carter, San Francisco, CA – you're wrong to characterize Mitt as running based on his religion. In fact he has done the EXACT opposite of Huckabee. He only made a speech about faith after people continuously hounded him on it. He is running for President of the Unites States, not Pastor of the Unites states like Huckabee. Plain and simple. In fact, now that Huckabee think he has the "Christian" element of the Republican party wrapped up he's dropped his "Christian Leader" title. How's that for using Christ to get votes.

fergusmom   December 27th, 2007 11:40 am ET

Hunting for sport or food for the table is one thing, but the main reason for this hunt was only for political advantage.. It's unethical and unmoral..

Independent in NH   December 27th, 2007 10:41 am ET

Will someone PLZ ask Huckabee if he would give Michelle Obama some pointers on owning a gun??

Senator Obama said, "And by the way, Michelle, my wife, she was traveling up, I think, in eastern Iowa, she was driving through this nice, beautiful area, going through all this farmland and hills and rivers and she said 'Boy, it's really pretty up here,' but she said, 'But you know, I can see why if I was living out here, I'd want a gun. Because, you know, 911 is going to take some time before somebody responds. You know what I mean? You know, it's like five miles between every house.'!!"

Michelle wears the pants in the family so she'll be the one toting the gun ;)

Mike Little, Sarasota, Florida   December 27th, 2007 10:36 am ET

Finally we have some president material in Huckabee. He is so brave showing us that he can shoot birds for no reason other than personal pleasure. And he knows how to show no fear when he say “this is what will happen if you cross my path”. What a hero. This can finally teach Americans that we ought to please our self – long before we please others. Who give a d.. 50 million+ Americans don't have healthcare. It's obviously their fault – and so long I have I don't care either. And why should we make sure children have good and affordable education when it will only give unnecessary competition to our rich kids? They don’t need some smart kid without money or connections taking their future well-paid job. No we don’t need to change anything as this is the country where most have too little and only the few have too much. Vote for Huckabee.

Chris Haynes, Winston-Salem, NC   December 27th, 2007 10:29 am ET

Please, vote Huckabee. He appears most beatable!

After all, your Daddy would have voted for him. hahahaha

Hunter, Flint, MI   December 27th, 2007 10:29 am ET

Geeesh just look at that pic "this is my brodda Darryl and my odda brodda Darryl. Listen, my family is a family of hunters and they go "real" hunting and really eat their catch. They think this guy (along with Cheney) are a complete joke. At least they go out and get some food while these jokers just pay some guy to let the poor animal out of a box at some sanctuary.

Pat Huntington NY   December 27th, 2007 10:25 am ET

Hello Huck, this Elmer Fudd, please give me my hat back.

What a piece of garbage. Hope killing that bird made you feel more like a man!

Hawk,Texas   December 27th, 2007 10:22 am ET

Typical b.s.and this is the guy that even charged $10.000 to deliver a sermon in a church in texas.and gets $25.000 to speak to people.

CintiKid, Cinti, Ohio   December 27th, 2007 10:20 am ET

When will Shillary go hunting ... look out Bill.

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   December 27th, 2007 10:13 am ET

All Catholics and Christians know that the last days–christians will be persecuted, deprived, and ridiculed and fall into a minority on the earth. What makes us think–that by electing a "single issue" candidate who has dubious credentials– christian ideals will magically begin to permeate our congress and the office of the president?

By electing a candidate–who shares only one of our christian values–the "right to life"–we risk nominating and electing–the anti-christ. Many Democrats feel abortion is a sin–but that charity and aid to the poor and suffering are virtues.

Why do we ignore the prophesies when it suits us–and think man-kind can really change the world? If Huckleberry is so great, why isn't he supporting some of the "other" christian values???? This guy could very well be the anti-christ.

Mike   December 27th, 2007 10:11 am ET

Right, like killing birds and animals will make him look like a normal person!

Do they really think that we are that stupid? God help us!

Mark, Brown Summit NC   December 27th, 2007 9:59 am ET

If candidate Huckleberry did not pluick the feathers and dress that bird, He should be ostricized from American society for beinga Ignorant uneducated red neck. He also should have taken the bird home and eaten it and forced his family to eat it. Taking a life for political gain is an outrage, just as the situation in Pakistan with Bhutto's assination is an outrage! I am going to start my hate Huckleberry phase of life until I hear that the facts are that he needed dinner for hungry family or the starving families of America.

Amused, Las Vegas   December 27th, 2007 9:55 am ET

This is good. "To prove that I can be President, I'll go out and shoot something." Is this the only criteria now?

Isn't that the criteria for VICE President?

Mike, Lansing MI   December 27th, 2007 9:51 am ET

Not only does he want to enforce a theocracy on American's, but now he wants to hold us all hostage...is Al Queda on his funding list? This is what's wrong with Republicans. You people think that you can put on a good show and people will just oh and ah over you. We've just had nearly 8 years of moronic leadership. Do people want another 4 with this fool?

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   December 27th, 2007 9:47 am ET

I want to know why some consider it manly to go hunting. Given this period of time that we have all the food that we could ask for at most supermarkets, how often should we really go hunting?

Is Huckabee really adovcating people go hunting to supplement their food supply? Is he telling us he going to shoot the other candidates; I guess it is going to be a surprise as to which one it is.

gilliganscorner   December 27th, 2007 9:44 am ET

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Wow. Couple this with his comment about his opponents committing suicide with razor blades, and you really begin to wonder exactly what is wrong with him.
Posted By Jack Barnes : December 26, 2007 5:09 pm

Good Post Jack. Thought I would add the video so people could see what you are saying is factually correct:

Click here: Huckabee Suggests Opponents Commit Suicide

Dianna Barrella Irvington NY   December 27th, 2007 9:18 am ET

Perhaps Huckabee should be a real man and go to Iraq and kill some terrorist not innocent creatures, and he claims to be a religious person.
He is not religious nor a man to me!

Michelle, AL   December 27th, 2007 9:14 am ET

For those of you talking about Huckabee killing for sport, especially the comment from "Seattle, Washington" that he killed for no reason other than sport, did you people read the whole story? It said his team killed 3 birds which would be cleaned and eaten. He didn't just shoot them for fun.

And as far as the Bible saying Thou shalt not kill.. try reading the whole story there too. That is talking about killing humans. Go back to Genesis where God tells Adam that he has dominion over the animals, or when God says He has given us animals for food. If people never learned to hunt, none of us would be here. How do you think people in ancient civilizations survived? Or even frontiersmen who settled this country? Geez.. not everyone gets their food at the grocery store.

I'm from Alabama, and I find it funny that people keep calling him a redneck, and talk about Southerners being so ignorant, yet they take so everything out of context and can't read anything they don't agree with without nitpicking and misinterpreting.

Rich   December 27th, 2007 9:13 am ET

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds. This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

I bet he has the same message for non-christian's too! If that statement doesn't say it all – I don't know what does.

Heath, Bronx, NY   December 27th, 2007 9:12 am ET

Can somebody please give me clarity. Why is it when Michael Vick kills a dog in sport, he is put in jail and when Mike Huckabee kills a pheasant in sport he is considered macho and angling for votes??? Are you telling me, if Michael Vick would have eaten the dogs he could justify the kill and run for president? Is it no wonder that black people still feel there is a double standard in this country.

Katy Hill Prescott Az.   December 27th, 2007 9:12 am ET

America doesn't need a bible thumping, gun toting,male chauvanist pig to represent us. We already have enough of those in government. I can't believe there are still people who would actually vote for Huckaboom after 7 years of the Bush/Cheney fiasco.

jw, canadian,ok   December 27th, 2007 9:09 am ET

Well at least the Huckster knows what to shoot, when 'Dubya' was running for Gov of Texas he shot a bird on the endangered species list and was given a ticket by the Game Warden on duty.

Jon, Plantation, FL   December 27th, 2007 9:09 am ET

Oh, how offended we all are... really... now let's get back to something important..like, eating chicken and beef and ham and turkey and lobster, none of which involve killing any of God's creatures.

Personally, I'm not into hunting... but let's be honest, people... the food comes from somewhere.

Liza, Columbus, OH   December 27th, 2007 9:04 am ET

First he wants to quarantine people with AIDS. Then he wants me to "graciously submit to the servant leadership of my husband." Then he claims that my sole purpose on earth is to marry and procreate. Now he brags about the unneccesary killing of God's beautiful creatures and threatens that if we don't vote for him, we'll suffer the same fate. And he calls himself a Christian and wants to reclaim the United States for Christ? This guy is unbelievable. I'd rather not regress any further toward the dark ages than the Bush administration has already taken us. As an intelligent, financially independent, well educated woman who believes in the constitutional right to separation of church and state, I am ready for a president who represents ME. I'm sick of 60-something conservative white men trying to tell me how to live my live. Bring on Hillary or Barack and let one of them lead this country back to the twenty-first century.

john   December 27th, 2007 8:59 am ET

c'mere you wascally wabbit, mitt womney! i'm gonna shoot you cuz i wanna be pwesident, huhuhuhu hu!

doesn't anyone else notice the overwhelming resemblence to elmer fudd in this picture? :)

Hughes   December 27th, 2007 8:55 am ET

- I don't care what religious background you come from – a religious person, whether a Rhabbi, a Priest, a Buddhist Monk, or an ordained minister like Huckabee (who should not be running precisely because he IS an ordained minister) should be an example of non-violence. That's why you have priests in war, at the bedside of a condemmed criminal. They aren't pulling the trigger, they are offering spiritual guidance. If Huckabee, like Vick, had killed an animal we all love and consider a pet, like a dog, cat, snake, or lizard – he would have been forced off the ticket. But who cares for a pheasant? They don't hurt. They don't feel pain. They are strictly here on this earth to serve us and to be fodder for our jokes. It's disgraceful.

L, Florida   December 27th, 2007 8:51 am ET

I'm not suprised, the jerk thinks with what's between his thighs and would rather kill small animals and release murderers and rapists from prison then be a decent human being.

Good to know he can show off and shoot a pheasant down. He is such a tool. It baffles me how someone this stupid can almost be president, but then again, W made it to office.

Cananda is looking so good right now.

Joe, Indianapolis,IN   December 27th, 2007 8:49 am ET

HEADLINE 1: HUCKABEE IS TYPICAL SOUTHERN IDIOT!

THIS IS WHY REST OF AMERICA THINKS PEOPLE FROM THE SOUTH ARE SIMPLE-MINDED IDIOTS AND DON'T KNOW THEIR "ARSE" FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND. AS A NATIVE OF THE SOUTH, I'M SO EMBARRASSED RIGHT NOW. WHAT'S HE GOING TO DO NEXT, "SHUCK" SOME CORN COOK UP A "MESS" OF THAT?

HEADLINE 2: CONGRATULATIONS PEOPLE OF IOWA!!!

THANKS TO THIS SOUTHERN FOOL, YOUR VOTE AND ALL THAT YOU STAND FOR HAS BEEN REDUCED SOME SENSELESS BABBLE AND SOME DEAD BIRDS. I KNOW YOU HAVE A SUCH A WARM AND FUZZY FEELING INSIDE NOW...ESPECIALLY TOWARD THIS LOSER.

Tom Purdom, Ocala, FLorida   December 27th, 2007 8:44 am ET

So if we don't line up for Huckabee he's kill us? He's promoting irresponsiblity with guns as a political positive? Does he know of that Commandment, thou shalt not kill?

Aaron Smithsburg, Maryland   December 27th, 2007 8:39 am ET

If it wasn't for hunters the ring neck pheasant would probably be extinct. Captive breeding sustained the population while pollution and pesticides decimated their population in the wild during the seventies and eighties. I hope he donated the meat or personally kept his kill for meat. I can't stand people that kill for sport. That's called a wasteful idiot. If you kill game you need to eat it or give it away to somebody who will.

Dianna Elia South Salem, NY   December 27th, 2007 8:39 am ET

What a disgusting, inhumane threat to make, "Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

He definetely lost the vote myself and any other animal lover and I will make sure I spread the word!

Steve, an American   December 27th, 2007 8:35 am ET

All of you people busting his chops for killing a poor innocent animal, etc. are crazy. I hate to break it to you, but your burger comes from sweet ole bessie. And for you vegetarians, hey, those carrots are alive... perhaps not sentient, but living none the less. We all kill, deal with it.

Charles   December 27th, 2007 8:25 am ET

Tom A said "I knew it would be this right wing candidate. No one else would do anything this risky to just court their base…" Hmmm.... Ever heard of a man by the name of Senator John Kerry?

Jenny Robinson Aransas Pass Texas   December 27th, 2007 8:23 am ET

So, the big man killed pheasants with a big gun. If he thinks that will endear him to the people, he is nuts. After that little stunt I'd rather vote for Hillary (whom I can't stand)than for this idiot.

Jenny

Anonymous   December 27th, 2007 8:17 am ET

It is good to see so many uninformed raging anti's speaking their mind. If you took the bird comment seriously you obivously have a problem distinguishing the difference between humor and reality. With that kind of dicision making capability you should all stay home on election day.

For all the anti-hunters did Jesus not provide fish to feed thousands? Why would Jesus kill an animal, why do animals kill animals.....to eat! Don't forget we are all animals. Take your self righteous attitudes and go back what makes you feel good and leave the conservation to the people who use it.....SPORTSMEN, campers, hikers, boaters, and any other outdoor activities. They save more animals per year than PETA and HSUS together. Remember the Robertson-Pittman act??? Remember any of the state run conservation branchs,(DNR)those dollars come from the people who pay to use the outdoors.
Just investigate and quit taking stuff so serious...

roger, conway sc   December 27th, 2007 8:15 am ET

Well here we go again this shows you the mentality of the republican party especially the right wing christian conservatives, we think the extremest in other countries are bad we need to step back and look at some of our own here in the U.S. This is just a sample of what we are in for if the GOP wins the presidency. VOTE DEMOCRATIC 08

Ron   December 27th, 2007 8:11 am ET

Huckabee just threatened to kill Romney, or anyone else who did not vote for him. That is terroristic threatening, and it's a crime. America, Please do NOT vote for this crimminal. Huckabee was always unelectable, today he became immoral.

Willy, Chesapeake,VA   December 27th, 2007 8:07 am ET

At least Huckabee hunts unlike that John Kerry fool who still had the store bought tags on his clothing during the photo op.
This guy just scares you liberals, don't he?

Walt, Belton, TX   December 27th, 2007 8:06 am ET

Of course, CNN checked and verified that the Huckster had bought and had on his non-resident hunting license with pheasant stamp! Any life-long hunter wouldn't hunt without one, right?

Kate, Aurora CO   December 27th, 2007 7:55 am ET

America already voted for the "awww shucks" guy next door and look at the state of the country. I hope and pray my fellow Americans are not as ignorant and won't fall for the same line. Here's an idea, instead of a photo op shooting animals how about feeding the homeless or taking a tour of New Orleans that is still in ruins? Wake up people.

Bob   December 27th, 2007 7:46 am ET

Gimme a break ....God put rooster pheasants on earth for TWO reasons..
TO REPRODUCE and for PEOPLE TO EAT!!!

Anonymous   December 27th, 2007 7:41 am ET

That was disgusting, killing inocent animals for sport. He just lost a majoriaty of the voters. What was he thinking?

Roosevelt's Ranger , Monroe, Georgia   December 27th, 2007 7:38 am ET

Huckabee obviously is a man who is comfortable afield and handling a firearm. He is no novice hunter that is posing for NRA support (unlike the poser Kerry in the last election).

He is well spoken and a man who has effeciently demonstrated he can make the difficult decisions it take to govern fairly and effectively.

Well done on the report CNN! I'm pleasantly surprised!

No good presidential candidates this time around, Baltimore, MD   December 27th, 2007 7:32 am ET

Me Mike Huckabee...Me caveman...me hunt real good...Me be good president...at least me no shoot good friend-hunting buddy like Dick Chaney did....

Go away Huckabee...

Carole   December 27th, 2007 7:30 am ET

Until now, I was actually worried that the guy might get the nomination. But now, we can stick a fork in him, he's so done. His jokes are about as funny as Ann Coulter's.

I don't suppose it would ever occur to this cornpone to enjoy the outdoors by going hiking or skiing.

BCNU purple state, usa   December 27th, 2007 7:30 am ET

The Iowa Carcasses!

Mary, Beaver, PA   December 27th, 2007 7:24 am ET

Jerk

Wade Enns Calgary, Alberta   December 27th, 2007 7:18 am ET

If Bill Clinton went hunting do you think Hillary would beleive he was out hunting with the boys.

Marta Akashe, Mundelein IL   December 27th, 2007 7:13 am ET

Mike Huckabee is disgusting. Do we want this white trash "ordinary" guy to represent the United States around the world for the next for years? I don't. He is surely not "presidential" enough for me. Thank you

chris york sc   December 27th, 2007 7:06 am ET

everything funny with him just like the hillary cackle. search hang dog huckabee to see what I mean.

Beverly, Hamilton, NY   December 27th, 2007 7:05 am ET

The allusion to the "regular guy" image is insulting, considering that a woman is running for president. What Huckabee is saying is that one needs to be a guy to be president, that you need to be able to kill something to br president, that you need to lord your power over innocent creatures. Clinton's war stance notwithstanding, perhaps the world would be a better place if someone were in power who truly appreciated the importance of nurturing life and peace, not killing it or promioting war. The right wing Republican hypocrites who state that all life is precious (i.e., anti-abortion, anti stem-cell research, anti-euthanasia zealots) seem to have no problem sending thousands of young men and women to their deaths in Iraq-not to mention the hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians killed there. Old boy network, old boy philosophies, old boy idiocy. This stunt just proves it. Why doesn't someone who advocates for peace and true caring for all life run for president? I guess they are not "regular guys".

Anom cal   December 27th, 2007 6:39 am ET

John Gustafson: second that!
Agree with you 100% on your comment!
What a show of how clueless this man is, to think the american people are naive enough to fall for this stupid publicity stunt!

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   December 27th, 2007 6:34 am ET

... how manly! What's his military service record? Afraid someone will shoot back?

Pandering Preacher Mike!! Reminds of that other Mike ... sitting in a tank -looking foolish ... and then there is another "life-long hunter" ol' Dead Eye Dick Cheney!! He doesn't threaten to shoot voters – he just shoots friends.

Gotta love the GOP – one NH GOP fundraiser allowed people to shoot machine guns – just for the fun of it ... never in combat tho ... couldn't ask these guys to actually do military service.

Barbara, Phoenix, AZ   December 27th, 2007 6:32 am ET

so I'm watching the news and all this stuff about murder, houses burning, people starving, people needing help comes up and then BAM!!! "Mike Huckabee goes hunting!" Isn't it ironic that while people out there are in need of some serious help one of our presidential candidates go on a hunting vacation instead of doing something worthwhile? That guy is seriously ignorant!

Dan (Columbia, MD)   December 27th, 2007 6:31 am ET

BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Take that PETA!

While I'm not voting for this guy I like that he's sincere in his beliefs.

Craig Finnegan, Madison, Wisconsin   December 27th, 2007 6:30 am ET

I've got a great idea for improving on Huckabee's Photo Op.....string a big banner over the dead pheasants, that reads: "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"!!

dr. gonzo   December 27th, 2007 6:10 am ET

Also, we either have blog comments by a bunch of vegetarians or hypocrites, can't figure out which.

dr. gonzo   December 27th, 2007 6:07 am ET

Americans don't even hunt anymore, this is stupid.

Matt, Manchester, CT   December 27th, 2007 5:23 am ET

Well I know which Republican I won't be voting for in my state's primary on 2/5. Next he'll be dragging his wife behind him by his hair and wearing a leopard skin. NEXT.

Jake, Sioux City, IA   December 27th, 2007 5:16 am ET

Are we electing a president for our country or a minster??? This idiot has the nerve to say on national TV that he shot three pheasants because they weren't going to vote for him. So he is going to start shooting peopel that don't vote for him, according to what he says.

Jerry Pursley, Matagorda, Texas   December 27th, 2007 5:10 am ET

Mike Huckabee looks the most 'normal' candidate I've seen in a long time!

Barry, Minneapolis, MN   December 27th, 2007 4:51 am ET

So What!

Sue F, Wentworth NH   December 27th, 2007 4:30 am ET

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

What??????Get that moron away from loaded weapons. I live next to a pheasant release site. They aren't anything more than nervous chickens. No sport to it. Just a disgusting massacre.

Richard, Mckinney, Texas   December 27th, 2007 4:09 am ET

John Kerry is a wantabe..Huck is a hunter...but then who cares.......
I vote on the issues. not what they do
or do not hunt.

pbj, San Diego, CA   December 27th, 2007 4:07 am ET

Huck looks like an ideal VP candidate totin' that shotgun.

Seriously, Romney is the real consensus conservative candidate with both fiscal and social issues covered. He changed on one key issue, where he converted from pro choice to pro life. For that the media gives him the flip flop label and says he's pandering. I know Mitt's family and will say they're some of the most principled people I know. And the apple can't fall far from the tree. I look at these people's personal lives and see that Mitt is, in fact, a man that stands for and teaches his kids principles. Saying anything different to me is quite ironic and says more about the people giving the negative label than about Mitt.

Paul C, Palmetto Bay, FL   December 27th, 2007 3:52 am ET

If you vote for this jerk because he can shoot a defenseless bird then we are seriously in trouble.
Where's the VP when we need him?

Sam IA   December 27th, 2007 3:48 am ET

This looks more like a skeet shoot than hunting. Do you in the media really think someone leading in the polls would be presented with a shot that he might miss?
Where did the bird go. In the trash? As a lifelong hunter this display of senseless killing for a few points with Bubba and the NRA stinks.
Growing up in rural Iowa i also hunted and the food was consumed by my family but if we didn't need it i would just leave my rifle or shotgun at home and set in the timber and watch the deer, sqirrels, pheasant, and the rest of God's creatures. That was always my greatest afternoon.
But then again as a democrat who understands that the NRA is nothing more than a rightwing trojan horse I suppose this point would be moot to a hate radio addict.

Steven, Los Angeles Ca.   December 27th, 2007 3:29 am ET

Ron Paul would never stage such a cheap, obvious ploy for NRA votes. The fact that Huckabees comments about shooting and killing politcal opponents have not been picked up in the media is a testament to the fact that he is the new selected by the establishment Republican topgun. What a sham!

Ron Paul is the only REAL human being running for President. He would never disgrace himself like this. Huckabee should never be allowed to forget this pathetic display and his words today. If he can speak so cavalierly about life and killing, what kind of Commander in Chief will he make?

Anonymous   December 27th, 2007 3:07 am ET

kill an animal- lose a vote. good job.

Darrel Dickson, Enumclaw, Washington   December 27th, 2007 2:58 am ET

CCN is promoting the HUCKSTER! MIKE HUCKSTER, The so called "Christian Leader" just got paid $10k for preaching the Word of God. Last time I read the new testament it said you should not preach "for filthy lucre". I believe that churches are private operating foundations, and by law are prohibited from endorsing canidates. Now he is going out and killing for his own gain? STOP THE WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING.

Ed - Memphis, Tn   December 27th, 2007 2:48 am ET

I severely dislike this man. However, what I hate even more is people like one above me who said that it's wrong to kill an animal for sport... but then he said he likes to have a barbecue. And just what is the difference? Death is death. You don't need meat– I declare you a hypocrite.

Vegan. Always. Try it and you'll see why. Until then, you can't say it's not for you. I've been a meat-eater and I've become a vegan. I've tried both worlds and I know which one I'll always be. Give it a try.

Ernest Worrell, Nevada   December 27th, 2007 2:48 am ET

Yeah, he's a real man. Hope he doesn't kill dogs like his idiot son. And then you have Mitt who goes on vacation with his pet dog tied to the roof of his station wagon. What a group.

Lynne Bloom   December 27th, 2007 2:38 am ET

I hope the people of Iowa recognize what a miserable piece of slime this man is and use him for target practice.

Pam Holt Los Angeles, CA   December 27th, 2007 2:20 am ET

Like Father, Like Son.

They both enjoy killing animals.

Dario Brooklyn, NY   December 27th, 2007 2:19 am ET

I think everyone's comments pretty much sums it up. The guy is appealing to his base. It's definitely sad that a minister thinks that's Christian behavior.

Joe Shea, Bradenton, Fla.   December 27th, 2007 2:10 am ET

There go the birdwatchers – and many others who might have voted for this birdbrain.

Tony T Coldwater Michigan   December 27th, 2007 2:07 am ET

COOL!!!

Elmer Fudd for President!!!

Sandra TN   December 27th, 2007 1:59 am ET

Now, I know for sure, I won't vote for him. He's a complete moron. Why would anyone in their right mind, want this guy running our country?

Mark, Elizabethtown, Kentucky   December 27th, 2007 1:44 am ET

Could there be a connection between Huckabee and Dick Cheney?

Steve Blaine Washington   December 27th, 2007 1:38 am ET

Huckabee should address the issue of Civil Rights for Black people in the South especially Arkansas instead of running for President. They deserve the same rights in the Southern States as in the Northern and Western States.
After all the Civil War has been over for 147 years.

Lynn Metcalf; Waldron, AR   December 27th, 2007 1:33 am ET

First of all, Huckabee is NOT our governor any longer. In fact, many people were counting down the days until he was no longer our governor. Mr. Huckabee is using all the stops to make people of America believe he a "good ol religious boy"...in fact he is none of those. He uses whatever he can to gain votes. In Arkansas, he used the eduation system to gain the trust of Arkansas teachers and obtain their vote..and for some it worked. It only took a short time to see it was all an act. He did more to worsen the education system, teacher morale, and teacher pay than anyone before him! Each day in the classroom we still see the effects of his actions.
When he left office, he suspicously cleared computers, and drained monies that were to be used by the next governor, Mike Bebe. The American people do not need to trust this man...he is the poster child for "dirty politicians."

Sukie, Medford, OR   December 27th, 2007 1:31 am ET

I have only one belief about gun ownership. As long as the person who gets shot is related to the shooter and not me, I don't really care who they shoot.

As for myself, I just bought a taser.

Allen, Seattle, WA   December 27th, 2007 1:28 am ET

22 comments and not one (till this) with any logic or intelligence. Way to go CNN. Can't you people say anything but "oh my gosh, he's such a hick; as a matter of fact anyone who hunts is a unintelligent hick that probably isn't even potty trained" Grow up. Thank gosh not everyone has to play the "I'm so much more sophisticated and intellectual than you" routine.

Karen Houston TX   December 27th, 2007 1:20 am ET

Another media stunt for the Super-Panderer Huck! "Be vewy vewy qwiet...I'm hunting voters."

Craig K., Middletown, DE   December 27th, 2007 1:01 am ET

I liked Huckabee until this silly stunt. You killed an animal needlessly for votes, which is reckless and shows me that this idiot does not belong in the Whitehouse. As a result, I just eliminated you from my list!

MD, Madison, WI   December 27th, 2007 12:59 am ET

I thought that picture looked like someone else, and I could not place it right away. Then it came to me, oh my God! It looks just like a real life Elmer Fudd from the Looney Tunes! Why sure, and he has done shot him a pesky pheasant! Is this apropos or what?

Ian   December 27th, 2007 12:56 am ET

Michael Dukakis looked completely dopey in that tank PR picture years ago, but Michael Huckabee looks positively maniacal in this hunting PR photo.

Carole Huebotter, Charlevoix, Michigan   December 27th, 2007 12:48 am ET

Why is it that some men have to prove their manhood by killing defenseless animals?

Anonymous, Upstate, NY   December 27th, 2007 12:46 am ET

"The culture of being outdoors" that I know and love has nothing to do with dressing in day-glo orange and killing things. He couldn't contain his glee, too, that HE SHOT IT. I wonder what Jesus Christ would have thought about killing for sport? Pathetic hypocrite.

Joe, Philadelpha, PA   December 27th, 2007 12:45 am ET

I think hunter try to look manly because they are insecure about something. Huckabee is so small, the bee says is it in?

john williams san diego, ca.   December 27th, 2007 12:41 am ET

Tom A. leawood,ks. 'presidential candidate goes hunting' and you knew it was a right wing candidate? Maybe you are to young to know a left wing loonie presidential candidate named Kerry that shot and killed a wild turkey during his campaign? He also was wounded three times in Viet Nam and has the bandages to prove it.

Patrick, Denver Colorado   December 27th, 2007 12:38 am ET

Just to be fair John Kerry did this as well and looked just as stupid as Huckabee in the process. I dream of the day when I can vote for a president who promotes life instead of death. Instead I am stuck choosing between a majority of Republicans who favor the unecessary killing of animals, and the death penalty and the majority of Democrats who want to keep the killing of babies legal in our country. Someone please become a true pro-life candidate.

AJM in Portland, Oregon   December 27th, 2007 12:35 am ET

Hello, liberal in Seattle. The Hebrew verb used in the fifth command of the Decalogue is clear in implying an act of murder; the intentional slaying of another human being. In the Scriptures, hunting is never even remotely related to an act of murder, but is given as a basic, post-fall right of mankind.

If you think this post is silly and nitpicky, go back and read the rest of them again.

Way to go CNN... Sheesh.

Nick, Wildwood, MO   December 27th, 2007 12:27 am ET

Please, please, please, do not vote for this man. I know I won't. Such an incident only reinforces his provincial mindset.

Louis Park Millville, NJ.   December 27th, 2007 12:25 am ET

How fake is this. No hunting license means this was a game bird farm. A borrowed 12 gauge and every stitch of clothing was brand new. Knowing Huck's reputation everything was probably gifted to him. Wish someone would gift a brand new $3000.00 Banelli to me.
I'll stick with Ron Paul he may not hunt but I'll sleep better knowing my second amendment right will be safe. If the NRA backs Huckabee I'm pulling my membership.

T. Tim, Lodi, WI   December 27th, 2007 12:19 am ET

I hear it now, the Repubs' 2008 campaign theme song endlessly repeating that line from the Beatles–"Happiness is a warm gun." Politico-pandering is reaching new lows. What's next, Huck's wife on screen with her grenade launcher? Sad commentary on the
cultural roots of gun-based violence in America today.

Angela, WPB< FL   December 27th, 2007 12:18 am ET

What an IDIOT!
I know there are people who like to hunt, but to use it to get votes and then make a veiled threat to people who don't vote for him because he might shoot them is just about as stupid as it gets!

And that picture makes him look like something out of Deliverance.
UGH!

Ian, Midland MI   December 27th, 2007 12:17 am ET

At least he didn't shoot any of his buddies in the face. ; )

F Frank, Berkeley, California   December 27th, 2007 12:17 am ET

Good think Huckleberry Pile didn't go shooting with Cheney or he would have been the one bagged and stuffed. Being a pheasant hunter, I bet those birds were wild pheasants in an ordinary farmers fields, but plants at a hunting club. I went hunting with my cousins one time at a club in California and got my two planted birds without firing a shot. My dog caught the first one in his mouth, and the second one flew straight up and had a heart attack and died before I could shoot him. At least Huckster didn't slit the dogs throat like his did to that "mangy" stray years ago and pops tried to cover it up.

Abm Habibullah   December 27th, 2007 12:12 am ET

Why is American Presidential candidates will have to kill innocent creatures to prove how mucho they are? Who fault is this? Is this the fault of these power hungry politicians or the fault of ignorant people like us who will fall for a guy with a gun?

Dale Davis, Glendora, California   December 27th, 2007 12:12 am ET

Hee Haw! Go Gomer Pyle!!!!!!!!!!

John Halverson DC   December 27th, 2007 12:10 am ET

I have nothing against hunting and I understand that he needs to wear warm clothes, but does he need to look like such a dope? also is there any way we could get him hunting with Cheney? some of his companions don't make it back and I sure could use a break from this idiot.

Ted Shadin, Playa Vista, CA   December 27th, 2007 12:03 am ET

Were these the pheasants that were raised in a farm and delivered to the pen on the morning of the "hunt?" What a clod.

Shocked, GOP, USA   December 26th, 2007 11:59 pm ET

If this guy by some fluke gets to the general election, he's going to be slaughtered. Mike, you may just want to stick with orange – just in case. Here's your sign.

Eric Ascher, Groton, CT   December 26th, 2007 11:58 pm ET

As a citizen in the United States Navy I say support John McCain for Republican candidate for President of the United States of America as he is the most experienced candidate in government and world affairs.

david allan, pennsylvania   December 26th, 2007 11:57 pm ET

The import of Huckabee's speech, assuming he was correcty quoted, is that he is willing to win the election by killing all who oppose him and, I presume when in power, maintain his dictatorship by killing his opponents. Sounds like a real Republican candidate who has revealed the true extent of his parties anti-democratic underpinnings.

Patrick, Ardmore Oklahoma   December 26th, 2007 11:56 pm ET

i wonder what he is going to do to the turkey on thanksgiving.how is this attractive. The last major politician that was in the news for hunting was cheney and that is because he shot a guy.

great so he can kill helpless birds, now can he make a health plan that will actually be beneficial to americans.

Larr, Garrison, NY   December 26th, 2007 11:51 pm ET

Not all "ordinary" people go hunting and find it necessary to capture it on film.

Paul, Tampa, FL   December 26th, 2007 11:49 pm ET

Didn't we, as a nation, learn our lesson about letting old, white Repugnants handling firearms after the Chaney incident?

Alan Disler, Los Angeles, CA   December 26th, 2007 11:48 pm ET

Pandering hypocrite. And this is the "Christian" candidate?

Nathan   December 26th, 2007 11:42 pm ET

I just think like, wow. It's just like you know what I mean.

Paul Thompson   December 26th, 2007 11:41 pm ET

Wow...someone went hunting.

JC, Dallas TX   December 26th, 2007 11:36 pm ET

Rather point at the bird instead of the real enemy.

Mary Frances Chicago il   December 26th, 2007 11:22 pm ET

Shooting animals - another reason not to support him. Yuck

Kristin, Chicago, IL   December 26th, 2007 11:20 pm ET

Klass with a capital K

Unbelievable. His strategy team should be...erm..shot.

james, newport, KY   December 26th, 2007 11:18 pm ET

All of the people posting these anti-hunting comments better not be so hypocritical. I'm sure most of you eat beef, pork, or chicken. Just because it came in a plastic package from the grocery store doesn't mean it wasn't killed.
The article said they would clean and eat the birds. Nothing wrong with that.

And if you are too stupid to pick up on Huckabee's sarcasm, then maybe you should vote for a Democrat.

Dan, Battle Creek Michigan   December 26th, 2007 11:18 pm ET

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens...You vote for me, you live. You don't ... there you go."

So when I don't vote for Mike, he intends to show up at my door and shoot me ... nice. Mike, that's not funny at all. Even if it was a joke, you still just threatened the American public. So are you a terrorist?

Mrs. America   December 26th, 2007 11:16 pm ET

Does this guy have a death thing? To say if people don't vote for him . . . This is the same guy that said something about losing candidates in a warm bath with razor blades.

If anyone wonders where his dog-murdering son learned how to treat God's creatures, you're looking at him, there with the birds.

Linda, Spring, Texas   December 26th, 2007 11:13 pm ET

This sickens me. He was my favorite, until now. How sad it is when people kill animals. He will get what he deserves.

Don't let their subliminal tactics fool you   December 26th, 2007 11:12 pm ET

Why is the hyperlink for this story "Ticker: Huckabee kills a pheasant on camera" when he did not kill a pheasant on camera? How many people are going to browse the headlines and see this garbage without reading the story to find out that he did not kill a pheasant "on camera".

What a great way for the typical liberal CNN to steer the thoughts of the unwitting American people.

Cody, Houston, Texas   December 26th, 2007 11:10 pm ET

Way to liberally categorically frame an article CNN. Just had to hone in on quotes because heaven forbid the world know you don't want Mike Huckabee to be the next President of the United States.

I knew from the moment I saw the headline that you were going to frame Huckabee in a negative light. Just knew it. For once give me objective news, please.

Merry Christmas,
Cody

Mike Abraham, Roxbury, CT   December 26th, 2007 11:07 pm ET

Just another panderer.

That's Reality   December 26th, 2007 11:02 pm ET

Blayze,

Huckabee is a normal guy, above average and exceptional, and that's why he's doing so well without the huge amount of $$ the other candidates have at their disposal.

PoliticalTicker@gmail.com   December 26th, 2007 10:58 pm ET

CNN calls itself the "Best Political Team"?

I'm starting to read what is on cbsnews.com and foxnews.com a lot more now, thanks to CNN.com!

Trang, Fremont, CA   December 26th, 2007 10:57 pm ET

Killing an animal for entertainment? Thank you for informing me about this. Now, he's off my list.

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 26th, 2007 10:56 pm ET

Seems CNN just wants to give us a slanted point of view.

Why don't they tell us the whole story? It's not like it costs anymore to put a few more words here.

This article paints Huck as a gun-crazed nut. But he is a hunter, just as millions of Americans are.

A thinking woman   December 26th, 2007 10:55 pm ET

Good for Huckabee; he's not afraid to hunt pheasants regardless of what the animal rights' groupies will say about him. I wonder if all animal rights' supporters are vegetarians and if they ever wear leather. Do they support the rights of ALL animals such as bugs and worms, ticks and leeches? I'm glad Huckabee is man enough to use a gun, hunt for food (as was mentioned in the article) and not wimp out. Men should be men and I'm glad some of them still know how to hunt AND go to war to protect our nation. Those who call this redneck mentality have been brainwashed by the wimps who don't know how to load a gun. Whatcha gonna do if/when the terrorists come?

John, Oklahoma City, OK   December 26th, 2007 10:26 pm ET

Lucky guy. I haven't been able to go out this season...

Ticker Shock, Richmond,VA   December 26th, 2007 10:19 pm ET

That is just sick. I will not watch the video though. What a coward he must be.

Jen Cedar Falls, IA   December 26th, 2007 10:19 pm ET

This picture and Huck's doofus comment about voting for him as opposed to NOT voting for him are the sinking blocks to his candidacy. Just like Kerry's picture of his "fake hunt" and his doofus comment. I agree, this man wasn't hunting for game, for supper or for fun. He was hunting for VOTES! Boo!

Chris,Columbus, Ohio   December 26th, 2007 10:18 pm ET

Wow, what a Loser !

Can't we get any educated dguys to run for the Presiden't office anymore ?

N.   December 26th, 2007 10:16 pm ET

Think you shot yourself with that one.

David, Vancouver, Canada   December 26th, 2007 10:16 pm ET

He takes the press out to watch him snuff the life out of three happily living creatures to appeal to voters. Am I the only one who thinks that's insane?

EB Rideout, Georgia   December 26th, 2007 10:15 pm ET

YeeHaw! Good shootin' if I do say so.

That dang 'ol Hukkybee boy shores gonna git my vote! Them thar fesunts put up one heck of a fight, they do.

Now ifin this feller can learn to chew tobakky and walk at the same time he'll carry the whole south, in spite of his full set of teeth.

Lisa Williams, Bloomington. IN   December 26th, 2007 10:11 pm ET

Despite my vegetarianism, I have respect, for example, for my friend who hunts but does so for food and first purifies himself at a sweat lodge and offers prayers for the spirits of the animals he kills. It is not a sport, and it certainly isn't a freaking photo op designed to promote some idiotic image. Huckabee revolts me with this.

David, Vancouver, Canada   December 26th, 2007 10:08 pm ET

He takes the press out to watch him snuff the life out of three happily living creatures to appeal to voters. I'm only the only one who thinks that's insane?

Mark,Hot Springs Arkansas   December 26th, 2007 10:08 pm ET

Get Over It,hunting is a sport down South.

Garry Berman, Westampton, NJ   December 26th, 2007 10:07 pm ET

I'm not very big on people who throw around the word "sin" in everyday conversation. But I will use it myself here. Huckabee, who continues to thrive on preaching his brand of evangelical Christianity in his hope to win the votes of his fellow right-wing extremists, also seems to delight in committing a sin against nature. He kills animals for sheer enjoyment, and doesn't consider that his God might have a problem with that. Well, I do. It's bad enough that this despicable man, whom everyone is calling such a swell guy because of his easygoing attitude,would re-write half of the Constitution if he could, adding an amendment banning all abortions, and another banning gay marriage. He is an ignorant, intolerant backwoods hypocrite who is all too eager to say and do anything, including killing animals, to win the love of people with whom I wouldn't want to be stuck in the same room.
I don't care what kind of a jovial or "regular" guy he supposedly is.
I find him to be an absolutely awful human being.

Tammy Greensboro, NC   December 26th, 2007 10:02 pm ET

I think I will vote for a Presdent that makes a threat to get my vote. Just what we need, a REDNECK in the White House! Let's all go out and kill something fer supper honey...next thing you know he'll be putting a cement pond in at the White House!

NEWT G CHICAGO, ILL   December 26th, 2007 9:58 pm ET

Is it only me or does this guy look like ELMER FUDD?

Ajay Jain   December 26th, 2007 9:57 pm ET

Iowa Rep. Steve King who was backing the one percent Tancredo is now endorsing Fred Thompson. Fred Thompson sure is catching FIRE!:

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/20/a-gop-free-for-all/

GOP is still looking for some Godly inspiration. Hucabee is well ahead in this game. If Hucabee is the GOP answer to their prayers then Hillary will have the Presidency sealed in 2009.

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

Brett, Minneapolis   December 26th, 2007 9:54 pm ET

According to the video, Yuckabee goes duck hunting 30 times a season. Yet, this veteran hunter can't figure out how to turn off the gun's safety.

I will not vote for this fool. Can we get back to talking about ISSUES?

Steve Birmingham, Alabama   December 26th, 2007 9:49 pm ET

He clearly is Republican Presidential material: he hit the pheasant & not a large, flightless attorney.

Ashley, Lansdale, PA   December 26th, 2007 9:47 pm ET

Because nothing says "Normal guy" like killing a bird on camera to 'please the people'. I'd love to say that I believe Americans won't be stupid enough to vote for a gun-toting, animal-killing redneck, but certain parts of this country have proven in the last 2 elections that yes, there are many that stupid.

PLEASE can we remove the South?

Markus, Dallas, texas   December 26th, 2007 9:46 pm ET

wow, he is regular guy because he went and killed a defenseless animal for a picture? That makes him more phony than any other candidate.

Rhonda, TX   December 26th, 2007 9:45 pm ET

This is more likely than not where they take the buffoon a tenth of a mile off road either release birds til they get one or stake it down so they can hit it five feet away with a shot gun. How sporting?

Denver, CO   December 26th, 2007 9:41 pm ET

This reminds me of that old Saturday Night Live bit – "Qui est Mas Muy Macho?"....Duh, let's grab a gun and kill some defenseless animal to prove that we are gun-toting, NRA loving real men and you should vote for us. Gag me!

KW, San Antonio, Texas   December 26th, 2007 9:39 pm ET

You people kill me. A guy shoots a pheasant and now he's labeled as all sorts of things. What about all of you hamburger, chicken, fish, bacon, eating people? How was your dinner killed? Who is more guilty, the assasin or the person who pays the assasin? Please find something else to judge people on. Legally killing a pheasant for dinner is not a crime. I'm sure there is something else to base a voting decision on.

Debra, Arlington, VA   December 26th, 2007 9:39 pm ET

Gee, I guess we should start arming the pheasants so they can PROTECT themselves against radical christianity!

Tracy, Atlanta, GA   December 26th, 2007 9:38 pm ET

I'm glad to this disgrace to humanity doesn't really have a chance.

He should have posed in front of a 4×4 truck with a rebel flag to help show off the image (and voters) he's going for.

d of austin   December 26th, 2007 9:37 pm ET

lame.

Inga Sherrill, Hanceville, AL   December 26th, 2007 9:36 pm ET

I would have liked to seen the birds prepared and cooked... perhaps even gotten the receipe. That is the mark of a true hunter.

Eric, Stillwater, MN   December 26th, 2007 9:35 pm ET

Why does Huckabee get away with saying things like he does? First he says "Paul is dead, Paul is dead", a thinly veiled threat to Ron Paul who critisized his use of the cross in his TV ad. Then he suggests anyone polling in single digits but who raises millions of dollars (Ron Paul again) should commit suicide. Now he suggests people vote for him or they will be killed. The more Huckabee talks, and the more I learn about him, the more I am scared of this guy.

jd, syracuse, ny   December 26th, 2007 9:35 pm ET

He looks like Elmer Fudd in the picture ;-) )

James, Alexandria VA   December 26th, 2007 9:34 pm ET

Wow, is CNN apart of the Huckabee campaign too? It seems like everytime this guy sneezes CNN runs a story on him.

Well I guess it makes sense for CNN to give Huckabee some exposure since his campaign is failing miserably at raising money and cant buy any airtime.

Why not run a story on what the candidates are going to do to get this country out of debt?

Ron Paul is the only one who can save us now.

Bill, Columbus, OH   December 26th, 2007 9:33 pm ET

Wow, so much to take away from this:

- Huck is certainly tough on terror. I mean, he killed an innocent animal.

- He can fearmonger with the best of them. He uses dead animals to warn his opponents.

If this is "regular," I'll happily be the direct opposite.

Nick , Toronto, Ontario   December 26th, 2007 9:33 pm ET

I cannot imagine Mr. Huckabee sitting down to a dinner of pheasant. I picture him more as someone who would be out shooting squrrels and possums for vitals.

Amanda, Sposylvania, Virginia   December 26th, 2007 9:28 pm ET

People who kill innocent pheasants do not get my vote.

Think you gained support by this inane show? Well, you also lost support. Congrats, you idiot.

joeb, Louisville, KY   December 26th, 2007 9:22 pm ET

Normally, I vote the Republican ticket. However, if this idiot wins the Republican nomination, I am voting for Hillary!

Craig Finnegan, Madison, Wisconsin   December 26th, 2007 9:21 pm ET

Let me get this straight here....I'm supposed to be more likely to vote for someone to be President of the most powerful country on earth because he knows how to kill birds as well as my nephew in elementary school...is that it?

Beau Carter, Denver Colorado   December 26th, 2007 9:18 pm ET

If he was hunting, which he was, don't spin the story by saying that he killed something first!!! Just say that he bagged a bird hunting or something...the pure notion that you tried to corner him as a killer is absurd. I am not a hunter, but I am all for people doing what they enjoy. If he likes to hunt and shot something in the act...good for him. Please don't spin a title to murder story!!!!!

Ginny, Byron, CA   December 26th, 2007 9:15 pm ET

It's stomach-turning to think that Huckabee's fat, ugly face might be the last thing an animal sees before it dies. I'm sure hunters and NRA fanatics see no problem but, believe me, millions of other voters do. This, coupled with his son's torture of a stray dog, tells volumes about Huckabee's family values and Chrisian morals.

Ryan, Seattle WA   December 26th, 2007 9:13 pm ET

I don't want my president to be a 'normal guy'.

frank, port richey, florida   December 26th, 2007 9:10 pm ET

like it or not, this kind of stuff flies with the american people. the rest of the world is right – we deserve everything we get.

Ken in Orlando   December 26th, 2007 9:04 pm ET

He looks like Tony Soprano.

john, NY,NY   December 26th, 2007 8:58 pm ET

I never had any opinion of Huckabee however this is YUCK. SOrry not into killing innocent animal for the sake of sport.

Mark R. Fort Lauderdale FL   December 26th, 2007 8:52 pm ET

Here's the sad thing; this will help convince a significant number of people to vote for him.

Erik Viker   December 26th, 2007 8:51 pm ET

I am growing weary of hearing my fellow Americans foolishly say they want a "regular guy" as President. A regular guy (or gal) can't be expected to excel at the most challenging job in the world. We should want our next leader to be something more than just AVERAGE.

For a change, let's insist our next President be WAY ABOVE AVERAGE. Let's insist on intelligence, accomplishment, and extraordinary understanding of history, human nature, and the use of power.

David, Boca Raton, FL   December 26th, 2007 8:45 pm ET

Funny how preoccupied people become with something so insigificant as this when their candidate is doing something significant and worse.

I wonder how the ignorant masses fuel their direction-less dribble with so much vigor. Care to share some insight Todd C.?

Had it been Romney, he would had said he had shot pheasant then later retracted it.

Huckabee has been honest about both his triumphs and his slip-ups and there is no reason to not give him the benefit of the doubt.

Tony G/VA   December 26th, 2007 8:41 pm ET

Besides all of the comments below, his name is HUCKABEE for Christ sake.

Jerry in Valdosta, Georgia   December 26th, 2007 8:41 pm ET

Mike Huckabee is the real deal ! This man hails from rural Arkansas where game hunting and fishing is very much a way of life. This isn't like John Kerry who tried to use a hunting trip as a photo op which failed horribly by the way in 2004 ! City people need to get it through their thick head that not everyone else in America lives the way they do.How smart or dumb a person is depends on where in the USA he/she is standing !

Carl, Omaha, Nebraska   December 26th, 2007 8:38 pm ET

I'm not against hunting at ALL – but this guy killed some pheasants just to show how MANLY he was?

I'm sorry, but that's sickening.

Anonymous   December 26th, 2007 8:36 pm ET

Get the hook- this makes me sick. The same people who will vote for him are the ones who put Bush in office.

Lush Rimbaud, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida   December 26th, 2007 8:34 pm ET

I hope this is his Dukakis moment, the moron.

Bobby Sansouci live oak fl 32060   December 26th, 2007 8:31 pm ET

What a bunch of idiots and I'm not talking about Huckabee... First of all, the man simply had a day of hunting and it is nothing new to him. Second,if you eat what you kill then I see nothing wrong with it. The bible speaks of many animals being killed to eat. When is the last time you had a hamburger? Third, no matter what the man did on his day off I can assure you that somebody would have something negative to say about it. Maybe you should look at yourself before you start judging others....

Scott from Freehold   December 26th, 2007 8:23 pm ET

Wow! What a man he is. How manly that he could shoot an animal from point blank range. Yeah, that gets my vote.

Preston Alexander, Boston, Mass.   December 26th, 2007 8:22 pm ET

This pheasant shooting stunt is a perfect example of the type of person I DO NOT WANT RUNNING THIS COUNTRY ANYMORE!!!

Find me someone who CHERISHES and NOURISHES life, not wantonly goes about shooting and killing it.

This guy's a total loser as far as I see it. Go back to the woods, Hucky, and let someone like Al Gore - a man whose mission in life is one of goodness and compassion: this is the type of person this country sorely needs now.

Preston

Tom Wilson, Berkeley, CA   December 26th, 2007 8:15 pm ET

Huckabee, what were you thinking?
You just aimed your big gun and shot your support!
Your PR person should be in the unemployment line!
Beware America, Huckabee is a loose canon!
Americans, please aim elsewhere with your vote for President!

Blake Williams, Little Rock, AR   December 26th, 2007 8:14 pm ET

You know, there are a lot of folks out there that like to go pheasant hunting this time of year. In all likliehood, Mr. Huckabee probably likes to go hunting this time of season, as I am sure many people in rural America do as well. I think this video simply captures Mr. Huckabee doing what he would otherwise be doing were it not a campaign year. And on January 1st, he'll probably be watching DMAC show the world why he should've won the Heisman.

C. David, Los Angeles, CA   December 26th, 2007 8:04 pm ET

God help our country if it's led by somebody who's proud of his cruelty to animals.

zeferino, chicago, Illinois   December 26th, 2007 8:03 pm ET

Hey, wait a minute. Isn't a pheasant one of god's creatures? Our former minister sure looks happy about ending its life. It makes one wonder whether this Republican will have the same cavalier and casual approach toward ending the lives of young soldiers we keep sending to Middle East.

Mark M. Seattle, WA   December 26th, 2007 8:01 pm ET

Too much religion. Now the guns. Add all that to his great ideas for health care – quarantine people with AIDS! Where are the people with vision, compassion, empathy, imagination!

Daniel, WA   December 26th, 2007 8:00 pm ET

CNN reporters have nothing else to report. This news is nonsense.

Jeff, Greenville, SC   December 26th, 2007 8:00 pm ET

Hmmm . . . Don't get in my way as the man is holding a gun. Way to teach our kids about "Loving thy Neighbor" Huck.

So when I don't vote for you, I get shot?

Paul, SF, CA   December 26th, 2007 7:55 pm ET

Call me naive, but I'd always thought that someone who finds joy in killing small animals a sociapath.

Bob Miller, Little Rock, AR   December 26th, 2007 7:55 pm ET

I have nothing against hunting, but this man is a fraud. He says he lowers taxes ( but then raises others ), wants to eliminate the IRS ( but then replace it with a sales tax ), shamelessly plays to his religion, is weak on immigration, has NO plan for bringing fiscal accountability to government, ending the war, he lies about having a theology degree, he pardons all the criminals.. I mean, what gives? I look at all these guys, and here I am, still voting for RP.

Julie & John in Colorado   December 26th, 2007 7:55 pm ET

Could someone explain to us how threatening the voting public with killing them is supposed to make us vote for this guy? Does ProLife end at birth? Because we're not fetuses or fertilized eggs we're allowed to be killed?

Pleasant.

Greg Clarkston, Michigan   December 26th, 2007 7:53 pm ET

pretty pathetic – another gun toting, shoot-'em up insecurity case... Madison Ave. campaigning at its best. Just what we need again in the white house...why is CNN not giving real air time coverage to all the candidates? Why is, for example, Joe Biden not getting decent time? Do we need to keep feeding the average lack of intellect with these fast-food grade politics? I'd like to read and hear about the inner thinking of all the candidates in reasonably equal bits so I can make my own choices, not some polling organisation's statistical result.

Dana, Saint Louis, MO   December 26th, 2007 7:53 pm ET

I don't care much about the pheasants – that is canned Republican PR, but his "You vote for me, you live ... " quote is despicable. What the heck is that supposed to mean? I find it offensive that he seems to suggest that as president he would harm the portion of the population who didn't vote for him. I don't doubt it.

wendy thomas   December 26th, 2007 7:47 pm ET

Well, Mike just lost my vote. How sick to have to let one of Gods creatures loose 5 feet away so it can fly in the air for Mike Huckleby to kill. The comments made after sound very much like the Bush Cowboy. Isn't this what we want to gat away from?
W. Thomas. Florida

Christian, Tampa FL   December 26th, 2007 7:44 pm ET

He killed a peasant? How do you expect to win the peasant vote if you kill one?!

Oh, wait... Sorry.

Schitfer Brain Mobile, AL   December 26th, 2007 7:42 pm ET

Did he shoot any of his mates in the face? That's what I'm looking for in a president.

Dick Cheney '08.

Jason, Cola, SC   December 26th, 2007 7:42 pm ET

I used to think that hunting solely for sport was one of the lowest things that a man in the 21st century could possibly do. Now, I know that it is actually "hunting for a political photo op".

Every single day I find something new about Huckabee that absolutely disgusts me.

marty albq. nm   December 26th, 2007 7:41 pm ET

I know this comment wont get posted i know out of desperation you will only post negative comments about this man.why? because he is progun a hunter he has said what he kills he puts on the table and eats there is nothing wrong with that.

Jay, Redlands, CA   December 26th, 2007 7:39 pm ET

This is the hypothetical argument I made during the whole Michael Vick fiasco...and now I have a realistic situation to use. In no way will I defend the actions of Michael Vick for dogfighting, but I find it very ironic that many people who condemned Mike Vick, see nothing wrong with Mike Huckabee killing an animal for entertainment...This country is so devoid of common sense that it is pathetic. I'm sure this issue will not be raised in the media, either.

Terry, Winslow, AZ   December 26th, 2007 7:39 pm ET

"Cleaned and eaten ..." Yeah, right! They went into the trash immediately and he won't see them again. But, as the Good Christian he is, he doesn't respect any life except human. Hey Huckabee, an omelet is simply a collection of chicken abortions. Get it?

Joann, Cranston, RI   December 26th, 2007 7:38 pm ET

The minute I saw that Awful commercial insinuating he killed birds in "cold blood" I made a phone call. I can't believe he thinks this is going to help him. People don't want to see animals (no matter what the species) getting killed for sport, especially in this day and age. I now hate him and will not vote for Huckaby! That commercial is Awful and I hope more people find it repulsive.

Susie, Newark, Oh   December 26th, 2007 7:37 pm ET

Nice. What a sicko. Kills the birds then compares them to voters – if you don't vote for him – you're dead.

While I have a great sense of humor – I don't get his "joke". It's not funny.

Good enough reason for me not to vote for Huckabee. His mind seems pretty distorted.

Too, he apparently cannot distinguish between a game bird and a "varmint".

Tim, Lexington, KY   December 26th, 2007 7:36 pm ET

The fifth commandment is "Honor thy Father and Mother". Six is "Thou shall not kill."

Daniel, NY   December 26th, 2007 7:36 pm ET

A new general election poll from North Carolina shows that Huckabee would be the strongest Republican against Hillary Clinton, who would be surprisingly competitive in this usually reliably red state. Link to poll.

Independent in IA   December 26th, 2007 7:36 pm ET

Suspicion confirmed: Huckaburp was God's experiment in artificial stupidity.

In fact, this is an individual who fell out of the 'stupid' tree and hit every branch on the way down.

John, Boston, MA   December 26th, 2007 7:36 pm ET

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Is this the man you would want running your country? That is the kind of attitude that is going to get this country into trouble. The only decent and honest man running for the Republican nomination is Ron Paul.

Tim, Lexington, KY   December 26th, 2007 7:35 pm ET

How disgusting. You lost any chance of a vote from me.

David, NC   December 26th, 2007 7:27 pm ET

Just because he was out "hunting for votes" doesn't make him a bad canidate! ALL canidates do photo ops for votes, especially the democratic party. He is a very good canidate with good moral values. Aswell as he supports a Fair Tax! The answer to all our economic problems!

Nan Bozarth, Wilmington, NC   December 26th, 2007 7:24 pm ET

So, Mr. "ProLife" has to kill an innocent bird to prove he is a man?? What, they don't provide bird "meat" in Arkansas groceries??

This is the most ridiculous "stunt" yet to try to prove oneself "manly" enough for the White House. Sweet Jesus Governor Huckster... Eeewww!!!

Brian, Syracuse NY   December 26th, 2007 7:12 pm ET

I'm sorry, I thought your article said he shot a peasant, not a pheasant. Carry on.

G   December 26th, 2007 7:10 pm ET

I CAN'T BELIEVE THE COVERAGE YOU'RE
GIVING THIS POOR EXCUSE FOR A CANDIDATE
CNN. HE HAS SO MUCH BAGGAGE... IT'S
JUST A MATTER OF TIME TIL THE NEGATIVE
ADS KNOCK HIM OUT OF THE RACE. COME
ON SWIFT BOATERS. GET HIM

Brad, from the great state of Texas   December 26th, 2007 7:08 pm ET

Oh my God, who cares? I seriously can't believe people are making a fuss over this, although the pacifistic PETA loons never cease to amaze me. By the way, I'm not a hunter by any means, but I do support hunting within the law.

Terry, El Paso, TX   December 26th, 2007 7:07 pm ET

Cheap Shot Awards:
First Prize
"I suppose it is a little more humane that his usual family tradition of hanging and torturing a dog, and then covering it up." Scott, Toledo OH

Second Prize
"Did he hang and stone the dog that brought it back to him , too?" Angel, Los Angeles of Anaheim

John Phillips, Lake Forest, CA   December 26th, 2007 7:07 pm ET

Did he actually say what is quoted here: "Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

He is actually threatening us with murder if we do not vote for him? Even as a joke, it is bizarre. If I were to say such a thing about the current administration if they didn't pass some legislation or were to veto a bill, what would happen to me? Gitmo, or worse?

Once again, CNN and the MSM are AWOL with anything other than pandering blather.

peace,
st john

GL, NY, NY   December 26th, 2007 7:05 pm ET

If this hillbilly gets the GOP nomination I will lose all hope for this once great nation.

Anonymous   December 26th, 2007 7:05 pm ET

He is a disgusting loser. Go home and take care of your son!

Lee Carter, San Francisco, CA   December 26th, 2007 7:03 pm ET

Ok.. Romney and Huckabee lost my vote when religion became an issue.. Remember this country has separation of church and state. However, we seem to be the only democratic nation where political issues are also religious issues.

Besides,,, I don't believe in killing animals for sport, only for survival if necessary.

Adam Smith, somewhere in time   December 26th, 2007 7:02 pm ET

This really wasnt a hunting trip it was actually a practice session to prepare themselves for the upcoming war on corporate interests. This is no joke if elected Huckabee and his gun toting redneck followers are planning on a massive attack on greedy outsourcing and un American companies. I recomend you vote for him and get your shot gun ready its the only way to save America from being destroyed by greedy multinationals.

Raja   December 26th, 2007 7:00 pm ET

How can one equate killing "pheasants and small varmints" to being a normal guy? And just how can one justify killing in any manner at all? I hope the sensible people of this great country will make tproper decisions, and vote such bumpkins off the list! God save America!

Jim in Orlando, FL   December 26th, 2007 6:57 pm ET

why is this not a surprise? When I saw the ticker that stated "presidential candidate goes hunting", I knew it would be this right wing candidate. No one else would do anything this risky to just court their base…this pheasant hunting sounds familiar to another person; is this to say that things will be more of the same with Huckabee?

Posted By Tom A, Leawood, KS : December 26, 2007 4:23 pm

Hey Tom,
In the '04 campaign, John Kerry went hunting too, and the cameras were there ..... Doh !!!!

Kudos to any candidate, Republican or Democrat, who stands up for gun and hunting rights. Hey Huck, while you're at it, throw another one on the barbie for me.

Sean Manchester, NH   December 26th, 2007 6:54 pm ET

I'm not a hunter. I understand te need for this type of "culling" of natural herds and flocks, so I can go along with it. I DON'T like reading about 4 year olds who bag bears or the what, 7 year old, who shot "Hogzilla". These folks are morons in their own right, but Mike's hunting trip is totally understandable: it's regional, if nothing less. Leave him be.............Oh, and I'm a democrat.

Gary D. Austin, TX   December 26th, 2007 6:53 pm ET

Hmmmm, now this is a charming message to send to America, after we got rid of another dictator that said the same things (Saddam Hussein)...

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Bird Life, CA   December 26th, 2007 6:52 pm ET

If Huckabee is cowardly enough to slaughter a helpless pheasant for pleasure with a high power gun, he could be easily convinced to slaughter innocent people who happen to have different values and beliefs under the smoke screen that they posses 'weapons of mass destruction or harbor hopes of obtaining a 'nudlear weapon'.

Consider, birds have mates-for-life too. So killing one, destroys two.

Buddy, California   December 26th, 2007 6:51 pm ET

A vote for Huck is a vote for a Theocratic form of government! I’m comfortable with that, let’s rock-n-roll!

Neil - King of Prussia, PA   December 26th, 2007 6:51 pm ET

Great... a bible in one hand and gun in the other.

Jesus, save us from NRA toting evangelical christian politicians.

D Mills Garland, Tx   December 26th, 2007 6:48 pm ET

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

For some reason everything about this man is scary. If he wins we may see concentration camps in our country housing liberals, feminists, homosexuals and atheists.

Norm, Sterling, VA   December 26th, 2007 6:48 pm ET

Heh! And what did all of you libs eat for Thanksgiving, meat maybe? How about last week’s lunch? I think one above mentioned a barbeque. I guess you all let those slaughterhouses do your killing for you. You vegans... I thought what you eat have feelings too :-) In any case I am not a hunter and I am dithering on Huckabee. But most of the comments above are pretty shallow, which does not surprise me.

Tom, Bellevue, Washington   December 26th, 2007 6:47 pm ET

I want to see Huck present a balanced budget during occupation and an economic downturn, not shoot some birds.

Julie Pergrem Fort Thomas, Kentucky   December 26th, 2007 6:45 pm ET

Tears it for me. I will never,EVER vote for someone who kills animals for sport. I, too, live in the Midwest, but to me, being outdoors means enjoying clean air and sharing nature with all creatures great and small, not killing them. Huckabee is just another rich, Republican white guy trying to show what a great big manly man he is.
Yuck.

Brian, Orlando, Florida   December 26th, 2007 6:43 pm ET

Shooting unarmed God's creatures is a prereq for the Republican nomination. So is being old, white, male and protestant (so sorry Mitt).

NOT a fan of Huckabee in Little Rock, AR   December 26th, 2007 6:42 pm ET

Even die hard Republicans I know in Arkansas can't stand him. We SHOULD be voting for the next President of the United States, not PREACHER of the United States. Just HOW does Huckabee plan on communicating with the Middle East and others who don't share his beliefs?? I'm SO sick of this country voting based simply on whatever religious conservatives tell them to do. Use your brains, America. Oh, and when will the press focus on his SONS????? HAHA Now, there's a real model family. Notice how his amazon wife and kids aren't EVER in the pictures? There's a reason for that. It'll all come out in the end. I'm sick of people like Huckabee running for President because they have God on their side. He's a good speaker because Hellooooooooooo he was a DJ and a preacher!!!!! He can talk the talk, but he can't walk the walk. I would have SOME respect for him if he would have fessed up to his religious illuminated white cross over his right shoulder ad. But, he lied. He knew FULL WELL what that ad was promoting and that the "bookcase" was illuminated like a cross. The ONLY reason he's making a name for himself is because unfortunately it's the religious conservatives who go out in masses to vote. All I can think of is that Green Day song.......American Idiot. I'll be voting for anyone other than Huckabee.

Mario Preciado, Republic of Panama   December 26th, 2007 6:41 pm ET

Hunters are idiots. If I was an american I would not vote for this man.

red33,cedar rapids, ia   December 26th, 2007 6:30 pm ET

Huckabee is NOT what we need in Washington, despite his hunting prowess.
We need someone who has a proven record, like Romney, who works well with people, and got the Olympics and the State of Massachusetts back in the 'black'. He had to really be a diplomat to get these 2 jobs done.

Augie Scott, Somers Point, NJ   December 26th, 2007 6:28 pm ET

Nice hat Huckabee is wearing. He sort of reminds me of Elmer Fudd in that hat. I guess Wabbit season is over, and it's pheasant season now. More Looney Tunes in the White House, how comforting!

Don, Sheridan, WY   December 26th, 2007 6:27 pm ET

Gee, to get to hunt pheasants in Iowa and only get one bird, now that's incompetence! He should have easily limited out, come on Huck, get with the program... ;)

jd, watertown, ny   December 26th, 2007 6:23 pm ET

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

With a mouth like that, he is not a presidential material. That is not funny, and will raise eyebrows domestically and internationally.

As usual, his mouth is faster than his brain (actually a weak brain).

Percy F. Lage, Oklahoma   December 26th, 2007 6:22 pm ET

I think I'm beginning to get an idea as to how we can culminate this election process. The Republican candidate and the Democratic candidate meet in Central Park, armed with weapons of their selection, and the one to emerge alive and unharmed becomes the President of the United States. We could also solve our budgetary woes by hawking tickets, creating betting pools and selling soft drinks, popcorn and pheasant cheese balls. If Hillary is the Democratic candidate, she may elect to use Bill in her place. If Obama is the candidate, he may elect to use Oprah in the finals. Any Republican may choose Dick Cheney.

Any, Whitehall, OH   December 26th, 2007 6:21 pm ET

What has our country (not to mention Iowa and S Carolina) been reduced to when people enthusiastically support this sort of candidate?

If by some awful fluke this guy makes it to the White House, the final fate of certain decline and degeneration of our country will be sealed, without a doubt.

brian   December 26th, 2007 6:18 pm ET

Don't any candidates fish?

Giacomo, Gulfport FL   December 26th, 2007 6:18 pm ET

people, it was a joke!

Linda, Wentzville, Missouri   December 26th, 2007 6:17 pm ET

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

What an ass. He just made sure that I will never vote for him.

delawaredem   December 26th, 2007 6:14 pm ET

Did Huckabee just threaten the lives of 300 million Americans?

Yes, I think he did.

Andy, Tucson, AZ   December 26th, 2007 6:12 pm ET

Wow! What a man.

Aided by a powerful firearm – probably assisted by people out in front, beating the slow-flying, defenceless animals towards the goons with guns.

Such courage. Stick him (or any other `sport' hunter) out there in the wild without their sophisticated weapons, and see how long they last on their own.

Yep – these really are qualities to be admired. Just the type of man we need at the helm of this country.

Is this really what `normal guys' do for fun?

Pathetic.

Tyler, Charleston, SC   December 26th, 2007 6:11 pm ET

I dislike Huckabee for many of his polcies, but people need to lighten up. He was joking when he talked about the birds as a lesson. And I doubt he's concerned about getting the votes of anyone who is anti-hunting.

Dorian, Brentwood, Ca   December 26th, 2007 6:10 pm ET

Big He-Man, killing a pheasant with his high-powered rifle. What weapon did the pheasant have? Didn't his son torture and kill an old, stray dog that wandered into camp? So, abusing animals is no big deal in the Huckabee household? And this creep wants to be our president? While this maneuver may have gained him points with gun-slingers and NRA'ers, tens of millions of voters will be turned off by it.

Matt Baker, Chanute Ks   December 26th, 2007 6:09 pm ET

I wonder if the hunting dogs were thinking, * Man I hope David doesnt come, but if he did, at least we'd only be shot, not HUNG, STONED and CUTTHROATED!! *

Biologist Hunter Kearney Ne.   December 26th, 2007 6:08 pm ET

Ah the bleeding hearts of the world denigrating a regular guy doing a little hunting with photo ops! Horrors ,such unsophisticated barbarity!Just go back to your "animal vacant" city life and eat your peas and lettuce! You will never have a clue about the real world beyond your self worshipping liberal intellect!By the way aren't those veggies just advanced and as deserving of life as any animal? The truth is it's all biology ,the taking of life to sustain your own not withstanding the ethics and morality quirks of the human mind or lack thereof!

Jose, Orlando, Florida   December 26th, 2007 6:07 pm ET

How revolting...

Kristy Sanborn, Buckhorn, Mo.   December 26th, 2007 6:04 pm ET

I guess as long as Huckabee says it in a joking manner, then no one can say he meant it.
How pathetic is this election going to get before its over?

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 26th, 2007 5:56 pm ET

is it me or is it in horrible taste for this "minister" to joke around about killing someone if they dont vote for him? i mean i know it is obviously a joke, but isnt that just wrong? and the whole "some of us live in middle america too" statement. we know people live in the middle of the country and thats wonderful but dont try and associate yourself (a politician) to hardworking middle class. and as for the fact that his numbers are rising.....its because the christians were trying to figure out, which republican was more "about jesus". thats it! it has nothing to do with his politics or what he will do for the people its about his "religious beliefs" thats all. and once huckabee stepped forward as a "believer" it basically made the decision for SO many who basically filled the void......america is a mob.

D Tappan,NY   December 26th, 2007 5:54 pm ET

When Mike Huckabee was Governor, Arkansas had the worst animal protection laws of any state. His son abused and killed a dog, and Mike Huckabee continues the family tradition of killing defenseless animals. His actions were disgraceful and shameful.

Donna, Seattle, Washington   December 26th, 2007 5:51 pm ET

OMG!!! This is The Huckster's "Dukakis Moment"! You know, the one where Michael Dukakis had a photo-op of him riding all macho-like in a tank? That totally sunk him, just as this will sink Huckabee. He looks like Elmer Fudd...what were he and his handlers smoking? But that is fine with me, because Romney is going to get the nomination AND the presidency, so shoot any and everything that gets in your way, Mr. Huckabee! PS- Real "regular men" also clean and eat their own catch/kill...I wonder if he will do the same or have one of his staff do all the dirty work. It's easy to pull a trigger.

Dan H, Farmville, VA   December 26th, 2007 5:49 pm ET

Good for Huck.

It was probably a lot of fun.

Tim, Cincinnati, OH   December 26th, 2007 5:48 pm ET

He looks like Elmer Fudd in that photo.

Judy Zukoski, Barnesville, PA   December 26th, 2007 5:44 pm ET

Mr. "Normal Guy" apparently didn't anticipate the backlash he'll get from decidedly normal people who happen to care about all of God's creatures. If he's "normal," I don't want to be included in the same category. I'll keep shopping for a candidate who respects ALL life and deserves my vote.

Ken Burritt, New Hartford NY   December 26th, 2007 5:40 pm ET

It's a sad state of affairs when someone believes they have to kill a defenseless creature in order to gain popularity. I keep hearing how America is this "shining city of light" that is the apex of enlightenment. Cruelty to animals is not enlightenment and Mike Huckabee is not the leader who would take us there.

JC, Ohio   December 26th, 2007 5:40 pm ET

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, let me make a POSITIVE statement about Huckabee. Hmmm...let me think...ok, ok...let me think...ummmm...WIT! OK...got one: at least he didn't shoot any lawyers like Cheney! There ya go. Merry Xmas...

DWJohnson, Nashville Tennessee   December 26th, 2007 5:39 pm ET

Dear America:

It saddens me greatly that killing animals for sport is seen as a positive for the leader of our country. Writing this, I realize that there are people who will dub me "liberal," "unAmerican," etc. They'll be wrong. I've served in the military, killed enemy soldiers, and am the ultimate family values man. "Hunting" to prove manhood, or leadership, is in fact the ultimate proof of lack of manhood and mindless "followership." Guys like this do not deserve our admiration, nor our vote.
May God Bless America, the real American and real Americans, not pretenders, actors or posers.

DWJohnson

Let the Leaders Lead, Arcadia, Iowa   December 26th, 2007 5:39 pm ET

And NO one was shot in his hunting party. What a nice refreshing change for the party of Politics as usual. Clearly he is a front runner and this will cement the deal.

fergusmom   December 26th, 2007 5:36 pm ET

Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Gee, that sounds like he is using fear mongering to keep Repubs in the White House, by threatening to shoot whoever does not vote for him. Well, guess I better start planning my funeral, since I will never vote for a killer of defensless animals created by the same God,the republicans worship. Talk about Hypocritical people.

samuel, ames, iowa   December 26th, 2007 5:36 pm ET

It's not against God's will to go hunting. Read the Bible, you'll see Jesus eating fish after his resurrection. Jesus is sinless, and he ate fish. Remember the Apostles fishing? And Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes? If you accept fishing, there is no reason that hunting would be wrong. Huckabee said they'd clean and eat them. So that's not breaking the ten commandments, since Jesus wouldn't break his own commandments by eating fish. Sure, Huckabee is candidate for President, I understand that. Huck's saying that he's a hunter, supports conservation, and supports the 2nd Amendment. And this is a contrast with Romney, who has less experience as a hunter.

Allen   December 26th, 2007 5:36 pm ET

Well, a "pheasant wing shot" is a far cry from a "lawyer face shot," but I still say this guy has presidential (or vice presidential) potential. ;-)

Owen Anderson, Woonsocket SD   December 26th, 2007 5:33 pm ET

Hunting is normal. Has been from the beginning of mankind and before. So he's a normal Joe when it comes to hunting and hunting rights. What is so hard to figure out? Also, I believe it is quite obvious he was joking about voting for him or getting shot, not the funniest joke I've ever heard, but I shouldn't have to point that out that this was joke to intelligent people such as yourselves.

Go Huckabee! Little Rock, AR   December 26th, 2007 5:31 pm ET

LOL. It was a joke! Geez you people with your comments about - "oh, did he just say that if we don't vote for him, he will shoot us?" Duh! I'm sure he is going to shoot you– yes. Typical touchy Democrat.

Jimmy, Beaumont, TX   December 26th, 2007 5:30 pm ET

I like the way these are moderated....it is obvious that the Communist News Network put nearly all left wing weaklings' comments about this article. So typical of CNN. I certainly don't expect to see this comment.

Virginia, Leesburg Fl   December 26th, 2007 5:29 pm ET

This is discusting. This is what we should aspire to? Killing anything is wrong for anyone, but especially as a public figure who should be setting an example as he attempting election for the highest office in the country!

Shawnie Cannon, Grants Pass OR   December 26th, 2007 5:27 pm ET

He looks just like Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle) and his political sophistication matches.

Melissa, MA   December 26th, 2007 5:25 pm ET

I didn't even need to read the article, I figured it would be him.

Good job, you can kill a bird, that must mean you can run the country.

sal lincoln nebraska   December 26th, 2007 5:25 pm ET

You shouldnt be elected just because you called the midwest fly over land....Why would you call an active part of the united states fly over land? I was in dallas texas and the lady at the bank of america didnt have nebraska in the computer....I was also in dallas and the young lady this time at western union didnt think nebraska was in the united states....Meanwhile a guy from arkansas, which you couldnt get anyone to go their if you tried even if just passing through is refering to the midwest as fly over land...Anyone who shares this point of view and uses this terminology is a pathetic example of what american produces and the ignorance the represents us

Mindy, NY, NY   December 26th, 2007 5:23 pm ET

Isn't this guy pro-life? Isn't this a bit contradictory? I'm not saying whether I'm pro-life or pro-choice...but just pointing out the irony.

Hansen, Boise, Idaho   December 26th, 2007 5:23 pm ET

He just lost my vote thanks to his contrived "media moment." Hunting will be a sport when the animals are equipped with guns, ammo, spotlights, telescopes, SUVs and a dog. Until then, it's just killing.

Pixie, Murfreesboro, TN   December 26th, 2007 5:13 pm ET

OMG look at Huckabee playing the gender car by pandering to white men! What a calculating opportunist!!! Does his cold ambition know no bounds???

lol

Sammy, Bloomfield NJ   December 26th, 2007 5:11 pm ET

Wow.. Where is PETA (aka Idiots) on this issue.. If it was Mike Vick.. it would have been uproar..

Jack Barnes   December 26th, 2007 5:09 pm ET

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Wow. Couple this with his comment about his opponents committing suicide with razor blades, and you really begin to wonder exactly what is wrong with him.

Jay Howard, Atlanta, Georgia   December 26th, 2007 5:09 pm ET

Sorry, Mr. "Hickabee," but the vast majority of American males don't feel the need to kill small animals to prove their manhood. If you want to be the fundamentalist redneck moron candidate, have at it, but don't claim to be a "regular guy." That's an insult to the rest of us.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   December 26th, 2007 5:08 pm ET

This is the worst photo opportunity Huckabee could have taken. Our soldiers in Iraq are using weapons to stay alive and Huckabee is sporting his weapon for pleasure. Huckabee is a fraud and an idiot. GWB has more sense than Huckabee on Christmas day.

Bukky Balt MD   December 26th, 2007 5:08 pm ET

Why is it that you never see a Democrat shooting defensless animals. It is Not OK to kill things for fun. People wonder why IDIOTS go "hunting" in malls. Stop shooting animals for the shear fun of it and maybe kids will stop shoot people for the fun of it...

Craig Finnegan   December 26th, 2007 5:05 pm ET

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

-Mike Huckabee, to a bunch of (American) pheasants.

jay morse Butte, MT   December 26th, 2007 5:05 pm ET

What a stooge! Even Hillary would have no problem beating this guy in a general election. If you think we have a president now who thinks it is his duty to the nation in a modern day Crusade, just imagine what you would get with Huckabee. I don't think the U.S. could withstand 4 more years of this.

mike kaplanh   December 26th, 2007 5:05 pm ET

We just had 8 years of a president who was elected (twice!) largely because of the idea that the more religious candidate will be better for the country, and also because he did a better job of pretending to be a "regular guy", or a "guy you'd like to have a beer with".

And look what that got us. I sincerely hope that at least some of us learned some lessons, and won't get fooled again.

I don't want to hear any more about a candidate's religious beliefs- we already know more than we need to know. And please spare me the nonsense about what a "regular guy" he is. The presidency requires much more than a "regular guy"- the last 8 years have proven that.

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   December 26th, 2007 5:03 pm ET

What a Kook!!

I cannot believe anyone takes this "snake oil salesman" seriously.

FYI–Gun dude–while many Americans do own guns–the number that use them for hunting is much smaller than the total guns out there.

Sport shooting, home defense–makes up the majority of owners that I know. Most Americans know they can get all the "game" they need from the supermarket!! There's no need to go out an shoot birds flushed out by "flunkies" or dogs.

What does anybody see in this Repulo-Crat.

Scott, Winston-Salem, NC   December 26th, 2007 5:03 pm ET

Here we go again; yet another wimpy, cowardly MURDERER who can't get his rocks off any other way except by killing an innocent, inoffensive living being. This moron piece of walking human garbage calls himself Christian? You will NEVER see my vote, Mr. Huk-a-moron. And I WILL get in your way; every chance I get. Care to turn your weapons against ME, you cowardly piece of trash?

FV, Tampa, FL   December 26th, 2007 5:01 pm ET

Thou shalt not KILL there Preacher man..

thou WILL however come off like an bucktoothed redneck to secure that highly coveted Inbred Iowan vote!

Chris, Jacksonville, FL   December 26th, 2007 4:59 pm ET

I more I see Huckabee the more I really, really dis-like this guy.

What a creep.

And I am a Republican.

D. Carlisle   December 26th, 2007 4:58 pm ET

This guy is a pathetic joke. America, please don't this man's Christian lip serive and NRA appeal fool you. Do your homework...do not vote for Huckabee.

David Johnson Kansas City   December 26th, 2007 4:57 pm ET

Are we supposed to be impressed? Or are we supposed to laugh?

Tommy, New Port Richey FL   December 26th, 2007 4:57 pm ET

I can not believe he said that I am a life long Republican and I wasn't planning on voting for Huckabee and now I hope others won't. To even jokingly say if you don't vote for me this will happen refering to dead animals is ridiculous! I hate to see my party being hijacked by the over-zealous religious right!

Anonymous   December 26th, 2007 4:55 pm ET

Huckabee has pulled the same hunting crap as many others, and believes that it'll cement his position and earn the pro-gun vote. Hunting is an entirely different subject and can't be linked to gun ownership.

Adam, Bedminster, NJ   December 26th, 2007 4:55 pm ET

You never know when one's skill as a marksman might come in handy when you are President

JB post falls id   December 26th, 2007 4:53 pm ET

Good for him. This is a lame story but pheasants are tasty.

Mike O   December 26th, 2007 4:52 pm ET

When Fred Thompson goes hunting, he doesn't need the shotgun. He just glares at the bird and it falls from the sky, dressed and cooked.

OK, people a little humor is in order for the silliness of campaigning. It is, after all, 'silly season'.

Shawnie - Grants Pass OR   December 26th, 2007 4:44 pm ET

So now Huck-a-bigot is the "real" hunter? Please! Romney just picked up a huge endorsement in NH – The Republican house Leader...that outdoes a pheasant any day.

Blayze Kohime, Columbus OH   December 26th, 2007 4:40 pm ET

Why would I want someone to be President if they were only a normal guy? Shouldn't a President be above average, even extraordinary?

John Gustafson   December 26th, 2007 4:39 pm ET

I will not vote for any presidential candidate posing as a NRA poster wanabee. Huck was not hunting for sport but for only votes.

Sheila, NYC   December 26th, 2007 4:39 pm ET

Funny, a "regular guy" who'd get my vote wouldn't kill helpless animals in an empty ritual to get votes. I know Kucinich wouldn't dream of stooping that low. Are "regular guys" that insecure?
P.S.: I'm not against gun ownership, so relax.

Darth Vadik, Diamond Bar CA   December 26th, 2007 4:39 pm ET

Ahhhhhh the Lords people, they are such killers, aren't they. At least Huckster didn't kill 70 pheasants in one single hunt, like Dick Cheney.

...and what is it about Republicans that they have to show how macho they are, from I'd double gitmo to, only I can kill the terrorists, to I hunt and kill vermin. What are they making up for?

...and it always ends up as "hey I'm just a regular guy who you would like to have a beer with at the end of the day"....

...well you know what, I don't want a regular guy in the white house, I want an exceptional guy, or girl, who is not overcompensating for stuff that his, or her, issues.

To Huckster, and the rest of the Republicans, for God's sake, please get e therapist and stop punishing us for your shortcomings.

Jonah, Boston MA   December 26th, 2007 4:38 pm ET

How does killing animals for fun represent "the culture of being outdoors?" Don't get me wrong– I'm no PETA nut. But when I think of being outdoors, I think of playing basketball, or hiking, or having a barbeque. I don't understand why the term "outdoorsman" means "hunter" by default. It's all part of an effort to legitimize a stupid pasttime. This is why we need to protect gun rights? So simpleminded rednecks can wander around the woods shooting birds? Get outta here.

jay   December 26th, 2007 4:36 pm ET

Did he have a hunting license?

Anonymous Independent in New England   December 26th, 2007 4:34 pm ET

Shoot, if Huckabee didn't have such a nonEvolution platform, I might even vote for him. He's a hoot.

Do y'all think he got a few pointers from Dick? ;)

PLEASE nominate McCain so I will have someone to vote for if perchance Obambi gets the nod!!

JorgeM   December 26th, 2007 4:33 pm ET

So what? He's still a religious fanatic.

GRACE   December 26th, 2007 4:31 pm ET

FIGURES HE'D WANT TO KILL SMALL ANIMALS
THE APPLE DOEN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE

Janet Kern, Hewitt, NJ   December 26th, 2007 4:30 pm ET

WOW!!! what a man you you are. I'm soooo not impressed. Really I'm not. Does it really make you feel that good to kill an animal, Mr. Huckabee? Well I guess "there I go" because you sure won't get my vote.

Steve, Columbia, MO   December 26th, 2007 4:29 pm ET

You gotta be kidding me. Did he just elude to people being shot if they don't vote for him?

If he wants to play President he's going to need a lesson in carefully choosing his words.

Common Sense   December 26th, 2007 4:29 pm ET

"Maybe it will show that I certainly understand the culture of being outdoors,"

Gimme a break. This guy gets manicures for 300 bucks a pop weekly. If the pheasants hadnt themselves been trapped and released 5 feeet away from this guy the only thing that you would have been able to track on his hunting trip would have been the 3 mile sent trail left by his cheap cologne. Doesn't killing animals for sport conflict with his status as token radical christian in this election?

Angel, Los Angeles of Anaheim   December 26th, 2007 4:28 pm ET

Did he hang and stone the dog that brought it back to him , too?

HOORAY for HUCKABEE!!!

Disappointed Cape Coral FL   December 26th, 2007 4:27 pm ET

I sort of liked Huckabee but am completely turned off by men who enjoy killing things especially when they are catering to the macho crappolas of the NRA.

Joe, Charleston, SC   December 26th, 2007 4:26 pm ET

Wow! Huckabee now is adding gun-toting country bumpkins as his supporters, in addition to fundamentalist, right-wing Christians. That's progress.

Tewde, FL   December 26th, 2007 4:24 pm ET

woow, CNN.
the world is coming to an end, a candidate killed a pheasant!!! woow, what important news for people to know, life changing news, huh CNN

Tom A, Leawood, KS   December 26th, 2007 4:23 pm ET

why is this not a surprise? When I saw the ticker that stated "presidential candidate goes hunting", I knew it would be this right wing candidate. No one else would do anything this risky to just court their base...this pheasant hunting sounds familiar to another person; is this to say that things will be more of the same with Huckabee?

Scott, Toledo OH   December 26th, 2007 4:20 pm ET

I suppose it is a little more humane that his usual family tradition of hanging and torturing a dog, and then covering it up.

Eric, Summerville, SC   December 26th, 2007 4:20 pm ET

This is good. "To prove that I can be President, I'll go out and shoot something." Is this the only criteria now?

Aldo, Silver Spring, MD   December 26th, 2007 4:16 pm ET

In order to be a "regular guy" you need to shoot and kill something?

That's low-brow, unenglightened thinking.

Making things worse, Huckabee is telling us we'll be killed if we don't vote for him and that if you get in his way, you'll end up dead like the birds? I'm sure the birds were a real threat to him.

He's off my short list.

Seattle, Washington   December 26th, 2007 4:16 pm ET

Why on earth would a person kill God's creation without a need? I thought this man belived in commandment #5 that says "thou shalt not kill". It does not say anything about murder, it implies about the law against needless killing. Mr. Huckabee took the life of a creature of God for no other reason then to show he is a so called sportsman. He should be ashamed of himself.

Me in Texas   December 26th, 2007 4:14 pm ET

Oh, here we go... now the deal is closed... We just need it a picture with a gun in hand to get that so important part of the GOP voting block...I am taking about the Conservative, “intellectual”, highly educated, Christian controlling part of the Republican Party. He should have taken the VP and spare us from the possibility to have this buffoon from moving into the Whitehouse.

Frank Mayans, Los Angeles   December 26th, 2007 4:10 pm ET

OMG he is playing the "Gender Card"!

terri   December 26th, 2007 4:09 pm ET

"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Oh, Jon Stewart, how much fun you could have had with that. God, I wish that strike would end!

Jarod, Raleigh, NC   December 26th, 2007 4:09 pm ET

Huckabee – a history of poor judgment

Todd C. Wilmington, DE   December 26th, 2007 4:06 pm ET

Lord help us.

Please don't let the american people be fooled in voting for this idiot.

Jarod, Raleigh, NC   December 26th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OrE6IusJ1U – cnn exposes huckabee

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