(CNN) - Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is continuing to deride his party's leaders in Washington, saying Monday he has trouble keeping a straight face over the GOP's newly-launched "listening tour."
"It's hard to keep from laughing out loud when people living in the bubble of the Beltway suddenly wake up one day and think they ought to have a listening tour; even funnier when their first earful expedition takes them all the way to the suburbs of Washington, D.C.," the former Arkansas governor wrote in a column on Fox News' Web site.
Earlier this month, Rep. Eric Cantor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney kicked off a campaign by party leaders to reshape the GOP's image, gathering at a restaurant in northern Virginia for the first of a series of town hall meetings.
The goal of the initiative, the National Council for a New America, is to connect Republican leaders with voters across the country to help get the party's electoral fortunes back on track.
"If some of these leaders had been listening already, they wouldn't need to form a group to start listening now," wrote Huckabee. "Some of the ones who have decided to start listening sure weren't listening last fall when they were supporting the TARP bailout bill that pretty much discredited any semblance of conservative conviction."
Huckabee echoed a similar sentiment last week, telling a California newspaper the GOP was at risk of becoming "irrelevant as the Whigs" if it moderated its policies.
From CNN Politics
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According to Huckabee, "the GOP was at risk of becoming "irrelevant as the Whigs" if it moderated its policies."
I have some bad, bad news for Mr. Huckabee.
At first, I admit, I kind of enjoyed watching the Republican eat their own. Now it's just plain sad.
That's right... Republican don't listen to people. They do what is good for big business with little concern for much else except for social conservatives.
Huckabee has apparently joined fellow Democrat COlin Powell – this is a good sign for the GOP.
So, yeah. So much better to NEVER start listening.
Keep talkin boys, keep talkin'.
....Every time a Republican speaks, a Democrat wins a race.
"If some of these leaders had been listening already, they wouldn't need to form a group to start listening now," wrote Huckabee.
This must be the smartest thing I've heard from the right in I don't know how long. You still won't get my vote HuckaBOO, but at least you're coming towards the light and moving out of the darkness.
Now this is a guy I can't stand. Go back to preaching at your church and leave the rest of us free to live our lives. I'm so glad the religious right is finally losing it's grip on our government.
You should have seen his signs in Iowa: "Religion still matters. Vote Republican". That is wrong in so many ways...
Not suprising that someone who refuses to believe in evolution in the natural realm would refuse to believe in it in the realms of politics and governance.
Dear Mike:
The "R" party is already as irrelevant as the Whigs, and it has kooky christian conservatives like you to thank for its demise. You are a great entertainer, Mike, but a total dud as a leader. Just like your party, out of touch, narrow-minded, catering to Confederacy-longing racists, and blind as a bat. Guess what Mike, the "party" is over.
Best Wishes in your Retirement,
The American Voting Public
I like Huckabee, keep calling it like you see it!!!!!!
The peace canidate will almost always win. (except 2004)
Thats why Obama won and that why Huckabee, Romney, or Palin have no chance because they are all chicken hawk war mongers.
If the GOP wants to really have a chance they need to follow Ron Paul
and the constitution!!!!!!!!
listening is not repugs problem they list and still do what they want. which is not what America wants. they are a big joke. nobody's going to fall for their lies again.
the Repubilcan party has written its wave, we live in a world so different, the need of the masses must be met, you've had a good run, get over it
I just love Huckabee Pyle.His motto should be 'Vote for Huck and Runout of Luck".
The GOP has had deaf ears for 8 years.....I don't think listening now will help them. It's a done deal you idiots!
Even though, its offensive to me, that CNN is quoting from a Huckabee op-ed from the 'Faux News' web site, I admit that Huckabee has a point!
Indeed IF the GOP had been listening, they would not need a 'listening tour'. Which by the way, was demonized by their party leader, Limbaugh-the-comedian!
Having grown up in a Republican home, with conservative "values"..... I jumped the GOP-ship, when I realized that Bush had lied about the reason to attack Iraq! Bush went downhill from there.
The GOP are in serious trouble, not only because they are not listening to any one.......... but...... Limbaugh and the rest of the haters. But also because they continue to prove to America, that they are the party of NO....... no new ideas......... no new solutions......... no new inspiring leadership. Just the same grumpy-old-white-men at the helm!
It's hard to keep from laughing when you see Huckleberry staggering around trying to look relevant. Yeah, whatever Grampa. Tell us how far you had to walk to school when you were my age, that's always good.
This is all a laugh for sure. Those votes that the repubs need they will not get until they stop being hateful and become inclusive.
Mike is not a respectable source for anything political. His Faux news ties and show are insulting to anyone of intelligence. America needs fixing and Huckabee is just in the way.
Yes ... he's slamming the tour because he was the only one not invited to speak.
Conservative leaders on a "listening tour" is a silly concept. NOTHING that they hear is going to change a single Conservative talking point. Nothing has changed in Conservatism since Barry Goldwater wrote "Conscience of a Conservative."
If a single mom tells a Conservative leader that she can't afford medical care for her child, she will be told that by relaxing government constraints on global corporations, the free market will become more healthy, thus producing the maximum amount of goods. The law of supply and demand will thereby reduce the price of goods and make them more affordable.
Of course, she will still not be able to afford medical care for her children, but if the free market (definition: a market controlled by global corporations who bribe government officials to regulate the economy to their benefit), then there is no solution.
Conservatives will never just give the kid the medicine he needs, like Liberalism would. Conservatism will just give the kid a pep talk on Adam Smith's economic concepts.
Do any of you remember some years ago when they would have these big wrestling matches where a bunch of small brained huge wrestlers would fight each other? At first, two or three would join forces to beat up another group of two or three till the final two or three would pound each others brains out until the last one standing was declared the winner. Do they still do that?
Now it seems the Republicans are recreating the same drama in the political arena. Little alliances forming and disintegrating as they pound each other into oblivion. Only difference is that the last one still standing will be declared the WEINER.
.
If Huckabee would keep his politics out of my right to marry and my right to control my own body, I would really support him. He speaks a lot of truth here.
"Some of the ones who have decided to start listening sure weren't listening last fall when they were supporting the TARP bailout bill that pretty much discredited any semblance of conservative conviction."
Obviously, Mr. Huckabee is clueless as well if he thinks it was the TARP program that discredited any remaining "semblance of conservative conviction" from the GOP ... the DICK CHENEY/george bush administration's HUGE deficits took care of any remaining "conservative conviction" long before the TARP program! The only true convictions of the GOP are torture, bible-thumping, guns at any cost and lowering taxes for the rich!!
Too bad Huckabee didn't go up against Obama – it would have been a much different race had he gone the distance.
Well I guess the truth finally comes out since he's not in office anymore; but a different story while he was running for the nomination....
He right they arent listening. This "tour" is just a ploy.
Too bad Huckabee didn't go up against Obama – it would have been a much different race had he gone the distance.
GO MIKE. Now I just wish the blinders would come off the eyes of all the Republican and Democrat leaders in the beltway..........one can only pray.
the second to last paragraph essentially says it all...
Huckabee surprises me with his show on fox and his energy being put into politics instead of doing what God called him to do, which is to Pastor. Has he given that up for the riches of the world? one would think so. It's time for those who have been called by God to do what God has called them to do instead of allowing themselves to be deceived into politics and ignoring their Christian responsibility. Speaking out on social issues is fine but to become so engaged in them that one forgets their calling is a tragedy. by the way I'm a Democrat who use to like Huckabee, I'm a Christian also who prays Huckabee would get back to what his true calling is.
This party is destroying itself. Not one person in the party knows what the party stands for or is about. There is no definition of the party that fits all of its members; its more like 4 or 5 fractured parties clumsily assembled under one heading. How anyone can associate themselves with this mess, or claim to be proud to be a Republican, is beyond me.
He is absolutely correct and I do not like Huckabee. If Congress listened to the public, there would be no TARP and we would not have wasted billions on automotive companies that have or will be filing bankruptcy! Funny how congressmen and woman believe they are smarter than the public!!
This new "listening" group is a joke. They don't even listen to the residents of their state. They are all losers. Mike Huckaby is the only Republican out there that truly care about all of the people, both big and small.
Ah,it's real easy to laugh out loud Mike,go ahead,give it a try.........
You can't "reshape the GOP's image" when you're not willing to change and adapt to the 21st century, better-educated citizens that don't swallow their outdated and irrelevant policies, or acknowledge that your party is so out of touch as to be irrelevant. I love the GOP right now and am eagerly awaiting its funeral.
Mike believes what he's saying, and he's right, but he's just revving up for 2012.
Sounds like the conservative movement in this country is about to implode. I would pit one question to all the conservatives out there – what do you stand for? What are your ideals? Because the only message I heard consistently from your end is that you disagree with what liberals are saying. Is that what defines you – you oppose anything proposed by a Democrat? I am interested in ideas – not just criticism, opposition, and blaming. Yes – the administration has made some bold moves and spent a lot of our money in it's short existence. A lot of conservatives oppose these actions. OK. What do you want to do? What would you do about health care, the economy, the environment, the energy crisis? Give us some tangible responses. Don't just stick out your tongue and tell the other side they stink. That's junior high school.
Don't they get it, Conservative Republican is now an oxymoron. If you can't even practice what you preach while you're in power then how can you have any credibility and be taken seriously? Who created the 10 trillion dollar hole(Reagan, Bush 1 & 2).
As well he should. He makes good points here, but his faith will bring the detractors out. Shoot the messenger, not the message.
That is right keeping people like huckabee as any kind of GOP leader and the party will for sure become irrelevant. This guy is so far right that their is no shoulder to pull on to.
Hell froze over. I actually agree with Huckabee on something.
It's a good start but they need to be listening to the party's base, not loudmouths in Northern Virginia.
Can the GOP survive in the 21st century, as a party driven by strife between different conservative ideologies, that doesn't allow any moderate voices?
I think not, but I sure hope they keep trying. I'd rather have the Republicans as an ineffective fringe party, and have the Democrats split into a centrist and a leftist party. The Baby Boomers and their preceding generation are center-right. The generations following the Boomers, we are center-left. The Republican Party's time has come and gone.
Unfortunately, Huckabee made the deciding choice for his political future when he stayed in the race last year and gave us John McCain. Sorry, Mike, you aren't Joe Biden you only get one gaffe of that magnitude.
Right on Gov. Huckabee! Too bad the Republican establishment, the elite Washington insiders, will not listen to you. You sir, are a class act and one of the few Republicans who could actually win.
ya tell them.
I agree that revamping the "image" of the GOP is nonsense. It is what got it into trouble in the first place, being all talk, while hypocritically becoming a party of spendocrats, interventionists, and privacy invaders. And while they try to blame the spending on democrats, they supported the bailouts not just last October, but even back in 2005 when they were in charge! These aren't conservative principles. When the GOP returns to ACTUAL conservatism, then it will be strong again. Until then, many of us are splitting away from the party of hypocrisy!
He will be the next told to go Democrat
Two things: republicans are NOT fiscally conservative and anyone who believes that needs their head examined. They gave GWB a blank check for rebuilding Iraq and bailing out the banks for crying out loud but wanna be fiscally convservative when it comes to rebuilding America and the middle class???? Second – from their actions alone republicans only care about you if you are rich. They are NOT pro life because they love war, the death penalty and hunting. And they are NOT small government either when they want to tell you who you should and should not marry and what to do with your bodies.
I agree with the 'Huckster' on this particular issue. Where in the hell was the Republican outrage when the TARP bill was being passed during W's watch? They ignored the possible consequences when Bush was in office (and the bill passed) but now they're deriding 'everything' President Obama is trying to accomplish to fix this fiasco of a mess. The party of 'NO' is going 'NOWHERE' if they continue down the road of denial and unaccountability. Mike may never be President in his lifetime, but he IS making sense this time. Go figure!
A Party divided indeed.....
Sorry, bit this is kinda fun to watch after eight years of Giilligan's Island....
He's right on target. It's too bad that the rest of his party aren't as truthful with themselves.
Hukabee is one of the few voices within the Republican party that presents himself as a balanced politician. There is no hate spewing from his mouth, but constructive, well thought out remarks. Isn't it funny that the party that claims to support moral issues refused to elect the one person in that party who symbolizes those virtues? Christians are allowing themselves to be used by politicians and preachers who use the abortion and homosexual issues as paltforms on which to run. Politicians are only interested in getting to Washington, and as Malcom X said, they will so so "by any means necessary."
Remember that Jesus was equally passionate about the poor and hungry, the tired, the downtrodden, the stranger, the widowed, the fatherless etc. etc. NOT only about abortion and gay rights.
It warms my heart to see the Republican Party fall apart....their incompetent, prohibitive platform has been long overlooked.
He would be making a lot of sense if he weren't advocting an even sharper turn to the right. Moderation of both parties is what is needed, it's written on the wall with an ever increasing Independent voting bloc. If Republicans continue running for the extremes, as Huckabee is advocating, the Republicans will become LESS relevant than the whigs. It's not about listening, it's about comprehension.
He's just mad he wasn't invited. After all, he's big time. He's got a show on Fox News.
Moderate Republicans are the key to the GOP's ressurection. As long as the fringe extremists like Huckabee keep running moderates out of the party, the GOP will remain irrelevant.
The listening tour was pretty funny. They went to the suburbs of DC to a predominantly Republican district and spoke to a crowd of screened supporters. Talk about preaching to the choir. Huckabee is wrong about one thing, I think the GOP will become irrelevant as the Whigs if the don't break with the extremist and moderate their policies.
Let the inn fighting begins
It was rare indeed that two men could rise to become Governor of their state and both be from a very small town named HOPE. One rose to become President, as he gave people hope. The other, failed in his attempt to become President because he gave people his version of hope through the Bible. Wearing your religion on your sleeve is a turn off . The irony of this tale of two men, is that the one who became President is more religious than the one who failed The moral of this tale is, keep your religion to yourself and out of your politics.
Oh yea, both also play musical instruments.
Sounds like Huckabee wasn't invited...
But Mike, are you saying that they should "stop listening" or continue? it is "Too little too late?" or is it "better late than never?" Your rant seems to have no constructive value.
Huh? This is a guy who talks to ghosts described in ancient literature. Don't mind him.
Yeah...good luck with your tour....hope you guys have good ears cuz I don't know anyone under 30 that's willing to say that their a republican!
This group, Rep. Eric Cantor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with the exception of Romney (I'm really not sure about him) are not conservative. They are a moderate group, supporting the bailout; and if not supporting it, certainly not speaking out; I think Romney may have spoke out but if he did he didn’t speak loud enough or often enough. Leaders should be able to persuade; he didn’t. It seems the groups focus is more on changing our minds than changing theirs. I know the "boys" do not like Sarah Palin (I am not necessarily saying SP could or should be Pres) but at least she means what she says and says what she means; we hear her loud and clear when she is allowed to talk. She is not afraid of criticism; she is one of the few conservative voices in the Republican party right now and it seems the Repubs are closing rank where she is concerned. And I hear nothing from the Repubs in Washington. When I heard a Repub state after the correspondence
dinner that Meghan McCain is the up and coming new star of the Repub party, that pretty much told me the conservative is no longer represented in Washington. Ms McC believes in same sex marriage; belittles anyone who doesn't agree with her-she is a Dem in my book.
Moderating is not the Republican Parties problem. It is tolerance. If they can only learn to tolerate moderates rather than drive them out they will again be a successful political option. Personally I don't see it happening.
Right on! You don't need a tour to understand how angry and frustrated people are with a gutless bunch of wimps with no principles. Reagan swamped the Dems because he had core beliefs, stood up for them, and communicated them.
As Rush said today...Colon Powell wants "moderates;" we had that with McCain. So who did Powell vote for? A Democrat. Guess that says it all.
Dear "Conservatives",
Please vote out all Bush era politicians and shut down the media outlets that supported the Bush Administration. This is your only hope.
Thanks,
America
This is the guy who would like to change the constitution to be in line with the Bible. Apparently, he only listens to the base.
Nothing new, just another Republican wind bag but this one previously called himself "Pastor".
Mike Huckabee is right. No one should listen to the small people of America when it's the corporations that run the country under the GOP rule. We need to get back to a blind capitalization of America because the trickle down theory is all about making the small guys all wet. We can't let Joe the plumber have a voice because he will only start a sitcom with obscure leaders from a cold and faraway land.
Huckabee is talking sense but too little too late and he will probably be called a Democrat (heavens forbid) and asked to leave the party. The Republicans need to split into two parties. A social moderate and fiscal conservative party. and "the Rush Limbaugh" party of ultra social conservative and fiscally stupid.
The GOP is screwed...either way it goes! If it moderates, then it will lose its base of Conservative supporters such as Huckabee and Limbaugh. If it placates to the Conservatives, it will lose the moderates. The GOP really has a problem. If they want to win national elections, or even have a prayer at beating Obama, they have to have BOTH the moderates and the Conservatives. Neither side will give in, and the GOP will cease to become a national party...shrinking back to a Southern regional party.
Ha ha, while I agree with Huckabee, he's not really the one to talk. He could not even win the Republican primary. The only votes he got were from the most rabid Evangelicals. As for TARP, without it America would be in Great Depression 2 right now. The idea of TARP and the bailouts was a necessary one, the problem was the crooked execution by Paulson. The solution is to stop voting for crooks, not to disband government.
Since when is Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney the GOP's party leader's in Washington?? Neither one of them has ever held an office that required them to be in Washington. As a matter of fact, they both held the same exact office that Huckabee did. Governor of their respective states.
For heaven's sake, what will those silly Republicans think of next? They do keep us laughing!
The Infighting continues they really are a mess and Destroying Eachother RIP GOP!
I have watched carefully, and all I see are a bunch of old, angry white men. These men were probably Democrats until Pres. Johnson signed the Voting Act and then they became Republicans, well now, they are NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seemed like he was consider an outsider looking in during the campaign. Truth is that was probably the better of the choices. Atleast he provide some rationale about his position on the issues.
Huckabee and the whole repug party are a bunch of hypocrites.
They are revisionists and straight up liars. Even when they are supposed to be listening that still can't hear.
Nobody trusts a word that comes out of the lying lips
A political party intent on limiting itself to only the true believers is a party that won't last long in this country... Huckster is right about that. And the concept that beltway divas and insiders are going to listen to "average americans " is laughable. Especially when one of them is a silver–spoon empire crony like Jebbie.
Remember, Rep. Ccantor changed the label and said it wasn't a "listening tour" after Mr. Limbaugh criticized the idea of a listening tour.
Way to go, Republicans. This is the cohesiveness the Democrats need to stay in power indefinitely. Who speaks for the Republican Party these days?
Mike; I got news for you and your buddies your already irrelavave. What you've done for the last 8 years is treason to me and others, that you let traitors ruin this country. You should all demand some justice be done to heal the country, but I know your party is more important than that is'nt it!
I can't understand and not one republican will ever be able to explain to me WHY THEY SAY THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES TO LOVE THIS COUNTRY.
Does that mean all the democratic military who fought for their country don't love it. Does that mean that all the democrats who are volunteering to help the poor, (think President Carter and Habitat for Humanity for just one) don't love this country.
Again the republicans are a bunch of self centered, greedy individuals who try to convince each other that they know it all.
THEY BETTER GET WITH IT, before they really do disappear from the political scene.
I agree with the Huckster: The listening tour is a joke. The party's a joke.
When the Whig Party failed many of its members fled to the fledgling Republican Party.
Must be true what they say about a leopard changing its spots.
Once irrelevant, always irrelevant.
Huck makes me laugh. He's so funny. Like a big clown . . .
Yeah Huck, you're right, you've got a point, why listen to anybody...you're content with your 21% in the echo chamber, and so is the Democratic party who looks forward to a long prosperous future leading this country.
Mike Huckabee is doing a grave disservice to the Republican party by heckling the likes of Jeb Bush,& Mitt Romney. Jeb Bush & Mitt Romney should be applauded, not scorned, for their efforts to listen to the people – how else will the Republican party learn if they don't start to listen? And, by the way, going to the suburbs of D.C. is not as laughable as it seems at face value – since when does anyone on the Hill go into the city they that surrounds their ivory tower to speak with the people they supposedly serve?
I'm with the Huckabuck: Keep on marching off that cliff Republicans and if possible get ultra conservative so even more people will love you. Above all don't let reality get in your way and always remember we're wrong and your always right.
They think they need to reshape the "image" of the Republican Party – and that's the root of the problem.
As long as the far right pundits and entertainers like Limbaugh, Hannity and Coltier call all the shots the Rebulicans are in for some really rough times.
I don't particularly agree with Huckabee on political issues, but heres a guy who calls it the way it is and will be another Republican who makes sense thrown under the bus by the Right wingnuts in his own party.
The populist Republican still begging for votes. That party is deep in the swamp without a paddle.
And another nail into the GOP coffin, keep it up boys, between Limbaugh, Cheney, Gengrich, Huckabee, Steele and the other nitwits of the GOP, it's hard to tell which is more stupid.
The GOP continuing to implode in spite of themselves. This continues to be hilarious! How many factions of the Republican party are there now?
Divide and conquer. Doesn't make much sense when it's within the party. Should be a treat to watch them dig their way out of this mess.
Mike Huckabee is the most qualified man in America to be President. He has the intellect of Obama, and ten times the executive experience. Many of the ideas that Obama has adopted were first articulated by Huckabee when he was running in 2008. Obama would do well to implement every policy that Huckabee advocates.
Mr. Huckabee – I live in the suburbs of DC. Why doesn't my opinion matter? Are we not REAL America? You, Palin and Perry really should secede somewhere so the 3 of you can fight it out to be president of your rural one-horse nation.
lol,,, huckabee was not the republican nominee because he himself admitted that he is not a fiscal conservative.. and we all know that the only reason he was any kind of contender was because of the radical right social conservatives... this is funny.
"Conservative conviction" in October, 2008 would have led to a depression worse than the 30s. Doing nothing in the face of economic disaster was not an option, even among Monday morning right wing quarterbacks.
Bush and the both parties in Congress failed to put in enough controls. Obama is doing a much better job.
Why is he bringing this up now? Isn't this old news? Get on with your life Huckster.
Let the self destruction continue.
Huckabee is just another GOP whack job who could never get above 40% of the vote in a national election.
The GOP is running out of time – unless they moderate and tone down their hate, intolerance and self righteous blabber they are doomed to extinction! Just like the dinosaurs!
Obama '2012
Hillary '2016
Now if Huckabee had been the one who had this so called "brilliant idea", then he'd be the FIRST ONE to endorse it! The Republicans had better get their act together, soon and VERY soon! 2010 will be here sooner than we could ever imagine! Instead of acting like "children", and "pacmen", and eating each other alive, it might be a good idea to get a handle on the word REALITY!! So many choices, Republicans - AND SO LITTLE TIME!!
Nice guy, fair guitarist, weight loss success, NOT presidential material. BUT he is a nice guy, cant say I agree with his ideas AT ALL, but I dont have a thing bad to say about him personally. I try to not like him, but he is SO different from the other GOPers, hes not hateful, hes not mean spirited, hes not condisending, and he really seems to care. AGAIN, though, my neighbor has the same qualities, but I wouldnt want him to be president. I think he would be in over his head...
~~BANG~~~ another shot in the foot!!!
I'm not a Republican or a conservative, but I do find it kind of odd that many of the 'real' conservatives in the GOP, rather than necessarily burning Obama at the stake seem more interested in watching their party go down in flames itself. Huckabee, Ron Paul, Romney... they seem to not be trying to crucify the Dems like their so called 'leaders' are.
Pelosi was right, the REAL Republicans who are not just spitting into the wind OUGHT to take control. As it stands now, I don't see how they are going to get back on track, because having Rush and Cheney as the loudest voices does no help.
Are there no Republicans unwilling to rip into a teammate? Since the next election is literally 43 months away, America is in for some fine entertainment over the next 3 1/2 years!
It is so much fun to watch Republicans tear huge chunks of flesh off each other. The brawls in the mud, the melees, the fracii (how do you spell the plural of fracus?), and the donneybrooks,... its all great to watch.
The complete lack of ethics, decency and team spirit, combined with cheap, superficial and most of all self-serving behavior, means that there is no depth to which a Republican leader won't sink. Its absolutely wonderful to watch.
He's right... the "Listening Tour" seems more like a PR stunt than actually listening. Just pay attention – you'll get the message. Remember the Tea Parties from a few weeks ago? That was a few hundred thousand people speaking and making their unhappiness with the current direction known.
Way to go Mike Huckabee!
The Republican leadership(????) does not have a clue regarding the dramatic moderate swing of the voters. The Party's focus on "trickle down" economics and their huge losses at the voting booths is proof of that.
Now, if Mike can just rid the Party of the roaring right-wing extremists like Rush, Rove, Cheney, Hannity, O-Reilly, and the FOX news channel reporters of non-facts, the Party may(?) have a chance for revival. Doubtful but possible.
But, as long as these fools keep goose-stepping their way across the country, the voters will keep laughing at them.
The problem is not listening. The problem is doing what you want to do, regardless of what your constituents want you to do, so that you reap personal rewards (such as campaign contributions from Wall Street, AIG and big banking). Term limits folks. Vote for them once. Vote them out the next time. Doesn't matter whether it is Republican or Democrat. Get 'em out!!! They're all the same.
Huckabee is right on. But the republicans won't listen to him either. They think they have the answers when it is clear they don't have a clue what the questions are. They got so dumbed down by Bush that they will stay dumbed down. The GOP has a leadership vacuum that won't be filled with Steele, Limbarf, or Faux news.
That's OK.
Obama/Biden 2012
The Republicans can't criticize anything the current administration is doing, or not doing. All they can do is criticize themselves. Whoever opens their mouth for Republicans these days seems to just add another nail to the coffin. No ideas. No plan. No ethics. No morals. No leaders. RIP GOP.
It sounds like Mike is unhappy about not being a part of the new change. It's sad that there are so many power hungry people in both political parties.
Maybe his arrogance is why he didn't win the primary....
Go Gov. go ...go get them, u tell them what is on ur mind, Idaho loves u, run Gov. run...
What Huckabee is speaks so loudly I can't hear what he's saying.
Isn't this the man who ran on the "I'm more Christian than the other candidates" platform?
I love watching the Hypcrisy Party destroy itself.
Good for Huckabee...very few Republicans are speaking openly and honestly about the party these days. I found it interesting with the few sound bites from their "listening" tours...very little listening but a lot of talking on their part...active listening should cause change on their part...?
20% of Americans are die-hard Republicans who would follow the party to the gates of hell if Rush told them to. Probably 20% of Americans are similarly disposed on the left. What we need is a third party that represents the 60% of us in the middle; social moderates and fiscal conservatives.
Mike Huckabee has spoken the COMPLETE TRUTH..... Where was all the so called Republican leaders when Georgr Bush and his administration spent 700 billion dollars half of which they don't where or whom it went to, then accuse President Obama of spending too much. He had to spend to help get this country back on it's proverbial feet. I'm a middle class taxpayer and I APPROVE of President Obama's performance so far.
"Huckabee echoed a similar sentiment last week, telling a California newspaper the GOP was at risk of becoming "irrelevant as the Whigs" if it moderated its policies."
It's the non-moderates like Huckabee that caused the GOP to become irrelevant to begin with. Keep up the good work. We like being in charge again.
Do you think their next listening event will be in the Haliburton boardroom? Or perhaps the country club? These cats need to go to a poor neighborhood community center (black or white, it doesn't matter) and get an earful. Oops, I forgot, there are no poor people in America. I meant to say "working families" or whatever they're calling them this week. Have a nice day!
That's a shame...we really could use a two-party system in this country. As a Democrat, I'm sure I will be called patronizing, but this GOP direction is not good for anyone.
True Huckabee if the Repubs could have run a younger candidate they would have had a chance. I want a conservative period. I don't care about the individual hot button issues we need a straight shooting, small government minded, resposible spender to get us out of this hole!
Of course Huckabee finished what, third? Fourth? Fifth in the GOP primaries? Consider the source.
It's such a shame, Mr. Huckabee used to make some sence at one time during his run for president. Now he in with the "lets cut of our nose to spite our face" club. I wonder if we will ever get to a place where we will have an intelligent exchange of ideas again. If we don't, then GOD help us.
I agree that the GOP is at risk of becoming irrelevant as the Whigs, but it's not because of moderation. That's where the majority of voters are and always have been. It's because of being too hard line and not listening to anyone but themselves. But in a decade or so, when they're mostly gone, we can all say, "We told you so."
To Listen is to Learn if "God" willing! Mr. Huckabee is a hypocrite
to maxx. Please someone tell me what makes this individual's prior
behavior of being a Governor and still out of touch with the people
who provided a charmed life for his family relevent? Not to mention the run for Presidency and the shameless answers to questions during the debates. Duh Evolution etc......
To "Conserve" is relevent to lfe, liberty , and the pursuit of happiness.
Liberal is derived from LIBERTY! Now we have the facts!
NOW DEAL WITH IT!
I love the last comment!
If one believes the studies most Americans are moderate middle in their politics.
So I guess it is lose lose for the Republicans.
What they need are more Dick Cheney's?
Whigs here we come!
Both parties need to accept that their extreme left and right members are in the minority.
None of the Republicans seem to listen to the voters who put Obama in office. Listen to this GOP: WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT YOUR WAY!
Mike Huckabee has difficulty understanding why a political candidate would want to “listen” to the needs and concerns of the people.
Huckabee is not accustom to listening, rather he is accustom to preaching.
If he did take the time to listen to the people, he might find out that the GOP is now irrelevant.
Huckabee has a harsh and harrowing tone that can heckle and harass his own partymen's humbling efforts to rehash the party itself. Now we find it extra-hard to understand his hilarious messages let out in a herky-jerky manner.
Wow, this is wild. I have never seen a party so bad off. You guys are like a herd of cats. And cats are not herd animals. Where is your dignaty? You guys are not fit for public. Find a cave, figure out your plan and come out swinging. Get Well Soon GOP.
At least one Republican with a brain ...
Couldn't have said it better myself Mike ...
The Listening Tour ...
Romney is a JOKE ...
A Ken doll ... with really bad hair
The GOP only want to keep it in "safe" areas. They don't want to hear from beltway, rust belt, heartland, farmland, mountain area's and plain folk, god forbid they have to come all the way out here in the middle of no where, there ain't no starbucks here.
The infighting is really funny. They are selfdestructing and they can't seem to help themselves. Who are the Republicans and what is their collective message.
Is Rush Limbaugh the leader? I know his voice is the loudest.
FYI, the problems with the republicans did not start with supporting the
TARP bailout bill. Your problems began 8 long years ago when Bush
and Cheney were not keeping America safe before 9/11!
Let's see–Gov. Huckabee says the Republican Pary will "become
irrelevant as the Whigs if it moderates it policies" Well, what did he think the last election proved?
It proved that the US polulation is becomeing more moderate and as this happens, they are not listening to the strident voices that represent the Republican Party.
The GOP continues to self-destruct from within. The radicals, talk-show hosts, and Faux News reps like Huckabee continue to tear down legitimate attempts to revitalize the party. Hey GOP....get rid of the extremists and I'll listen to your ideas! Until then......
Yeah, what was up with that "listening tour" description anyway? I mean, someone in the Republican Party finally came to their senses, and said, Hey wait! We're Republicans! We don't listen!!! We already know everything worth knowing, and these peasants aren't going to be able to tell us anything useful.
Go for it, Guys! And make sure that you take Mike Steele along with you on the tour. He's totally deaf!
Typical Idiot. "Conservative Conviction" eh? That's why the Re-thugs are not in the White House now. Mike Huckabee or Mike Wannabe? Whatevah...stick a fork in all of these guys...they're done.
Huckabee's right. The GOP must take a different approach to gain back voters.
Apparently Governor Huckabee doesn't realize that 2/3 of that listening tour are from people OUTSIDE "the bubble of the Beltway", considering two of them (Bush and Romney) are former governors.
Huckabee is IRRELEVANT, and irritating.
Romney > Huckabee
Mike Huckabee is hilarious! By far the most likeable Republican on the national stage...he just keeps it real! Eric cantor is very obviously trying to set himself up as a people's man for the 2012 presidential race, but Huckabee's point about NOW trying to "listen to the American people" by going to the suburbs of D.C. shows that the party is in shambles being reactive rather than having a focused unified proactive strategy and message. The "tour" is about as reactive as the election of Michael steele to RNC presidency. The rationale is transparent "Obama is black...that seems to be what the country is going for, so the RNC needs a black president to balance and match Obama." Only one problem: has anyone heard Michael Steele?!! LOL!
It is sad that some people in the GOP make fun of people from their own party who want to listen to the voters, or criticize Obama for planning to appoint someone with empathy to the Supreme Court. Then again, maybe this is the reason the GOP is losing elections, they don't care about what the voters want.
These so called leaders can just stay home and retire. We need new true conservatives, not this "left" over has been's. What a joke. The Republicans require true anti-tax, anti big government back to the Constitutional basics type of leadership. These guys are just rusty nails that will surely pound the lid shut on the coffin of the Republican party.
Blind leading the Blind.......
These people just do not get it!
A "listening" tour might not be a bad idea, but you've got to send out good listeners. Right now, the GOP doesn't have any. The republicans are in a long overdue free-fall from grace. Their arrogance and ignorance (as so aptly demonstrated by the likes of Limbaugh and Cheney) is biting them in the behind. They need to take a giant step back and watch and learn.
I'm not a big fan of Huckabee on social issues, but he's certainly right that the majority of Republicans have acted nothing like Republicans in the last decade when it came to be fiscally responsible.
Mike must have missed the memo from the head of the Republican Party. Limbaugh told them not to listen but to teach.
Yes, Mike. Because continuing to spend all your time in the echo chamber of Fox News is really helping you understand what Americans really want. Not just the "real Americans" who weren't enough to win any elections last cycle and are only getting smaller. Your continued forray further right is what is going to make you as "irrelevant as the Whigs".
"It's hard to keep from laughing out loud when people living in the bubble of the Beltway suddenly wake up one day and think they ought to have a listening tour; even funnier when their first earful expedition takes them all the way to the suburbs of Washington, D.C."
Namely, a pizza joint at 10AM – might have gotten a bigger crowd if they went to an IHOP instead....
It's very hard to say who is more pathetic: a trio consisting of a Virginia Jew; a Michigan Mormon and a Florida Episcopalian or an Arkansas Baptist Preacher turned pol ALL trying to herd cats.
The republipig party is a joke, plain and simple; For thirty years it has been based on a simple premise: cut taxes for the rich and hang the deficits (borrow the money). Jack Kemp will rot in hell for selling that idea to Reagan.
Now the chickens have come home to roost and the gop is bereft of a single idea (other than "NO").
In 2010; they will lose four more Senate seats becuae 8 of 10 American voters have wised up to their BS. In 2012; they will pull no more than 43 % of the popular vote and witll ALL be southern and rural; no matter who runs. (Gee I hope it's Palin)
Eric Cantor hides from his constituents and sends out the same form letter replies no matter what the subject. He's not listening to anyone. Cantor needs to be canned.
You guys are getting so pure most of us just can come into your very small tent. So keep on keeping on...if you know it all and don't need to listen or grow as a party then keep your ranks closed to all but those who like the old Nazi SS were pure Arayan blood and loyal to one thought. Group think may make you strong for the short run for the long run past 2012 it puts you gravely out of touch with America.
Huckabee is right, of course. The GOP would have much higher favorable ratings if it had taken a strong stand against TARP and other bailouts. Of course, Huckabee never stops to think that maybe, just MAYBE, the bailouts and TARP were the best thing to do for the country...he's more interested in polling numbers! The result of the bailouts will never be readily apparent; we'll never know what would have happened if we didn't approve them, that is, but when ever Democrats and Republicans actually agree on something, I think that's a sign its pretty darn important.
Oxymoron of the decade: GOP Listening Tour.
In case you haven't heard yet, for the rethuglicant's it's their way or the highway.
That is to say they will listen to what you have to say but don't confuse them with the facts because they have already made up their minds.
Not only do the Huckster's comments remind me of a circular firing squad it's starting to look more like the "Donner Party" every day...
Great comments, but he should have kept it about his gang and not a shot at the TARP.
This makes me wonder when these folks get up here and say thing like teh American people don't want the TARP. Well, I guess he isn't listening either. More people are for it rather than against it. And I think the number will change proportional to whether or not it works.
For the record, this is not the liberal media hyping this up, although (and I don't think CNN is liberal at all) CNN has had more headlines that have used the words slam, blasting and the like. That can be chalked up to just selling papers, as it were.
lastly, someone made a good point on the Steele article about how folks were saying the Obama and Clinton were destroying the party being like the republicans now. I think there is truth to that. I don't think the infighting is hurting them as much as their preceived inability to perform their jobs in light of their desire to keep their jobs.
Wow, these guys can't even listen without argueing about listening. It's really funny watching these morons go at it with each other trying to figure out what's wrong with the GOP. Any average citizen could tell you what's wrong...the GOP itself is the problem. The GOP is like a alcoholic that thinks everyone else has a problem, not themselves. It's going to take a lot of time and a 12 step program to rehab the party back to health. Remeber, the first step is to admit you have a problem.
Republicans are flundering, trying desperatly to find their footing and be taken seriously as a political party again.
I find all this in-fighting amusing....
Uh Oh..Another one bites the dust. Huckabee is about to be drummed out of the Republican party by Rush and Dick!
Unfortunately, Huckabee is not a responsible republican. Anyone that uses the tarp bill to his political advantage care only about one thing=themselves. That bill was ugly, but it was necessary, the Fox talk show host should know that!
It is a MYTH that the Republicans have kept us safe. Who was President on 911? Who had the majority in congress on 911? Of course Republicans will just pass the blame to Clinton but last time I checked he actually did keep us safe and no Al Qaeda based terrorist attacks occurred on American soil during his tenure in office. Regardless of this fact they will still blame Clinton for something that happened on THEIR watch. Whatever happened to personal responsibility?
It's even harder to keep from laughing at the fact that a theocratic snake oil salesman like the Huckster is calling out his vapid compatriots. Pot, meet kettle.
Go ahead and stick to your fundaMENTAList "values," Huckster. No need for the party of Rush to moderate. Good luck winning elections with 23% of the vote.
General Powell, you and the rest of the patriotic Republicans are welcome in the Democratic Party, or amongst the ranks of the independents if you prefer. Clearly, though, there is no room for the rational and reasonable within the confines of the GnOP.
A listening tour? Huckabee is right in regards to "not listening last fall". The problem with that is that the republican leadership, Rush, doesn't even want anyone in his party that doesn't agree with everything he believes in. If this continues, there will be nothing left that even reaembles the republican party. Rush wants only one kind of person and that is only those who agree with him, much like Adolph did many years ago. The time in ripe for a 3rd major party.
Pastor Huck slams GOP for listening? When the GOP has" purged" (a word from the Stalin era) and is "purified"... they will be able to hold the national conventions in the banquet hall of the Holiday Inn in Podunk.
Most Americans are moderately left or right. No one has ever been able tp document how or when "conservative principles" have worked well for American – as a whole – not just the far, far right,the evangelicals, and the rich corporations.
Very disappointing, Huckabee. You're dooming your party to extinction.
Whatever– Huckelberry don't get it, McCain can't remember if he was told it, Mitt the Magic Underware Romney thinks he already knows it, Mrs. Todd Palin will never figure it out, Rush the drug addict has no functioning brain cells........... when will the GOP just go away and leave the worlk a better place for them not being here?
This guy again? *sigh* The infighting that goes on these days in the GOP isn't helping in the slightest. Its a good thing when different people within the same party have differing opinion...but knocking the efforts of some Republican leaders to revive their party doesn't seem to be contributing much to the end goal of that party. Mr. Huckabee is doing it all for......Mr. Huckabee. He may not say it but he's set on running in 2012 and he has to mobilize his base to get through the primaries....nothing but politics and power-plays as usual....*yawn*
Cantor's "listening tour" is nothing less than a desperate attempt to draw attention to himself amid his lack of ideas to solve the country's serious problems.
That's too bad about Huckabee. I used to like him. I think his own ambitions are getting to him.
wow! this guy makes me sick to my stomach, but this is the most intelligent thing he has said! even conservative Republican Mike Huckabee laughs at the Republicans!
More fighting within the ranks. Does Huckabee plan to run in 2012 on the Republican ticket? He appears to be distancing himself a great deal from the party, which I suppose is politically correct these days. I agree with him that the party should have been listening a whole lot sooner, but isn't it good that they are at least making an effort to do so now, however feeble their attempt may be. The tea parties also should have come eight plus years ago, but like the art of listening, efforts to stop more government spending is appropriate anytime.
It seems the far right is seeing its days numbered within its own party and is not happy. The democrats went through the same thing once and that unhappy minority had to concede defeat and help repair a split party.
all he had to say was..... There all out of touch!!!!!! hello real world, please take Rush the pig with you.....any place but here...
Geez. Why are these repugs so hard headed? But that's OK. Just let them keep trying to find those conservative values and hang tough. The dems will keep on winning as long as they keep looking for their roots. And oh, by the way, Reagan is really dead!
Huckabee and Crist are the best the GOP has going for them. If Crist is elected Florida's senator, I hope he does not let the current republican senate clowns tarnish what so many people like about him and his stand on most policies.
Trying to divide the party, ridicule the GOP, and sell books. He's managed the first two.
Yes, what a joke. All we are really seeing from the Republian Party is another series of slick ad campaigns and empty buzz words and slogans. Listening tours... yeah, right. Democrats listen and debate. Republicans dictate; they tell their membership what to think and do.
Another zealot giving his religious two-cents worth. KEEP religion out of politics
Frightening to think these buffoons "represent" us. I mean really how delusional can you be. You look at Obama and then at these guys and it's hard to believe they are both from the same planet.
Really? Obviously, Huckleberry wasn't listening last fall either. An over-whelming number of registered voters decided his political fate some time ago or did he miss the memo? He fails to grasp the reality of the republican party's doomed future for dissension such as this.
WAKE UP REPUBLICANS
FORMER republican
Republicans need to dump Boehner, Cantor, and McConnell.
80% of Americans want nothing to do with the Repugnant Party.
What does Huckabee do now for money? He had it made when he was governor and taking all manner of gifts (oops, got busted for that) or when he was Candiidate Huckabee he was eating free and pretty well. What sort of livelihood does he enjoy now? I still want to see all of his sermons that were recorded brought to light; hear what he really said in his church when pastoring. Until then, like Joe Scarborough who wont ever discuss the dead intern in his office, he hasnt any credibility until he comes clean.
SEE, finally a republican who also noticed the 2+ faces of the GOP. Give em hell Mike.
I wish those like Huckabee would stop being so devisive towards others in the party that are seeking to unite all of us. Mr. Huckabee needs to stop the self-righteous thing and view others within the party, whether they are of his theology or no theology at all as contributors to the greater good of all. Mr. Huckabee is judgemental and lacks Christ like humility.
Sounds like Gov. Huckabee is a little upset that he didn't get invited. He's always been upset that he wasn't part of the in-group. But, since his campaign was aimed primarily to making sure Mitt Romney didn't get the nomination, and Romney, not Huckabee, is considered a party leader and potential candidate for 2012 who can actually raise money, it's easy to see why he didn't get an invitation.
Well, you never listend to us when you were the "Tax Hike Mike" governor of Arkansas, Gomer!!
..........and this is a guy who doesn't believe in the theory of evolution. Another Republican idiot.
Huckabee and rush limpbrain and and whats her mouth should be put on a little piece of land out on the sea so they can drive each other nuts
because no one want to hear the fools anyway
So it is wrong for listening tour because Rush says so. I thought Huckebee was lot more independent thinker and would not just follow Rush. I think Rush has now become a "Godfather" of Republican party. No body dares to oppose him. And if somebody like Gen. Powell does, he is criticized as too cozy with Democrats or why is he still in the Republiocan party. It is sad to see party of Lincoln in such disarry but they brought on to themselves by pandering to religious rightwing. Soon it will be party of the Southern states and will not have any national appeal.
what is wrong with the GOP is that you are all living in the 1950s.
The world has change and you are not changing with it. That world has died and you are STILL hanging on for dear life.
Someone please cut the rope.
I enjoying the Republican civil war. A good advise for the GOP, keep fighting among yourself. It's good for the country; at the end, the country wins. Less obstruccionism, less bigotry, less right wing fanatism.
It's a rare occasion when I find myself more-or-less agreeing with Mike Huckabee. God help us all if he ever gets elected president – personally, I'd rather keep the Church and State separate.
Huckabee's cynicism and sarcasm serve as a good reminder of why Republicans are in trouble in the first place. Motivating voters by appeals to anger, alienation, and discontent isn't as effective now as it was a decade ago. Cannibalism among Republicans isn't going to help your party Mr Huckabee, it'll only help Democrats.
But let me offer you a fork, knife and spoon anyway. Bon apetite, thugs.
The Republicans should all go on a long retreat somewhere and stay there until they reach some sort of agreement. As it is they are constantly making fools of themselves. Looks like the "listening tour" has gone the way of the socalled budget with no numbers and the socalled alternative stimulous package with no backup to their claims.
Romney, Huckabee and the rest of the "had their time and now go away"are just continuing the primary campaign and offer nothing with this pathetic infighting. Frankly they make politics a sham in their constant campaign mode with no new answers and charade that they can "rebrand" themselves with the same old failed policies and claim to be a party of "values".
Other than being against abortion and gay rights, what have they got in the way of so called values??
Huckabee is a Fascist. I don't care what anybody says but imposing your religious/personal beliefs upon others is fascism. Therefore Huckabee will NEVER have my vote.
Reverend Hucksterbee is a strong ally of the fringe elements who just might drive a long Democratic majority. Pander on, dude!
It would be refreshing if the GOP started listening to the American people and our wants and needs. For the last 8 years they have been trying to tell us what we should think, believe and do. I think it is too little too late, but let them "knock themselves out."
This man is just a nuissance. I wish he would just go away.
If there were more Republicans like Huckabee, they would have more people on their side, including me.
I'm so sick of hearing how the decline of the economy is the dems fault because they had a congressional majority bush's last two years. Easy for you to say that they got nothing done when any piece of substantial legislation they put forward that might have changed the course the Repub's put us on was filibustered and obstructed from a vote(70+ times, more than three times the amount used between the founding of America and Reagan)and anything that wasn't stopped by that got vetoed by Bush(also more than any other time in history). So shut up. A majority is not a VOTING Majority and you guys obstructed anything and everything, then you want to play the, "dems were in control why didn't you do anything" card. Liars and manipulators. It's your fault and you are obstructing our system. American Taliban.
I think it is funny how people dismiss the GOP as-doomed to failure-just because they lost the Presidency for the first time in eight years. Granted, they lost congress as well, but that is a trend that happens to both parties during the waning years of a Presidency. By the logic of the democrats, they should have been irrelevant many times over since they have only had the Presidency for 12 of the last 40 years. Word of advice to you liberals out there, "Do not get overly anxious. You dog has just entered the fight and it is a long way off till the next election cycle." Polls already have the GOP even or ahead in the generic congressional ballots and Obama's numbers have been declining ever since he took the oath of office. Acting as though the GOP is done may make you feel like things are going well for your party, but the reality is much different than you think. Keep that in mind when you feel like flaming every little thing that happens on CNN's threads.
I would vote for the Whigs if they came back. Especially if they wore powdered wigs while in session.
If the GOP "moderates," in other words, becomes Dem lite, they'll accomplish the double whammy of alienating their base while earning only the scorn of the Democrat voters they'd be trying to convert. Why vote for imitation Dem when you can have the real thing?
The neo-con wing of the GOP, which unfortunately still controls the party, has to go. It combines the worst of both worlds - a pig-headed foreign policy that ultimately serves the interests of another state, and a domestic social agenda that is barely distinguishable from that of the Dems.
If Jeb Bush was really listening then he would have no doubt that the vast majority of Americans are shouting at the top of their lungs: "No more Bushes, ever. No way and no how."
mike,another religious moron who will never get elected just like Romney!
While the implementation of the listening tour hasn't been stellar, it's the only new idea I've seen from the GOP since January. Listening to their constituents is a pretty reasonable idea.
I don't like the idea of bailouts but had the banking system completely collapsed, we would be in far worse shape than we are now. Huckabee is just trying to make political hay over anger. It's too bad that anger isn't directed towards the deregulation that caused the near collapse in the first place. Had the regulations remained in place, there wouldn't have been any need for bailouts.
It is very apparent the Republicans are conflicted and don't know how to connect with people who are outside there conservative club and refuse to make a legitimate attempt. They have formed circular firing squads among themselves and are steadily picking each other off. As a Democrat, it is really fun to watch. Anyone within the party who expresses alternative ideas or thoughts are immediatly shouted down and ridiculed.
We know that the Republicans, in general, do not listen well to the middle class.This is only an effort to change perception. After the tour things will return to normal.Mr. Huckabee is only sad that they are willing to admit the truth.
"If some of these leaders had been listening already, they wouldn't need to form a group to start listening now," wrote Huckabee. "Some of the ones who have decided to start listening sure weren't listening last fall when they were supporting the TARP bailout bill that pretty much discredited any semblance of conservative conviction."
I have to say Mike Huckabee is right on with this one. The GOP's image is about to go invisible if it continues the way it has. But what Mike Huckabee fails to say also is, that he was and still is party to everything the GOP has done for the past 8 years. The almost total destruction of America. Being hated by every other country in the world. Alienating the USA from its allies. Driven our economy into the ground while making the 1% of the super rich in this country even richer, on the backs of the poor and middle class. Never openly admitting to the American public and apologizing for the mess they have caused. Americans may have short memories, but take away Americans lifestyles and savings and they will never forget who caused it. I have one thing to say to the GOP. It will be a long time before America ever forgive and forgets what you have done. And now all you seem to do is hope and pray that the one person in our time who can and will bring this country out of the quirkmire it is in, fails. Great way to kill your political aspirations and objectives.
If they had been listening correctly, they would know that they need to get some real ideas that cannot be summarized in less than three letters – N and O.
You are Right! Don't ask the general public what they think. Why do you think there are so many conservative talking heads on tv every day. Someone has to be there to tell the public what to think, they would just get confused.
The world is a very diverse place and if we are not careful, the public might begin to expand their minds, which is a bad thing if the focus is to maintain our core conservative beliefs. Before you know it, they will start second guessing what they are told to think and end up becoming moderates or even worse, democrats.
If leaving the ivory tower and "listening" to real people is a bad thing to Huckabee, he should just hang it up now. Shame on him.
It loks like the Republicans are still positioned in their circular firing squad. Maybe they need to call Lt. Dan to help them figure it our.
They will not listen to anyone, they have thier own agenda, and the people of the United States are not part of it. They only care about themselves, and I for one want no party of the party of No.
The present day radicals in charge of the Republcan party apparently don't know the history of what it once stood for.
It was the party of Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, and Eisenhauer . It was the party of progressives until waylaid by the robber barons and Coolidge and hoover . It then gave up to progressives in Dem. party until it regained itself with Ike, even Nixon was a social progressive. It wasn't until Reagan again led the party into the hands of big business. Why not learn the lesson and again become a party not controlled by special interests.
I don't think I could ever vote for him, but I do like the guy and he doesn't pull punches. "If some of these leaders had been listening already, they wouldn't need to form a group to start listening now." Exactly.
I wonder if for once before the Dems start attacking this article that they would just sit back and think if their party is guilty of the same issues? Both parties have brainwashed many a voter into thinking the other party is to blame, when actually both sides of Congress are to blame. Both parties are the party of 'no' Check the voting records for previous administrations and you will find both parties vote 93% or more with their party. I'm talking to Dems here because most of the postings here are from them and are hate filled. Do you hate me because I am a Conservative Republican? If so, please post a sign outside your place of employment so I know where not to shop because obviously I'm not welcomed.
They (GOP ) are the Deer and Obama the Headlight.
This is fun – sit back and watch the show of the clowns.....
the man makes a good point.
As a conservative democrat i like Mike Huckabee except for his views on science vs religion.He is personable he is funny and he isnt one of those silver spoon fed idiots that can count their testicles 10xs and not get the right answer twice.I find him warm and sincere and a man who wants to do right by america, the Gop needs more of these guys and less of the Mitt Romney types,the men who would sell their souls for a vote...Charlie Crist is a damn fine candidate and if the Gop had some sack theyd elect him and make him a 2012 candidate..Who else?Palin and Romney would eat each other up and Obama would pick their bones clean.
"Huckleberry" is just another one of the close minded dinosaurs who just do not get it. In all of my years a s aregistered member of the party... I simply have a hard time understanding how bad the party has gotten. I guess it's all in who you pander to and the close minded monster you create. You would think people in this part of the nation would understand the "reap what you sow" concept.
Huckabee is 100% right. They shouldn't need a "listening tour".. they should've been listening the whole time.
I still don't understand of the whole "changing the face of the party". It's still the same people there.. so what are they saying? "We're going to drop our belief system and say we believe something totally different to bring you back to us" ?
Sorry.. if it's all the same people... it's the same beliefs.. with some lipstick.
Gov. Huckabee is wrong about the listening part, I do believe the GOP needs to listen and listen well to the people are will become their followers, they need to garnish good conservative values that will not supress the values or standards of the American public. they must become more populist and to dedicate themselves to better efficiencies in the government rather than to just slash taxes. they also need fresh ideas and new faces... that will help them, but until then listen to Rush Limbaugh he is doing a find job of sinking you even further in... good luck!
This Republican soul searching is better than a three-ring circus. I have a tip for Huchabee since he hasn't seemed to notice; Republicans are already irrelevant!
I would not have voted for Huckabee, but it sounds like he has a better sense than the current "Republican" clowns. At least his support of the Fair Tax is a welcomed different idea than the travesty we now have called the income tax. Liberals wanting the rich to "pay their fair share" should be behind this–it ensures that they pay their fair share as opposed to your precious "progressive tax." Support the idea of the Fair Tax and bring fairness back to America.
Huckabee is a cartoon character. How could he be taken seriously?
Thank you Mike Huckabee.., How unusual: a republican actually telling the truth! In fact, this party is in self destruct mode. Bring it on!!!
A-men reverand!
The term republican applies to a way of thinking and a set of principles that guide decision-making – you can't change those principles and still be called a republican. If you think the republican position needs moderation, then become an independent rather than trying to drag the party down the wrong road. That's the problem the republicans have at the moment – getting back to the core values that DO define republicanism, not this blended populism that rejects principle based on popularity.
Who is he to talk? One of the worst Presidential candidates in years – John McCain – kicked his butt. Next thing you know he will be telling us that Sarah Palin isn't qualifed to run for President.
The irony is that the only people who would actually attend one of these rediculous events are people who are already going to vote Republican.
LOL! or as irrelevant as mike huckabee anyway.
Congress, Democrats and Republicans, don't listen to the people that voted them into office, so why not try to listen for a change?
Hey Mike– are you at all familiar with what suburban DC looks like?
This would be an opportune time for Mike Huckabee to learn to think critically rather than simply speaking critically.
I think he has the right idea on some issues, and I was proud of him when he suggested earlier that the Republicans need to give President Obama a chance before criticizing him on everything.
But then he made those ridiculous comments about "the Union of American Socialist Republics is being born," and now this...
Please, Mike, follow your own original good advice and have some patience and a clear strategy.
If it makes the GOP look stupid and out of touch, I'm all for it. The longer they're out of power, the better. At least until they dump the evangelicals.
Listening is a good thing. They just need to listen to more than the religious right.
Good point Mikey, how'd the primaries go again? Stick to that strong base you've got there in Arkansas buddy – if it's broke don't fix it.
Boss Limbaugh says NO LISTENING. He'll do all the talking. The party leadership needs to do the obeying.
And so the Grand Obstructionist Party keeps shrinking - and getting more distilled - sort of like the Dead Sea.
What really is funny is the fact that Huckabee thinks two past governors of a three person group are beltway insiders!
Talk about being out of the loop!
People should know by now that Republicans don't listen. They don't care about anyone except the elite 2%. Why they'd pretend to listen on a "listening tour" is beyond laughable. GOP = irrelevant.
Its amazing Huckebee forgets his partys past on why Obama or anyone has to use large somes of money to bailout the mess republicans created.We just need to go back to the corporate tax code of the 1960's when america grew the most.
Man, is he still around? How sad.
Huckabee is right.
Mitt Romney, Cantor and Jeb are ignoring the Republican "base".
That base is so "base" in it's Talibangelical world view that people like Romnety (a Mormon) have no chance in the Repoublican Party.
Republicans created their "base" through decades of hate mingering, fear mongering and catering to the most p[rofoundly stupid and atavistic inbred mountain people they could find.
Now they are stuck with the monster they created. They used those people when it suited them. You have to almost respect people like Huckabee more than users like Romney, or fakers like Jeb and Cantor.
Huckabee is correct and the GOP needs to realize that his conservative views are what this country needs more of.
By all means, Mike, continue down the same path that left your party in the dumpster of American politics. You ridicule people for trying to find answers, yet you offer nothing but the same old ideological bromides that no longer have any traction with mainstream America. You're like the knight in the Monte Python movie who despite having limb and after limb hacked off, kept asking for more.
Look around, Mike. The GOP is quickly becoming a regional party of angry old white guys, religious fanatics and intolerant tea baggers. If you want to continue in that direction, by all means, have at it. But if you're interested in injecting your party with a dose of reality and common sense, perhaps a little more listening and a little less preaching is in order.
You HAVE to have people "listening" to have a LISTENING TOUR.
Hello. What is Cantor and his cronies doing? They are so ass-backwards, all you can do is LAUGH at these clowns.
Why would he scold them for voting for the bailout. republicans have allways stolen from the poor and tax payers. that was nothing new. like their tax cuts for the wealthy. where do they get the money for that. why cut the programs for the poor and disabled, oh and don't forget to cut veterans benifits too.
Huckabee seems to have the right idea about the leaders of the GOP, out of touch with the majority of Americans...
Listen to voters? Listen to voters??!!
Republicans don't have to listen. They have "principles" (=dogma) to make all their decisions for them!
(Just ask Dick Cheney).
The Republican Party is so fouled up it does not know if it’s coming, going, or if they have even been there. They are the party of the past and have lost all credibility with the American public. Until they get rid of their radical views and those that espouse them they will remain irrelevant.
Listening to the Republicans criticize each other is becoming more entertaining than late night comedy. It's like a three-ring circus. No wonder they talk of establishing a "big tent"; they will need a big tent to hold all the Republicans who are criticizing other Republicans. Odd thing is, most of the criticism is right!
Instead of putting these articles in Politics, maybe CNN should put them in a new tab called "Political Comedy."
And these guys & girls want to govern the country?
He wasn't invided on the tour, so he acting like a crybaby.
Bobby C:
I'll tell you what the "conservatives" want to do to solve problems. They want to whittle down the corporate tax burden to almost nothing and dismantle the unions and let corporate America solve everyone's problems. Health Care? Cut union wages to minimum wage to free up money to pay for health care (while the pharmaceutical companies reap all the benefits). The economy? Cut payroll taxes to free up money to hire more employees (while actually hiding the savings in overseas accounts or lining their pockets). The environment? Global warming doesn't exist, remember?
@ Jerry
"As Rush said today…Colon Powell wants "moderates;" we had that with McCain. So who did Powell vote for? A Democrat. Guess that says it all."
-–
Yeah, Powell being an intellegent man and hero to his country thinks the GOP is screwing it up. That certainlky says it all alright.
Jerry, looks like geetting your talking points from the leader of the GOP, Rush Limbaugh. You must be so proud...lol
You and the 19% of America who actually believe in the GOP now.
It must suck to know your political; philosophy and its party have failed you and the country. Sadder still that you still believe in the ideas of the 1950's.
You and your ilk are dinosaurs. Cant wait til you all have nervous breakdowns and are reduced to fetal-position whimpering.
Oh wait, thats happening already. Never mind
Huckabee has the same principles as the Republicans on the listening tour - anything for money - take from the poor and give to the rich. The problem is, the Republican Party's image caught up to its policies. They did fool some people some of the time, but couldn't fool all the people all the time. Using 9/11 as a distraction to loot the U.S. Treasury and invade Iraq to reinstate oil companies kicked out earlier is treasonous murder for money on an international scale. Reshaping the party's image won't work unless its governing principles change too under new leaders, but that won't happen.
Listening to these republican politicians,,,,,,,,who needs the late night comedians. Some of these people are better than the old 3 stooges show. The comedians are loving these morons,,,,,,the more,the better. Cheney and friends are digging their hole a little deeper every day. Keep up the good work you simple-minded fools.
anything that involves a Bush can not be taken seriously. take it from a Floridian, if you think W was bad, try the brother. we are a mess down here fiscally because of his policies and his autocratic manner left no room for input. jeb is like cheney and W wrapped up in one person. losytening and republican in the same sentence is just laughable. i actually have to agree with huckabee on that
I'm surprised that some folks' vision of a "listening tour" doesn't have the concept going in the wrong direction.
There are those within the GOP whose idea is "we tell you what we think, and you'd better listen!"
Ha Ha. It's frankly HILARIOUS that the Republican instinct is to lurch to the right in a country that's moving to the left.
What a bunch of dummies. Enjoy your extremist Southern regional party, Republiban.
He might be a religous Zealot but he is spot on. If I was a repug I would want more leaders like Mike. He sticks to his convictions and does not hesitate to call stupid, well stupid.
As an Arkansan who is used to his ramblings, he opens his mouth and says nothing unless he benefits from it.
We are glad your gone Huckster, but I think you need a room-mate, can you ask our current Governor Beebe to join you, we are tired of him as well!
Just keep talkin' not acting – you guys, especially Cheney, are helping the Dems a lot, reminding everyone why your party is so despised. Keep up the good work – we need you guys to keep the GOPs out of power so that Dem reforms will have time to kick in.
this always happens when a party loses an election and is out of power. memories are short, but i remember when the democrats had lost two elections to president bush and they were falling over themselves writing books about how to get back into power. some of these books were real howlers, like the one that said the democrats ought to lerarn how to cover up their positions so that they seemed more conservative or patriotic (like republicans). so you democrats, don't enjoy this too much. it's just a process that the recently losing party goes through.
They are already "irrelevant as the Whigs", not because the became moderate, but because they do not listen to anyone but the right. You are either far right or you are irrelevant, that no longer, actually never has represented main stream America.
The Republican's went fully swing right after 9-11, not that they were not pushing right before hand, but they went totally overboard and never noticed that they were sinking.
He wants America to be what it was in the past: a howling wilderness with few buildings or people. Why, oh why doesn't his message resonate with the common folk?
Terry May 12th, 2009 1:11 pm ET
Terry your are so right, And they always miss the part of Adam Smith books that talk about the social concepts, only the economic concepts are talked about. go figuar?
A listening tour, eh? Anything I want to communicate to the Republicans can be done with a single finger. No need to listen.
I can't begin to say just how silly a "Listening Tour" sounds. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't elected officials supposed to be listening all the time? They are, after all, our representatives in Washington. The idea that they want to road trip and have a "Listening Tour" shows just how incredibly out of touch these guys are. Huckaby is generally someone I don't agree with, but this time he has it nailed.
Huckabee is too busy promoting himself and listening only to himself these days. Don't take this guy seriously...no one else does.
truth be told, Mike Huckabee dosent stand a snowball's chance in hell of becoming President. Simply because of his name. I mean, can you imagine it "President Huckabee". Nomatter how good his ideas are, he'll never be president.
I can't stand Huckabee, and I'm a Republican.
I guess Mr. Huckabee failed to notice that McCain lost Virginia for the Republicans for the first time in decades due to the shifting demographics in northern Virginia. Why bother listening to what people want when Rush Limbaugh is more infallible than the Pope?
The Republicans would have reasonable smart people available if the hardliners wouldn't have eliminated or silenced them all. That party is being run by a bunch of losers without reality. Until they jetison the hardliners, they will never recover from the conservative fiasco.
It appears that the Republicans are becoming irrelevant, not because they are moderating their policies but because they refuse to. The age of small government and lower taxes may be passing because of the increasing complexity of our world. They like to say they are different than the democrats, but they have not shown themselves able to lead. More importantly, they have not shown a sincere commitment to family values they keep talking about: caring for those who need help, feeding the hungry, fighting for the oppressed, even kindness to those who are not republicans. They do not understand that the world changes and they need to change as well.
Imagine! Mike Huckabee is considered a relative "Voice of Reason" in a political party that is in self-destruct mode!
And yet, Mr. Huckabee is one of those morons that, when asked during the candidates debate, does not belive in Evolution, or stem-cell research. The Republican Party: The Party of Troglodytes.
Alas, he's still is better than Mitt Smarmy.
Huckabee's point is stupid. Its better late than never. The fact that they didnt listen in the past doesnt mean they shouldnt listen going forward. Thats just not logical Mr Huckabee.
The GOP will have to face the fact that the new more effective system of government is something that does look similar to socialism. In order to manage large scale population, the government will have to exercise more control over our businesses, and yes, our lives. People in a free-market society have proven that they can not make the moral choice that is good for the society. Through the unions, President Obama can create a more centralized and manageable system of government and business. It has started with Chrysler and now can spread to GM, then to the banking system. This is what people want and this will help stabilize this system to prevent any future economic bubbles. This is the future and we need a system of government that reflects that.
Funny, Huck. You deride the Listening Tour, yet continue to believe that the only way for the GOP to survive is to hold on to the right-wing principles that lost them the middle in the last election.
So, no, Huck, don't listen, just keep on doing what you've been doing, and you will, for sure, become even MORE irrelevant than the Whigs. (In case you haven't noticed, the Modern Whig party is growing.)
Huckabee is too dense to realize he is just whislting past the graveyard. I am a life long Repub, and I see the party distintegrating before my eyes. Unless the leaders get the ultra religious right to shut up and listen to what people have to say and want, they are a doomed party. When I hear Republicans say they just need to re-energize their core (which means the hard line right) I have to shake my head in disbelief. If the Repubs were smart, they would start to distance themselves from the self appointed moral guardians of our society and focus on things that are important to America as a whole ... like the economy, wasteful spending, and the gradual socialization of our country.
The though of Eric Cantor positioning himself for 2012 is scary but not surprising. What a cast of characters plus out of touch.
From a man who promotes a flat tax as "fair", I would expect no less.
Of course this sham king wouldn't listen. He still doesn't understand the science of evolution, and therefore doesn't "believe in it"!?
As if fact based science was some religion of choice?
Just another radical Repub shuckster fumbling around in the darkness of his mind.
This has all gotten so bad that it's not even funny anymore; it's just repulsive. All these former Republican powerhouses now aggressively revealing how utterly repugnant they really are.
I cannot wait for the next generation to show up and put these pigs out to pasture. New party, maybe?
Huckabee should just shut up. I don't understand the point he's making except that he is trying to set the stage for his next run for president. I think the listening tour is a great idea.
If they truly are out to 'listen', then we'll be able to judge how well they LISTENED by now. Most americans KNOW for a fact that "Lower taxes on rich people, hate the gays and non-christains, order women to do things and keep them in their place and if you aren't white, we won't hang you, even though we want to" are retarded policies. But the flat earth party will never get it. They will continue to regurgitate the moronic policies they have always tried to.
Oh, and if you are for smaller government, then why are you running to work in government? The hypocrisy of the GOP is never ending!
Rush Limbaugh says NO LISTENING. He'll do all the talking. The party leadership needs to do the obeying.
And so the Grand Obstructionist Party keeps shrinking — and getting more distilled — sort of like the Dead Sea.
The republicans are trying EVERYTHING to overcome what Dick and George did to their beloved, value and morals party. Yeah, they value wealth and power and will break all morals to get it!!!
if it's not Palin on the 2012 ticket, i'm praying it's Huckabee...i can't wait for the SNL sketches skewering him & that Mrs! it's going to write itself!
The repubs couldn't care less about what ordinary Americans think. That's why there is no need for a listening tour.
GMan - FYI Huckabee finished SECOND in the Republican primaries, and he did it on a fraction of what Romney and McCain spent.
He's a genuine person of deep conviction and yet has sincere empathy for those who don't agree 100% with him.
He's probably too much of a gentleman to actually survive four years of a presidency, but I would love to see him try.
* sigh* Limbaugh didn't like the idea of a listening tour and therefore made Cantor come out two days after the tour began to say it wasn't actually a "listening" tour, but rather was a "we'll tell you what we want you to think" tour. These GOP aren't exactly displaying much in leadership, are they?
You ROCK Huckabee !!
Huckabee/Palin in 2012 !!!
Politicians' ears are like office thermostats. You see them – they appear to work but actually are inoperative. The result is you are either too hot or cold – either way you end up with an something you don't want.
Stick with the hard line mentality Mike, it'll make Obama's second term much easier to win!
for years the republican party has used ultra conservatives voters to get elected by appealing to thier denial of civil rights in partucular. now they are stuck with them. It 's no better for them. But I hope that they can recover the party of Abraham Lincoln.
What listening tour? Oh, you mean the one that Cantor and Company blathered on about? The same one that Lush Limbaugh ripped Cantor and Company about? The same one Lush said should be a teaching tour? The same one that Cantor and Company backtracked on, is no longer a listening tour, but a teaching tour because Lush told Cantor and Company what the tour should and shouldn't be?
That one? Oh, well, no one's listening. And, no need for a teaching tour – most American's have already learned quite enough about the GOP. That's why only 21% of American's still cling to the Grand Old Party – LOL.
A Republican listening instead of pontificating from the pulpit??
Unheard of!!!!
Well he's right! And this applies to the liberal congress, and administration that's in power now. Our government is not a government that listens to the people anymore.