Washington (CNN) – Former Republican Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee advised Republicans in Congress to strike a budget deal, warning a government shutdown will hurt the GOP politically.
"Don't let the government shutdown because the consequences of that are going to hurt the Republicans, not the Democrats and the Republicans can't win this battle when it gets down to it," Huckabee said Friday on the Fox Business Network. "I think it's important that the Republicans don't jeopardize all of their chances for both the White House, Senate and the House elections in 2012 by arguing over what amounts to less than a penny."
The former 2008 presidential candidate said Republicans should abandon their crusades against National Public Radio and Planned Parenthood, and instead focus on fighting for the budget proposal put forth by Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, that he said "will change America for the future."
"As much as I want to see Planned Parenthood defunded, as much as I want to see NPR lose their funding, the reality is- the president and the Senate are never going to go along with that so win the deal you can win and live to fight another day," Huckabee said.
He also said Republicans are "naïve" to think the media won't blame Republicans for a shutdown.
"If the Republicans are naïve enough to think that the media will say 'oh, you know the Republicans were really trying to save America,' they got to be smoking something crazy," Huckabee said. "I'm telling you, the Republicans have won the battle, take victory, take yes for an answer."
From CNN Politics
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You got your deal...business as usual in DC...WE GET NOTHING.
One Republican with a brain, strange, guess he's an anomaly.
As much as I want to see Planned Parenthood defunded, as much as I want to see NPR lose their funding , the Huckster forgets what makes the USA great ! What kind of musician would defund NPR ?
The world is questioning our sanity , we used to be a country , now were a game show !
What kind of rotten people want to defund Public Radio and Planned Parenthood that helps millions of women with healthcare? God the rethuglicans are just plain EVIL! I'm SO sick of these awful people ruining America!
He's right that the reps would be to lame – rightfully so. But on everything else he is dead wrong, as usual, especially in his support of Ryan's mostly nonsense-budget-proposal.
I remember when abortion was illegal. The rich flew to another courtry for theirs and the poor went to a motel room with a quack doctor. Also give up on the harassment of gays. Gays are born that way (weren't you born however you are?) and are 4% of the population with civil rights equal to everyone else. Republicans can win points on the budget cutting concept, but not the "social conservative" issues.
Heres the Republican plan, "Okay, so we need a bill that funds the goverment for another week to buy time, so we will hand the democrats a bill that funds the goverment for a week AND cut 12 billion dollars from programs democrats like, that way we get what we want and they won't! Ye-haw we is dah smartest!!!
No Huck, please don't warn them, let them mess up the country so they all can be voted out of office
what in hell did the repulicans win...if they win then the rest of us lose....not much about jobs in the bill, though they promised job growth in their electioneering speeches....they have given tax brleaks to the wealthest in the country and that on the backsof the middle and lower classes...black mailed us into beleiving that they would cut off pbs and planned parenthood...need i continue......
Wow...I really think this guy has America at heart. But then reality strikes and I know he is looking at the 2012 Presidential Elections.
NIce doubletalk there Huckster. On the one hand you acknowledge the GOBPbaggers are the impediment to a deal and then later you blame the media for "blaming" the impeding extremists in your party. Sorry, you were right the first time. Your comment about the media is just a dogwhistle to those same extremists whose votes you want.
huck can say the most ligical things...and then...whew
glad that shut down averted but remember for the root cause for this shut down, GOP wanted to cut all basics....they do not want to rise tax on rich....cut basics...medicare, planned parenthood., education....etc., terrible, stinky.....Do not vote for another GOP idiot...period.....Obama the excellent......
Have anyone noticed last night when Boehner came out and spoke AFTER the bill was passed he actually had WOMEN around him?????????????????????? Big head Cantor was there but they made sure a few WOMEN were in sight!!!! Hmm, I wonder if that has something to do with PLANNED PARENTHOOD and the fight against WOMEN the Democrats was pushing??????