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."
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Its good to know his PRIMARY concern is the image of the GOP, not the nation.
"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." Thanks, Mike Huckabee, for finally pointing out what is most important regarding the fate of your country. Laid-off workers aren't important, and unpaid combat soldiers are not important, a family unable to vacation in a national park is not important. A shut-down that will cost millions is not important. The important thing is which party is in POWER. Public servant? My left foot!!!
Better idea...Do away with Huckabee instead.
The NEWS and the Democrats are selling this as a fight over JUST a 100 billion dollars. That they are compromising and going more than half way, this is BS. The budget is more like 3.6 Trillion Dollars and the Republican are asking to move it down to 3.5 Trillon Dollars. The Democrats are still getting 99.9 percent of what they want!!! But they want it all! It is really all the Democrats fault as I see it. The Democrats should be happy to look like the side of compromise and let the full 100 Billion Dollars in cuts go through.
OMG!! an intelligent assessment of the situation from a... a... REPUBLICAN???? maybe the EOTers ar right – this the end times
Hairy Reid is a liar. He is using women's health rights as a diversion, when the real issue is Obama and his corrupt cronies waited till the last minute to push through a ridiculous budget, sacraficing crumbs, while irresponsibly squandering Trillions. Save America and Dump the traitors, Obama, Reid, and Pelosi !!!
Huckabee may also want to inform the GOP that NO FEDERAL DOLLARS that are provided to Planned Parenthood are used for Abortions, rather they are used for the other services that it does provide. It is obvious that some of its members are not much different from the jihadists that are poisoning the world with their doctrine of intolerance and injustice.
Mike must have stopped smoking something, because in this case, he is right on. And I love the fact that his saying so, really hurts the republicans. Well done, Mike.
He's probably right, but I disagree that this is bad for Republicans. It's bringing attention to how strongly the left will fight to maintain spending on things that are not mandated ANYWHERE in the constitution. We should be cutting HUNDREDS of billions rather than tens of billions. I hope this thing shuts down for a week and then comes back up after they can agree on a long term solution. Let's not lose sight of the FACT that Pelosi and the overwhelming Democratic majority in Congress were supposed to have this budget approved and in place by 10/1/2010-before the elections! It's THEIR fault that we are going through this, and they will pay the political price for the fallout.
Ah, so Huckabee is trying to make himself appear to be a moderate candidate just in time for the 2012 election? Gotcha.
I've seen a lot of repubs trying to deflect the blame they deserve for this situation, but Huckeabee's statement removes any doubt that the republicans are responsible for the threat of a shutdown, and that they are doing so in an effort to push the abortion issue to cynically pander to their regressive base.
no way, we wont support a dealer like you, you support obama so you wont get my vote this time
Say what you wish about Huck and the GOP, but there's no denying that he's right on this point.
Huckabee is to much bent on religion. The last time I checked this country isn't a theocracy, it is a republic. Saying that he
would like to see planned parenthood defunded, he is really messing with people's (namely women) choice. Does that mean he would rather have women get abortions in back allies and what not? This guy as well as other "leaders" of this nation don't really understand the word " freedom". People like him should be tossed out of office whether they are GOP or Dem. I don't care... it makes them dictators.
LOL! This is probably the only smart thing to ever come out of Huckabee's mouth. I thought the GOP was all about jobs. At least that's what they ran on. They haven't done one thing about jobs and everyone knows it. Now they want to play this game with a shut down to appease their knuckle-dragging base. These people are the worst of the worst.
Another Idiot. He said that a shutdown would hurt republicans, he never mentioned what it could do to the country.
How about leave Planed Parenthood alone ... because it's the RIGHT THING TO DO!
Well side Mikey
All that matters to republicans is power. What frightens me is what they do with it when they get it. History does not favor a free America with their talaban type leadership.
"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,"
He's right, the media would never say that. The problem is, Huckabee thinks it's the truth. Somehow Planned Parenthood and NPR have become the enemies of America. The Republicans are indeed smoking something crazy. I propose a drug test for all Republican members of Congress.
Wait until when men start becoming pregnant, repblicans , tea parteers and catholic priests are going to ask for federal dollars and they will ask for change of rules. Who cares, men are in charge
Republicans Senators and Congress persons,
You are treading on dangerous ground. Take Mr Huckabee's advice.
I don't like Huckabee one bit – but this is the smartest I've ever heard him say.
The right-wing Tea Party radicals will pay heavily for this obstructive behavior. Americans don't appreciate more fear and hatred from Republicans. Stop bending over to the far-right and start supporting the rest of America. Give us mature leadership that shows real concern for working people – rather than the wealthy who pull the strings while you dance.
Won the battle? You were making sense for a second there huck. America know what the republicans ar making an indirect attack of the economical recovery, to stall it, stop its momentum for polictical gain in 2012. It won't work. You are right to call your dogs back on the porch!