Huckabee clarifies Portman criticism
(CNN) - Mike Huckabee is explaining comments he made earlier this week criticizing Oscar winner Natalie Portman for being pregnant and unmarried.
"In a recent media interview about my new book, A Simple Government, I discussed the first chapter, 'The Most Important Form of Government Is a Father, Mother, and Children,'" Huckabee said in a statement obtained by CNN. "I was asked about Oscar-winner Natalie Portman's out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Natalie is an extraordinary actor, very deserving of her recent Oscar trophy and I am glad she will marry her baby's father. However, contrary to what the Hollywood media reported, I did not "slam" or "attack" Natalie Portman, nor did I criticize the hardworking single mothers in our country."
The former Arkansas governor and possible Republican presidential candidate criticized the actress Monday on a conservative radio show for being pregnant and unmarried.
"One of the most troubling things is that people see a Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlet that boasts of, hey look, we're having children, we're not married, but we're having children and they're doing just fine," Huckabee told host Mike Medved on his radio program.
Portman, who won the best actress Oscar on Sunday for her role in "Black Swan," is engaged to choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who also worked on the film.
Huckabee, a Baptist minister who ran for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, said when wealthy actresses have children without being married, they set a bad example for the rest of America.
"There aren't really a lot of single moms out there that are making millions of dollars each year by being in a movie," Huckabee said. "I think it gives a distorted image that not everybody hires nannies and caretakers and nurses. Most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can't get a job, and if it weren't for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death and would not get healthcare."
In addition to her work in films, Portman attended Harvard University and graduated with a degree in psychology.
Portman has yet to respond to Huckabee's criticism.
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Interesting that she is not the first prominent actress who has been in this situation, yet he talks about Ms. Portman. I guess he would treat her as Ingrid Bergmann was treated many moons ago. Women get into these situations not because of actresses. That is too easy an aswer.
that man has lost his mind. comparing women who choose to start a family (married or not) to other women who have parenthood thrust upon them (pardon the pun) shows the total lack of empathy that exists in minds of those that hope to lead us.
Huckabee is another example of dumb republicans. They have this script that they all repeat over and over saying Obama is not an American (never mind there are numerous proof that he was born in American and never mind that EVERYONE's forefathers came to American from somewhere else), we want our country back (code for we don't want a Black President – never mind his mother was white), Obamacare is bad (never mind it helps thousands of kids stay on their parents plan a little while longer so they can complete their studies and get established and that people who couldn't get healthcare before can now get it, and the donut hole goes away-but to be fair it can be improved). Now this idiot is going after an actress as if this is suppose to inspire national conversation. Aren't there ANY serious republicans who can articulate something without spinning all these tales. Where the hell are the jobs? Where the hell are the grown ups in this party?
Give me a break. Weren't we soooo over this when Dan Quayle went after Murphy Brown. Its sad that Huckabee is so anti-woman.
Earth to Mike – if you want to live in 1955 go find a modified DeLorean.
And BTW, I haven't seen your take on your Fox News buddy and presidential contender Newt's being divoreced 3 times and cheating on his wife while she was getting cancer treatment.
Why is it that the biggest religious freaks in this country are the most hypocritical and the worst sinners?
Most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can't get a job, and if it weren't for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death and would not get healthcare."
He is right about that part, so why does he want to force every pregnant woman to carry to term then take away the social services that will help when it is a child, not a fetus. She can afford a child, she can afford many children. He should stick to his flat earth, birther line of campaigning.
I think this Baptist minister should worry more about breaking the commandment about bearing false witness, given the lies he's told this week about President Obama.
She's engaged, Mr. Huckabee. Of course you realize that you will be relegated to the dustbin of history for your crazy talk just like the idiot Dan Quayle. Between this and your insane birther rants, you've effectively ended your political career.
After hearing Huck's purposely false version of Obama's childhood, there's nothing that this man can say that will ever sway me. A Baptist minister should know better—or maybe not. I don't listen to liars, and Huck's false witness makes me sick.
Mike Huckabee has been criticized for advocating the execution of the source for revealing diplomatic secrets to Wikileaks. Is it really appropriate for a pro-life Baptist minister to promote the death penalty? What sort of example does that contradiction make to our young adults? What is it, Mike? Pro-life or Pro-death? Huckabee claimed falsely that Palin received more votes for mayor of Wasila than Biden got when running for President. Shame, shame on Huckabee for lying, especially about something so petty and trivial! What must our children think when a Baptist minister lies blatantly like that, for what? Politics?
If Huckabee is running for President of the ACME Judgment Company, he appears to be well qualified. In the meantime, why should Portman respond to such hypocritical moron? What's that about the "beam in thine own eye?"
Our young people gain most of their moral foundation from their parents yet I'm certain they will make mistakes along the way. They should not look to entertainers or politicians for moral direction, even one who claims to be a Baptist minister.
Because that's what Jesus would do and say!
Who is he to pass judgment on anyone? After all his lies about Obama, his credibility is nonexistent. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, Mike, or the good pastor never actually read the Bible.
It's amazing how CNN can find space to run a Huckabee non-starter, yet I have yet to see an article about comments made by Eric "the idiot" Holder's comments about "his" people. This racist embarassment (read Holder) should resign immediately. How much longer will the Oama administration tolerate his incompetency? By the way Eric, you represent the AMERICAN people, not just the black ones!
The irony of all this is how the Conservatives also want to cut family planning services for these poor women.
The notion of total abstinence or "Just, say no" is noble but very inefficient as a birth control system. Too few people can resist indefinitely the desire for sex.
I have to agree a little on this. Two parents maried or two adults is always better for children. (im Conserviative, but I dont have a problem with gay couplse raising kids together. It takes two kids require alot of love and attenion and guidence.
It's Danny Quyale & Murphy Brown all over again. It was a stupid issue 20 years ago and is just as stupid today. BTW, what has he said about Bristol?
Now if he were outraged about the decimation of the middle class, I'd be willing to listen to him.
Hypocrisy at its best! Right to life, and did I forget to say we will ridicule even those that make this choice! This is the problem with fundamentalists. Huckabee...this is called works righteousness.
Leave it to a preacher to blast anything he doesn't like, understand or isn't in the bible and clearly defined. If Huck-A-Buddy wants the job of President he best keep his mouth shut and pray hard. VERY HARD.
This comment from Mike Huckabee has created.... wait for it...... ZERO Jobs! Yeah!!! Let's applaud another republican who is focusing on anything except for what the country actually cares about (becuase they don't really know how to fix the problem.. so they would rather bash someone else).
Mike Huckabee needs to hush, not ALL single mothers are deadbeat, welfare recipients. Im not exactly sure who he thinks he is undermining people like this however should he decide to run Im sure this one statement lost him a ton of votes!
Not a good move...flashbacks of Dan Quayle and Murphy Brown. You can't have it both ways; being pro-life in every instance and simultaneously knocking an extremely successful single mother for "sending the wrong image".
This man has sold his soul to the devil. The lying Rev huckabee, take the beam out of your eye before you try and remove a splinter out of someone elses eye. LIAR
But if he had his way.... he would cut the Gov programming that offers food and health assistance to low income familes in the name of smaller government. Good Ole' Family First values. .
Wow.... Huckabee you just totally LOST my vote.
Let's see Repugs believe in less gov't involvment with your life..but they constantly try to dictate their morality on others...I wondered what Huckaidiot said about Palin daughter? Oh, I know, nothing. Typical repug.