This Thanksgiving having zoomed past, I’m thankful for your support of the show, the American way and the causes that sustain the nation. I’m also thankful for some interesting changes in the GOP primary race as the season nears.  I’ve taken some heat from the e-mail and on air regarding one prognostication in particular, but that is changing.  Let me explain…..

Have you ever jumped out on a limb, believing that a thought or prediction is a long shot, and praying as history plays out?  For talk radio hosts, it’s an every show occurrence, but once in a while you really shoot for the moon and watch…and wait….and watch…and wait some more.  So it was that I jumped on former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s bandwagon earlier than just about anyone else on the airwaves or at the water cooler.  Many of you said he didn’t have a chance; that Rudy, Mitt and Fred or John were the only viable candidates.  But I believe history repeats itself, and that we get it better on the second go ‘round.  And apparently the second man from Arkansas with aspirations for the oval office is giving the electorate a chance to get it right this time around.  Polls are showing Mike Huckabee surging into the top tier…..is it to early to say, “I told you so”?

As for history and repeats?Look at Vietnam.  We fought the just war, to defend the world against Communism, without an actual imminent threat to America’s well being.  By most accounts, we never lost a military engagement, but conceded to overwhelming domestic pressure abetted by weak national leadership.  Four decades later in Iraq, many see similarities, yet an unswerving administration, viewing the engagement and its detractors through the lens of Vietnam’s mistakes appears to be on the verge of prevailing.

Now comes Mr. Huckabee.  Sharing the same birthplace (Hope, Arkansas) as a recent morally, culturally and ethically disgraceful recent president, he brings Hope to the national stage in a positive way this time.  Hope that our national identity as a Judeo-Christian nation will be recognized as the only under girding to rebuild America upon.  Hope that recognizing the fundamentals of freedom, like the right to life, the right to own guns, and the right not to have your assets arbitrarily confiscated at the point of one (he wants to abolish the IRS, folks) are immutable and non-negotiable.  Hope that reinvigorating our kids' fine and performing arts education will nurture the unparalleled creative spirit that fueled American enterprise, catapulting us to the top of the heap in the last century.  Hope that a family values always trump cultural fads.

Will America choose another man from Hope?  I hope so.  Sure, he’s expressed concern for the children of illegals, asking if they should be punished for the sins of their parents.  But make no mistake his overall immigration stance is 90% lock step with yours and mine, I’ll bet.  Yes he did raise taxes, in a measured and productive way, to fuel an educational and infrastructural renaissance in Arkansas.  His is a pragmatic political record, no doubt.  But like any major ‘purchase’ we make in life, rarely is it custom made to fit every specification. 

So now Mitt is attacking Mike on the stump in Iowa.  Polls show Gov. Huckabee nipping at his heels, so that’s no surprise.  He’s strong on family values, pro-gun, pro-Fair Tax, a proven administrator, principled and personally self disciplined.  This last point is especially important.  He lost big time ballast after an obesity related health scare….and has kept it off.  No small change, since less than 2% of dieters maintains their triumph.  This speaks to the man’s resolve and character.  And he’s authentic.  What we see appears to be what we get.  Refreshing, huh?  It’s a rare genetic trait in politicians these days.  And I can’t help but think his evangelical theology gives him an important sense of humility, also in rare supply.

I think even Fox News, whose talking heads took 21 minutes to ask ‘second tier’ Huckabee his first question in the last debate, may be surprised at the caucus results come Jan. 3.  But I won’t.  In fact, when Chris Wallace threw the Governor his best stuff a couple of weeks ago on his Sunday show,  Mike Huckabee hit it out of the park.  That's no surprise; Arkansas politics is rough and tumble, and like the world stage, I want a President who can stand toe to toe with all the thugs and shine America's light with resolve and skillful articulation.   Still not convinced?  Give me a call on Saturday morning and we’ll talk about it!

Here’s to a Blessed Christmastime for you and yours.

Randy