The problem with being a front runner is that people actually pay attention to what you have to say–and have said in the past. AP has reviewed answers that Huckabee submitted in 1992 when he ran for the Senate and there are some disturbing attitudes with regards to AIDS and homosexuality, including isolating people with AIDS. In the questionnaire, Huckabee wrote:
If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague.
It is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population, and in which this deadly disease for which there is no cure is being treated as a civil rights issue instead of the true health crisis it represents.
From a medical standpoint this is ridiculous as AIDS is not spread by casual contact. Most likely this view was a result of his bias against homosexuals. In the same questionnaire he wrote, “I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk.”
Huckabee also opposed spending money on the treatment of AIDS:
When asked about AIDS research in 1992, Huckabee complained that AIDS research received an unfair share of federal dollars when compared to cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
“In light of the extraordinary funds already being given for AIDS research, it does not seem that additional federal spending can be justified,” Huckabee wrote. “An alternative would be to request that multimillionaire celebrities, such as Elizabeth Taylor (,) Madonna and others who are pushing for more AIDS funding be encouraged to give out of their own personal treasuries increased amounts for AIDS research.”
Huckabee appears to have moderated his views since 1992:
Since becoming a presidential candidate this year, Huckabee has supported increased federal funding for AIDS research through the National Institutes of Health.
“My administration will be the first to have an overarching strategy for dealing with HIV and AIDS here in the United States, with a partnership between the public and private sectors that will provide necessary financing and a realistic path toward our goals,” Huckabee said in a statement posted on his campaign Web site last month.
This is bad. This is real, real bad. Even the religious conservative backing him will have enough sense to see that.
Well, he had his 15 minutes.
Now time for the GOP to get back to supporting the “Free Market Trio” Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson. Thankfully!
No, I don’t think so at all, Eric. The religious conservatives were saying the same thing back in 1992. I don’t think they will bat an eye, except at the “liberal” media for attacking Huckabee and pushing its “pro-gay agenda.”
Sure, you’re right. The religious conservatives won’t bat an eye. But they are merely one wing out of four in the Republican Party.
You’ve also got Moderates, libertarians, and the huge Reaganesque mainline Conservative wing.
The Mods already hate Huckabee, as do the libertarian Republicans. What this will affect is the Cons. They’ll turn on the Huckster faster than you can say, “Chitlins.” The Cons are opportunistic, and they want to win. Once you get on their bad side, forget about it.
For evidence of this, watch RedState.com the prime hangout for Cons, or American Spectator, Human Events, blogs ect… If you see them start to turn on Huckster, I’ll be proven right.