Huckster Has A New Book

Mike "Big Gov" Huckabee has a new book out today. In it, he covets Mitt Romney's wealth, whines about Mitt's flip-flopping, and explains in a loving Christian way how unfair it was that Fred Thompson stole votes from him in South Carolina.

Sore loser, much?

Here's the thing. Social conservatism is not a losing proposition. On the issues, our party's problem is that it has lost all credibility on fiscal issues and small government. We have Congressmen, Senators, and Presidents who say one thing on the campaign trail and then do the complete opposite when they get to Washington!

Mike's problem was that social conservatism was the only thing he really brought to the table. Well, that and identity politics, class warfare, and class envy. We looked at his record and saw big government.

And part of that big government record was due to the inability to distinguish between the responsibility of the government and the responsibility of individuals. Oh yeah, and don't forget he raised taxes more than he lowered them. For much more detail, the CATO Institute has good analysis.

He can play the victim all day long and blame everyone else but himself, but that 2x4 in Mike Huckabee's eye is his big government record. I don't care about his analysis or his blueprint for Republican victory - he ultimately lost because he is NOT a limited government conservative. That's where the GOP is really going wrong. Until he is willing to admit this, he will only continue to divide the party and disgrace himself.

The ironic thing about Mike Huckabee shrinking his waistline is that he didn't apply the same drive, will, and discipline to do the same thing to government.

Mike Huckabee's sour grapes aside, here is my plan to rebuild the party and/or secure the Republican presidential nomination:

1. Secure the base. Regain trust by walking the conservative walk, not just talking the conservative talk.
2. Build the base. Teach EVERYONE conservatism so as to strengthen supporters and convert others.
3. Preach relevant conservatism. Champion conservative solutions as the answer to the problems of the day. Conservatism is timeless, but the big issue facing us at any given point in time is not. If you've knocked taxes way down, don't keep hammering on lower taxes when there is a more pressing issue. (Just don't let the taxes go back up!)
   

Step four can be found at RebuildTheParty.com.