THE GREAT MESSENGER, MIKE HUCKABEE, HAS “FOOT-IN-MOUTH” DISEASE

 

Well, Mr. Huckabee did make a speech that is being quoted on all of the networks.

 

I just love it when the Republicans try to attack the Democrats on key women’s issues.

Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee, as the key-note speaker at the Republican Winter Meeting once again inserted his foot in his mouth.  This time it occurred last week with his “Uncle Sugar” speech.  (Actually, if he was looking for his speech to receive on-going, nation-wide attention, he did achieve that goal!)

Huckabee took just one step from offering another “Todd Akin - legitimate rape” offence, when he said the following: “If the Democrats want to insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing for them a prescription each month for birth control, because they cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of the government, then so be it," . "Let's take that discussion all across America."

As it turns out, the Democrats were quite happy to oblige Mr. Huckabee by offering his comments to anyone that would listen.                                                                     

In less than an hour after Huckabee's comments, the Democrats proceeded to distribute his statement far and wide.  They also added comments about the GOP’s "War on Women" and accused Huckabee of his total insensitivity to women’s real issues regarding contraception.

Let’s face it, contraception conversations, quite frankly, are not the GOP's friend, and they never have been.  Basically, the Republican party has a very difficult time talking about these issues without opening themselves up for these attacks.

Huckabee’s last statement about taking the issue across the country actually surprised some folks, particularly on the far-right.  Polls have shown a majority of the American people show that the enthusiasm is certainly on the pro-contraception mandate side. That, and the Democrats are much better at controlling the message on this issue.

But let’s look at the former governor’s statement on its own. 

First, “Uncle Sugar” does not provide prescriptions for birth control.  All that is required by the health care mandate is that if a woman acquires a health care plan, or if a plan is provided through their workplace, the plans must cover contraception .  The US government is not providing any birth control contraceptive prescriptions.

As to a women’s libido, it must be noted that over 50% of today’s birth control prescriptions are for a woman’s hormonal control for a number of female needs, not as a contraceptive.

As to the Obamacare mandate for health care covering birth control, in March 2012, the Washington Post-ABC poll showed that Americans favored mandating contraception coverage by a margin of 61-35. Those who felt strongly in favor of the mandate outnumbered those who strongly opposed it nearly two to one, 50-27.

So it looks like Huckabee’s “Uncle Sugar’s” programs, whatever they are, have been widely accepted by the American public and the American female does not have problems in controlling their “libidos”.

Now, none of this is to say that Mr. Huckabee committed a huge gaffe that will hurt Republicans significantly going forward.  However, already the Democrats are putting this in their list of examples to use against the GOP candidates in the mid-term elections this November. 

Clearly, whatever the point was that Huckabee was trying to make, was lost due to his a poor choice of words.  This is just one more cautionary tale for a party that is all too often finding its members doing much the same thing when addressing the American public.  (In other words, think: Todd Akin ‘s “legitimate rape, & Richard Mourdock’s “God meant that a rape pregnancy was meant to happen”, & Steve King’s “no response about whether he would be for or against an abortion for a 12 year old girl”, & Phil Gingrey’s “ …”Akin’s comment about legitimate Rape  wasn’t that big a big deal”.)

What is ironic is that historically, Huckabee has been one of the GOP's most gifted messengers.

If even the great Huckabee is falling into this kind of a rat-hole, does this suggest that this is what we should expect to see more of, from his party’s candidates ?  Based on the past few years, I wouldn’t be surprised if more gaffs are to come.  And based on his latest comments, apparently neither would Mr. Reince Priebus, the current Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).

I guess, we can only cross our fingers and hope for the best…..and what you hope for will depend upon which political party you support.

Copyright: G.Ater 2014