Thanks, Mike

An open letter to Gov. Mike Huckabee:

When I first became politically aware and active in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, I was a Republican. I was a conservative.

When I was saved in 1992, it began a crisis of faith, and I began to reconsider many of my positions based on my faith. In 1994, I worked on my first political campaign. As president of (5-member) my College Republicans group, I became active in the House campaign of Dr. David Funderburk. I enjoyed that campaign, and I believed in what we were doing. Most of all I believed in our slogan, the theme of Republican races in 1994, “character counts.”

In 1995, I became disenchanted. Appointments made by the Republican Party majority, and actions it took,  showed me that character didn’t count. It made a great issue at that time, but that was all.

I became bitter, cynical, and skeptical of anyone in politics. I became an Independent, rather than a Republican, and resigned myself to the role of  never liking a major political figure again.  There were programs and agendas that I liked, but I knew that I would probably just never trust another politician. When Rep. Funderburk lost his re-election bid in 1996 (partly amid a scandal about a traffic accident), I took it as a sign. I was done.

Earlier this year, I heard you talking about the issue of character — the issue that first got me excited about politics fifteen years ago. One of the things you said is that if we really take it seriously, then we need to hold Republicans accountable, too. If not, then we owe Bill Clinton an apology.

You had my attention.

Then you talked about the Fair Tax, and the ethics of society. I was hooked.

I looked into who you are and what you’d done in Arkansas — to make sure I wasn’t just doing to be duped again. You are my candidate.

You believe what I believe. Your priorities are my priorities. I’m not sure what would be different between your positions and mine if I was the one running  for President (well, except that one thing). Of course, there are things that are different — I don’t speak well, I don’t have your sense of humor, and I’d never dare to do what you do every day.

You worship the same God that I do. Not the god who likes to be mentioned every two, four, or six years (depending on the election cycle), but the One who sent His Son to die for our sins and showed us  how to live, love, and serve. The One Who created the universe.

You don’t have to tear down your opponents. You are showing who and what you are, and asking us to choose that. You don’t have to sling mud or tear them down to build yourself up. That is refreshing and almost-unheard-of these days.

Governor, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you. Thank you for being a great father, husband, and leader.  Thank you for being an inspiring man of God, who hasn’t compromised his faith just to get ahead, and who isn’t afraid to discuss it in public.

Thank you for running for President, and showing me that there are still some decent politicians in this country.

And thank you for being so successful, and building this great network of supporters — to show me that there are still people in this country who care enough to get behind a real candidate of faith and substance, rather than just going for flash and sound-bites.

Thank you for helping me to be a bit less cynical and bitter about politics in this country.

I’d love to add some more thanks to this list … so let’s go win this thing, so I can thank you for all the great things we can do as a nation with the right leadership.

May God bless you, Mike Huckabee.