Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee was the third-ranked Republican in the 2008 presidential primaries, coming in behind 2008 nominee John McCain and 2012 nominee Mitt Romney. Leaving elected politics behind for media commentary and writing, Huckabee is back in action for 2016, actively considering another presidential bid. Unfortunately, the plainspoken southerner has already gotten off to a rocky start by dissing entertainment megastars Beyonce and Jay-Z in his new book, God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy.
While Huckabee may have gotten a bit of a political boost with the announcement that 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney will not be running again this time around, he has effectively knocked himself out of the running by calling homosexuality a “lifestyle choice,” reports CNN. Specifically, Huckabee likened being gay to engaging in drinking or swearing — voluntary activities.
Whether or not you support same-sex marriage, you should at least be modern enough to acknowledge that homosexuality is not a “lifestyle choice.” The belief that everyone is inherently heterosexual and a minority of such heterosexuals voluntarily choose to pursue homosexuality is woefully outdated. Does Huckabee really believe that individuals choose to overpower their innate sexual orientation to pursue a “lifestyle” that exposes them to bigotry and discrimination?
Or does Huckabee believe that everyone starts at a sort of “sexual neutral” and must actively choose which sex to pursue?
Do we really want someone with such outdated beliefs in the Oval Office?
I like Huckabee’s plainspoken ways, self-discipline in losing massive amounts of weight, and ability to think outside the typical Republican Party box. I respect his religiosity. However, I cannot accept his lack of acceptance of homosexuality and his outdated ways of thinking, which defy all scientific knowledge. I believe these latter aspects will make him too unappealing to most moderates to make much headway in 2016. While he may still have tremendous support among religious conservatives, this bloc will not determine the next Republican presidential nominee.
If Huckabee continues to put his foot in his mouth, his supporters will likely flock to Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, or Marco Rubio.
