March 04, 2011 - 01:33 PM

The Most Important Form of Government Is A Father, Mother and Children

by Mike Huckabee

In a recent media interview about my new book, A Simple Government, I discussed the first chapter, "The Most Important Form of Government Is a Father, Mother, and Children." I was asked about Oscar-winner Natalie Portman's out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Natalie is an extraordinary actor, very deserving of her recent Oscar and I am glad she will marry her baby's father. However, contrary to what the Hollywood media reported, I did not "slam" or "attack" Natalie Portman, nor did I criticize the hardworking single mothers in our country. My comments were about the statistical reality that most single moms are very poor, under-educated, can't get a job, and if it weren't for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death. That's the story that we're not seeing, and it's unfortunate that society often glorifies and glamorizes the idea of having children out of wedlock.
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  • Goodwind, Kathy

    03/11/2011 02:15 PM

    I was a single mom in the 60's and 70's. I not only put myself through college I raised my son by myself. His dad did very little. In fact his dad did not want him until he was 7. How about speaking to the dad's responsiblity before you say mom and dad? Doesn't always happen. Maybe in a perfect world but it is far from perfect.

  • gracepraying

    03/08/2011 07:20 AM

    Thank you, Governor Huckabe,e for standing firm on the issues and problems facing America. We know that many on the left are quick to leap on the slightest comment that they consider a gaffe. Mostly because they do not believe in strong families and moral conservative values. We also appreciate that you are kind to people and realize their worth, even those who are leading lives far from God and who do not know how to show a good example. You do not make personal attacks, but you are very firm in standing for what is right and needed for this country.


    Some of you may like to visit wiserepublic.com and read a couple of articles about the Portman issue.

  • Teubert, Donna

    03/07/2011 08:10 PM

    Gov. Huckabee just won another state poll - Wisconsin. Here's the link to the updated state polling map with the changes since last time including changing South Carolina to red since DeMint says he's not running, changing South Dakota to green since Thune says he's not running, changing Wisconsin to red using the latest poll and Ryan says he's not running, and coloring in Rhode Island yellow since they were polled since my last map.

    Here's a rundown all Huckabee supporters might be interested in - note that Huckabee is the only potential candidate that has won at least one state in each of the four regions:

    Huckabee has won 1st place in 16 states plus tied for 1st in 1:
    Southern states: KY, VA, FL, TX, NC, WV, GA, TN, SC,
    Midwestern states: IL, MO, IA, NE, WI
    Western states: AK
    Northeastern states: PA, tied in NJ

    Romney has won 1st place in 10 states plus tied for 1st in 1:
    Southern states:
    Midwestern states: MI
    Western states: CA, CO, NV, AZ, UT
    Northeastern states: CT, MA, NH, RI tied in NJ

    Palin has won 1st place in 6 states:
    Southern states:
    Midwestern states: OH, SD
    Western states: WA, MT, NM
    Northeastern states: ME

  • Sager, Richard

    03/07/2011 11:43 AM

    Mike,
    I agree whole-heartedly. I deal with "multi-parent" children and feel the pain.
    Running for President will be tough, but you had my vote last time and will have it again... You are the best candidate.
    Dick

  • mxnwilson

    03/07/2011 12:18 AM

    This is so true, Governor. I have often heard it stated, "Always do what is right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest." I for one am grateful that you have addressed this very delicate issue with such grace and truth--knowing you would more than likely be attacked harshly by the media. This type of courage is what I call leadership and is exactly what we need in the Whitehouse in 2012!!

  • SC - Texas Strong

    03/06/2011 02:01 PM

    Thanks Sherman for starting a site to promote the Governor for President. However, there is already a site established for this purpose. I encourage you and others to sign the petition at www.drafthuckabee2012.com also to show your support. Thanks !!

    Satan and his demons are truly at work this past week to undermine Huckabee and create negative press. This is a time we should cover him with our prayers each day.

  • Dr. David

    03/06/2011 12:02 PM

    The Natalie Portman controversy is a non-event. Most Americans will agree that Hollywood is a bad influence on family values, and that children raised by two parents are more advantaged than those raised by one.

    The Kenya comment is more of a problem, however, not because people will conclude that Mike actually believed that, but because the subsequent speculation about Mau Maus and British colonialism sounds like pandering. One way to address it is to remind people that it occurred at the end of a long day, and that Mike has a tendency to overwork. He could announce he will take more time to rest, to keep his mind refreshed for public appearances, because now he is not just an entertainer, but is engaged in an important decision that will be shaped by people's reactions to his ideas.

  • Little, Ralph

    03/05/2011 02:51 PM

    Natalie is wrong. You need to get married then have children, no matter how much money you have. No excuses.

  • Goodwin, Mark

    03/05/2011 02:34 PM

    When will we learn that Gods way is Gods way for a reason? And when will we learn that Gods way is always better than our way? Hopefully before it is too late.

  • Jones, Cocodrillo

    03/05/2011 01:36 PM

    Its a valid point, Governor. Actresses glamorize single parenthood with money and nannies that the average person simply cannot afford. Good reality check!

  • Randy Davis

    03/05/2011 01:31 PM

    The media has went ballistic today in criticism of Governor Mike Huckabee for comments supposedly meant as a "put down" to actress Natalie Portman. To illustrate how ridiculous the media reports are, I urge to to listen to this very short (but the entire) clip of the Governor on the Michael Medved radio show earlier this week.

    This is what the "frenzy" is about. Seriously. I wholeheartedly agree with the Governor's illustrative point and as you will hear - was in no way intended as a personal assault on her and the media knows it. This is one small example of how they take something that is not even a molehill- and create a mountain out of it, simply because they know most Americans do not listen to Michael Medved on the radio and will never have the opportunity or take the time to listen to what was actually said in context. Listen to the radio clip by clicking on this link: ( It is very short )

    http://townhall.com/mediaplayer/audioplayer.aspx?ContentGuid=72e82155-8622-414b-93c2-d78335d4164f

    Many hit pieces appeared today all over the internet. I replied to one with the comment below:


    "The Need for Character"
    Randy Davis

    I fully agree with the illustrative point made by the Governor on the Michael Medved show earlier this week. Those who heard it are probably wondering what on earth all the controversy is about. Anyone who knows Mike Huckabee, or has even met him briefly knows that he has the utmost respect and civility toward all human beings. He has more class and character in his little finger nail than the liberal Hollywood elitists have collectively.

    In fact, one thing that initially drew me to Governor Huckabee was his character. The word "character" has an old-fashioned sound to it, like a faded relic of the Victorian era. We live in a materialistic culture where popularity, prestige and prosperity are valued more than genuine integrity. In fact, in the political world personal character hardly seems to matter much at all.

    Only a select few moral qualities are still prized by society at large. As I'm sure we are all aware, they are chiefly liberal community values such as diversity,tolerance, and broad-mindedness. (If there is such a word) But when traits like those are blended with hypocrisy or employed to justify some other iniquity, they become mere caricatures of authentic virtue.

    Meanwhile, genuine individual virtue, the stuff of which true and timeless character is made, has been relegated to the sphere of "personal things" best not talked about openly. As we recall from the Clinton years, many proclaimed that even an elected national leader's personal character was supposed to be treated wholly as a private matter.

    As a result, our society's most prominent celebrities include people who actually are best known for their huge character flaws. It's as though virtue and infamy have traded places. Honest character is now often viewed as totally optional- or worse, hopelessly unfashionable.

    Of course, we are all capable of hypocrisy at some level. We are not spiritually affluent. We are not fundamentally good. (At least I'm not ) We are not in any way spiritually self-sufficient. Genuine character starts with that realization. It's a hard and humbling truth to face squarely.

    Even though I see Governor Huckabee as a man of character and integrity, I realize he has flaws and weaknesses like all of us, and at times, we may be reminded of them. As mentioned earlier, we all may have a tendency to hold him to a higher standard at times than we even do ourselves.

    One quality I see in the Governor that is unique for someone in the political world is "meekness." Meekness is not weakness. It is not some spineless kind of timidity. It is the “strength under control” that is needed in our culture. Meekness is where humility and self-control meet. It is one of the most indispensable aspects of truly Christ like character. It’s the one quality most necessary to tame an out- of -control ego. As arrogance gives way to meekness, it is the cure for countless ills that often hinder the quest for character.

    Genuine character is all about who we really are inside. It’s not about what we look like to others. Character is not a façade or a veneer. “Mercy” is vital to godly character. Jesus said we should extend mercy even to our enemies. In other words, mercy colors God’s dealings even with those who hate him, and if our character is going to reflect His, we must be merciful even to those who mistreat us.

    I believe the Governor honestly and openly lives out his Christianity, realizing that he will never be able to please all the various groups and religious denominations that would identify themselves as being followers of Christ. Since he knows one can never please everyone at all times, he probably does not even try. I think it is fine to voice concerns and criticisms of the Governor, as long as we do not fail to pray for him at the same time. (Keeping with the facts is also helpful)

    Some might suggest one of the primary reasons the left has gone so ballistic is that the Governor is "over the target." Even some conservatives who oppose him are seemingly ramping up the attacks. Not only is he over the target, but he is making some very effective and precision strikes.

    As a Christian involved in the political issues of the day, I must constantly remind myself that the Lord did not come as a political deliverer or social reformer. He did not rally supporters in some spectacular attempt to "capture the culture" for morality or greater political and religious freedom. Instead, His divine calling was to rescue the lost. To devote all of our time ,energy, and money thinking we can put a facade of morality on the world or the appearance of "righteousness" over our government in general is to badly misunderstand our primary roles as Christians in a spiritually lost world. It is a tightrope to walk on. I just wish I had Governor Huckabee's sense of balance.

  • Coleman, Paul

    03/05/2011 09:29 AM

    Mike - you were telling people the truth. People don't want to hear the truth. That's why you were accused of "slamming" the "hard working mothers." It appears that in the current environemnt, in order not to be critisized, you just have to continually lie to people. And unfortunatley, my own experience has been that people have been lied to for so long by politicians that they expect to be lied to. If they are not lied to, the people get mad at you. It's a crazy world.

  • Martin, John

    03/05/2011 09:23 AM

    Mike - I totally agree with you that we should not be glorifying women having babies out of wedlock, however I think its equally important to emphasize the positive impact of their choice to have these children instead of abortion.

  • Cooper, Corey

    03/05/2011 08:40 AM

    Thanks for taking a stand on this controversial issue. The truth is that many single parent births, and raising, of babies is a financial drain on our society. But what of the moral implications? Are we to ignore that sex, outside of a monogamous marital relationship, is fornication? Does the "star status" or Oscar winning station in life raise them above God's law? Most certainly not. There once was a stigma on a girl that got pregnant while in high school. We now have day care centers in the schools because there are so many of them. We teach birth control to children when we should be teaching abstinence and we allow on television what once would have been viewed as pornography. What this nation needs is a return to Christ. To the values this nation was established on.

  • Collorafi, Julie

    03/04/2011 07:51 PM

    Good for you, Governor Huckabee, for having the courage for taking on this sensitive issue, concerning the "first cell" of society, the family.

    We are grateful to you for being a gracious, articulate spokesman of Judaeo-Christian moral principles and will remember you in our daily family Rosary.

  • Jill 4 America

    03/04/2011 07:27 PM

    Gov. Huckabee, I think most of us are behind you on this. I certainly am! ... and I am so glad for a politician that has the boldness and courage to speak the truth and to "Do the Right Thing" and tell it like it is. Thanks for clarifying that it was someone who approached you asking about Natalie Portman's out-of-wedlock experience and you didn't bring her name up on your own. I think the news media has got that one twisted as well. Either way, I like your answer and as I previously have said "The immoral conduct of our nation is a national disgrace!" ... Indeed, there is nothing glamorous about bringing children into this world without both a mother and father and all of the hardships that usually ensue. Sending up some prayers your way !!

  • Mrs. P

    03/04/2011 05:22 PM

    I stand with you, Governor.

  • Walter, Gary

    03/04/2011 03:34 PM

    There is a reason why headlines are distorting the facts- the left knows that Mike Huckabee is leading in the polls and they want to shoot him down at all costs. See my extended analysis at garywalter.blogspot.com
    As Mike has said "First they ignore you,” said. “Then they laugh at you. Then they attack you. Then they attend your swearing in"
    Huckabee 2012

  • Sherman, Trevor

    03/04/2011 02:35 PM

    Mr. Huckabee, you seem to be getting slammed a lot in the media these days. Do you know what that says to me? It says that you are striking a nerve with a lot of liberals whose LAST wish is to see you become president in 2012.

    I believe that you can become the next President of the United States, and I urge you to run again next year. I have started up a blog in support of this idea - www.huckforpres2012.wordpress.com. It would be an honor if you could visit it. The blog is brand new, but I intend on keeping it up all the way until you become elected as the next president!

    Stick to your values, Mr. Huckabee, because that is what this country needs - more people who will stick to their values and stand up for what they believe.