Iowa, New Hampshire, SC debates

Huckabee on faith – role of faith in elections

Tired of folks saying they should not talk about their faith

I want to know everything I can about a candidate

And faith is crucial – here's why

faith not a component of life – center – affects everything I do

Candidate has no faith – tells me a lot – cannot expect them to value life – can expect them to value rational thought without nuance or metaphor or aesthetic meaning

Candidate has ancillary faith – tells me they are shallow on core principles

Candidate has deep faith – want to see how that affects their lives and leadership – may or may not agree – then I can make a decision

Then I will

One element for me

Like president to share that – glad he is open and honest – do not want one antithetical to faith

But do want one who values freedom

Government will not replace the church – cannot give hope, cannot solve all problems

Love for government to do some Christian things

But no such thing as a Christian government – idealistic and utopian nor can we all agree on what that actually is

Values freedom therefore is crucial – freedom to be Christian, to share faith, to embrace or reject faith

And protect us

Mitt and Mormons

Democrats embracing faith

Faith teaches me

1. Hope comes from God not government

2. No candidate is Jesus; nor does any candidate have a corner on the faith marketplace

3. Freedom is precious and rare and therefore to be valued

4. Weak and vulnerable matter – includes the homeless, the mentally ill, and the unborn – how you help them varies – free market, etc

5. Happy for candidates to talk about their faith – we are big people, grown ups, and can use that as part of our decision making – just do not expect me to use that as my sole criterion