Romney calls on Huckabee to apologize to president over foreign policy criticism
By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff
Raising the stakes with his main rival in the crucial Iowa caucuses, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney accused Mike Huckabee today of insulting President Bush and called on him to apologize for criticizing Bush's foreign policy as "arrogant."
Huckabee refused, saying he was not attacking the president personally but laying out a different vision for the US role in the world.
The exchange on national TV talk shows reflected the increasingly bitter battle between the former governors and one of the few instances in which Republican presidential hopefuls have been drawn into a confrontation over Bush's legacy. So far during the campaign, the candidates, wary of embracing a president with low approval ratings, have preferred to compare themselves to President Reagan, who remains unwaveringly popular with Republican voters.
But Huckabee's surge past Romney in the polls in Iowa -- where Republicans will hold the first nomination contest on Jan. 3 -- has clearly shaken up the race. Romney, despite vastly outspending Huckabee, declared for the first time last week that he is now the underdog in Iowa, and today, he sounded like one as he blasted Huckabee for calling Bush’s foreign policy "arrogant” and indicative of a "bunker mentality."
"That's an insult to the president, and Mike Huckabee should apologize to the president," Romney said on NBC's "Meet the Press.''
Within hours, Huckabee dismissed Romney's criticism.
"I don't have anything to apologize for," he said on CNN's "Late Edition.'' "I've got to show that I do have my own mind when it comes to how this country ought to lead, not only within its own borders but across the world."
Romney was seizing on an article Huckabee wrote for the January/February 2008 issue of "Foreign Affairs" magazine, in which the former Arkansas governor asserts that "American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out."
"The Bush administration's arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad," Huckabee wrote. "My administration will recognize that the United States' main fight today does not pit us against the world but pits the world against the terrorists."
Romney told campaign crowds in Iowa on Saturday that Huckabee was talking like Democratic presidential candidates John Edwards or Barack Obama, not a loyal Republican.
Romney has also at times criticized US policy in Iraq. On "Meet The Press" yesterday, host Tim Russert read aloud a quote from September in which Romney said that Iraq "is a mess."
"That's no reflection on George Bush?" Russert asked.
Romney said it was not the same as Huckabee's criticism, which the former Massachusetts governor said "went over the line."
"I've been saying for months, and I think all the Republican candidates, in fact, have been saying for months, if not years, that, that following the collapse of Saddam Hussein our policy was, was unprepared, unplanned, understaffed, under-managed," Romney said. "But it's very different to point out the mistakes that have been made -- and the president's pointed out the mistakes as well -- and then to say that the Bush administration, our president, is arrogant with a bunker mentality."
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I am retired from Arkansas Politics (1978-94) now living on the banks of the Illinois River in Oklahoma loving to trout fish quite often. I consider myself a “friend of Bill” Clinton that is having been personally invited (and attending) the White House on two occasions even visiting in the Oval office with the President. I think Bill was a good President.
I have been listening to the Upper Class media today and for weeks talking about another gentleman from Hope. Most of the commentators agree the "bunker mentality" is a general election discussion Huckabee is moving toward. In truth Bush must be listening of late for he is beginning to move toward such a policy of talking to world leaders even our enemies the Foreign policy position Huckabee advocates in the article. Huckabee is a rare Republican that thinks using both sides of his brain and sees "green" cares about broken humanity and is endorsed by the NEA. He is a Republican cut of a different clothe that social conservatives, moderates and actually even some liberals can and will support! The elite and establishment Republicans despise Huckabee’s broken humanity policy and are praying the great fish (not a trout) of the bible will swallow him in the Republican primary sea! They mostly care about their money or selfishly the borders within their own habitation! The more they pray their Pharisaical prayers and preach their negative messages and God knows they are coming out of the woodwork the higher Mike goes in the Polls. I must say I am amused! There are even some right wing Arkansas Legislative Republicans that supported a policy which would allow migrant children to suffer or even possible die rather than provide for them medicine. They add to their position of closing the border (which Huckabee supports) an additional policy of not providing medication, or feeding the poor. They preach this policy as if it is from Jesus’s teachings. I am not sure what bible they have been reading. I have not found that policy in mine. The one I own and the one Mother Teresa read states “suffer the little children to come unto me”. I guess the Pharisaical Republicans have added to their bible we must ask what country the children come from and we must look at the color of their skin and if they are not “white American” they are illegal or different and we must not help them. You are right Governor Mike we are a better Country than that. Even Michael Moore is more right on this position than the right wing Pharisaical Republican Legislators fighting Mike Huckabee’s broken humanity policy that gives a human touch to Government.
I recall in a debate some years back when a Democrat said to a Republican candidate called Dan something to the effect “you are no John F. Kennedy”. Hmm, I think the press is finally getting it that Mike Huckabee is no Pat Robinson. Elect ability? Huckabee beat the Clinton machine in Arkansas four times so I’ll let you answer that. Ed Rollins Reagan’s Architect and now Mike’s still likes donuts and booze and may be getting older and balder but his memory is still good and I think he’s got one more winning campaign in him. Ed remembered Democrats prayed for the Republican nomination of B rated movie star and eventual Governor Ronnie Reagan in 1980 and their prayers were answered. I guess they forgot to pray about the general election for Reagan won with a landslide. I read a few days ago a headline on Drudge and elsewhere the Democrats were again in a “silent” prayer mode for another “B rated star” guy in this case the “Mike” guy called Huckabee who they want to be the Republican nominee. They better be careful what they pray for because he is clothed in the same clothe as Reagan a “Great Communicator and Chief”! I wonder if their prayers will be answered again. Yes we agree with Mike “Jesus is to smart to run for office” and let us add to take sides but I do look forward to watching those old rerun movies with a B star actor replaced by a “Mike” guy.
Jerry King
Go Get him Huck!!! You and Ron Paul are the only 2 honest grass roots candidates out there.
Can somebody please make slick Mitt shut up, he is the most annoying of the candidates. I guess he believe that we should all be voting for him because he is throwing his money around. I am so sick of seeing his face, and God knows I sick of hearing the man complain over ever little thing. MITT PLEASE SHUT UP
GO HUCKABEE
Derek calm down Mitt may like to slam and be extremely.. dare I say... arrogant... there is no reason to get so emotional..
Jerry King,
You comments above are the best that I have read anywhere! That is the truth....
You have a way of painting the complete picture. Thank you. May I use your words elsewhere?
Arrogant? I'd call recent foreign policy foolish. It is maybe both. But that doesn't mean I am calling Bush arrogant or foolish. I might choose to do exactly that on some different occasion, but presumably, foreign policy is shaped by a lot of people. So why would an attack on policy be considered a personal attack? Mitt Romney is off base. Is this what passes as persuasion in the Republican primary?
As Jerry, #1, points out, the Bush people are starting to behave differently lately. Is it because Bush doesn't want to concede the election? Or is he trying to repair the picture the historians will see? Or has there been a shakeup behind the scenes, perhaps an undercutting of Cheney, finally?
Huckabee still displays a firm disdain for Romney apparent in an interview with Hannity and Colms who just sat there and listened. Huckster wanted illegals to pay in state tutiion and be eligble for scholarships. Nonsense. Huckster is weak or soft on illegals and Romney isnt and wasnt. November 18th, 2008