Huckabee: Committed to energy independence

By Claire Griffin

Approximately a week ago, a friend approached me lamenting the fact that no one had volunteered to write an article in support of presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee. As a champion of equal opportunity and not wanting to leave this audience with a lack of information on every candidate, I decided to research and write as a proponent of Huckabee.

A former governor of Arkansas, Michael Dale Huckabee lives with his wife and three kids in Little Rock, where he is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and enjoys playing the guitar in his rock band, appropriately named "Capital Offense" (I'm just glad it's not called Capital Punishment).

Many were shocked when he began to rise in the polls, believing him to be a Southern hick. However, anyone who has watched the Republican debates has witnessed the fact that Huckabee is quite articulate and charismatic.

I decided to take an in-depth view on his stance on issues most important to me.

Among his long list of promises, is his commitment to achieving energy independence. According to Huckabee, "The first thing I will do as president is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence."

To obtain this independence, he feels the need to explore, conserve and practice all possibilities of alterative energy, which include nuclear, wind, solar and hydrogen.

He feels that achieving this independence is necessary for success not only in globalization, but in the war on terror.

Some of the events that characterize the past decade have been natural disasters and the gross mishandling of them. I understand that natural disasters are just that -- natural and disastrous. While clearly unstoppable, measures can be taken to lessen the damages and to prepare for future catastrophes.

After Hurricane Katrina, Huckabee directed a rescue and relief for 75,000 victims. It is comforting to know that a person in such a position of leadership can confidently guide those under him in a time of crisis.

I don't know what's in store for the next four years, but I do know that I want someone who can lead our country as best as possible, and he has demonstrated these qualities.

One of the most controversial issues right now is America's position in the war in Iraq.

Because there are so many different perspectives and contingencies about the war, I will briefly touch on some minor issues on which I agree with Huckabee.

Huckabee said, "Setting a timetable for withdrawal is a mistake. This country has never declared war until 'a week from Wednesday,' we have always declared war until victory," a statement I strongly agree with.

Setting a date to withdraw our troops is unreasonable, and if we leave prematurely we will boost the confidence of the terrorists and leave a country to basically collapse.

On issues pertaining to the war, Huckabee's main priority is to protect the citizens of the United States. He emphasizes that the war on terror is not "against the Sunnis or the Shiites, but against Islamic extremists." Our enemy is not confined to a country or race; however, it is against extremists with radical views.

Although I am still unsure of who I will vote for, I found it interesting to research a candidate about whom I knew so little, and it ultimately raised my awareness and approval for his platform.

Claire Griffin is a sophomore psychology major.