Sunday, May 6, 2007

Podia Perspective

Despite his persuasive charisma at the podium of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Mike Huckabee has a long and trying cross-examination and written and oral argument ahead. His indisputable appeal to the common-sense voter, and in particular to social conservatives, does not overrule the skepticism and criticism and accusation from fiscal conservatives and carping columnists. As a proponent of thrifty government and introspective critique, I believe the same qualities that entice Mike Huckabee's supporters could not only sell well among wealthy donors from the Club for Growth, but also persuade detractors of his good intentions, if only he could convincingly address the unsettled issues of justice, mercy, and jurisdiction. Based on his prescription of prevention for health care and his promotion of adherence to the Golden Rule and his reticence to judge immodestly, I surmise that Mike Huckabee favors modifying behavior over exacting payment, penalizing infractions over condemning transgressors, and reserving judgment over assuming authority. These positions are both more nuanced and more effective than simplistic policies that propose exacting payment without modifying behavior (inducing poverty) or modifying behavior without exacting payment (neglecting justice) or condemning transgressors without penalizing infractions (burdening penitentiaries) or penalizing infractions without condemning transgressors (empowering sociopaths) or assuming authority over reserving judgment (yielding corruption) or reserving judgment over assuming authority (abetting fraud). Deft handling of these issues, as well as particular cases, will only help Mike Huckabee incline the electoral jury up to his ridgeline vantage point overlooking the predicaments, where both perspectives are beheld at the same time.