I have to admit that in the past few weeks I have seriously considered switching my presidential preferenes to Mike Huckabee. While Huckabee’s organization is small and limited on funds, he is one of the few with solid conservative credentials who is not willing to abandon our second ammendment rights in leu of good press coverage.

Still, I am dismayed by comments Huckabee recently when asked about imposing a cigarette ban.

Let me be clear. I do not smoke and Huckabee is correct in that it is something in which if the user follows the government recommended instructions - will still die. I also would agree to a public resturant smoking ban which would prevent people from getting cancer from second hand smoke.

In the same breath, though, this is something a person must decide on their own. Nothing gets me riled more than the government deciding to take an active role in making life decisions for me.

It is this contradiction in conservatism and big government which Huckabee prevents me from outright supporting the man. More to the point, will this comment end any support he is recieving from Libertarians and supporters of the Fair Tax which very well may have boosted him to a second place finish in Iowa.

I am afraid, though, this may be a kiss of death for his campaign. Recieving this kind of media attention for a second tier candidate can be a mortal wound. Only time will tell.

Posted by Paul Seale on Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 at 5:33 pm. Filed under National Politics.