Rod Dreher Endorses Huckabee!!!! Maybe Catholics Should Too

This just shows why we need more LSU Grads in Journalism :)

Rod Dreher has the full post here at Huckabee for President. He starts out stating where he disagrees with Huckabee.
On the two of those issues that Rod has problems with I do not. Namely his more moderate stance and view on illegal immigration , and how we solve it, and the his support of the surge in Iraq.

However I think despite his differences he strikes on things that I agree with is exciting about a Huckabee Presidency. I shall bold what catches my attention.

And yet, there's a reason I keep going back to Huckabee, almost in spite of my misgivings. He's right on key social issues, which are the most important issues to me. I think his basic orientation toward the economy and families is where I'd like to see my president be (that is, I think somebody could show him material about Sam's Club Republicans, E.F. Schumacher's writing, and the work of Wendell Berry, and he'd get it). He's got that sensibility. After the past 15 years or so of intense partisanship, I really like his bit about being conservative, but not angry about it (this is something I like about Obama too, on the other side). I mean, we're always going to have partisanship, but I'm tired of both sides orienting themselves around hating the political Other. The tone change Huck would bring to our politics would be most welcome.

Look, no one who gets to that level of politics is going to be uncompromising, or will be perfect. I worry about Huckabee's lack of experience in foreign affairs, but no more than I do Barack Obama's, Hillary Clinton's, or any other GOP candidate except John McCain. I think Huckabee would be a good president. I know he'd be better than any other Republican. Is he a crunchy con? I don't know. But I do believe that he's not only the closest Republican presidential candidate out there to one, but he's the only candidate out there who can understand what motivates conservatives like us. It's the reason I led the pro-Huckabee charge on the Dallas Morning News editorial board, during our endorsement deliberations. And like I blogged the other day, a vote for Huck is in part a vote to shift the conservative movement in a more traditionalist/crunchy direction, opening up the conversation on the Right to ideas that haven't really been part of our discussion for a long, long time. And that's pretty great.

So, go Huckabee! You've got my vote in the Texas GOP primary.

The last part is important to me. Conservatism is desperate needs of some fresh and engaging ideas. Perhaps it just needs to rediscover them. Last night I heard the anti Huckabee part of the conservative blog sphere clap with joy when he went on the attack on Huckabee. I think Huckabee responded well. However if all Thompson can do is call Huckabee a Democrat and throw the word liberal around then that does not sound like someone open to engaging new ideas. I think I shall take a pass.

What is infuriating is that the Press is often stuck on the religion issue, see last nights debate, with Huckabee, while the conservative far right press is making Huckabee out to be Huey Long. The Catholic response has been mixed. With some asking questions as to his past as a Evangelical minister, while quite a few are pointing out that Huckabee is very attractive to Catholics even outside the Pro-life issues.

My biggest fear is this rather if Huckabee wins or loses. Huckabee is strongly talking the Catholic teaching and concept of what is Subsidarity out there on the campaign trail. It is ironic but Huckabee is currently campaigning in a state where the great conservative Russell Kirk lived. He talked about similar concepts. Go here to see May the Rising Generation Redeem the Time? Kirk converted to Catholicism late in his life by the way.

What is this Subsidiarity? Well from the Catechism:
1883 Socialization also presents dangers. Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co- ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good."7
1884 God has not willed to reserve to himself all exercise of power. He entrusts to every creature the functions it is capable of performing, according to the capacities of its own nature. This mode of governance ought to be followed in social life. The way God acts in governing the world, which bears witness to such great regard for human freedom, should inspire the wisdom of those who govern human communities. They should behave as ministers of divine providence.
1885 The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to all forms of collectivism. It sets limits for state intervention. It aims at harmonizing the relationships between individuals and societies. It tends toward the establishment of true international order.

In essence we can see how a Conservatism can mesh with this principle. Especially in the protection of the most basic Social unit. The family. Now for many this just seems all so religious. It does not have to be framed that way. It is basic observation of human society for the last couple of thousand years.

I thought Deacon Keith Fournier in his interview with Governor Huckabee pretty much set out what Catholics need too look and consider in the political season in his article EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Governor Huckabee Speaks with Catholic Online. In a very good introduction he states:
Deacon Keith Fournier: “Governor Huckabee, we thank you for taking this time to speak with Catholic Online. We want the millions of people who view our network to have access to your positions on the vital issues of our day.

As you know, American Catholics are deeply concerned about this upcoming Presidential election. We were recently instructed by our Bishops to inform our conscience with the truths presented to us in Catholic social teaching and then to exercise our citizenship accordingly.

This Social teaching is not “left” or “right”, “liberal”, “conservative” or “neo-conservative.” It is also not only for Catholics, other Christians or even just “religious people”. It is for all people, offered by the Church to all who seek to build a truly just society.

It is called “social” because it speaks to human society and to the formation, role and rightful place of social institutions. Catholic Social teaching maintains that there are some unchangeable truths, such as the dignity of every human person, and the right to life, from conception to natural death; the primacy of authentic marriage and the family founded upon it; and our obligation in solidarity to one another, and, most especially, to the poor and needy in our midst. The Catholic position is that these truths can be known by all men and women because they are revealed in the Natural law and expounded upon in Revelation.

It also presents an understanding of human freedom as being properly exercised only with reference to the truth and at the service of our obligations to one another. Any authentic understanding of human freedom must also promote religious freedom because it is a good of the human person and a fundamental human right. Finally, the compass that is to guide us all as we seek to be both faithful citizens and faithful Catholic Christians is our commitment to the Common Good.

Catholics do not accept the notion that these truths, such as the fundamental right to life, are “religious” positions, in the sense that only religious people need assent to them. Rather, they are human positions. They obligate us all. Also, we do not accept the notion that our commitment to respect every human life from conception to natural death is a “single issue” approach. Rather, it presents a framework through which we must evaluate every other issue. Children in the womb are our first neighbors. They are also, in the words of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, the ‘poorest of the poor’.

Catholic Social teaching also offers principles for good governance. Because they are “principles”, they leave room for the application of prudential judgment. Included among these principles is the principle of subsidiarity which, simply stated, says that government is best when it is closest to those being governed and that it should begin with, and defer to, the smallest governing unit, which is the family.

Governor, we have followed your campaign with great interest. As your numbers have begun to rise in the polls, there appears to be an effort underway to ‘marginalize’ you by saying that you appeal only to ‘Evangelical Protestants’, or to call you the candidate of the so called ‘religious right’. As a Catholic, I know that a growing number of people like me, who consider ourselves to be whole life/pro-life, pro-marriage and family, pro-poor, pro-freedom and pro-peace, (and therefore do not like the prevailing labels), are greatly interested in your positions. Please accept these questions as the beginning of what I hope can be the beginning of further discussions between you and Catholic Online.

Are Catholics listening? Are they aware of this opportunity? The issue is in the end not if decide to vote for Huckabee or not. Even though I would it if you did. The issue for Catholics in the public square is to realize that perhaps the Huckabee is engaging those ideas and maybe we should engage it with him.

Today I was over at the Anchoress blog and read this comment:
All said, I can’t deny that Thompson is sounding pretty good, and Huckabee is coming off like an overzealous preacher that we do NOT need in the white house. I’m Catholic, I have a pope. I don’t have nor want, nor will be able to stomach the “preaching from the White House.” Today’s headline on Drudge is EXACTLY what I loath, and America doesn’t need.

Good Grief. By the way I have no idea what "headline" he is talking about. Drudge to say the least is in the pro-Romney camp and is a tad sensational which has been even pointed out by the Corner blog.

One Catholic over at the very good blog Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate a guy said this in one ofhis comment sections:
Why not? I can answer that.We aren't pleased with "Christian Leader" Huckabee because we are not electing a Christian Leader; he is elected by the college of Cardinals, not the Electoral College.In short, Huckabee needs to prove he is not a bigot, tough job after Iowa, or else we are splitting our vote among Fred, Mitt, and McCain.

Now I will pass on what appears to be a tad of anti Evangelical bias and stereotyping going on there. One cannot help to note that he calls him a preacher despite the fact he was Governor of Arky for 10 years and has not been an active minister in forever. As usual you can tell the person giving the reckless comment about "bigotry" is a Catholic that is a rabid supporter of someone else. That is ok. I am a rabid supporter of Huckabee. However as I point out here McCain Embraces Anti -Catholic Hagee Horrors!!!!, I really wish Catholics in the political square no matter who they support would quit throwing around charges of bigotry and anti Catholicism with reckless abandon. It really is distasteful. Much like throwing around the word "liberal" as to Huckabee or McCain. The words just lose all meaning.

So it appears to me that Catholics might be missing the boat here. Perhaps it is because they are don't what Catholic concepts of Governing are? I am not saying that one has to support Huckabee as an American Republican Catholic. However there does seem an opening here to mesh our Catholic Social thought more totally within the framework of a conservative viewpoint. I think the Huckabee campaign and his ideas are a perfect opportunity and platform to express that.

Update-
Some have not missed the boat of course. I can't help but notice that Catholic Deacon's that perhaps have a tad more freedom to interact with the political world than Priests have been pointing this out about Huckabee. In comment Deacon John M. Bresnahan who is with Holy Family Parish in the Boston ArchDiocese said in a comment response to a article on the reporting of the Catholic vote

Deacon John M. Bresnahan says: January 11, 2008, at 7:07 pm
Oddly, former Baptist minister Huckabee is the candidate who is the closest to Catholic moral teachings if you look at both social values and economic issues according to many Catholics in Arkansas.In fact, according to one blog I read (maybe here) Huckabee recently looked across the room where much of his staff was working and told someone he had better start hiring some Baptists for most of the people in his campaign staff are Catholic.You would think angles like this would be worth a story or two in the Mass Media. But, Egads!!!, that might help a candidate who is pro-life and pro-traditional marriage, as well as pro-working class and pro-helping the poor—and the liberal MSM doesn’t want to be caught seeming to promote such heresy against rigid liberal dogma which says a candidate must be 1,000% liberal on all issues.

Update II-See Catholic Deacon Slams Thompson's Attacks on Huckabee