On Abortion:

It’s obvious that all of us on this stage are pro-life, and it’s obvious why there are 4 empty podiums on this stage tonight, because they wouldn’t be comfortable with answering this. I am not pro-life because I’m a politician, I’m a politician because I’m pro-life. We must do all we can to protect life from conception until that life reaches its natural conclusion.

How to protect the US from radical Islam:

The threat we face is one that many don’t comprehend. It is not a typical geo-political war. It is a theological war … we are facing an enemy that will not be satisfied until everyone of us is dead. It is not politically correct to say that, but it’s the truth. This is a war about our survival as a people and we must do everything to protect our way of life.

Tell us about your personal faith and what it means to your life:

As a kid, I accepted Christ as my Savior … that was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, because it is a position I hold forever. It doesn’t just influence my life, but it shapes it and defines it. People expect me to say that being elected Governor was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, but that was a position someone else held before and others hold after me …. being saved through Jesus Christ is the greatest thing that ever happened to me and it is a position I will hold forever.

Question about the plans to form a North American Union:

This country must never, ever, ever yield our sovereignty to any other nation. We do not answer to any authority other than our own constitution. Any attempt to weaken our sovereignty must be prevented.

What do you intend to do to counter the homosexual agenda?

I’m convinced the reason that homosexual movement has become so strong is because the traditional family has become so weak. With majority of families ending in divorce, how can kids learn what a family really is?

About 9 pm, the debate moved into something they referred to as the “speed round”. The candidates had to answer yes or no (through green and red lights) to these questions (some very good questions, but they were long questions and such quick responses that I didn’t keep up). This round went on for 40 agonizing minutes of watching the candidates push their red and green buttons. It allowed various groups to put their issue out there, but not hearing from the candidates seemed a disservice to the purpose of this event.

Third round is open-ended questions to only one candidate per question. So far, two of those questions have been addressed to empty podiums. I see this as a huge waste of the time of the candidates who are standing on the stage. We have heard barely a word from Mike Huckabee in 45 minutes.

Mike Huckabee has yet to receive one question in the third round, while questions to the empty podiums of Giuliani, Romney, McCain and Thompson have all been “questioned”. The organizers think this is funny. I think it is incredibly disrespectful to the men who are standing on that stage.

Finally a question for Governor Huckabee. “On most issues, values voters agree with you completely. However, there is a belief out there that you are for higher taxes and for big government. How do you address this?

MH: With the truth Rick … with the truth. I cut taxes 94 times in Arkansas as Governor. As the Governor, I did not have the joy or pleasure to do what Congress can do and print or borrow money whenever they need it. States must live within their means. If people will look at my record, they will find that not only did I cut taxes 94 times, but I left that state with a surplus of over $800 million! What I pledge is that I will sell the Fair Tax to change the economy in America and free Pastors to speak freely in this country without threat from the IRS.

(I am enjoying Tom Tancredo’s response about the need to make English the official language of this country … that bilingualism is dividing us as a nation. Being bilingual is good for an individual, it is terrible for a nation.)

Closing Statement:

Closing statements:
Each given two minutes. MH gets 4 minutes because he didn’t use his bonus minutes earlier in the debate.

Well, with 4 minutes, I have time to take an offering, so I think I’ll ask the ushers to come forward.

You are here tonight because you care about traditional values, and I understand those values … they are my values. Before becoming a politician, I was a pastor. There isn’t a social problem facing this country that I can’t put a name and a face to.

I didn’t grow up blue-blood, but I came up blue collar. We need to elect someone who knows what it’s like to live and work on main street … we don’t need another establishment republican. I don’t come “to” you to speak, I come from you to speak for you as your President.

There are some who say “we love what you stand for Mike, you have a record on doing these things, but we don’t think you can win”. What the folks who say this to me are focusing on is the money, so the real question here is is it really about the money that a candidate has? Tonight I come to you and ask you for your vote, your confidence, your energy, your support in the coming months, because I  believe we don’t have much time left on the clock to save this Country. It’s not about saving the Republican party, it is about saving this great nation. If it is only about the money, then I don’t believe there is much hope for this nation.