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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



'Two fish and five loaves…'

Posted: Friday, December 07, 2007 6:06 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: ,

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
Huckabee appears to suggest God, religion and the power of prayer are responsible for his surge in the polls in a YouTube video, which MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews aired this afternoon, from a speech at Liberty University.

“There’s only one explanation for it, and it’s not a human one,” Huckabee said. “It’s the same power that helped a little boy with two fish and five loaves feed a crowd of 5,000 people and that’s the only way that our campaign could be doing what it’s doing.

"And I’m not being facetious nor am I trying to be trite. There literally are thousands of people across who are praying that a little will become much and it has, and it defies all explanation. It has confounded the pundits, and I’m enjoying every minute of their trying to figure it out. And until they look at it from a just experience beyond human, they’ll never figure it out. And that’s probably just as well. That’s honestly why it’s happening.”

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Go huck... I will vote for Obama but if Hill gets it, I will vote for you.
Oh. My. Gosh. Did he just say that God is endorsing his campaign? It's one thing to say God gives you strength and conviction, but to say he's personally behind your recent upswing in the polls? Wow.
Go huck... I will vote for Obama but if Hill gets it, I will vote for you.
Oookay, so God is now endorsing Huckabee?  Maybe I've been reading him incorrectly.  I thought there was more to him.
This makes me trust Huckabee even less.

There are his tax raises in Arkansas.  His use of government funds to personal reasons.  His role in the parole of a convicted rapist that later raped and killed another innocent-- This is more proof that he will use anything to gain votes, including his own religion.

We are supposed to have a separation of church and state. People don't run for office as Muslims, Jews, Catholics or Baptists, they run as Americans.
This religious nutjob needs to be kept as far away from the White House as possible, if I want to listen to a pastor I'll go to church.

What the hell happened to the separation of church and state?
I like Huck-as a person. Wouldn't mind having him as a pastor if I went to church (as a dem., don't know that I would be welcome!) But as president-the thought is downright scary!
This is a non-story. Gov. Huckabee gives credit to God for his success so far in the race. Big deal.
Oh please even Bush didn't spread it on this thick.
I think what Huck said was what all TV Preachers say, if you send them a hundred bucks, God will get you a thousand. Send them a million, you get ten million. Send them the keys to your Subaru, you'll get a Cadillac. Send them the keys to a Cadillac, you'll get a Ferarri Testa Rossa. Piper Cub, Lear Jet. If we were living in New Guinea, it would be known as a "Cargo Cult". But since we are living in the USA, it's known as a "Crusader Cult".  ONe thing you should know. When you're dealing with things 'Inhuman', you might not get exactly what you pay (or pray) for.  You might send your new Navigator, and get a Pacer in it's place.  But don't complain. Just accept the Pacer as, um,...the Great Mystery of Intelligent Design?
And how will a President who counts God amongst his precinct workers repay the supreme being and creator of the Universe? A cabinet level post? Department of dogma, doctrine, and divinity? How about delivering HIM a nation? The Christian States of America?
We have been marching on this path to theocracy since Reagan. Time to take a different fork in the road.
Though I can not see voting for Huck based on his policies, I think that there are some confused people who believe that separation of church and state means the loss of free speech if you believe in God. He has a right to express his opinions. This ridiculous tolerance of all things except Christianity may be the very reason he is doing so well.  Religion tolerant people are becoming tired of such a minuscule minority trying to dictate to the majority at the expense of free speech. He gave an opinion, he did not suggest arresting those who disagree. Get a grip! Reactions like that are so stupid it almost justifies those who are militant in trying to elect Huck solely on religious preference. It is obvious that there are people who what that freedom taken from christians. It surprises me that they would display their huge lack of understanding of separation of church and state for all to read.
Why doesn't someone ask Hillary about things she knows about. Like, how to shake down the Chinese for money.
Huckabee isn't a fiscal conservative.. He has a record of tax hikes (an estimated half a billion dollars) and favoring amnesty for illegal immigrants (including supporting a measure giving them drivers licenses).. he was already under investigation for ethics violations and his pardoning of a rapist will come back to haunt him. In a prior debate he stated that he would enter a war with Iran without the consent of Congress and if elected he will raise taxes and sink the US into more debt..

According to www.politico.com:

“Huckabee’s career has also been colored by 14 ethics complaints and a volley of questions about his integrity, ranging from his management of campaign cash to his use of a nonprofit organization to subsidize his income to his destruction of state computer files on his way out of the governor’s office.”
What separation of church and state? Can you point that phrase out to me in the U.S. Constitution? Maybe it just evolved over time like Darwinian natural selection, huh? Liberals,take care driving at night. Wouldn't want you to wreck because penumbras blinded you.
Dear God.  I do agree with one thing he said, which is there is no human explanation for why anyone would vote for him.  Of course, that is true for virtually the entire Republican field.  
It's going to be great to see that Video when GOD shows up to sign wave for the Huckster.
So...is Huckabee running for pastor-in-chief or commander-in-chief?  What scares me most about Huckabee (besides his fiscal record, vacuous foreign policy experience and support of college scholarships for adult children of illegal immigrants) is that a Huckabee administration would make the Bush Whitehouse look like a Godless administration.
Oh no, he really went there!
Perhaps we should start to paint the red crosses on our chests and sharpen our swords!
Elmer Gantry anyone?
Huckabee is the embodiment of arrogance. Of course you can gain votes by tapping into people's religious feelings. Religious imagery is a powerful tool for motivating the masses to support a regime...just ask Hamas, The Burmese and al Qaeda. Huckabee is using the oldest trick in the book. That doesn't make it right. Just right-wing. Fascist pig.
Well Bush has tried to tell us that he has a leash on God and now Huck wasn't he one of those TV preachers who asked you to send your money to the Lord but gave you his own address?
I hope he gets all the votes of the religious right and not one other.
Wow. This nutbag is scarier than Bush.
Huckabee came off as honest, sensible and smart in the Republican debate on CNN, but these comments are scary!
JK, New Jersey
I just started researching Mike as a result of a video clip of him. He is a strong, assured, leader--a man of integrity. He has my vote!
The last thing we need is 4 more years of another right wing religious fanatic creating more war in the middle east.  Anybody but a repub again, pleeeeze!
If God favors religious politicians (a virtual oxymoron), as Huckabee seems to think, how does he explain Bill Clinton's victories?  At least Mitt Romney doesn't claim to have a corner on God's blessings.
about time someone with morals,religion,and a human like factor return  to the white house,we dont need any rock stars
This guy was attracting me because I thought he was rational. Now I have to consider the possisbility that he's the anti-Christ. His reply is scary. I'm moving to Nicaragua.
Lordy, Lordy, now we have another Republican who thinks God is behind him.  Well, all I can say is, "God, help us."  I am so sick and tired of politicians (and others, too) opining that God is doing this or that for them.  Doesn't this strike anyone as completely self-centered?  Rev. Huckaby (sps?) should go back to a Baptist pulpit somewhere in Arkansas and leave the leadership of this country to someone who doesn't think God leads him (as opposed to others).  God help us.
Hovedman
At least freedom of speech hasn't been taken away.  Thank God.
Dear God....protect me from your followers
Those assoicating what Huckabee said with seperation of Church and State show their illiteracy of the constitution.
This man scares me.
Sounds like a bunch of Agnostics are writing in.  The word agnostic comes from the greek word Agnosis, which means With out Knowledge.....Air head!
Huck is the real deal.  He is someone with morals.
Apparently some people think thats a negative.  You are going to be laughing out your wrong end when he gets the nomination.
Whats wrong with you folks that are stateing "Separation of church and state"?  Just because someone states that the believe in a higher power helping them along has nothing to do with separation of church and state.  Get a clue!
Sounds like a bunch of Agnostics are writing in.  The word agnostic comes from the greek word Agnosis, which means With out Knowledge.....Air head!
Wow!  I am speechless... I do not how to respond to this in fear I may be struck down.
Tonight Lawrence 'o Donnell of MSNBC called Harry Reid a racist, pro slavery politican. He says being a Mormom is racist and pro slavery, he said this of all Mormons
More breaking news: NBC refuses to air Thank the troops ad this Christmas. People are now calling for a boycott of NBC
So . . . believing strongly in your vision and having that vision aligned with your faith makes you a "nut job"?     If Obama said feeding the poor in Mexico was his calling would you feel the same?   Give the guy a break . . . you don't have to agree (I don't) but at least you know where he's coming from
He is not saying that God is endorsing him.  He is not saying that God has chosen him.  He has made it very clear that he has no Messianic ideas for himself.  He knows he is not chosen.

What he is saying is that God does answer prayers and that if people are asking for him to surge ahead in prayer to God, God is answering their prayers.  

If you think he is saying anything else, you're reading something into it as Huckabee has commented on issues related to this type of thing before.
Well, I don't know what God could think about that, but for sure there are people in the country that still consider religious conviction as an issue.  It's not that Huckabee is from a religion or other, but mainly the fact that he talks all the time about it and that journalist insist on him doing so.

This could have kill any candidacy in most Western countries.  For, it does not...

Go figure!
No, it is not too early to refer to Mike as Mr. President. It'll help some have a little more time to get used to it by starting now. The only question is who is acceptable as a running mate.
Why do so many people hate GOD or any reference to GOD?  I would rather the man say that he is being laid by GOD than a man to have actions that resemble ubgodly behavior.

Don't hate the one that is your only Hope, Jesus Christ...try him.
Amazing isn't it, how many people are so eager to jump all over a person for simply expressing a feeling that is in line with the depth of his (or her)faith? It doesn't matter if it is Huck, Fred, or Mitt, it's always the mesenger that's supposed to be bogus and not necessarily the message...

Whether I personally agree with someone else's faith (as with Huck or Fred's) or take exception to certain aspects of it (as with Mitt's), I would hope I would never presume to be able to look into a person's heart and gauge their sincerity. Shame on those who do.
Christians who have a real relationship with Jesus Christ, which Huckabee has, will completely understand this.  He is not saying that God is endorsing him.  He is stating that he believes in the power of prayer, and his christian supporters believe he has the annointing.  That is not too be confused with people thinking he is a saint, or a prophet!  If you have the Holy Spirit within you, you just understand this.  Their is a HUGE difference between religion or tradition and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  In a personal relationship, you actually feel the Holy Spirit directing your steps.  I know you will trash my comment and say that I am a "nutjob" and that is ok.  The Bible says that until you accept and believe in your heart that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour, your "eyes will be blind and your ears will not hear".  God bless all of you and God bless Mike Huckabee.
There is no place in America for a candidate who claims  to be God's chosen one.  No American ought to tolerate a candidate who so strongly implies that to vote for one of his opponents is to vote against God's choice.  American patriots should all be calling for this un-American, ignorant, self-righteous, deluded egomaniac's immediate withdrawal from the race.  
IF TH VOTE IS HUCKABEE VS OBAMA, I VOTE HUCKBEE - OTHERWISE I vote Hillary!!
It never ceases to amaze me how it has become anathema to mention God in any public sense anymore.  For those of you concerned about "separation of church and state," I can assure you that the Founders were not concerned about a political office-holder recognizing God as his Guiding Force.  As a matter of fact, even the most cursory reading of this Nation's political history shows that the Founders were VERY religious themselves.  Separation of church and state, according to the Constitution, simply guarantees that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...."  Can anyone please explain to me how someone not being ashamed to mention God outside the mosque, synagogue, or church is violating this tenet?  For the record, I don't recall seeing any references from the Governor to any specific religion...merely statements highlighting his belief in a Supreme Being.  If I didn't know better, I say that there was an underlying fear of God and a Judgment behind the anti-Huckabee sentiments.

Oh my gosh, I can't believe some of the posts on here. Bunch of liberals who just want an excuse to bash anyone of faith!  He was giving God credit for helping his campaign using the Biblical story of turning the little bit of food into enough to feed many.  He was saying his campaign is growing stronger without all the money that the other candidates are getting.  I guess it isn't PC to give God credit anymore!


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