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GOPer flubs another foreign policy test

David Brooks, in an otherwise fawning column about Mike Huckabee, conceded that “his foreign policy thinking is thin.”

That's a dramatic understatement.

Reporter: I don’t know to what extent you have been briefed or been able to take a look at the NIE report that came out yesterday ...

Huckabee: I’m sorry?

Reporter: The NIE report, the National Intelligence Estimate on Iran. Have you been briefed or been able to take a look at it —

Huckabee: No.

Reporter: Have you heard of the finding?

Huckabee: No.

First, I suspect Huckabee is busy, but he can't pick up a newspaper?

Second, imagine the response if a leading Democratic candidate had no idea what the NIE is.

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85 Comments
Norse's picture

I guess the saying "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story", should change to "Never let the truth get in the way of the bombs"

King of Kings's picture

The Republicans are pretty decent political scientists. They know that the only way they could package their anti-populist policies for the people is to have an amiable and naive front-man, while the real government is run by the number two.

"He use to do acid and now he's found Jesus but he still has that look in his eye".

Huck is focused on the "Rapture". He doesn't have any interest in reading some GD NIE report. Is it in the bible? Did Jesus talk about it? If no, well then, it doesn't exist.

Boy Bush flunked the foreign policy test before he was elected and look what happened.

James's picture

"Duh... Chuck Norris was in NIE wasn't he?"

Besides who needs things like the NIE report when Huck has it all figured out. This is not a war over oil, but rather a theological war. Huck is the only one with a degree in theology who can take us to victory. Vote Huckberries 2008 /

Simon White-Thatch Potentloins's picture

If God wants Mike Huckabee to know about the NIE, he'll tell him. Otherwise, forget it.

Here be my prediction for the GOP ticket: Rudy with Mikey boy as V.P. There's a combination the Dems can beat running a pair of carboard boxes as the ticket.

Don Davis's picture

At least Huckleberry Thin has Jesus as his diet advisor.

jackpine savage's picture

You would have thought that someone from on high would have just phoned in the results of the NIE...

And the rule is that you only use intelligence when it fits your preconceived desires, otherwise, its hogwash.

below_me's picture

damn mike! jesus didnt brief you on the NIE report?

looks like you dont talk with god too much do ya?

are all republicans implanted with an ignorant gene or just 99% of them?

Don Davis @ 7:

At least Huckleberry Thin has Jesus as his diet advisor.

Just think, if Jesus lived and didn't die, where would Christianity be? It's really sad that someone had to die so that others could create a religious cult.

The reporter should have asked him if he knew what the letters N-I-E stood for.

If his handlers aren't keeping him up to date on something this important, he should fire them all.

We don't need another incompetent, uninformed and incapable stooge in the white house.

ysbaddaden's picture

"First, I suspect Huckabee is busy, but he can’t pick up a newspaper?"

He's ducking his paperboy.

Mike the Canuck's picture

and you guys are going to elect him in iowa? I guess I'll get a shovel and start digging my backyard fallout shelter

ysbaddaden's picture

I'm waiting for the day when the MSM find out a conservative politico's "fiscal restraint," means he's into bondage.

Yellow Elephant Safari's picture

Huckleberry doesn't need to know anything. He's got jeebus as his guide.

AJFan's picture

If its important, god will tell him . . . . I laughed when a caller referred to him as "HuckleBee" on the Washington Journal (c-span) this morning.

Shadowgm's picture

pissed off patricia @ 11:

The reporter should have asked him if he knew what the letters N-I-E stood for.

If his handlers aren't keeping him up to date on something this important, he should fire them all.

We don't need another incompetent, uninformed and incapable stooge in the white house.

I would think that, going into 2008, a serious candidate might even have a policy team assembled.

What's worse than incompetent, uninformed, and incapable is a lack of intellectual curiosity. An NIE is an important document, but at no point did Boy George apparently ask about its contents (it's been pointed out that he MUST have known, hence the change from 'preventing Iran's program' to 'preventing Iran from having the knowledge'), even though months go by.

Add to that a media that is dutifully reporting Bush's assertions, (and a mook from Politico playing the 'Democrats don't want to be seen as not being serious about Iran') and not the substance of the NIE or the fact that we have a president forming policy on his -chuckle- beliefs about Iran.

Jush push the button and have done with it. Maybe the cockroaches will be more successful.

vrk's picture

Its strange, at one level I almost admire an honest answer rather than rhetorical crap. Of course at the other level it scares the hell out of me that someone who wants to be president doesn't know this.

bill w's picture

Coffins draped in flags @ 3:

"He use to do acid and now he's found Jesus but he still has that look in his eye".

Huck is focused on the "Rapture". He doesn't have any interest in reading some GD NIE report. Is it in the bible? Did Jesus talk about it? If no, well then, it doesn't exist.

I thought you were talking about bush until I read down further.
So duckabee is another clone of our fearfull 'leader'? :(

StirFry's picture

Foreign policy? We dont need no stinking foreign policy. We just bomb, invade, and fuck shit up.

Who cares what an NIE report is when our current policy is to ignore it anyways.

Weaseldog's picture

God wants Mika HalfaBee to be the next Decider. Deciders don't need knowledge, just the will to make decisions that no one else would make.

Pawn's picture

If Huckabee can't even put people around him that are going to keep him informed on current events, how can we ever expect that he will be able to move this country forward. What is his staff doing?

earl's picture

Yet another Bush Wannabe that doesnt have the intellect of a garden hose ...
Kind of gives a whole different meaning to "National Intelligence Estimate" doesnt it?

Mark Mywords's picture

NIE? oh you mean 'Nother Idiotic Eulogy... for my campaign

or it could be......
NIE National Intelligence Estimate (US government)
NIE National Institute of Education (Singapore)
NIE National Institute of Education (various countries)
NIE Northern Ireland Electricity
NIE New Institutional Economics
NIE National Institute of Engineering (India)
NIE Newspapers in Education
NIE Newspaper In Education
NIE National Institute for the Environment
NIE Not in Evidence (legal)
NIE Not Included Elsewhere (found in IMF statistical publications IFS)
NIE National Institute of Electronics (Pakistan)
NIE Non-Interest Expense
NIE Newly Industrializing/Industrialized Economy
NIE National-Scale Information Enterprises
NIE Natural and Induced Environment
NIE Nonsecure Interface Equipment
NIE Normally Installed Equipment

Preacher Boob's picture

He don't pick up no newspaper that don't say 'Jaysus Says' in the headline.

yogi-one's picture

A GOP PRIMER IN FOREIGN POLICY FOR FUTURE PRESIDENTS:

There are other countries on Earth besides America. While most of them don't matter to Americans, and therefore you don't need to know anything about them, there are a few that are of interest to the United States, such as Iraq, Iran and Venezuela. There's basically three things to know about these countries:

1. They have oil wee need access
2. We have nukes and other advanced weaponry
3. We should blow their countries up with bombs
4. We should take their oil

Don't worry, this is what Jesus would do.

END OF FOREIGN POLICY PRIMER.

Dr. Acula's picture

Maybe jeebus will inform Huckleberry.

Preacher Boob's picture

The aide that reads for him is out sick with the Syph and AIDS.

Liberal AND Proud's picture

The Karl Rove playbook calls for style and presentation over substance and ability.

carlos centavo's picture

Debate question for Huck: Why didn't Noah take the dinosaurs on the ark? Or did he??

I mean can anyone believe that the head of the CIA comes in to bush's office and says, we have some new intel on Iran. And bush just says, okay? With just that tidbit we learn, a. bush has no interest in the new intel or b. he is lying about that meeting and what he was told.

Ms Pelosi, we have either an incompetent in the white house or a liar. Doesn't that fact at least equal if not surpass the justifications for impeachment? If not, please explain.

Okay, back to your regular programing :)

Moe Zilla's picture

Too busy looking for loopholes in the bible. No time for findings.

Dr. Acula's picture

OT, but did anyone watching MSNBC last night (I think during Hardball) that under Ghouliani's name they had a "D"?

I hope MSNBC isn't doing a Faux Newz on us.

Huckabee sounds like another one who would not be curious about world events. Goddess knows, we don't want another one of those.

Tomorrow Mittens is going to give a speech about his religion. Jeez, anyone want to give a speech about how in the hell we can ever repair our country and its reputation? Now that the rest of the world is laughing it up over how our nitwit president has made a total ass of himself on the world stage, we are going to talk about freakin' religion?

Somebody better take this shit seriously and stop fu*king around about who hearts their religion the most and why.

AJFan's picture

pissed off patricia @ 31:

I mean can anyone believe that the head of the CIA comes in to bush's office and says, we have some new intel on Iran. And bush just says, okay? With just that tidbit we learn, a. bush has no interest in the new intel or b. he is lying about that meeting and what he was told.

Ms Pelosi, we have either an incompetent in the white house or a liar. Doesn't that fact at least equal if not surpass the justifications for impeachment? If not, please explain.

Okay, back to your regular programing :)

Ms Pelosi is a decent human being but is not providing adequate leadership in a time of national crisis.

ysbaddaden's picture

pissed off patricia @ 31:

I mean can anyone believe that the head of the CIA comes in to bush's office and says, we have some new intel on Iran. And bush just says, okay? With just that tidbit we learn, a. bush has no interest in the new intel or b. he is lying about that meeting and what he was told.

Ms Pelosi, we have either an incompetent in the white house or a liar. Doesn't that fact at least equal if not surpass the justifications for impeachment? If not, please explain.

Okay, back to your regular programing :)

That cancelled Ren & Stimpy centuries ago.

Bud's picture

Huckabee: "NIE? Ya mean "Neeegros Is Eeevill?"

Clayton's picture

Meybe he should at least listen to Keith?

SteveinSC's picture

But, but, but... he's a Christian Leader, he said so himself. Hmmm with teh shit hitting the fan over the Wayne Dummond pardon, Huckabee turns out to just another hypocritical holy-roller. Ignorant, duplicitous, but oh so devout!

ysbaddaden @ 36:

pissed off patricia @ 31:

I mean can anyone believe that the head of the CIA comes in to bush's office and says, we have some new intel on Iran. And bush just says, okay? With just that tidbit we learn, a. bush has no interest in the new intel or b. he is lying about that meeting and what he was told.

Ms Pelosi, we have either an incompetent in the white house or a liar. Doesn't that fact at least equal if not surpass the justifications for impeachment? If not, please explain.

Okay, back to your regular programing :)

That cancelled Ren & Stimpy centuries ago.

OH NO! You're kidding me, right? ;)

Bud's picture

ysbaddaden @ 36:

pissed off patricia @ 31:

I mean can anyone believe that the head of the CIA comes in to bush's office and says, we have some new intel on Iran. And bush just says, okay? With just that tidbit we learn, a. bush has no interest in the new intel or b. he is lying about that meeting and what he was told.

Ms Pelosi, we have either an incompetent in the white house or a liar. Doesn't that fact at least equal if not surpass the justifications for impeachment? If not, please explain.

Okay, back to your regular programing :)

That cancelled Ren & Stimpy centuries ago.

I coveth your ice cream bar!!!!!!!!!! Would you cleanse my spleen?

konchster's picture

Not surprised at all! Who is Mike Huckleberry anyhow and why should we care what he knows?
One thing we do know is he has a thing for right wing rapists

Don Davis's picture
jr's picture

Jesus should have called Mike Huckabee on his cell to tell him about the NIE

Bud's picture

ysbaddaden @ 42:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKHK01e37Kw

No sir, I didn't like it!

ysbaddaden's picture

Just as a change of pace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7oGGP0BWYE

ysbaddaden's picture

If you look closely in the background you see chainey grinning.

ysbaddaden's picture
Straight Shooter's picture

SteveinSC @ 39:

But, but, but... he's a Christian Leader, he said so himself. Hmmm with teh shit hitting the fan over the Wayne Dummond pardon, Huckabee turns out to just another hypocritical holy-roller. Ignorant, duplicitous, but oh so devout!

Is the Dumond/Huckabee debacle really hitting the fan? I haven't seen much on the blogosphere and don't watch television, but I'm hoping it will get the attention it deserves. Of course, the GOP faithful will overlook it because Huckabee was acting in true Clinton-paranoia fashion.

http://tinyurl.com/85a9r

Editor's note, Sept. 1, 2005: Wayne Dumond, convicted of rape in Arkansas and murder in Missouri, died of apparent natural causes in prison Tuesday.

The occasion prompts us to republish Murray Waas' prize-winning article for the Arkansas Times in 2002 about the extraordinary steps Gov. Mike Huckabee took to help win Dumond's freedom. He has since blamed others for Dumond's release to kill again, but his actions over many years demonstrated his support for Dumond and, ultimately, the instrumental role he played in the parole board's decision to free him.

Josh's picture

I've come to the conclusion that huckabee is a complete utter joke.

Earth 6,000 years old
N.I.E - um, duhhhhh?

John Barringer's picture

To top it off, after admitting that he was unfamiliar with the report, Huckabee went on to question it's key finding: “I don’t know where the intelligence is coming from that says that they suspended the program and how credible that is versus the news that they actually are expanding it.”

D.G. Bowman's picture

Definitely the biggest nutcase among all the Rethugs running for prez. I'm sure he'll be the first to enthusiastically visit the Creation Museum. Hey, Jesus rode around on stegosauruses!

ysbaddaden's picture

Josh @ 52:

I've come to the conclusion that huckabee is a complete utter joke.

Earth 6,000 years old
N.I.E - um, duhhhhh?

I prefer udder jokes.

ysbaddaden's picture

D.G. Bowman @ 54:

Definitely the biggest nutcase among all the Rethugs running for prez. I'm sure he'll be the first to enthusiastically visit the Creation Museum. Hey, Jesus rode around on stegosauruses!

I heard some lawyers for televangelists are complaining about one congressman investigating their lavish lifestyles, because the congressmen said, "Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, not a limousine."

Johnny2Bad's picture

Look, I'm no Huckabee fan but at least he had the balls to say "I don't know". As he proved yesterday, Bush would rather lie his ass off rather than look uninformed.

Preacher Boob's picture

I wonder what kind of dialogue the reporter would have gotten into with Huckabee if he had mentioned that the US was thinking of revolting against the King George administration in England?

Preacher Boob's picture

You know, our dictionarys are getting too crowded, too many words.

Why don't we eliminate 'Preacher', 'Minister', 'Reverend', 'Televangelist', 'Pope', 'Priest' and all those other euphemisms, and lump them under 'Hustler'.

ysbaddaden's picture

Preacher Boob @ 59:

You know, our dictionarys are getting too crowded, too many words.

Why don't we eliminate 'Preacher', 'Minister', 'Reverend', 'Televangelist', 'Pope', 'Priest' and all those other euphemisms, and lump them under 'Hustler'.

Larry Flynt will sue.

carlos centavo @ 30:

Debate question for Huck: Why didn't Noah take the dinosaurs on the ark? Or did he??

Another question for Huckleberry - "Who shoveled all the animal droppings from the ark"? And one more, "What did the carnivores eat while on the ark? Did they fast for 40 days and 40 nights?"

Preacher Boob's picture

We all should be glad he didn't ask Huckabee any tough ones, like 'Who's president of the US?', or this whole thread would have been filled up with Huckabee's 'I don't knows'.

ysbaddaden @ 60:

Preacher Boob @ 59:

You know, our dictionarys are getting too crowded, too many words.

Why don't we eliminate 'Preacher', 'Minister', 'Reverend', 'Televangelist', 'Pope', 'Priest' and all those other euphemisms, and lump them under 'Hustler'.

Larry Flynt will sue.

Speaking of Larry Flynt... when do you think he will release the information from the DC Madam's diary? He did buy the publishing rights to her diary. Maybe, October of 2008.

Nobody4President's picture

Probably busy talking to God on his cell phone.

Bible thumping nutbag for Pres.

MargeAggedon's picture

The people who actually run things don't give a damn which douche bag meat puppet they... I mean the voters choose to be 'president'. The dumber the better because he's easier to control. They hit the jackpot with the dead-from-the-neck-up chimp.

Dr. Matt's picture

Reich-wingers are so weak on national security.

ysbaddaden's picture

Huckabee thinks Paris Hilton is a luxury vacation in the fanciest hotel in Paris Texas.

But you still have to fetch your own ice from the machine down the outside breezeway.

ysbaddaden's picture

Coffins draped in flags @ 63:

ysbaddaden @ 60:

Preacher Boob @ 59:

You know, our dictionarys are getting too crowded, too many words.

Why don't we eliminate 'Preacher', 'Minister', 'Reverend', 'Televangelist', 'Pope', 'Priest' and all those other euphemisms, and lump them under 'Hustler'.

Larry Flynt will sue.

Speaking of Larry Flynt... when do you think he will release the information from the DC Madam's diary? He did buy the publishing rights to her diary. Maybe, October of 2008.

He's working on the centerfold.

Name not Earl's picture

For God's sake, don't ask him any questions about the constitution, he won't know the answer to that either...but thats what he'll destroy more of anyways.

OxyCon's picture

I looked up "huckabee" in the dictionary and the definition came up as "a clueless person".
Huckabee is clueless on national security and he was clueless about the rapist/murderer he single handedly paroled.
What else will Clueless Mike Huckabee, huckabee?

Mr. Anon's picture

Knowing what the NIE is and why it is important is Jesus' responsibility. Not Huckabee's. Silly libtards

;)

a guy's picture

Huckabee doesn't need information. Jesus tells him what to do. Just like President Fucktard

ysbaddaden's picture

Flub...flub...flub

Sounds like the sound of one's condom coming loose.

libertarian's picture

ysbaddaden @ 60:

Preacher Boob @ 59:

You know, our dictionarys are getting too crowded, too many words.

Why don't we eliminate 'Preacher', 'Minister', 'Reverend', 'Televangelist', 'Pope', 'Priest' and all those other euphemisms, and lump them under 'Hustler'.

Larry Flynt will sue.

Good point, How about "Huckster" ?

Rabadoo's picture

How out of touch. At least a day late on very important events.

That makes him presidential material I guess.

Pawn's picture

It seems that to get your poll numbers up among the conservative base, you have to act like you don't know anything. Lack of knowledge stalled the passing of Gonzo, and has helped others get away with their crimes. This article shows that Huckabee is now just only behind Rudy in right wing polls public "polls".

Son Of Liberty's picture

It's really important that the Democrats pick a bland, flaky, and right-of-center candidate to stand up to these GOP powerhouses, otherwise they'll get smashed in the general elections!

Rudy and Mittens were one thing, but this guy says "electable" on a whole other level. Plus, you know they'll bring him down another 20lbs after the primary, essentially securing 99% of the vote.

Mark Mywords's picture

DONT BE SO MODEST... ALL OF HIS THINKING IS THIN

gene214's picture

So, according to Huckleberry, when he sits down for breakfast before another day on the campaign trail, he doesn't read any newspapers, none of his handlers talk to him about the days political events,he doesn't watch the news, nothing. He just goes about on the campaign trail, babbling his usual bullshit about God, guns, and gays, secure in the knowledge that, safe within this little campaign trail coccoon, the facts about the really important issues will never be allowed to intrude. Don't we already have an idiot like this in the White House?

mouthyb's picture

The nice thing about reading the Bible instead of, say, anything else is that you never have to think again. Think about it; there's lots of confused, technophobic, intellectually lazy types (I'm not making fun, here; these people frighten me) floating around who will like this guy like they liked Bush because (despite the fact that it ain't true) they feel like an 'average' guy should get ahead.

Huckabee can be invested with a vague sort of American dream, the average guy gets ahead by hard work and brings his small town with him kind of shite. I'm crossing my fingers that the voters who got burned by Bush and his 'you-could-have-a-beer-with-me-despite-the-fact-that-you'll-never-get-anywhere-near-me- because-you're-expendable-scum' persona will remember all of the situation instead of remembering just the warm fuzzy of feeling, at least for awhile, that 'one of them' got into the office.

I have heard this rube's name on the lips of people who are otherwise surprisingly intelligent and think it's a matter of nostalgia. Someone really needs to remind voters about the way Bush capitalized on that fear and start analyzing the candidates on both sides in terms of persona.

Preacher Boob's picture

Coffins draped in flags @ 63:

ysbaddaden @ 60:

Preacher Boob @ 59:

You know, our dictionarys are getting too crowded, too many words.

Why don't we eliminate 'Preacher', 'Minister', 'Reverend', 'Televangelist', 'Pope', 'Priest' and all those other euphemisms, and lump them under 'Hustler'.

Larry Flynt will sue.

Speaking of Larry Flynt... when do you think he will release the information from the DC Madam's diary? He did buy the publishing rights to her diary. Maybe, October of 2008.

I think Larry Flynt should publish an illustrated porn version of the bible, sometime next spring. That'll keep the republican base, as well as their candidates, at home for a year, away from the polls.

ysbaddaden's picture

Preacher Boob @ 81:

Coffins draped in flags @ 63:

ysbaddaden @ 60:

Preacher Boob @ 59:

Larry Flynt will sue.

Speaking of Larry Flynt... when do you think he will release the information from the DC Madam's diary? He did buy the publishing rights to her diary. Maybe, October of 2008.

I think Larry Flynt should publish an illustrated porn version of the bible, sometime next spring. That'll keep the republican base, as well as their candidates, at home for a year, away from the polls.

I would think that would keep them hovering near their polls.

pollister's picture

Oh, come on you guys! His "ignorance" of the NIE report reflects his discomfort in discussing it.
Of course he knows about it, but best to sit on this for a couple of days until he finds a good way to criticize, or dismiss, it.
It's embarrassing for all those Republicans and the fast and safe thing to do is say that you haven't heard of it. Very common political trick.

Media Concepts's picture

I'm afraid this is the the weekly occurrence of C&L protesting too much and exaggerating the facts. I wouldn't vote for Huckabee because I think he lets religious faith interfere with reason, sound science and sound policy. For example, he has said he does not believe in evolution. But in fairness, in this case Huckabee did not say that he did not know what THE NIE (an annual combined report of all U.S. intelligence agencies) is. He only said that he had not heard about the release of THIS LATEST NIE and its finding regarding Iran during the previous 24 hours. This is not proof that his foreign policy knowledge is "thin." It only shows that, while he is running around the campaign trail, he was too busy to follow the news and didn't have good enough organizational or time management skills to have someone brief him when something important like this happens.

CoIntelPRo's picture

flat-earthers don't want to know.

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