Stemberger jumps from Fred to Huckabee

The Huckabee campaign is touting a high-profile defection from Fred Thompson's camp. "John Stemberger, a leading voice in the conservative movement of Florida has switched his personal endorsement in the race for the Republican presidential nomination ..., " a news release boasts. Stemberger will co-chair Huckabee's "Faith and Family Values Coalition for Florida."

"Gov. Huckabee is without question the best candidate to breathe new life and fresh hope into a nation and its people who are fed up with scandal, corruption and big-money power politics. Mike Huckabee is a proven leader with executive experience and a solid record as a champion for pro-life and pro-family values, Stemberger said. "As a result, he has won the trust of more social conservative leaders across America than any other candidate. He has also proven that he is a viable candidate who can take us all the way home by winning both the primary and the general elections."

In September, back when Thompson was still considered a heavyweight for the GOP nominee, Stemberger told the Times: "If Fred Thompson were not in the race, Huckabee would look great. Thompson takes a lot of air out of his campaign."

Comments

Admittedly, I'm not a supporter of either Thompson or Huckabee, but I do have to wonder how people like this sleep at night? To just jump ship and bail out on a candidate because someone you like better comes along?

It seems Mr. Stemberger lacks the testicular fortitude to stand by his previous decisions. Good information to know...

Stemberger is a hack who drags people down with him.

Schiavo anyone?

huckabee spent this sunday preaching and not campaigning according to news accounts - are we to expect this when he is president and not just a presidential candidate?

Go Huckabee!!!

www.floridaforhuckabee.com

Stemberger is a class act! This is great news for Huckabee!

[Robert]

With Thompson at 7% in FL and Huckabee at 19%, I think it is a very sharp and pragmatic position to support the candidate who you think can best win and preserve what you believe in.

Props to Stemberger to sticking to his guns.

Wow this guy needs to quit! First he took down Gallagher, then his rantics cost Thompson and now Huckabee! Why did Huckabee make such a stupid move? This guy brings nothing to the table except dumbfounded statements and pissed off Democratic Voters, who are looking to shut him up.

Who is next Brett Doster?

He studied the candidates before his endorsement, so it can't be any change in their positions, except polling positions, which shouldn't matter to a man of principle. Stemberger is a crass opportunist to abandon Fred at this stage.
Fred might be better off without him.

[coloredopinions]

Thompson can't win the nomination, he can only help other candidates get rid of Huckabee. I don't see anything positive in that.

His is running Huckabee's new coalition: "Nut Jobs for a better tomorrow"

[Gene Smith]

Here's what Stemberger was saying about Thompson in July:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/07/25/thompson_gains_among_social_conservatives/

"There's a consensus developing around him that's pretty clear and pretty profound," said John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, an Orlando-based conservative group. "I've never seen anything like it in 25 years in politics."

I guess the new consensus is Fred can't win. That is a REAL class act.

Stemberger is a phony conservative if he is moving from Thompson to Huckabee. This crap about wanting to be with a "winner" only works if you are willing to throw out your principles for politics and political favors. Thompson makes Huckabee look bad because Thompson is a true conservative - Huckabee, as the others fall far short.

[Paul D. Harvill]

Greetings, John!

Long time since we last spoke.

Paul

Dirtbag trial lawyer. Stemberger will do for Huckster what he did for Gallagher. The biggest surprise is that he didn't support Romney since he's Tom Gallagher without the diseases.

Don't you people get it?

The only "issue" Bible-Thumping hypocrites like Stermberger care about is abortion. The more you are against it and posture in public about it, the more he likes you. THAT'S how they define "conservative".

Hooray for Stermberger and men like him who have the integrity to pursue the real issues and not just succumb to the hype and hysteria of rumor mongers! If conservative values still mean anything in the Republican party, then Mike Huckabee is the ONLY one who has never waivered on moral values for political expediency!! He does not passively say he is pro life; but boldly advocates a PRO LIFE AMENDMENT, and a MARRIAGE AMENDMENT! The others hide behind "states rights"! Romney and McCain both have been double minded on pro life and both have even courted homosexual votes ! Go back and read where they were in the PREVIOUS elections!
As for Thompson- twice (!) he supported candidates running agaist Reagan and lobbied for abortionists! Now it is politically expedient for him to cry Reagan, Reagan, Reagan! By the way- HUCKABEE supported Reagan both times!
Thank you for not approaching this crucial election like a juvenile choosing a football team and waiving his pennant- do or die! Too much is a stake!Thank you for charting a course that is best for America!
Huckabee is the best leader to help us gain respect, leadership, and find our moral compass once more- this is what Reagan did and what Huckabee is already doing!!