Looking Forward: Huckabee

We had a great run, but Governor Huckabee came up short this time around. Hearty congratulations to Senator McCain on his all-but-sealed nomination.

But what about our guy Huckabee? There's been plenty written about what he should or might do next, mostly from the same prognosticators who have been spectacularly wrong throughout this season. Maybe i'm in that same boat, the SS Clueless, but here are my thoughts. It depends on whether Governor Huckabee would like to be POTUS at some point in the future. As early as 2012 or beyond.

If he wants to be president, Governor Huckabee should continue burnishing his foreign policy credentials and his federal economic skills. Accepting the VP slot with McCain would be the ideal spot (i don't buy the argument from some ardent Huckabee supporters to stay away from the McCain ticket, on the presumption that he is a sure loser - he's not). Accepting a cabinet position, unless it's the obviously unlikely Secretary of State position, would not be a good move. Being the Secretary of Health & Human Services, for example, is not a stepping-stone to the Oval Office, and would only serve to keep the Governor pigeon-holed.

Here's an off-the-wall suggestion. Take a high-level, visible position at a conservative think-tank like the Heritage Foundation or the American Enterprise Institute. Perhaps Newt Gingrich's American Solutions outfit. And not to focus solely or even primarily on traditional religious-right causes and issues. But to apply the principles of conservative governing to all the issues dear to the Governor. Fair taxation, whole-brained education, health, valuing of life, stewardship of the earth, and so forth. This would solidify his conservative credentials, especially in the eyes of skeptics, and would also serve to allay the unfounded fears that Huckabee was nothing more than Pat Robertson redux.

If the presidential aspirations are over, there are many more options. Huckabee could have a stellar career as a talk-show host, either on radio or tv. It would be delicious irony if he could unseat some of the goobers that railed against him on a daily basis, with no basis.

Or, even better imo, Huckabee could start a think-tank (can you tell that i like think-tanks?) with a special focus on the broadening evangelical environment. It wouldn't have to be much different than my suggestion above, with a key difference that this enterprise could be overtly "religious" in orientation. Perhaps join forces with Chuck Colson's Wilberforce Forum.

Whatever he does, i will remain a supporter.