Huckabee Is Toast

First, allow me to offer my prayers for the four police officers who were shot and killed this past Sunday, their families, friends and communities. Secondly, I would like to offer my prayers for the man who killed them, as various reports indicate he may be dead or wounded.

At the risk of being callous, I’d like to comment on the political ramifications of the murderer and his actions. First, this incident pretty much sets Governor Mike Huckabee out of any presidential run. The accused murderer is the second known?person Huckabee released as Arkansas governor who has committed a heinous crime afterwards. Too, Huckabee’s released statement makes no mention of his involvement in the man’s release.

Secondly,?this may be a huge boost for?Governor Sarah Palin’s?presidential nomination chances?in 2012.?I do not support her for any election races, but even if I did the numbers have always been against her. The simple fact is that she and Huckabee would have split the evangelical votes, and this would have left both of them politically weak with their strongest base of supporters. It was my hope that this would happen, as I do not support Huckabee, either, for president in 2012. Unfortunately,?I expect?Huckabee to be?a non-factor after the shootings, and this could very well clear the path for a strong evangelical showing for Palin. Since evangelicals and arch-conservatives are a huge part of the base for Republicans right now, this could very well give her the nomination. This would be terrible, for both the party and the country.

Updates: Huckabee has admitted fault. Also, Maurice Clemmons, the shooter, is dead.