Gov Mike Huckabee Appears In OKC

[Mike Wooldridge]

Gov. Huckabee (http://ziglarcenter.com/peer-learning-network-presents) will appear Thursday, April 29, sponsored by Zig Ziglar Center for Ethical Leadership at Southern Nazarene University.
More information about the Peer Learning Network is available HERE (http://ziglarcenter.com/pln).

[Mike Wooldridge]

How do you feel about a denominational University organization sponsoring an appearance by such a high profile politician?

[Ryan Scott]

How do you feel about a University organization sponsoring an appearance by such a high profile politician?

He's not a politician anymore and he's an awful nice guy.

[Mike Wooldridge]

He's not a politician anymore....
Really? THIS (http://huckpac.com/) looks pretty political to me.

[Ryan Scott]

Maybe things will change, but as far as I can tell Huckabee made a decision between his integrity and his chances of being elected. I have great respect for that, despite my differences with him on some issues of policy.

[Ryan Scott]

That being said, I don't really have a problem with a university inviting anyone to speak, so long as they feel this person will be a positive influence towards the educational ends of the institution. I hope a university would be the last place to bar someone based on the substance of their opinions (the presentation of those opinions, maybe).

[Mike Wooldridge]

Don't get me wrong, Ryan. I have no problem with someone whose occupation is "politician" speaking at or sponsored by the University. The then-Governor of Oklahoma, David Boren, spoke at my college graduation. I just wanted to get opinions, including does the University need to have a speaker from "the Left" to balance things out.

[Ryan Scott]

The event's not even on campus and its SNU; I doubt they'll have much problem with Huckabee. The Zig Ziglar Center for Ethical Leadership isn't exactly known for its bipartisanship anyway.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Don't get me wrong, Ryan. I have no problem with someone whose occupation is "politician" speaking at or sponsored by the University. The then-Governor of Oklahoma, David Boren, spoke at my college graduation. I just wanted to get opinions, including does the University need to have a speaker from "the Left" to balance things out.

To some of our friends, Huckabee IS "the left"!

[Jim Chabot]

Really? THIS (http://huckpac.com/) looks pretty political to me.

Oh he is still running, no doubt in my mind, but he is still a nice guy.

I have no problem with his speaking as a politician, but isn't he a "Calvinist"?:smilies0295:

[John Kennedy]

He's not a politician anymore and he's an awful nice guy.

He's undoubtedly an awful nice guy, but there's no such thing as an ex politiician (on either side of the aisle).

[Jim Poteet]

The event's not even on campus and its SNU; I doubt they'll have much problem with Huckabee. The Zig Ziglar Center for Ethical Leadership isn't exactly known for its bipartisanship anyway.

You are not totally correct. He is speaking in chapel on the campus before the downtown event.

[Ryan Scott]

You are not totally correct. He is speaking in chapel on the campus before the downtown event.

That wasn't listed on the website. Either way, I suspect the issues will come only if the content of his speaking is inappropriate for the venue. He's a preacher, so I hope he preaches in chapel.

[David Pettigrew]

One of the advantages of living in a small state like Arkansas was that you actually got to know your elected officials face-to-face, which made them more accountable. Though I never met him while I was there, I did meet his wife and several of his staff, one of which I had the privilege to pastor. I don't agree with Gov. Huckabee on much, but I have tremendous respect for him.

[Ryan Scott]

One of the advantages of living in a small state like Arkansas was that you actually got to know your elected officials face-to-face, which made them more accountable. Though I never met him while I was there, I did meet his wife and several of his staff, one of which I had the privilege to pastor. I don't agree with Gov. Huckabee on much, but I have tremendous respect for him.

Only a Texan says Arkansas is a "small state." AR is 29th in area and 33rd in population. Clearly a medium sized state. And as someone who drive the entire length from north to south last weekend, I can attest it is not "small."

[Jim Franklin]

Hey, Ryan, try driving Idaho from north to south, it will take you all the way from the Canadian border to Nevada. I predict that if Huckabee ever gets the nomination or is ever named the running mate by the nominee that the SAMOPO will refer to him as the "Huckster" and that will be against his political success.

For those new to this forum SAMOPO is my own term for the liberal press and stands for the Self Annointed Manipulators Of Public Opinion.

[George Wallace]

Don't get me wrong, Ryan. I have no problem with someone whose occupation is "politician" speaking at or sponsored by the University. The then-Governor of Oklahoma, David Boren, spoke at my college graduation. I just wanted to get opinions, including does the University need to have a speaker from "the Left" to balance things out.

You mean something like maybe when Mid-America or PLNU had McLaren speak it would have been nice if they'd someone more to the "Right" of center speak to balance that out? :smilies1404:

[Ryan Scott]

You mean something like maybe when Mid-America or PLNU had McLaren speak it would have been nice if they'd someone more to the "Right" of center speak to balance that out?

Well, for MidAmerica, at least, its called Chapel and happens at least twice a week.

[George Wallace]

Well, for MidAmerica, at least, its called Chapel and happens at least twice a week.
Talking about his lectures from 05-06?(06 I think but not sure) and Deep Shift tour 08? Something similar to this Huckabee speaking engagement. Not Chapel.

[Ryan Scott]

Talking about his lectures from 05-06?(06 I think but not sure) and Deep Shift tour 08? Something similar to this Huckabee speaking engagement. Not Chapel.

No, I was simply saying that MidAmerica hosts an "alternative" perspective several times a week.

[John F Martin]

The event's not even on campus and its SNU; I doubt they'll have much problem with Huckabee. The Zig Ziglar Center for Ethical Leadership isn't exactly known for its bipartisanship anyway.

Ryan, Ryan,

I worked in the SNU Advancement office and was in the discussion with a very small group of people when the Ziglar Center was first conceptualized. From that time until now, the Ziglar Center has NEVER taken a political stance on anything. You are right, it's not known for bipartisanship because it is not known for partisanship either!

It may be helpful to know that the Huckabee event (which I did attend) was the recap of last school year's speaker line-up of the Peer Learning Network (PLN). PLN is an SNU-assembled group of corporate partners who subscribe to a year-long series of executive education. The final one of the year is held downtown, involves a bigger-name speaker, and draws a larger crowd. Huckabee was scheduled, in part, because it was perceived he would be easier and more affordable to book now (perhaps) rather than later. He handled his lunch-time comments very professionally and said nothing overly political nor inflammatory.

There was no known criticism from the local media for his appearance in town, so you may accurately gather that after spending 19 years working in Christian higher education, no I do not have a problem with it. Likewise, I would not have a problem with PLNU if they brought someone in to speak from the other side of the aisle (which I think they actually have before) -- so long as the speaker is appropriate and behaves him/herself with their comments.

[Billy Cox]

Only a Texan says Arkansas is a "small state." AR is 29th in area and 33rd in population. Clearly a medium sized state. And as someone who drive the entire length from north to south last weekend, I can attest it is not "small."

Driving the length of Arkansas (on winding roads) is probably the same as driving a straight shot from Houston to Amarillo.

[Jim Franklin]

Mike, I was on the BNC faculty when David Boren first became governor and at that commencement I was greeting him standing next to Dr. James Garner and was highly impressed with the spiritual centeredness of his address. I said to Dr. Garner while shaking the governor's hand "for a Governor he makes a pretty good preacher," to which they both got a chuckle. Both Boren and Huckabee are from the Baptist persuasion and should fit fairly well into a chapel or conducting a seminar on a Christian college campus.

When I attended NNC in the 50s we always had campaigning politicians speak their piece in what I remember as "open forum chapels." I remember that President Riley gave the invocation at an openly campaign appearance by VP Richard Nixon at Lakeview Park band shell in 1956. It is only normal for campaigners to try to touch as many of their constituent bases as they can including the evangerlicals.