Huckabee Says Let S.C. Decide on Flag
By LIBBY QUAID – 2 hours ago
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Republican Mike Huckabee said the government should stay out of disputes over the Confederate flag in South Carolina. "You don't like people from outside the state coming in and telling you what to do with your flag," Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, told supporters Thursday in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"In fact, if somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole, that's what we'd do," Huckabee said.
He did not say whether he considers it offensive to fly the flag, a symbol of racism to some and Southern pride to others, saying only that the matter should be up to the states. That was the position of his rival John McCain when he ran for president in 2000; after losing, McCain said he had not been honest about his feelings and that the flag should go.
Ironically, Huckabee is barnstorming South Carolina with former Gov. David Beasley, who angered conservative Republicans by calling for the flag's removal. Today, the flag is displayed elsewhere on the state Capitol grounds.
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