Exclusive: Mike Huckabee Speaks Out on Natalie Portman Slam
Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Mike Huckabee became Hollywood news on Thursday night, when the former Arkansas governor and former Presidential hopeful aimed his fire at Oscar winner and mom-to-be Natalie Portman.
During a radio interview, Huckabee, 55, complained that the actress, 29, was setting a bad example by having her first child out of wedlock. (She is engaged to the baby's dad, dancer and Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied.)
"I think it gives a distorted image," he said. "It's unfortunate that we glorify and glamorize the idea of out-of- wedlock children."
PHOTOS: Natalie's romantic history
Unlike movie star Portman, he argued, "Most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can't get a job, and if it weren't for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death and never have health care."
In the wake of the unexpected debate, Huckabee spoke to UsMagazine.com exclusively about the fracas.
PHOTOS: Natalie and her beau celebrate her Oscar triumph
"These people should read my book and they would know what I said instead of what some left-wing partisans are attempting to put forth," the politician tells Us. " I do appreciate the attention to the book as it is sparking interest in it dramatically."
UPDATE: On Friday afternoon, Huckabee commented further on his blog: "Natalie is an extraordinary actor, very deserving of her recent Oscar and I am glad she will marry her baby's father. However, contrary to what the Hollywood media reported, I did not 'slam' or 'attack' Natalie Portman, nor did I criticize the hardworking single mothers in our country."
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84LMAO! NATALIA EMERSON...ER NURSE?? WHAT A JOKE. YOU BARELY PASSED THROUGH EVEREST COLLEGE AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT!IT DOESN'T HELP BEING DRUNK ALL THE TIME, "TAKING" CARE OF YOUR SON, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL IT. I SEE THAT YOU ARE STILL A LYING DRUNK! LMAO!! STOP LYING TO STRANGERS IDIOT. AND YOU LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS...WHO SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR SON
P.S. YOU LIVE WITH YUOR PARENTS
LMAO! NATALIA EMERSON...ER NURSE?? WHAT A JOKE. YOU BARELY PASSED THROUGH EVEREST COLLEGE AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT!IT DOESN'T HELP BEING DRUNK ALL THE TIME, "TAKING" CARE OF YOUR SON, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL IT. I SEE THAT YOU ARE STILL A LYING DRUNK! LMAO!! STOP LYING TO STRANGERS IDIOT
LMAO! NATALIA EMERSON...ER NURSE?? WHAT A JOKE. YOU BARELY PASSED THROUGH EVEREST COLLEGE AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT!IT DOESN'T HELP BEING DRUNK ALL THE TIME, "TAKING" CARE OF YOUR SON, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL IT. I SEE THAT YOU ARE STILL A LYING DRUNK! LMAO!! STOP LYING TO STRANGERS IDIOT
I had no idea Mike Huckabee was so outspoken about situations which are totally private: i.e. Natalie's pregnancy and engagement. He has angered many of us and I know he has lost votes among Independents. I hate when politicians sell their souls to run for office. I had some respect for Huckabee as a minister and a seemingly moderate person. What does the R wing party want babies or abortions...can have both. Praise God she is having her baby and shame on Mike Huckabee for attacking Natalie in her hour of triumph...something he will never see if he is going for POTUS.
I agree with Huckabee and that is not up for a debate. Period!
@ Heather Gough Delp: Well, at least they feel shame for what they did, rather than acting shameless like Portman.
And, Leslie, the saying is "when you ASSUME you make an A$$ of U and ME."
Natalie Portman is not "glamorizing" her situation; she is simply living her life openly and honestly. I have much more respect for someone who lives an honest life than a hypocrite who preaches and points fingers at other people while they secretly cheat on their wives, are addicted to pain killers (Rush, are you listening?), and/or buy prostitutes. Most of these preachy, judgemental Republicans turn out to have secret lives that go against everything they preach against.
Colleen- I MORE than take care of my Son.=) Your anger makes me laugh.
Colleen how do you know that is HER baby? It could very well be her GRANDCHILD in which case she would not be taking care of it the mother would. Or it could be her NIECE or NEPHEW as well. Remember that when you ASSUME you make an A$$ out of yourself!
You can't win the election on morals. You need to be a draft-dodging, union-bought, silver-tongued, non-natural born citizen without a real platform. Those are the "qualities" that the bleeeding heart liberals look for.
Jay Ken was correct. Having read the Huckabee's entire comment, I see where he commented positively about Portman's deserving of the Oscar. You lefty pre-born baby exterminating liberals hate all conservatives.
Kim, why don't you hop off the Us Weekly website and go take care of that baby in your profile pic? You've already made yourself look like Brainless Conservative Sheep of the Year, and apparently babies are soooooo important to you - you might want to stop preaching to others and go spend time with that kid lest they grow up to - HORROR of HORRORS - grow up to believe that people are entitled to make their own choices. I know you don't want that, so...
Mike Huckbee has no right to judge he is the former Arkansas governor that pardoned a career criminal that eventually murdered several police officers after his pardon. So Mike before you judge maybe you should look at yourself in the mirror first.
It seems he only chose to berate Natalie Portman because she was an oscar winner. Above anything else it is none of his business about someone else's personal life electronics
Kimberlie Morris - What Natalie Portman, a private citizen, decides to do in her private life is NONE of Mike Huckabees business! If Huckabee feels he needs to badly give advice - he should go give advice to his work colleague (over at Fox) - Sarah Palin, and her teenage daugter, Bristol Palin!
What a ridiculous man Mike Huckabee is. Instead of picking out Natalie Portman, who has avoided the scandal spotlight her entire career, he should be slamming the girls on Teen Mom, etc because they are the ones who have a bigger influence on their underaged peers with their out of wedlock children. Really Mike Huckabee, get with the program, man!
Mike Huckabee is a weasel, and a joke! Mike Huckabee is NOT Presidential material! First this man insults Natalie Portman about her decision to have her baby, and become a single mother. Then a day later when the heat gets a little hot for him in the press - he comes out and tries to backtrack from what he said! So what is it that Mike Huckabee really think!? Does he even know? Doubtful!
I think this article is ridiculous! How is Natalie setting a bad example she waited to have a baby when she was 29 YEARS OLD!!! She has been dating her boyfriend for a year and they're engaged to be married!!!!! If you want to quote bad examples then use Britney spears sister Jamie Lynn or Beyonce's sister who had a baby when she was 17 then rushed to get married, not a successful woman like Natalie Portman!