Mike Huckabee publicly criticised for Duggar affiliation; GOP presidential bet brushes off accuser: 'You're done'

Jim Bob Duggar (2nd from left), his wife Michelle (3rd from left) and their children pose with Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (4th from left) and his wife Janet (4th from right) in an undated photo posted on the Duggar family's official Facebook page. (Facebook/Duggar Family Official)

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee lost his cool during his visit to Clinton, Iowa after a woman accused him of condoning child abuse with his support of the Duggar family from the cancelled reality TV show "19 Kids and Counting."

Things started out peacefully enough when the woman asked Huckabee what he thought of child abuse.

Huckabee answered that it is an "abominable practice to abuse a child," adding that abortion is the worst kind of child abuse simply because it is "irreversible."

Not content with his answer, the unidentified woman countered that Huckabee inadvertently supported child abuse when he continued showing sympathies to the Duggar family even after it was revealed that their eldest son Josh molested four underage girls when he was just a teenager, including his younger sisters Jill and Jessa.

Huckabee was visibly upset by her accusation and admitted that her words "hurt my feelings." He then went on to say that Josh's victims were "maliciously and savagely abused," and explained that he was sympathetic towards the family because they were going through a difficult time.

"You have no idea what you're talking about. You don't know that family. I've known them since they were babies and you don't!" he even snapped, before telling her to "stop talking about them (Duggars) unless you personally know them!"

Seeing that he is getting nowhere with the woman who was intent on believing that he is a child abuse supporter, Huckabee tried to proceed with his talk and told the woman off: "You're done."

In turn, the woman fumed at Huckabee and called him a hypocrite. She added that she would never support someone who supports a family who covers up something as horrible as child abuse.

related articles
Mike Huckabee slams \'vindictive\' lawsuit filed by \'Eye of the Tiger\' co-writer
Mike Huckabee slams 'vindictive' lawsuit filed by 'Eye of the Tiger' co-writer

Mike Huckabee slams 'vindictive' lawsuit filed by 'Eye of the Tiger' co-writer

Mike Huckabee praises \'God\'s Not Dead 2,\' calls it a \'wake-up call\' for Americans
Mike Huckabee praises 'God's Not Dead 2,' calls it a 'wake-up call' for Americans

Mike Huckabee praises 'God's Not Dead 2,' calls it a 'wake-up call' for Americans

Mike Huckabee tells Obama: \'Radical Islamic terrorism is a much greater threat than a sunburn\'
Mike Huckabee tells Obama: 'Radical Islamic terrorism is a much greater threat than a sunburn'

Mike Huckabee tells Obama: 'Radical Islamic terrorism is a much greater threat than a sunburn'

Mike Huckabee clarifies: \'I supported the Duggar parents, not their eldest son Josh\' who did \'despicable\' acts
Mike Huckabee clarifies: 'I supported the Duggar parents, not their eldest son Josh' who did 'despicable' acts

Mike Huckabee clarifies: 'I supported the Duggar parents, not their eldest son Josh' who did 'despicable' acts

GOP presidential bet Mike Huckabee bitter at evangelical leaders for not backing him
GOP presidential bet Mike Huckabee bitter at evangelical leaders for not backing him

GOP presidential bet Mike Huckabee bitter at evangelical leaders for not backing him

News
Danny Kruger: Britain should be 'confidently Christian'
Danny Kruger: Britain should be 'confidently Christian'

Reform MP Danny Kruger has spoken of the need for Britain to once more assert itself as a  country with a long and rich Christian Heritage.

400 girls 'missing' thanks to sex-selective abortions
400 girls 'missing' thanks to sex-selective abortions

Sex selective abortions appear to be taking place within the Indian community, data suggests.

Community pantries mark a million visits as new research highlights impact on food insecurity
Community pantries mark a million visits as new research highlights impact on food insecurity

Community pantries across the UK have recorded their one millionth visit, as new research suggests the membership-based food model is helping thousands of households reduce food insecurity, cut costs and prevent them from falling into extreme hardship.

Christmas was a mix of joy and hostility for Christians in India
Christmas was a mix of joy and hostility for Christians in India

India has witnessed a blend of joyful Christmas celebrations in many parts of the country, alongside reports of hate, hostility, and attacks on Christians this season, particularly in northern and central regions.