Mike Huckabee criticized Barack and Michelle Obama for letting their daughters listen to Beyoncé in a recent interview about his forthcoming book, "God, Guns, Grits and Gravy."
The former Arkansas governor
told People magazine that the Obamas "are excellent and exemplary parents in many ways," but doesn't understand why they allow Sasha and Malia to listen to the hypersexual stylings of Queen Bey.
"I don't understand how on one hand they can be such doting parents and so careful about the intake of everything – how much broccoli they eat and where they go to school and making sure they're kind of sheltered and shielded from so many things – and yet they don't see anything that might not be suitable for either a preteen or a teen in some of the lyrical content and choreography of Beyoncé, who has sort of a regular key to the door" of the White House.
His comments echoed those inked in his book, where he praised Beyoncé's "exceptional set of pipes" but condemned her song lyrics, calling them "obnoxious and toxic mental poison." Furthermore, he said her dance moves were "best left for the privacy of her bedroom."
In the book he also questions her husband, rapper Jay-Z, wondering if he is guilty of "exploiting his wife" like a "pimp." Indeed, Jay-Z was made famous in part by his massive hit single, "Big Pimpin,'" released in 2000, whose lyrics are exceedingly explicit and degrading to women.
The Obamas are friends of the musical superstars, and Beyoncé has been to the White House several times, including for Mrs. Obama's 50th birthday bash last year, as well as the president's second Inauguration in 2013.
Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, also criticizes pop singers Miley Cyrus and Rihanna for the same over-the-top displays of sexuality. He called Cyrus' famous awards-show twerking "a disgustingly pornographic performance" and said of Rihanna's clothes, "I've seen dusty pickup truck windshields that were less see-through."
Not to be labeled a prude, Huckabee said he was a big fan of actress Jennifer Lawrence, and counts "Dallas Buyers Club" among his favorite films. He also doesn't believe in government censorship, and said students attending Arkansas schools continue to have both music and art classes — something he wholly supports as an advocate of the arts. He even dips his toe into reality TV occasionally, saying he's a fan of TLC's "19 Kids & Counting."
Huckabee ended his Fox News show earlier this month to explore a possible presidential run. His new book, "Gods, Guns, Grits and Gravy," hits shelves Jan. 20.
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