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DEL.ICIO.USOf fried squirrel and Huckabee’s Southern strategy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before addressing a crowd of anti-abortion supporters, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee swept through the state Capitol on Tuesday, trying to gather up Republican lawmakers who had been pledged to the sinking presidential campaign of Fred Thompson.
Huckabee quickly had private visits with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Karen Handel, and Gov. Sonny Perdue. But his most important time may have been 15 minutes with a couple dozen lawmakers, many of whom had been Thompson fans. Significantly, Senate Rules Chairman Don Balfour was in the crowd.
In that meeting, Huckabee outlined what is essentially a Southern strategy for the Feb. 5, Super Tuesday primaries. While not conceding Florida, he essentially implied that he planned to scoop up the Southern states that Mitt Romney and John McCain might overlook in their race for the biggest prizes.
This is exactly what Huckabee said:
“Frankly, we believe Georgia is a critical state for us in that there are more delegates in Georgia than there are in Florida. Florida got penalized pretty heavily due to the fact that their moving their primary up.
“While that’s an important place for us and we’ll be there tonight, and tomorrow and we’ll be there Thursday — we’ll be there a lot — we also know that these Southern states on Feb. 5 — Georgia and Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma — are all going to be critical, critical states.”
Huckabee said he had no special knowledge, but that the end of Thompson’s campaign was a certainty.
He said:
“It certainly will make a big change in the landscape for us. We know a lot of the people in the South are in midst of deciding what two Southerners they’ll be with. I hope now we’ll be able to solidify a lot of support….”
As we suggested he might, Huckabee also talked a good bit about small business:
”This country is looking for people who have an authenticity about what they believe, a clarity about it. Not reticent to speak firmly about issues like the sanctity of human life, the role of traditional marriage, the importance of the second amendment, the fact that we need lower, not higher taxes.
“We face some real challenges economically. I’m personally one who believes that it’s high time for the government to change its overall tax structure. To me getting rid of the IRS and moving to the Fair Tax makes a lot more sense. It’s the greatest economic recovery package that we could ultimately have. Right now, we have a system that makes it real tough, particularly for small business owners, to succeed. Our party used to be a party that really fought for small business. And we’re going to lose — not just elections — but we’re going to lose a broad base of our support if we don’t [show] that we understand that that’s where 80 percent of new jobs are ultimately created.”
But Huckabee didn’t leave out that taste of populism he’s become noted for:
“I represent that part of the Republican party that’s maybe been overlooked. We don’t necessarily have our roots deep into wall street, but we do have them deep into Main Street….”
Two additional notes: If they backed him, Huckabee — who identified himself as a Razorback — said he might be willing to sing the University of Georgia fight song.
The topic of grits came up, as it usually does in these situations. And that segued into a Huckabee tale of his cooking experiences in college — where hot plates were barred but popcorn poppers permitted.
“In my dorm, we figured out that we didn’t care that much for popcorn, but we would go hunting and fry squirrel in the popcorn popper,” Huckabee said. The former governor said his culinary tastes have improved.
Huckabee also was on the Neal Boortz show (WSB AM750) this morning. We’ll post some of the sound as soon as we can process it.
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Comments
By Dan
January 22, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Huckabee was actually a graduate of Quitchita Baptist University.
By Mark
January 22, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Gov. Huckabee is the only candidate that is talking about real issues.
http://www.mikehuckabee.com
Go Mike GO!!!!
By Nora Sue
January 22, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
I sure hope he’s the GOP nominee. What a buffoon.
By Copyleft
January 22, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Since Huckabee has no respect for the Constitution, I don’t see how he can swear to uphold and defend it.
By Prophetess Kelley P
January 22, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
This is getting pretty exciting!!!!!
Mike Huckabee is going to make a great Prophident! To think, only a few short months ago we were all wondering who on earth has the credentials to replace the great Prophident Bush, and where do we find him. Well folks, we have our savior.
Speaking of popcorn squirrel, Huck also has a fun story about his son David. Hope he tells the heartwarming story of how David as a paid Boy Scout employee helped out that poor dog during a camp out when he gets here. It will bring a tear to your eye.
Its good to see Huckabee is a defender of our second amendment rights. His passion on this issue also comes from his son David. David was denied his second amendment rights when he tried to board a flight with a loaded handgun in his carry on. A person should have the right to carry a gun on a plane to protect themselves. 9-11 would never have happened.
Its good to see family values and God back in play this election!
Spirituous
By Churchill
January 22, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Huckabee is a lib.
By Dusty
January 22, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Hmmmmmm
I think liberals have been eating a lot of fried squirrel. They seem to have a great affinity for “nuts”.
By Reagan Conservative
January 22, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Tax Hike Mike Huckabee is a RINO and liar.
He made Judicial Watch’s list of the top ten most corrupt politicians in 2007. Isn’t he supposed to be a preacher?
http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/33391ddb-ed1f-4bc3-9d19-cdca6181d5d4
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
An Open Letter From An Arkansas Evangelical
Posted by: Hugh Hewitt at 5:41 PM
In the in-box:
A Plea from Arkansas: Christian Conservatives Need to Take a Closer Look at Mike Huckabee’s Record as Governor
by David Thompson
By Reagan Conservative
January 22, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
I thought it was a cat Huck’s son David hung not a dog.
By reagan conservative
January 22, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
It was a dog that Huck’s son hung and mutilated: http://www.utopiarescue.com/oldsite/stopanimaltorture.htm
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/04/27/news/042707arhucksonarrest.txt
By David Anderson
January 22, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Why is it that the anti-Huckabee comments always seem to have a juvenile tone, poor spelling, and faulty logic?
By Greg Brown
January 22, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Mike Huckabee has a chance. He will win Georgia and possible Florida. Thompson just dropped out.
I LIKE MIKE!
By Nancy
January 22, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
If Huckabee is a liberal, then who is the conservative in this race. Filp Flop Mitt who will do anything pay anybody to win. Rudy who is just right of Hillary, or Ted Kenndy’s best friend John, or maybe we are talking about the crazy guy Ron. No I like Mike is the most Conservative of all.
By Mike in Monticello
January 22, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
GO MIKE GO! Huckabee is a true conservative, he is pro-gun, pro-life, lowered the tax burden of Arkansas citizens and cares about the middle class.
Maybe he doesn’t fit what a conservative should be according to Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity but who are they to tell us who is a conservative and who is not? Huckabee is like every day Americans and I can identify with that.
Huckabee will be good for America!
By Petee
January 22, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
If Mike were a believing Jew would we see so much trash being dumped on him. I think not. It sounds like much of the trash-talking about Governor Mike Huckabee (who served 2 terms plus) is based on the fact that he’s a Christian who isn’t willing to sell out his beliefs to please the secular-liberal agenda. To demonize anyone - especially someone like Mike Huckabee - is sick.
By teri moats
January 22, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Mike’s contributions are from American citizens, not banks (like Mitt’s) so he cannot afford to run smear adds and he doesn’t even have the money to rebuttle all of the lies that Mitt Romney has spread. He’s forced to tell the truth, because that’s all we citizen’s can afford. Now that Fred’s dropped out, Mike will pull the southern states and win the nomination.
Go, Huck, Go!
By Jon
January 22, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Since most experts agree that real change in the economy is not going to be a quick fix, getting rid of the IRS certainly wouldn’t hurt. I hope that Mike continues to drive his message on as Ronald Reagan did for so many years. Just as many people are quick to point out what is wrong with America, so they are with Governor Huckabee. He may be down but he’s not out.
By Churchill
January 22, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Huckaphony is a lib. We might as well vote democrat.
By GeezGuys
January 22, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
All the trash-talking about Huckabee is because he wants the Constitution amended to reflect his idea of what God wants. It may be “not selling out to the secular-liberal” in some people’s heads; the rest of the world uses the proper terminology, “wacko”.
By Copyleft
January 22, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Good idea, Churchill—-since a liberal President is the only hope America has to repair the damage Bush has done.
By Churchill
January 22, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Bush may not be the best, but a bunch of lib policies would be far worse. We need a conservative in the White House. Bush, in my opinion is not a conservative. Regan was a conservative.
By Justin
January 22, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
On the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling, Norma McCorvey (a.k.a. “Jane Roe,” who later changed her views on abortion in the mid-90s) gave RON PAUL her official endorsement today.
“I support Ron Paul for president because we share the same goal, that of overturning Roe v. Wade. He has never wavered on the issue of being pro-life and has a voting record to prove it. He understands the importance of civil liberties for all, including the unborn,” she said at a press conference in Washington this morning.
Ron Paul accepted the pro-life activist’s endorsement, saying of abortion: “It is still one of the most crucial issues of our day that we deal with this. As much as I talk about economic liberties, and civil liberties, and trying to avoid the killing overseas, I think the issue of life is paramount.”
By J.E.S.
January 22, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
www.TaxHikeMike.com
www.HuckabeeExposed.com
By Churchill
January 22, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Ru Paul is an isolationistic boob. Ru Paul is the Mike Gravel of the Republican party. Ru Paul will not win the nomination. Ru Paul is to the left of Hillary on the war. Ru Paul wants the US to lose the war in Iraq.
By John Shrader
January 22, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
I am so disappointed to hear of “Roe’s” choosing to endorse Paul. He does not support a human life amendment (which has been a part of the Repub. platform for decades!), whereas Huckabee does. Huckabee is the strongest candidate for the unborn, and his record supports it. I trust people will look at the facts and the record before letting others influence their decision of who to support. All the derogatory remarks regarding a Governor who was named one of the five best in the Nation shows the utter lack of actual research people have done on this candidate. If you swallow the half-truths and misrepresentations then you will be swayed. Take the time, look at the facts, learn the truth.
Other than a human life ammendment and a covenant marriage ammendment, how did the “pastor” force his beliefs on the people of Arkansas? Answer me that? Come on people, let’s deal with cold hard facts, and not twisting them either. Fact, there was almost NO difference in the tax burden on the people after 10 and a half years as Governor! http://rightsmart.blogspot.com/2007/11/truthing-about-taxes-and-huckabee.html
By John Shrader
January 22, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
I am so disappointed to hear of “Roe’s” choosing to endorse Paul. He does not support a human life amendment (which has been a part of the Repub. platform for decades!), whereas Huckabee does. Huckabee is the strongest candidate for the unborn, and his record supports it. I trust people will look at the facts and the record before letting others influence their decision of who to support. All the derogatory remarks regarding a Governor who was named one of the five best in the Nation shows the utter lack of actual research people have done on this candidate. If you swallow the half-truths and misrepresentations then you will be swayed. Take the time, look at the facts, learn the truth.
Other than a human life ammendment and a covenant marriage ammendment, how did the “pastor” force his beliefs on the people of Arkansas? Answer me that? Come on people, let’s deal with cold hard facts, and not twisting them either. Fact, there was almost NO difference in the tax burden on the people after 10 and a half years as Governor! Google “Truthing about taxes and Huckabee”
By John Strader
January 22, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
I was just kidding. Huckabee is a terrible choice for a conservative voter.
By Terrence
January 22, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
From a Huck Supporter to all you FredHeads
I think I understand a little of what you are feeling tonight. When your guy knocked the wind out of our guy’s sails in South Carolina, it really hurt.
You folks have patriotism, heart, faith, and strength. I’m looking at a tough road ahead for my candidate. Money is tight and there are a lot of states to go. We could sure use some of your zeal now. Will you please consider the following:
If Mike Huckabee was half as bad as Mitt Romney made him out to be in his multi-million dollar ad campaign, the Huck would be running from lighted torches by now.
Mike Huckabee was re-elected twice as governor of Arkansas. The people there did not think of Huckabee as a liberal, a liar, or anything other than a guy doing a good job.
Yes, he raised a few taxes and used the money to take Arkansas schools from the bottom of the list to the top, and to make their roads the best in the country. However, he cut many more taxes and the tax rate for any given citizen did not go up in the eleven years Huckabee governed.
Yes, he once promoted a plan to allow the teenage children of illegal aliens who were already in Arkansas high schools to compete with the other kids for scholarships. However, he had nothing to do with John McCain’s amnesty plan, never had sanctuary cities in Arkansas, opposes drivers licenses for illegals, wants to drive illegals out through attrition, and has commited to seal the border and never allow amnesty.
Mike Huckabee is staunchly pro-life and wants to defend the Constitution from activist judges by trying to pass an amendment to protect the God-given rights of unborn babies.
He also wants to eliminate the current tax system, which penalizes productivity (the more you earn the more you pay) and replace it with the FairTax, which rewards saving and investing.
I could go on but I know you are thinking about Fred right now, and I don’t blame you. Just please consider our candidate as you look ahead to November, and thanks.
By Judith Watts
January 22, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Way to go Terrence!
I heard today that Fred Thompson was bowing out of the race for president. I know this must be a great disappointment to you. Please allow me to encourage you to endorse Mike Huckabee. Mike was Governor of Arkansas for 10 1/2 years and LT Governor for 3. He balanced a budget for all 10 years and was voted by Times magazine one of the top 5 governors of America. There was a reason for that. ! When hurricane Katrina hit Governor Huckabee took in thousands of New Orleans people. The whole state of Arkansas opened its arms to these hurting lost people. I know Mike to be a fiscally conservative Republican regardless of the distortions told by the “Club for Growth”, a social conservative in his beliefs, and a man who believes we need to finish what we started in Iraq. Mike wants us to have the best and strongest military so that no one would dare come against us.
I believe in Mike Huckabee and I ask you to endorse him.
By Tony S
January 22, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Huckabee is charged with increasing taxes by a net of $500 million over 10 1/2 years. That is an average of $47,619,048 per year.
This does not take into account that the lion’s share of the increases were actually voted on and approved by the voters of Arkansas or the result of a court order. Also not mentioned is the $800,000,000 surplus Huckabee left when his tenure ended.
By contrast, Romney’s net $325 million over four years comes to $81,250,000. This also does not take into account any surplus he may have left.
For an apples-to-apples analysis, let’s compare the per year tax increases:
“Tax Hike Mike” $47.62 Million “True Conservative Mit” $81.25 Million
So the true conservative raised taxes 58% more per year in less than half the time than the ultra-liberal tax hiking hick. OK, I think I get the logic.
Based on the per year averages, Mitt would have raised taxes by $853.13 Million if he had managed to get re-elected twice as did Mike Huckabee.
The point is, governors, especially Republican governors in Democrat states, as these two men were, face economic challenges that sometimes require tax increases. The difference is that Huckabee brought his education standards from 49th in thenation to number 8 and the condition of his state’s infrastructure to the best in the nation according to Trucker Magazine (the guys who should know). To be fair, Romney did give us the Big Dig.
By Churchill
January 22, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Mike Huckaphony is a lib.
By Frank Thigpen
January 22, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
OH NO
The ron paul trolls are out, telling their lies on the internet. Get off the internet and go vote or isolate yourself like ron paul.
By David Orth
January 22, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Mike Huckabee is the only Republican I will support and vote for. I’ve been a conservative Republican since I’ve been knee high to a grasshopper; but seeing how the Repub establishment and the self appointed radio/tv spokespeople have trashed and distorted Mike’s record and beliefs has totally turned me against the Repub machine. Then to top it off I saw the money machine behind the twisted, distorted comments about Mike’s record. We can only hope that the grassroots voters take it upon themselves to seek out the truth about Mike’s record and go out and pull the lever for Huckabee. He is our only hope against a potential Cinton, Obama disaster. If he does not get the nomination, I will finally vote Constitution Party. I will never hold my nose again like I did for Bob Dole.
By IowaforHuckabee
January 22, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Norma McCorvey does not have a good history of making informed decisions. Her support of Paul may very well be her second biggest example of poor judgement. This voter’s guide is an excellent source for making an informed decision:http://www.melodylane.net/voterguide.jpg
By Churchill
January 22, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Huckaphony is a lib. Why even bother to vote? I will not redefine conservatism for Huckaphony or McClame. Another southern Baptist gov? Do we need to go down this road again?
By Yahweh
January 22, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Mike Huckabee is a man who knows what honor and integrity is about. He has proved it over and over again in his life. It is his faith and trust in God that continues to be his strenght despite the “attacks” of the kool-aid drinkers (thanks Bill) who need to search out the truth for themselves, instead of listening to the liberal, secular media. How about some truth for once. Go Mike!
By Wackolibhack
January 22, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that Mike Huckabee is to the left of most of the republican party on fiscal and immigration issues. I hate Bush.
By Bill Webb
January 22, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
Boy, the long knives are really out for Mike, but people are oblivious of why.
The reason the squirrels are chattering so much is The Fair Tax. The establishment knows that if it is allowed to take hold, their gig is up. It removes all the tools they use to maintain power. I used to naively think that only the left would rail against it, because they could no longer use the tax code for social engineering. This campaign has opened my eyes to the fact that those in power on the right have as much to lose if it is enacted as the left.
They will try to hide behind all manner of other reasons to oppose him, but when you strip it all away this is what you will find at the bottom of it.
Let’s do everything we can to support Mike, and we all will win.
Bill Webb
By kevin
January 23, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
*coming to America 22 years ago, from a communist country was my dream. I love America for the freedom it provides. If you were in my country you can be arrested for some of you who make negative comments about public officials. Do not take your freedom for granted, ladies and gentlemen. I admire america greatly for so many good,generous people, and the best in the world. Period. Allow me to ask the question. How do you choose your presidential candidate? I choose my candidate by answering these questions. How do I see life? what do I value most in life? what is my life metaphor ? life is a dance, party, a circus, a game,… or a test, a trust, a temporary assignment. I see the latter. I believe that the person you choose reflect you. I like Mike Huckabee because he reflects me, the qualities that I am drawn to him. I don’t care who you are.. democrats, repulicans, liberals, whatever you are identified with. These are the qualities: honesty, integrity, industry, persitence, competence, faith, hope, love…that a president needs to guide our great country. I am sorry to say that if you do not see that in Mike Huckabee, check your own hearts if you have any of these in you, to allow you to see in others. thank you for reading. wishing you the best of America has to offer the world. America goes down, the whole world goes with it. Economically,socially,financially,mentally,morally,spiritually,.It matters who you choose. You can choose but you can not choose your consequences. Choose wisely Americans. you are the smartest people in the world.
By MoniQue
January 23, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Mike Huckabee has the right idea on healthcare, replace sickness care preventative health care: health & wellness.
I’m not a southerner, I don’t eat gritts, I’m from Huntington Beach, California and lived also in Los Angeles, but I really like what I hear from Mike Huckabee.
I’m also tired of the other candidates, as they are liars, and panderers.
Huck’s a genuine guy, and a great record to boot.
McCain wouldn’t stand a chance against Hillary. He’s slow and he’d go blank and let her nag all over him. Romney would be pulverized by Hillary.
It’s going to be funny to watch him debate with Hillary, especially when he explains to the nation how he cleaned up the mess her husband left Arkansas in!
He’s done more for African Americans than Hillary ever dreamed of, can you say KATRINA and the 60,000 he personally assisted without help from the federal government? Where was Hillary?
! GO HUCK GO !
By Linda Rayborn
January 23, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
Mike Huckabee is a proven leader with a stellar record as being voted one of the 5 best governors in the US, he was re-elected TWO TIMES in a democratic state which proves his ability to work with a bi-partisan House and Senate and still get things done. (essetial for the presidency). He is the absolute best public speaker and debater ever… his religious beliefs shouldn’t play into this race at all. It is the press who wants to keep bringing it up, and his beliefs have nothing to do with his ability to lead out country except that a strong core belief gives someone a consistency to their decision-making that is so important in public office… Go HUCK!!!!
By Churchill
January 23, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this
Huckaphony is a lib. Why would any Republican vote for a lib?
By 4_Huck
January 23, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
I’m an Arkansan. Gov. Huckabee was the best Governor in my lifetime (54yrs). He took the mess Clinton left behind and turned it around. Most improved roads from the worst. Huge improvement in education, and health-care I’m sure you get the picture. Yes it took money but I truthfully never noticed a tax increase other than a fuel tax which wasn’t that much. He did cut taxes in other areas, mainly to help the poor. Realize too he was working with a Democratic legislature and Government mandates. If I saw anything that you could call a weakness it was compassion for the kids and poor. He did not try to force religion on the people the schools or in any other way. He was a health nut after his weight loss saved his life from diabetes. Club for Growth and others in the status quo government and media have not given Gov. Huckabee a fair shake. I should also include Ron Paul supporters and their vicious attacks on every comment page of every article and video of Gov. Huckabee that I have ever looked at unless they were moderated.
By Stacy Crawford
January 23, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
I am an African American woman and I have voted Republican all my life. My husband and I have stuck with the GOP because we are pro-life, pro-family, and pro-second amendment. For several years now, I felt I was choosing between the lesser of two evils. When my husband and I explored Mike Huckabee’s stand on the issues we were pleased to find that he not only supported the things we were most concerned about (social conservative issues) but he was also fiscally conservative as governor and concerned about the everyday people including the middle class, working class and the poor. The fair tax plan will benefit all people especially the poor, seniors and small business owners. It will also benefit the rich and corporations as well. Everyone wins with the fair tax.
My mother was trying to decide between Obama or Clinton until I shared with her the facts on Huckabee. She is now a converted Huckabee supporter! Many of my family and friends are voting for Huckabee as well. Many people are getting tired of the Democratic Party pandering to the minority with “handouts”. We are looking for true leadership, someone with extensive governing experience that has made a positive difference for the people they are called to serve.
Some people talk about Mike Huckabee raising taxes…yes, he raised taxes to improve roads, education and quality of life for the citizens of Arkansas. He came into Arkansas with a 250 million dollar deficit and left with an 850 million dollar surplus. He left the state of Arkansas in a better position. That is why he was re-elected for the maximum number of terms in Arkansas. That is governing, that is true leadership.
By glenn
January 23, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this
thanks to fred bieng gone, we’re BACK.
come get some :)
and the previous messages are correct: mccain CANNOT beat hillary, and since the youth of the nation sees obama as their kennedy, hed destroy mccain.
i truly believe that if we dont get huck, the evanglicals will finally turn their backs on the repubs. they need us FAR more than we need them
By sam
January 23, 2008 4:10 AM | Link to this
ok for all of you smearers who go around posting “huck is a lib”, here is some actual factual disprovation.
look down to the bottom: [http://www.ontheissues.org/Mike_Huckabee.htm]
mike is farther right on the scale than everyone, tying thompson who is now out of the race. mike is the only real conservative in the race. exit polls in SC showed thomson’s voters vastley prefered mike as their second choice. so now here comes mike!!!! GO MIKE!!!!
By Ian Repley
January 23, 2008 4:15 AM | Link to this
Gov. Huckabee’s advocacy of the FairTax is the single most important policy position in this election. Research findings explain why:
The FairTax rate of 23 percent on a total taxable consumption base of $11.244 trillion will generate $2.586 trillion dollars – $358 billion more than the taxes it replaces. {BHKPT}
The FairTax has the broadest base and the lowest rate of any single-rate tax reform plan. {THBP}
Real wages are 10.3 percent, 9.5 percent, and 9.2 percent higher in years 1, 10, and 25, respectively than would otherwise be the case. {THBNP}
The economy as measured by GDP is 2.4 percent higher in the first year and 11.3 percent higher by the 10th year than it would otherwise be. {ALM}
Consumption benefits {ALM}:
• Disposable personal income is higher than if the current tax system remains in place: 1.7 percent in year 1, 8.7 percent in year 5, and 11.8 percent in year 10.
• Consumption increases by 2.4 percent more in the first year, which grows to 11.7 percent more by the tenth year than it would be if the current system were to remain in place.
• The increase in consumption is fueled by the 1.7 percent increase in disposable after-tax personal income that accompanies the rise in incomes from capital and labor once the FairTax is enacted.
• By the 10th year, consumption increases by 11.7 percent over what it would be if the current tax system remained in place, and disposable income is up by 11.8 percent.
Over time, the FairTax benefits all income groups. Of 42 household types (classified by income, marital status, age), all have lower average remaining lifetime tax rates under the FairTax than they would experience under the current tax system. {KR}
Implementing the FairTax at a 23 percent rate gives the poorest members of the generation born in 1990 a 13.5 percent improvement in economic well-being; their middle class and rich contemporaries experience a 5 percent and 2 percent improvement, respectively. {JK}
Based on standard measures of tax burden, the FairTax is more progressive than the individual income tax, payroll tax, and the corporate income tax. {THBPN}
Charitable giving increases by $2.1 billion](about 1 percent)** in the first year over what it would be if the current system remained in place, by 2.4 percent in year 10, and by 5 percent in year 20. {THPDB}
On average, states could cut their sales tax rates by more than half, or 3.2 percentage points from 5.4 to 2.2 percent, if they conformed their state sales tax bases to the FairTax base. {TBJ}
The FairTax provides the equivalent of a supercharged mortgage interest deduction, reducing the true cost of buying a home by 19 percent. {WM}
ALERT: Kotlikoff refutes Bruce Bartlett’s shabby critiques of the FairTax.
By Kurt Stavenhagen
January 23, 2008 5:05 AM | Link to this
Accurate press coverage has not given Governor Huckabee his due.
No, as headlines read he’s not JUST a Baptist Preacher (with all its looney or dictatorial connotations for people of no faith): he’s spent more time as governor than as pastor: 10.5 year. He has more executive experience than any other candidate running.
… You never hear the press say that Mitt Romney is a former Mormon missionary. But it’s o.k. to say that Huckabee is a (JUST?!) a former Baptist minister?
The press never mentioned that he ONLY won 45% of the IOWA EVANGELICAL VOTE (which was 60% of the overall vote). He won there in every other category especially scoring high among women and those earning less than $50,000 a year.
In SC he won only 40% of the evangelical vote—again—but where was the coverage and complication?
By GodHatesTrash
January 23, 2008 6:18 AM | Link to this
Running out of money? Why doesn’t the Huckleberry get his TV preachur fata-ss on TV and raise some dough from the suckers?
Huckleberry is a slimy thug, like most Baptist preachers. Trash.
By pam
January 23, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
If you actually looked at the list on Judicial Watch, you would have seen almost every candidate running for president was listed. You also need to remember… DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ!!!!! Pam
By Debbie
January 23, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Sam, I would like a link to those exit polls you mention in South Carolina.
I worked in South Carolina for Fred and can tell you first hand that the voters were torn between Fred and Romney or Fred and McCain. Not one voter said that Huckabee was their second choice. Just because they were evangelicals does not mean they would have voted for the Huckster. Most Thompson people care about record not rhetoric.
I was with Fred heads from all over the South that came to SC to volunteer for Fred.We all watched the returns and we all cheered very loudly when Huckabee lost.
75% former Fred heads are going to Romney. The majority of the Thompson people despise the Huckster because he is a tax and spend big government RINO that lies about and distorts his record.
Go Romney!!!!! Huckabee will not get my vote
By Debbie
January 23, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Romney, McCain, Thompson were not on that list.
By Debbie
January 23, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
n 2006 Huckabee Backed Senate Amnesty Bill and Path to citizenship for illegals
Go to the link to read the entire article. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/22/AR2006052201237.html
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) Interview With The Fix’s Chris Cillizza and The Post’s Dan Balz washingtonpost.com Tuesday, May 23, 2006; 6:00 AM
washingtonpost.com’s Chris Cillizza and Washington Post reporter Dan Balz interviewed Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) on May 16 as part of an ongoing series of conversations with potential 2008 presidential candidates. A transcript of the interview is below:
Where are you on the debate that rages here between the House approach on immigration and what seems now to be a consensus approach in the Senate, particularly on the issue of a path to legal status or citizenship for at least quite a few of the 11 to 12 million who are here illegally?
I tend to think that the rational approach is to find a way to give people a pathway to citizenship. You shouldn’t ignore the law or ignore those who break it. But by the same token, I think it’s a little disingenuous when I hear people say they should experience the full weight of the law in every respect with no pathway, because that’s not something we practice in any other area of criminal justice in this country.
We have everything from plea bargainings to suspended sentences to probation to clemency. There’s a whole gamut of ways in which there are lesser than the full penalties applied for a whole variety of reasons — everything from jail overcrowding to non-violent offenses.
To think that we’re going to go lock up 12 million people, or even round them up and drive them to the border and let them go, might make a great political speech, but it’s not going to happen. What should happen, however, is exactly what I think the president has proposed, and that is that we create a process where people make restitution for the fact they have broken the law.
It’s not an amnesty, and I know that there are some who think that anything less than essentially grabbing them by the nape of the neck and tossing them over a fence, real or imaginary, is amnesty. But I think that’s ridiculous. And whether it’s Patrick Kennedy, Rush Limbaugh, or an illegal immigrant, there ought to be some rationality in how we apply our law. We do that every day.
I would imagine if any of us checked the record of prosecutors in my state or yours there are far more sentences that are plea bargained than actually go to trial. And that it’s pretty darn rare that a person even convicted at trial gets the maximum sentence on every charge brought. It’s just not always the way we do it.
Suddenly to say that these people that came over here to pluck a chicken, pick a tomato, or make a bed should suffer the full consequences of the law as if somehow they’ve totally violated our peace and prosperity, is absurd. Now, should they have to pay some type of fine? Should they have to get in line behind the ones who are going through the legal process? Sure. That’s quite appropriate. But criminalizing beyond what they’ve already been criminalized, I mean, they’ve already broken the law. But to make them felons and in essence to say we’re going to put our heel on their head, what’s the point of that
By Debbie
January 23, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/33391ddb-ed1f-4bc3-9d19-cdca6181d5d4
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
An Open Letter From An Arkansas Evangelical
Posted by: Hugh Hewitt at 5:41 PM
In the in-box:
A Plea from Arkansas: Christian Conservatives Need to Take a Closer Look at Mike Huckabee’s Record as Governor
by David Thompson
As a conservative, evangelical, politically-active father of four in Arkansas I believe it is imperative for like-minded voters to become more familiar with the Mike Huckabee that just completed 10 years as our governor. I realize it’s sometimes hard to know what to believe during a campaign, so I’ve tried to include links to published stories, with most coming from years past when the events noted were taking place.
For those who don’t know much about me, I attend a very conservative evangelical church in Central Arkansas that includes some other politically active members (past/present elected officials, lobbyists, candidates, etc), and our family currently homeschools our young children. Since 1996, I have been heavily involved in numerous Republican campaigns in Arkansas at all levels (even managing a few). I have also served as vice chairman of the Republican committee in Arkansas’ largest county. Yet I don’t know of a sing le per son in these circles who is supporting Huckabee for President - although I do know many that are definitely not supporting him. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, but consider that Huckabee just finished serving 10 years as our governor (and I am sure there are many Republicans in Arkansas who are supporting him - I just don’t know them). The truth is, most conservatives in Arkansas had written him off long before his Presidential bid.
That said, here are 7 key reasons I cannot in good conscience support Mike Huckabee as the Republican nominee for President. This is based on his record here and is not a personal attack - I cannot speak for his or anybody’s motives. This list is not the result of intense research - it’s based on what I know and have experienced first-hand as a politically-active conservative Arkansan. It’s a list I could have given you 6 months or even 2 years ago. And I am not attempting to echo or give validity to any criticism he is now receiving nationally (and I don’t think ALL of it is fair). This is the Mike Huckabee we know.
1) Governor Huckabee did lasting damage to the Republican Party and conservative movement in Arkansas.
It’s hard to go after Democrats with a conservative message when your Republican Governor is out front releasing violent criminals, providing state benefits to illegals, pushing tax increases, expanding government spending and programs, and constantly walking an ethical tight-rope (more on each of these items to follow). This tied our party’s hands - many conservatives got frustrated, apathy set in, and some quit the fight. In addition:
· Huckabee insisted on having “his people” controlling the Republican Party campaign organizations that are set up in Arkansas each election cycle. He also insisted that his guy remain as state party chairman when party leaders planned to make a change. The mismanagement and ineptness that followed was so great that the Republican Party plunged into debt and the Federal Election Commission levied the the largest fine ever against a state political party following an investigation of the 2000 and 2002 election cycles. Obviously, this set back the Republican Party of Arkansas for years.
· When Huckabee started his first full term in 1998, Arkansas had just elected a Republican Governor, Lt. Governor, U.S. Senator, and 2 Republican Congressmen. Upon his leaving office in 2007, Republicans now hold no statewide offices, have no Republicans in the U.S.Senate, and only one Republican Congressman remains.
· It was often said during Huckabee’s term that Arkansas had 3 parties: Republican Party, Democrat Party, and the Huckabee Party.
“He destroyed the conservative movement in Arkansas, and left the Republican Party in shambles.” - Phyllis Schlafly, president of the national Eagle Forum
“His support for taxes split the Republican Party, and damaged our name brand.” – Former Arkansas State Representative Randy Minton (R)
“I think if they knew [his record] it would totally de-energize them … his policies are just wrong.” – Former Arkansas State Senator Jim Holt’s (R) warning for conservatives around the country who think they have found their candidate in Mike Huckabee.
2) Governor Huckabee’s non-stop clemencies continually hindered the work of criminal prosecutors and miffed Republicans. The numbers are staggering - over 1,000 clemencies and commutations of criminals as governor. Most people now are familiar with his push to parole convicted rapist Wayne Dumond, who went on to rape and murder a Missouri woman less than a year after his release. But there are many more troubling facts regarding Huckabee’s pattern of releasing violent criminals. While I cannot speak for Huckabee’s motives, it seems clear that he used poor judgment and was reckless with this ex ecutiv e power.
· Huckabee released more criminals than the combined total of every border state to Arkansas (made up of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana) - even though the combined population of these states is 16 times higher than Arkansas’. He also issued more than double the clemencies of his three predecessors combined.
· In many cases, Huckabee’s actions set loose savage criminals convicted of grisly murders over the passionate objections of prosecutors and victims’ families. This American Spectator story details some of these violent cases and explains the resulting difficulties they presented prosecutors working with other victims and their families.
· Huckabee and his appointees ignored the laws on the books, including the requirement to notify victims’ families and explain the reasons for those clemencies. He said to fully explain his reasoning would cost millions of dollars and “take money away from education and Medicaid and other things.” < U1:P>< /U1:P>
· A 2004 investigative article by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette found that prisoners had a better chance of being granted clemency by Huckabee if they had a mutual acquaintance, labored at the governor’s mansion under a prisoner work program, or a minister intervened on their behalf. Prosecutors say Huckabee was more inclined to release or reduce the sentences of prisoners if he had direct contact with them or was lobbi ed by those close to him.
· He often refused to learn the facts of the cases (sometimes not even reading the murderer’s own confession), made no attempt to get the police/prosecutor’s case files, or even get input from the victims’ families before making his decision.
· The clemency granted to one multiple DUI offender was likely tied to large political contributions from the offender’s family, including a soft money political organization run by Huckabee’s people.
· Good summary article
“Last January, after Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, a Democrat, lost his re-election bid, he issued 16 clemencies, and there was a huge outcry. That’s how many Huckabee averages per month.” – Arkansas Leader, (August 11, 2004)
“He seems to believe that granting clemency to murderers, rapists, drunk drivers and other convicted criminals is a part of the everyday affairs of the governor’s office rather than something that he should approach cautiously and selectively.” – Robert Herzfeld, Saline County Prosecuting Attorney during Huckabee’s tenure
“I know some of the people that Huckabee let loose have reoffended. Some of them we’ve caught and some of them we haven’t caught……I used to be able to tell the families of victims, in all good faith and candor, that it was a rare event when a governor commuted a sentence and let a murderer back out, or a rapist back out or a child molester back out. But I can’t do that anymore.” - Larry Jegley, longtime Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney
“I felt like Huckabee had more compassion for the murderers than he ever did for the victims.” - Elaine Colclasure, co-leader of the Central Arkansas chapter of Parents of Murdered Children.
3) Governor Huckabee’s pattern was to ignore immigration laws, often in the name of Christianity.
Huckabee opposed immigration enforcement as governor on a number of fronts. Immigration enforcement groups call Huckabee’s record on immigration “a disaster” and reference him as they guy who “scares the heck” out of them.
· In 2001, Huckabee’s human services liaison Robert Trevino pushed for legislation to provide driver’s licenses for illegals. It was understood by legislators that he acted with Huckabee’s blessing.
· In 2001, Huckabee opposed a measure to require proof of citizenship to vote.
· In 2005, Huckabee supported a bill that offered illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates and made them eligible for the same merit-based scholarships to Arkansas state colleges and universities as legal citizens. The bill would have violated federal law and was not enacted by the legislature.
· In 2005, he opposed a bill that denied some state benefits to illegals and required proof of citizenship to vote (patterned after Arizona’s Prop 200 that has been successful in curtailing illegal immigration in that state). In this story, Huckabee called the measure “un-American….inflammatory….race-baiting and demagoguery.” He added that the bill “inflames those who are racist and bigots and makes them think there’s a real problem. But there’s not.” He the n sing led out State Senator Jim Holt, also an openly professing Christian, saying, “I drink a different kind of Jesus juice.”
· In 2005, Huckabee criticized federal agents for a recent crackdown on illegals, saying that it wasn’t fair to the innocent family members of those targeted in the operation. (No word on whether he also opposes raids on other law-breakers who might also have innocent family members affected by the fruits of their illegal activity.)
· In 2005, Huckabee promoted an “open door” policy on immigration as he addressed the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) national convention in Little Rock. LULAC is a left-leaning group that opposes virtually all measures of immigration enforcement. < /P>
“He was an absolute disaster on immigration as governor. Every time there was any enforcement in his state, he took the side of the illegal aliens.” - Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, a group that played a major role in rallying the phone calls that helped defeat this year’s Senate immigration bill.
“I would hope he could be trusted to secure the borders, but given his track record in Arkansas, I don’t see the conservative he has portrayed himself to be in Iowa.” - Jake Files, a former Arkansas state representative and current chairman of the Sebastian County Republican Party
4) Governor Huckabee was no friend to fiscal conservatives in Arkansas.
Huckabee’s record on taxes, government spending, and growing government programs was miserable. Basically, when the economy got tough, Huckabee expected families like mine to tighten our budgets in order to help state government meet its spending whims.
· In 2003, Huckabee called a special session of the legislature to push for a tax increase to make up for spending shortfalls. This led to his signing HB1039, an across the board income tax and tobacco tax increase. Huckabee even refused to consider a Republican proposal to cut spending and use general improvement funds (i.e., legislative pork) to make up for the budget shortfall. Ironically, the same day Huckabee was practically begging the Arkansas legislature to raise taxes (here’s the video), President Bush was also in Little Rock to push for his tax cut plan. (Note: When asked about this video recently, Huckabee gave a misleading response to Fox News, blaming his tax increase plea on a court order. This prompted State Representative Johnny Key, the current Republican Leader in the Arkansas House, to send out a letter correcting the accuracy of Huckabee’s statement.)
· If that weren’t enough, Huckabee called a 2nd special legislative session in 2003 to pass a nearly one-cent state sales tax increase. The measure also expanded the sales tax to include previously exempted services (for more information and context, see reason #6 below).
· During Huckabee’s term, Arkansas showed a net tax increase of $505 million, and the average Arkansan’s tax burden grew from $1,969 to $2,902. Governor Huckabee raised more taxes in 10 years in offic e than Bill Clinton did in his 12 years.
· During Huckabee’s 10 years as governor, state spending more than doubled (from $6.6 billion to $16.1 billion), higher education and public schools got big increases, as did social services. Meanwhile, the state added about 8,000 full-time workers to its payroll during that period, a 19% increase (according to the Bureau of Legislative Research).
· The conservative Cato Institute gave Huckabee an “F” for his final term as governor on its Fiscal Policy Report Card, saying, “Huckabee’s leadership has left taxpayers in Arkansas much worse off.” His grade was lower than 15 of the 21 Democrat Governors. His overall grade as governor was a D.
“The main reason for the drop was his insistence on raising taxes at almost every turn throughout his final term.” – Cato Institute explaining why Huckabee had dropped from a “D” to an “F” on their Fiscal Policy Report Card.
“[Huckabee] says he’s pro-family. If you’re raising taxes on the families of Arkansas, causing wives to go out and get jobs to make ends meet, that’s not pro-family.” - Former Arkansas State Representative Randy Minton (R)
“In the past, he blamed Democrats for raising taxes…We voted for them, but he proposed them.” - Arkansas State Senator John Paul Capps, a Democrat
5) Huckabee left a long trail of ethics questions while Governor of Arkansas
This is an area where I think Huckabee does receive some unfair criticism. Some of the ethics charges against him were frivolous and politically motivated. However, it has been concerning for some time just how much the governor accepted in gifts and how he was seemingly always pushing ethical limits.
· During his tenure, Huckabee accepted 314 gifts valued overall at more than $150,000, according to documents filed with the Arkansas’ Secretary of State office.
· The Huckabees set up wedding registries at local department stores as Mike was leaving office – even though they had been married for 30 years. State ethics laws prohibited Huckabee from receiving gifts of more than $100……but there was an exception for wedding gifts.
· Judicial Watch, a non-partisan group dedicted to fighting government corruption, listed Huckabee among their Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians of 2007. Huckabee was one of only three Republican politicians to make the list.
6) Huckabee’s education record shows him to be an advocate of the “status quo”
The New Hampshire chapter of the National Education Association (NEA) has endorsed Hillary Clinton and Mike Huckabee for the upcoming Primary elections. This is the first time in memory that they have recommended a Republican (in 2004 they endorsed Howard Dean). They likely chose Huckabee because:
· Huckabee has consistently opposed virtually all proposals for education reform, including school choice vouchers.
· The former president of Eagle Forum of Arkansas said Huckabee “continued the Hillary Clinton education plan” as our governor.
· When the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Arkansas’ public school funding was “inequitable,” Huckabee took the ruling as a mandate to raise taxes in order to once again increase school funding…which he did. (To his credit, however, he also used the opportunity to consolidate some of the school districts in the state - although rural legislators severely watered down the proposal.)
7) Huckabee has very little support for his Presidential bid here in Arkansas
For the most part those in his party who know him best are not supporting him.
· In October, a University of Arkansas poll showed that, among all Presidential candidates in both parties, only 8% of Arkansans said they were supporting Mike Huckabee.
· That same week, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that only one-third of Republicans in the Arkansas Legislature said they were supporting their former governor’s Presidential bid.
· After this story, the Huckabee campaign published a list of supporters in his home state. The Arkansas News Bureau then reported that as some of the names on Huckabee’s Arkansas endorsement list were used without permission and had to be removed.
· This is purely anecdotal, but despite my involvement in Republican politics, I am unaware of any of my Republican friends who are supporting Huckabee. I have seen maybe 3 Huckabee for President bumper stickers – and I live in Republican west Little Rock and work 2 miles from the state capitol where Huckabee just completed over 10 years as Governor (my wife says she saw her first sticker today…..guess he’s picking up steam here!).
“…if Huckabee didn’t have things sewn up with Republicans back home, what kind of message did that send?….The truth is that Huckabee hasn’t had that much support from former and current Republican legislators.” - David Sanders, conservative columnist for Arkansas News Bureau (November 11, 2007)
Conclusion:
I realize the Republican Presidential field does not leave true conservatives with much to get excited about. However, it is unlikely I will support Huckabee over any of the Republican frontrunners because of his liberal record, his questionable judgment, and his reckless use of power while Governor. Now is not the time for Republicans to compromise on core conservative values. More importantly, we need a leader with a history of using strong judgment as our nation continues to lead the world in the War on Terror.
Two final questions:
1) Given the many vulnerabilities in his record, what is the likelihood that Huckabee would win in a general election? Democrat National Committee officials have already been quoted as saying that they see Huckabee as “easy kill” and refer to him as “the glass jaw — and they’re just waiting to break it.” The DNC has issued over 200 attack press releases on Republican candidates - only 4 on Huckabee, the last one coming 10 months ago.
2) Does his record as governor represent someone who should be given greater power and responsibility? Is he Commander and Chief material? Leader of the free world? National Review recently expressed concern, and Huckabee raised eyebrows with recent comments critical of U.S. Foreign policy and our role in the world - he was essentially repeating the Democrat talking points!
Feel free to pass this letter on or contact me if you have any questions about anything stated here. I have tried very carefully to be fair, accurate, and to stick to facts from Huckabee’s record. But it’s certainly possible I made a mistake somewhere or worded something poorly. I would be more than happy to further dialogue on any of these issues.
Sincerely,
David Thompson
Little Rock, Arkansas
By Copyleft
January 23, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Churchill: “Why would any Republican vote for a lib?”
Because we make better leaders, obviously. Can we count on your support?
By Gordon Slocum
January 23, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
Mike is the only REAL conservative in the race. The other candidates will come crawling back to the social conservatives later. We are sorry, we didn’t mean what we said and how we acted, please vote of us. The truth is if social conservatives don’t back the Republican candidate that candidate can’t win the presidential election. They firmly know that and many take it for granted. I am sure they discuss this behind clsoded doors. The behind the closed doors may be something like this, “Lets Knock Off Huckabee and then His voters will automatically support us.” You can see the arrogance in such thinking. If the Republican Party looses the presidential race this could be one of the major factor for such a demise. Without Mike Huckabee will the party continue to respect the pro-life and Christian values we have worked so hard for. The stakes are so high, judges, polices, character, etc.
The advance of Mike Huckabee scared everyone in the Republican Party. They all want our support but they don’t want our participation, this is obvious from the look, comments, and attacks. The media has virtually shut down any mention of Mike over the past several days.
Mike we are rooting for you to shine in the Thursday debate in Florida. Prepare hard, be firm and focus on your message. Don’t’ let them bush-wack you on side issues or religion and keep you from answering all the issues for the voters. If they try to tunnel your comments in the “religious realm” look the camera in the eye and tell everyone how strong you are on defense, the border security and job growth and ignore the question. Our infra structure, electrical grid, road system and broder defense are severely lacking.
Here is my area, I am doing all I can to help and get folk to take notice. I am asking every Mike Huckabee supporter in all states that have not voted yet to take their list of names they have from clubs, associations, churches, etc and call everyone on it and ask them to consider supporting Mike Huckabee. Remind them of their primary election day and then ask them to consider Mike. I can tell you this approach works. It does not assume or force anyone to declare whom they support. The dead line here in Alabama for registering is Friday January 26th. If you are a Mike Huckabee supporter please go today and register to vote, again Friday is the Dead Line. Mike, I want you to know I am voting for you period. My vote is as solid as my existence, the Lord willing.
Gordon Hartselle, Alabama
By Debbie
January 23, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
I am a evangelical. My Dad is a retired Independant Baptist Minister.
Neither one of us like the Huckster.
Huckabee is not a conservative. He is a Christian moderate. Huckabee lies to suit his purpose.
By Canton 4 Huck
January 23, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Churchill, you are like the Democrats your tired worn out same rhetoric. Obviously you have not researched Huckabee’s stances on anything, but twist the truth around to make it sound like what you want it to. I live in Michigan so I would be willing to pay for better roads and better education system that Huckabee delivered to the people of Arkansas. He is the only candidate that actually answers a question when asked one, and has a plan that he shares. All the others just blow hot air, just like you do. Go Huck!
By Reagan conservative
January 23, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
There is no way I would ever vote for Tax Hike Mike Huckabee.
I am both a social and fiscal conservative . I supported Thompson but now will support Romney.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/huckabeesfiscalrecord.html Huckabee’s Fiscal Record November 21, 2007 Under fire from conservatives, the former Arkansas governor misrepresents his tax hikes, and cuts. Summary Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has been hit with criticism over his record on taxes as governor of Arkansas. The faultfinders have been members of his own party, who take issue with tax increases he enacted. In recent interviews on Fox News, Huckabee responded to some of these questions, but we found him to be misleading and incorrect on several points:
By Canton 4 Huck
January 23, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Reagan Conservative, so let me get this straight, you won’t vote for Huckabee, but will vote for a guy who has a proven track record of raising taxes twice as much as Huckabee did of any while he was in office, hummm, that sounds like good logic, well done! How do you vote for a guy whose name is a winter clothing article. You just look at the guy and he has snake oil salesmen written all over him.
By Debbie
January 23, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Romney was not named one of the top ten most corrupt politicians in 2007 by Judicial Watch. Huckabee and Rudy were.
Cato Institute rated Romney with a C for fiscal conservatism and promoting growth. Huckabe earned a F
By eric bryson
January 23, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
I have heard many comments condemning Mr. Huckabee for being an ordained minister, but I would rather have a minister than a hedge-fund trader (Mr. Romney) in the Whitehouse any day of the week. The terms Liberal and Conservative are thrown about too loosely, especially by my fellow Christians. We let the discussion of right and wrong fall to the wayside and replace those terms with conservative and liberal. Too many Christians let FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter influence them. Please, I beg you, look at Rupert (FOX) Murdoch’s media world of sex and sensationalism. Look at Rush Limbaugh’s glutonous, cigar-smoking, money-loving (root of all evil) ways. Look at Ann Coulter’s immodesty in both dress and speech… Now, honestly, tell me that THEY are conservative. I hardly think so. They continually drag America down by confusing conservative values with greed, materialism, and lassez-faire economics. Mr. Huckabee stands for something deeper than economic gain. More than anything else, the economy of our nation is determined by the depth of our moral fiber. Rome didn’t fall because of economic problems. It fell because it was immoral and corrupt. Mr. Romney represents Wall Street… that’s right: the money lenders. Mr. Huckabee represents Main Street and American values. Think about it. Thank You.
By Debbie
January 23, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Honesty and truth are values that Huckabee does not have.
Even newspapers in Arkansas talk about the problem Gov. Huckabee has telling the truth…
By Michael
January 24, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
If Mike Huckabee could get on Fox and let them know that he has not scaled back his campaign in FL., i.e. quit campaigning, has taken his name off the ballot - that is what Fox seems to say as they worship Romney. He needs to get Fred to endorse him and instantly Mike is in the mix.
If he wins Florida that instantly puts McCain and Rudy on very sorry footing. The best thing for Mitt is for Huckabee to win.
After Feb. 5 it will be down to Mitt & Huckabee!
Then conservatives can see the real differences.
For example:
At a recent debate Governor Romney said: “Governor Huckabee, while you were Governor taxes went up $500 million NET”.
Assume that is true, 500million divided by 10.5 years is less than 50 million per year.
50 million divided by 2.7 million residents is @ $18 per year, $1.50 a month or a Nickel a day!
What did they get for a nickel a day? Schools went from 49th to top 10, to 8th this year. Most Improved Highways and roads according to Truckers Magazine 700,000 children covered with healthcare. 94 tax cuts including: Elimanation of capital gains on sale of homes Elimanation of the marriage penalty Standard deduction raised Capital gains tax reduced
Now is this the record of a “tax and spend liberal”?
Go to www.mikehuckabee.com for more information!