Posted on 11/30/2007 3:03:35 PM PST by T.L.Sink
Groups that support a crackdown on illegal aliens havn't settled on their champion in the race for the White House, but there's little doubt which Republican scares them the most - former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. "He was an absolute disaster on immigration as governor," said Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, a group that played a mojor role in rallying the phone calls that helped defeat this year's Senate immigration bill. "Every time there was any enforcement in his state, he took the side of the illegal aliens." Just as problematic for the former Arkansas governor, however, is that the independent interest groups that track the issue are also giving him the once-over, and don't like what they see. "Huckabee is the guy who scares the heck out of me," said Peter Gadiel, president of 9-11 Families for a Secure America, a group instrumental in fighting for the REAL ID Act that sets federal standards for driver's licenses. Some leaders said Mr. Huckabee reminded them of President Bush, who pushed for legalization of illegal aliens and a new supply of foreign guest workers, despite his base calling for better border security and enforcement. Huckabee said he's willing to take the heat for pushing for illegal alien students to be able to get taxpayer-funded financial aid and college scholarships.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Immigration Group: Huckabee a “disaster.”
I must agree
Huckabee promotes 'open door' policy at LULAC convention
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005
By Wesley Brown
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - In a impassioned speech before hundreds of influential Hispanic civil rights leaders from across the nation, Gov. Mike Huckabee told a captive audience Wednesday that America is great because it has always opened it doors up to people seeking a better way of life.
"I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...," Huckabee said as the largely Hispanic audience gave him a standing ovation.
Huckabee was the keynote speaker, along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens, which is holding its 76th annual convention in Little Rock.
About 10,000 political, community and business leaders, along with exhibitors and speakers are in Little Rock attending the convention at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention started Monday and runs through Saturday.
Although he never actually talked about the U.S. or Arkansas immigration policy, Huckabee made it very clear where he stood on the issue. In his opening remarks, he said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base.
He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state's capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation. "Your gathering is so very significant for our state," Huckabee said. "We are delighted to have you."
Despite several light moments, Huckabee did not stray away from several controversial issues that made him a target of criticism during the recently ended 85th General Assembly. He said Arkansas needs to make the transition from a traditional Southern state to one that recognizes and cherishes diversity "in culture, in language and in population."
"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."
During the legislation session, Huckabee criticized an immigration bill by Republican senators Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life. Senate Bill 206, which died in the Senate, would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and also force state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally. Holt, R-Springdale, replied later to Huckabee's comments that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.
Huckabee seems like a typical “front runner”
See my tagline...
Another Dope from Hope.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/10/immigration_activist_welcomes.php
The former Arkansas governor received numerous standing ovations during an address to 2,000 social conservatives at the recent Values Voters Summit in Washington, DC. Huckabee accused the government of making it more difficult for the average American to get on an airplane in their own hometown than for an illegal alien to get across an international border.
"We need to make it clear," Huckabee told the gathering, "that we will say no to amnesty, no to sanctuary cities, and no to the idea that there can be some complete ignoring of the fact that our laws have been broken."
Continuing, the GOP presidential hopeful said he does not blame those who want to come to America. "I blame our government for sitting on its hands for over 20 years and letting this problem get completely out of hand. Build a border fence, secure the border -- and do it now," Huckabee implored.
Roy Beck, president of Numbers USA, says Huckabee's past record on immigration has not matched his recent rhetoric, citing several instances when the former governor "stood up for illegal aliens" during federal immigration raids in Arkansas. "It does not seem to me that, as governor, he particularly lived by those principles, at least strongly so. I am always happy to see someone learn more about an issue and come around and take better positions," he states. "We welcome what seems to be some change of heart."
Beck says Huckabee received an "F" for his past record on immigration, but his recent statements have pulled him up to the "B" range.
---
And what has Huckabee said on immigration in the past?
"I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families."
-Mike Huckabee [spoken along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens]
Gov. Mike Huckabee on Thursday heaped criticism upon immigration legislation in the Arkansas Legislature, describing it as inflammatory . . . race-baiting and demagoguery. He also challenged the Christian values of its main sponsor.
Huckabee said the bill, seeking to forbid public assistance and voting rights to undocumented immigrants, inflames those who are racist and bigots and makes them think there's a real problem. But theres not.
The bill is modeled after Proposition 200, approved by Arizona voters in November. The Arkansas measure was filed by Republican Sens. Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith.
Huckabee, also a Republican and a Baptist minister, said Arkansans should be welcoming hard-working immigrants of all races. He singled out Holt, who often talks of his strong Christian beliefs, saying, “I drink a different kind of Jesus juice. My faith says don't make false accusations against somebody. In the Bible, it's called don't bear false witness.”
In response, Holt said he was hurt by the governor's questioning his faith. “I just want to uphold the law and protect the benefits that apply to citizens, “ Holt said.
-Arkansas News: http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/01/28/News/316347.html
Gov. Mike Huckabee Thursday denounced a bill by Sen. Jim Holt that would deny state benefits to illegal immigrants as “un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life.” Holt, R-Springdale, replied later that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.
Senate Bill 206, filed Wednesday, also would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and would require state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally.
Holt replied, “I think the politically correct movement has misconstrued what compassion really means. They think compassion means that any person can disrespect our laws and that we're supposed to be tolerant and let them get away with it.”
”True compassion is correcting them so in the future they can be law-abiding citizens,” Holt said. “They broke the law,he said. My angst is not with them, though. My angst is with the state and federal government for not enforcing our laws.”
”People living illegally in the United State has overwhelmed our school and welfare system,” McCutchen said. As for whether the bill reflects un-Christian attitudes, McCutchen said: “Jim Holt is as good a man and as good a Christian as any man walking this Earth.”
”Doggone it, the rule of law is not being upheld, and that's wrong,” McCutchen said.
-Arkansas News: http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/01/28/News/316347.html
”I didn't sign the No Amnesty pledge because it was a silly piece of campaign propaganda cooked up by Tancredo. Candidates don't make pledges for each other to sign, and he knows that.”
-Mike Huckabee August 4, 2007 http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=196021
He [Mike Huckabee] also made the insane point that companies like Toyota would not invest in Arkansas if the state didn't allow non-citizens to vote because it would send the message that, essentially, 'If you don’t look like us, talk like us and speak like us, we don't want you.
-Ann Coulter [http://www.townhall.com/columnists/AnnCoulter/2007/10/10/fred_sawyer_and_huckabee_finn]
”I do believe that some of [the opposition to the McCain-Kennedy-Bush Amnesty Bill] is driven by racism or nativism. It's not amnesty to make people pay for breaking the law.”
-Wash. Times May, 2006
When it comes to the border I think Huckabee will be nothing more than Bush, Part 2 ... a total back stabbing sellout.
Which is why I cannot support him. Which is why I will not vote for him, ever.
A heck of choice in the next election. We get to vote for:
A. Wife of Slick Willie
or
B. Clone of Slick Willie (minus the sex or drug addiction)
Huckabee was on Hardball last night (MSNBC). You have to wonder why the left-leaning media seems to be pushing this guy.
Could it be that they think he can’t win in the general election? That would be my first thought.
Just found a new tagline.
Simple. The average noodnik in the hustings just takes in whatever he says and doesn't bother to look any further. Even here on FR we have suckers who actually believe this carney's website promises.
Bill
I think you think rightly. Imagine if Huckabee actually snatched up the nomination. the 'rats would turn the election into a replay of the Scopes monkey trial. And this time the monkeys would win in a walk.
We would get to see that Bible-thumping gomer from the U-Tube debate in campaign ads from morning till night, and the GOP would be even further wiped out than it was last year.
The MSM loves him, he’s Mr. Sound Bite.
It's not going to be so funny if he gets the nomination..
sw
Huckabee is okay with white guys like him being a minority. He appears to even hope it will happen.
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