Huckabee’s Island Getaway

NY Times ^ | Feb. 16, 2008 | By Katharine Q. Seelye

[jdm]

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands — Mike Huckabee said he was having such a good time here in this sun-splashed tourist resort that it may take a S.W.A.T. team to get him out of his hotel room at the Ritz Carlton and head back to the snowy campaign trail in Wisconsin.

He had faced questions late last week about why he was leaving the trail – Wisconsin votes Tuesday — to come and give a paid speech.

Speaking to reporters here before he delivered the speech, he said that Senator John McCain, his chief rival, was taking two days off while he was taking only one and yet no one was questioning Mr. McCain about whether he was serious in his pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination.

“If you look at the total amount of time that I’m spending on the campaign trail, I would just venture to say that nobody is working harder than I am or that my campaign staff is,” Mr. Huckabee said. “Nobody can accuse me or our campaign of being, let’s say, slackers.”

[keepitreal]

“He said he did not know how much he was being paid for the speech,”

[Hugin]

“If you look at the total amount of time that I’m spending on the campaign trail, I would just venture to say that nobody is working harder than I am or that my campaign staff is,” Mr. Huckabee said. “Nobody can accuse me or our campaign of being, let’s say, slackers.”

That won't stop them from trying though.

[Laptop_Ron]

1) I don’t begrudge the man a living. He has bills to pay just like we do.

2) Then again, I wouldn’t mind a whole lot if Huck decides to stay over there either.

[blackdog]

I was a charter pilot in the 90’s. The reason people go to the Cayman Islands is to hide their cash, invited to speak there or not. Parking on the general aviation ramp is like a who’s who of American politics and hollywood. They all become best buddies there too.

[Laptop_Ron]

Being the kind-hearted guy I am, I’m willing to give ol’ Huckabee the benefit of the doubt on and financial shenanigans. If there’s some evidence I’ll change my mind, but until then...

[spectre]

I'd suspect the Reverend Mike might be telling a FIB saying he doesn't know how much he's being paid..

The rates at the Ritz Carlton there start @$799 per night.

sw

[keepitreal]

I believe you are right!

But he did say he is not good at math.

“Math is hard” ~ Barbie

[flowerplough]

“If you look at the total amount of time that I’m spending on the campaign trail, I would just venture to say that nobody is working harder than I am or that my campaign staff is,” Mr. Huckabee said.

Shades of the other Arkansas governor making excuses for his failure to bring the promised "Middle Class Tax Cut" in '93: "I worked harder than I ever have in my life. I just can't find a way to do it."

[CindyDawg]

No motel 6’s there?

[CharlesWayneCT]

McCain is taking time off because the election is over and he only has to do enough to keep Huckabee from winning anything serious and making things more difficult.

Huckabee on the other hand needs to sweep the entire table of primaries.

[CindyDawg]

McCain sleeping in his car at a road side park?

[Califreak]

[Anti-Bubba182]

I bet he stays on the campaign trail to enhance his marketability on the speakers market, or at least that is a factor.

[pepsionice]

You are likely correct. He’ll report $10k probably...just to be polite to IRS...with the rest of money stashed (probably $40k) put into his already existing bank account there. You will see more and more of these “speaker” episodes in the Caymans...where a group can hear a bigwig, enjoy the sun, and count their hidden assets.

[Kurt Evans]

The real Mike Huckabee exposed:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NgDGlf_CDtc

[rbmillerjr]

Wasn’t there a song called, “Island Boy”?

[TomasUSMC]

Must be a lot of superdelegates there?