Man is Huckabee ever getting played like a fiddle. I have never seen such a giddy but naive candidate before, not since the media was hyping up McCain in 2000.
From the Sept. 17 Values Voter Debate:
Dr. Scarborough: Good to see you this evening, Governor Huckabee. Who would have believed 30 years ago, while we were attending Southwestern Seminary, we would be in a setting like this tonight. Few value voters question your views on key social issues. But you have received much criticism from some in the conservative circles for doing too little to restrain the growth of government and for raising taxes in Arkansas while you were governor. How do you respond to this?
Huckabee: With the truth, Rick, with the truth. I cut taxes 94 times as governor. I actually signed a first-ever broad-based tax cut in the 160-year history of our state, and I did that going uphill against the wind because 90 percent of the legislature was Democrat when I became governor in 1996. As governor, I didn't have the joy, the pleasure, or frankly the dubious honor of what members of Congress can do and that is print money, or even just borrow money. We have to live within our budget. I think the federal government ought to do the same thing.
Of a budget that only had 9 percent margin after we paid for education, Medicaid and prisons, the three basic necessities of government, only 9 percent was left in the general revenue budget. I cut 11 percent during the recession. The fact is that people will look at our record – what they'll find is that not only did I cut taxes repeatedly as a governor, but I managed the state in such a way that after 10 and a half years of executive experience, more than any other person running for president, more than Rudy Giuliani had as mayor, the fact is we left that state with an $850 million dollar surplus, no deficit. And the spending we held was held within one-half of 1 percent per year for 10 and a half years, unless you factor in federal pass-throughs – and many of the criticisms have come from people who simply don't understand the nuances of a state budget. Let us go beyond that.
What I did do is one thing. That's a good indication of what I would do. But here's what I pledge. I would not only support but I would sell the Fair Tax. If we could have a tax that is flat, fair, finite and family-friendly, we could change the economy of this country. [applause] And for those who are pastors who would love to be able to speak freely and clearly without the IRS getting in their way and telling them what they can preach from their pulpits – do you know the simplest way to do it? Get rid of the IRS, get the Fair Tax and we'll change the economy in America. [applause]
Uber liberal political reporter for the WaPo, Michael Shear, has had two pro-Huckabee stories in the last few days. That’s all I need to know about Huckabee.