A Plea from Arkansas: Christian Conservatives Need to Take a Closer Look at Huckabee's Record

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com ^ | January 2, 2008 | David Thompson

[RebekahT]

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.

..

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 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.

[pulaskibush]

Arkansas Ping!

Here's Huckabee's Christianity in dealing with illegal immigration:
Christianity and Illegal Immigration.

[spectre]

I think we're all on board tonight.

sw

[RebekahT]

I’m hoping for some good news tonight.

[T Lady]

Thanks for the responses regarding yet another RINO, who unfortunately (at least according to a headline from Politico) may have won the Iowa caucus.

...As I said earlier, I'm worried about this election and the current crop of GOP candidates. And this doesn't give me much comfort, either.

[RebekahT]

I want to encourage everyone to send this letter to every Evangelical that you know. We need Huckabee’s record to get in as many conservative hands as possible.

[unspun]

Arkansas,ARG poll, March 19, 2007

Huckabee, 40%
Romney, 21%
Giuliani, 12%
McCain, 12%
Thompson, 4$

[RebekahT]

Well if everyone is going to jump off the bridge, I guess I will too.

[nicmarlo]

I have read most of the letter; I will reread it again tomorrow. Thank you for pointing this out to me.

[RebekahT]

Sure thing. I have the author’s personal email - he’s open to any questions - if you are interested. He was on a local talk radio show last week discussing the points in the letter.

[nicmarlo]

I find that, for me at least, it’s more difficult to sort out governor’s positions than a representative’s or a senator’s.

I am easily able to look up how a senator or rep voted, or what they sponsored (at thomas.gov), but as concerns a govenor, there’s much more difficulty (unless, of course, one is from that state and obviously is better able to pay attention/read your own governor’s law signing/vetoes/commutations, etc.).

When you’re an “outsider” you also have no history as to what led up to any particular bill signing or action.

I don’t feel the need to contact your friend, as his letter appears to align itself with other things I have read by others.

[Lake Living]

You have expressed it well. I give a hearty amen! I don’t know about Carter but Huckabee seem like a John McCain in the making. Enough of these chameleon candidates and “evolvers” with the ever leftward tilt to their evolving. I heard Huckabee speak briefly at a Johnny Hunts men’s outreach in Atlanta recently. It’s not that what he said was bad, it just bugs me that so many Christians don’t seem to have any discernment when it comes to sizing up political candidates - especially ones calling themselves Christians. Can we please vote for a real conservative (hint, Ted Cruz) for once. Public office, so far, does not seem to have effected his trustworthiness or his testimony and he knows how to give better than he gets when under fire. Presidential politics is big league - we need an Olympic tri-athlete not a jr. high want-a-bee.