Sarah Palin's Mike Huckabee problem

Sales Tax, 1996 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/07/96)
Gas and Diesel Fuel Taxes, 1999 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 04/02/99, 04/25/99)
Sales Tax, 2000 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 09/25/02)
Cigarette Tax, 2001 (Associated Press, 04/02/01)
Nursing Home Bed Tax, 2001 (Associated Press, 06/25/01)
Sales Tax, 2002 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/15/02)
Income Surcharge Tax, 2003 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
Tobacco Tax, 2003 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
Internet Taxes, 2004 (Bond Buyer, 02/24/04)

From TheBattman - 6/7/7:

Long and short on Huckabee from his record:

Positives:

1. Has been very strong on gun rights (CCW, protecting gun makers from stupid lawsuits).

2. Pro-Marriage: Marraige protection Act was his baby along with covenant marriage.

3. Pro-life

Negatives:

1. Supported taxes (Old-fashioned Tax-and-Spend politician)- engineered a 3% state income tax surcharge (a tax on the tax you paid in income tax) that was supposedly to make up for budget shortfalls - and then kept in in place a year longer than was necessary (and promised).

Raised fuel taxes

Encouraged the use of sales tax as an easy means of revenue boosting.

Opposed all efforts to reduce the sales tax on groceries and prescription drugs, even in years with a budget surplus. Heck, our new Democrat (liberal at that) Governor, under public pressure, agreed to a reduction in grocery sales tax...

2. ArKidsFirst - One of the larges social spending programs in Arkansas history was his baby. I don’t have a problem with helping low income folks get medical care, but I know many folks on it that could afford regular coverage - but why when big gubmint will give it free?

3. Big Government - Huckabee, between his socialist healthcare moves, his heavy hand regarding tobacco use, his mandatory “search lunchboxes of school kids” “health” initiative, and massive expansion of most social programs...

4. Poor record of political appointments - just one example - Sheffield Nelson on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission - who has single-handedly tarnished the organization and really pissed off sportsmen in the state with his obstructionist and blatantly anti-”regular Joe” initiatives.

5. Illegal Immigration - Huckabee actually called anyone against illegal immigration (those who wanted to prevent free tuition to illlegals, free social benefits to illegals, etc.) non-Christian.

6. Party Affiliation - Huckabee has chosen in the last couple of elections to not be supportive of Republican candidates, including Lt. Governor, when they were a solid conservative choice, preferring more “moderate” or even liberal candidates.

I also did not like Fred’s excessive Federalism. Bottom line, which you seem to be incapable of grasping, is that your bigotry towards conservative Christians is unproductive and self defeating.

And there's the truth.

You don't like federalism? You may have conservative religious views, but you are definitely NOT politcally conservative.

p.s. You don't speak for all conservative Christians - I'm one myself.

As am I, but somehow if I object to Huckabee for his ‘it is Un-Christian to deny illegal aliens benefits’ and his pro nanny state government stances - I am a religious bigot against Christian conservatives. That must be three in a row!!!

“You don’t like federalism? You may have conservative religious views, but you are definitely NOT politcally conservative.”

I don’t believe in excessive federalism. I think constitutional ammendments banning abortion, homosexual marraige, etc. are important....at least the attempt. We are a UNION of states, but WE ARE ONE country. To allow a state TOO MUCH self control (on certain issues) can be a problem. I don’t like it that in some states the 2nd Ammendment is followed, while in others it is ignored. Certain freedoms and prohibitions need to be universal. The extreme federalists basically want each state to be a country unto itself. That becomes a problem, mainly (from my point of view) because some states are so liberal they allow legalization of drugs, homosexual marraige, while suppressing 2nd ammendment rights. While I support the 10th Ammendment, it can be overdone.

NO sensible conservative will say that someone is not conservative because they don’t endorse extreme federalism. Goodness, that argument goes all the way back to the beginning of our republic. Goodness, the extreme federalism view was a driving force behind the Civil War.

Regarding you being evangelical.....I have no way of knowing that for certain. However, a Christian is ALWAYS a Christian first and everything else second. IF NOT, then they are subject to questioning of their bonafides. I would rather be classified a religious conservative anyday if I have to embrace what is WRONG (allowing abortion and homosexual marraige is some states) to be called a political conservative by persons of questionable credentials and judgement.

On a personal level....get over the fact that Fred lost. If you don’t like Huckabee, vote for another candidate, but do so because you LIKE that candidate instead of disliking another. We Republicarns are too focused on the negative in certain candidates rather than the positive of those we support. That has been and will continue to be a recipe for disaster. BTW - I’m not certain I would vote for Huckabee this time. Whether it be Huckabee or Palin a candidate should declare their intentions and stope being coy. That was one of the things that hurt Fred Thompson.

Also, stop belittling persons because they appeal to a certain group....especially the base of the party. Also, IF you are ashamed of conservative evangelical Christians...stop calling yourself one...because you are not.

“chew on this: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2632125/posts";

I AM NOT an apologist for Huckabee. However, I would want to hear his side of the story rather than blindly accept something posted by a person with an agenda to destroy him.

I have seen equally negative things posted about Palin and give them no creedence either.

Both Palin and Huckabee need to clearly state, and stick to it, their intentions to run or not. Then they, or there surrogates should be instructed to run positive campaigns instead of attacks. IF they are both true conservative evangelical Christians, then they should conduct their campaigns accordingly. I will watch both to see how they, or those in their name, do this.

In both Palin’s and Huckabee’s cases I am prone to give them some passes on things they did in office. Unfortunately, a certain amount of compromise goes with the office of governor, as does that of President. The key is not to compromise too much and only when it will accomplish are more important objective.

Huckabee stayed in in order to split votes from Romney (regardless of the romney venom here). You also forget his convenient “paid” lecture on the cayman islands during the election.

The incompetent Governor, Mitt Romney, being kept out of office is a victory, not a loss.

Nothing says that a three term Governor has to take a back seat to a failed single election winning liberal, in the Republican primary, Mitt Romney should not even be in Republican politics at the national level.

perhaps you are correct but I am judging Huckabee by the content of his actions. 2008 was a vote splitter primary and it seems apparent some candidates were paid to stay in the race to keep others out (ie mccain’s bud Thompson)

None of that is apparent at all, that is your own conspiracy theory about bribes and better qualified candidates, and better candidates, not getting out of the way of the totally incompetent, compulsive liar, Mitt Romney, the man who ruined the 2008 election for Republicans.

Romney should never have been in Republican politics, and he does not belong in a Presidential race at all, he seems to be the king of backroom deals and sleazy politics.

Romney has even been a fund raiser and financial backer of liberal Democrats in their races against Republicans, in various states, a fact that never seems to get mentioned.

ok so Romney AND Huckabee sit this one out. I can live quite well with that.