The current column at the NY Times Opinionator blog, Huckabee and the Democratic Ideal, wonders "where’s the Democratic Mike Huckabee?" It answers its own question by approvingly citing David Seaton, an American expatriate blogger living in Madrid, who writes thusly [emphasis added]:
Democrats could learn a lot by studying Huckabee. I have no idea what is really behind Mike Huckabee’s friendly facade, but he is making some interesting and nuanced noises for a southern populist and I think Democrats should take note of these nuances and make some of the same noises.
I believe he is on record as saying that the major problem of the American prison system is that it is filled with people who are drug addicts, not criminals, and that instead of prison they should be in rehab. Since the majority of prisoners in American jails are persons of color, this statement is profoundly un-racist. And if you consider how much more caring, un-punitive and especially how much more expensive it would be to treat these unfortunates as sick people instead of criminals to be locked away, the statement is amazingly un-conservative. This is the sort of message that Democrats should be delivering.
Seaton stops short of endorsing Huckabee. But it's noteworthy that another one of Seaton's columns in praise of the former Arkansas governor is entitled "Huckabee tickles my inner Lenin."
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Just backs up what I've
December 22, 2007 - 15:43 ET by Gary P JacksonJust backs up what I've been thinking, Huckabee is running for the nomination of the wrong party.
Hadn't heard this comments on prisons before. Indeed, many folks in are prison on drug related charges, but crime is crime. Many of those drug addicts commit other crimes to support their habits. I've compared this guy to Jimmy Carter, but the more I hear how many criminals he has released, some with disastrous results, and his obvious bent toward going soft on the bad guys, I think a better comparison would be to Michael Dukakis.
gary
December 22, 2007 - 15:56 ET by shawn228Huckabee must be doing something right to have the momentum he has at the moment. I am liking him more and more everyday.
Re: drugs refer to Indiana Joe's thread.
Maybe the billions and billions we spend per year on the WOD is a waste. I find nothing wrong with using some of that money on rehabilitation. Probably would be cheaper in the long run to sending some non violent offenders to prison.
To quote one of my favorite
December 22, 2007 - 17:42 ET by Gary P JacksonTo quote one of my favorite comedians, Brother Dave Gardner: "If there weren't any laws, there wouldn't be any crime!" He added: "That's what's known as a profound statement!"
Look, I can see the point some have about legalizing weed. It is something that grows naturally, and does have legitimate medical uses. I have two cousins with MS, and it is very beneficial to them.
But an overall legalization of drugs is not the answer. And in many cases, if not most, it's not the drugs that send people to prison, it's what the addicts do to get those drugs that lands them in the hoosegow. And legalizing drugs, unless you want the state to supply them too, won't stop addicts from stealing, and sometimes even murdering to support the habit.
A s for Huckabee, he is someone I would never vote for, no mater what. But I doubt he will be our nominee, as every day there is more light shown on him, and as his past comes to light, more and more people realize he is not a true conservative. His RECORD on taxes should be enough to disqualify him from the party's nod.
Sorry I have to disagree with you Shawn, but there it is.
Gary
December 22, 2007 - 19:44 ET by shawn228No problem with disagreeing with me at all, I don't want to force my views on you as I would not want you to force yours on me. That is why I like debate instead of ad hominems.
A nominee like Huckabee or Guiliani might have a better shot at getting independent votes like mine and have a better shot at the Presidency that Romney or even Fred Thompson.
Oh you're right. Although
December 22, 2007 - 22:21 ET by Gary P JacksonOh you're right.
Although I always question the real impact of independents, especially now days. The differences between democrats and Republicans couldn't be more. It's hard to know how many folks are sitting on the fence with their beliefs.
I'm pretty vocal about my likes of both Mitt and Rudy, but it goes to their ability to lead, and their ability to comprehend the issues that are important to me. I also like the fact that neither man has run from President Bush.
As far as the socially liberal parts of the two men's resumes, I still look back and remember Ronald Reagan was pro choice, before he was pro life, but once he saw the light, he changed his position, and remained true to the cause.
Past that, on social issues, the President doesn't really have all that much power, other than setting the example, and more importantly, appointing judges, which I think both men will be right on.
All I know for sure though, is the Republican field, save a couple, is so far ahead of the democrat field, in experience, and abilities, it's no contest!
Gary
December 22, 2007 - 22:45 ET by shawn228"Past that, on social issues, the President doesn't really have all that
much power, other than setting the example, and more importantly,
appointing judges"
I don't know about that Gary. The Democrats control both chambers right now. If it was not for the Presidents Veto power, The Stem Cell bill would have passed, The childrens health care plan would have passed, and there definitely would have been a set pull out date by now.
I bet there are many people that are still on the fence, many are like me that have at least a modest understanding of politics and some "actually quite a few" do not know who Condi is, but know Britney Spears does not wear underwear.
I'd say you are spot on
December 23, 2007 - 00:36 ET by Gary P JacksonI'd say you are spot on again! Probably half the population, the half that thinks it not worth the effort to vote, can tell you every detail of Britney's life. On the other hand, those people would be hard to name any member of the Congress, or The Administration. That's sad too.
We have to constantly worry about the bench, as even Bush 41 put a couple of duds on the Supreme Court, and if Republicans hadn't lost their minds over Harriet Meyers, we would have had a disaster given to us by this President. In the end, Bush appointed two men who so far have been reliable constructionist judges.
Rudy has vowed to appoint judges in the mold of Thomas and Scalia. If he's telling the truth, we'll be OK. I think Romney is of the same.
Thankfully, the embryonic stem sell debate may be over. Looks like science has found a better way. Of course the deal for me is just as much about wasted time and money, as it is killing unborn.
Adult stem cells are curing people as we speak. So far embryonic cells are only a theory of a cure.
I always look at something this way. We live in a capitalistic society. If there was real promise in embryonic stem cells, you'd have every pharmaceutical company in the world working on it. Because who ever can cure things like Alzheimer's, MS, MD, cancer, and whatever, will be rewarded with great riches!
I can see the government researching medicine, but if the market doesn't fawn all over it, then it might not be all one hopes it to be.
I guess I should come clean also. I'm a fence sitter myself this time! I mean George Bush was our Governor, in fact the first Governor who had won back to back 4 year terms in the state's history. And he won his election with the people knowing full well that he would run for President almost immediately! So Bush has been a no brainer for me.
After looking at the field, The only two that make sense to me is Rudy and Mitt. So it will boil down to this: If someone shoots themselves in the foot, they will be done in my mind. So far, so good! I also like Duncan Hunter. Like Mitt and Rudy, he LOOKS Presidential. I think he should have a place in the next administration. He would make a fine SecDef.
To me Mike Huckabee doesn't look, or feel Presidential.
Another perfect example
December 22, 2007 - 18:03 ET by bigtimerAnother perfect example from the left of why conservatives need to be very wary of the Huckster...
The dims love him....all you need to know IMHO.
What a duffus
December 22, 2007 - 18:16 ET by RexmanoHell no!! He is not doing anything Right. This man Huck will put Jimmy "toothy" Carter to shame. He is showing us all the signs of a turncoat. He now believes his press...to criticize the administration "go it alone and bunker mentality" With the guy, who needs enemies. Thanks Condi for taking him down a few pegs. We don't need a Baptist pastor as President. Another Arkansas dude, hell no!
Huckabee lauded by Time?
December 22, 2007 - 19:27 ET by nkviking75Huckabee's radio ads here in Iowa point out that Time Magazine called him one of America's best governors. That always struck me as an odd way to appeal to Republican voters. After all, they're the idiots who just made Putin Man of the Year.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
.
December 22, 2007 - 19:29 ET by dervishStand by for an endorsement from Ahmadinejad...
Huckabee And Ahmadinejad: Perfect Together?
December 22, 2007 - 21:53 ET by PopularTechHuckabee And Ahmadinejad: Perfect Together?
Huckabee: Get Rid of Gitmo
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
Mike Huckabee is a true conservative.
December 23, 2007 - 08:56 ET by johnbarryMike Huckabee is conservative on both social and economic policy. He has consistently opposed abortion. He supports the Fair Tax. So President Huckabee would be a tax cutter. He would abolish the IRS. He has clearly thought out policies on all major issues. He has oomph. Great leaders engender enthusiasm in the electorate. Mike Huckabee empathizes with the voters. He speaks their language. He articulates their concerns. He is a progressive conservative. The US is facing an increasingly assertive Communist China-a country which will threaten US economic and political leadership of the world. A fresh approach is needed on the economy. The Fair Tax has the potential to unlock greater economic creativity. The old ways no longer assure US dominance.
The following quotation from Mike is particularly apposite:
“If integrity and character are divorced from God, they don’t make sense,” he writes in his book, with John Perry, “Character Makes a Difference” (B&H Publishing Group, 2007). “Integrity, left to define itself, becomes evil because everyone ends up choosing his own standards.”
Mike Huckabee is a conservative my ass
December 24, 2007 - 08:24 ET by PopularTechTalk about propaganda, Huckabee is NOT a fiscal conservative
Huckabee on Taxes (Video) (1min)
Fiscal Record:
A Taxing Endeavor (National Review Online)
Huckabee's Fiscal Record (FactCheck.org)
Huckabee: The Biggest Big-Government Conservative (FOXNews)
Mike Huckabee is a Liberal - Updated Huckabee White Paper (Club for Growth)
- Immediately upon taking office he signed a sales tax hike in 1996
- He raised taxes on gasoline in 1999
- He supported an internet sales tax in 2001
- He created a $5.25 per day bed-tax on private nursing home patients in 2001
- He publicly opposed the repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002
- He proposed another sales take hike in 2002 to fund education improvements
- He raised taxes on cigarettes in 2003
- He opposed a congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003
- He allowed a 17% sales tax increase to become law in 2004
- He increased taxes in the state by more than Bill Clinton did
- He increased state spending 65.3% from 1996 to 2004
- The number of state government workers rose 20% during his tenure
- Governor Huckabee refused to pledge not to raise taxes if elected President
Tax Hike Mike
- Overall, Huckabee’s substantial tax hikes far surpassed his modest tax
cuts, with the average tax burden increasing by a whopping 47% over his
tenure.
I have no idea what the Huckster is fiscally conservative on!
Huckabee: Get Rid of Gitmo
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
Mike Huckabee is a fiscal conservative
December 24, 2007 - 22:58 ET by johnbarryMike Huckabee supports the Fair Tax. A President Huckabee would be a tax cutter. The Fair Tax will instantly make American products 12 to 25% more competitive because the cost of those goods will no longer be inflated by corporate taxes, costs of tax compliance, and Social Security matching payments. The alternative is the status quo, which will ensure Chinese dominance within 20 years.
Huckabee faced a $200 million shortfall in 2002 in Arkansas. He left a surplus of nearly $850 million, which he urged should go back to the people in the form of tax cuts. Students made real achievement gains - not just on state tests but also the more challenging National Assessment of Educational Progress - during his term as governor. He worked hard to secure badly needed improvements to the state's highway and road infrastructure. Mike Huckabee was a Republican governor in a Democratic state, with a constitution that restricted the power he could wield on his own. He did exceptionally well.
Bob Novak criticized Mike Huckabee for a “47 percent increase in state tax burden.” But during Huckabee’s years in office, total state tax burden — all 50 states combined — rose by twice as much: 98 percent, increasing from $743 billion in 1993 to $1.47 trillion in 2005.[Source for this statistic –Dick Morris]
Read article titled Mike Huckabee is a fiscal conservative by Dick Morris at:
http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/?p=203