The Huck: Backsctratcher!
As the old saying goes, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.
Unfortunately, when you are THE identified Christian Conservative in the 2008 primaries, you sort of need to live up to the billing.
More unfortunately, the Huck seems to have learned his politics separate and apart from his conservative values. Ambinder has a post up on Mike Huckabee and his endorsement of Rep. Don Young of Alaska. It seems that even though Rep. Young is under federal investigation for bribery, and is the most famous of all pork-barrelers, Mike Huckabee has endorsed him.
Why? Because Young was one of a very few elected officials who endorsed Mike Huckabee. One good turn deserves another.
With his own fiscal record to answer for, it's not really a surprise that Huck would endorse Don Young. And after all, he did learn from the best.
Unfortunately, when you are THE identified Christian Conservative in the 2008 primaries, you sort of need to live up to the billing.
More unfortunately, the Huck seems to have learned his politics separate and apart from his conservative values. Ambinder has a post up on Mike Huckabee and his endorsement of Rep. Don Young of Alaska. It seems that even though Rep. Young is under federal investigation for bribery, and is the most famous of all pork-barrelers, Mike Huckabee has endorsed him.
Why? Because Young was one of a very few elected officials who endorsed Mike Huckabee. One good turn deserves another.
With his own fiscal record to answer for, it's not really a surprise that Huck would endorse Don Young. And after all, he did learn from the best.
After being elected Governor of California in 1967, Ronald Reagan reneged on a campaign promise and signed into law the single biggest tax increase in the state’s history: $1 billion. (At the time, the total state budget was only about $5 billion. Adjusted for inflation and population growth, the increase in today’s dollars would be $10 billion.)
If the Club for Growth had been around in 1980, Reagan might not have become President. The influential fiscal conservative group would surely have done everything in their power to prevent the Gipper from gaining the nomination. They would have attempted to derail Reagan’s campaign just as they are now doing to Gov. Huckabee.
For several months the Club for Growth has been attacking Huckabee’s bona fides as a fiscal conservative. In the process, they’ve slandered the Governor’s record, deceived numerous trusting conservatives, and cast doubts on the organization’s honesty and trustworthiness. It’s a disgraceful situation made all the more shameful by our continued willingness to be duped.
In January when Huckabee announced he was forming an exploratory committee, the CFG released a white paper on the Governor’s record. (Oddly, Huckabee was the first candidate scrutinized even though he entered the race after McCain, Giuliani, Brownback, and Romney. For some reason, the CFG thought he was worthy of moving to the head of the line.) The following is an analysis of their white paper examining the question, “Is Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee a Pro-Growth, Economic Conservative?”
The CFG begins by grudgingly admitting Huckabee’s accomplishments:
Governor Huckabee touts himself as an economic conservative, writing in his biography that he “pushed through the Arkansas legislature the first major, broad-based tax cuts in state history” and “led efforts to establish a Property Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights” early on as governor (Arkansas Times 09/22/05), but he only offers a small piece of the picture. It is true that Governor Huckabee fought for an $80 million tax cut package in 1997 that was passed by the Arkansas legislature (Cato Policy Analysis No. 315, 09/03/98); cut the state capital gains tax in 1999 (The Commercial Appeal 02/29/99); and passed the Property Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights in the same year, limiting the increase in property taxes to 10% a year for individuals and 5% per taxing unit (AP 03/16/99).
Before the CFG attempts to downplay these significant actions, let’s take another look at what they’ve admitted he was able to accomplish:
* Pushed through a Democrat legislature the first, major broad based tax cuts in the state’s history.
* Pushed through a Democrat legislature an $80 million tax cut package.
* Cut the state’s capital gains tax by 25%.
* Established a Property Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights
* Limited the increase in property taxes to 10% a year for individuals and 5% per taxing unit
Here are a few that they left off the list:
* Eliminated the income tax for poverty families
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[url]http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/004053.html[url]
The CFG begins by grudgingly admitting Huckabee’s accomplishments:
Governor Huckabee touts himself as an economic conservative, writing in his biography that he “pushed through the Arkansas legislature the first major, broad-based tax cuts in state history” and “led efforts to establish a Property Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights” early on as governor (Arkansas Times 09/22/05), but he only offers a small piece of the picture. It is true that Governor Huckabee fought for an $80 million tax cut package in 1997 that was passed by the Arkansas legislature (Cato Policy Analysis No. 315, 09/03/98); cut the state capital gains tax in 1999 (The Commercial Appeal 02/29/99); and passed the Property Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights in the same year, limiting the increase in property taxes to 10% a year for individuals and 5% per taxing unit (AP 03/16/99).
Before the CFG attempts to downplay these significant actions, let’s take another look at what they’ve admitted he was able to accomplish:
* Pushed through a Democrat legislature the first, major broad based tax cuts in the state’s history.
* Pushed through a Democrat legislature an $80 million tax cut package.
* Cut the state’s capital gains tax by 25%.
* Established a Property Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights
* Limited the increase in property taxes to 10% a year for individuals and 5% per taxing unit
Here are a few that they left off the list:
* Eliminated the income tax for families below the poverty line.
* Increased the standard deductions.
* Eliminated the marriage penalty.
* Eliminated bracket creep by indexing the income taxes to inflation, thereby preventing taxpayers from moving into a higher bracket when their paychecks increase due to inflations.
* Doubled the child care tax credit.
* Eliminated capital gains tax on the sale of a home.
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Debra, why don't you account for his support of Don Young? That's what the post was about. If Huckabee is so fiscally conservative, why would he line up with the king of pork, the guy who brought us the bridge to nowhere?
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Um, that photo looks photoshopped,and not by someone who knew what they were doing.
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Listen you Romney Tools that was my bridge to no where!
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Thanks Ted, you carried the Senate water, Young carried it in the house. Here's a nice reference to another earmark scandal, though, since we're on the topic:
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/041808/sta_269857436.shtml
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Huckabee has known Young for years. Although, they do not agree on everything, they do agree on many of the issues. During this election cycle we have seen many of the candidates SAY something when records said something else. Why would Huckabee support and endorse a candidate he didn't know personally when the opposing candidate is a friend that shares many if not most of his own views? Most people realize that government officials are supposed to represent their constituents. We can complain all we want; but those of us that don't live in Alaska shouldn't have as much say as those that do since it is their voice being represented. As much as I dislike my tax dollars being spent; I have to assume if I lived in "nowhere" I would greatly appreciate "the bridge."
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If nothing else is apparent, Governor Huckabee does not worship at the altar of political expediency. It would have done him absolutely no harm to have resisted the endorsement -- and would have saved him from what had to be anticipated rancor. But the governor is a man of principle, not politics. He does not endorse every stance Don Young has taken -- and let's face it -- Young has served as Alaskan senator for 18 years, so he must have done SOME things right. Well, this time, most "pretend politicians" prefer to focus on the last news flashes (which is rather shortsighted); perhaps Governor Huckabee is going a bit beyond the immediate soundbites with a perspective to the senator's career in its entirety, along with much needed loyalty.
If you really want to play fairly, review the many, many, many other endorsements of the governor's PAC and, if you are being truly honest, you will most likely agree with each and every one of them.
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Mike Huckabee responds:
Don Young has been a consistent pro-family, pro-life vote in the Congress. Don also endorsed my campaign and stood by me in the public arena defending my record from false attacks when other members of Congress wouldn't be seen with me. I don't expect everyone to agree with each endorsement we make. I am thankful that we are able to talk about our differences openly and respectfully. Thank you for your comments.
-Mike Huckabee
As a long-time supporter of Mike Huckabee, his record and character are all the foundation I need to TRUST HIM in his decisions. Also, as part of his grassroots Army, Hucks Army, we are a strong, united front against the constant attacks and double-standards set against Gov. Huckabee, as this article, and groups such as Club for Growth render. With his huge support base and impeccable record, he is a threat to all the insiders in Washington and others who stand to lose their credibility by his stands on issues of integrity. We trust Gov. Huckabee to make decisions based on what he believes to be the right thing. He does not take this endorsement lightly and without much careful thought about how his decision affects the lives of the American people that he cares so deeply about. We don't know everything that went into this decison, or all the facts about Don Young. Getting the "facts" from the mainstream media and secondhand commentary and opinions of talking heads will not be my basis for truth on any issue. I TRUST MIKE HUCKABEE.
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Did you trust Mike Huckabee when he advocated for the parole release of a convicted rapist Wayne Dumond who went on to murder a woman?
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/14/huckabee_could_face_hurdles_from_the_past/
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at the huckabee love-fest going on over here.
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Mike Huckabee is a man of character, and I trust his judgment in choosing to support this pro-life candidate.
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"I might throw up" -- I hope at least you have a bag!!
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We provide sick bags on every flight. Please look in the seat pocket in front of you.
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http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/004053.html
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I'm glad to see that Governor Huckabee has become so important that people are examining his every move with a microscope! Must mean somebody is feeling threatened!!! Governor Huckabee's huckpac has supported many fine conservative candidates. Don Young does not share every belief with Governor Huckabee but he is a solid conservative candidate, pro life and has been a loyal friend to Huckabee. I KNOW that Governor Huckabee is wise in his decisions and those who donate to huckpace trust him implicitly. Young would't have lasted 18 yrs. if he wern't doing a good job!
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