A PROVEN CONSERVATIVE

It's not too late for America to have a real conservative candidate for President, one who is worthy of America's history and as great as her people.

FUTURE TALK SHOW HOST RESPONDS

Dear Sean, Rush, Mark, Roger, Laura, and the rest of the "Conservative" talk show hosts,

You've taught me well, above all else to think for myself. A true "ditto head", I am actually able to form my own truly conservative thoughts, based on what I understand as the most important issues that seperate a REAL Conservative from "wanna be's" and fakes.

Conservative values as I have heard from you all, never change, and this is sound reasoning. True conservatism means that you believe and actually act on your beliefs. True Conservatives are consistent on the following principles. Those start with the Christian values that our forefathers founded this country on, those found in the Bible (which are found in the halls of our Supreme Court), the Ten Comandments. A direct result is that we start in our society wih a Sanctity for Life. It follows that the Sanctity of Marriage and the family is a fundamental building block of our society. Another fundamental belief is that of hard work and self reliance, which creates wealth for those willing to work for it, and as our Bible tells us clearly, if you don't work, if able, you should not eat. One more Conservative test is the Right to Bear Arms, a basic fundamental right in a Democracy and any Free Country.

So lets apply these principles to three "conservative" candidates left standing. Mike Huckabee is the only Conservative who has signed legislation to restrict abortion and protect the Sanctity of Life. Mike Huckabee is the only Conservative candidate who signed legislation protecting the American Family and the Sanctity of Marriage. Mike Huckabee is the only Conservative candidate who stands firmly to abolish the IRS, implement the Fair Tax, and allow us hardworking self reliant Americans to keep more of what we produce and decide how we spend and pay taxes. Last but definitely not least, Mike Huckabee is the ONLY Conservative candidate who has consistently supported the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, a life long hunter and NRA member most of his adult life.

As you all know, John McCain and Mitt Romney fail miserably when compared on these four basic tests of Conservatism. To make matters worse you have broken the "Golden Rule" of our self proclaimed leader "Ronaldus Maximus", never attack a fellow Republican in the primaries.

Yet all of you have in unison decided to attack the record of the only True Conservative in the race, and prop up a man who makes John Kerry's flip flops look like a rank amateur.

So, I must do what you all have schooled me to do, remove my support from the fakes, the "wanna be conservatives" and be true to the real Conservative values I know stand through thick and through thin.

I am no longer listening to any of you! The great thing is that when all of my fellow Conservatives follow suit, your ratings will suffer so badly that the market will have room for some True Conservative talk show hosts!! I think I may have a new career!!

A True Conservative,

Craig A. Nordal

Evangelical Christian

Future Conservative Talk Show Host

Encinitas, CA

The Former Pastor Running for President? Which One?

By Gary Glenn

The news media rarely mentions former Gov. Mike Huckabee without first identifying him as a "former pastor."

Literally, in many news articles, Huckabee is identified as a former pastor before his ten years as governor of Arkansas -- more executive branch experience than any other candidate running for president of either party -- is even mentioned. In fact, Huckabee served as governor longer than he served as a pastor.

One California newspaper editorial page editor notes, however, that Huckabee's economic and social views were perhaps influenced by the fact that "as a preacher, he spent many years ministering to average Americans personally, gaining a real sense of the issues that concern them -- health insurance, economic uncertainty, family breakdown."
http://www.dailybulletin.com/politics/ci_8085136

In that context, the five-minute video interview by Newsweek's Howard Fineman -- linked below -- is particularly striking, in which the Republican candidate for president himself repeatedly refers to his experience as a former pastor and precisely identifies that experience as a primary source of his empathy for average Americans.

VIDEO:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1321252644/bclid1392485057/bctid1392485174

There is a twist, however.

The video interview is not with Mike Huckabee.

It's that other former pastor running for president.

Who, curiously, is never referred to by the news media as a "former pastor."

Even though he says he served as a pastor for fifteen years, nearly four times longer than he served as governor.

So why the media double standard?

Why is the candidate who served as governor longer than he served as pastor always identified as a former pastor, while the candidate who served as pastor four times longer than he served as governor never identified as a former pastor?


Gary Glenn is President of the American Family Association of Michigan

Duncan Hunter Endorses Mike Huckabee

While Congressman Duncan Hunter faced a formidable task in running for the Presidency due to the fact that he has not held statewide office, he is probably the most principled and qualified conservative to have run for President this year. Let us hope that our next President uses, at the highest level, his considerable knowledge of military and foreign affairs. Given his commitment to securing our borders, ensuring a level playing field for American industry, rebuilding the "arsenal of democracy," and his Reaganesque vision of an America that is strong and free, it is not surprising that he has endorsed Governor Mike Huckabee for the Presidency of the United States. CNN's report follows:

WASHINGTON (CNN) — California Rep. Duncan Hunter, a former presidential candidate, announced Wednesday he is endorsing Mike Huckabee's White House bid.

“I got to know Governor Huckabee well on the campaign trail,” Hunter said in a statement. “Of the remaining candidates I feel that he is strongly committed to strengthening national defense, constructing the border fence and meeting the challenge of China’s emergence as a military superpower that is taking large portions of America’s industrial base.

"Along with these issues of national security, border enforcement and protecting the U.S. industrial base, I see another quality of Mike Huckabee’s candidacy that compels my endorsement," he added. "Mike Huckabee is a man of outstanding character and integrity. I saw that character over the last year of campaigning and was greatly impressed. The other Republican candidates have many strengths and I wish them all well."

TODAY'S THE DAY, SOUTH CAROLINA -- CAN WE COUNT ON YOU?

Today you have the right and the responsibility to cast your vote in the First in the South Republican Presidential Primary. The outcome of the vote in our state will play a pivotal role in determining who our Republican Party puts forth as its nominee for the Presidency. Remember, since 1980, no candidate has gone on to win the Republican nomination without first winning the South Carolina Primary.

Most of the candidates have been crisscrossing the state for weeks and especially these last few days. As we've had a chance to get to know them all better, it simply underscores that there is only one clear choice who deserves our support. We are as passionate about supporting his effort as he is about leading our country into the future.

Clearly, Governor Mike Huckabee is the best choice to serve as the next President of the United States. He has the experience and the vision to lead our country forward. Mike Huckabee exemplifies the principles and values we identify with most deeply - and he's made these principles the cornerstone of his campaign: Faith, Family and Freedom.

Governor Huckabee has a proven record of protecting the sanctity of life, preserving the institution of marriage, enacting sound fiscal policies, and building coalitions for the greater good. As President he will build on this record and work to seal the border, and ensure the safety and security of the American people.

We urge you to make it a priority to vote tomorrow (Saturday the 19th ) and to cast your vote for Governor Mike Huckabee. There is much at stake. There's little doubt that this will be a close election and every vote will make a difference. Your vote will make a difference! Can we count on you?

Best Regards,

David Beasley, Former Governor, South Carolina
Bob Inglis, Member of Congress
Andre Bauer, Lieutenant Governor, South Carolina
Mike Campbell, South Carolina State Chairman of the Huckabee for President Campaign
Iris Campbell, Former First Lady, South Carolina

P.S. We also invite you to attend the Election Results Watch Party for Mike Huckabee at the Columbia Convention Center at 1101 Lincoln Street. The event is being held in the ballroom and doors open at 6 PM.

The Media's Selective Religious Test

By Phil Lawler

As I have noted before, the media have trouble dealing with the religious beliefs of Mike Huckabee. It's happening again-- or perhaps I should say still.

[Disclaimer: In what follows I do not intend to imply my support for Huckabee. The fact is, I don't support him-- as a presidential candidate. As an unabashed Christian confronting the media, however, he has my sympathy.]

In last night's debate among the Republican hopefuls in South Carolina, Gov. Huckabee was singled out for a question about Christian beliefs. His response was remarkable. Let's go to the transcript:

CAMERON: Governor Huckabee, to change the subject a little bit and focus a moment on electability. Back in 1998, you were one of about 100 people who affirmed, in a full-page ad in the New York Times, the Southern Baptist Convention's declaration that, quote, "A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband." Women voters in both parties harshly criticized that. Is that position politically viable in the general election of 2008, sir?

HUCKABEE: You know, it's interesting, everybody says religion is off limits, except we always can ask me the religious questions. So let me try to do my best to answer it.

[APPLAUSE]

And since -- if we're really going to have a religious service, I'd really feel more comfortable if I could pass the plates, because our campaign could use the money tonight, Carl.

[LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE]

[snip]

The whole context of that passage-- and, by the way, it really was spoken to believers, to Christian believers. I'm not the least bit ashamed of my faith or the doctrines of it. I don't try to impose that as a governor and I wouldn't impose it as a president. But I certainly am going to practice it unashamedly, whether I'm a president or whether I'm not a president...

Right on target. With a little joke tossed in to soften the blow, Huckabee makes the relevant point: that he, and only he, is subjected to questioning about his religious beliefs. Why? Maybe because he makes no bones about the fact that his beliefs influence his public stands. More likely because those beliefs are sharply at odds with those of the comfortably secular media establishment.

Mr. Cameron wonders whether some voters might be worried by Huckabee's professed beliefs, as indeed they might. But why not apply the same standard to other presidential hopefuls? Mitt Romney might be asked whether he really expects to ascend to an equal status with Jesus and rule over some distant planet. Fred Thompson could be asked why he never goes to church. John McCain could be questioned about the intense disputes among his Episcopalian confreres over same-sex marriage and homosexual bishops. Rudy Giuliani could be asked to reconcile his multiple partnerships with the Catholic teaching on indissolubility of marriage. But those questions are not asked; only Huckabee faces the theological quizzing.

Then again, maybe Huckabee shouldn't complain-- as a matter of fact you'll notice that he didn't complain, merely made a salient point-- because the questions give him opportunities to give some very good answers. Thus, when he continued with his response to the question above, the debate audience was treated to the sort of exhortation that one ordinarily does not hear in a political debate.

... the point-- and it comes from a passage of scripture in the New Testament book of Ephesians-- is that as wives submit themselves to the husbands, the husbands also submit themselves, and it's not a matter of one being somehow superior over the other. It's both mutually showing their affection and submission as unto the Lord.

So with all due respect, it has nothing to do with presidency. I just wanted to clear up that little doctrinal quirk there so that there's nobody who misunderstands that it's really about doing what a marriage ought to do and that's marriage is not a 50/50 deal, where each partner gives 50%. Biblically, marriage is 100/100 deal. Each partner gives 100% of their devotion to the other and that's why marriage is an important institution, because it teaches us how to love.
[APPLAUSE]

HUCKABEE MOMENTUM: KEEP IT GOING!

With South Carolina poised to play a pivotal role in the selection of our next President, the Huckabee campaign is asking all supporters to keep Mike Huckabee's momentum going.

Please go to http://www.huckabeemomentum.com/ and make a pledge today. Thanks!!!

SHOCK POLL: HUCKABEE LEADS IN MICHIGAN

"According to the latest Rossman Group/MIRS/Denno-Noor survey, the GOP contest in Michigan is now shaping up as a battle between Mike Huckabee (at 23 percent), Mitt Romney (at 22 percent) and John McCain (at 18 percent)." http://www.rossmangroup.com/press_releases/article_read.cfm

“I think the big stor(y) shaping up in Michigan (is) Huckabee’s leap to the top of the GOP field...,” said John T. Reurink, president of Michigan Information & Research Service Inc. (MIRS) newsletter.

The poll was conducted Jan. 6-7, after Romney had spent at least $1 million in television advertising in Michigan, as reported Jan. 2nd by the Detroit News, while Huckabee had had no paid advertising in the state. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080102/POLITICS01/801020375

Gary Glenn, Midland, a volunteer spokesman for grassroots supporters of Huckabee in Michigan, said the new poll results "will put the motivation level of Gov. Huckabee's volunteer army here in Michigan through the roof in the final push to next Tuesday."

"Gov. Huckabee doesn't have to win Michigan to show well, but the fact that he's in a position to even threaten Mitt Romney in Romney's native state is a testimony to how strongly Gov. Huckabee's message appeals to voters in Michigan and nationwide."

"Just to stay even, Mitt Romney has had to spend a million dollars on TV ads to buy the support he has," Glenn said, "but it's Gov. Huckabee's heart for the values and concerns of the average American family that is obviously winning the hearts of Michigan voters."

Glenn said he expected that the socially conservative voters who dominate Republican presidential primaries will continue to move to Huckabee the more they learn about the issues.

"Gov. Huckabee has been a life-long defender of prenatal life and traditional family values, while until running for president, Mitt Romney had a long record of promoting abortion on demand, the homosexual agenda, and gun control.," Glenn said.

For example, he said, Huckabee helped lead the campaign for a Marriage Protection Amendment to the Arkansas state constitution, while Romney as a candidate for governor in 2002 opposed a marriage amendment to the Massachusetts constitution and Sen. John McCain was one of only a handful of Republican lawmakers who voted against a federal marriage amendment.

BILL KRISTOL ASKS: WHO WILL SAVE US FROM OBAMA?

By William Kristol (Op-Ed Column in The New York Times)

Thank you, Senator Obama. You’ve defeated Senator Clinton in Iowa. It looks as if you’re about to beat her in New Hampshire. There will be no Clinton Restoration. A nation turns its grateful eyes to you.

But gratitude for sparing us a third Clinton term only goes so far. Who, inquiring minds want to know, is going to spare us a first Obama term? After all, for all his ability and charm, Barack Obama is still a liberal Democrat. Some of us would much prefer a non-liberal and non-Democratic administration. We don’t want to increase the scope of the nanny state, we don’t want to undo the good done by the appointments of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, and we really don’t want to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory in Iraq.

For me, therefore, the most interesting moment in Saturday night’s Republican debate at St. Anselm College was when the candidates were asked what arguments they would make if they found themselves running against Obama in the general election.

The best answer came, not surprisingly, from the best Republican campaigner so far — Mike Huckabee. He began by calmly mentioning his and Obama’s contrasting views on issues from guns to life to same-sex marriage. This served to remind Republicans that these contrasts have been central to G.O.P. success over the last quarter-century, and to suggest that Huckabee could credibly and comfortably make the socially conservative case in an electorally advantageous way.

Huckabee went on to pay tribute to Obama for his ability “to touch at the core of something Americans want” in seeming to move beyond partisanship. And, he added, Senator Obama is “a likable person who has excited people about wanting to vote who have not voted in the past.” Huckabee was of course aware that in praising Obama he was recommending himself.

I was watching the debate at the home of a savvy, moderately conservative New Hampshire Republican. It was at this moment that he turned to me and said: “You know, I’ve been a huge skeptic about Huckabee. I’m still not voting for him Tuesday. But I’ve got to say — I like him. And I wonder — could he be our strongest nominee?”

He could be. After the last two elections, featuring the well-born George Bush and Al Gore and John Kerry, Americans — even Republicans! — are ready for a likable regular guy. Huckabee seems to be that. He came up from modest origins. He served as governor of Arkansas for more than a decade. He fought a successful battle against being overweight. These may not be utterly compelling qualifications for the presidency. I’m certainly not ready to sign up.

Still, as the conservative writer Michelle Malkin put it, “For the work-hard-to-get-ahead strivers who represent the heart and soul of the G.O.P., there are obvious, powerful points of identification.” And they speak to younger voters who are not yet committed to the G.O.P. In Iowa, Huckabee did something like what Obama did on the Democratic side, albeit on a smaller scale. He drew new voters to the caucuses. And he defeated Mitt Romney by almost two to one, and John McCain by better than four to one, among voters under 45.

Now it’s true that many conservatives have serious doubts about Huckabee’s positions, especially on foreign policy, and his record, particularly on taxes. The conservative establishment is strikingly hostile to Huckabee — for both good and bad reasons. But voters seem to be enjoying making up their own minds this year. And Huckabee is a talented politician.

His campaigning in New Hampshire has been impressive. At a Friday night event at New England College in Henniker, he played bass with a local rock band, Mama Kicks. One secular New Hampshire Republican’s reaction: “Gee, he’s not some kind of crazy Christian. He’s an ordinary American.”

In general, here in New Hampshire he’s emphasized social issues far less than in Iowa (though he doesn’t waffle when asked about them). Instead he’s stressed conservative economic themes, seamlessly (if somewhat inconsistently) weaving together a pitch for limited government with a message that government needs to do more to address the concerns of the struggling middle class. This latter point seems to be resonating, as headlines in local papers announce an increase in the national unemployment rate amid speculation about a coming recession.

Some Democrats are licking their chops at the prospect of a Huckabee nomination. They shouldn’t be. For one thing, Michael Bloomberg would be tempted to run in the event of an Obama-Huckabee race — and he would most likely take votes primarily from Obama. But whatever Bloomberg does, the fact is that the Republican establishment spent 2007 underestimating Mike Huckabee. If Huckabee does win the nomination, it would be amusing if Democrats made the same mistake in 2008.

HUCKABEE ENDORSES TUITION TAX CREDITS

by Terence P. Jeffrey
CNSNews.com Editor in Chief

...Conservatives, I suspect, will find some of Huckabee's reservations about vouchers more persuasive than others. He cites a compelling argument from Christian school administrators, for example, who told him they fear that "once you take government money, you take government control."

...Huckabee did offer an alternative route to school choice for parents who don't want to send their children to public schools.

"I think that we ought to have tax credits for a family whose decision is to put their children in an alternative environment. And that is something that I would support," he said. "It's an empowering method to families."

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCommentary.asp?Page=/Commentary/archive/200801/COM20080103a.html

THE CLUB FOR GROWTH'S DESPERATE SMEAR CAMPAIGN

The Club for Growth, a cheerleader for NAFTA and GATT and other globalist schemes that have destroyed the “arsenal of democracy” and undermined U.S sovereignty, is attacking Mike Huckabee again.

The Club’s fat-cat multi-nationalists aren’t bothered that the most self-sufficient nation in history has seen its automobile industry so reduced that Mexico now exports more cars to the United States than the United States exports to the world. They aren’t bothered that textile, steel making, apparel and electronics industries have all been exported overseas. Nor does it concern them that a flood of illegal cheap labor has been allowed to invade the United States to compete with U.S citizens for what few jobs are left. But what really has them concerned about their overseas investments and offshore assets is that an economic nationalist like Mike Huckabee will stand up for America’s interests and reverse the trends that have made them super rich, while giving American workers in Detroit and Flint a taste of 1933.

In their desperate attempt to salvage the status quo, they have launched an all out attack of lies and distortion. Governor Huckabee’s Truth Squad has issued the following response:

Governor Huckabee's record on taxes as a steward of the public’s money has been CLEAR and consistent as a conservative with strong pro-growth.policies. The Club for Growth misrepresents this record.

Governor Huckabee is a fiscal conservative who cut taxes almost 100 times in the state of Arkansas. He doubled the standard deduction and the child care credit, eliminated the marriage penalty, repealed capital gains taxes for home sales, lowered the capital gains rate, expanded the homestead exemption and set up tax-free savings accounts for medical care and college tuition.

The fact is that when Governor Huckabee began in office, the tax rate was 1% for the poorest taxpayers and 7 percent for the richest – the tax rates remained exactly the same when he left the governor’s office 11 years later. The sales tax only went up 1 penny in 10 ½ years and the gas tax 3 cents per gallon.

The Governor believes differently than the Club for Growth – there are many in that group who believe that public FUNDING should never be considered to pay for such things as highways, prisons, schools and Medicare.

About the Video Clip

In 2003 the state's chief financial officer projected a $62.3 million revenue shortfall that would result in cuts in state services, possible layoffs, tax increases or the possible repeal of late 1990s tax cuts.

Governor Huckabee told the Legislature that he would accept any recommendation they could agree on in order to meet the law's requirement to balance the budget. The Legislature was presented a series of options and chose to increase the tax on tobacco.

About the Club for Growth's Attack Ad

The attack ad was financed by Steve Stephens, the chairman of ClubforGrowth.net and a wealthy political rival from Little Rock.

Because Governor Huckabee supports earmark reform, Stephens stands to lose millions of dollars in pork for his businesses when the Governor is elected President.

(“Earmarks” is the term used to refer to a provision in legislation that directs funds to be spent on specific projects. Typically, legislators use earmarks to direct money to a particular organization or project in his/her home state or district. These mandates circumvent the merit-based or competitive allocation process.)

Even the liberal New York Times said that the Club for Growth was distorting Governor Huckabee's record. Last week they wrote an article explaining how the tax increases were used to improve education and infrastructure in Arkansas.

The link to the NYT article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/us/politics/02huckabee.html
Why the Governor Raised Taxes

The Arkansas constitution, in a measure that should be lauded by all fiscal conservatives, requires that the state budget be balanced.

More than 90% of the state's budget is spent on education, Medicare, prisons, and human services.

Naturally, cutting spending is always the first response of conservatives, as it was for Governor Huckabee. But that solution is inadequate when there is very little discretionary spending available in the budget.

Unable to resort to deficit spending (as other candidates are able to do), the Arkansas Legislature was forced to raise taxes to pay for infrastructure repair, conservation efforts, court-mandated education expenditures, and unfunded federal mandates.

Governor Huckabee returned almost $400 million to Arkansas taxpayers. He believes it is immoral to take more money from taxpayers than is needed to run the government, and if a surplus occurs because of growth in the economy and good fiscal policy, it should be returned to the people.

He was the first Governor of Arkansas to pass a broad-based tax cut in the history of the state.

He also doubled the standard deduction to $2,000 for individuals and to $4,000 for married couples, as well as the childcare tax credit and eliminated the marriage penalty.

He eliminated the capital gains tax on the sale of a home. He eliminated the state income tax for families below the poverty line.

He reduced the capital gains tax for businesses and individuals.

He indexed the income tax to protect people from paying higher taxes because of "bracket creep."
Governor Huckabee left the state with almost a $1 billion surplus- a state record, setting the stage for further tax reductions. The “Huckabee Surplus” enabled his successor to follow Huckabee’s lead to begin the elimination of the state sales tax on food.

He urged that the surplus should go back to the taxpayers in the form of a rebate or tax cut.

He cut welfare rolls by almost 50 percent.

With respect to the tax and spending that he had under his control, spending rose about six-tenths of one percent a year during his ten-and-a-half year tenure.

Specific Taxes Mentioned in the Attack Ad

Sales Tax Hike (1996): Voters approved 1/8 cent sales tax increase to fund conservation and park services to preserve Arkansas natural and cultural heritage.

Gas and Diesel Fuel Tax Hike (1999): Arkansans supported a 3 cent per gallon fuel tax increase that allowed Arkansas to completely rehabilitate the interstate highway system, changing the interstate system from one of the worst in the country to the best according to Truckers Magazine.

Cigarette Tax Hike (2001): The cigarette tax increase of 25 cents per pack was used to fund state healthcare obligations. Arkansas tobacco taxes are still low, 33rd in the U. S.

Nursing Home Bed Tax (2001): The bed-tax on private nursing home patients was instituted to generate revenue for a nearly 3-to-1 match in federal Medicaid funds. Without this revenue low-income patients would not be able to find beds in nursing homes.

Grocery Tax: Huckabee opposed repeal (2002): This was actually a soft drink tax that Governor Huckabee opposed abolishing because it would drain $168 million from the state's Medicaid budget.

Income Surcharge Tax (2003) – In 2003 there was a temporary increase in the income tax to offset the economic recession our country was facing in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. They were needed for one year, and unlike most “temporary taxes,” Governor Huckabee made sure that the legislature kept its promise to the people that it was eliminated after two years.

Tobacco Tax Hike (2003) – This is the tax from the video clip that the Club for Growth uses in their attack ad. In 2003 the state's chief financial officer projected a $62.3 million revenue shortfall that would result in cuts in state services, possible layoffs, tax increases or the possible repeal of late 1990s tax cuts. The Legislature was presented a series of options and chose to increase the tax on tobacco.

Taxes on Internet Access – Governor Huckabee has always been staunchly opposed to any tax on Internet access.

Beer Tax: Huckabee opposed letting the tax expire (2006) – The tax was used to fund programs for abused and neglected children. Without the tax there would be no funds for those programs.

HUCKABEE STRONGEST GOP GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE IN SOUTHERN STATES

The best way to ensure Hillary Clinton wins the White House is if the Republican Party nominates either of the two northeastern "Yankee" candidates with liberal records of supporting abortion on demand and homosexual activists' political agenda, since they will put even some Southern states at risk to the Democrats in the November 2008 general election.

Rasmussen today confirms that scenario in the Southern state of North Carolina, where fellow Southerner Gov. Mike Huckabee holds the largest lead over likely Democratic nominee Sen. Hillary Clinton, while Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. Mitt Romney are the two weakest potential GOP nominees.

NORTH CAROLINA

General election matchups

Huckabee 46% +7

Clinton 39

McCain 45 +5

Clinton 40

Giuliani 40 +1

Clinton 39

Clinton 42

Romney 40 -1

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/north_carolina/north_carolina_2008_presidential_election

Three weeks ago, Rasmussen confirmed the same scenario in the Southern state of Arkansas, finding Huckabee leading Hillary in that state while the two northeastern "Yankee" candidates trailed Clinton by double digits.

ARKANSAS

General election matchups

Huckabee 48% +6

Clinton 42

Clinton 49

Giuliani 35 -14

Clinton 48

Romney 34 -14

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008__1/2008_presidential_election/arkansas/arkansas_2008_presidential_election

Governor Romney: Lying Is No Way To Prove You Are A Christian

As anyone who has been in South Carolina in the past few months knows, the Romney campaign is vicious and deceitful, and like their candidate, will say or do whatever it takes to win. Perhaps one redeeming feature of endlessly long presidential campaigns is that as Shakespeare wrote, "the truth will out." Governor Romney is going to find out that lying to the people of South Carolina is a poor way to prove that he is, in fact, a Christian.

To set the record straight, the Huckabee for President Campaign today issued the following "Truth Squad" response to a new TV ad by the Romney campaign:

Response to Romney December 17 Attack Ad

TRUTH: Governor Huckabee was tougher on methamphetamine manufacturers than Governor Romney.

In a new attack ad released today, Governor Romney attempts to contrast his position on drugs with that of Governor Huckabee. The ad says that Romney got "Tough on Drugs Like Meth," while Governor Huckabee "Reduced Penalties for Manufacturing Meth." What Romney fails to mention is that -- even with the reductions -- Governor Huckabee was tougher on methamphetamine manufacturers than Governor Romney was.

• The "reduced penalty" in Arkansas was a requirement that meth manufacturers serve 50 percent of their sentence rather than 70 percent before being eligible for parole.


• In Arkansas, the average meth dealer spends an average of 10 years in prison.


• In contrast, the source quoted in the Romney ad that claimed Romney "got tough" on drugs notes, "The punishment would be either 2 1/2 years in jail or five years in prison."

Let's compare: Under Huckabee, 10 years; Under Romney, 5 years.

The ad also states that Romney "never pardoned a single criminal." But this begs the question: how many clemency cases did he actually review while he was governor of Massachusetts? Or did he simply avoid his responsibility as chief executive of the state to review clemency cases and give petitioners a fair hearing?

The ad also points out that Governor Huckabee granted more clemencies than the "previous three governors…combined." It doesn't mention that two of the previous three governors were Bill Clinton and convicted felon Jim Guy Tucker. Governor Huckabee's clemency rate, however, was in line with other governors who have served the state.

Romney also fails to acknowledge that in Arkansas, every person who is convicted of a crime and every person in prison is eligible for clemency. Because of this, the number of clemency applications is extraordinarily high. Governor Huckabee had 8,698 applications during his 10 ½ years in office.

Some Governors are content to simply deny the vast majority of clemency applications without bothering to consider their merit. Governor Huckabee, however, believed that respect for the legal process required that he give them the consideration for which they were entitled. During his tenure, Governor Huckabee denied over 80 percent of the applications.

Before granting clemency, the Governor issues a notice of intent and opens a 30-day public comment period in which people can protest the decision. Very rarely does the public oppose a clemency because almost all are granted for minor offenses, involve reductions in fines, or reduced prison sentences that were longer than the average for a particular crime.

During the 10 ½ years Mike Huckabee was governor the number of government agencies and businesses that conducted background checks increased at an incredible rate. The terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, have resulted in increased concerns regarding security. Potential job candidates and long-time employees considered for promotion are under increased scrutiny.

Before the mainstream use of background checks, most people could have some youthful arrest, change their lives and become good, tax-paying citizens without that earlier arrest coming back to haunt them.

Governor Huckabee found during his time in office that each year the number of people needing clemency to clear their record increased. Denying their request prevented them from continuing to earn a good living and pay taxes. The majority of the clemency requests he granted were for this reason.

Nevertheless, on behalf of the Mike Huckabee for President campaign, we want to wish Governor Romney, his family and his staff, a very merry Christmas.

Additional Notes:

What is Clemency?

Clemency is the process through which the Governor considers requests for granting reprieves, commutations of sentence, and pardons after conviction.

What is a Pardon?

A pardon is the exemption of a convicted person from the penalties of an offense or crime. A pardon can be requested by someone who is no longer incarcerated.

Who May Apply for Clemency?

Any person serving a term of any number of years, life, life without parole, or a sentence of death may apply for executive clemency. A person who is not presently incarcerated may also apply.

What are the Steps in the Clemency Application Process?

1. Any person making a request for clemency must first have their application processed by the Board of Parole in what is called a screening. This will determine if there is any merit to the application. A victim can only make written recommendations to the Board of Parole during this step of the process.

2. If the application is found to have merit, it will most likely be scheduled for a hearing before the Board of Parole. A victim will be notified (if they have requested these notifications) when a hearing is scheduled and can contact the Board of Parole about providing written or oral recommendations. Once the hearing is complete the Board will vote on a recommendation to send to the Governor for final action.

3. The Governor will review the application, the recommendation of the Board of Parole, and all other pertinent materials before making his decision. If the Governor intends to grant the application for clemency, he will announce his intent and allow a 30 day period for public comment. If the Governor decides to deny the application it will be announced and no further action will be taken.

GOVERNOR HUCKABEE'S INTERVIEW WITH CATHOLIC ONLINE

By Deacon Keith Fournier 12/15/2007

In the midst of campaigning for the Republican Presidential nomination, the former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, whose rise in the polls has been the story of the hour, took time out of his busy campaign schedule to speak with Catholic Online on issues of concern to Catholics.


Deacon Keith Fournier: “Governor Huckabee, we thank you for taking this time to speak with Catholic Online. We want the millions of people who view our network to have access to your positions on the vital issues of our day.


As you know, American Catholics are deeply concerned about this upcoming Presidential election.


We were recently instructed by our Bishops to inform our conscience with the truths presented to us in Catholic social teaching and then to exercise our citizenship accordingly.


This Social teaching is not “left” or “right”, “liberal”, “conservative” or “neo-conservative.” It is also not only for Catholics, other Christians or even just “religious people”. It is for all people, offered by the Church to all who seek to build a truly just society. It is called “social” because it speaks to human society and to the formation, role and rightful place of social institutions.


Catholic Social teaching maintains that there are some unchangeable truths, such as the dignity of every human person, and the right to life, from conception to natural death; the primacy of authentic marriage and the family founded upon it; and our obligation in solidarity to one another, and, most especially, to the poor and needy in our midst.


The Catholic position is that these truths can be known by all men and women because they are revealed in the Natural law and expounded upon in Revelation.


It also presents an understanding of human freedom as being properly exercised only with reference to the truth and at the service of our obligations to one another. Any authentic understanding of human freedom must also promote religious freedom because it is a good of the human person and a fundamental human right.


Finally, the compass that is to guide us all as we seek to be both faithful citizens and faithful Catholic Christians is our commitment to the Common Good.


Catholics do not accept the notion that these truths, such as the fundamental right to life, are “religious” positions, in the sense that only religious people need assent to them. Rather, they are human positions. They obligate us all.


Also, we do not accept the notion that our commitment to respect every human life from conception to natural death is a “single issue” approach. Rather, it presents a framework through which we must evaluate every other issue. Children in the womb are our first neighbors. They are also, in the words of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, the ‘poorest of the poor’.


Catholic Social teaching also offers principles for good governance. Because they are “principles”, they leave room for the application of prudential judgment. Included among these principles is the principle of subsidiarity which, simply stated, says that government is best when it is closest to those being governed and that it should begin with, and defer to, the smallest governing unit, which is the family.


Governor, we have followed your campaign with great interest. As your numbers have begun to rise in the polls, there appears to be an effort underway to ‘marginalize’ you by saying that you appeal only to ‘Evangelical Protestants’, or to call you the candidate of the so called ‘religious right’.


As a Catholic, I know that a growing number of people like me, who consider ourselves to be whole life/pro-life, pro-marriage and family, pro-poor, pro-freedom and pro-peace, (and therefore do not like the prevailing labels), are greatly interested in your positions.


Please accept these questions as the beginning of what I hope can be the beginning of further discussions between you and Catholic Online.


QUESTION: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing America today?


Governor Huckabee: “We are, right now, a very polarized country, and that polarized country has led to a paralyzed government. I think the first priority of the next president is to be a president of all the United States. We've got to be the united people of the United States. And a president has got to somehow remind us that we are a great, resilient nation that has to stick together to solve our problems.


I think people in this country are looking for leadership. They're looking for change. They're looking for the people who would be elected to be not so much a ruling class but a servant class.


We've forgotten that. Our Founding Fathers had a brilliant, really revolutionary idea, that the people elected would not represent the elite, but would represent the ordinary people. Our Founding Fathers had the idea that when we are elected, we're not elected as a part to be elevated up, but to truly remember who it is we work for.”


QUESTION: What is your position on the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death and the fundamental right to life?


Governor Huckabee: “I believe that life begins at conception and ends at a natural death. Life is a gift from God.


Every child deserves a quality education, first-rate health care, decent housing in a safe neighborhood, and clean air and drinking water. Every child deserves the opportunity to discover and use his God-given gifts and talents.


What I accomplished as Governor proves that there is a lot more that a pro-life President can do than wait for a Supreme Court vacancy, and I will do everything I can to promote a pro-life agenda and pass pro-life legislation. I'll veto any pro-abortion legislation Congress passes. I will staff all relevant positions with pro-life appointees. I will use the Bully Pulpit to change hearts and minds, to move this country from a culture of death to a culture of life."


QUESTION: How have you lived that commitment personally, as well as in your years of public service as an elected official?


Governor Huckabee: “I have always been actively and aggressively pro-life. No candidate has a stronger or more consistent record on the sanctity of life than I do.


When I was elected Lieutenant Governor, and later Governor, I marched in the annual Right to Life parade down Capitol Avenue in Little Rock. I did this at a time when no other state-wide elected official in Arkansas would participate in this event.


I first became politically active when I helped pass Arkansas' Unborn Child Amendment, which requires the state to do whatever it can to protect life.


As Governor, I used that Amendment to pass pro-life legislation. The many pro-life laws I got through my Democrat-controlled Legislature are the accomplishments that give me the most pride and personal satisfaction.”


QUESTION: What have you done to build a new culture of life and defend the right to life against the encroachment of what the late Pope John Paul II rightly called a culture of death?


Governor Huckabee: “As Governor, I banned partial birth abortion; I required parental notification; I required that a woman give informed consent before having an abortion; I required that a woman be told her baby will experience pain and be given the option of anesthesia for her baby; I allowed a woman to have her baby and, if she was unable to care for it, leave the child safely at a hospital; and I made it a crime for an unborn child to be injured or murdered during an attack on his mother.


I support and have always supported passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. As President, I will fight for passage of this amendment. My convictions regarding the sanctity of life have always been clear and consistent, without equivocation or wavering.


I believe that Roe v. Wade should be over-turned.


I applaud the Supreme Court's recent decision in Gonzales v. Cathcart forbidding the gruesome practice of partial birth abortion. While I am optimistic that we are turning the tide in favor of life, we still have many battles ahead of us to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and so it is vital that we elect a pro-life President.”


QUESTION: Because of our obligation to respect the good of life and our obligation to hear the cry of the poor, what is your plan to help us as a Nation ensure the availability of health insurance coverage for all Americans, including the poor?


Governor Huckabee: “The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken, in part because it is only a "health care" system, not a "health" system. For example, insurance companies will pay $30,000 for a diabetic to have his foot amputated, but won't pay far less for special shoes that would save his foot.


We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes. We do need to get serious about preventive health care instead of chasing more and more dollars to treat chronic disease, which currently gobbles up 80 percent of our health care costs, and yet is often avoidable. The result is that we'll be able to deliver better care where and when it's needed.


More than that, preventive health care improves the quality of life. A man who learns to eat right, exercise and not smoke has a better quality of life than one who doesn’t do those things, has a heart attack and the pain and limitations on life that follow.


I’ve seen such pain. My father smoked, didn’t exercise or eat right. He had open heart surgery and five bypasses. His quality of life after his heart attack was never as good as it was before. I often think how much better and longer he would have lived if he’d taken better care of himself.


Also, I advocate policies that will encourage the private sector to seek innovative ways to bring down costs and improve the free market for health care services. We can make health care more affordable by reforming medical liability; adopting electronic record keeping; making health insurance more portable from one job to another; expanding health savings accounts to everyone, not just those with high deductibles; and making health insurance tax deductible for individuals and families as it now is for businesses.


Low income families would get tax credits instead of deductions. We don't need all the government controls that would inevitably come with universal health care. When I'm President, Americans will have more control of their health care options, not less.”


QUESTION: Many Catholics opposed the initial decision to enter Iraq, not believing it fit a "just war" analysis. However, most now agree that we have an obligation to do what is right for the struggling people of that Nation and to support our troops. What are your thoughts on the way forward in Iraq?


Governor Huckabee: “Iraq is a battle in our generational, ideological war on terror. I am focused on winning. Withdrawal would have serious strategic consequences for us and horrific humanitarian consequences for the Iraqis.


If we leave, Iraq's neighbors on all sides will face a refugee crisis and be drawn into the war: Iran to protect the Shiites; Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan to protect the Sunnis; and Turkey to protect its control over its own Kurd population. Iraq is a crossroads where Arab meets Persian and Kurd, Sunni meets Shiite, so if it's not a peaceful buffer, it can easily become a tinder box for the region.


When we deposed Saddam, we emphasized Iraq's central location as a prime place to establish democracy and have it spread. That was the potential dramatic upside. Now we're faced with the potential dramatic downside that the terrorists are fighting to take advantage of: Iraq's central location as a prime place to create chaos and have it spread.


The surge is working as we’ve seen the Sunni tribes turn against Al Qaeda and work with us. The same strategy is working in turning Shiites against their militias. So I have confidence in “bottom up” reconciliation and in General Petraeus. We have started to withdraw troops and expect to be down to pre-surge levels by next summer.


Also, casualties – both civilian and military – are way down.”


QUESTION: What would you do to protect and defend marriage and the family founded upon it as the first institution of society?


Governor Huckabee: “Marriage is the foundation of civilization. Marriage must remain what it has always been – a union between one man and one woman. And I would add to that, a union for life.


No other candidate has supported traditional marriage more consistently and steadfastly than I have.


While Massachusetts was allowing homosexuals to marry, I got a constitutional amendment passed in Arkansas in 2002 defining marriage as between one man and one woman.


In an effort to turn the growing tide of divorce, I led Arkansas to become only the third state to adopt "covenant" marriage.


My wife Janet and I renewed our vows on Valentine's Day, 2005 as a covenant marriage. Today, many churches in Arkansas will perform only covenant marriages, so I'm hoping we'll see a decline in our divorce rates.


The late Cardinal O'Connor decried a domestic partnership law (which provided that all couples who signed up, whether heterosexual or homosexual, would be treated the same as married couples) as legislating that "marriage doesn't matter."


I agree with the Cardinal: marriage does matter. And, I would add that nothing in our society matters more.Our true strength doesn't come from our military or our gross national product, it comes from our families.


What's the point of keeping the terrorists at bay in the Middle East if we can't keep decline and decadence at bay here at home? The growing number of children born out of wedlock, and the rise in no-fault divorce, has been a disaster for our society.


They have pushed many women and children into poverty and onto the welfare, food stamp, and Medicaid rolls. These children are more likely to drop out of school and end up in low-paying, dead-end jobs, they are more likely to get involved with drugs and crime, they are more likely to have children out of wedlock or get divorced themselves someday, continuing the unhappy cycle.


My wife, Janet, and I celebrated our thirty-third wedding anniversary this past May. For us, every anniversary is a miracle. When we were both twenty and married just over a year, when I was in my last semester of college, Janet was diagnosed with cancer of the spine.


I can't tell you what a stunning blow it was - two kids just starting out, you don't think something like that can happen when you're so young. Yet there we were, staring death in the face.


At first, they told us that even if she lived, she might be paralyzed from the waist down, so I'd be a young man with an invalid wife. After I learned she wouldn't be paralyzed, I was told that because of the radiation she had to receive following surgery, we'd probably never have children. I wanted children very much, I couldn't imagine never being a father.


During that time, a lot of things went through my mind. But one thing never did - the thought of leaving her. If Janet were in a wheelchair today, if we'd never had children, I can tell you this - she would still be my wife.


We have a loving and merciful God, and I want you to know that Janet and I did have three children – John Mark, David and Sarah."


QUESTION: How would you expand participation in the great promise, opportunity and bounty of America to those less fortunate?


Governor Huckabee: “I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy. As I traveled the country and the world over the last decade bringing jobs to Arkansas, the business leaders I met weren't worried about creating jobs, they were worried about finding skilled and professional workers to fill those jobs.


The success of our schools has to be judged by the results we obtain, not the revenues we spend. A focus on true quality rather than mere quantity requires us to set high standards for our students and teachers, measure their performance diligently, and hold educators and administrators accountable for the results in an atmosphere of transparency and efficiency.


As Governor of Arkansas, I created intensive reading and math programs that went back to basics. I started with elementary students and, as those children thrived, I expanded the program to middle and then high schools. Our test scores rose dramatically. I then created one of the most demanding high school curricula in the country, and the number of students taking advanced placement classes grew by leaps and bounds. I also fought hard for more charter schools, with their strong parental involvement and their unique ability to serve as laboratories for education reform, and for the rights of parents to home school their children. I am proud that my three children attended public schools from K through twelve, as did my wife and I.


Lastly, I want to provide our children what I call the "Weapons of Mass Instruction" - art and music - the secret, effective weapons that will help us to be competitive and creative. It is crucial that children flex both the left and right sides of the brain. Art and music are as important as math and science because the dreamers and visionaries among us take the rough straw of an idea and spin it into the gold of new businesses and jobs.”


QUESTION: Catholics believe that parents are the first teachers of their children and that they should be able to choose how to extend their own teaching office from among all of the available alternatives; public schools, charter schools, private and parochial schools and home schools. What is your position on parental choice in education?


Governor Huckabee: “I support parental choice. Parents are much better able to make those decisions for their children than a government bureaucrat.”


QUESTION: Another Governor from Arkansas - who became President - reminded us during his campaign that, "It's the economy, stupid."


What are your plans to improve the economy and expand participation in the market economy to more and more Americans?


Governor Huckabee: “I want a major change in the tax system in this country, The FairTax will replace the Internal Revenue Code with a consumption tax, like the taxes on retail sales 45 states and the District of Columbia have now.



Everyone will get a monthly rebate that will reimburse us for taxes on purchases up to the poverty line, so that we're not taxed on necessities.



That means people below the poverty line won't be taxed at all. We'll be taxed on what we decide to buy, not what we happen to earn.


We won't be taxed on what we choose to save or the interest those savings earn. The tax will apply only to new goods, so we can reduce our taxes further by buying a used car or computer.


Our current progressive tax system penalizes us for working harder and becoming more successful. As we climb the ladder, the government lurks on each rung, hungry for a bigger bite out of our earnings.


The FairTax is also progressive, but it doesn't punish the American dream of success, or the old-fashioned virtues of hard work and thrift, it rewards and encourages them. The FairTax isn't intended to raise any more or less money for the federal government to spend - it is revenue neutral.


Expert analyses have shown that the FairTax lowers the lifetime tax burden for everyone: single or married; working or retired; rich, poor or middle class.


The FairTax will instantly make American products 12 to 25 percent 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.


When we buy products now, those taxes are built into the cost, so all of us pay corporate taxes indirectly on top of the personal taxes we pay directly. Compliance costs are just make-work with no real added value, yet they consume as much as 3 percent of our gross domestic product annually. These costs are an especially heavy burden on small businesses, which generate most of our jobs."


QUESTION: Your position on illegal immigration has been criticized for allowing higher education benefits for the children of illegal immigrants while you were Governor.


However, many Catholics, like you, are also concerned for the children of illegal immigrants. In a recent debate you said to one of your opponents "We are a better country than that." What did you mean?


Governor Huckabee: “Children are not given a choice in where their parents raise them. I don’t believe we should punish children for the sins of their parents.


That’s why I said we are a better country than that.


I once supported the measure before the Arkansas Legislature that would have allowed the children of those here illegally to apply for one particular scholarship in Arkansas if they met some qualifications.


They had to have gone through the Arkansas public school system, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, be drug-free, have applied to become American citizens and already been admitted to an Arkansas college or university as a full-time student.


Those students student would simply have been treated as any other graduate of an Arkansas High School, and not given any special consideration. That bill didn’t pass and it has been greatly distorted in this election."


QUESTION: Are you in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants?


Governor Huckabee: “I oppose amnesty. It would be unfair to those who have waited for years to legally immigrate to this country.


I am proud to live in a country where people want to break in rather than want to break out."


QUESTION: What will be your position with regard to the growing threat of extremist acts of terrorism at home and abroad?


Governor Huckabee: “I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. Radical Islamic fascists have declared war on our country and our way of life. They have sworn to annihilate each of us who believes in a free society, all in the name of a perversion of religion and an impersonal god.


We go to great extremes to save lives, they go to great extremes to take them. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy.


We are dealing with people who will put a bomb on their own children to kill innocent people and then they celebrate as if this is a great victory. I will fight the war on terror with the intensity and single-mindedness that it deserves.


The top priority of the President as Commander in Chief is first and foremost protecting our own citizens. While we live in a neighborhood of nations and must strive to be good neighbors, as President, I will ensure the peace, safety, and well-being of American citizens at home and abroad.”


Deacon Keith Fournier: Governor, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. And, thank you for your service to our Nation. May the Lord bless you and your family.



Catholic Online has not endorsed any candidate in the Presidential primary. We have raised the questions which we believe are of special importance to many Catholics. We will offer a similar opportunity to answer these questions to any candidate running for the Presidency. (For interviews and inquiries, please contact Catholic Online Publisher - mlg@catholic.org)