While I have concerns about how Mike would perform, , as well as the other candidates, I don’t share the same opinion of him.
The only candidate that makes me vomit is McCain.

Left by no2liberals on January 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am

I should make note, that obviously Prof Bainbridge isn’t a supporter of the 2nd Amendment, if he wouldn’t vote for Mike against Shrillery.

Left by no2liberals on January 18th, 2008 at 10:52 am

I think Hillary is a lying low life incompetent criminal who will literally steal the silverware if you turn your back on her, but I’d rather have her than Huck or Edwards.

Left by Jim Howard on January 18th, 2008 at 11:46 am

Actually, she seems to be more than an incompetent criminal, more like an exceptional one.
If Fred doesn’t get his campaign in gear, to me, Mike is the best of the bunch that’s left. Too bad Duncan couldn’t gain any traction.
Since there is no perfect candidate, I look at all the factors of a conservative, not just fiscal conservatism. Mike may have had a 90% donk controlled state legislature to contend with, and he could have spent his eleven years as Gov. fighting with them and getting nothing done, but with the courts ordering Arkansas to spend more money on public schools, after the many years of neglect from the donk controlled state government, the money had to come from some where. When he took office, Arkansas had the countries worst roads, the worst public schools, it’s prisons were subpar, and they had one of the highest rates of children without health insurance. While the prisons in Arkansas may not be up to Gitmo standards yet, they are improved, as are the roads and schools, and most of the impoverished children in Arkansas have health insurance. Mike left office in Arkansas with approval ratings above 60%. Sure, he could have vetoed every bill the donk legislature sent him, but in Arkansas, all the legislature needs to override his veto is a simple majority, not a 2/3rds majority. He either could have allowed the legislature to run the state, or he could govern as a pragmatist, which is what he chose to do.
Mike is pro-gun, pro-family, and pro-life, all of which are things I value. On immigration, he has been endorsed by Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minute Men, and yesterday, became the first Presidential candidate to sign a pledge with Numbers USA.
From the Washington Times:

The pledge, offered by immigration control advocacy group Numbers USA, commits Mr. Huckabee to oppose a new path to citizenship for current illegal aliens and to cut the number of illegal aliens already in the country through attrition by law enforcement — something Mr. Huckabee said he will achieve through his nine-point immigration plan.

I find the attacks on Mike by the (Country)Club For Growth as dishonest and irrelevant, as one of their big funders is Stephen Smith Jr. of Arkansas, a man with a personal grudge against Mike, and that the Country Club For Growth has given Mitt a pass on his inability to pass tax cuts in Mass, by saying they are hopeful he will cut taxes if elected. All of the candidates say they support continuing the Bush tax cuts, even including the unstable McCain, who opposed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, using the tired mantra of tax cuts for the rich.
How will any of these men govern, if elected? No one knows for certain, as much will depend on the type of Congress they have to work with. To me, the only benefit of McCain winning, would be that he is out of the Senate.
I think Mike is getting slammed by many, without even bothering to evaluate all the info, especially the conditions he had to deal with while Gov. of Arkansas.

Left by no2liberals on January 18th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

Huckabee is not my candidate of choice. I’m an atheist and pro-choice. However, I have a lot of sympathy for him because of all the cheap shots and misrepresentations about him. If he wins the republican nomination, I will vote for him.

Left by Anonymous on January 18th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Huckabee reminds me too much of another former governor of Arkansas who will say anything or do anything to get elected! That is just one of the reason, I can not vote for him! If it comes down to a vote between him and Hillary, I will just not vote for President.

I am a Fred Thompson supporter, but I am afraid social conservative have swallowed Huckabee’s lines. He says the things they want to hear, even if he can not deliver on what he say. It is sad. Social conservatives support of Huckabee will probably deliver the presidency to Shillary!

Left by BBB on January 18th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

I will not, unlike some, dig my heels in on one candidate or the other. That makes the GOP a very small tent, which is not it’s historical position. With the exception of McCain, as there is only the national security issue that separates him from Mrs. Clinton, I will vote for who the GOP nominates. If McCain gets the nod, and God Help Us All if that happens, I will have to make a game day decision, if I want to live with the knowledge I actually voted for him.
I think those who claim they are conservatives, but only look at the fiscal aspect of conservatism, are not only limiting themselves in their outlook, but run the risk of alienating the social conservatives in this country, which will doom the GOP to runner-up every time. Since Paul Weyrich founded the Heritage Foundation in ‘73, and helped co-found the Moral Majority in ‘79, along with countless councils and organizations, that comprised the Reagan Coalition, the conservative movement has thrived and matured. Attacking one candidate as the demise of that movement isn’t very thoughtful, productive, or prudent.

Left by no2liberals on January 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

I agree with some comments. I will not vote for Maccain, I just don’t get why someone with any logic would support this guy. He is the worst of the bunch. My favs left are Thompson and Romney. These seems to be the hardest on the border issue which is by far our most long term pressing issue, that is if you care that America stay America with a distince culture and border of it’s own. If it’s ok that we become mexico light, then hey who cares who many illegals flood over and invade our schools. Huckster, I just don’t know about this guy. He seems too much like a compassionate conservative for me. That’s what we have now, and it ain’t worked out too good for us. We need a hardass for president, a no bullshit guy. Of course there is no one like that left even running. So I am back to Thompson or Romney.

Left by marc on January 20th, 2008 at 8:11 pm