Fred's Campaign "Apologizes" To Huckabee

Fred08:

In light of Mike Huckabee’s heartfelt apology to Mitt Romney for making reference to Romney’s religion in the New York Times Magazine, we at the Thompson Campaign would like to offer Huckabee our own heartfelt apologies for some references we’ve made about his record as Governor of Arkansas.

We apologize for pointing out that as Governor of Arkansas, Huckabee offered in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. That’s something he’d probably just as soon no one talk about.

...

We apologize for pointing out that in 2002 Huckabee wrote Pres. Bush a letter asking him to lift the Cuban embargo. It’s easy to see how Huckabee might have missed the finer points of a 40-year embargo. While he obviously knew enough about the embargo to ask that it be lifted, Huckabee clearly didn’t know enough to ask that it not be lifted. So for that, we’re sorry.

...

We apologize for referencing that 47% tax increase Huckabee imposed on Arkansas taxpayers when he was governor. That must be really awkward for him, now that he’s running in a GOP primary election. We notice he never points it
out to voters.

...

We apologize for telling reporters that a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University doesn’t, in fact, make Huckabee more qualified to fight the war on terror than say…Fred Thompson.

Win, Fred, Win

Fred On Huckabee And NIE

From CBS News' John Bentley:

"Not only is Iran the major long-term threat to our country, the nuclear program is the most important part of the Iran consideration. For a presidential candidate not to know that and not to keep up with that is very surprising," said Thompson.

"These are the kinds of things I've been talking about all of my life. Now, if the American people have other priorities, if they want someone who smiles a lot more than I do, or someone who is a better quipster than I am, who has no experience in these areas, that's for the American people to decide."

Win, Fred, Win

My Assessment Of The Republican Candidates

I would like to take this opportunity to give you my assessment of how each of the five top Republican candidates compare(in my mind). Which, I may add, is a scary place.

Not in any specific order. You already know who I support. If not, just look to the left side of your screen.

Rudy Giuliani:

He did a good job with 911. I like the fact that he would be tough on the war. Although not any more so than most of the Republicans. One of Rudy's favorite talking points is the job he did with crime in New York. I can respect that. He added a bunch of cops that really helped slow the crime rates in a city that had an awful reputation for being dangerous. Those are the good.

One thing he did to help with the reduction of NY's crime rate was gun control. This did nothing to slow the crime rate. I can support no person that is for gun control. He tried to smooth this over by saying that NY should have different gun laws than the rest of the country because it is NY. The last time I checked NY is in the USA. That means they are governed by the same Constitution as the rest of us, even us hillbillies. Then there is his liberal views on practically everything else: abortion, gay marriage, etc...

It has come out in the past few weeks that he bent the rules quite a bit while he was prosecuting crime. I am all for putting criminals behind bars, but legally and ethically.

I do not see putting a guy that has almost the same views as the leading Democratic candidates up front in the Republican party.

I don't think Rudy would be able to beat Hillary or Obama. To many defectors would stay at the house next November.

Mitt Romney:

Mitt seems to be a pretty sound conservative. At least on the surface. He has leadership experience and is a successful business man.

I think he has flopped on way too many issues. He has really played up his time as governor of one of the most liberal states in the US, with health care that is real close to the plan Hillary has laid out. I don't know what it is but I just can't bring myself to trust the man.

I think he would give Hillary or Obama a run for their money.

John McCain:

He is one of the most socially conservative candidates in the race. You can't help but like his humor and respect what he has done for this country.

As much as I do like about John I will not be able to forgive him for what he put us through with immigration. He has a quick temper and I don't think that is a good quality for the President of the US. Another thing we have not heard about with John is campaign finance. Sure we have heard that Fred supported it, but John's name is on it.

He could run neck and neck with the Democrats. I think he is a little weaker than Romney against them though.

Mike Huckabee:

A social Conservatives dream. He is a likable guy and presents himself well.

He has some major problems with his positions on big government and taxes. I think a lot of people, including myself are just getting to know him.

I am still a little up in the air as to his chances to win. I will hold off on my opinion right now. More on Mike in the following weeks.

Fred Thompson:

Fred is not the most conservative person in the race. He supported campaign finance at the time. He has since admitted that to be a mistake. But he is the all around best candidate the Republicans have.

I know, I know he is lazy right. BS! You can not accomplish all this man has and be lazy. What does it say about a candidate when after 6 to 8 months of scrutiny by numerous presidential campaigns this is what you here about? Well over half the negative stuff you hear about him is this "he's lazy" crap.

He can beat Hillary and Obama.

Is Mike Huckabee A "Real" Conservative?

To tell you the truth I don't know as much about Huckabee as I should. A few weeks ago I would have told you he did not have a chance. Now he seems to be getting a lot of attention, so I wanted to learn more about him. I am still in the process of that, but here is something I have found that, quite frankly, has me worried.

Hillbilly White Trash has a post (complete with video) up about him too. That post links to this Arkansas Journal post. The biggest problem I can find is this:

May 5, 2003-Governor Mike Huckabee addressed the Arkansas General Assembly, pleading with them to pass a tax, any tax. He ticked off a list of various taxes that he would find acceptable, a tax on tobacco, a surcharge on the income tax, a sales tax... "I will very happily sign that," he proclaimed.

While it is true that we will never get the "perfect candidate", I am having serious reservations about Huckabee. One of the biggest reasons the Republicans lost in '06 was a result of them spending money like Democrats. And raising taxes is not going to get you very far with me.

I will continue to research Huckabee, and let you know what I find.