Why is Huckabee Left Standing?

An overused talking point from right wing women is: "Where are the feminists...?" Whenever something happens and they think liberal women should step in.

Since I'm no feminist (labels make me nervous) I couldn't help them. But the same question in reverse occurred to me this weekend, watching mainstream media cover Mike Huckabee's campaign. Where are the conservatives (denouncing him) for all the bizarre events surrounding his time in the Arkansas governor's mansion?

Instead, Monday morning media reports focused on former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee's increased popularity among Republican Iowa caucus-goers and his showing two nights ago at the annual Reagan Dinner in Iowa:

Three of the top-tier Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain failed to show at the seventh annual Reagan Dinner in Iowa Saturday night, unwisely ceding the floor to the six remaining GOP hopefuls. Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson took advantage of the absences... Rising in the Iowa polls, Huckabee used his time on the stage to assure the crowd against one of his biggest criticisms by some in this electorate: that he couldn't beat Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the general election.

- Foxnews.com

But the more we learn about Gov. Huckabee, the more apparent it becomes the Hillary Clinton camp must be salivating at the prospect of facing him in the general election. Why?

Several stories are swirling around Huckabee which raise serious questions about his judgement and ethics. The first is Huckabee's personal Willy Horton story. Several years ago, for reasons that are still unclear, Huckabee intervened in the case of a convicted rapist named Wayne Dumond. After Dumond made parole, he went on to rape again. The next time, he also murdered his victim:

...the Times new reporting shows the extent to which Huckabee and a key aide were involved in the process to win Dumonds release. It was a process marked by deviation from accepted parole practice and direct personal lobbying by the governor, in an apparently illegal and unrecorded closed-door meeting with the parole board (the informal name by which the Post Prison Transfer Board is known).
[Read the full story here.]

Why Huckabee is not only still standing --- but running strong ---- is also unclear. Other questions surrounding his tenure are even more puzzling. One is why, earlier this year as Gov. Huckabee was leaving office, he apparently ordered the destruction of more than 100 computers in the governor's office:

As you'll remember, in early January 2007, as his tenure as governor ran out, Huckabee ordered his staff to electronically wipe and then crush the hard drives of almost 100 laptop and desktop computers in the governor's office (soon after taking office, incoming governor Mike Beebe had to allocate $335,000 from his operating fund to buy new hard drives and computers to replace those crushed by his successor). At the time, Huckabee said that the decision to crush the hard drives was made in order to protect the privacy of those who had personal information on the drives. Critics, however, recalled that early in Huckabee's term as governor, documents, e-mails and memos stored on hard drives just like the ones that were destroyed formed the basis of embarrassing stories about Huckabee, including a 1998 story in the Arkansas Times detailing how Huckabee and his family were using the $60,000-a-year Governor's Mansion fund as their personal piggy bank.
[Read the full story here].

Destroying records? Misusing Mansion funds? Helping a convicted rapist? Would Sen. Clinton still be a viable candidate if she faced such reports? Would Rudy Giuliani? Would Sen. McCain? Methinks not.

Comments

[splashy]

Yes that was incredibly suspicious about those hard drives. It cost a lot to replace them, and many records that would have been useful to the next administration were lost.

What WAS on those hard drives that warranted such extreme measures? Huckabee is a real religious nut that shouldn't be anywhere NEAR government.

[bean22]

Now I am no fan of Huckabee; his stances on gun control, anti-evolution and ethics are absurd. But criticizing an Arkansas governor for the reasons stated above?

Destroying records? Do you really think the Clintons have no idea what Sandy Berger stuffed into his underwear at the Library of Congress?

Misusing mansion funds? How about ransacking the White House on their way out?

Intervening on behalf of a criminal? What about the Marc Rich pardon as payback for his massive campaign contributions?

Cattle futures? Whitewater? Travelgate? The Rose law firm scandals?

Huckabee doesn't have a chance in hell of being the Republican nominee. The lady who was part and parcel of all the above transgressions is probably going to be the next president of the U.S. How do you like dem apples?

[Mariel]

Huckabee does have a chance. He is #2 in the Republican Iowa straw poll predictions. I think he will be the V-P for McCain when the lumbering frontrunners collapse. He needs overseas experience to be #1. But I think he COULD be #1, depending on the incredible changes now going on in Pakistan and world relations.
That's on the Repub side. I can't predict the Dem side.

[milbrat]

Let's review; Rose Law Firm billing records cannot be located. Later they appear, out of nowhere, in the living quarters in the White House. 400 FBI files on political opponents appear 'out of thin air' in the White House. No one has any idea who hired the person that utlimately requested delivery of those files. A partner of the Rose Law Firm is found dead in a Washington DC park. Let's not forget some incredible investment acumen in the most volatile of futures markets. A 'closed-door' series of meetings to revamp and take control of the US Health Care System, a personal goal Hillary still chases. Bundling $1,000 donations from minimum wage earners. Referring to her time in the White House assisting Bill as proof that she is qualified to be commander-in-chief, but ensuring that any records from that era do not see the light of day intil 2012. Man I sure am glad there are no skeletons hanging around that may haunt Hillary! Bring on the Huckster!

[Bongborg]

Review that shit where it is germane. This thread is about the crimes of Huckabee.

[neoconjob]

the crimes of an arkansas governor are germane, jackson.

[arethabaez]

What about the feminist lable makes you feel uncomfortable? Certainly not the equal employment aspect,that has obviously served you well. Otherwise, thanks for the dirt.

[Mariel]

Man, you guys have convinced me not to support Huck! I've been looking for a candidate with Christian principles, even though I'm a life long Democrat. I have not found these at the tops of the Republican or Dem tickets, but let me think: how about John Edwards? He is a Christian too!

So there's a thought--maybe Edwards would appeal to the religious right even though he's sorta socialist. He has had only one wife, refers to Jesus as Lord, and seems to be what they think of as moral.

I've heard all the crapola about his immoral this and that, but I don't think it could compare to the immoral actions of the "top tier." I guess I'll switch to Edwards for my candidate of the moment.

Or maybe Dodd, but I don't know enough about Dodd on issues. I know it may be all futile, a game that is already decided, but I'm trying to find someone I can at least waste my vote on with a good conscience.

So for now, Edwards/Dodd 08

[Susanholmes]

"Destroying records? Misusing Mansion funds? Helping a convicted rapist? Would Sen. Clinton still be a viable candidate if she faced such reports? Would Rudy Giuliani? Would Sen. McCain? Methinks not."

Methinks you need to think again. A Democrat couldn't survive that, true, but remember the last time: A draft dodging, drunk driving, d-student who couldn't even make money with a Texas Oil company while his father was President of the United States somehow won the republican nomination.

[jimsey]

You forgot coke snortin..

[bowserbois]

I thought he was a c-student?

[oldschooldemocrat]

As a native Arkansan, I happen to know why Huckabee pardoned this wretch and other violent criminals. He's a complete sucker for any plausible scoundrel who "comes to Jesus" loudly and vehemently enough. Forgiveness of sin is a cardinal virtue for a minister, but it's not so hot for someone with pardon power. Huckabee is the anti-Bush in this regard. Bush had no compassion or belief that repentence could be real; Huckabee will fall for this every time. My 81 year-old mother in Little Rock who is one of the most politically astute progressives I know warns everyone not to fall for Huckabee and kept me posted for years on him. Have you heard the one where he bought fishing poles for all the Bloods and Crips being shipped home to their grandmothers from L.A? Violence in Little Rock was so out of control that HBO did a documentary on this. The old fishing hole was his solution. Needless to say, when he left office a large warehouse was filled with the unused fishing equipment. And don't even get me started on his lovely wife. Did you know that she was forcibly removed from an historically black college in Little Rock on election day 2004. She had appointed herself an unofficial poll watcher and was disrupting the election. I could go on and on. Don't be fooled by his well-spoken, rather charming exterior. He is an ultra-conservative Republican idealogue.

[newworldman777]

Any Huckabee nomination would prompt serious questions about a possible conflict of interest regarding his decision-making in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After all, he is a baptist preacher who would undoubtedly side with Israel, supporting pro-Zionist endeavors. Such subjective and biased favoritism toward Israel would further cement our image of being a "Judeo-Christian nation," leading a crusade in the Middle East.

Furthermore, Huckabee's aggressive rhetoric concering Iran's nuclear program should be a concern to anyone who may entertain the idea of supporting this man. Again, his being a Baptist preacher might sway him to pre-emptively "take out" Iran's nuclear facilities, using the excuse of protecting Israel (that is, if Bush and Cheney haven't already committed this disastrous blunder, following their "messianic" tendencies). Unfortunately, such aggressive militarism would severely exacerbate our already troubled relations in the Islamic world, leading to more terrorism, bloodshed and death, increasing the need for more American lives and more taxpayer money to support the effort to fight the resulting mayhem.

Let's allow the baptist preachers to "preach the word of God" from the pulpits of their churches, for the sake of the Christians, but let's keep them out of the White House, for the sake of all of us.

[FormerDetroiter]

Let me tell you sir that not only is Israel not an enemy of the US, but will survive no matter what you think about Zionism. Obviously, you have never been to Israel or you wouldn't have the negative attitude toward it. Other than Turkey, it is the only real democracy in the Middle-East. If in your mind Zionism is not legitimat then we in the US should leave and return it back to the Native Ameicans. Isreal has more legitimacy than the US because it was created by international fiat and survived several wars of aggression by Arab states and Muftis. Israel exists whether or not Baptists or Huckabee or anyone else who chooses to support it.

[newworldman777]

FormerDetroiter, perhaps you could enlighten me as to just how my going to Israel would change my negative attitude toward Zionism. Somehow, I don't believe that my first-hand witnessing of the suffering and poverty experienced by the Palestinians would suddenly cause me to "see the light," as it were, and say, "Gee, I was wrong about Israel. Their occupying the land of the Palestinians -- even though they relegate the Palestinians to lives of misery and squalor in the process -- is a good thing, because the Judeo-Christian god promised that land to the Jews. Their expecting, demanding, and receiving unwavering support from America -- even though such support is the number one cause for Islamic terrorist attacks against Americans -- is also good. Our support for their aggressive land-grabbing policies -- even though our support has created not only Islamic, but world-wide hatred for America -- is the right thing to do, because Israel is a "democracy in the Middle East." This way of thinking makes absolutely no sense in today's world, Sir.

For your information, Sir, the most destablizing factor in the Middle East is Israel -- its status as a "democracy" notwithstanding -- and America's unwavering support for Zionism will be a constant source of trouble for this country, no matter what YOU think about Zionism.

BTW...I Am a Native American. Your comparison of the non-Indian Americans to the Israelis is flawed. The Indians' plight is more comparable to that of the pre-1948 Jews. We both lost our lands to others in times past. The Jews, however, reconquered their lands, and we Indians did not (and I don't advocate such a draconian measure). Can you just imagine the turmoil that would result from our forcing all non-Indian Americans onto occupied territories? It's inconceivable, yet this is exactly what the Israelis have done to the Palestinians.

Open your mind, Sir. We need to stop kissing up to these Israeli lobby groups and change course in the Middle East, for the good of the world.

[KerwinMcLaughlin]

Dear Mz. Erbe:

Your question about Hillary destroying records and pardoning criminals must be rhetorical.

Did you forget about all the WHITE WATER records?

Did you forget that Bill (If she is going to take credit for his good things she must take blame for the bad) let several people go free like Mark Rich who went on to deal with Saddam Hussein which weakend our embargo and caused us to go to war. And, oh by the way, Mark Rich paid her brother $400K!

[newworldman777]

If we are going to play "tit-for-tat," then allow me to reply by simply saying "I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby." Libby has temporarily disappeared from the front pages, with all of the other Bush/Cheney scandals and fiascos swirling around. However, I can assure you that before Bush leaves office -- and most certainly after the general presidential election -- Bush will grant Libby a full pardon: a controversial move that will once again place Libby on the front pages.

This move will guarentee Bush and Cheney the secrecy which they require regarding their criminal involvement with the treasonous outing of Valerie Plame Wilson. Libby will go on to become fabulously rich, having avoided a stint in our penal system as well as a dubious labeling of being an "ex-con" -- a label which other, less-fortunate convicted criminals in our society are tagged with for the rest of their lives.

[emariejon]

Huckabee did do a few things that were good for the state - notably, AR Kids First. However, he probably got more press for wanting to build an "escape route" in a closet in the Governor's office which would allow him to climb down a ladder into the floor below, thus avoiding the clamoring reporters.....

[Bongborg]

he probably just wanted to play Batman

[jwod]

Who's interested in a conservative Christian rock and rolling Arkansas big loser? There's no chance, out of Iowa, that he can muster against the truly evil menace from NYC, the flippin' and floppin' LDS from MA, or the ex-POW/wimpy once-independent "truth"-teller. But I just love contemplating the inner-conflict of the Repunblican base when they go to the polls.

[starboymikey]

Huckabee's choice as VP is not unlikely, if we assume Julie the cross-dresser heading the Republican ticket. Posit Romney or McCain at the top and it could be a different story. But with Giuliani, Huckabee as running mate may be the only way for Republicans to head off the promised third-party effort by the religious right.

This would obviously be a two-edged sword for Republicans, since Huckabee's obvious strengths with the religious right are set off against his obvious weaknesses with the rest of the country. But voters tend to vote for the top of the ticket, not for running mates. And if Hillary's own vulnerabilities cause her to falter, Giuliani's supporters may simply hold their noses and view Huckabee as a harmless crank who will be mostly marginalized in a Giuliani administration. Certainly that is how a lot of the talking heads would attempt to portray it.

But Huckabee as a running mate for Giuliani creates a highly disturbing scenario. I hate to wave the much overused Nazi meme around again ... but it's hard to forget how Hitler first came to power in Germany, not as Chancellor, but as vice-Chancellor under Hindenberg. When Hindenberg died, Hitler was primed and ready to roll.

Huckabee at the top of the ticket would probably stand no chance, but as VP, if something were to happen to Giuliani ... then yikes! We could find ourselves desperately longing for the days of George W. Bush.

If we do get a Giuliani/Huckabee ticket, the Dems will have to find a way to make Huckabee a central issue for moderates/independents ... a tactic that could work or backfire badly if not well played.

[HollywoodBill]

No libertarian leaning Republican is going to vote for the nanny state Southern Baptist minister Huckabee. His being on the GOP ticket, which is beginning to look like a real possiblity, would put a stop to any pretense that these snake handlers had of being Republicans. They have an agenda that rivals any in the history of this country and intend to implement it through the Court system.

Which is why Rudy and Romney have already promised the store to the Revival Tent Republicans. They have promised to appoint "strict constructionists" and "originalists" to SCOTUS. These code words signal to the faithful that the candidate is one of their own.

Rudy and Romney have made themselves unacceptable to all the moderates and Independents already with this promise. With Huckabee on the ticket with either candidate, there is no way that this combination will be acceptable anywhere outside of the Deep South and Utah.

[eddieinc97]

VP maybe, can he spell "potatoe"

[BuyMoreAmmo]

Thank You Ms. Erbe and ALL posters to this article....I had no idea what a loonie this guy Huckabee is....for the snake handlers he's a perfect replacement for the dried out drunk in the white house. Most REAL Texans are ashamed of G. Wanker Bush AND the Bible thumping Texans that still love him).

[Maezeppa]

Of course you're a feminist - embrace it. Labels are useful.

In re Huckabee - he's a freak but possibly VP material.