Mike Huckabee For President? I Have Questions

Several months ago, I wrote a series of postings on most of the presidential candidates, both Democrat and Republican. I purposely omitted some of the second-tier figures since they didn't seem to have any chance. Lately, Mike Huckabee has risen into the top tier of Republican candidates and may well win in Iowa. Consequently, he has started to draw closer inspection, particularly his performance in Arkansas politics. For a conservative, there are causes for concern.

First of all, Huckabee, as Governor of Arkansas, raised taxes on several occasions. As a conservative who thinks we are already overtaxed, I am not prepared to vote for one who would raise taxes even more-unless it's to pay for a national emergency to protect Americans-a war for example.

When it comes to illegal immigration, there is also concern. As Governor, Huckabee supported legislation that would have given in-state tuition to children of illegal aliens in order to attend an Arkansas college. Huckabee was asked this question during a recent debate, and,in my view, did not handle it very well since the questioner asked if he would extend the same benefit to an out-of-state student who was a veteran. (Huckabee skirted that part of the question.)

Third, and perhaps more seriously, Huckabee supported the release of a convicted rapist in Arkansas, who subsequently went out and killed a woman in Missouri. Shades of Willy Horton, the notorious rapist from Massachusetts, who was granted a weekend furlough from prison and promptly committed another horrific rape. This came to light in the Michael Dukakis campaign and effectively sunk his candidacy for president. A couple of former members of the Arkansas Parole Board have come out and stated that Huckabee personally called them to press for the the man's release. For a Democratic candidate, this might not be a big deal in the primaries, but for a Republican, it could be fatal.

So I have some problems with Huckabee. I am not looking for another "compassionate conservative" who will not reign in government spending and taxes. Mr Huckabee has a lot of questions to answer, and they have just begun.