Mike Huckabee faces questions on whether he stymied a probe

DES MOINES -- Mike Huckabee's image as an "aw, shucks" kind of guy is taking a hit in a story Newsweek is reporting and that has been picked up by the Humane Society Legislative Fund blog.

Citing new reporting and old stories, Newsweek reports that Huckabee's then-17-year-old son was implicated in the torture and hanging of a stray dog while working as a Boy Scout camp counselor in 1998. David Huckabee was fired from the job, but Newsweek reports that Huckabee, then governor, leaned on law enforcement officials to squelch a request by a local prosecutor for investigative help in the case. No charges were ever filed, and Huckabee denied any inappropriate actions.

Animal cruelty is one of those issues that fires up public outrage, and not just among the PETA set. Just ask Michael Vick. Or, to a much, much lesser extent, Mitt Romney. From a political standpoint, this story could be problematic for Huckabee, raising serious questions about his judgment as a chief executive.

If Huckabee did indeed use his position as governor to stymie a criminal investigation into his son, then expect to see some hard questions both from the media and from fellow Republican candidates. And perceptions of abuse of power can be hard to overcome in the voting booth, no matter how many jokes you tell.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Howard]

The timing behind this guy is scary. Clearly things go on in Arkansas that would doom Huckabee if he were the nominee. (D's could look past Clinton, but R's won't do the same.) Nearly every election I ask myself why the best and brightest never run for political office. Now we have someone who has acheived nothing but the greatest successes in life - top of class at Harvard, spectacular family, "the best businessmen in North America" - Kramer, turns the Olympic around which run flawlessly and gets everyone in Mass, healthcare - the single biggest challenge for most people/families. And we rip him apart, question his morals, his religion. Now I know why no one who is exceptionally talented and subsequently very wealthy would subject himself and his family to this. Let's think really hard about this America. Change this nation, change our world. Vote for Mitt Romney. (Not some lifelong political bozo.)

[robert]

Why is this religious crackpot even considered a major candidate? Oh yeah, because of all those super smart home-schooled Iowans, LOL! Hey Iowa, take a break from the kool-aid for 2 seconds and remember that this election is for the Commander in Chief not the pastor in chief!

[catherine]

More on this. Note that Arkansas has high numbers of dog fighters and puppy mills. And Huckabee has b een using a dog fighter quote to promote himself.

"This flippant attitude toward a heinous act has apparently presented itself in Huckabee's views toward state policies on cruelty to animals. During Huckabee’s administration, Arkansas state lawmakers tried several times to pass legislation upgrading the state’s anti-cruelty law from a misdemeanor to a felony offense. Armed with studies about the link between cruelty to animals and violence toward people—and recent incidents that had horrified people across the state, such as kittens thrown from a vehicle and the torture and decapitation of dogs—animal advocates hoped that Arkansas would join the growing number of states that provided a strong deterrent to animal abuse. They received no help from the governor, and were unsuccessful every time. Stymied by the legislative process, animal advocates collected signatures to place an anti-cruelty and anti-cockfighting measure on the statewide ballot in 2002, asking the state’s voters to do what lawmakers would not.

All that came from Huckabee during the ballot campaign was a deafening silence. The measure went down in flames, largely because of a scorched earth campaign run by groups such as the Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Ducks Unlimited—groups with which Huckabee associates himself—falsely claiming that this modest proposal to upgrade the penalties for animal cruelty would have adversely impacted hunting, fishing, farming, and other Arkansas traditions. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, a staunchly conservative newspaper, opined again and again in favor of the measure, but it was not enough to counter the misinformation. And Governor Huckabee stood on the sidelines the entire time—a glaring failure of leadership to be sure and perhaps a marker of his own hostile views about animals.

Arkansas is now one of only seven states that consider deliberate, malicious acts of cruelty to animals a misdemeanor offense. Setting fire to a painting of a dog is a more serious crime in Arkansas than burning the dog himself. In 43 states—including all the early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina—animal cruelty is a felony, because voters and lawmakers have decided that it’s a serious crime that deserves serious consequences. In fact, 29 of those 43 felony cruelty laws have been passed during the last decade, while Huckabee and Arkansas did nothing. "

[D. Carlisle]

Just another thing to add to the list. Huckabee would be a disaster for the GOP. I mean Huckabee is a guy who gave out over 1000 commutations and pardons—that is more than double the three previous Arkansas Governor’s gave out combined. He rose over $500 million in taxes. He also supported college tuition breaks for illegal immigrants. All of this while Governor of Arkansas. Trust me, though he “sounds good” with his witty one-liners and smooth talk to stir the emotions…Huckabee is not the guy for the GOP. Way too much political baggage.

[Ward Ciac]

The problem is that the Evangelicals have anointed Huckabee the pastor-in-chief of the United States. And it seems they're going to stick with him come H--l or high water, so to speak. That's the 25% he's getting in states with lots of Evangelicals like Iowa. Those are Evangelicals - basically that's where all his votes. He won't get more votes, but he won't get less because they will stick with him.

[Steve]

I don't care that Huckabee is a so-called christian. What bothers me, is that he has consistantly used his so-called religious accomplishments to boost his campaign as well as attack others.

The only thing Huckabee wants you to think is that he is some how qualified to be president because he used to be a baptist minister and is a so called true "Christian Leader".

Will the real Mike Huckabee please stand up?

FACT: Mike Huckabee was one of 131 signatories to a full page USA Today Ad which declared: “I affirm the statement on the family issued by the 1998 Southern Baptist Convention.” What was in the family statement from the SBC? “A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ.”

FACT: Mike Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers, one of which "Wayne DuMond" shortly after his release moved to Missouri where he raped and murdered Carol Sue Shields. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in Clay County, Mo., in 2003. He died in prison in 2005.

FACT: Mike Huckabee stole over $70,000 worth of furniture from the Arkansas governers mansion.

FACT: Mike Huckabee supported in-state higher education benefits for children of illegal immigrants.

FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a federal raid of 119 illegal immigrants at an Arkansas poultry plant, 107 of whom left the country either voluntarily or through deportation.

FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote in his own state.

FACT: Mike Huckabee and his administration pushed for legislation to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

FACT: Mike Huckabee set up a nonprofit entity so he could give paid ``inspirational'' speeches without having to disclose the donors.

FACT: As governor of Arkansas five years ago, Mike Huckabee joined a bipartisan chorus of politicians who concluded that the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba was bad for businesses. Now that he's a top-tier candidate for president, Huckabee has decided he favors the embargo -- so much so that he vowed Monday to outdo even President Bush in strangling the regime of Cuban President Fidel Castro and punishing those who do business there.

Look through his "Awe Schucks" act and see him for what he really is. Mike Huckabee is a wolf in sheep's clothing that uses the religion card to push his own agenda.

[Ian]

Huck's FairTax - A fringe idea, NOT

Renown economist, Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff, has stated (9/26/2006),

"Yes I think [the U.S. is bankrupt] because if you look at our long term fiscal obligations and compare them with our tax receipts that are projected to come in, you end up finding the difference in present value is equal to $63 trillion. This is according to an update of a U.S Treasury study. So it is not an academic study but rather a government study.

"To come with $63 trillion in present value, you would have to have an immediate and permanent roughly 70 percent hike in federal corporate and personal income taxes. Alternatively you could immediately double the payroll tax. So we are talking about gargantuan adjustments here, huge problems that we are facing, and a lot of this has to do with the fact that the society is aging. We are currently facing 33 million people over 65. But when the Boomers retire there will be about 77 million people over 65. And we are currently handing out per old person roughly $30,000 on average in Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid benefits. But when the Boomers retire we are going to be paying them a lot higher level of benefits because these benefit levels continue to grow much more rapidly than wages per worker. So think about 77 million Baby Boomers getting roughly $40,000 per head, and you see the magnitude of the problem. We are talking trillions of dollars. $44,000 times 77 million is a very big number. It is in the trillions, A couple trillion dollars a year in obligations. So I do not think it is an exaggeration to say the country is bankrupt."

Kotlikoff sees passing Huck's FairTax as a vehicle to derail economic meltdown: http://snipr.com/meltdowninprogress

And he's not alone: http://snipurl.com/econsopenletter

[Ron]

Christians forgive, Huckabee forgives crimminals!
Huck is soft on crime!

[David]

Wow I hope this guy does in fact get the Republican nomination.

He truly represents the Republican base.

And he's a total disaster. Just what the Republicans asked for and what they deserve

[Gary]

The most wonderful TV moment occurred tonight on Larry King. Immediately after King had raised this matter with Huckabee ((and he dismissed it as an attack on his family, completely dodging the point)) an ASPCA spot aired. Featuring a lady with a dog on her lap. I am thinking it can't have been an accident. Beautiful.

[sh(A)ne]

I had no idea Huckabee was Mitt Romney's father. That's so crazy!

[Eric]

catherine's comment should be an article by itself!

[Winghunter]

Learn about the "Fair tax vs. Flat tax really easily and quick and see why the Huckster's plan is just another one of his pipe-dreams that he's trying to con the voters about.

[kimberley]

mike vickabee... that says it all. oh and guilianavick and vick romeny. and of course vick cheney. the D-list, denial, delusion and dog-abusers.

[www.TaxHikeMike.org]

www.TaxHikeMike.org

[George Tabor]

I would just like to ask Steve where he acquired all his "facts" he listed. Are they possibly a part of his "grassy imagination" or can he provide his source and/or sources, e.g., dates, time, etc., I challenge you Steve to provide your info, specifically your claim that Mr. Huckabee stole $70,000 dollars worth of furniture from the governor's mansion, or otherwise just give everybody a break and crawl back under the rock I suspect you emerged from.

[Brad Filmore]

LOL, what was Mitt thinking? Who ties a dog onto the roof for a 10 hour drive? I love how they make the Chevy Chase 'Vacation' connection. I was about to write that you just can't make this stuff up, but I guess you can afterall.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.html

[julie]

huckabee had the homeschoolers in IA for the last several months. i don't think they alone could account for his surge from the rear...and he has very little money (comparatively speaking) to pay for his campaign. his recent surge appears to be due to a nonstop media barrage...name recognition counts in the polls. i'd like to know why all of a sudden he appeared as the media darling.

no charges were filed with his son's actions, yet several months later huckabee fired the director of the state police, allegedly for not helping to (officially) obstruct an investigation by the local prosecutor.

true?

[Smith Jenkins]

I cannot believe the extent of the lying going on to try to take Huckabee down.

That an individual on this blog would post, as "FACT:", these outrageous lies -- either through his own ignorance or through a malicious intent, is just sad.

Unfortunately, everyone from Fox News to CNN and in-between is fighting Huckabee -- yet, somehow, he still leads all Republican candidates in Rasmussen's national poll. Why is that?

Because people who look at what the man has done and said and it is clear that the lies and defalcations are just that. This blog is just one more example.

[patsijean]

My mother always told me you could tell a lot about a man by watching how he treated animals and children. The facts that Huckabee "condoned" his son's actions (apparently getting him no counseling for his actions) and that as governor he was against all animal abuse legislation, tells me a great deal about his charactor. The first child abuse cases in this country were prosecuted under Humane Society laws, and the Humane Society is still advocating for children and animals. Just deciding one day to be a "pastor" (I do not know that Baptist pastors have to be college and seminary educated) and preaching hell and brimstone to women who want to be whole, independent individuals, does not make one a "Christian". A true "Christian" would not advocate animal abuse. Huckabee freed a rapist and murder because the victim was a distant Clinton cousin. I cannot imagine what this hateful man will do if he is even in the Oval Office.

[JimR]

"Let's think really hard about this America. Change this nation, change our world. Vote for Mitt Romney. "

Don't do it America.... learn from my mistake. You've been warned.

—Massachusetts resident

[P Campbell]

I have this to say to other Republicans--Just say NO to Mike Huckabee.

[enough]

patsijean, Your are right. Southern Baptist preachers don't have to be college or seminary educated. In fact, they don't have to be literate if they have a decent recollection of scriptures they have heard read.

[jack s.]

P Campbell
let's make a deal. no condemning someone without stating logical reasons.

enough
that sounds like ad hominem to me.
what if i heard you were from some religion and i had heard some nasty thing about that religion. would that give me sufficient reason to condemn YOU? i will not base my vote on a man's religion. i will base my vote on the man.
though you will disagree, i havve done hours and hours of research and Huckabee is my man.

[April]

Gov. Huckabee is just like every other politician who does whatever is best for THEIR own personal and career interests. Never mind that he raised a little sadistic Jeffrey Dahmer in training who should have been PUNISHED and received MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING! Gov. Huckabee is guilty because he leaned on law enforcement to ignore the prosecutor's requests for help in the investigation. Daddy Governor got his evil spawn off the hook -- how pathetic, and this is from a "good Christian man." Please -- the good Christian man, aw shucks, comedy routine is getting very old. Drop out of the race already Huckster. Most of us know you're a liar regarding AMNESTY/PRO OPEN BORDERS, too, even though you go around professing to be tough on illegal immigration. It's kind of like saying the fox will protect the hens, not eat them. What a hypocrite fraud!

[April]

Mitt Romney should have been the GOP nominee based on smarts, ethics and experience, but instead the lamestream media pushed MCcain as the "frontrunner" from the get go. They also pushed Huckabee as such a down to earth "good Christian man." What a crock! Not all of us Americans are sheep, following the herd!!! We actually think and do our own research instead of relying on the lamestream media! MITT ROMNEY IN 2012!!!!!! Or if he runs as McAmnesty's running mate, this conservative MIGHT consider voting for them. Voting for McCain feels so wrong and DIRTY, but if a real conservative like Romney is his running mate, I'll consider it. The atlerative of Obama and Clinton are just too scary. Either of those two will RUIN THIS COUNTRY!!!