Another hit job on Huckabee

Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:16 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
The Club for Growth is no fan of Huckabee. The conservative group’s latest attack on the former Arkansas governor comes in the form of an anti-Huckabee Web site, TaxHikeMike. The site contains videos of Huckabee statements, which the group claims as “Evidence.” It also says he’s “getting cozy with labor unions” and cites speaking at the National Education Association and receiving the endorsement of the International Association of Machinists.

“He even received the latter’s endorsement!” the site exclaims. The machinists union also endorsed Clinton, but it said it endorsed Huckabee because he “was the only Republican candidate with the guts to meet with our members and the only one willing to figure out where and how we might work together.”

The Club for Growth’s President Pat Toomey said in a statement: “Mike Huckabee claims to be an economic conservative, but it is clear from his tax-and-spend record as governor of Arkansas and his embrace of left-wing populism on the campaign trail that he is as much an economic conservative as Hillary Clinton is a capitalist.”

The Club for Growth also ran an attack ad in Iowa against Huckabee in the week leading up to the Ames straw poll. Huckabee, who calls the group “The Club for Greed,” seemed to shrug off the group’s attacks with his second-place finish at the straw poll despite his limited resources.

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Comments

See? This is what really happens when a Republican 'reaches out'. Dubya would never even look at a Teamster, cause he 'knows' Teamsters. He's looked into their Unionized Soul, and he knows, All Baseball Players Are Alike! They get all the girls, and they make fun of Male Cheerleaders.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:35 PM)

I believe Gov. Huckabee's upbringing in a low-income family is what has made him to be the compassionate, man-of-the-people type of person he has turned out to be.
He can't be compared to any other candidate on the field right now.. All the others are people of prestige and privilege, so its hard for them to know what the regular folk go through.
(Edwards was the son of a millworker manager, he purposefully omits that last part)

Club of growth doesn't know what they're talking about.

jt, okc (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:39 PM)

Pat Toomey of the Club for Growth is an agenda driven money monger. Toomey is actually so full of himself he thinks that he can influence elections to get in to office the candidate that will back his greedy club.The Club for Growth is not looking out for the good of Americans they are looking out for the good of their big fat bank accounts.

Ted, Wolfboro,NH (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:45 PM)

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa - All Baseball Players Are Alike! They get all the girls, and they make fun of Male Cheerleaders.

Sounds like you have personal experience with this Steve.

Manny Sosa (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:49 PM)

Mike just might make it but I forgot he is running on the republican ticket so I guess not. jt I am glad you didn't say compassionate conservative because we know what those do they rob from the poor to give tax breaks to the rich.

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:49 PM)

IMPEACH BUSH...impeach bush... Impeach Bush... IMPEACH BUSH... impeach bush...Impeach Bush...IMPEACH BUSH...impeach bush...Impeach Bush... IMPEACH BUSH !

Z (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:17 PM)

"the only Republican candidate with the guts to meet with our members and the only one willing to figure out where and how we might work together." Damn him for that! Working together! Harruummppphh! Stuff and nonsense! You scare the losers, then you steal their money! This Huckabee fellow is dangerous, I tell you.

Corporate America and the fascist right wing sitting in a tree... (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:26 PM)

Huckabee would have broad based appeal in the General election. Can't win without the Center and the GOP may find that the center has slid leftwards a tad for this go around.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:28 PM)

I think Huckabee's willingness to reach across political lines makes him a more and more attractive candidate. We Americans are sick and tired of politicians feeling the need to always walk the political lines that their parties set. Huckabee is a breath of fresh air and should get a boost in the polls after this warrantless attack ad against him. The Club for Greed refuses to point out that Huckabee signed over 90 tax cuts while he was governor in Arkansas. He raised taxes for education over a Supreme Court MANDATE. Was he supposed to ignore the Supreme Court? He also signed a fuel tax increase...after 80% of the people of Arkansas voted for it.

Chris Slusser, Wood River, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:28 PM)

Huck aint a conservative. Oh, he may well be one of these super-religious, I know better than you what's good for your soul kinda guys. But he isn't a conservative.

Bruce, NV (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:30 PM)

Another reason I like Mike! He recognizes the issues people without capital have in this economy. As governor of a poor state, he worked to ease the burden. As President, he can work to see that the money "true conservatives" are funneling back home for pet projects really got to things Washington is already obligated to fund.

Mike, Nac, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:37 PM)

It is good to see a Republican who cares so much about people. He does have crossover appeal.

ReadyForChangesNow (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:40 PM)

It's so amazing to me that the party of God and morality are the biggest hypocrites walking the earth! The republican party has no concern for the everyday man. There is no compassion for anyone who faces economic hardship on a daily basis (isn't helping those in need the foundation of Christianity?) Yet, whenever there is call for national healthcare or any sociological plan to help the many disenfranchised people of our nation it is crushed by the republican party and branded as something that would turn us into a communist country. The level of stupidity and ignorance in this country is appalling, yet the republicans feed on this stupidity because the easiest thing to do is control us like sheep. Especially, the midwest where so many gullible, God-fearing folks believe that because the republicans put God on their side, then everything will be ok because God will lead us. Remember, this is the party that believes guns and God are a great partnership. Does anyone in their right mind actually believe that God loves self-absorbed, gluttonous, arrogant Americans more than people from other parts of the world? Finally, a decent republican (an everyday man with a heart)comes along and he is of course villified by his party! But hallelujah! we have Fred Thompson now! He is such a great actor that it has to mean he'll be a great president! God bless America!

Joe, Toms River, NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:44 PM)

Huckabee, like most governors or former governors, knows that it is the duty of State government to provide essential services for its constituents. To do that, and to meet the demands for those services, requires money. Government has only one way to get the money it needs--taxes.

This is why the Republican manifesto (and I'm a Republican, at least nominally) makes little if any sense. You cannot provide services and cut the funds needed to pay for them. This is one of the main reasons States can't perform their constitutional duties, and ask for Federal involvement in things that aren't Federal responsibilities.

If the Club for Growth were serious about Federal spending (and thus Federal taxes), it would support more spending on a State basis, even if State taxes have to go up to provide it. State spending is easier to control than Federal spending, since it is closer to the people, and, since the States have most sovereign power, more State activity will enable Federal involvement, Federal spending, and Federal taxes to be decreased. This is the essence of American constitutionalism.

Why the Club for Growth doesn't understand this, I don't know. Unless, of course, the Club for Growth secretly wants more Federal government...

Richard Fifield, Easton, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:49 PM)

The club for growth is joke, whom do they represent the tax cutting big spenders Bush administration. If these guys want limited or no government they should move to some third world country they will see the effects limited or no government.

Ben, MI (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:49 PM)

I'll agree with my fellow NH resident here -- the Club for Growth should be re-named the Club for Greed.
Anyone know who their candidate is?

I also will say, Mike Huckabee probably honestly is a compassionate conservative.
Unfortunately, someone already completely trashed that moniker by running on it in 2000.

Jan, Nashua, NH (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:49 PM)

Can Club for Growth actually be afraid of Huckabee? Why else would he elicit such bitter smear jobs? He's nudging toward the top.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

mp (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:55 PM)

Huck might just be the only conservative capable of winning the presidency, especially if he's up against H.R. Clinton!

Nicholas, Minneaps, MN (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:01 PM)

Does anyone even take Club for Growth seriously anymore? This latest effort is laughable, just like them spending $100,000 on negative attack ads in Iowa, only to see Huckabee dominate headlines for his strong second-place finish in the Ames Straw Poll.

They don't even try to mask their irrational grudge against Huckabee... Back in January, when he was pulling only 1 percent in the polls, they released their very first white paper report — attacking him.

Now this... Give me a break.

Joe (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:08 PM)

Bruce, you are describing your man bush, who also ain't a conservative.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:13 PM)

Bruce, NV -- You say that like it's a bad thing.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:22 PM)

The Huckabee Hound Show...unless he is bashing gays, women who have abortions and those terrorist loving dims he can't get votes in the luddite primaries

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:22 PM)

Always look for the union label.

GWA (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:23 PM)

impeach bush and cheney, impeach bush and cheney, impeach bush and cheney, impeach bush and cheney, impeach bush and cheney, impeach bush and cheney

john mcclurg, marysville, wa (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:30 PM)

Huckabee is not catering to traditional union ideas. All Huckabee did was present the FairTax to the union. The fact is, the Fairtax makes so much sense that unions are actually converting to this tax plan. It's an easy sell. Everybody wins with the Fairtax.

Mark, Panama City, FL (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:49 PM)

I saw huckabee on the daily show, and the fact that he truly believes in all of the stuff that the host satires about is proof that he's a conservative.

jpeckham merriam, ks (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:58 PM)

Mike Huckabee did a great job while leading the State of Arkansas. Tax and spend is hogwash. He left the largest surplus in history. He did many good things for the economy and children of the state. And yes it is OK to be a Christian and be involved with politics.

Tommy Kelly, Pine Bluff, AR (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 3:12 PM)

Manny. Yer talkin' to a Born Third Baseman. Of course, there is a subgroup among us. Some of us guys got extra girls when certain guys who made fun of certain Male Cheerleaders, went out with them on 'Dates'. As a Montreal Expo fan might have said, "Vive le Difference!".

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 3:13 PM)

Actually, Ronnie Raygun (the right wing icon) RAISED TAXES as governor of California and as President !!

The 'Club for Growth' (sic) opposes 'tax and spend'
The 'Club for Growth' supports 'tax cut and spend'
Forget about the deficits !! (they're big enough to take care of themselves)

If they REALLY WANTED to cut taxes, they'd oppose the Iraq War !!
That's where your tax dollars are going !!

Beware of Santa Claus in a business suit !!

Hey !! What ever happened to 'supply side economics'?

Sierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 3:21 PM)

I believe the point made by the Club for Growth is that he talked to a union. Being a governor, that tends to be a part of the job. Many states have unions representing many state employees. No one will just volonteer to work for the state and deal with that "friendly people" that regularly call the state. Being a governor at times is just like running a business where you need to work within a budget and deal with the labor.

As for the "Tax and Spend" label, I must say that it is better that "Borrow and Spend" that this greedy group seems to be advocating. Bring in the money to pay for the programs that you are running. I can't understand why they can't see that unless they are advocating no government at all...

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 3:34 PM)

Idiot groups like this are exactly why the GOP has been going off course since 2000. They will be the reason we will be stuck with Hillary for 4 years and why her husband won in '92 with less then 50% of the vote. They will also land us a democrat majority in the senate and congress. Remember what an amazing success that arrangement was in the 70's.

K., Austin (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 4:18 PM)

All Huckabee did was present the FairTax to the unions. It simply sold itself. How? It's simple and logical. If you don't know about its advantages, it's your fault by now.

mark, Panama City, FL (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 4:36 PM)

Huckabee: largest tax DECREASE in Arkansas history. Left office with nearly a $1 billion surplus... after years of deficits. Huckabee '08.

Robert Piercy, Paragould, AR (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 4:44 PM)

Huckabee is a classic example of why we need open primaries. He is much more mainstream than his fellow Republicans and appeals to many Democratic voters. Of course, that is exactly why the Republicans will work hard to keep him off the ballots.

Jael, downstate Illinois (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 5:28 PM)

People who have contempt for government should be the LAST choice to put in charge of one. How can you do a good job if you hate everything you are responsible for?

Cal, Chico, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 5:36 PM)

Funny to see people complaining about Democrats, given we've tried the Republican brand and it worked out worse than anything the Democrats ever did.

The Other Steve (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 5:59 PM)

Arkansas, like most states, has a constitutional balanced-budget amendment (now THERE'S an idea...) which, de facto, requires any spending increase to be offset by an increase in revenue from someplace.

I don't know the specifics, but IIRC, the "massive" gas tax increase Huckabee enacted was something like $0.02 to $0.07 per gallon, or something of that nature.

Huckabee is anything but a tax-and-spender; he supports real tax reform via the FairTax, which is the best danged idea to come along in a long time. He's also the only Republican with a lick of credibility on the Iraq war, viz. we broke it, we bought it, like it or not.

Mike C, Rockville, MD (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:03 PM)

They can slice him/they can dice him. He's up to the job! He will still come out tender hearted with a great mind, and his feet firmly planted, ready and able to Lead our nation with sound regard for the Homeland and the people who make her strong! WE LOVE HUCKABEE! He's in for the long haul! Thank God! (for the RealRomney goto www.massresistance.org 'mass' for MA and 'resistance' for conservative stance--Tell everyone!)

M. Lee (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:16 PM)

He's a liar. Take a hard look at his record in the state of Arkansas. Compare it to what he wants all of you to believe.

PDP, Little Rock Arkansas (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:25 PM)

Bruce, NV -- darn, just when I thought I'd found a real live conservative you tell me he isn't one. Where the heck did they all go. Is there an elephant graveyard (pun intended) somewhere for conservatives?

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:26 PM)

Every time I hear about the Club for Growth, I think of an old Star Trek line: Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of cancer.

Sean Lewis, El Paso, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:27 PM)

Club for Growth -- is Club a verb with them? Tumors are also a growth. Should they be the Growth that Clubs?

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:31 PM)

These are not your compassionate conservatives.

-------------
“I can say this because I'm not an elected official: the most selfish group in America today is senior citizens. Their demands on Washington are: 'Give us more and more and more.' They have become the new welfare state, and given the size and political clout of this constituency, it's very dangerous. One of the biggest myths in politics today is this idea that grandparents care about their grandkids. What they really care about is that that Social Security check and those Medicare payments are made on a timely basis.”
–Stephen Moore, founder, Club for Growth

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:41 PM)

"CFG has more than 9,000 members, dominated by Wall Street financiers and executives."

Salt of the earth kind of people, eh

Get this, on their website they say one of the reasons they oppose Huckabee is because he supports smoking bans. Anybody want to bet some of those members are tobacco executives?

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:45 PM)

We need Huckabee in Washington!

Concerned American (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:55 PM)

“We need to defend America’s honor” Huckabee...
Exactly what honor are you talking about sir? The fact that this an unjustified war… The fact that over 500,000 innocent people have died? The fact that our nation is sinking into debt? After six years, what do we have to show? President Bush’s failed benchmarks? And after all of this you cannot accept the fact that your party has made a mistake and you plan to continue it? How many more people need to die?

The only republican that is going to lower taxes is Ron Paul... the rest are a waste

Ron Paul, NYC (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 7:12 PM)

Why would anyone with a brain even think of voting republicam? The combo of Bush and Cheney, both (former?) drunks and draft dodgers, among other things: squandered the Clinton surplus, led us into an unnessary war under false pretenses, resulting in over 3,700 dead soldiers, and over 15,000 wounded, many very seriously, who will cost us billions in future years to care for and support, with the toll of dead and injured mounting every day; incompetently managed that war and our injured troops at Walter Reed Hospital and other places; mismanaged the hunt for Osama, diverting our forces to Iraq, and leaving him at large; allowed their cronies to profit handsomely out of Iraq contracts which were privatized; incompetently handled Katrina; have spent us into huge deficits, which will require our children and grandkids to pay the price in the future; presided over tremendous transfers of wealth to the already very wealthy by means of the income tax cuts passed, and, have substantially trenched upon the civil liberties of all of us, and delayed remedial action on the environment, stem cell research and global warming for reasons of ideology, theology and just plain greed. All of these policies were supported by a majority of republicans and some misguided democrats. I say ENOUGH.

S. T. , Bolton, CT (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 7:57 PM)

I don't know much about Huckabee, but everything I've read has impressed me. It seems like the Club for Growth has done more to help him with its attacks. By the way, the FairTax is a great idea - and Huckabee is one of the only candidates who actively supports it.

Jack, Blacksburg, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 8:58 PM)

"Fair tax" ??...??? This is to income or sales tax what "death tax" is to estate tax. If it's so great why do they feel the need to give it the spin?

Remember when G.W. gave us "healthy forests" through logging? Please, enough "fair tax" already.

nick kastle (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 9:32 PM)

huck is the man ask the troops US Army

mp (Sent Wednesday, September 12, 2007 10:17 PM)

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