Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Chip Moes — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:48:55 GMT

I don't see who raised the question as a big deal. The previous Democrat Governor had already reduced the Dumond's sentence, so it was agreed that there was a problem there. The Parole Board of Democrat appointees looked at the case and granted the parole. Huckabee wanted the guy paroled. They all wish now that they had let Dumond rot in jail, but now and then, when you try to help someone, it blows up in your face. Of course, Huckabee opponents will try to make a Willie Horton case out of this for political gain. Hopefully the voters are smarter than that. Were any guys that Huckabee pardoned /commuted subsequently convicted of serious crimes ?

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

pat huntington ny — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:50:34 GMT

Driving Miss Judy - LOL! Rudy is sinking fast as people get a taste of the real so called America's Mayor. He's crash, rude, and mean, a downright bully. We've had enought of him here. We wouldn't to give him to the rest of the nation.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Not this Republican — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:55:38 GMT

Mike Huckabee, you are just the kind ogf STAND UP guy we want as president. I'm highly impresssssssssed.

You, you as governor of Arkansas parole a rapist and killer and when the man repeats his behavior. When the media jumps on because you could be a threat to their appointed RUDY...what do you do? You prove that you are a real true American Republican.

You run straight to Repbulican talking points.

IT WAS ACTUALLY NOT YOUR FAULT BECAUSE two membbers who also voted for the parole were Bill CLinton appointees from years ago.

So..it really was not your fault...Bill Clinton did it!!!

Pretty impressive, Pastor Huckabee

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Blue state baby — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:03:06 GMT

I can't understand how anyone can be so naive as to think that Rudy being as underhanded as he was as mayor could possibly be any different as a president.
Maybe thats why he supports Bush more than any other candidate. As important as it is going to be to clean up the mess this administration has left us, Rudy is the last man we need. It just blows me away how his supporters can't see this.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Arkansas Born and Bred — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:04:34 GMT

I'm from Arkansas. If you are thinking about voting for Governor Huckabee, my suggestion is that you really need to take a long hard look BEYOND the humor and preacher presentation. You may be surprised and not like what you see.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

John Alexander,Edinboro,PA — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:04:53 GMT

McCain is the only one who could work with the senate and really make change, the other repubs are weak on everything, experience, knowledge and trust, too bad the party is not interested in any of that. They are afraid of the information that will come out after Bush and company are gone.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

JC, Columbia, SC — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:07:14 GMT

Wait a second... The Huckabee campaign says that they were never contacted by you guys in this story and it seems kind of suspicious that someone would either support Clinton or Romney... that's like saying I vote for chocolate but also insulin... I dont know which I want most... either she's retarded or you guys are making it up. This story sounds a little concocted. I have Chip Saltsman's number... if you really want to get the true story. You should hire me for the staff I wouldn't have the left with a cop out like they wouldn't respond. Every good reporter can find someone who will say something. Nice detective work NBC.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

jt, okc — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:34:53 GMT

I don't think this is a big deal at all. If the parole members had said that Huckabee pushed for the parole extremely hard and threatened their jobs, then there would be an issue. Gov. Huckabee didn't want to commute his sentence, and based on the clean record of Dumond and his behavior in prison, he personally thought a better option would be parole with supervision.

The parole board still had all of the authority, and not Gov. Huckabee. He can't initiate a parole, nor stop it. So the parole somewhat blaming Huckabee doesn't make much sense.

There's just no big bombshell in this. The media is trying to make something out of nothing. This was a big issue during his reelection in 2002 and he won the election by 7 or 8 percentage points.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Iris Eastburn — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:54:48 GMT

December 06, 2007
FORMER HUCKABEE AIDE DENOUNCES HUFFPO DISTORTION;
Corroborates Huckabee Account of Disputed Meeting:
"He was not trying to influence the Board"

A report on the left-wing blog, The Huffington Post makes allegations against Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee that are inaccurate and distort the truth. According to the HuffPo article, Olan W. "Butch" Reeves, a former senior aide of former Governor Mike Huckabee, "directly contradicts" the Governor's account of a meeting between himself and the Arkansas state parole board that took place on October 31, 1996.

In fact, Mr. Reeves completely corrobates Mr. Huckabee's account of the meeting.

As background to the controversy, in 1985, Wayne DuMond was convicted of raping Ashley Stephens and was sentenced to life in prison. Subsequently, in 1992 then-Governor of Arkansas, Jim Guy Tucker granted executive clemency for DuMond which commuted his sentence to 39.5 years. This act made DuMond immediately eligible for parole.

In 1996, Mike Huckabee became Governor of Arkansas. That August the Post Prison Transfer Board reviewed a request for a pardon from DuMond and decided to recommend to the Governor that the request had "no merit." That decision was sent to the Governor. The Board's decision is a recommendation and not binding on the Governor.

When the Governor received the file with the recommendation from the Board, his review of the case led him to issue an "intent to grant" the clemency. There then followed a mandatory period for the Governor to receive comments from the public. The DuMond case was very controversial and the Governor received many comments, both supporting and opposing his consideration of a pardon.

During this time period, the Board - which was composed entirely of Democrats appointed either by Bill Clinton, or Jim Guy Tucker -- issued an invitation to the new Republican Governor to come to a meeting to become acquainted and discuss his philosophy of clemency.

Please note a crucial distinction: clemency (or pardon) is separate and distinct from parole. Only the Governor can grant clemency or pardon; the Parole Board reviews and grants parole. The Governor is not involved in parole decisions.

It is this October '96 meeting which is now the focus of attention. One of the Board members, Charles Chastain, is now alleging publicly that the Governor used that meeting to pressure the Board to grant DuMond parole.

In fact, just the opposite is true: Mr. Chastain attempted to dissuade Governor Huckabee from his intent to grant clemency to DuMond.

"They are saying that the Governor was trying to persuade them to grant parole," said Reeves, "it was the other way around, they were trying to persuade him not to grant clemency."

At the time Mr. Reeves served as chief counsel to the Governor and attended the October meeting with Governor Huckabee in his official capacity.

Mr. Reeves asserts categorically that parole for DuMond was "never mentioned" during the meeting. ("I told this guy [Waas], that's not why we had that meeting.") The quotes attributed to Reeves in The Huffington Post article, authored by Murray Waas, all relate to a conversation which was about Governor Huckabee's stated intention to grant DuMond clemency.

This is a very simple distinction that Waas fails to make. The context of the discussion that occurred - and Governor Huckabee has not denied that a discussion occurred - was the question of whether or not Governor Huckabee would grant clemency, not whether or not the Board would grant parole. The Board's decision had already been made and their recommendation was already on the Governor's desk.

In the midst of a general discussion about the Governor's general philosophy related to clemency, one of the Board members asked the Governor about the DuMond case and his intention to grant clemency (which was public knowledge due to the notice of intent.)

The Governor responded by stating that he believed the facts warranted his decision to initiate a notice of intent. As has been reported, he added that he believed DuMond had gotten a bad deal from the justice system. (This goes to the stated purpose of the meeting which was for the Governor to communicate to the Board his clemency philosophy.) Note that this does parallel the quotes attributed to Reeves by Waas in the Huffington Post:

"But, according to Reeves, Huckabee actually told the parole board members that the prison sentence meted out to Dumond for his rape conviction was "outlandish" and "way out of bounds for his crime."

Again, the Governor made these comments to explain his position on the clemency request, not to persuade the Board to grant parole. The Board had already decided against parole. "Parole was not an issue; it didn't come up," said Reeves.

In response to the Governor's explanation of why he intended to grant DuMond clemency, Chastain then stated why he was against it. The Governor, according to Reeves replied, "Well, okay, it's a difference of opinion." And the discussion ended.

The Huffington Post article asserts that the Reeves account contradicts the Governor's version when, in fact, everything Mr. Reeves describes corroborates Governor Huckabee's statement on the issue, as quoted by Waas:

"This stands in stark contrast to Huckabee's assertion, repeated at a press conference today that he "did not ask [the board] to do anything." When asked directly about trying to influence the board, Huckabee responded: "No. I did not. Let me categorically say that I did not."
"He never mentioned parole at that meeting," says Mr. Reeves. "The Governor was talking about clemency."

On January 16, 1997 the Board took up a reconsideration of DuMond's parole request and voted to grant parole with the stipulation that DuMond be paroled out of state.

The vote was as follows:
4 members voted yes. LeRoy Brownlee, Chairman; Fred Allen, Jr.; Ermer Poindexter; Railey Steele;
1 voted no. Dr. Charles Chastain.
There were 2 abstentions. Deborah Suttler and August Pieroni.

That same afternoon the Governor denied the clemency request. He sent a letter to DuMond that has been widely reported saying, (excerpted):
"Dear Wayne, I have reviewed your applications for executive clemency, specifically a commutation and/or pardon. ... My desire is that you be released from prison. I feel now that parole is the best way for your reintegration into society. ... Therefore, after careful consideration ... I have denied your applications."
The Governor's approach to the DuMond case has been consistent. As he expressed in the letter, he did believe that DuMond should be released from prison. However, he denied clemency/pardon FOUR TIMES. Even after the Board granted parole with the out-of-state stipulation, Governor Huckabee denied two subsequent clemency requests. DuMond could not find a state which would take him, so he remained in prison for TWO MORE YEARS. It was during this time that the Governor continued to deny him clemency.

If the Governor was actively seeking to release DuMond, he could have easily done so by granting him clemency. He did not do so.

Finally, September 16, 1999 the Board, during a regular progress report on DuMond, dropped the out-of state condition for parole. The Governor took no action to promote this decision and did not know it was coming.

In October of that year, DuMond was released.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Tim, CT — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:09:14 GMT

I’d like to know if this parole is of concern to me.

Can you compile a list of all parole board members and contact each of them for their take on the various meetings?

Huckabee keeps talking about all of these Clinton/Tucker appointments… but it would be helpful to know the present day views of all members, plus any prior (public) statements.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Lee in CA — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:11:52 GMT

For supporters of "above the law" lying, fascist tools I can see why Rudy is so attractive.

The only possible way to do worse than Bush - go for it, rightwingnuts!

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Jack Stamero — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:24:10 GMT

I wonder how this ties in to Huckabee's "joke" a month or two ago where he talked of other candidates "in a bathtub with razor blades."

Real Christian talk there for you, folks.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Robert Maiella, Libertyville IL — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:34:32 GMT

pat: Driving Miss Judy - LOL! Rudy is sinking fast as people get a taste of the real so called America's Mayor.

Rudy is going down fast. Next we're going to find out Rudy had the state police driving his hooker girlfriends around, just like Billy C. did.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Tim, CT — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:41:07 GMT

"issued an invitation to the new Republican Governor to come to a meeting to become acquainted and discuss his philosophy of clemency."

Does a copy of this invitation exist? Email perhaps?

"In the midst of a general discussion about the Governor's general philosophy related to clemency, one of the Board members asked the Governor about the DuMond case and his intention to grant clemency (which was public knowledge due to the notice of intent.)

The Governor responded by stating" etc.

Do meeting minutes exist? If so, there should be a motion, including an explanation, for entering executive session. Does the motion mention clemency or pardon, neither or both?

"That same afternoon the Governor denied the clemency request"

Before or after the governor knew (or ought to have known) the parole was granted? If parole was not granted, would a pardon/clemency have been granted? Do any contemporaneous documents or public statements exist?

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Tim, CT — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:58:41 GMT

regarding my prior post, skip the question about intent because the Governor wrote:

"My desire is that you be released from prison. I feel now that parole is the best way for your reintegration into society."

so the critical question is... did he decide to refuse clemency before (or after) he knew (or ought to have known) about the parole being approved?

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Gene Raleigh, NC — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:06:02 GMT

Huckabee is sounding more dishonest by the day...Did Jesus do that to the campaign also?

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Rick, WS, NC — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:27:59 GMT

Driving Miss Judi home is more like it eh Rudy? You reps are going to have a tough time picking your guys this time around...lets be honest, you evangelicals really don't believe Romney is anything but a cult member....huckster has the delivery of a southern preacher and the record of a pie eyed liberal tax and spender...the rudy and judi show is really unattractive to the party of family values...john mcbush hung his hat on the war so we'll have to see on that one...fred flintstone is well, fred flinstone only slower...good luck on this bunch of losers

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

rob — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:43:49 GMT

Huckabee BUSTED ON DAN ABRAMS MSNBC 12/6/2007

Dan Abrams ripped Huckabee's heart out last night. He played the jan 07 clip with Huckabee saying he did not... Then the parole board members basically called him a liar. The one guy said he only met with the gov once in 7 years and the govenors bodyguard was a former student and he remembered the meeting very clearly. Another was not at the meeting but at the next meeting she stated she was informed about the meeting by other parole board members that the Gov introduced the subject and wanted a parole granted. Both claimed it was highly irregular.

Also the Ark newspaper has numerous stories showing how Huckabee granted clemency more times around 800 in 8 years than all 8 surrounding states even thought the surrounding states have 100 times the population. Someone needs to bring this story to the forefront.

This guy is a bigot and a person who believes his interpretation of the law is more significant than the rule of law.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

rob — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:54:39 GMT

HUCKABEE ALSO DISHONEST ABOUT NIE...

The number of hours between the story hitting the press and the supposed gotcha question was 35 hours. Any moron with a blackberry would have known this was big news. He seems to think we are idiots and is referencing the presidents news conference earlier in the day.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

rob — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:12:31 GMT

to iris t

Brian Williams was also on conference call with Huff Post Reporter - confirms Huckabee aides initial description. = HUCKABEE BUSTED AGAIN - REAL JOURNALIST REAL STORY! NOT A LEFT WING AGENDA.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/12/huckabee-aide-g.html

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Dave, Tn — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:00:35 GMT

Clinton cult members making excuses for mistakes due to pressure from a republican. That sounds familiar for some reason. Must be a bitch to not have a mind of your own.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:57:38 GMT

What's with all the Republicans and this study stream of Lying? Have they been listening to Karl Rove tapes about how if you say a lie enough times, everybody will believe it? And later, when the truth comes out, what then? There are Degrees of Psychosis gripping the Republicans, habitual lying being the first clue. Now it's Huckabee's turn.

Oh-eight (R): Drivin’ Miss Judi

Dr. Phil — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:51:43 GMT

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa: What's with all the Republicans and this study stream of Lying?

Maybe its just you. You sound depressed.