Huckabee’s site, www.mikehuckabee.com, states that he’s pro-tax cuts, pro-spending cuts, anti-illegal alien, pro-life, pro-gun rights, and anti-gay marriage. Which of those views isn’t conservative?
Tell that to the people of Arkansas on whom he raised taxes in addition to nanny-state legislation. Mitt Romney is more of a conservative than Huckabee.
Illegal immigration
Huckabee has been criticized for supporting illegal immigration. In his 2005 State of the State address, he complained that a Hispanic student was not able to get financial aid because he was an illegal alien. Huckabee said: “But when he applied for financial aid, he wasn’t eligible for the various scholarships or grants because of his status, a status that he had no decision in or control over.” Huckabee vehemently opposed a 2005 bill sponsored by Arkansas State Senator Jim Holt which would deny state benefits to illegal immigrants, calling it “un-Christian.”
Fiscal Record
He increased state spending 65.3 percent from 1996 to 2004. He also supported 5 tax increases, prompting the Club for Growth to accuse him of being a liberal in disguise. The Cato Institute, a libertarian non-profit public policy research foundation, gave him an F grade for spending and tax policy in 2006, and an overall grade of D for his governorship. During his tenure, the number of state government workers in Arkansas increased over 20 percent, and the state’s general obligation debt shot up by almost $1 billion.
How are either of these positions conservative?