Posted on 12/14/2007 12:15:18 AM PST by Fred
A $1,000 pair of cufflinks from a supporter, tens of thousands of dollars of clothing from a wealthy Little Rock businessman and thousands in gift certificates and cash from staff and appointees were among the lavish gifts given to Republican presidential candidate and unexpected frontrunner Mike Huckabee while he was governor of Arkansas.
The gifts fell within Arkansas's ethics rules but have raised questions among the governor's political opponents and ethics analysts at a time when scrutiny of the candidate is intensifying, and are at odds with the humble persona Huckabee has adopted on the campaign trail.
"Why are these people giving? The reason they're giving is [he's] a public official," said Robert Stern, president of the Centre for Governmental Studies, a non-profit ethics research organisation. "It's a business decision. They're going to get at least recognised by the governor."
It has previously been reported that when Huckabee and his wife, Janet, left the governor's mansion, they registered at a department store for gifts to fill their new home.
A review of state records by the Guardian indicates that during his more than 10 years as governor, Huckabee received thousands of dollars in presents almost every year: gift certificates to sporting goods stores, clothing boutiques and Wal-Mart, a $3,695 pair of cowboy boots, a $500 belt and more.
In addition, some former Huckabee staff and appointees acknowledged to the Guardian that Huckabee's chief of staff and a cabinet official solicited contributions from staff and appointees for Christmas gifts for the governor.
Huckabee's chief source of largesse was Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock businessman who made his money in the medical testing business. In 1996, Huckabee's first year as governor, Osborne bought furniture for the governor's office and a fountain pen for the governor's use, and regularly sent flower arrangements.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
This sure reminds me of, hmm, someone else who was Governor of Arkansas.
Bill and Hillary Clinton did the same thing, as I recall.
Must be in the municipal water supply, ya’ think?
They have ethics rules in Arkansas?
I suspect this is ammunition being stockpiled for later, to “prove” Mike Huckabee is just as “corrupt” as the “Former Occupant of the Oval Office, 1993-2001” and Herself, the Cold and Joyless.
Mike Huckabee is being set up, as a “straw man” to be knocked down at the convenience of the campaign of Herself. Provided, of course, that Herself does manage to become the candidate of the Democratican party, by no means a certain outcome at this point.
Sure they do. They looks something like this: 1. If it feels good, do it. 2. Don’t get caught. 3. If it ain’t nailed down it’s yours. 4. The ends always justify the means. 5. The only answer for tough questions is “fail to recollect”
The more I see and hear Huckabee might as well be a Clinton.
The potential for being a crook is too high, he won’t get my vote.
#3 & #5 are just classic!! LOL
When you look up “grifter” in the dictionary, the definition should be “Arkansas politician.”
“Hillarybee” just looks more and more corrupt the more things come out.
Not only Hillary would beat Hillarybee.....heck even Dennis Kookcinich would beat him in the general election.
BTTT
An elected offical that is a crook, I’m shocked just shocked.
On a brighter note, he would be a perfect fit, in the sewer call Washington, with the rest of the elected crooks.
Does anything good come out of Arkansas?
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