[wastedpotential]

Just in the interests of a full airing of both sides and fairness.

[FocusNexus]

“Why the Governor Raised Taxes “

So he ADMITS he raised taxes. He rather raised taxes, than cut spending.

This is a DEMOCRAT approach to budget — spend, spend, than tax, tax, and so on.

[muawiyah]

Very useful. I'd just been accused for smearing the Club for Growth because I asked how they got around to ranking "projects" so that we could know which ones were pork and which were not.

These guys are dishonest aren't they?!

[muawiyah]

Very useful. I'd just been accused for smearing the Club for Growth because I asked how they got around to ranking "projects" so that we could know which ones were pork and which were not.

These guys are dishonest aren't they?!

[keepitreal]

In general, Mr. Huckabee supported tax increases when he had a defined goal in mind, whether it was schools, roads or parks.

“He tended to raise taxes for specific government programs,” said Jay Barth, an associate political science professor at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. “He does believe in a robust government as an active force in the lives of its citizens, especially in helping the little guy.

Glad to know that he only raises taxes for programs and that he believes in a robust government as an active force in the lives of its citizens. Sounds pretty conservative to me. (Huge sarcasm)

[Doogle]

... including fighting for tuition breaks for the children of illegal immigrants.

..nuff said

[EGPWS]

In 2003 the state's chief financial officer projected a $62.3 million revenue shortfall that would result in cuts in state services, possible layoffs, tax increases or the possible repeal of late 1990s tax cuts. Governor Huckabee told the Legislature that he would accept any recommendation they could agree on in order to meet the law's requirement to balance the budget. The Legislature was presented a series of options and chose to increase the tax on tobacco.

Be damned the idea that a liberal need be placed in the position to cut spending to meet lawful budget obligations....

Oh wait, he's a Republican.

I retract my statement.

[norton]

"Truth Squad: Response to Misleading Club For Growth Attack Ad" is a misleading lead in for a blatant Huckabee campaign release.

This stuff is fouling the debate and boring those of us who have no ulterior motives in attending.

[truth_seeker]

Forget taxes. We are in a war.

Huckabee’s ignorance over and over, on international topics proves he is unqualified period.

This party and the conservative movement have lost their collective ever-loving minds if being a Baptist preacherman is a qualification.

No offense to Baptists. Or to preachermen.
Just not as part of the Presidential selection.

[KantianBurke]

When it comes to deciding between the veracity of the Club For Growth versus the Huckster, it takes nanoseconds. The CFG has had an excellent record backing candidates who firmly believe in reducing the size and scope of govt as opposed to this Big govt Clinton clone.

[Hattie]

What is the old saying - he protests too much.

[sgtyork]

His response to Bhuttos assasination was bush league. He is running as a Christian candidate. He’s as dirty as Clinton was. I think we need to go a few decades before we have another governor of Arkansas elected as President.

[TheBattman]

The Arkansas constitution, in a measure that should be lauded by all fiscal conservatives, requires that the state budget be balanced.

Yes, the Arkansas Constitution mandates a balanced budget... BUT... also allows for borrowing in the form of bonds...

In addition, since when is the only way to balance a budget that is short on funds to raise taxes? If my monthly paycheck falls short of meeting my personal budget, I don't go to my employer and demand additional pay. I cut back on my spending (unless I would prefer to go into debt, which I don't want to do).

Huckabee CHOSE to go the route of raising taxes instead of cutting the budget. In addition, while there, he radically expanded social spending. Exactly how is this in ANY way "conservative"?

And to further demonstrate - after the budget was back in line, and the state coffers were then overflowing with a surplus... did Huckabee offer to return the money to taxpayers? Of course not. It took a DEMOCRAT Governor who followed Huckabee to actually be willing to sign a partial cut to the grocery tax (not necessarily the most equitable return of taxpayer overpayment...).

[11th_VA]

Your not suppose to post this stuff here (/sarcasm)

[USS Alaska]

But the record offers a more complex and nuanced picture. While taxes did rise in the 10 years that Mr. Huckabee was governor, the portrayal of him as a wild-eyed spendthrift is hardly apt. For the most part, Mr. Huckabee’s tax initiatives had wide bipartisan support, with the small number of Republicans in the overwhelmingly Democratic state legislature voting for the tax increases and many maintaining that the state was better for them.

Any time I see nuanced, the RED flag goes up. Taxes didn't just go up, they went from $6 to $16 billion {almost triple}.

The huckster is pro-tax, pro-illegal and said he wants to close gitmo. He is not my candidate.