Huckabee on "Meet the Press"

CBS News ^ | 12/30/20007 | Nancy Cords

[JAKraig]

This is getting down to the wire and I am glad I am not in Iowa. The decision is not as easy as it looks except that I know I would not vote for Mr. Huckabee or Mr. Paul. All of the others have some serious reasons for voting for them but unfortunately they all have flaws.

Where do we find a politician, a republican politician who does not have flaws.
When we find him what will the mainstream media do to kill him off?

If I had to vote I would probably be able to make a decision but I’m not sure I wouldn’t second guess it tomorrow. I can look at that two ways of course, one is that they are all good and the other is that they all have flaws. Whomever wins I hope he can win the general, I think they would all be better than the democratic alternative.

[org.whodat]

Just like Elian?

Has nothing to do with the current illegal discussion and is a "Red Herring".

[Eric Blair 2084]

How about one more Real Men of Genius post? Let me buy you a beer.

[wastedpotential]

As long as it is in a no-smoking section :)

[NeoCaveman]

I watched it and Mr. Potato Head (Russert) really mashed up Der Huckmeister.

[Mr Rogers]

Hunter is going nowhere, which leaves Thompson as the most conservative candidate. Normally, I’d think of him a middle-left. Says a lot about our slate of candidates.

[apocalypto]

I agree with you. Children should go with their parents.

[Maelstorm]

Fred Thompson on Abortion

Click here for OR .

• Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad science. (Jun 2007)
• Appoint strict constructionist judges. (Jun 2007)
• Has never been pro-choice despite 1994 news reports. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)

Fred Thompson on Budget & Economy

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
• Voted NO on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)

Fred Thompson on Civil Rights

Click here for OR .

• Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
• Voted NO on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
• Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
• Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
• Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)

Fred Thompson on Corporations

Click here for OR .

• Commerce clause does not mean Feds can regulate everything. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)

Fred Thompson on Crime

Click here for OR .

• Impose truth in sentencing for violent crime. (Nov 1994)
• Voted NO on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
• Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
• Voted YES on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
• Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)

Fred Thompson on Drugs

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
• Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)

Fred Thompson on Education

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• Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
• Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
• Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
• Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)

Fred Thompson on Energy & Oil

Click here for OR .

• Solar system is warming, not earth. (Apr 2007)
• Voted YES on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
• Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
• Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
• Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)

Fred Thompson on Environment

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
• Voted YES on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
• Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
• Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)

Fred Thompson on Families & Children

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)

Fred Thompson on Foreign Policy

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
• Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
• Voted NO on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
• Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)

Fred Thompson on Free Trade

Click here for OR .

• Market does more for freedom & prosperity than planners. (Jun 2007)
• Protectionist trade policies are defensive & defeatist. (May 2007)
• Markets do more for freedom than any central planner. (May 2007)
• Protectionist trade policies are defensive & defeatist. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
• Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
• Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
• Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
• Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)

Fred Thompson on Government Reform

Click here for OR .

• Passionate supporter of states rights. (Jun 2007)
• Term limits counter professionalization of politics. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
• Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
• Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
• Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)

Fred Thompson on Gun Control

Click here for OR .

• Allowing concealed carry could have limited VA Tech massacre. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

Fred Thompson on Health Care

Click here for OR .

• Voted NO on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
• Voted NO on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
• Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
• Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
• Voted NO on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
• Voted YES on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
• Voted NO on medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)

Fred Thompson on Homeland Security

Click here for OR .

• Europe mothballs its fleet, when all should build military. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
• Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
• Voted YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
• Voted NO on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
• Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
• Voted YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)

Fred Thompson on Immigration

Click here for OR .

• Opposes amnesty in any form. (Jun 2007)
• Nation loses sovereignty if it cannot secure its own borders. (Apr 2007)
• Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
• Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)

Fred Thompson on Jobs

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
• Voted YES on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)

Fred Thompson on Principles & Values

Click here for OR .

• Reveals he suffers from cancer, but it won't affect campaign. (Jun 2007)
• Religious affiliation: Protestant. (Nov 2000)

Fred Thompson on Social Security

Click here for OR .

• Social Security & Medicare are generational wealth transfers. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
• Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
• Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)

Fred Thompson on Tax Reform

Click here for OR .

• Progressive tax redistributes wealth without helping economy. (Jun 2007)
• Taxes burden production; keep rates as low as possible. (May 2007)
• Tax cuts stimulate the economy. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)

Fred Thompson on Technology

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on Internet sales tax moratorium. (Oct 1998)
• Voted YES on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996)

Fred Thompson on War & Peace

Click here for OR .

• I would do essentially what the president's doing in Iraq. (Jun 2007)
• Take any chance to not get run out of Iraq. (Jun 2007)
• Internationalizing war effort will not win the war. (Jun 2007)
• President must decide on war based on unclear evidence. (Jun 2007)
• Prophets of doom are wrong--we can't cut-and-run. (Jun 2007)
• Goal of Iraqi enemies is to demoralize us. (Jun 2007)
• Serious & painful international sanctions on nuclear Iran. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
• Voted YES on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
• Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
• Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)

Fred Thompson on Welfare & Poverty

Click here for OR .

• Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
• Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)

[TChad]

Would someone explain to the Huckster and his acolytes that a President cannot simply decree Abortion illegal.

That sounds like a message that some Freepers should hear. At this point the emphasis should be on changing minds, not changing laws.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Post #9 well said, couldn’t agree more.

[MNJohnnie]

A president doesn’t HAVE to decree abortion illegal. Murder is already decreed illegal.

Then why aren't the Abortionists in jail?

[Eric Blair 2084]

You can hang out with Huck in the no smoking section. I’ll be with the smokers in the smoking section. I love the smell of tobacco smoke...it reminds me of freedom.

[AuntB]

That’s Huck’s position today. It doesn’t match his record or his past rhetoric. Don’t fall for it.

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/11/huckabee_im_against_illegal_immigration_but_im_not_a_lunatic_about_it.php

Nov. 23, 2007

A pretty compelling interview with Mike Huckabee about immigration. In it, Huckabee was asked about charges from rivals that he’s soft on immigration because he supported the children of illegal immigrants being eligible for scholarships and backed free prenatal care for illegal immigrants in need of it.

Huckabee’s response:

“We penalize law-breakers. We don’t penalize their children for something they can’t help.

“If a child is gasping for air, asthmatic, and he’s on the hospital steps, what do the other candidates suggest we do, let him sit there and gasp until he doesn’t have any air left and he dies? If a child comes to our school — and our law, by the way, in most of our states, mine certainly says you’ve got to educate a child if he’s of child age — what do you, break your own law and say, `No, you can’t come in the schoolhouse door’?

“No, you don’t do that. What you do is you elect a president who will fix the problem where it needs to be fixed: At the border. But if your government at the federal government is so incompetent that it fails to secure the border, you don’t then grind your heel into the face of a 6-year-old child over it. That’s not what this country does. We’re a better country than that.”

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/11/29/huckabee

[steve-b]

Huckabee said he only raised taxes for things that were crucial, like roads and schools.

Then you cut spending on less crucial projects to pay for it.

At least, that's what you do if you aren't a leftist.

[samtheman]

C’mon, awakened. Surely you’re not saying that abortion is now illegal everywhere in America.

Because all MNJohnnie is saying is that the President of the United States doesn’t have the power to MAKE abortion illegal everywhere in America.

You’re going to need a constitutional amendment for that, and that involves a whole HECK of a lot of people. And, earth-to-awakened: it ain’t agonna happen.

Better to do what Fred wants to do, overturn Roe v. Wade and let the states that have the power to outlaw it do so. And then we can all go forward from there.

As it is, right now, we are at an impasse, with people like you saying “all or nothing” and the nation answering back: “ok, nothing”.

Is that the way you like it? You LIKE the status quo?

[frankenMonkey]

“Has Mitt Romney said anything that’s been untrue about you?” Tim Russert asked.

I'm still waiting for The Huckmiester's answer...

[Maelstorm]

I disagreed with the McCain Feingold bill but to say he has a very centrist record is not just misleading but just not true.

He is solidly pro-life and his voting record shows it.

Opposes amnesty in any form. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)

As for climate change I don’t think you will find anyone who speaks so skeptically outside this forum. You most certainly won’t find either Huckabee or Romney doing so.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NTQzYWY1MGM5NTkyZTM2YWVlMDMzMDlhMzQwNThhNDU=

I posted his record Fred is a premier conservative. He is his own man. It appears that is what you don’t like about him. I’d vote for McCain before Romney or Huckabee but thankfully that isn’t an issue. I’m voting for a leader with a record that is unquestionable conservative both socially and fiscally. He did not just discover his conservative roots like Romney.

Since Mitt is your horse in the race I imagine we could go back in time and figure out what his positions were before he began running for President. Tell me did he or did he not march with Martin Luther King Jr? ;-)

[JAKraig]

Tell me did he or did he not march with Martin Luther King Jr? ;-)

_______________________________________________________

I thought it was his dad who was supposed to have marched with King

[Maelstorm]

Yeah that is the question. No one seems to know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5eKfC6TYjk

Watching this is funny.

[Lancey Howard]

What you said BUMP!