The question is how much do you like his tax-hiking nanny-statism that’s he’s wrapped in his Christian faith?
Let’s start with his policies ...
Like supporting a Federal smoking ban:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl81Pq4aOOo
Like raising taxes and not apologizing for it, embracing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APK67ThUEYQ&feature=related
“According to the Democrat-Gazette, “the average Arkansan’s tax burden grew from $1,969 in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 1997, to $2,902 in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2005, including local taxes,” a whopping tax increase of 47% under Huckabee’s tenure. Tax legislation passed while Huckabee was governor totaled “a net tax increase of $505 million, a figure adjusted for inflation and economic growth,” according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.”
His tax hikes included:
* Signed a sales tax hike in 1996 (Cato Policy Analysis No. 315, 09/03/98).
* Supported an internet sales tax in 2001 (Reuters, 02/23/04).
* Publicly opposed the repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 09/11/02).
* Signed a gas tax in 1999 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 06/29/99)
* Signed cigarette tax hike in 2003 (Americans for Tax Reform 01/07/07)
* Signed a bed tax on private nursing home patients in 2001 (Associated Press 06/29/01).
* Proposed a sales take hike in 2002 (Arkansas News Bureau 12/05/02).
* Opposed a congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003 (Arkansas News Bureau 11/21/03).
* Allowed a 17% sales tax increase to become law in 2004 (The Gurdon Times 03/02/04).
Then there is Huckabee’s commutation and pardon spree... over 700 convicted felons had commuted sentences a number far far higher than the rate of other states or other governors.
“
Then there is how Huckabee will use his Christian credentials as a prop inappropriately in political debates.
Huckabee’s ‘drank different Jesus juice’ in opposition to the illegal aliens bill: http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/000718.html
“Huckabee, also a Republican and a Baptist minister, said Arkansans should be welcoming hard-working immigrants of all races. He singled out Holt, who often talks of his strong Christian beliefs, saying, “I drink a different kind of Jesus juice.”
Huckabee fought hard to kill an Arkansas bill which would have cut off social services for illegal aliens. Huckabee called the bill, “anti-Christian” and “un-American”... http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/01/28/News/316347.html
“Even if benefits to people who are in the U.S illegally could be stopped, “I don’t understand how a practicing Christian can turn his back on a child from this or any other state,” Huckabee said.”
A big Government tax-hiking nanny-state “Christian leader” is someone who could easily abuse his religious beliefs on behalf of a non-spiritual/earthly political agenda.
This is less about like him or not like him. the question is: should we fear such politics of appropriating Jesus on behalf of such a non-conservatives big Govt tax-and-spend nanny-state soft-on-crime agenda? Couching such liberal policies in Christian terms makes them even worse, as they are less amenable to rational discussion. After all, is he going to call you “unChristian” if you disagree?