Photos of Mitt

 

 

 

Fwd: Those Who Know Him Best ... Discuss Gov. Huckabee's Tax-And-Spend Record

Criticism of Governor Huckabee's liberal fiscal record from those in Arkansas who know him best, including this zinger:

 'He was pro-life and pro-gun, but otherwise a liberal,' she says. 'Just like Bill Clinton he will charm you, but don't be surprised if he takes a completely different turn in office .'

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Huckabee_Best_11.30

…DISCUSS GOV. HUCKABEE'S TAX-AND-SPEND RECORD

FACT:  Arkansas Conservatives Have Widely Criticized Gov. Huckabee: Betsy Hagan, Arkansas Director Of The Eagle Forum: "He Was Pro-Life And Pro-Gun, But Otherwise A Liberal" "Nor am I alone. Betsy Hagan, Arkansas director of the conservative Eagle Forum and a key backer of his early runs for office, was once 'his No. 1 fan.' She was bitterly disappointed with his record. 'He was pro-life and pro-gun, but otherwise a liberal,' she says. 'Just like Bill Clinton he will charm you, but don't be surprised if he takes a completely different turn in office.'" (John Fund, "Another Man From Hope," The Wall Street Journal , 10/26/07) Former Republican State Rep. Randy Minton Said That Gov. Huckabee's Record Will Turn Away Economic Conservatives. "Also that year, the state grappled with an economic downturn and a resulting budget shortfall. 'Republicans that believe in limited government and lower taxes and fees, they'll look at his record, and they won't be satisfied with it,' said former Republican state Rep. Randy Minton of Ward." (Daniel Nasaw, "Home Turf Not Rock Solid For Huckabee," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/4/07) Huckabee Has Been Called "A Treacherous Liberal On Taxes, Social Welfare Spending And Illegal Immigration." "Mr. Minton voices the concerns of many conservatives that while Mr. Huckabee governed as a social conservative in opposing abortion and same-sex 'marriage,' he was a treacherous liberal on taxes, social welfare spending and illegal immigration." (Ralph Z. Hallow, "Huckabee Stirs Up Third Party Fear," The Washington Times , 10/29/07) Phyllis Schlafly Said That Huckabee "Destroyed The Conservative Movement In Arkansas." "Mrs. Schlafly, one of the most respected leaders in the social-conservative movement, has accused Mr. Huckabee of 'destroying' the conservative movement in Arkansas and leaving the GOP 'in shambles.' She says many of the evangelical Christians who 'sold' social conservative voters on President Bush in 2000 are now 'trying to sell us on Mike Huckabee.'" (Ralph Z. Hallow, "Huckabee Stirs Up Third Party Fear," The Washington Times , 10/29/07) FACT:  Newspapers In Arkansas Have Lambasted Gov. Huckabee And His Liberal Fiscal Record: In An Editorial, The [Arkansas] Leader Called Huckabee "One Of The Most Liberal Governor's In Arkansas History." "His record has been both Huckabee's strength and his Achilles' heel, as we have had occasion to observe. He is one of the most liberal governors in Arkansas history, having accounted for more tax increases than any other and having enlarged state government more than any other. He has exorbitantly inflated his record as a tax-cutter on the stump and now that will catch up with him. But we continue to believe that if he will shoot straight with the Republican constituencies, his record and his moderate views on such things as immigration and government health assistance could make him the party's best opponent to Sen. Hillary Clinton, the expected Democratic nominee. That is not the conventional wisdom, but it will be his best pitch." (Editorial, "Huck Keeps Moving Up," The [Arkansas] Leader, 10/31/07) Huckabee's Tax Increases Were Mockingly Called The "Tax Me More Fund." "What a banana-splitting riot Gov. Mike Huckabee has conjured with his 'Tax Me More Fund' campaign. Those of us who don't feel we are being adequately peeled by government now are free to send our tax-deductible contributions to the state." (Mike Masterson, Op-Ed, "Bananas And Taxes," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/6/01) "I don't know about you, but I could hardly wait to get my additional tax dollar in the mail this week. It's becoming increasingly obvious to me, in light of Huckabee's enlightened leadership, that we should acknowledge how we are not being taxed enough in Arkansas today. Why, just this week I found myself complaining to an underpaid Quickie Mart attendant that I didn't feel the 33 cents or so a gallon I am paying for highway construction and maintenance is nearly enough. It certainly wasn't enough to keep us from enjoying the two worst interstates in America, so I left an extra quarter on the counter." (Mike Masterson, Op-Ed, "Bananas And Taxes," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/6/01) Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Huckabee Is "Economically Illiterate" And Needs A "Refresher Course In Basic Economics." "The time to investigate the wisdom of this tax was before the Guv signed it into law. A refresher course in basic economics might have helped, too. Only the economically illiterate believe that businesses can be taxed without their passing the costs on to those who buy their goods and services--in this case, nursing home patients. To pretend otherwise is to ignore not just economics but human nature." (Editorial, "In Shock," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 6/20/01) Huckabee Was Widely Criticized For His Record Budgets. "Beware of rosy budgets submitted by governors addicted to easy money. We're not just talking tacos and pantyhose anymore. We're talking about the biggest state budget ever proposed. We're talking billions, three of them and change. And that's just general revenue; it doesn't count those other hundreds of millions Gov. Mike Huckabee apparently wants to raise by going in debt for highways based on federal money to come." (John Brummett, Op-Ed, "Huckabee's Easy-Money Budget," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/17/98) "For perspective: Huckabee's budget is more like one submitted by Bill Clinton than Jim Guy Tucker. Clinton sometimes overbudgeted, which meant that when tax collections lagged he was required by the Revenue Stabilization Act to order across-the-board reductions in spending levels to keep the budget balanced. Tucker, who governed during periods of growth, was notorious for stingy budgeting that produced end-of-year windfalls. " (John Brummett, Op-Ed, "Huckabee's Easy-Money Budget," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/17/98) The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Said Huckabee's Grocery Tax Allowed The State "To Grind The Faces Of The Poor." "Yes, There have been failures, too. Mike Huckabee has shown a growing weakness for the easy, politically savvy solution rather than real reform. Instead of eliminating the tax on groceries, he fiddled and compromised and finally caved in to the Legislature. And so the state continues to grind the faces of the poor, and the working poor, and just those on a tight budget, every time they buy their bread and milk." (Editorial, "For Mike Huckabee," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/29/98)

From peter

Mitt was right to mistrust CNN and the Snowman. The Youtube clips
selected were from LOONS (the Bible one was especially bad), and
please don't tell me there aren't liberal loons out there as well -
CNN just keeps them off TV. What makes CNN's choice of question
especially egregious is that Anderson Cooper was bragging on how CNN
had gotten 2,000 MORE requests than they had to choose from for the
Democrats! Yet NONE of them were about education, environment, health
care, child care, etc? Just Guns 'n Taxes (the GOP punk rock band)?

Here is a link from Michelle Malkin, demonstrating the bona fides of
four of the GOP YouTube questioners -

http://michellemalkin.com/2007/11/29/digging-out-the-cnnyoutube-plants-abortion-questioner-is-edwards-supporter/

This is also all over Druge, Politico.com (Politico actually had the
General's involvement with the Kerry campaign up before the end of the
debate - and since Anderson Cooper used the site as the source of a
non-You Tube question to Rudy, he can't claim he doesn't READ it...)

Nightline reported Gen. Kerr's involvement with Clinton's campaign
last night, but no other MSM seems inclined to report it. Me, I want
Condi Rice and Karen Hughes at the next Democrat debate asking foreign
policy questions.

All told - I love the Internet. Nothing stays buried anymore.

Dan - as a media person, what is your take on this
bias/corruption/small minded-ness?

David A. Keene for Romney

David A. Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union and long
time Republican strategist, today endorsed the presidential candidacy
of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Endorsement_Keene

In a statement issued today, Keene said that "while I certainly can't
pretend to speak for all or even most conservatives, the road that led
me here today is one that many conservatives find themselves on and it
is my hope that they will end up where I am today – convinced that
Mitt Romney represents our best hope for 2008.

"As this race began, I intended to remain neutral both because there
was no conservative consensus candidate and because I know and admire
several of those running for the Republican nomination who I believe
could win next fall.

"In recent months, however, Governor Romney has emerged as the single
candidate most worthy of conservative support. That's why I'm
endorsing him and intend to spend as much time as possible in the
weeks ahead convincing my fellow conservatives that if we are serious
about electing a conservative president in 2008, it's time to unite
behind his candidacy."

Welcoming today's announcement, Governor Romney said, "I am proud that
David Keene has decided to join our campaign for conservative change
that strengthens our military, economy and families. As Chairman of
the American Conservative Union, he has greatly advanced the
conservative movement. I look forward to working with him as our
campaign moves forward."

Background On David A. Keene:

David A. Keene Has Been The Chairman Of The American Conservative
Union Since December 1984. Keene, a major national conservative
spokesman since the seventies, has worked in the White House and the
Senate, writes a weekly opinion column for The Hill and his articles
have appeared in National Review, Human Events and the American
Spectator. He has held senior positions in the past presidential
campaigns of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and former Kansas Senator
Bob Dole.

ROMNEY AT THE ST. PETERSBURG, FL GOP DEBATE – VOL II

National Review's Kate O'Beirne: "Romney's performance is his
strongest in the series." (National Review's "The Corner,"
corner.nationalreview.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Michelle Malkin: "So, who won? Quick and dirty reaction: Romney looked
strong and energetic …" (Michelle Malkin, "Liveblogging The
CNN/Youtube," http://michellemalkin.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

Townhall's Mary Katherine Ham: "[Romney] came across serious and
conservative." (Mary Katharine Ham, "Who Won?,"
http://www.townhall.com/blog, 11/28/07)

The American Spectator's Philip Klein: "… I thought Romney got the
better of that [immigration] exchange. It's one thing to use Romney's
illegal immigrant lawn care workers in a joke, but it's another thing
to try and base a serious criticism on that." (Philip Klein,
"Sanctuary Mansion," The American Spectator Online, 11/28/07)

CBS' Vaughn Ververs: "In the opening minutes, Romney and Rudy Giuliani
sparred over illegal immigration… Romney appeared to get the upper
hand in the exchange, challenging Giuliani on his charge and the
sometimes vocal audience sounded a note of apparent disapproval at the
mayor's line of attack." (Vaughn Ververs, "Romney Battles, Huckabee
Shines In GOP Debate," CBS'S Horserace '08 Blog,
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs, Posted 11/28/07)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: "Romney gets the edge here,
especially for beating Rudy Giuliani like a bongo drum on
immigration." (Ed Morrissey, "CNN/YouTube Debate – CNN Wins,"
Captain's Quarters Blog, www.captainsquartersblog.com, Posted
11/28/07)

· Morrissey: "Romney has this issue [of interrogations] exactly
correct. We should not start defining these techniques on national
debates for the reasons Romney said." ("Heading Right,"
www.headingright.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Power Line's Scott Johnson: "Best performance: Mitt Romney." (Scott
Johnson, "Best And Worst Of The Debate," Power Line,
http://www.powerlineblog.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

· Johnson: "Best line of the night: Mitt Romney, on abortion
('I was wrong')." (Scott Johnson, "Best And Worst Of The Debate,"
Power Line Blog, http://www.powerlineblog.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "Romney played it straight and
didn't over explain the abortion change. Seemed a wise and effective
approach, especially in this format." (National Review's "The Corner,"
http://corner.nationalreview.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Heading Right's Macranger: "Good answer [on life]. People do change."
("Heading Right," www.headingright.com, Accessed11/28/07)

The American Spectator's Philip Klein: "[Gov. Romney] showed more
humility by saying several times he was wrong, that he isn't perfect,
that he hasn't always made the right decisions. It worked a lot better
for him." (Philip Klein, "Romney's Abortion Flip-Flop Answer," The
American Spectator Online, 11/28/07)

Townhall's Hugh Hewitt: "I agree with most of the posters at The
Corner that Mitt is doing very, very well." (Townhall,
www.townhall.com Accessed 11/28/07)

Former Secretary Of Education Bill Bennett: "Mitt Romney talked about
education as the next civil right…Liberals have failed inner city
blacks overwhelmingly in the last 30 years. That's why the question
from the father and son was so pertinent and I thought Romney did a
good job on it." (CNN's, "Post Debate Coverage," 11/28/07)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "… I grew up in the inner city, in
public schools. The plight of those who live there is real, sad, and
cannot often be solved by the Nanny State. Romney focuses on
families, empowerment, police protection in solving black-on-black
crime, and invokes Bill Cosby. Well done. It addressed the question
directly and treated the questioners' concerns with respect. It was a
serious answer with real application, not a flippant appeal to the
family values crowd that would have made him look disconnected, which
it easily could have been." (Mary Katharine Ham, "Romney's Winner
Answer on Black-on-Black Crime," Townhall.com, www.townhall.com,
11/28/07)

The American Spectator's John Tabin: "Romney's answer is pretty good;
family's important, of course it is" (James G. Poulos, "Black On Black
Crime," The American Spectator Online, 11/28/07)

MITT ROMNEY AT THE ST. PETERSBURG, FL GOP DEBATE

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Romney had a strong night, seemed
raring to go, seemed to be willing to take on everybody, anybody, all
comers, seemed to want to pick every fight possible." (Marc Ambinder,
"The Debate In Review," The Atlantic Online Blog,
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, 11/28/07)

National Review's Seth Leibsohn: "This Is Mitt's Night." (Seth
Leibsohn, "This Is Mitt's Night," National Review's The Corner,
http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

Bill Bennett: "I think that Romney stood out tonight. I think he was
loud and clear. Conservative. He was 'all-in' as you'd say in Texas
Hold 'Em." (CNN's Post-Debate Coverage, 11/28/07)

Bill Bennett: "I thought he came across very strong. I think you guys
are absolutely right. That opening debate between Romney and Giuliani
was, I think, the pivotal point of the evening. And I think points to
Romney. Giuliani came across badly." (CNN's Post-Debate Coverage,
11/28/07)

ABC News Live Blog: "Romney is engaging very, very directly -- and
dare I say he's getting the better of Giuliani in this exchange, funny
accents and all." ("Live-Blogging During GOP Debate," ABC News'
Political Radar, http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar, Posted
11/28/07)

· ABC News Live Blog: "And Romney gets the first applause by
noting that illegal immigrants already broke the law." ("Live-Blogging
During GOP Debate," ABC News' Political Radar,
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "[T]his is Romney's best debate
performance yet. He reminds us he has experience and outside of
Washington, he's tackled difficult issues, and does not let his temper
get the best of him with a New York bully (something that will come in
handy)." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "So Far," National Review's The Corner,
http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

CNN's Bill Schneider: "A clever answer from former Massachusetts Gov.
Mitt Romney on farming. He says we need food independence like we need
energy independence — keep the farmers on the farm. His reasoning: We
need to be able to compete with other countries that support their
farmers." (Bill Schneider, "Schneider: Romney Scores Points On Farming
Answer," CNN's Political Ticker, http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com,
Posted 11/28/07)

MSNBC's Domenico Montanaro: "While the sanctuary mansion line got good
laughs, Romney's explanation and questions left Giuliani without an
answer." (Domenico Montanaro, "Giuliani Flustered?" MSNBC's First
Read, http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Rich Lowry: "Rudy let his temper get the best of
him—clear winner of the exchange: Romney." (Rich Lowry, "Mitt V.
Rudy," National Review's The Corner, http://corner.nationalreview.com,
Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Seth Leibsohn: "I'd be surprised after this debate
if Mitt doesn't see national numbers looking more like his Iowa or NH
numbers after tonight's performance. Brilliant response to the black
on black crime questions." (Seth Leibsohn, "Changing Times," National
Review's The Corner, http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted
11/28/07)

The New York Times' Katharine Q. Seelye: "But finally, a father-son
team, from Atlanta, want the candidates to talk about black-on-black
crime, and while Mr. Romney gets in a nice line about mothers and
fathers and family values, none of the candidates really address the
issue that the young son raised." (Katharine Q. Seelye, "Live-Blogging
the YouTube Debate," The New York Times' The Caucus Blog,
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Ramesh Ponnuru: "So Romney did pretty well in the
debate, and won the immigration exchange." (Ramesh Ponnuru, "A Good
Day for Giuliani," The Corner Blog, corner.nationalreview.com, Posted
11/28/07)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "Mitt makes a good point that
homeowners should not be required to check papers of workers hired for
their and connects it to regular Americans by suggesting that that's
what Rudy wants them to do." (Townhall, www.townhall.com, Accessed,
11/28/07)

The Plank's Isaac Chotiner: "Romney definitely got the best of
Giuliani on their early immigration skirmish (which actually got
rather heated). Rudy's line about Romney's mansion was cheap and
silly. And Romney is more appealing when going negative than any of
the other candidates." (The New Republic's "The Plank,"
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/default.aspx, Accessed,
11/28/07)

National Review's Kate O'Beirne: "Romney's reference point about how
MA liberals reason is effective. Reminds us that he gets them and
fought them." (National Review's "The Corner,"
http://corner.nationalreview.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: Romney and Huckabee had a good spar
over giving better benefits to illegals for school than to citizens.
Romney is absolutely 100% right on this issue. I hope Iowans realize
that Huckabee may very well be worse than Bush on illegal
immigration." (Heading Right," www.headingright.com, Accessed
11/28/07)

YouTube Debate Statement: Sen. Jim DeMint

Transcript Of Senator Jim DeMint's Statement:

"Earlier this month, I started a campaign to get 100,000 signatures on an earmark reform petition that would demand that Congress stop all this wasteful spending. I'm also proud to be a leader of another campaign to stop the wasteful spending in Washington and that's the campaign to elect Governor Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States. Tonight, we saw again in the debate, that Governor Romney has the commitment and the experience to manage our government in a way that would make it smaller, allow us to reduce taxes and keep our economy strong. I encourage you to join me in the next campaign to make sure Governor Romney becomes the next President of the United States."

- Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC)
November 28, 2007