Count me among the other Democrats who likes Mike Huckabee–and quite honestly, I think he’s the strongest of the GOP crowd. I’ve watched nearly every GOP debate to date and some of his events on the stump and he’s just a personable, charming guy…even if you disagree with him, you can’t help but like him.

The thing I like most about him, though, is that he’s not one of the Right’s religious hypocrites. To listen to the GOP tell it, you’d think that all the Bible talks about for 66 books is abortion and homosexuality. With Huckabee, you finally have a Republican saying that there’s more to it than that…that there’s something inherently Christian about eliminating poverty, protecting the environment and ending torture (among other things).

I’m not saying I’d vote for the man (I’ll likely vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is), but he’s not a hypocrite…and that’s something.

And if you want another reason why Huckabee’s gotten so much support from black voters in the past, check this out: Central High Integration Crisis 50th Anniversary Speech.

As governor, Huckabee was an enthusiastic death penalty supporter. He now supports World War III against Muslim “fascists” and he’s taking his message of death on the road.

A panel of talking heads on Chris Matthews’ “Hard Ball” conferred legitimacy on the Huckabee candidacy last week. A more professional group of journalists at the Pew Forum treated Huckabee with deference by avoiding any hard hitting questions. There was nothing about Huckabee’s February declaration of World War III or his beliefs in a final judgment in our times and no mention of his tainted past in Arkansas. Only Kathy Kay of the BBC raised questions about the specter of the candidate’s extreme views.

Let’s see what the former Arkansas governor and minister has in store for the United States if he’s selected to win the Presidency.

After becoming governor in 1997, Huckabee signed death warrants for 16 executions by lethal injection. This violates the clearly worded, but frequently forgotten commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” He must know that World War III means even more killing and death. But neither position seems to bother him. In fact, he recently used death imagery in estimating the reaction of fellow Republicans to his fund raising gains: “If I were some of these guys, I’d have to be sitting in a warm tub of water with razor blades,”

Selective Forgiveness as Governor

Charles Singleton was convicted of murder in Arkansas and executed by lethal injection during Huckabee’s term as governor. Singleton was a diagnosed schizophrenic. Huckabee was unimpressed and issued the required death warrant.

Supreme Court decisions mandate prisoner mental competence prior to execution. Singleton was given (his lawyer says forced) antipsychotic medication to relieve his schizophrenia. As a result, the prisoner regained a grasp on reality. Singleton’s successful treatment for a serious mental illness then became the vehicle that allowed the state to kill him.

Of the 16 Huckabee era executions, there is a pattern of dismissing or refusing to examine legitimate questions or claims concerning mental illness.

Huckabee did find forgiveness in his heart for at least one Arkansas criminal. Wayne Dumond was convicted for raping a 17 year old girl in 1985. This fourth sexual assault conviction earned Dumond a sentence of life plus 20 years.

At the start of his first term, Huckabee took a special interest in the Dumond case and had plans to commute his sentence. When an irate public stopped that, the new governor effectively lobbied the pardon’s board. Just four months after they’d denied a Dumond parole request, the board ruled favorably. These events and a broader narrative of the case were well documented by investigative journalist Murray Waas.

Dumond was released on parole in 1999. Just months after the parole, he bound, gagged, and suffocated a Missouri woman. He was convicted of that murder and a suspect in another by the time he was confined to a Missouri state prison where he died in his cell.

Huckabee continues to deny his role in the pardon despite the evidence amassed by Waas and others. On Aug. 31, 2007, Associated Press (AP) reported that the Wikipedia entry on Huckabee was edited to delete critical references to the Dumond pardon. AP traced the source of the edits to Arkansas state government computers.

First Arkansas, then the World – Better World War III than “Lose” in Iraq

Huckabee “shocked and awed” voters in his first campaign visit to New Hampshire. He announced that we’re already in the midst of World War III with “Islamic fascism.”

“We need to understand that this is, in fact, World War III. Unlike any other world war we’ve ever fought, this one is one we cannot afford to lose. Because losing it does not mean we lose some land or some geopolitical influence. It means we give up our own lives, because no less than that is the goal of the jihadists.” AP, Feb. 10, 2007 Video

Just a few weeks ago he argued that his version of World War III is even more ominous than World War II: “I don’t think we’ve ever faced a threat like we are facing now. I don’t even think Germany is the threat that we’re facing right now. We’re facing, I believe, our possible annihilation as a country…” CNN Oct. 19, 2007

What is Huckabee talking about? Have we missed something?

One of his strongest supporters, millionaire TV preacher Rev. John Hagee, agrees with Huckabee on the urgency of fighting Islam. Hagee also offers a version of the “End Times” from the Book of Revelations, one shared by other Huckabee supporters on the religious right. These include the influential publisher of apocalyptic prophesy Strang Communications. The Strang newsletter, New Man, endorsed Huckabee saying, “When it comes to faith, he is truly one of our own.”

Want More? Visit:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00059.htm

On the other hand, McCain will continue the war in Iraq ad infinitem until we finally seat a democratic government in the Mid-East. He’s willing to re-instate the draft, run up the deficit and/or raise taxes in order to accomplish this mission.

I’m sure if it were up to McCain, we would still be fighting the Vietnam War too.

It’s really hilarious that McCain is being accorded all of this GRAVITAS in the same manner that Dick CHENEY was accorded gravitas on behalf of Bush in 2000. Let’s not fool ourselves…McCain in the White House = More War in the MidEast…More instability…Higher Gas Prices in the US.

One last thing for you “d.”…
Would you please help me understand how being a “Prisoner Of War” is so valient? I understand why Grant and Eisenhower (both commanders of huge forces) were Presidents. I understand why a John Kerry who valiantly fought on a swift boat could be a war hero. What heroism is there in being imprisoned? Mandela is celebrated for what he did prior to being imprisoned for 30 years. What did McCain do prior to being shot down that merits War Hero status?

This will probably be my last comment for 2007. If so, Happy New Year J&J Peeps! It’s been real. Hope 2 see U all in 2008. Let’s make history on JAN 3rd. GO *O* 2008!

Nope. If McCain vs. Obama, I vote for Obama.

But, if McCain vs. Clinton,well, he has integrity, she has none.

I played the devil’s advocate with myself over Huckabee. Could he be “fronting” like he’s a “compassionate conservative,” or “a uniter not divider?” Another Bush? Yet, I’m very comfortable with him…Why?

One reason is his 1038 pardons. The same reason for which his own party is attacking him is the same reason why i’m liking him. “Mercy” is a virtue and a strength that the so-called, sanctimonious Religious Right disrespects. Huckabee is closer to Jesus than any of the other (repub) candidates

This is why I find myself liking The Huckster too. Bush called himself a ‘compassionate conservative’…Huckabee actually IS one. Not only that, but he’s not a slave to capitalism…well, at least not the ‘ let them eat cake’ version of capitalism that runs the GOP now.

And I’d love to see what the supposed candidates of “change” do when al-Qaeda brings their jihad back to our soul. More billion dollar missiles into empty caves?

In times when the world is completely unstable, America must retain her stability. Only McCain offers that.

McCain has gotten old, and old people don’t like to change. He’s more static than he is dynamic, thus he’s not a good fit.

McCain was right about the size of the “occupation” forces being too small, and “maybe” right about the surge. The latter remains to be proven without a “political solution” coming to fruition.

But McCain has never decried the initial invasion…he fell-off during the summer by being so in lock-step with Bush…and for that reason alone, he is no better than Hillary who tries to compensate for being a Democrat by supporting Bush Bullsh*t Policies (Iran Resolution, Iraq Invasion, etc.)…

I played the devil’s advocate with myself over Huckabee. Could he be “fronting” like he’s a “compassionate conservative,” or “a uniter not divider?” Another Bush? Yet, I’m very comfortable with him…Why?

One reason is his 1038 pardons. The same reason for which his own party is attacking him is the same reason why i’m liking him. “Mercy” is a virtue and a strength that the so-called, sanctimonious Religious Right disrespects. Huckabee is closer to Jesus than any of the other (repub) candidates.

Seriously, no one’s going to agree on all the issues. But at least with McCain, you know what you’re getting-even if you don’t like it-and you know not to expect any more or less.

Not to mention the fact that he’s eminently more qualified to be president than any other candidate. He’s made the tough decisions, has the foreign policy background. McCain had “been there and done that” before Obama was even BORN.