Huckabee Makes The First Move On Immigration

Kind of surprising: given how important the immigration issue to Mitt Romney's chances in Iowa, you'd think that he, and not challenger Mike Huckabee, would be the first to force a debate... and get personal.

Wrong.

Said Huckabee, according to Teddy Davis's ace transcription:

"I think Mitt Romney would rather keep people out of college so they can keep working on his lawn," said Huckabee while appearing on the Fox News Channel.

Huckabee's shot at Romney came when the former Arkansas governor was asked about criticism he has received from Romney for backing an unsuccessful proposal in Arkansas to offer college scholarships to the children of illegal immigrants.

Comments

I can't wait until voters throughout the country start to learn what is becoming abundantly clear to folks in Iowa: Mike Huckabee is the best person for the job of President of the United States of America.

If you believe in Mike Huckabee's message, I urge you to take my challenge by visiting: www.abuckforhuck.com

Posted by I Like Mike | November 14, 2007 1:10 PM

Both, Romney and Huckabee have raised taxes. Romney has flipflopped on most of the issues and has become conservative. So the only issue left for the two is immigration.

Posted by Todd | November 14, 2007 1:30 PM

Could a comment from a presidential candidate be more childish?

Who in their right mind is buying this straw-man argument?

So Huckabee makes a grossly general statement (I capitalized 'people' for emphasis):

"I think Mitt Romney would rather keep PEOPLE out of college so they can keep working on his lawn"

Gosh, maybe one of the candidates has had THEIR OWN PERSONAL groceries bagged by an illegal immigrant, therefore, they must want to keep PEOPLE as grocery baggers too!!

Posted by Jace | November 14, 2007 1:35 PM

Marc, don't you understand that the typical Republican primary voter would rather see an illegal mowing the lawn than going to college? Taking white-collar jobs away adds insult to the injury of allowing in illegal aliens.

Mowing lawns and not paying taxes on the proceeds hurts American taxpayers, but not as much as the other things illegals do (having children and forcing our schools to educate them, robbing taxpayers by taking advantage of every social program, etc).

This quote could have a terrible backlash for Huckabee. The proper retort: "While you would keep the illegal alien in college, I would keep him in Mexico."

Posted by I don't | November 14, 2007 1:45 PM

I don't think that immigration, although very important, is the only issue between Huckabee and Romney. Mike Huckabee's record shows he is not a fiscal conservative. Romney has amazing intellect when it comes to conservative budgeting and taxes. He will bring the needed change to Washington that everyone on both sides is clamouring for. He has a proven record for change. There is a big difference in Huckabee and Romeny on fiscal issues. This is a major issue for middle class America.

Posted by Wendy | November 14, 2007 1:57 PM

I'll say this right here. I am a Dem but I would vote for Huck if Obama doesn't get the Dem nom, even though I disagree with a lot of his policies, because I just believe when it comes down to it that he is a decent man. Anyone who has the courage to make a compassionate argument about immigration has my support. Paul has some good points to make but his stance on immigration makes it impossible for me to support him.

Posted by JC | November 14, 2007 2:20 PM

Huck's for eliminating tax inequity for the middle class via passage of HR 25, the FairTax. The effective tax rate percentages, that different income groups would pay under the FairTax, are calculated by crediting the monthly "prebate" (advance rebate of projected tax on necessities) against total monthly spending of citizen families (1 member and greater, Dept. of HHS poverty-level data; a single person receiving ~$200/mo, a family of four, ~$500/mo, in addition to working earners receiving paychecks with no Federal deductions) Prof.'s Kotlikoff and Rapson (10/06) concluded,

"...the FairTax imposes much lower average taxes on working-age households than does the current system. The FairTax broadens the tax base from what is now primarily a system of labor income taxation to a system that taxes, albeit indirectly, both labor income and existing wealth. By including existing wealth in the effective tax base, much of which is owned by rich and middle-class elderly households, the FairTax is able to tax labor income at a lower effective rate and, thereby, lower the average lifetime tax rates facing working-age Americans.

"Consider, as an example, a single household age 30 earning $50,000. The household’s average tax rate under the current system is 21.1 percent. It’s 13.5 percent under the FairTax. Since the FairTax would preserve the purchasing power of Social Security benefits and also provide a tax rebate, older low-income workers who will live primarily or exclusively on Social Security would be better off. As an example, the average remaining lifetime tax rate for an age 60 married couple with $20,000 of earnings falls from its current value of 7.2 percent to -11.0 percent under the FairTax. As another example, compare the current 24.0 percent remaining lifetime average tax rate of a married age 45 couple with $100,000 in earnings to the 14.7 percent rate that arises under the FairTax."

Posted by Ian from Ann Arbor | November 14, 2007 2:43 PM

If you liked Jimmy Carter, you will love Huckabee

Posted by Will | November 14, 2007 3:30 PM

I would be willing to bet that Huckabee's home was built with the help of an illegal immigrant. There's a big difference between lawn mowing and scholarships and I would hope that Huck is smart enough to realize that.

Posted by Kevin | November 14, 2007 3:36 PM

Huckabee's position on educating the children of illegal immigrants is often misrepresented. His actual position is this: it's better to educate them so they can get good jobs and contribute to society rather than marginalize them so they can't succeed and they're forced to sponge off of society. Huckabee says that if these kids are above-average students and are willing to apply for citizenship, they should be eligible for publicly funded scholarships.

For Romney to mischaracterize Huckabee's position as he has done is deceptive and unethical.

Posted by Ben | November 14, 2007 3:37 PM

Huckabee was /is a bought and sold cheap labor shill for Tyson foods. He's an open borders Jimmy Carter.

Posted by George | November 14, 2007 3:42 PM

Id rather spend my tax money to the children of illegals rather than wasting trillions to the war. It's just like helping people who hate us, desperate enough to kill any American on their site. WE love those who hate us, we mock those who love us. What kind of people are we?

I'd prefer the sons and daughters of illegals who are bright and willing to die for this country rather than the people who doesn't give a damn about them. The bright and the brave can contribute more than the demonizers, some of them have placed their marks on this column.

I'd prefer those who grew up the american way, spent most of their lives here trying to survive against all odds and docking the people who hate them, rather than getting new LEGAL people to replace them - the new legals who use our money, our facilities to train and later use it against us to break america's mighty economy.

We will never know, the new LEGAL replacements might be holding the final bomb to this broken country. T H I N K, OBSERVE, and do not prioritize HATE. If everyone can do this, probably our country might be great again.????

Posted by Ferdinand | November 14, 2007 4:16 PM

JC, I'm the same way...If Obama doesn't get the nod for us, I'm moving across the aisle to support Huckabee. I lived in Arkansas while he was governor, and he did a surprisingly good job for a Republican...and his religious beliefs aren't nearly as obnoxious as all the articles they write about them. If you didn't know the guy was a Christian beforehand, you never would have while I was there...

Posted by JC | November 14, 2007 5:02 PM

First move, second move, third move. Everyone of these politicians need to make the right move to get elected.

Sad but true.

Until the votes are tallied all we are going to get is a shell game.

It is not possible to deport 11 to 12 million illegals and not disrupt our economy, their families, our families and the stability of America. Especially when the unemployment rate is at a low 4% in the U.S.

When will our elected officials have the courage to compromise?

They tried once and both parties hung the senators and congressmen and women at the table out to dry.

Try this.

Politicians and Americans for that matter should take a look at "American Harvest." Its a non-partisan feature length documentary about immigration as it relates to agriculture. It presents the facts as they are without political bias.

Every farmer I have spoken to wants to secure our borders. And they also want a workable solution to LEGAL immigration.

Americans have to understand that we all need to appreciate and respect those people who grow and harvest our crops.

The men and women that put food on our kitchen tables deserve no less.

http://www.americanharvestmovie.com

Just a little food for thought as we approach Thanksgiving.

Posted by Angelo Mancuso | November 14, 2007 5:26 PM

Hillary CANNOT beat Huckabee! He will draw the support of more moderate & conservative democrats than Reagan did. 'Huckabee is Reaganesque'. A great communicator, strong former governor & a man of moral & conviction. He actually believes what he is saying, unlike Romney & the others who will say anything to get elected. I Like Mike too!

Pat Robertson can go sell insurance!

Posted by Bryan | November 14, 2007 5:43 PM

American Harvest is a lie being pushed by corporate farms and the amnesty crowd. Real farmers are too proud and too ethical to hire illegal aliens. The number of illegal aliens working on farms is a fraction of the 20+ million that are here trying to steal U.S. Citizenship via amnesty. The U.S. can come up with a temporary worker program to satisfy the small agricultural need. If we can get strong employer penalties in place then there will be no jobs for illegal aliens and they will self deport. Wake up United States, don't give up what your fathers fought for.

Posted by mcmorty | November 14, 2007 6:21 PM

I like Mike! What he has done in Iowa- moving within a few points of a likeable well-spoken candidate like Romney who has outspent him MANY times over is very impressive. I think the explanation is clear. Huckabee is the better candidate.

Posted by mike | November 14, 2007 9:06 PM

I think the sentiments of the democrats speak more to Mike's Elect-ability and Qualification to be our president than any others.

Posted by Matt | November 14, 2007 9:36 PM

I should clarify that I am referring to the democrats on this response thread. :-)

Posted by Matt | November 14, 2007 9:37 PM

Huckabee has a solid plan for immigration and I believe that he will not be afraid to put it into action. I actually wondered why Romeny chose to attack Huckabee on immigration because Huckabee's platform is so solid.

Check out my blog for more info on issues concerning Mike Huckabee

Caleb
http://prodeoetpatria.wordpress.com

Posted by Caleb | November 14, 2007 9:57 PM

I've noticed (like everyone else) that Huckabee has been rising in the polls. It seems like the media actually believes he has the opportunity to win now.

Huckabee is just a regular guy with an incredible message. I checked out:

www.mikehuckabee.com
and
www.hucksarmy.com

and got some good info. I didn't know that Huckabee was a supporter of the fair tax...kinda cool.

Posted by chris | November 14, 2007 11:07 PM

Barrack Hussein Obama and/or Hillary Clinton CANNOT beat Huckabee! 'Huckabee is Lincolnesque': frugal beginnings, a great visionary, and a man of deep spiritual & moral conviction. He is also 'Reaganesque': a great communicator, iconic optimist, and a strong former governor. Huckabee will draw more conservative & moderate dems away from the democratic ticket than Reagan ever dreamed about. Mike Huckabee gives new meaning to the words 'Charm offensive'!

I Like Mike! He actually believes what he is saying. 'Flip Flop Romney' will say anything to get elected. Lets go James Dobson - Endorse this guy already!

HUCKAPPEAL! Pat Robertson can go sell insurance!

Posted by bryan | November 15, 2007 10:43 AM

If Huckabee wins in Iowa, so much for the illegal immigration issue. Perhaps based on the records of each of the GOP candidates Romney and Huckabee are the most liberal on illegal immigration. If Iowans are really concerned about illegals at the minimum they need to vote for Fred Thompson but that would not convince me. If the Iowans voted for Tancredo or Paul, I would be convinced that illegal immigration is a major issue for them. Otherwise it is just bogus like here in VA where when asked the voters in Fairfax and Arlington wanted to round up illegals and send them home but when it came to voting they voted for candidates for the Virginia Senate and House those who were opposed to rounding up and sending the illegals home. The proof is in the pudding!!

Posted by George Chell | November 15, 2007 10:48 AM

First, comparing anyone with a brain to Jimmy Carter is pure silliness!

On immigration...Huckabee says "secure the borders first!". That is exactly what the American people demanded when they rose up against the "comprehensive" package. Average Americans understand the complexity of the issue and are willing to accept tweeking of things ONCE THE FLOW HAS BEEN STOPPED!

As for Romney...he's just a bit too plastic for my liking. And never trust a "just before getting into the race" conversion. With Huckabee, you know what you're getting. He's sincere and consistent. He's for FairTax, opposes L.O.S.T. and Rights of the Child Treaty, for the border fence, pro life, anti islamo fascist (yes, he'll say the words), firmly pro gun rights, pro family, pro homeschooling. Doesn't sound like Jimmy Carter to me!

Posted by Linda 4Huck | November 15, 2007 11:24 AM

I'd rather have a guy like Huck deal with the no-simple-solution immigrant problem. Here you got a number crunching CEO for President with his "amazing intellect" who, after reviewing his polling spreadsheet, decides that attacking Huck is the correct thing to do since he is now on the radar and threating his traction in the polls. When in office, is it a micromanager that is going to lead the way and inspire a better future? Someone who probably views you as a voting stat. Or is it simply a guy who can simply lead and inspire? Who is the guy more likely to listen?

Posted by Reuben | November 15, 2007 11:38 AM

What are you people drinking? Mike Huckabee is the absolute second worst option for the Republicans. As governor in Arkansas he was an apologist for the illegals and supported amnesty. He vetoed bills passed in the State Legislature to limit social services to undocumented people in the state. He is saying "Close the borders" now but as governor he held out open arms to the tsunami of cheap labor coming into the state. Find out what he would support as POTUS for dealing with the 20 million already here. Around here they say you can get anything you want from Mike for a BBQ sandwich.

I live in Oklahoma near the Arkansas State Line. I know more than I want to know about Mike Huckabee. visit www.arkansasfreedom.com to learn more before you vote. And when you vote VOTE YOUR ISSUES!

Tom Tancredo has been fighting for secure borders and controlled immigration since 1999 and never wavered. Forget what the other candidates are saying now, look at their record.

Tom is not the fanciest speaker, but what he says comes from his heart, not a 3x5 index card someone wrote for him to recite. He is not a lawyer, or an actor or a preacher.

Posted by msbobbie | November 15, 2007 4:34 PM

Barrack Hussein Obama and Hillary Clinton CANNOT beat Huckabee! If Huckabee takes Iowa it will propel him to the nomination. He is 'Lincolnesque': frugal beginnings, a great visionary, and a man who stands on his convictions, no matter what. 'Flip Flop Romney' will say anything to get elected. The 'Club for Greed' sees everything as if through the eyes of an accountant, irregardless of the kid on the steps of the hospital or the university whose parents cant afford healthcare or tuition.

I Like Mike! HUCKAPPEAL!

Posted by bryan | November 15, 2007 8:33 PM

IT'S UR BIRTHDAY AND YOU KNOW THAT U IS WORKING THAT BIRTHDAY SUIT. I LOVE YOU GIRL AND YOU THE SWEETIES PERSON I KNOW

Posted by tiffany | November 20, 2007 9:03 AM

u is a loser and a chickenhead and a bobble head and i don't think you is bright in fact u is stupid

Posted by tyquashia | November 20, 2007 9:06 AM

that message was for mrs.lohr

Posted by tyquashia | November 20, 2007 9:07 AM

Wow. Anyone who REALLY thinks Mike Huckabee is the right guy for the job is a fucking moron. This is a JOKE. If Bush was bad, Huckabee is the human apocalypse.
Rot in hell, Huck-fans.

Posted by Fuck Huck | January 3, 2008 11:20 PM