Huckabee Starts A New PAC

Former Arkansas Gov. and Republican first runner-up Mike Huckabee has created a new political action committee to help Republicans and provide a vehicle for him to stay active in national politics. Huck-PAC -- could it really be called anything else -- asks supporters to contribute to the congressional campaign of NH State Sen. Bob Clegg, the re-election campaign of Rep. John Linder, and the re-election campaign of AR State Sen. Gilbert Baker. The site also contains a blog. Mr. Huckabee has chosen this tax day to tout the merits of the Fair Tax.

Per the PAC announcement, here's Huck:

"During the course of our campaign, we saw something happen that went beyond the campaign for President. It was a COMMUNITY that was devoted to a CAUSE that is bigger than any of us and not just about the next election, but the next generation. Our goal is to secure a better future for our country by changing our punitive tax system, standing firm for the sanctity of life and traditional marriage, and protecting our borders and giving our veterans the blood-bought benefits they deserve. We launch the new website today as we formally push the lift-off button for HUCK-PAC, which will enable us to help Senator McCain become our next President, and to assist conservative, pro-life and pro-family candidates to Senate and House seats. The website will not only preserve our online community, but enlarge it and encourage it to be a force for freedom, faith, and family!" Huckabee said today.

Huckabee stated, "the PAC is founded on the principles that make America great: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. And because we believe our Republican Party embodies these ideas and is best suited to lead America forward, we are committed to supporting Republican candidates nationwide."

Sarah Huckabee will be the public face of the PAC.

Comments

Huckabee is simply trying to copy Obama in building a movement.

In actuality, though, Huckabee never created a movement, but simply joined onto one, in the form of conservative evangelical churches.

Huckabee's support was almost entirely from this community; outside of it he failed in a big way.

But that's all he has at this point. And I hope those who attend the churches for whom Huck had appeal will bother to ask him the tough moral questions regarding his continued support for the war in Iraq, or even his failure to really speak out against torture. I also hope they will hold his PAC accountable.

Posted by cm | April 15, 2008 9:38 PM

Mike who?

Posted by Dan | April 15, 2008 10:29 PM

Here is yet another example the McCain Huckabee alliance is beginning to bloom. This alliance started back in December of 2007 when McCain and Huckabee worked together to force Romney out of the picture.

With McCain's military experience, he holds Honor and Integrity at the top of criteria list of choosing his VP running mate. Only McCain and Huckabee kept to the Honor and Integrity system.

Watch both men starting to work closer together in the next few months. With Obama's lapse in his recent stuck up comments, McCain see's this as the icing on the cake to bring down Obama with his own words. Huckabee courted many followers on Main Street that McCain can use to build his base against Obama's comments.

The McCain / Huckabee alliance is taking shape. The two most honorable men becoming the leaders of the nation.

Posted by Top secret | April 15, 2008 10:55 PM

The only good thing about Huckabee is the fair tax proposal. He has been found to be a religious bigot toward those who did not believe like him. He stayed in the campain as long as he did simply to feed his ego. His PAC is to draw attention to him any help recieved by others is secondary. One can only hope he wanders on out to outer darkness. The republicans do not need him.

Posted by Craig | April 15, 2008 10:55 PM

The only good thing about Huckabee is the fair tax proposal. He has been found to be a religious bigot toward those who did not believe like him. He stayed in the campain as long as he did simply to feed his ego. His PAC is to draw attention to him any help recieved by others is secondary. One can only hope he wanders on out to outer darkness. The republicans do not need him.

Posted by Craig | April 15, 2008 10:55 PM

Mike Huckabee has a proven 10 1/2 yr. record of great accomplishments in Arkansas, more executive experience than any candidate, great innovative ideas and solutions to our country's problems,character and integrity, consistent principles and strong leadership skills. He proves with his new PAC that he is a man who makes things happen!! A finer politician does not exist and I hope Senator McCain knows what an ally he can have in Huckabee as his vp.

Posted by Linda Rayborn | April 15, 2008 11:18 PM

Huckabee once again has my respect and support. I would like to say a few thing about him. A lot of people say that he is a religious bigot that stayed in the race to ruin Romney and build his ego. May I ask with whats wrong with him trying to beat Romney?Is'nt that the purpuse of the primaries? And don't give me crap that he didn't try to beat McCain. He challened him to a debate that McCain refused. And don't give me crap that he was in it to only defeat Romney. He stayed in the race alot longer that Romney did(Romney's no fiscal conservative anyway). As far as being a religious bigot. I seem to recall him making only one comment this whole race about Mormons. He was asked what he thought about them by a reporter. He did what to say anything mean. So he said simply ' I really don't know much about them, but don't they believe Jesus and Satan are brothers'. I see nothing bigoted in that remark. And even if he is a bigot, so what. What does that have to do with being a good president.

Posted by Dustin | April 15, 2008 11:25 PM

Sorry about my last post. I used the wrong URL. I wasn't sure what that was and assumed everyone put that for the URL. I usually blog on fox.

Posted by Dustin | April 16, 2008 12:08 AM

Yeah Mike! Republicans need to be reminded of the platform of their party.....thanks for keeping the focus on what really matters...i.e. everyone must be treated equally, as well as have a fair tax, and keeping Americans safe in their own country. We are proud of you! I plan to write in your name on election day. Thanks for all you do!

Posted by Michele from Memphis | April 16, 2008 12:43 AM

Mike Huckabee is a great leader, a good man, and a wonderful asset to the Republican Party.

It's interesting that those who try to belittle him can only resort to calling him names and so on. His records as a governor and lieutenant governor are excellent, so some folks just call him names and spew out what certain media pundits have fed them. Yawn...

But I need to address one of these regurgitated criticisms here: The accusation that he is a "religious bigot" is just more of the same hypocritical bigotry *against* him just because he used to be a Baptist pastor--never mind that he was governor for 10+ years! Regarding the *one* Mormon comment he made("Don't they believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?"), he apologized personally to Mitt Romney for that, and the apology was accepted. That should end the discussion, unless there is someone out there who has never done or said anything wrong in his or her entire life. [The answer to his question, by the way, is actually YES: it is, in fact, part of the official teachings of the Mormon church that the devil and Jesus were once brothers (a teaching that I personally do not agree with or accept, and that some might very well be taken aback by, as perhaps Huckabee was.).]

Nevertheless, I think what's really behind the accusations of "bigotry" is that the abortion and HLBTT (homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender) activists are inflamed that he doesn't buy into their agendas. It is NOT bigotry to say that the killing of an innocent baby is evil, nor is it bigotry to say that HLBTT behavior (a man sexually lying with a man, or a woman sexually lying with a woman) is perverse. It is the truth: abortion is evil, and HLBTT sexual acts are perverse.

As for the latter, even without any reference to religion, one can plainly see, from reason alone, that such behavior is completely contrary to our very nature as human beings--contrary to reality. For, it is part of our nature that each person is either male or female. And each is so designed as to complement the other. But the HLBTT agenda attempts to redefine reality, to redefine our very nature, to deny the existence of male and female and propose that these are just superficial and incidental, like an outward shell that covers "the real me" inside. But this is a denial of reality. Each human person is not just a soul covered by a body that doesn't matter; nor is each person a body without a soul. Rather, each human person is a composite of body and soul, unified and whole. Some are male, and some are female, and we don't get to just "choose" to be one or the other. We are what we are, and it's quite evident to everyone. This is the reality of who we are as human persons. And it is part of the very nature of human beings that man and woman join together in marriage. It is a perversion of nature to suggest that a man and a man can join together or that a woman and a woman can join together. Thus, the HLBTT agenda attacks the very core of our existence: our very nature as human beings. And, likewise, it attacks the very core of society: the family. In the final analysis, it is a denial of reality itself, and must be rejected by any sane, intelligent human being--whether Mormon, Baptist, Muslim, Jew, Catholic, Hindu, or Atheist.

And that is one of the reasons why millions of us support Gov. Huckabee. I don't have the same religion as he does. But I do recognize *reality*, and I don't want our nation to be destroyed by the tyranny of the HLBTT agenda. Yes, I said “tyranny,” for that is what it is. The strategy of the HLBTT activists is to silence all those who dare to speak out against this perversity while they try to force the nation to accept what, deep down everyone knows, is objectively disgusting. But, it is madness, and we can’t stand for it. "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time" (Lincoln).

I applaud Gov. Huckabee for having the courage to stand up to this tyranny and for taking a stand for human decency and for traditional marriage and family values.

Hooray for Mike Huckabee!

Posted by TJC4USA | April 16, 2008 12:54 AM

I'm not going to call Huck names at this juncture, but I will point out that the MSM is completely, absolutely corrupt. If the MSM weren't, Huck wouldn't have lasted more than a month, as they asked him about this and started following the money. Instead, the MSM has consistently tried to obscure the trail. When there were immigrationraids in AR, the MSM did typical sob stories on the IllegalAliens (and their landlord, etc.) instead of following the chicken grease.

And, the MSM allowed Huck to lie and mislead and didn't (of course) call him on it:

youtube.com/watch?v=nIbDAVQMKGM

Posted by TLB | April 16, 2008 1:07 AM

Actually, Huckabee deferred to McCain on opposing torture, saying McCain has experience and standing to have an opinion.

As for all the other charges about his character are the imaginings of people with predispositions. Politically speaking, his problem was the opposite of Romney's and still is. He says exactly what he believes is right, regardless of the audience, as with this audience at "left of center" Cornell.

Nobler left of center people respect and like him for that, and I ran across them for a year, online and in person.

Posted by Larry Perrault | April 16, 2008 1:12 AM

It never ceases to amaze me the hate and self-incriminating bigotry that's directed towards Christians out there. I guess the hate totally clouds their minds from looking at Huckabee's record and the right on target stance on conservative issues like border security, personal overall fair tax for all social/economic groups, possible Supreme Court selection, great proactive health care ideas (that have worked) dedicated to peace through a strong military, on and on. I don't think he wants to copy a movement based on just the word "Change" (change what? besides loosing in Iraq) Where's the meat? movement with a possible first lady after the unbelievable education opportunities they both have had and are just now proud of the US? I think someone needs to take some time to count thier blessings. I just wish people could get past their religion or lack of and just look at facts of before and after 10.5 yrs of service to Ar and the real proactive ideas on the issues. Our country would have been much better off. I hope Huckabee keeps out there being involved tring to effect positive changes for the betterment of all Americans. Even the ones that don't appreciate it.

Posted by joe parker | April 16, 2008 1:34 AM

I think someone has been drinking the chicken grease!

Posted by joe | April 16, 2008 1:49 AM

Huckabee has some admirable qualities, but he has ethical flaws as well.

For me this was on display when he was being interviewed and asked about Romney's faith, Mormonism, and gave some generic non-insulting answer (which he should have), but then turned to the interviewer and asked him some weired question about whether Mormons believe that Jesus and the Devil are brothers.

Now Huckabee knew what he was doing; he was in a very oblique way trying to smear Romney and his Mormon faith. But he did so in such a slimy underhanded fashion.

It was the same way when he made that attack ad on Romney, pretended he was going to air it, then announced to the press that he was not going to run the ad, but then showed the ad to the media.

That shows a real character flaw in Huck. He sometimes uses a very deceptive way to attack people.

Posted by cm | April 16, 2008 10:27 AM

If Huckleberry gets on the ballot, I will vote Democrat. He is a religious bigot. It wasn't just one isolated case, but many cases.
1. He claimed he was the "Christian" candidate alluding to the fact that the others were not Christian. That is deeply offensive to Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold Christ to be their personal Savior.
2. The smear about Jesus and Satan brothers was just that -- a smear. Members of the LDS church regard Satan and Jesus Christ as polar opposites.
3. When asked in an interview if Mitt Romney was a Christian, he said he would defer that to Mitt Romney. Mike Huckabee could have taken the high road and said he was a Christian.

Besides his religious bigotry, he lacked poor judgement and ethics.
1. 1033 pardons - more than the three earlier govenors of his state. Dumont went on to murder and rape.
2. He had several ethical complaints lodged against him.
3. Fiscally he was no conservative. Tax and spend just like the Democrats.
4. He promoted illegal immigration by setting up a Consulate in Arkansas to keep the low-wage factories in operation and keep his pro-business coffers up.

Posted by John S. | April 16, 2008 10:38 AM

Marc,

The statement that Huckabee is "Republican first runner-up" is questionable. At the time of Huckabee's withdrawal, he was still listed in third place in the delegate count by most news organizations despite staying in the race much longer than Romney who was shown in second.

Although, that may have changed now given the fluid nature of unpledged delegates, I watched the number with particular interest because the first runner-up in the Republican primary tends to signal the nominee for the next election cycle and I personally supported Governor Romney.

Posted by Ci2Eye | April 16, 2008 11:16 AM

In response to John S.

If you are going to vote Democrat just because of Huckabee, then that tells me you are truly a Democrat at heart anyways. Your points are also misguided at best but more likely malicious on your part because you are a Romney supporter. Romney is the biggest liar and morally bankrupt person I have ever seen. Would only make sense that some of his supporters follow his example.

1. Huckabee never said he was the only Christian candidate. He said "he" was a Christian and did not pretend to know how others believed.
2. The so called smear about Jesus and Satan was off the cuff conversation that he did not believe would make the story. That question is asked by everyone who is not familiar with the Mormon religion.
3. How is Huckabee supposed to know if Romney is a Christian when Romney himself never stepped up and talked about his religion. He schedules a speech about his religion and then only mentions it one time in the whole 30 minute speech.

1. Dumond was not pardoned, he was paroled by a Parole Board. Huckabee had nothing to do with it. Another example of the Romney lies and his supporters just continue to spew the garbage. Ask Romney why he denied a clemency for a decorated Iraq war hero. The man shot another kid when he was 13 years old, with a BB gun. The pellet did not even break the skin. Due to this mark on his record, he could not become a policeman after returning from Iraq with medals and honor. Huckabee granted clemencies for people who had wrote hot checks when they were 18 years old but are now 35 with 2 kids and trying to get a job. He granted clemencies for that 18 year old boy who was public intoxicated but is now 32 and trying to provide for a family of 4. Sometimes, people deserve forgiveness.
2. All ethical complaints were dismissed except for one that was later over-turned at a higher court. These complaints were all filed by Democrats and most were affiliated with the local Little Rock newspaper.
3. His total net increase over 10.5 years was $500 million dollars. Mitt Romney's net increase in his first year as Governor was $750 million. You do the math.
4. Was the only candidate to put forth a detailed plan to end illegal immigration and fix the problem. Even Duncan Hunter saw this and endorsed him.

Posted by Joseph | April 16, 2008 11:27 AM

For the life of me I can not understand why Mormons are so upset when their view of satan and Christ is talked about. They do believe that satan and Christ are brothers. They don't deny it, they just don't want it discussed in public. IF they are brothers, and "you" beleive that, why hide from it? I don't get it.

I'm a pentacostal that speaks in tongues. Many people don't believe that an make fun of it. If it was being discussed I wouldn't hide from it. I would explain what I believe and why. So, in that light, I don't get their rage.

Posted by Regina | April 16, 2008 3:00 PM

Despite the fact that the 2008 Republican Primary is essentially over and John McCain has emerged victorious, the mention of the name Mike Huckabee continues to draw strong comments from his supporters and elicits the same conversation. The dialogue usually begins with mention of God, gays, the unborn and an all-out assault on Mitt Romney and the Mormon Church. From there it becomes a theology debate citing scripture and the beliefs of the various faiths such as the mention here of the teachings of the Pentecostal churches and TJC4USA’s post outlining their personal religious values and beliefs.

I’ve read many of those blogs over the course of the last six months and they generally play out the same way. I always end up a bit distressed that so many people insert irrelevant thoughts into the debate and quickly lose sight of our mission.

We, the people are electing a President. Not a pastor and not the guy we want to work side-by-side with. We are electing a President…..the leader of the free World…..a Commander-in-Chief. We aren’t looking for a common man, we are looking for an uncommon man.

In a unique arrangement, our forefathers gave the people all the power and they entrusted the future of this great land to our collective judgment. They are relying on us to pick the best man or woman to steer America in what appears to be very rough waters that lie ahead. The choice should never have been about who shares our theology. And, for all those who rant about Mitt Romney and can only state his Mormonism as a reason for disliking him, I'd like to know if you can tell me the religions of past Presidents.

For the record, it is quite varied. There were a number of Deists and Congregationalists. We’ve had Baptists, Methodists, and a Catholic. Richard Nixon was a Quaker and Thomas Jefferson who was probably the most intelligent President ever, wrote his own version of the Bible leaving out the parts he didn't believe such as the virgin birth. Yet despite some widely varied beliefs and Jefferson’s heretical act, there was never a religious test imposed. Until now. Today, a certain sect of the population seems to place religion and the quality of shared beliefs above all other qualifications. Our very wise forefathers knew that such a test would quickly divide us like Sunnis and Shiites in the Muslim world and cloud our judgment so they expressly prohibited it.

Instead of the dialogues we engage in, we should focus on fitness and temperament for the job. I’m sure many of you are responsible for hiring people for your respective employers or your own companies and if not, can relate to those that do have that responsibility. The search for a President should be akin to an executive search where a candidate’s religion rates well below their talent and ability to do the job. I can’t imagine an employer hiring someone based primarily on the church they attend and yet, for the most important job in America, many of us chose to do exactly that. Rather, we should search for men of great intellect, strong values, with stamina and unimpeachable morals. We should look for honor and courage and judgment, grace and coolness under fire. I believe religion is important. America was founded by Christians and I wouldn’t want a President who didn’t believe in a power higher than themselves but to loose sight of the big picture and select someone based solely on the shared nuances of one's faith is to loose sight of what America is.

I would suggest that next time We, the people need to rise to the task before us and discuss who is best fit to lead and leave much of the religious test out of the equation.

Posted by Jeff | April 16, 2008 6:11 PM

*** BREAKING NEWS ***

A U.S. News report released on April 16, 2008 puts Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt and Mike Huckabee on the same level.

"John McCain's big economic speech today was sort of one part Ronald Reagan (cut taxes, cut spending), one part Mike Huckabee (help for workers; Main Street is as important as Wall Street), and one part Teddy Roosevelt (criticism of "reckless CEOs and speculators").

Huckabee's rapid rise in the Presidential race is capturing the hearts and minds millions of ordinary people all around America.

To be achieve this prestigous level so soon with history's greatest U.S. Presidents in such a remarkable short time period is an outstanding accomplishment for Mike Huckabee.

The alliance between McCain and Huckabee 08 ticket has offically begun. Huckabee's new PAC web site to promote McCain. And McCain calling Wall Street "greedy", was Mike's central theme of those on Main Street vs Wall Street.

The alliance between these two Honorable men started back in December when they worked together to force Romney out of the picture.

McCain will be announcing Huckabee as his VP running mate in the next few months. With McCain's military background, he holds dear to the code of Honor and Integrity which Huckabee displayed during the campaigns.

Posted by Top Secret | April 16, 2008 10:09 PM

Why is it that the Mitt-heads and the Huckabites still don't get along. Both lost to McCain. Both would do a fine job if chosen as VP. Both are conservative (at least compared to Obama or Clinton). I think it's time to get over the feud and focus on getting a republican in the white house.

Posted by M S | April 17, 2008 6:44 AM

Romeny's people are more fiscally conservative and intellectual.

Huck's are more socially conservative and emotional.

McCain doesn't really appeal to either group.

The Romney fans saw Huck colluding with McCain in the debates and in events like the West Virginia caucus to take out Mitt so they dislike Huckabee very much.

Huckabee's fans are deeply distrustful of Mitt's religion and can't relate to an educated, aloof New Englander.

Posted by JB | April 17, 2008 10:44 AM

*** BREAKING NEWS ***

Former presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee will campaign with presumptive Republican nominee John McCain for the first time since withdrawing from the primary race in March, GOP sources told FOX News on Thursday.

The strong alliance between McCain and Huckabee is becoming more noticeable in Headline news. McCain's admiration of Huckabee's Honor and Integrity has deep roots. Only a military vet as McCain can easily associate with this important character trait that Huckabee displayed during the primaries.

Posted by Top Secret | April 17, 2008 8:57 PM