Didn't get to see the whole debate. Saw parts when I got home and parts in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep and caught the rerun of it.

 

But it seems after complaining at one of the last debates that while it is said that a candidate's faith is off limits but he seemed to always get the faith questions, last night they gave him non-faith questions. Or at least his website is not addressing any faith comments in their review of his performance.

 

I have bolded a part that Huckabee and Romney has been promoting for awhile.

Here is the press release:

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressRelease&ID=568

 

News Release: Former Arkansas Governor Delivers a Strong Performance at the GOP Debate at the Ronald Reagan Library

January 30, 2008

Little Rock, AR – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee spoke to the American people about the vital issue of the economy at the GOP Presidential Debate at the Reagan Library. Huckabee reiterated a common theme of his campaign, that average Americans are struggling in the current economy.

 

“If you talk to people driving trucks, they’ll tell you fuel prices are higher. They are not making more money to haul items, but they are spending more to do it,” Huckabee said. “I think what Americans are looking for is someone who will talk straight with them. We need to have someone who will address policies, not just for the people at the top, but for the average American.”

 

Huckabee said a new infrastructure package would help stimulate the U.S. economy. “For every dollar we spend, it would create jobs. “Let’s create more jobs with American workers, American concrete and American steel,” he said.

 

Huckabee has the most executive leadership of any Republican candidate, having served as governor of Arkansas for more than ten years. He believes that experience makes him the best qualified person to lead this country.

 

“When you’re a governor you manage a microcosm of the federal government,” Huckabee said. “Washington doesn’t understand how states operate, but states understand how Washington operates because we had to deal with unfunded mandates.”

 

Huckabee touted his conservative credentials, earned while serving as governor of Arkansas.

 

“I created the first broad-based tax cut with a 90 percent Democratic legislature. I balanced a budget every year, I consistently supported the human life amendment, I also supported the marriage amendment – two conservative hallmarks,” he said. “I believe in less government and lower taxes.”

 

On the issue of illegal immigration, Huckabee spoke of his plan to build a border fence.

 

“What we have to do is have a secure border fence and I propose to do that within 18 months of office,”

 

Huckabee said. “We have to have a process where the people who are here have to go to the back of the line and start over, that way we create a system that’s legal and protects the dignity of all Americans.”

 

Huckabee said he supports the “Reagan doctrine” on peace through strength. “We must have enough troop strength of the regular Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine, so that we don’t have extended deployments out of the National Guard.”

 

On the issue of Iraq, Huckabee said the U.S. needs to do what it takes to “get out of there with victory and honor. We owe it to those who have gone before – so that they have not gone in vain, and for our future sons and daughters, so that they don’t have to go there again soon.”

 

Huckabee said he has a consistent record of being pro-life.

 

"I value every human life, I would make every decision on the side of life.” It goes to the heart of who we are as a country,” Huckabee said. “I’m pro-life.”

 

Noting that the last four of out of five presidents were governors, Huckabee said that “governors understand leadership. There is no such thing as an isolated issue – education, health care, economic development, they are all related.

 

“Governors don’t get to specialize – we don’t have that luxury. We need to be able to handle on any given day, a variety of issues, and understand how they are woven together. “Real leadership recognizes what your decisions do to people at the bottom – it’s seeing the whole field,” he said.

 

When asked if President Reagan would endorse his candidacy, Huckabee said “I endorse President Reagan and let me tell you why: Ronald Reagan was more than a policy wonk – he loved this country and he inspired us to believe in ourselves again. He loved America and he knew it is a good nation.

 

“We need to recapture that American can-do spirit. He brought that to our country and made us believe in ourselves. I hope we continue to believe in ourselves again, and what made him a great American.”

I really can't see why Huckabee and Paul are staying in the race. I do have a theroy on why Huck may be staying in, but Paul has no shot. As far as Huck staying in: I honestly believe he may be McCain's choice as V.P., and as long as he stays in, he could steal votes that othewise could go to Romney.

I really can't see why Huckabee and Paul are staying in the race. I do have a theroy on why Huck may be staying in, but Paul has no shot. As far as Huck staying in: I honestly believe he may be McCain's choice as V.P., and as long as he stays in, he could steal votes that othewise could go to Romney.

 

Huckabee will play strong in several states on Tuesday.

 

States he could do well and I have not looked at all the polling to see what the pundits are saying. Also, don't know which of the states below are delegate split states or as ABBA would sing, "Winner Takes it All."

 

Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee.

I watched it all last night and Huckabee had a strong showing. Anderson Cooper and his colleages who asked the question seem to have already eliminated Huck and Paul. It seemed that McCain and Romney easily got the lion's share of the questions even after Huckabee complained about it.

 

I saw only one focus group last night on Fox and several said they would now consider Huckabee but had not in the past. Maybe a little of a shift?

I really can't see why Huckabee and Paul are staying in the race. I do have a theroy on why Huck may be staying in, but Paul has no shot. As far as Huck staying in: I honestly believe he may be McCain's choice as V.P., and as long as he stays in, he could steal votes that othewise could go to Romney.

 

Heard the same theory - Hickabee's voters likely turn to Romney if he bows out, making it tougher for McCain to win. It would seem logical for McCain to offer him the VP or Cabinet spot should he win.

Heard the same theory - Hickabee's voters likely turn to Romney if he bows out, making it tougher for McCain to win. It would seem logical for McCain to offer him the VP or Cabinet spot should he win.

 

I know that is what they said, but this Huckabee supporter is not going to the Romney camp if he bows out.

I know that is what they said, but this Huckabee supporter is not going to the Romney camp if he bows out.

 

Where are you going to then? Or just trying not to think about it?

Huckabee's answer to how to stimulate the economy was frankly dumb IMO. His answer to fixing the economy right now is what? Build roads! Don't worry that roads take 5-10 years to get off the drawing board and onto the ground. Don't worry that gas is rising and by the time the roads are built oil will have peaked. Don't worry about the pollution caused or the money spent on gas goes to oil companies and the middle east. Also, as gas prices rise more cities and states are looking at rail. Gov. Schwartzeneger (sp) is actually trying to get high-speed rail going in California but no one mentioned that as an alternative.

 

We do need to improve our infrastructure but that's not the answer to an economic problem right now.

A good showing by Huckabee on Tuesday would push Romney out of the race. With all of the southern states included, he's got a good shot.

Huckabee's answer to how to stimulate the economy was frankly dumb IMO. His answer to fixing the economy right now is what? Build roads! Don't worry that roads take 5-10 years to get off the drawing board and onto the ground. Don't worry that gas is rising and by the time the roads are built oil will have peaked. Don't worry about the pollution caused or the money spent on gas goes to oil companies and the middle east. Also, as gas prices rise more cities and states are looking at rail. Gov. Schwartzeneger (sp) is actually trying to get high-speed rail going in California but no one mentioned that as an alternative.

 

We do need to improve our infrastructure but that's not the answer to an economic problem right now.

 

Huckabee has proposed the Fair Tax as a method to help the economy.

 

Would a commitment to the infrastructure not create jobs? Wouldn't the creation of jobs be a better and more long term approach to helping the economy than sending out checks?

 

 

Here is more on his plan of the stimulus and infrastructure repair.

 

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=29

 

Notice not a mention of faith in it.

A good showing by Huckabee on Tuesday would push Romney out of the race. With all of the southern states included, he's got a good shot.

 

I agree. Huckabee could shock on Tuesday as much as he shocked in Iowa. Especially if the southern states are winner takes all states.

I know that is what they said, but this Huckabee supporter is not going to the Romney camp if he bows out.

 

:thumb:

 

I'm not a Romney fan.

Huckabee has proposed the Fair Tax as a method to help the economy.

 

Would a commitment to the infrastructure not create jobs? Wouldn't the creation of jobs be a better and more long term approach to helping the economy than sending out checks?

 

 

Here is more on his plan of the stimulus and infrastructure repair.

 

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=29

 

Notice not a mention of faith in it.

 

Huckabee's "Fair Tax" is yet another bad idea. It's a nice little trick b/c as we all know when we see a price tag that says $15.00 it doesn't include the taxes on the item. It's increasingly regressive and doesn't help the average American. It abolishes the IRS in favor of another organization.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118800635034508655.html

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/files/bartlett_fair_tax.pdf

 

Infrastructure improvements help create some jobs but the best way to help keep jobs in the USA IMO is with tariffs. For most of our history a large portion of our national budget was supported with tariffs. That was until the 80's-90's when Regan, Bush, Clinton, and now Bush eroded them with "free trade" agreements.

LBBC, I do agree that Huck's experience in an Executive office is beneficial. Our former Governor learned that its much different being Governor than it is being a Congressman. Unfortunately, by the time he learned it, it was too late.

Huckabee's "Fair Tax" is yet another bad idea. It's a nice little trick b/c as we all know when we see a price tag that says $15.00 it doesn't include the taxes on the item. It's increasingly regressive and doesn't help the average American. It abolishes the IRS in favor of another organization.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118800635034508655.html

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/files/bartlett_fair_tax.pdf

 

Infrastructure improvements help create some jobs but the best way to help keep jobs in the USA IMO is with tariffs. For most of our history a large portion of our national budget was supported with tariffs. That was until the 80's-90's when Regan, Bush, Clinton, and now Bush eroded them with "free trade" agreements.

Actually, when we see a price tag of $15, the price does reflect the cost of embedded taxes. That is the whole point of the Fair Tax. Consumers are already picking up the tab for taxes that the government collects during the process that produces, transports, and markets products to consumers. The only tax that is not reflected in the $15 price tag is any state or local tax that the consumer pays directly. The aim of the Fair Tax is to reduce compliance costs for individuals and businesses.

 

As for taxes, the infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which was enacted in mid-1930 is widely considered to have worsened the Great Depression. Increasing tariffs is the worst thing that this country could do to protect jobs. Low tax rates, clearly written regulations with reasonable compliance costs, and a fair tort system would do wonders for this economy.

 

Tariffs are appropriate, IMO, only to punish countries for violating trade agreements.

 

I agree with Huckabee on the Fair Tax but I think that it is a gimmick on his part to garner the support of the enthusiastic supporters of the tax. Even if Huckabee managed to get himself elected, I doubt that Congress would seriously consider a bill to enact the Fair Tax.