True Life: I am the Huckster

If you were to ask the student body here at Purdue the name of the candidate who came in second to Senator John McCain for the Republican nomination in 2008, very few would actually be able to respond correctly. That individual is former Governor Mike Huckabee, and to say that he is a character would be an understatement. Prior to the 2008 Republican primary, the conservative candidate served as a Southern Baptist pastor for twelve years before launching his career in politics and serving as the Governor of Arkansas for two consecutive terms. Since his all but successful run for the Republican nomination, Governor Huckabee has amassed a considerable following through his number one rated weekend hit “Huckabee” on the Fox News Channel and his daily radio show the “Huckabee Report.” In the midst of his newly acquired fame and fortune, Mike Huckabee still prioritized his recent speaking event at a fundraiser for Tippecanoe County Right to Life here at Purdue University.

“I’m convinced that Jesus would not do banquets like this. I know that for a fact because if he did, then there would have been an additional beatitude: ‘blessed are the brief, for they shall be invited again,’” the governor joked in his brief, yet effective speech on the core of the Pro-Life movement. The esteemed pro-life leader outlined his position quite frankly as being a proponent of protecting life at every stage and every age.

In addition to his position on abortion, Governor Huckabee did not hesitate to address other questions that were posed to him about other issues that leaders deal with every day. When asked about health care reform, the governor not only addressed the consequences of the bill on the pro-life cause, but he also mentioned the fact that it would increase overall costs of healthcare on a macroeconomic level and limit families on a microeconomic level. “A government-backed program would subsidize what is not covered. This should be a problem whether you are on the left or right. We don’t want to bankrupt families and impoverish them in order for them to get mediocre medical assistance. I always look at it this way: That could be me, could be my child, or my family. It also means that you are not going to have as much uncompensated care from the hospitals and doctors which results in ‘cost shifting,’ one of the reasons why medical costs are so high.” Governor Huckabee called the proposed health care plan imprudent and wasteful.

When questioned by a journalist on the economy, Mike Huckabee revealed the theory which he believes to be the answer to many of our economic woes: The Fair Tax. In short, the Fair Tax is a plan that would eliminate the income tax whilst placing a tax on sold goods to replace it. “The Fair Tax is one of the few tax plans that does not punish productivity.” The governor was one of only two presidential candidates in the 2008 election to support the Fair Tax, and he stands by that position. “It is my belief that those who do not support the Fair Tax either are too attached to our current system, or simply do not understand what the Fair Tax really is.”

The former Governor of Arkansas has come under fire lately for an act he carried out several years ago. In 2000, as Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee commuted the sentence of the then 27 year old Maurice Clemmons so that he might have an opportunity to persuade the parole board that he deserved a second chance. At the age of 16, Clemmons had been sentenced to 108 years for burglary and robbery without a weapon. Clemmons was not pardoned, but the clemency did make him parole eligible. On November 29th of this year, Maurice Clemmons killed four Lakewood Police officers in Seattle, Washington. The gunman has since been shot and killed by state police after an extensive search effort. After the series of events, political advisor Mark McKinnon came out and confidently stated “Huckabee is done as a political candidate for good. Doesn’t matter what the circumstances were, doesn’t matter whether there was a convincing rationale at the time. This is politics, American-style. Stick a fork in him.” This declaration, while logical, does not seem to be the case. In a series of interviews, Governor Huckabee has stated that he thoroughly regrets the commutation; he had good reason to commute the convict at the time. The governor wrote a piece explaining his rationale at the time and what the series of events were that lead to the eventual commutation. In the piece, Huckabee explains that the Arkansas Post Prison Parole and Transfer Board recommended clemency for Clemmons in a 5-0 vote. He says that during his 10 1/2 years as governor he denied 92% of the requests for clemency. Huckabee also points out that there were no objections to his parole by the prosecutor, law enforcement, or the Attorney General’s office during the comment period prior to Clemmons’ parole.

While this incident is a hurdle for Huckabee in the public eye, it’s certainly nothing that he can’t overcome. The former presidential candidate is renowned for his genuine and kind spirit. Although he may come across as overly compassionate and soft, Huckabee touts personal responsibility and accountability as cornerstones of his character. He displayed his belief in one taking responsibility for their actions through the story of Maurice Clemmons. “Unfortunately, many of my fellow conservatives don’t seem to want to take responsibility for the facts surrounding the case,” said Governor Huckabee in reference to the facts surrounding the grant of parole to Clemmons.

Maybe we as citizens missed something in the election. We may have underestimated Huckabee. It may be true that John McCain and Sarah Palin go against the brush on many issues and speak out about what they think is best. But Governor Mike Huckabee boldly stated his regrets, and rebuked others for not doing the same. What more can a true “maverick” do? He’s a diamond in the rough, an individual with humility and compassion and yet a sense of conviction for personal responsibility. Upon receiving similar compliments to his character by the gentleman introducing him at the Tippecanoe County Right to Life dinner, Governor Huckabee wittily joked, “Who’s he talking about? I thought I was the keynote speaker tonight.”