From The Road
December 10, 2007 12:34 PM

Thompson vs. Huckabee

By
John Bentley
Topics
Fred Thompson
(CBS)
From CBS News' John Bentley

MIAMI -- Slipping in the polls against Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson spoke out against his Republican rival today.

Thompson took issue with Huckabee's proposed policy of quarantining AIDS patients when he was governor of Arkansas. "[AIDS] is something that has more to do with human behavior, and I'm not sure isolation, or quarantine, would be of major assistance in that regard," Thompson said. "I have no idea what was in his mind when he said that."

On Cuba, Thompson criticized Huckabee, who in 2002 asked President Bush to lift the embargo against that country, saying it "has not helped the people of Cuba."

"He thinks we should lift the embargo against Castro. I disagree with that," Thompson said today at the Bay of Pigs Museum in Miami. "I think it raises issues when politicians change their views on a dime to appeal to a particular group of people right before an election." The governor recently issued a statement saying he supports the embargo.

Huckabee defended himself in Miami this morning, according to CBS News' Joy Lin, saying his "major concern" in 2002 was to try and "revive a sagging economy" impacted by the recession. "Our rice markets were in trouble…At that time, my primary responsibility was simply to hear the concerns unique to my state," he said.

Since then, Huckabee said, he had been able to find new markets for the rice market by going to Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea to find Asian markets for the state's rice. Another reason for the policy change, explained Huckabee, was that he was "really not that aware" of the issues the issues that exist between Cuba and the United States.

"Being in Arkansas, that's not one of the issues I am in close proximity with," he said.

Add a Comment
by sleepdecay December 11, 2007 12:54 PM EST
There are many things Gov. Huckabee has promised. The question is, does he have the knowledgeable of "issues" to keep his promises. I doubt it. We are not voting for our next Baptist minister or lead guitarist, we are voting for the next president of the United States.
Reply to this comment
by GMEllis625 December 11, 2007 11:48 AM EST
The Huckabee "facts" show exactly why he can''t be elected President. He doesn''t have even the most basic understanding of economics, foreign relations or American politics. You can''t both reduce gas prices and encourage alternative fuels. Alternative fuels will only take hold when they are cheaper than gas. You can''t start treating other nations the way you want to be treated and then just expect them to change their attitudes or actions. You can''t "prevent" disease without huge expenditures for research and preventative medicines, and without huge impositions on personal privacy rights! He said what he meant in 1992: quarantine AIDS patients, and no spin today will change that.

He is a RINO liberal on all foreign policy and economic policies, and a social conservative on abortion and AIDS. That combination will never get my vote.

I prefer a true conservative who has always been conservative and always voted conservative: Fred Thompson.
Reply to this comment
by giantrobot2 December 11, 2007 1:34 AM EST
Mike Huckabee facts:

1. He will Eliminate the IRS:
This means you will receive 100% of your paycheck.

2. He will drastically reduce Gas prices:
Switch to alternative fuels, changing supply/demand.

3. He will reduce global warming.
Switch to alternative fuels, no carbon dioxides.

4. He will reduce threat of terrorism.
New fuels cause middle east gov. crack down on them.

5. He will reduce rising Health care costs.
New programs that prevent diseases, not just fix them.

6. He will lead up not just hard right or hard left.
Excellent communicator, will bring parties together.

7. He will lead with principles rather than money.
He cares everybody not just those on Wall Street.

8. He will give Hope to America and enthusiasm.
He plays bass guitar in a band, dynamic personality.

9. He will carry out his goals, not talk about them.
Lost 110 pounds, kept it off, ran 4 Marathons-26.2m

10. He knows the American people is the real boss.
As Governor, his picture frame only shows citizens.

Vote for Mike Huckabee, otherwise you will not be able to enjoy these benefits

Since the other candidates don''''t have anything to say on what they can do for America, they take the easy road and resort to taking cheap shots at Mike. Don%u2019t fall into their trap any longer with negative attacks, let''''s show the critics and the naysayers that Americans have pride and we are ready to elect an honest, humble, trustworthy man for US President.

Reply to this comment
by moderate1992 December 10, 2007 7:48 PM EST
Huckabee is the only candidate that i am willing to vote for. his authenticity can make believe that maybe this nation can come back together. it matters not to me whether or not he said ''whatever'' over ten years ago, at least when i hear him now i can believe that he can and will do what he is saying. he also DIDN''T say that he would quarentine AID''s patients now, he just said that he wouldn''t apologize for what he said 15 YEARS AGO. this is a clear attempt by the media to scandalize a good man because they can. well, have fun trying, but i''m a liberal, AND IT AIN''T WORKIN''.
Reply to this comment
by kwbagwel December 10, 2007 4:27 PM EST
Huckabee never supported a "quarantine" for AIDS victims. He said the plague should be "isolated" from those who could be infected. Meaning: the government, rather than just trying to cure it, should take action to insure that AIDS does not spread through things like blood transfusions and the like. Question? Should people who have AIDS be isolated from donating blood or other activities where the mixing of blood is possible?
Reply to this comment
by anzianomike December 10, 2007 4:25 PM EST
Huckabee is ridiculous. I''m no fan of Thompson but I''m with him on this one. I don''t think you have to be in the Foreign Relations Committee to get foreign relations (see Reagan) but at least have a clue. Romney wasn''t in "close proximity" to Iran while governor of Mass, but when a former Iranian leader wanted to come to Harvard and propogandize, Mitt had the good sense to tell him to stick it. Huckabee is clueless on foreign relations, comparing relations with Iran to a family spat, and brings Evangelical sweetness to serious issues. He accepts the first analysis he gets from those experienced in the field without asking for a dissenting opinion (see his stand on GITMO) and leans toward just making friends with everyone. He would be a disaster.
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