Mike Huckabee On Maurice Clemmons: I'm no Bleeding Heart
4620389Former Arkansas Governor and GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who has come under fire for commuting the sentence of suspected cop-killer Maurice Clemmons nine years ago, said at Jacksonville University Wednesday that "the idea that I'm some bleeding heart that lets anyone go is nonsense."
Huckabee, who is believed to be considering another presidential run in 2012, got a supportive welcome from students at the university, according to Jacksonville.com, which reports they "laughed at his jokes" and "applauded him when he said he supported a consumption-based tax system and opposed same-sex marriage."
But questions about Clemmons were very much on the minds of the reporters who questioned Huckabee before he spoke to the students. Back in 2000, the then-Arkansas governor commuted Clemmons' 108-year sentence for theft and other charges. Clemmons had already served 11 years in jail at the time; Huckabee said he made the decision in part because Clemmons was just 16 when he was sentenced. He also suggested the sentence was excessive and that a white teenager would not have received such a long jail term.
Clemmons was eventually released on parole. He was later arrested on other counts, including child rape, but went free when prosecutors failed to file charges against him. He was ultimately killed by police while being sought in connection with the murder of four policemen in Washington.
Conservative commentators have hammered Huckabee for commuting Clemmons – criticism Huckabee has deemed "disgusting."
"It really does show though how sick society has become when we're more interested in the political consequences of an election that's three years away," he said.
Huckabee said Wednesday he wasn't apologizing for his decision in the Clemmons case. He said there were no protests about his court of action, which cut Clemmons' sentence to 47 years, and noted that the parole board is the body that released him.
According to CNN, Huckabee told reporters Wednesday that "You're looking at this nine years later and trying to make something as if I can look in to the future."
"I wish I could have. Good Lord, I wish I had that power. I wish I could have done that. But I don't know how anyone can do it," he added. Huckabee said that "nobody at that point was saying he's a cop killer."
Explaining his decision to grant clemency, Huckabee said he read "every bit" of Clemmons' file.
"And here was a case where a guy had been given 108 years," he said. "Now, if you think a 108-year sentence is an appropriate sentence for a 16-year-old for the crimes he committed, then you should run for governor of Arkansas."
He laid out his argument in full in an article in the conservative Human Events magazine earlier this week.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Huckabee, who is believed to be considering another presidential run in 2012, got a supportive welcome from students at the university, according to Jacksonville.com, which reports they "laughed at his jokes" and "applauded him when he said he supported a consumption-based tax system and opposed same-sex marriage."
But questions about Clemmons were very much on the minds of the reporters who questioned Huckabee before he spoke to the students. Back in 2000, the then-Arkansas governor commuted Clemmons' 108-year sentence for theft and other charges. Clemmons had already served 11 years in jail at the time; Huckabee said he made the decision in part because Clemmons was just 16 when he was sentenced. He also suggested the sentence was excessive and that a white teenager would not have received such a long jail term.
Clemmons was eventually released on parole. He was later arrested on other counts, including child rape, but went free when prosecutors failed to file charges against him. He was ultimately killed by police while being sought in connection with the murder of four policemen in Washington.
Conservative commentators have hammered Huckabee for commuting Clemmons – criticism Huckabee has deemed "disgusting."
"It really does show though how sick society has become when we're more interested in the political consequences of an election that's three years away," he said.
Huckabee said Wednesday he wasn't apologizing for his decision in the Clemmons case. He said there were no protests about his court of action, which cut Clemmons' sentence to 47 years, and noted that the parole board is the body that released him.
According to CNN, Huckabee told reporters Wednesday that "You're looking at this nine years later and trying to make something as if I can look in to the future."
"I wish I could have. Good Lord, I wish I had that power. I wish I could have done that. But I don't know how anyone can do it," he added. Huckabee said that "nobody at that point was saying he's a cop killer."
Explaining his decision to grant clemency, Huckabee said he read "every bit" of Clemmons' file.
"And here was a case where a guy had been given 108 years," he said. "Now, if you think a 108-year sentence is an appropriate sentence for a 16-year-old for the crimes he committed, then you should run for governor of Arkansas."
He laid out his argument in full in an article in the conservative Human Events magazine earlier this week.
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Since Roe vs Wade, there has been nearly 50 Million abortions on defenseless little children. Yes, thats right 50 Million! That's like the entire population of say 22 US States wiped out. Where?s the same people yelling and screaming trying to bring light to that huge injustice of innocent life taken away?
Just because little children in the womb are small doesn?t make them un-important in society. They too have a heart, mind, different DNA and soul too! Sure like to see the same people who are bashing Huckabee for injustice do the same for the injustice brought on by Roe vs Wade. They won?t, because their yelling is not to stop injustice, but rather for political gain.
Our thoughts and prayers goes out to the police officers who lost their lives protecting this great country of ours. They are truly great American Hero's.
Huckabee was a great governer and did much for the state of Arkansas. It just seems to be easy to bash someone for their decision, when no one knows exactly what went into that decision at the time... How about next time you run for office and make your own decisions, and see the outcome YEARS down the road. Or just sit on your tail and judge those who dare to make a difference...
Stop with the "blaming everybody else" nonsense. YOU, Sir, let him loose. If it waren't for you, he would still be in jail.
The kind dealing with someone who later kills 4 cops for no reason.
Last time I checked, all you have to do to avoid being treated in any way by the criminal justice system to to not commit crimes.
You actually think he got 108 years for "minor crimes"??
What kind of judge lets a career criminal accused of CHILD RAPE out on bail, especially one who had ALREADY gotten the sentence he deserved long ago and let out by an idiot?
The only good thing that has come from this horrible situation is that Mike Huckabee would not be dumb enough to decide to run for president. He is exactly what we don't need and his decision making leaves much to be desired.
RIP, officers. Love and peace to your families, especially to the children.
Now it's your turn Huck. How's it feel?