Ron Paul On Offense Against Huckabee

Campaign Brings Arkansas Lawmakers Critical Of Former Gov. To Iowa

(AP)  Two former Republican legislators from Mike Huckabee's home state are in Iowa this week criticizing Huckabee's record on immigration and taxes on trips paid for by Ron Paul, a Huckabee Republican presidential rival.

Paul's campaign said Thursday it was paying former state Sen. Jim Holt and former state Rep. Randy Minton about $5,000 each to go to Iowa for a series of radio interviews criticizing Huckabee's 10½ years as Arkansas governor.

"We just want to make sure Iowans get the full picture of what Governor Huckabee did when he was in office," said Paul's campaign spokesman, Jesse Benton. "There hasn't been a whole lot of information going out to Iowans and we want to make sure they get the full picture."

To counter the criticism, Huckabee brought in a group of longtime Arkansas supporters to defend his record.

Holt, who ran unsuccessfully for Arkansas lieutenant governor last year, has tangled publicly with Huckabee over immigration. Huckabee, a Southern Baptist preacher, spoke out against Holt's proposal in 2005 to ban state services to illegal immigrants and said "I drink a different kind of Jesus juice."

That same year, Holt opposed Huckabee's unsuccessful effort to make children of illegal immigrants eligible for state-funded scholarships and in-state tuition to Arkansas colleges.

Holt, who said he hasn't settled on a candidate for president, said he was called by Paul's Iowa field director last week. He'll be in Iowa through Saturday.

Asked why he was contacted, Holt said in a telephone interview, "If you do a Google search, you can see the 'Jesus juice' quote anywhere."

Holt has been talking about Huckabee's stances on immigration, and his record on taxes and spending.

"He campaigned in Arkansas to the right and governed to the left," Holt said.

Huckabee has vaulted to the top of the Republican presidential field in Iowa, but still faces some skepticism among Republican lawmakers in his home state.

Huckabee singled out Minton - who has been critical of Huckabee's record in Arkansas - by name last month in a letter to Arkansas Republicans that asked for their support and their help advocating on his behalf.

On Thursday, he relied on a group of longtime supporters to tout his conservative credentials in Iowa.

"We want to let you know that he is a strong, solid conservative and he has not changed," said Anne Britton, who heads the Arkansas chapter of the National Rifle Association. She argued that Huckabee has long backed gun rights.

Huckabee spokeswoman Alice Stewart said the campaign brought in the Arkansas supporters in anticipation of Holt and Minton's visit.

"It's unfortunate that people are resorting to those types of tactics," she said. "We're focusing on getting a positive Huckabee message out there and making sure people know about his record."

Benton said Paul does not plan to bring in additional surrogates to campaign against Huckabee or any other candidate.

As he's gained in the polls in Iowa and nationally, Huckabee has faced criticism from rivals Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson but not from Paul. In a debate in September, Huckabee and Paul sparred over U.S. involvement in Iraq. Paul has made a pullout of troops the centerpiece of his campaign.

"Even if we lose elections, we should not lose our honor," Huckabee told Paul during that debate in New Hampshire. "And that is more important than the Republican Party."

[castlemaninc]

Ron Paul beats Huckabee !

[hrdman2luv]

Huckabee has too many skeletons. (as many southern baptist). And they are coming out. From getting his son off for hanging a dog, to allowing illegals college tuition and helping a convicted nurdering rapist with a "get out of jail free" card. Ron Pauls record, voting and morals, is spotless. And people are learning this. Thats why I joined the R3VOLUTION.

[hedonista1]

HWY said "Besides, I''''ve never trusted doctors. People who charge outrageous amounts to do "good" for others."

You really know nothing about this man, do you? He''s served the poorest of the poor, even delivering babies for free sometimes. He allowed for payments on a sliding scale basis.

ALMOST everything I''ve seen on the ''net from the Anti-Paul crowd is the smacking down of a straw man. They ascribe beliefs, policies and behaviors to a man who doesn''t play that way at all. Sometimes it''s just ignorance, and sometimes it''s malice.

How can you tell if it''s malice? Repeating the same (demonstrably false) things over and over despite peoples'' honest attemts to set the matter straight.

[pjagermann]

Huckabee wants to charge us a 23% national sales tax on everything. The whole sales tax big sounded like a good idea until I saw how enormous the tax was that Huckabee proposed. He is just another big government fraud.

[hwy71so]

I don''t care how much money a candidate can waste. I care how centralized is his/her focus on core values.

When its all said and done, all these millions of dollars the contenders raise will be just wasted money that could have been used on better things besides trying to manipulate the public''s train of thought. Buying off the public.

Who cares how much money you can raise and spend? What will lead this country back to a more MORAL foundation? You know? Honor, dignity, selflessness... Its surely evident in Paul''s campaign that selflessness is not one of his character traits as he wants to just abandon the Iraqies. His campaign wants to capitalize on the venues of the other candidates by hijacking their forums.

Ron Paul has yet to show me one character trait that would prompt me to support him.

Besides, I''ve never trusted doctors. People who charge outrageous amounts to do "good" for others.

[tessies101]

Ron Paul has the support that most of the other candidates only dream of having. Ron Paul has the Peoples support, he does not have to be endorsed by the media. You will see when voting time comes around. The old msm has decided to ignore him, but the people won''t and we are signing more Ron Paul supporters everyday here in California. BTW he has received over 18 million in donations this quarter alone, now that is news.

[hwy71so]

t_barr at 05:28 PM : Dec 15, 2007

If Ron Paul is as blasphemous as his supporters I definitely don''t want anything to do with him.

[hwy71so]

"The self righteous always puts the blame soley on the female for making a decision, but why not also teach our young men (I have two sons) not to be so careless with their own seed? While I don''''t believe in abortion, it is a unique situation in itself because the life is is inplanted and maintained alive by the female. Males think they can walk away and they do. Therefore, it is up to the female to decide, whether we agree with it or not.

Posted by solomonred at 02:50 PM : Dec 15, 2007"

Why do abortionists think its only the woman''s right to choose?

[jt_lancer]

Huckabee raised taxes more in 10 years as Ark. governor than Clinton did in 12 years as Ark. governor. Huckabee is a big government wolf in sheep''s clothing.

[cfin5]

t_barr,......Just found the "best" article I''ve ever seen exposing Huckabee''s puff job from the CFR at (constitutionparty.com), click the like headline........Let''s watch his poll numbers be "not there" in a few months :)

[cfin5]

"Even if we lose elections, we should not lose our honor," Huckabee told Paul during that debate in New Hampshire. "And that is more important than the Republican Party."-------------------Honor in what? Disobeying the Constitution of the United States in the first place?........Adhering to what the Constitution and the Bill of rights "SAYS" trumps anything someone "FEELS IT SAYS"........Ron Paul, student of the greatest and fairest Constitution in the world in 2008! GO USA!!!

[solomonred]

The self righteous always puts the blame soley on the female for making a decision, but why not also teach our young men (I have two sons) not to be so careless with their own seed? While I don''t believe in abortion, it is a unique situation in itself because the life is is inplanted and maintained alive by the female. Males think they can walk away and they do. Therefore, it is up to the female to decide, whether we agree with it or not.

[tessies101]

Glad to see Huckabee might have one supporter out there. Ed Rollins will do more bad than good to Huckabees little campaign. Personally I think the media has done Huck a big injustice by giving him this boost so early, but they have done it intentionally. Huckabee has already peaked thanks to the media, and the truth about him is coming out, whether it is by another campaign or the people of Arkansas. They know what he did, and don''t support him now, he is no different than any other politican. He does not have supporters other than the Religious Christians, and btw I am Christian, just not Religious. I bet the media will boost Tancredo or Hunter next because the immigration issue is becoming more of an issue. The Ron Paul Supporters will continue to pick up speed and grow, then low and behold, Ron Paul will get his day in the media. You watch and see.

[homespunlady]

Posted by bennyblack1 at 07:41 PM : Dec 14, 2007

THIS comment just show HOW LOW our Nation has SUNK under REPUBLICAN "RELIGIOUS" leadership!!!

Maybe if there was LESS DESPERATION among the GROWING POOR and health-care deprived there would be MUCH LESS of that going on.

There are 2 economic routes that could improve our nation NEITHER of which the NEOCON robber barons have chosen.
Either take the COUNTLESS regulations and "hidden" taxes off the POOR and middle-class so they can acquire a DECENT lifestyle or institute a MORE socialistic situation . Either REALLOCATES ASSETS for a more LEVEL playing field and avoids the NEOCON FEUDALISM that is developing in this nation.

There''s a tipping point where if less than 5 percent of the population owns MORE than 28 Percent of the national assets the economy declines.
It''s LONG OVERDUE in this nation and has only been avoided by HUGE injections of cheap CHINESE goods and media DIVERSIONS (JUNK TV) meant to distract before the complete economic KILL of our nation.

George sure has done a GREAT JOB for his family "friend" Bin Laden. Destroyed our nation''s economy just like BIN LADEN stated he wanted!!!

[homespunlady]

Posted by bennyblack1 at 07:41 PM : Dec 14, 2007

Your comments remind me of the poor Saudi girl that was gang raped by a group of men. The men apparently got off scot-free because they BLAMED HER for the incident since she didn''t leave her house with an armed family member bodyguard!!
SHE was sentenced to 200 LASHES mainly because she went public about being sentenced EARLIER for HER RAPE!!
People with attitudes like your MY WAY is God''s way no matter How disgusting make me understand what TRUE DEMONS are.

BTW pretty OBVIOUS you''re attempting to HIJACK the commentary.

[cfin5]

Awhile back I was interested in knowing more about Huckabee,.......not any more though. I don''t think that we need a Jimmy Carter rerun. "VOTING RECORD" folks! Keep your focus on their voting records. It''s the best way to cut through the FIBspinning.

[macusweil]

Who would Jesus execute? So many of you fake pro-lifers say abortion is murder but execution is ok. Truth is life without parole if justice while execution is playing God. If your are really pro-life then you must protect all life and practice forgiveness. Ya can''t just pick and choose otherwise you are just an ignorant hypocrite.

[bennyblack1]

Well, I support the death penalty for those who commited crimes that warrant it. It''s the death penalty for those who are innocent that I don''t support. I''m Pro-Life for protection against the murdering of innocent life. I''m against pre-marital ***. I''m against adultery. You can''t stop people from doing these things. All I''m asking is, before you decide to murder innocent life, think it over before you have premarital ***. And if you have premarital ***, have enough freakin'' brains in that dang hat rack to use a condom!!!! Nutcases!

[bennyblack1]

Gee, I wonder, what if someone took a vacuum cleaner to the back of YOUR head and sucked all the brains out? Or, broke every bone in your body to get you through the birth canal? Or, injected a salt solution into YOUR bloodstream? That causes a relatively slow and painful death? Where is the humanity in that? And we complain about the death penalty being cruel and inhumane puhishment for a convicted mass murderer? Where are your people''s BRAINS at? Where is your logic?

[macusweil]

"Pro-choice begins with choosing abstinence until marriage. NOT when you''''re pregnant with no husband."

And Pro-life means you oppose state sponsored execution and forced pregnancy.