Mike Huckabee Last Update: 10/16/07 Biography

republican Party Mike Huckabee 2008 Candidate for President of the United States of America Campaign Website | Candidate Forum

			Issues

(Select An Issue to Jump Directly) Abortion Affirmative Action Death Penalty Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Energy Plan Free Trade Global Warming Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp Gun Control Health Care Immigration Iran Iraq Plan Medical Marijuana Military Funding National Deficit Net Neutrality No Child Left Behind Act Nuclear Power Outsourcing Same-Sex Marriage Social Security Stem Cell Research Tax Reform The Military Commissions Act of 2006 Top Contributors & Amounts Unemployment

	Mike Huckabee on Abortion
	Stance: Pro-life Description: He believes life begins at conception. Huckabee stated, "I support and have always supported passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. My convictions regarding the sanctity of life have always been clear and consistent, without equivocation or wavering. I believe that Roe v. Wade should be over-turned." He also supports a ban on partial birth abortion. Citations: 1. Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07) "... But I'm pro-life because I believe life begins at conception, and I believe that we should do everything possible to protect that life because it is the centerpiece of what makes us unique as an American people. We value the life of one as if it's the life of all, and that's why we go out for the 12-year-old Boy Scout in North Carolina when he's lost; that's why we look for the 13 miners in Sago, West Virginia, when the mine explodes; that's why we go looking for the hikers in Mount Hood, because we value life, and it's what separates us from the Islamic jihadists who are out to kill us. They celebrate death. They have a culture of death. Ours is a culture of life. Now, if something is morally wrong, let's oppose it. The honest argument is I don't think it's morally wrong, and someone could take that position and then justify abortion. But if it's wrong, then we ought to be opposed to it, and we ought to find ways to find better ways to deal with our respect for human life." 2. Interview with Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (7/25/07) washingtonpost.com's Chris Cillizza and Washington Post reporter Dan Balz interviewed Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) on May 16 as part of an ongoing series of conversations with potential 2008 presidential candidates. 3. Issues: Sanctity of LIfe (7/25/07) Huckabee's pro-life views on abortion, roe v. wade, and stem cell research from his website. 4. Mike Huckabee Fox New GOP Debate 4 (7/25/07) Mike Huckabee responds to Rudy Guilianis stance on abortion.

	Mike Huckabee on Affirmative Action
	Stance: Opposes Description: Huckabee supports no affirmative action for state contracts and colleges. Citations: 1. No affirmative for state contracts nor colleges (8/21/07) Q: Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity, or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on: Q: College and university admissions A: No. Q: Public employment A: No. Q: State contracting A: No.

	Mike Huckabee on Death Penalty
	Stance: Supports death penalty Description: Huckabee supports the death penalty. In his book, From Hope to Higher Ground, he described the death penalty as "a tough issue." He wrote that he believes "some crimes deserve it, but that does not mean I like it." He also described carrying out the death penalty as the worst part of his job as governor of Arkansas. In a December 2005 interview on PBS that he said that he has had to "carry out the death penalty more than any governor in the history of my state" and that "it is not something I'm proud of." Citations: 1. The Candidates on the Death Penalty (7/23/07) whats up with his stance on the death penalty

	Mike Huckabee on Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
	Stance: Supports Description: "We need both conservation and exploration to reduce our use of imported oil as we develop alternative sources of energy. We need to get oil and gas from ANWR and our continental shelves." - Mike Huckabee Citations: 1. Facing the Music: TMV, Governor Huckabee and Five Questions (8/14/07) We need to get oil and gas from ANWR and our continental shelves, which this bill doesn't provide for. 2. Could Mike Huckabee win the presidency? (11/23/07) Supports drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to stop using as much foreign oil.

	Mike Huckabee on Energy Plan
	Stance: Achieve energy independence by using new forms of energy Description: "We have to explore, we have to conserve, and we have to pursue all avenues of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, biodiesel, and biomass. Some will come from our farms and some will come from our laboratories. Dwindling supplies and increasing demand from newly-industrialized countries of fossil fuels are driving up prices. These price increases will facilitate innovation and the opportunity for independence. We will remove red tape that slows innovation. We will set aside a federal research and development budget that will be matched by the private sector to seek the best new products in alternative fuels. Our free market will sort out what makes the most sense economically and will reward consumer preferences." - Mike Huckabee Citations: 1. Energy Independence (8/8/07) Huckabee outlines why we need to be energy independent. 2. Could Mike Huckabee win the presidency? (11/23/07) Move away from a "fossil fuel culture" to alternative energy resources within 10 years. - Huckabee 3. Energy Legislation (11/23/07) Signed into law the "Arkansas Renewable Energy Development Act" of 2001, which requires electric utilities to offer net metering for alternative energies, enabling customers generating more electricity than they use to run their electric meters backward.

	Mike Huckabee on Free Trade
	Stance: Supports Free Trade with Fair Trade Description: The Club for Growth calls Huckabee's record on trade, including his support for free trade with Mexico and his forging of a trade pact between a South Korea trade group and his home state of Arkansas, "limited, but positive." Huckabee has expressed concern that free trade can lead to unfair loss of American jobs, saying "If somebody in the presidency doesn't begin to understand that we can't have free trade if it's not fair trade, we're going to continually see people who have worked for 20 and 30 years for companies one day walk in and get the pink slip and told 'I'm sorry but everything you spent your life working for is no longer here.'" Citations: 1. Republican Candidates on Trade (7/26/07) Explains Huckabee's limited support of Free Trade 2. Mike Huckabee's Record on Economic Issues (7/26/07) A look at Huckabee's economic stances. 3. Huckabee touts self as family values candidate at Newton stop (7/26/07) A quote said about Free Trade by Huckabee

	Mike Huckabee on Global Warming
	Stance: Supports the reduction of human impact on the earth regardless of the cause of global warming. Description: Governor Mike Huckabee believes the reason for climate change should be left to scientists. Regardless, Governor Huckabee believes the U.S. should be "good stewards of this Earth." Citations: 1. Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07) "The most important thing about global warming is this. Whether humans are responsible for the bulk of climate change is going to be left to the scientists, but it's all of our responsibility to leave this planet in better shape for the future generations than we found it. It's the old boy scout rule of the campsite: You leave the campsite in better shape than you found it. I believe that even our responsibility to God means that we have to be good stewards of this Earth, be good caretakers of the natural resources that don't belong to us, we just get to use them. We have no right to abuse them."

	Mike Huckabee on Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp
	Stance: Do not change Guantanamo Bay Description: Governor Mike Huckabee has stated that he believes conditions at the Guantanamo Bay detainment camp are "acceptable." Citations: 1. Huckabee Says Guantanamo Bay Offers Better Conditions to Detainees Than Most U.S. Prisons (8/29/07) Huckabee, who has visited Guantanamo, says the facility is better than some prisons in the United States and that some U.S. prisoners would "love to be in a facility more like Guantanamo." Huckabee in June 2007 also warned against releasing its prisoners. "If we let somebody out and it turns out that they come and fly an airliner into one of our skyscrapers, we're going to be asking how come we didn't stop them, we had them detained," he said. "If we're going to make a mistake right now, let's make it on the side of protecting the American people." 2. Guantanamo Bay puzzles candidates (8/19/07) Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee have both said conditions at Guantanamo are acceptable.

	Mike Huckabee on Gun Control
	Stance: Opposes Description: Huckabee feels that the second amendment is just as important as the first amendment. He has voted against numerous gun control bills. Citations: 1. Huckabee Answers Question at NRA Conference (10/15/07) Huckabee says that it is unconstitutional to not allow people to bear arms. 2. Huckabee Speaking at NRA Conference (10/15/07) Mike Huckabee speaking at the NRA Conference - 9/07.

	Mike Huckabee on Health Care
	Stance: Supports focusing on disease prevention Description: Governor Mike Huckabee supports increasing emphasis on illness prevention to reduce the cost of health care. Citations: 1. Issues: Health Care (9/10/07) The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken, in part because it is only a "health care" system, not a "health system". We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes. We do need to get serious about preventive health care instead of chasing more and more dollars to treat chronic disease, which currently gobbles up 80% of our health care costs, and yet is often avoidable. The result is that we'll be able to deliver better care where and when it's needed. 2. Republican Debate Transcript, Des Moines, Iowa, August 5, 2007 (8/6/07) "We're not going to fix it until we begin to address the fact that this country has put its focus not on wellness, not on prevention, not on health, but on sickness. And that's the single most important and urgent thing that has to be done. And if we don't do that, then we're going to continue just pouring money -- and it's almost like having a boat that's taking on water, and rather than plugging the hole, we want to get a bigger bucket to take the water out of the boat."

	Mike Huckabee on Immigration
	Stance: Secure borders, opposes amnesty, supports path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Description: Huckabee wants to secure border U.S. border and reform the immigration policy because "we are allowing too many people across the border." Huckabee wants more well trained border agents and cooperation with local officials for better border patrol. He has also said illegal immigrants who commit crime must be prosecuted and/or deported. He does not support amnesty and wants to allow a path for illegal immigrants to become citizens by requiring them to register, pay financial penalties, and have the choice to be deported or begin process of legal citizenship. Citations: 1. Presidential Candidates on Immigration (9/10/07) A collection of quotes by him. 2. Immigration (7/24/07) Huckabee argues for his position on Immigration.

	Mike Huckabee on Iran
	Stance: Engage in diplomatic talks and export democracy to Iran Description: Huckabee supports engaging Iran in diplomatic talks. He feels like we have a lot of options before we need to resort to using a military force. He feels like if we supported democracy it would work because the Iranian people have wanted a democracy for a long time. Citations: 1. More Questions with Mike Huckabee (10/4/07) Statement on Iran: The statements of Iran's leader are troubling. But we do need to engage in ongoing discussions. Because it is never wrong to have conversations. It's only wrong to have negotiations with those who are unreasonable. We should see Iran as a nation who has a leader with which we don't agree, but respect that their are millions of people within Iran who do not share that same view towards the United States, as does its leader. 2. Mike Huckabee's Speech on Foreign Policy (10/4/07) Huckabee speaks about foreign policy including what is going on in Iran.

	Mike Huckabee on Iraq Plan
	Stance: Supports the war Description: Huckabee generally supports the Bush administration's agenda in Iraq. He says that setting any timetable for troop withdrawal is "a mistake" and also supports the surge effort. Huckabee favors inviting Iraq's neighbors to "become financially and militarily committed to stabilizing Iraq now rather than financially and militarily committed to widening the war later." Citations: 1. Huckabee on Iraq (7/24/07) How Huckabee wants to work in Iraq. 2. The Candidates on Iraq (7/24/07) His summary of Iraq 3. Huckabee on Hannity and Colmes (7/24/07) His interview about Iraq. 4. Mike Huckabee Responds to Bush Speech (10/25/07) Huckabee says the surge is working and things are becoming more stable in Iraq.

	Mike Huckabee on Medical Marijuana
	Stance: Continue federal raids Description: Huckabee has stated publicly that he does not support ending the federal raids on state medical marijuana programs. Citations: 1. Mike Huckabee on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) His votes and stances on mm. 2. Most Candidates Back Medical Marijuana Patient Protection (7/23/07) Huckabee's stance on medical marijuana.

	Mike Huckabee on Military Funding
	Stance: Increase funding to increase size of military Description: Huckabee wants to see a larger Army and Marine Corps. Citations: 1. '08 hopefuls would grow the military (8/14/07) Among the Republicans, McCain, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Rep. Duncan Hunter (Calif.) want to see a larger Army and Marine Corps.

	Mike Huckabee on National Deficit
	Stance: Cut spending and allow line-item veto's Description: "I believe that our massive deficit is not due to Americans' being under-taxed, but due to the federal government's over-spending. Achieving and maintaining a balanced federal budget is an important and worthy goal necessary to our long-term economic well-being. To achieve a balanced federal budget, I believe the President should have the line-item veto." - Mike Huckabee Citations: 1. Taxes/Economy (10/7/07) I believe that our massive deficit is not due to Americans' being under-taxed, but due to the federal government's over-spending. Achieving and maintaining a balanced federal budget is an important and worthy goal necessary to our long-term economic well-being. To achieve a balanced federal budget, I believe the President should have the line-item veto.

	Mike Huckabee on Net Neutrality
	Stance: Supports Description: Being a governor, Huckabee hasn't voted on net neutrality legislation, but he supports the idea. Citations: 1. Gov. Huckabee on Net Neutrality (8/13/07) "The Internet is a highway and we don't restrict highways to 18-wheelers, if it's a car, an SUV, or a truck, you use the same highway."

	Mike Huckabee on No Child Left Behind Act
	Stance: Generally supports Description: "We need a clear distinction between federal and state roles in education. While there is value in the "No Child Left Behind" law's effort to set high standards, states must be allowed to develop their own benchmarks." - Mike Huckabee Citations: 1. Mike Huckabee Speaks to the NEA (7/26/07) A speech by Mike Huckabee on the state of the educational system. 2. Education and the Arts (7/26/07) Huckabee has a bullet point about the NCLB law.

	Mike Huckabee on Nuclear Power
	Stance: Supports nuclear power Description: Huckabee feels nuclear power could be a good way to achieve energy independence. Citations: 1. Energy Independence (8/10/07) Mike states we should look into nuclear power as well as other sources.

	Mike Huckabee on Outsourcing
	Stance: Opposes Description: We are losing jobs because of an unlevel, unfair trading arena that has to be fixed. Behind the statistics, there are real families and real lives and real pain. I'm running for President because I don't want people who have worked loyally for a company for twenty or thirty years to walk in one morning and be handed a pink slip and be told, "I'm sorry, but everything you spent your life working for is no longer here." - Mike Huckabee Citations: 1. Issues: Taxes/Economy (8/14/07) I believe in free trade, but it has to be fair trade. We are losing jobs because of an unlevel, unfair trading arena that has to be fixed. Behind the statistics, there are real families and real lives and real pain. I'm running for President because I don't want people who have worked loyally for a company for twenty or thirty years to walk in one morning and be handed a pink slip and be told, "I'm sorry, but everything you spent your life working for is no longer here."

	Mike Huckabee on Same-Sex Marriage
	Stance: opposes same-sex marriage Description: Huckabee strongly opposes same-sex marriage saying that he believes "marriage is between one man and one woman, for life." He supports a constitutional amendment that will define marriage as a union between one man and one women. As Governor, Huckabee worked to have a similar amendment passed in Arkansas in 2002, making Arkansas the third state to adopt "covenant" marriage. Citations: 1. Issues: Marriage (8/1/07) Huckabee's stance on same-sex marriage from his campaign website. 2. Mike Huckabee: Same Sex Marriage (8/1/07) Video of Mike Huckabee announcing his stance on same-sex marriage. 3. Mike Huckabee - Same Sex Marriage (10/25/07) Mike Huckabee wants to pass an amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and woman.

	Mike Huckabee on Social Security
	Stance: Supports Bush's plan to allow workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts Description: In 2005, Gov. Huckabee defended President Bush's proposal for personal Social Security accounts. However, Gov. Huckabee stated, 'I don't think anyone pretends it solves the long-term issue of solvency. It's trying to address methods to improve the system and broaden the base of how it is funded." Citations: 1. Mike Huckabee's Record on Economic Issues (8/14/07) Summary of Huckabee's stance and record on economic issues 2. Mike Huckabee: Social Security and Medicare (8/14/07) Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee met with The Des Moines Register's editorial board Friday, April 13. Huckabee talks about the problems facing Social Security and Medicare. (Video)

	Mike Huckabee on Stem Cell Research
	Stance: supports stem-cell research on existing stem cell lines Description: "Huckabee supports research on existing stem cell lines but opposes "creating life for the sole purpose of destroying it." Huckabee also believes that embryonic stem cell research may not be necessary "because recent discoveries have shown that stem cells from the umbilical cord may in fact be as useful as the embryonic stem cells that were previously created." Citations: 1. Issues: Sanctity of Life (8/1/07) Huckabee's stance on abortion, roe v. wade, and stem-cell research. 2. The Candidates on Stem Cell Research (8/1/07) Summary of the candidates' stances on stem-cell research. 3. The Candidates on Stem Cell Research (8/1/07) Summary of the candidates' stances on stem-cell research.

	Mike Huckabee on Tax Reform
	Stance: Close IRS and implement a fair tax Description: Governor Mike Huckabee supports closing the Internal Revenue Service an doing away with income tax. He instead supports a fair tax which in his words "would eliminate not just the alternative minimum tax, personal income tax, corporate tax, it would eliminate all the various taxes that are hidden in our system, and Americans don't realize what they're paying." Citations: 1. Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07) "Well, I cut taxes 94 times as governor, but I realize tinkering with it doesn't work. I'd overhaul it. I would work for the fair tax, which meets the four criteria: flatter, fairer, finite, family friendly. We'd get rid of the IRS. We're get rid of all capital gains, income, corporate. And we'd have a consumption tax. The fair tax proposal, I believe, offers the best opportunity for all levels of Americans." 2. Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07) "Well, the simplest way is an active fair tax. That's the first thing I'd love to do as president, put a "Going Out of Business" sign on the Internal Revenue Service and stop the $10 billion a year that it costs just for them to operate. If we had a fair tax, it would eliminate not just the alternative minimum tax, personal income tax, corporate tax, it would eliminate all the various taxes that are hidden in our system, and Americans don't realize what they're paying. It wouldn't be a revenue increase or a revenue decrease, revenue neutral. But it also enables people at the lowest end of the economic spectrum to have a chance to reach the next rung on the ladder. It's the best proposal that we ought to have, because it's flatter, it's fairer, it's finite, it's family-friendly. And instead what we've done is what Senator McCain has suggested. We've had Congress that's spent money like Edwards at a beauty shop. (Laughter.) And it's high time that we have a different kind of tax structure, and the fair tax would get us there." 3. 2008 DMR/ IPTV IA Republican Debate (Part 2) (12/20/07) He claims the Fair Tax could make the poor people rich and keep the rich people rich.

	Mike Huckabee on The Military Commissions Act of 2006
	Stance: Supports Description: Huckabee warned against releasing its prisoners. "If we let somebody out and it turns out that they come and fly an airliner into one of our skyscrapers, we're going to be asking how come we didn't stop them, we had them detained," he said. "If we're going to make a mistake right now, let's make it on the side of protecting the American people." Citations: 1. Huckabee Says Guantanamo Bay Offers Better Conditions to Detainees Than Most U.S. Prisons (8/29/07) Huckabee, who has visited Guantanamo, says the facility is better than some prisons in the United States and that some U.S. prisoners would "love to be in a facility more like Guantanamo.&qu