The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

An honest critique of each candidate will put Romney at the top of the pile in terms of more conservative. Unfortunatly, many people are not interested, or informed enough about political and economic realities to understand the differences and implications of a Huckabee policy vs. a Romney or McCain policy. In a time of uncertainty, it's no surprise people are looking for a populist message to calm their concerns. I would suggest however that they look past their immediate emotions and consider who is best to lead this country and whose policies can lead to lasting growth and a stronger country in general. Mitt Romney is that leader.

Mike Huckabee is a democrat in republican trousers.

In last night's FOX debate, Huckabee continued to evade the facts about his record in cutting taxes over 90 times as the governor of Arkansas.

[What he did not say was that taxes rose overall during his ten year stint, which ended earlier this year. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette of October 9, 2007, he presided over a net tax increase of $505 million while he was governor. The state Department of Finance and Administration counted 21 tax increases that raised revenues by $883 million. - WaPo Fact Checkers]

Add that to increasing the government in Arkansas and pushing his policy to provide free scholarships to the students of illegals shows his true colors. And, if evangelical pastors are crossing the church/state boundaries by actively promoting Huchabee, they should pay a severe fine and be taxed.

I like Thompson's views on the Fair Tax. He states that the Fair Tax is worth looking into; however, the government would have to pass legislation to abolish any other taxes being levied on American citizens and he doesn't see that happening. I, for one, don't even like the thought of being taxed twice. Think about it.

Romney is looking better each time I hear him. It's like my wife says, "Don't hate Mitt because he is beautiful, intelligent, and rich. Put him to work. Send him to the White House." Aye... she's a smart lady.

Huckabee is the best man for the times we face. He is comfortable being himself more than any other candidate.

In Michigan, Huckabee is the only Republican who focuses on the struggle people are going through.

He also has bold proposals that will help Michigan's ailing economy. He wants to achieve energy independence in 10 years-- a very agressive schedule to be sure! But that means more dollars for research into alternative technologies, especially in the auto industry. He wants to help America reclaim technological leadership in this area, to lead the world and generate new jobs and income.

On the tax side, he is NOT a tax-and-spender as some insist. The taxes he raised in Arkansas funded long-overdue improvements in education and roads... two of the most legitimate functions of the state government. As a President, he'll try to return more control to the states to do as he did in Arkansas. He's signed the no new tax pledge, and is supporting another bold idea, the FairTax.

The FairTax would help level the playing field between Detroit and foreign automakers. Foreign firms get an advantage because most countries have much lower corporate tax rates than the U.S. The application of tax at the consumption end means the foreign cars pay just as much tax as the domestic ones.

Some other thoughts re: Huckabee being too liberal on issues such as poverty, health care and the environment -- Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page, a pastor in Taylors, S.C. dismissed those criticisms, while not endorsing anyone, he called Huckabee a "caring, genuine, humble person."

Among the state's 700,000 Southern Baptists, support for Huckabee is still mixed, but many now view him as an electable candidate who shares their evangelical values, said Page: "Baptists are pragmatists who support those who they believe to be electable and consistent with pro-family policies."

In the final campaign stretch in South Carolina, Huckabee backers will distribute voter guides and air radio announcements urging Christian pastors to speak out on moral issues and encourage people to vote, said Janet Folger, a Florida-based talk show host and co-chair of Huckabee's Faith and Family Values Coalition.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080110/D8U39RA01.html

What is wrong with Christians exercising their First Amendment rights?

Of course, no self-respecting church would specifically endorse Huckabee by name. I agree that would be a violation ; )

A church which is part of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization is not permitted to lobby for or endorse any candidate. If any person's church or pastor is endorsing Huckabee (or any political candidate) or encouraging others to vote for him, that is grounds for the church losing its 501(c)(3) status. Thus, the church could lose its tax-exempt status and be forced to pay for sales tax, property tax, income tax, etc. Please tell your churches to stop endorsing Huckabee or they will face the consequences from the IRS!

So are you saying that the "fierce competition" from the left is McCain or Huckabee? At least Huckabee is on the record DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT against McCain-Feingold! I really don't understand why people think Huckabee is such a LIBERAL -- Ronald Reagan made most of the same mistakes as Mike -- but, that doesn't make Reagan a "liberal" does it?