Mike Huckabee served as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. Along with eight others, he is now seeking the nomination of the Republican Party for president in the 2008 campaign. The following overview offers a brief summary of Governor Huckabee’s stance on the issues: Faith and Politics, Sanctity of Life, Health Care, Taxes and the Economy, and National Security.
Faith and Politics
Huckabee says, “I have much more respect for an honest atheist than a disingenuous believer.” He believes that faith should be debated and shared by never imposed. He adheres to the First Amendment that “requires that expressions of faith be neither prohibited nor preferred.”
Sanctity of Life
Huckabee states unequivocally that Roe v Wade should be overturned. He claims that he became politically active because of the issue of abortion, and as governor, he got many pro-life laws passed despite a Democrat legislature. About stem-cell research, he says, “I believe in using existing stem cell lines for research, but I do not believe in creating life for the sole purpose of destroying it.”
Health Care
Huckabee places great emphasis on preventive health care; he explains, “We have to change a system that happily pays $30,000 for a diabetic to have his foot amputated, but won't pay for the shoes that would save his foot.” He is against government controlled health care: “Our employer-based system has outlived its usefulness, but the answer is a consumer-based system, not socialized medicine.”
Taxes and the Economy
The former governor wants to eliminate all federal income and payroll taxes. He colorfully asserts, “I'd like you to join me at the best ‘Going Out of Business’ sale I can imagine—one held by the Internal Revenue Service.” When he says he wants to eliminate all taxes, he means it: “And do I mean all - personal federal, corporate federal, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, self-employment.” He supports the Fair Tax, which taxes consumption not earnings.
National Security: Iraq
On the Iraq issue, Governor Huckabee focuses on winning the current battle. He believes that “Withdrawal would have serious strategic consequences for us and horrific humanitarian consequences for the Iraqis.” He also favors a regional summit to bring Iraq’s neighbors to a commitment for a stable Iraq.
National Security: War on Terror
Because terrorists train in “small, scattered groups,” Huckabee believes that many can be taken out by “swift, surgical air strikes and commando raids by our elite units.” He also wants to put more pressure on President Musharaff to help eliminate al Qaeda and the Taliban. He believes that energy independence would help tone down the war on terror, and he also adheres to “the Powell Doctrine of using overwhelming force to accomplish a mission.” He wants to expand the military and increase the defense budget.
For more information about Huckabee’s stance, please see Mike Huckabee for President: Issues
