Politico reports that Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to spend some time with Sen. Rand Paul:
A sit-down with the Kentucky senator is listed on Branstad’s public schedule April 2 in Des Moines.
…The younger Paul has said he won’t run if his father does, but an adviser to both Pauls recently said it’s likely that one of them will ultimately launch a White House campaign. Ron Paul met with Branstad earlier this month.
I initially thought a Rand Paul for President campaign might have a lot of potential, with his extremely close relationship with the Tea Party (just take the title of his recent book, The Tea Party Goes to Washington, as a prime example of this) and the fundraising prowess of his family name. However, with Michele Bachmann’s entrance into the fray, the Tea Party connection may become a moot point. Still, it remains to be seen if a single candidate can consolidate the Tea Party vote.
March 26th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Is it just me or does this seem really strange. Rand has been in office less than 4 months, and he’s already looking to run for president? He doesn’t even have any previous political experience before he was elected.
March 26th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
It’s not just you. The guy was a friggin’ optometrist before he was elected. I’m sure he was a very fine optometrist, but that combined with less half a year in the Senate doesn’t exactly qualify him to run the country.
And the last thing the GOP presidential race needs right now is another ego-driven sideshow. Gingrich, Bachmann, and Santorum have already got that all sewn up, thanks.
March 26th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
This is ridiculous. He’s accomplished exactly what in 4 months? And how big an ego does the guy have to have to think that al this qualifies him to be President?
This sort of ridiculouseness is the direct result of the Obama campaign. Now every two-bit, half-term loud mouth who some how gets elected to Congress thinks they can or should be President of the United States.
March 26th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Does experience count for nothing? Does record count for nothing?
First Palin, but for people to talk about Rubio, Christie, etc….REALLLY PEOPLE? Did we not learn our lesson from Obama?
March 26th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Rand Paul for VP! If anything…
I love the guy, I followed his campaign closely (from before he had even announced to his ultimate victory), but not for President, not right now. VP maybe, Majority leader of the house definitely (but that position won’t be available for a Republican until 2013). I love his style, his defiance of norms and original ideas.
Maybe governor of kentucky?
March 26th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Sarah Palin has spent 13 years in public service including 9.5 years in executive positions. That certainly gives her much more experience than Christie or Rand Paul.
March 26th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
It’s as if America went into labor so we called up Ron Paul’s offfice who said sorry, Dr. Paul retired, but his son the optometrist will gladly deliver your baby.
March 26th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
“and the fundraising prowess of his family name.”
I also wonder where all that money goes? I know Ron Paul raises tons and tons of money, every month. But what does he exactly do with it? He is in a very comfortable district. Anyone have an answer? Am I supposed to give money to anyone with the last name Paul?
March 26th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
We can’t forget Donald Trump who has changed parties four times in as many years, and supported Obama for President in ’08….Why is the conservative press giving him any credibility at all…He’s a joke….And now the republican party has to put up with Libertarian Rand Paul who doesn’t even believe in the Republican party platform!
I hope the Established Republican party finds a spine and stands up to people like Bachmann and the Tea Parties intimidating tactics….Maybe then they will start going after the Democrats instead of the Republicans.
March 26th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
The point of cheering Rand Paul, or Gary Johnson, or Donald Trump running, is for them to inject some good ideas into the debates, not to be a serious electable candidate.
March 26th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Or John Bolton!
March 26th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Metro,
Good point. Even if those guys don’t win, they will certainly add to the debate and raise issues they wouldn’t otherwise cover.
By the way, serious question: what do you think of Romney? I haven’t really seen you talk about him all that much.
March 26th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I did not like Romney the last cycle.
I still think the man has no soul and would govern like a centrist, i.e., do nothing to fix the status quo.
However I would support him strongly if need be to stop Huckabee or Palin. Huckabee because he is farthest from me ideologically. Palin is closest but is poison electorally.
I won’t have a candidate this year unless Rudy or Christie get in.
I unenthusiastically support Pawlenty as someone who is not offensive to my views and could beat Obama.
March 26th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
I’ve got good news for you Metro.
Rudy is going to run! If you’re not in the first three states you won’t get an opportunity to vote for Pawlenty anyway.
His only hope is a miracle finish in Iowa. I’m in Iowa. He’s not going to make it.
Rudy will be in.
March 26th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
#14: Why are you so sure Rudy is in?
March 26th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
He has said unequivocally, if Sarah runs he will run.
She is running. He will run. It’s a done deal.
March 26th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
“13 years in public service including 9.5 years in executive positions”
Mayor of a village that did not even have a fire department hardly qualifies one for the Presidency.
====
” Huckabee because he is farthest from me ideologically. ”
So, basically, you would vote for someone who, you believe, “has no soul” – all to stop a candidate who wants to see a stronger traditional family structure in this country?
I fear for our party.
March 26th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Did you forget who are president is?
March 26th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
As I have said elsewhere Ron and Rand have been and continue to be interested in running for Pres, not because they’re going to win, but because they bring a certain viewpoint public attention.
While I wouldn’t support either of them I don’t think it is about arrogance as much as it is evangelizing.
March 26th, 2011 at 11:12 pm
“As I have said elsewhere Ron and Rand have been and continue to be interested in running for Pres, not because they’re going to win, but because they bring a certain viewpoint public attention.
While I wouldn’t support either of them I don’t think it is about arrogance as much as it is evangelizing.”
Whatever it is, its a fairly radical, and quite dangerous, viewpoint.
Ron Paul would rather see Libyans run over with tanks and shot with bullets from helicopters, than see the United States step in to help an oppressed people.
March 26th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
“Did you forget who are president is?”
This really is a lousy argument. “Obama is the worst PResident we’ve ever had, largely because he is so experienced, so none of our candidates could possibly do worse, even if they have less experience than him!”
Yeah, sorry – but failure is not where we should set the bar. Look at Obama, RAISE the bar 10 notches, then see which candidate stills goes beyond expectations and the bare minimum.
Unfortunately, we as a party would never do that, because it would shut out the people who are most obsessed with their candidates – Palin, Paul, etc.
Those who yell the loudest, but say very little, are VERY hard to argue against.
March 27th, 2011 at 12:49 am
This race is starting to become a joke!
Mitt, Mike, Daniels and T/Paw.
The rest should just go away and watch.
March 27th, 2011 at 2:53 am
“Huckabee because he is farthest from me ideologically. Palin is closest”
That seems preposterous. They governed almost identically. Do you have any record of anything Palin said about national politics or political philosophy prior to her being nominated for VP? Otherwise you have to go on her small record.
Here is an example of how they governed similarly:
http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2011/01/attention-michelle-malkin-sarah-palin-state-health-care-plans-resembled-those-of-mike-huckabee/
March 27th, 2011 at 7:49 am
I predict some dark horse we’re not even talking about will jump in. Judd Gregg, Rick Perry, George Pataki, Rudy Giuliani. One of those guys will throw their hat in the ring.
March 27th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@Michael Can you really just “jump” into it without any foundation for a campaign?
March 27th, 2011 at 9:02 am
Well some can. Pataki can. He has a PAC up and running and a good Rolodex of donors. Giuliani could, surely. Rick Perry, less so, but he’d have a big chunk of the Tea Party Express behind him. Judd Gregg least likely. But frankly, Huckabee didn’t have much of anything operational at this point last cycle.
March 27th, 2011 at 9:49 am
I wonder what all you cry babies who despise straight-talking, street smart politicians are going to do when Rudy in fact DOES get in.
March 27th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Palin and Huckabee governed quite differently on fiscal issues. Palin cut around $300 million in spending in her first year alone. Her first budget was less in real dollars than the previous administration’s last budget and two years later was still smaller. She also rebated the oil dividend money to the people of Alaska instead of letting the state spend the money. She also put $7 billion in reserve so that when oil went down, the reserves helped cushion the blow. Huckabee spent much more money than even Bill Clinton did and left Arkansas with a net tax increase.
By the way, George W Bush was governor of Texas and blew up the deficit. A small town mayor can’t do any worse. It’s just a shame that some people seem to feel that some public service means less than others. Some people are so arrogant and snobbish.
March 27th, 2011 at 9:57 am
POLITICO’S lead front page story this morning..
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/03 … z1HnnKHACE
March 27th, 2011 at 10:03 am
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51961.html
March 27th, 2011 at 10:31 am
I hope Giuliani does get in.
March 27th, 2011 at 10:54 am
.29
Isn’t it ironic.
Here the Good Governor(Bless His Heart) sits on top of all the polls with all the adoration he so craves, and yet…
he has no money and no ability to win (and he knows this) and realizes his entry into the race would just split votes with Palin and thus, hand the nomination to his dreaded enemy Romney (that Damned Mormon!)
So he is hamstrung.
No wonder he’s gaining weight…that has to play on his psyche.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:58 am
#23: Huckabee made himself synonymous with the religious right (“Christian Leader”) and I would never vote for a candidate, even in the general election, who would elevate the power of the religious right further within the party. Palin is acceptably secular and even supports gay rights to a surprising degree.
Huckabee openly attacked economic conservativism (“Club for Greed”), while Palin is closest to libertarians on economics and a champion of the Tea Party.
Huckabee is hesitant to support American power abroad. Palin is a neo-con.
March 27th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
March 27th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
32,
Telly,
Knock off the religion card playing as you try unsuccessfuly to divide our Republican party.
Btw, it makes sense you would diss our most liked Republican, since you are blindly backing the most divisive and disliked candidate in America, Sarah Palin.
http://polltracker.talkingpointsmemo.com/contests/us-favorability-palin
March 27th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Sarah Palin is American nationalist and patriot,not a neocon.
She cleared that up in Hong Kong,India,many other times and
few days ago when she repeated again that NFZ over Libya was
necessary over a month ago,for the right reasons.
Punish and get rid of Quaddafi,a guy who has American blood
on his hands,and get out.
“NO NATION BUILDING and no telling other nations how to live”-Sarah Palin
That’s opposite of what and who neocons are.
Neocons are no friends of Sarah Palin.
Ask that neocon Frum foaming at his mouth spewing hate against Sarah Palin.
Or check with another neocon moron Bill Kristol.
From supporter,thinking she’s prime candidate for neocon
President,to Palin attacker,after realizing his wishful
thinking was just that,neocon dreaming.
March 27th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Rand’s dad was on Huckabee’s show yesterday..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrZ6s5s9MOI
And Telly,
Based on the most current state by state polling since the midterms, Palin is actualy a non player for our nomination..
currenthttp://monarch.tamu.edu/~smrs/12022930.gif
March 27th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
http://monarch.tamu.edu/~smrs/12022930.gif
March 27th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
With such huge,unique,unprecedented,never before advantage
of his own,self promotional TV show,1,800 self promoting radio
spots every day,super friendly liberal press and no critics
from nowhere(he’s not running,all he has to show for,our
good liberal preacher Huckabee,is slight lead.Very slight lead.
Without such huge advantages good preacher would be in the
dumpster.And he knows it.
March 27th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
I must have touched a nerve with Craig the cultist.
Craig! Don’t drink the kool-aid! It’s poison!
LOL.
Yes, Craig, the truth hurts.
Huckabee has no money and no ability to raise any.
His wife said no way.
Too many issues waiting out there to bring him down if he were really running. Call it ‘baggage.’ Real issues. Not made a up narrative.
And if he ran it WOULD help the Romney campaign…are you saying he would openly do that, knowing (as he does, even if the cult followers don’t see it) he has no chance of gaining the nomination?
March 27th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
40
“His wife said no way.”
From where do you get your insider info, does the Mrs. play bridge with Janet?
March 27th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Huckabee openly attacked economic conservativism (“Club for Greed”), while Palin is closest to libertarians on economics and a champion of the Tea Party.
I can understand Huckabee calling the CFG for what they are – pay for play politics.
From More on The Club for Growth’s smear of Mike Huckabee
March 27th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Mac,
LOL!
March 27th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Telly,
The candidate you follow has BY FAR the least amount of supporters in every poll. Period.
You and Tex remind me of the Ron Paul supporters of ’08.
All talk/no show.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
You are following a very UNFAVORABLE candidate.
So historically unfavorable that pollsters will soon need a larger graph to chart her..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/fav-palin_n_725513.html
March 27th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
How dare the Club For Economic Growth tell the truth about Huckabee’s record. He spent more than Bill Clinton and left Arkansas with a net tax increase.
I would suggest the Huck-bots might wait before choosing the drapes on the White House. They don’t give out nominations on the basis of Democrat pollsters. The fact is most people don’t know who Sarah Palin is. She’s divisive because she actually stands for something rather than Huckabee who is changing his positions.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
It’s interesting that Huckabee supporters post facts and proof to back up their comments while Palin fanboys post rumours and nonsense.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Reagan left California with a net tax increase.
What is your point, Franklin?
March 27th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
From the Wilson Research Group:
There is a reason that every Republican candidate in the country is begging for the coveted Sarah Palin endorsement – she has appeal to a large bloc of voters that are tired of business as usual and see her as someone that they can identify with on a personal level. While there’s a significant number of people in traditional Republican circles that cringe at seeing her succeed, her greatest asset is that she can appeal to the same large voting blocs of middle class conservatives who elected conservatives in primary and general elections in 2010 and when she gets a chance to speak to increasing numbers of voters on her terms, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see her number shoot right back up.
From the Huffington Post:
“If Sarah Palin should declare her candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, the past few days may be looked back at by political historians as an important marker. While pundits continue to dwell on the supposedly collapsing poll numbers for Palin and trumpet the erosion of her presidential ambitions, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee was abroad, buttressing the one area seen as a major weakness in Palin’s ability to project herself as a national political leader, foreign policy. Palin was the keynote speaker at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi, an assembly of the most prominent Indian business leaders. Her speech dealt with her vision of America, with a major focus on energy independence and oil drilling, a possible key issue for a future Sarah Palin for President campaign.
After her speech to India’s elite, Sarah Palin went off to Israel for a brief visit, which included a private dinner with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The dual visits to India and Israel within such a compressed period of time showed Sarah Palin as not only comfortable but even self-confident on the world stage. In New Delhi, she answered questions in an unstructured Q & A session that was devoid of major gaffes. The interview she granted Fox News upon her return from Israel, in which she commented on events in Libya and the Middle East, revealed a Palin that was no longer awkward in speaking publicly and to the media on issues involving the international arena.”
Yes Craig, they are talking about people obsessed with polls. Maybe President Guliani and President Huckabee can meet sometime.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Ronald Reagan was not divisive. Remember the “Reagan Democrats”?
Reagan brought the nation; Repubicans, Democrats, amd Independents together.
Palin spends all her time with not only dividing the nation but dividing our Republican party itself with all her “RINO” name calling nonsense.
America says NO to you, Sarah! And not just scientific data from Democrat pollsters but dozens & dozens of other polling companies ALL agree. (See my #35 and #45 posts.)
Thank God for Michele Bachmann. Her entry should keep Palin out of the race for our nomination.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
“Guliani and President Huckabee can meet sometime.” – Franklin
Huckabee is gaining while Rudy was dropping at this point.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Huckabee is going to hide behind Reagan’s skirts? Just because Reagan governed as a so-called moderate, it is okay to Huckabee to do so. I would rather have someone who has governed as a conservative than a moderate.
The Club for Growth was speaking facts. The only fiction that I hear is from Huckabee supporters claiming he is a fiscal conservative.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
There you go again, Franklin.
Neither Governor Reagan nor Governor Huckabee were moderates.
The following was accomplished as a 10 1/2 year Governor while facing a legislature with 89 Democrats out of 100 legislators in the House and only four Republicans in the 35-seat Senate:
The Governor’s strong record:
* Cut the state capital gains tax rate by 25%.
* Abolished capital gains taxes on home sales.
* Abolished the state marriage penalty tax.
* Pushed a $90 million tax cut package through the Arkansas legislature in 1997.
* From 1995 to 2005, cut taxes 90 times, returning nearly $400 million to taxpayers.
* Indexed income tax brackets to inflation, thus protecting taxpayers from being pushed into higher tax brackets by inflation.
* Doubled the child-care tax credit.
* Increased the tax deduction for single individuals to $2,000.
* Increased the tax deduction for married couples to $4,000.
* Proposed cutting the executive branch from 50 departments to 10.
* Banned illegal aliens from getting drivers licenses.
* Reduced state welfare enrollment by nearly half.
* Helped pass an unborn child amendment to the state constitution.
* Helped pass a traditional marriage amendment to the state constitution.
* Pushed through a property owners’ bill of rights that limited property tax hikes and protected homeowners from unfair tax assessments.
* Pushed through homeschooling-friendly legislation.
* Limited the increase in the overall rate of state spending to 4.9% (AFI)–not bad, considering that he was dealing with a Democratic legislature.
* Protected gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits.
* Removed restrictions on concealed handgun permit holders.
* Pushed through legislation that allowed the state to fire school boards and school superintendents in school districts that were chronically performing badly.
* When faced with a $227 million deficit for fiscal year 2002, refused to call for a tax increase and instead called for a massive cut in state spending.
So far, so good, my friend?
Good! Then, let me add this to Governor Huckabee’s accomplishments among HUNDREDS of others…
* Eliminated the state income tax for families below poverty level.
* Cut welfare rolls by 50%.
* Led efforts to establish the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights for uniform notice and due process.
* Made the interstate road system in Arkansas one of the best in the nation, where it had been among the worst, bringing in more trucking and trade. And the small tax the voters raised was repealed once the roads were complete.
* Carried out 16 executions in his time as governor of Arkansas which refutes his opponents’ claims that he’s soft on crime.
* Signed a ban on partial birth abortion.
* Worked to grant school administrators more flexibility in hiring and firing poor teachers.
* Moved Arkansas from grade “F” to a “C” in Charitable Choice compliance so Arkansas was only one of twelve states to pass.
*Balanced the state budget of Arkansas every year he was governor in Arkansas.
* AND left his state with almost $1 billion surplus, a state record.
March 27th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Governor Palin’s record:
Two years in as governor, she quit.
March 27th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
And giving up, throwing the towel, and quitting on your constituents to do reality tv are not CONSERVATIVE qualities we seek in our President of the United States.
March 27th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Huge difference is that Guliani topped out at around 38%. Huckabee is struggling to get above 20. It doesn’t matter what anyone is doing at this point because we don’t even know who is all in or all out. As late as Nov 2007, he still held a 9 point lead over Thompson and 12 over McCain.
March 27th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Ronald Reagan did govern as a moderate in California. He did raise taxes and went along with large increases in spending. That was a far cry from the across the board tax cuts he embraced while running in 1980.
From Cato,
“If you liked George W. Bush’s brand of big-spending, big-government conservatism, you’ll love Mike Huckabee.
Most of the leading Republicans running for president show some support for Bush’s ideology, but no other candidate so completely embodies it.
As governor of Arkansas, Huckabee dramatically increased state spending. During his two-term tenure, spending increased by more than 65 percent — at three times the rate of inflation.
The number of government workers increased by 20 percent, and the state’s debt services increased by nearly $1 billion. Huckabee financed his spending binge with higher taxes. Under his leadership, the average Arkansan’s tax burden increased 47 percent, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, including increases in the state’s gas, sales, income, and cigarette taxes. He raised taxes on everything from groceries to nursing home beds.
Huckabee answers these complaints by pointing out that he “cut taxes 94 times” while governor. True. But most of those tax cuts were tiny, like exempting residential lawn care from the sales tax. Some cuts reduced overall state revenues by as little as $15,000. On net, Huckabee increased state taxes by more than $500 million. In fact, Huckabee increased taxes in the state by more than Bill Clinton did.”
March 27th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Huckabee was Governor of a state controlled by a HUGE Democrat majority. Arkansas was in terrible shape when Huckabee became Governor. The roads were the worst in the nation, schools were at the bottom, government building were in need of repair and all of those things were improved plus more without the Tax Freedom Day being different when he left office as it was when he took office.
How about some real facts?
When Huckabee took office in 1996 spending was $9.7 million. It was $19.1 million his last year of office in 2007. That gave Arkansas an annual growth in spending of 8.81% under Huckabee’s term.
When Palin took office in 2007 spending was $11.7 million. It was $13.5 million when she left in 2009. That gave Alaska an annual growth in spending of 7.69% under Palin’s term.
Is a 1.1 point difference in spending really all that much – especially when you consider all of the improvements made with the money?
When Huckabee took office in 1996 the Gross State Product was $58.0 million. It was $97.6 million his last year of office. Giving Arkansas an annual growth in GSP of 6.2%
When Palin took office in 2007 the Gross State Product was $44.3 million. It was $45.7 million when she left office. Giving Alaska an annual growth in GSP of 1.58% during Palin’s term.
Arkansas’ annual Gross State Product grew by 4.62 points better under Huckabee than Alaska’s Gross State Product’s annual growth under Palin.
Did Palin have a huge majority Democrat legislature like Huckabee did?
*Note: Figures are from data provided at http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/state_summary.php?chart=Z0&year=2007&units=b&rank=aSSState
March 27th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
The fact is that Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin operated under seperate rules. If Sarah Palin had been the governor of Arkansas, she would have been re-imbursed for the legal expenses that she racked up as she was exonerated for bogus ethics complaints. Under Alaska law, she was saddled with $550,000 in legal bills and Democrats said it would be over a million by the time her term was over. She did not quit her constituents, it was the other way around. No sitting governor should be put in a position where they can be marched into bankruptcy through political abuse. Even Alaska has partially admitted that by changing the law to compensate a governor for legal fees if they are exonerated of ethics complaints.
What is wrong with showing off your home state? The fact is that there is not a sitting governor who would not pass up the chance to show off their home state in a similar manner.
March 27th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Craig 51#
I proved to you a couple of days ago that Huck was not gaining at this point.
You can have your own opinions but you can’t have your own facts.
Even in May of 2007 Huck was still at 2.0%
Get a grip man!
March 27th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
What does this mean?
Gallup Shows Support For Palin Grouping Rises Whilst Romney Declines
http://www.redstate.com/article345/2011/03/27/gallup-shows-support-for-palin-grouping-rises-whilst-romney-declines/
March 27th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
How about some real facts.
That wasn’t a Huckabee impersonator telling the Arkansas state Legislature telling Democrats to raise cigarette taxes, or if you want a income tax surcharge, or raise the sales tax or whateer tax you want to raise to close the budget gap.
Palin spent $10.7 billion dollars in fiscal 2009. She had to cut $268 billion in spending and used $1.1 billion from the $7 billion in reserves that she had saved during the first two years of her term.
http://gov.state.ak.us/omb/11_omb/budget/11%20PDFs/FiscalSummary_6-3-10.pdf
The federal government owns the majority of the land in Alaska. Even though Alaska is a treasure trove of oil, gas, and other minerals, much of it is off limits because it is on federal land. Anwar is perhaps the best known. A Shell operation off the coast of Alaska has been waiting over a year to move forward with the project. Alaska’s GDP would be much higher if they had access to the land.
Palin also had to rely on Democrat support to pass many of her initiatives. She ran against Republican corruption and as a result had little support among Republicans in the legislature. The pipeline deal, ethics reform, and tax reform all passed with a coalition of Democrats and a handful of Republicans.
March 27th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Craig,
Here’s the FACT for you and the rest of Huckahillbilies:
No matter what Sarah Palin did or did not do,none of her
actions as Governor or her resignation has caused four
police officers to get killed in cold blood or young,full
of life and great future young TV anchor to get raped,
tortured and get killed.
How about our heart bleeding liberal preacher from the hills
of Arkansas???
March 27th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I remember CfG slamming Huck on raising taxes on nursing home beds while keeping quiet on Romney, who did the same exact thing in Massachusetts.
March 28th, 2011 at 8:58 am
It would be a blessing to the Party if those who will not run would just say so. I can’t recall a time in the past when we’ve had so many potential candidates who had such a fiscal interest in maintaining the illusion of a potential run. It freezes activists attention on players who, in the end, just want to cash in on celebrity. Weird.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
TEX,
You should be ashamed of yoursef bringing up those sad deaths for political reasons.
I bet even Palin would never do that as much as you.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Smatck,
Huck is gaining in every Iowa, SC, FL pol that will decide our nominee. Period.
Oh, and Huck NOW leads in all three for the FIRST TIME. Rudy was dropping at this point and is why he got crushed once and for all in Florida.
Game over.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Smack,
Like I always say, you are worring about Huck tooooooo much.
Worry about T-Paw who has been buried at 3% in Iowa, SC, and FL forEVER!
March 28th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Ans Romney is winning NH. Period. End of story.
Then he’s toast in South Carolina.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
61.teledude Says:
March 27th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
“What does this mean?
Gallup Shows Support For Palin Grouping Rises Whilst Romney Declines
http://www.redstate.com/article345/2011/03/27/gallup-shows-support-for-palin-grouping-rises-whilst-romney-declines/”
===
It means Palin’s ONLY chance is to piggyback on Huck’s success.
March 28th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Granny T Says:
March 27th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
“When Huckabee took office in 1996 the Gross State Product was $58.0 million. It was $97.6 million his last year of office. Giving Arkansas an annual growth in GSP of 6.2%.
When Palin took office in 2007 the Gross State Product was $44.3 million. It was $45.7 million when she left office. Giving Alaska an annual growth in GSP of 1.58% during Palin’s term.
Arkansas’ annual Gross State Product grew by 4.62 points better under Huckabee than Alaska’s Gross State Product’s annual growth under Palin.”
===
Governor Romney’s GSP was also terrible compared to Governor Huckabee’s.
Over Romney’s time in office, there was the following:
8.4% GDP increase in MA
14.7% GDP increase in the US
14.0% GDP increase in AR ..almost double Romney
Over 1995-2007 ..year before Huck was in office to his last:
45.8% GDP increase in the US
63.9% GDP increase in AR
Figures are from data provided at http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/state_summary.php?chart=Z0&year=2007&units=b&rank=aSSState
April 20th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Mike Huckabee doesn’t live in Arkansas anymore because of the high tax rates he did nothing about, nay raised. Huck’s record as a whole in taxing, borrowing, spending and expanding the activities of state government makes him the biggest tax and spender in Arkansas history. It would be charitable to call Craig’s list about Huck’s record misleading.
There was a budget surplus at the end of his last term because Huck raised taxes, not lowered them.
Craig said he balanced the state budget every year. He couldn’t have unbalanced it if he wanted to. The law balances it automatically whoever is governor.
The omnibus tax cut in 1997, while large, was not his but was the Democrats’ tax program sponsored by the Democrat leader of the House. Huck’s predecessor, Jim Guy Tucker, had proposed it and Huck signed it after his own little program failed.
Claims to have cut taxes 90 times from 1995-2005. These were nearly altogether tiny deductions and exemptions that the legislature has passed every session for 50 years. He didn’t initiate them.
Here’s the truth about Huck’s reign. He was largely a passive executive, who usually left initiative to the legislature, except when he opposed a citizen initiative to eliminate the sales tax on food and medicine. He was for 9 initiatives, each a sharp expansion of government activity or control: The largest was the dramatic expansion of government health insurance for children, ARKIDS First, whose actual cost is still unknown but will likely break the state.
As governor, Huckabee was a huge, net tax hiker and more like a Christian Socialist than a conservative.
By the way, I still live in AR and continue working to overcome his failures.
July 7th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Keep these articles coming as they?ve opneed many new doors for me.
July 10th, 2011 at 10:52 am
R8R7Wp vrewquzbnofv