Mike Huckabee has found himself on the defensive against charges that he was a tax-raiser during his 10 years as governor of Arkansas, but in a brutal review of his record, FactCheck.org says Huckabee's defense often rings hollow.
FactCheck — a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania — concludes that Huckabee "presided over a net tax increase" and was "misleading" in several of his defenses.
Specifically, they say he:
Compounding the campaign's problem, they didn't respond to FactCheck.org when it asked for the list of 90 tax cuts Huckabee often touts. And much of the evidence FactCheck relied on is available on the Internet, either in print articles or in video of his speeches.
All of that leads to this damning conclusion from FactCheck: "We take no position on Huckabee's call for tax increases. But we do suggest that bluffing on a busted hand is a bad move in the YouTube age."
— Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (11)
Very bad article. Fact check needs to do more research. These tactics are similar to the Club for Growth. Go to mikehuckabee.com and he responds to all questions regarding his tax history as Governor of Arkansas. If a politician fails to respond to FactCheck.org (which I have never heard of) you can't conclude the politician has something to hide. Huckabee has much bigger fish to fry. The man has done at least 4 national interviews over the past week and he hasn't dodged any question regarding taxes. Nor has he stumbled while answering the questions. If you want to do a real story, I suggest you do some research regarding Mitt Romney and push polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. Several of the campaigns believe Romney was push polling himself, which is a huge story. As a true journalist your concern should be to get out the truth, instead of relying on organizations like factcheck.org to steer you in the direction of a juicy story. There's simply no substance in these ridiculous tax hike stories which is why Huckabee continues to surge in the polls. By the way, why doesn't factcheck.org do a story on Romney's flip flopping on major issues. Oh let me guess, they have bigger fish to fry, right? What a bogus organization. The Washington Times is capable of finding a much better story than this.
Posted by Johnathan Adams | November 21, 2007 9:00 PM
Anyone interested in what Huckabee is really like face to face should try this funny (but it actually happened) column:
http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/02/title_14
Posted by lane filler | November 21, 2007 10:13 PM
Learn some facts about Mike Huckabee at www.mike-huckabee.blogspot.org
Posted by john | November 22, 2007 12:53 AM
What??? Is this author for real??
This is a terrible hit piece with no basis whatsoever.
If you want the truth about Huckabee how about going to his website (www.mikehuckabee.com)
Or an indepth forum at www.hucksarmy.com
Posted by Chris, Loomis, Ca | November 23, 2007 11:24 AM
Learn ALL you need to know about "Huck" here:
www.arkansasfreedom.com
Posted by Al | November 24, 2007 8:38 AM
Jonantan Adams, I was agreeing with you all the way until you pulled the same stunt you are targeting Stephen Dinan as doing.
"I suggest you do some research regarding Mitt Romney and push polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. Several of the campaigns believe Romney was push polling himself, which is a huge story. As a true journalist your concern should be to get out the truth, instead of relying on organizations like factcheck.org to steer you in the direction of a juicy story.
At least FactCheck - a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania is not "Several of the campaigns".
Campaigns are not going to say anything good about another campaign. Jonathan, sorry but, you showed your true colors on this one.
P.S. We should go to the "source" for all of our information that way when we read what Huckabee says about Huckabee it will always be good. When we read what Rudy says about Rudy it will always be good. When we read what Thompson has to say about Thompson it will always be good. When we read what Romney has to say about Romney it will always be good. When we read what McCain says about McCain it will always be good. Then and only then do we vote
Posted by Anonymous | November 24, 2007 5:29 PM
I have to smile Chris and John for your comments are dead on! The Mormons have been suggesting the same thing for months now "If you want the truth about the "Mormons" how about going to their website (www.mormon.org) There are so many terrible hit pieces with no basis whatsoever." I feel your pain!
Posted by Wendy73 | November 24, 2007 5:34 PM
I went searching to see who these FactCheck is:
Welcome to FactCheckEd
You may think there are already plenty of Web sites devoted to teaching kids one thing or another, from elementary to obscure. Our goal is a little different. We believe that truth is an elusive commodity in our world of ceaseless communication, a world in which information is transmitted in huge helpings and in a virtual instant. All of us are overwhelmed with messages, many of them attempts to persuade us to do or buy something.
Our aim is to help students learn to be smart consumers of these messages, not to accept them at face value; to dig for facts using the Internet, not to stop looking once they get to Wikipedia; and to weigh evidence logically, not to draw conclusions based on their own biases.
The materials on this site, then, are meant to help students acquire the skills to see through the spin. Under the heading Tools of the Trade we've outlined a five-step framework for analyzing information and avoiding deception. That process is the essence of what we do at FactCheck.org, where we have been debunking false and misleading claims in politics since 2003.
Viveca Novak
Project Director, FactCheckEd.org
Deputy Director, FactCheck.org
Brooks Jackson
Director, FactCheck.org
Posted by Wendy73 | November 24, 2007 5:42 PM
Check OTHER sources. You hang your reputation on one source? I am tired of lazy journalism. Get in there and dig and get your own facts.
Maybe you are not looking for challenges, just making a deadline.
Jane Hall
Posted by Jane Hall | November 24, 2007 6:12 PM
Yeah, FactCheck did a shabby job on the FairTax as well. Hmmm, I wonder if this "hit" piece is because Huck's the most ardent FairTax supporter?
Posted by Ian | November 25, 2007 4:20 AM
Gov. Huckebee is certainly taking political advantage of his Baptist roots and compassionate conservative acts. But, his enmity for the free market, supply side and constitutionalist within the Republican party betrays his expansionist government ways.
If he succeeds in his push for the presidency or vice presidency he'll lead the GOP to defeat regardless of the Dem's nominee.
Posted by charlie fremont | November 25, 2007 11:13 AM