Mike Huckabee released the following statement which confirms that if he is elected President, he will not support the raising of income taxes at the Federal level.
Little Rock, AR – Mike Huckabee officially delivered a signed Presidential Taxpayer Protection Pledge to Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) President Grover Norquist during ATR’s “Wednesday Meeting” in Washington, D.C. this morning.
The former governor announced he would sign the pledge on Friday, March 2, 2007 at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.
“Having already been a longtime supporter of ending the death tax and cutting 90 taxes while governor, it was not difficult to pledge not to raise the income tax rates at the federal level,” Huckabee said.
By signing the pledge, Huckabee agreed to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”
“We applaud Governor Huckabee for signing the Presidential Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” Norquist said. “Governor Huckabee recognizes that the challenge is to rein in spending and reduce taxes.”
Huckabee is a fiscal conservative who passed Arkansas’ first broad-based tax cut package in state history. During his ten and a half years as Governor, he cut taxes more than 90 times, saving taxpayers almost $380 million. He doubled the child care tax credit and eliminated the marriage penalty from the tax code. He also cut welfare rolls by nearly 50 percent while balancing the state budget.
Huckabee formed a Presidential Exploratory Committee for a potential 2008 White House bid after departing office earlier this year.
ATR has sponsored the Taxpayer Protection Pledge since 1986 and offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987. The document is a written promise by legislators and candidates for office that commits them to oppose any effort to increase the federal income taxes on individuals and businesses.
“I continue to encourage every Presidential candidate to show their commitment to the U.S. taxpayer by signing the pledge,” Norquist said.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Newsweek Profile on Huckabee
Newsweek have done a detailed interview with Mike Huckabee. It's the national attention that Huckabee needs at this point. It's worth a read.
March 5, 2007 - Mike Huckabee is in an unusual situation for a politician. He doesn’t have to pander to his base. A former Southern Baptist preacher, he starts his 2008 presidential bid well to the right of his party’s most serious contenders. His long-held pro-life, pro-gun, and anti-gay marriage agenda would seem to be music to the ears of conservatives unhappy with the fact that social-issue moderates like John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and (at least until recently) Mitt Romney are hogging the headlines. So why isn’t the governor of Arkansas and current Republican presidential candidate, stuck around two percent in recent polls, catching fire among religious conservatives? Huckabee has a plan to fix that—and it starts with this interview. NEWSWEEK's Susannah Meadows talked with the other guy from a place called Hope about gays, hell and donuts.
You recently lost more than 100 pounds. Are the people you meet on the campaign trail more interested in talking about your weight than policy?
Huckabee: It certainly is a point of fascination. It’s one of the rare times a politician enjoys talking about losing. It also segues into talking about not only the health issue, but the fact that 80% of Americans’ health-care costs are caused by chronic disease. And most of that is due to over-eating, under-exercising, smoking.
Would you put America on a diet?
A lot of people want this to be a simple solution: more P.E., less vending machines. There is an entire cultural shift that has to take place. What has to happen is that we change from a culture of disease to a culture of health. The government can’t do it for people, but there is a role government can play. In Arkansas, we created incentives. For example, you got discounts on health insurance if you didn’t smoke. [In this country] smokers can take breaks and smoke on company time. If you want to exercise, we say you do that on your lunch hour. People who are healthy pay high premiums for those who are not. There’s no incentive in the system.
I heard fried Twinkies used to be one of your favorite foods. Do ever indulge anymore?
The food that I used to crave, the amazing thing is, I often find it repulsive. Something dripping in grease, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I would be better off eating the sack it came in.’ I don’t walk by the donut counter anymore and go into withdrawal.
More...
March 5, 2007 - Mike Huckabee is in an unusual situation for a politician. He doesn’t have to pander to his base. A former Southern Baptist preacher, he starts his 2008 presidential bid well to the right of his party’s most serious contenders. His long-held pro-life, pro-gun, and anti-gay marriage agenda would seem to be music to the ears of conservatives unhappy with the fact that social-issue moderates like John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and (at least until recently) Mitt Romney are hogging the headlines. So why isn’t the governor of Arkansas and current Republican presidential candidate, stuck around two percent in recent polls, catching fire among religious conservatives? Huckabee has a plan to fix that—and it starts with this interview. NEWSWEEK's Susannah Meadows talked with the other guy from a place called Hope about gays, hell and donuts.
You recently lost more than 100 pounds. Are the people you meet on the campaign trail more interested in talking about your weight than policy?
Huckabee: It certainly is a point of fascination. It’s one of the rare times a politician enjoys talking about losing. It also segues into talking about not only the health issue, but the fact that 80% of Americans’ health-care costs are caused by chronic disease. And most of that is due to over-eating, under-exercising, smoking.
Would you put America on a diet?
A lot of people want this to be a simple solution: more P.E., less vending machines. There is an entire cultural shift that has to take place. What has to happen is that we change from a culture of disease to a culture of health. The government can’t do it for people, but there is a role government can play. In Arkansas, we created incentives. For example, you got discounts on health insurance if you didn’t smoke. [In this country] smokers can take breaks and smoke on company time. If you want to exercise, we say you do that on your lunch hour. People who are healthy pay high premiums for those who are not. There’s no incentive in the system.
I heard fried Twinkies used to be one of your favorite foods. Do ever indulge anymore?
The food that I used to crave, the amazing thing is, I often find it repulsive. Something dripping in grease, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I would be better off eating the sack it came in.’ I don’t walk by the donut counter anymore and go into withdrawal.
More...
Friday, February 16, 2007
Huckabee Opens Campaign Office
Mike Huckabee on Wednesday opened his campaign office in Arkansas. Huckabee said that there wasn't any thought that the headquarters would be anywhere else but Arkansas.
Huckabee also said that while the goal was to get to Washington, it was critically important to be based in the place that all his values were formed, and where his roots are and what is important to him. It is also the place where his political life has been lived, and where his key supporters are.
Watch Huckabee's speech at the office opening.
Huckabee also said that while the goal was to get to Washington, it was critically important to be based in the place that all his values were formed, and where his roots are and what is important to him. It is also the place where his political life has been lived, and where his key supporters are.
Watch Huckabee's speech at the office opening.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Mike Huckabee Interview
Mike Huckabee was interviewed by "SC Hotline - Insider Politics from across the state of South Carolina."
Monday, February 12, 2007
Former S.C First Lady Supports Huckabee
Former First Lady of South Carolina, Iris Campbell has thrown her support behind Mike Huckabee's campaign for the Republican nomination.
Iris Campbell is the wife of the late Governor, Carroll Campbell. She will serve as Honorary State Chairwoman of Huckabee's campaign in South Carolina.
Their son, Mike Campbell will serve as a senior adviser in Huckabee's national campaign.
Iris Campbell is the wife of the late Governor, Carroll Campbell. She will serve as Honorary State Chairwoman of Huckabee's campaign in South Carolina.
Their son, Mike Campbell will serve as a senior adviser in Huckabee's national campaign.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Huckabee in South Carolina - Major Announcement
Mike Huckabee is this weekend campaigning in key state South Carolina. Last night he was the guest speaker at the Horry County Republican Ball in Myrtle Beach, which followed a question and answer session with local reporters.
Tomorrow, Huckabee has advised that he will make a major announcement regarding his exploratory committee.
The announcement will take place at 10am at the Capitol City Club, in Colombia followed by a media conference call at 10.30am.
Tomorrow, Huckabee has advised that he will make a major announcement regarding his exploratory committee.
The announcement will take place at 10am at the Capitol City Club, in Colombia followed by a media conference call at 10.30am.
This Week and Mike Huckabee
ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos will today be running a story on Mike Huckabee. It is sure to be good viewing.
"Then, continuing our "This Week: On the Trail" series, I head to New Hampshire to catch up with former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee. He does not have the name recognition some of the top-tier candidates enjoy, but his conservative credentials may make him a viable force in next year's primary. As the GOP field of declared candidates gets increasingly crowded, we'll find out how this evangelical plans to take on the front-runners."
"Then, continuing our "This Week: On the Trail" series, I head to New Hampshire to catch up with former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee. He does not have the name recognition some of the top-tier candidates enjoy, but his conservative credentials may make him a viable force in next year's primary. As the GOP field of declared candidates gets increasingly crowded, we'll find out how this evangelical plans to take on the front-runners."
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Media Meet Mike Huckabee
The Media this morning had the opportunity to meet Mike Huckabee at a special breakfast in Washington D.C. The breakfast was organized by the Christian Science Monitor.
While he is currently not regarded highly in the polls, Huckabee said that there is only one place to go, and that was up. He said there was no advantage to being in first place in the polls right now.
Huckabee said of his chances, that 4 out of the last 5 Presidents were former Governors. And that as Governor, he had the chance to deal with real issues, like health, transport and education, as well as balancing budgets.
On Foreign policy, while Huckabee admitted he didn't have the standard Washington type experience of some other candidates. But he said that neither did Ronald Reagan when he assumed the Presidency in 1981.
And Huckabee said that he was Commander in Chief in a State where 80% of the National Guard had been deployed overseas.
Huckabee hopes to stand in contrast to John McCain and Rudy Giuliani by emphasising his stance on social conservative issues.
While he is currently not regarded highly in the polls, Huckabee said that there is only one place to go, and that was up. He said there was no advantage to being in first place in the polls right now.
Huckabee said of his chances, that 4 out of the last 5 Presidents were former Governors. And that as Governor, he had the chance to deal with real issues, like health, transport and education, as well as balancing budgets.
On Foreign policy, while Huckabee admitted he didn't have the standard Washington type experience of some other candidates. But he said that neither did Ronald Reagan when he assumed the Presidency in 1981.
And Huckabee said that he was Commander in Chief in a State where 80% of the National Guard had been deployed overseas.
Huckabee hopes to stand in contrast to John McCain and Rudy Giuliani by emphasising his stance on social conservative issues.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Frist Adviser Heads Huckabee Campaign
An adviser to former Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, has been appointed Campaign Manager for Mike Huckabee's bid for the Republican nomination.
John "Chip" Saltsman, who has been the Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, was a senior adviser to Frist's PAC Volpac.
Apparently Saltsman was very active in preparing for a possible run by Frist for the nomination. Frist announced late last year that he would not be entering the contest.
John "Chip" Saltsman, who has been the Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, was a senior adviser to Frist's PAC Volpac.
Apparently Saltsman was very active in preparing for a possible run by Frist for the nomination. Frist announced late last year that he would not be entering the contest.
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