Much thanks to DU'er benddem, who posted the link on another thread a short while ago.
It's a relevant article, especially in light of his front runner status.
I've also added one of the "editor's choice" letters in response to the article, which describes how the Governor directly profited from the Jonesboro school shooting several years ago.
The national media seems to have a crush on our ex-governor, but here in Arkansas, we know better.
By Max Brantley
Nov. 13, 2007 | LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Pony Express has reached us here in the Arkansas backwoods with the latest journals from the big cities. So the country correspondents have taken a break from hand-setting lines of type to read the Beltway boys and girls rave about our former governor, Mike Huckabee.
>snip
Before we begin, though, a word of warning to any reporters who might want to repeat, on air or in print, any of the facts recounted below. Huckabee does not take kindly to journalists who practice journalism.
>snip
More important, Huckabee revealed an enduring weakness as glaring as that other Arkansas governor's fondness for women. Huckabee seems to love loot and has a dismissive attitude toward ethics, campaign finance rules and propriety in general. Since that first, failed campaign, the ethical questions have multiplied.
>snip
Until my paper, the Arkansas Times, blew the whistle, he converted a governor's mansion operating account into a personal expense account, claiming public money for a doghouse, dry-cleaning bills, panty hose and meals at Taco Bell. He tried to claim $70,000 in furnishings provided by a wealthy cotton grower for the private part of the residence as his own, until he learned ethics rules prevented it. When a disgruntled former employee disclosed memos revealing all this, the Huckabee camp shut her up by repeatedly suggesting she might be vulnerable to prosecution for theft because she'd shared documents generated by the state's highest official.
Lots more details in the article:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/11/13/huckabee/A letter in response to the article:
Huckabee's True ColorsExcellent article, Mr. Brantley! I've got to add my story of the greedy and insensitive preacher-man we here in Arkansas have all come to know:
In 1998, Governor Huckabee did something very selfish and not very Christian-like after the school shooting at Westside Middle School near Jonesboro, Arkansas where four little girls and a teacher were killed by two young gunmen. Nine other students and a second teacher were also injured.
Two weeks after the shooting, Huckabee signed a contract to publish Kids Who Kill, Confronting Our Culture of Violence. He received a $25,000 advance, plus royalties. Huckabee claimed the book was conceived before the shooting, but the book’s opening lines refer to the shooting and the promotional material claimed that the tragedy inspired Huckabee’s writing.
Did the Governor donate any of the profits to the families of those five who were killed or the nine middle school students and teacher who were injured? No, according to statements made by Mike Huckabee at the time. Huckabee said he planned to use the money to pay for his own children’s college expenses, according to articles in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Dallas Morning News, and the New York Times. He balked at suggestions that he donate any of the profits to the victims.
By publishing and promoting this book and keeping all of the profits, he put his own financial interests ahead of his grieving constituents. He went on talk show after talk show and spoke about the shooting in order to sell more books. Mike Huckabee should not have profited off the murders of children and their teacher while he was an elected official.
I almost forgot to add: He was also too busy vacationing in the Bahamas to come back for the memorial service.
MKJ
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