The Right Choice
As this former Arkansas governor approaches the 2008 election, many people begin to question his ideas, personality, and accomplishments. Mike Huckabee could possibly become the next president of the United States. Therefore, everyone needs to know what he stands for, what he would do if he was to become president, and why he should receive the American vote.
Mike Huckabee is known for many reasons. One being the fact that he was a Baptist minister. Although many competitors use Huckabee’s religious experience against him, he claims that “those experiences gave him a deep sense of the problems faced by individuals and families.” In addition to being a pastor, Huckabee is also an author. He has written a total of five books based on his faith and experiences as a Christian minister. Huckabee was also the chairman of the Oil and Gas Compact Commission. He worked to “develop energy policy and lobby Congress on energy matters.” He gained national attention when he lost 110 pounds due to his diabetes, which caused him to encourage others to “improve their diet and exercise.” He created the Healthy Arkansas initiative, “an effort to encourage Arkansans to stop smoking, exercise more and eat healthier.” Huckabee also started the Arkansas Healthy Restaurant program in order to promote healthy eating outside of the home environment. Huckabee is considered a national leader who has received many awards for his various accomplishments. For example, Governing Magazine named him one of its Public Officials of the Year for 2005. Time Magazine “honored him as one of the five best governors in America.” Later, he received the American Association of Retired Person’s Impact Award in addition to the Music for Life Award “for his commitment to music education.”
His views on today’s issues focus around his experiences. Such as his opinion of tax reform. He plans for an “elimination of all income taxes and the IRS in exchange for a ‘Fair Tax.’” This is a kind of sales tax aimed at “simplifying taxation and capturing revenue.” Some people argue that Huckabee could not lower taxes in Arkansas so he could not possibly be able to do the same for America. Yet, while he did support some tax increases, as did other business interests, he did so for the reason that “Arkansas roads desperately needed repair” and had to “choose between a bad tax hike and a worse one.” As for Iraq, Huckabee says “withdrawing American troops from Iraq would have serious strategic consequences for us and horrific humanitarian consequences for the Iraqis.” He does support the troop surge and is against a “timetable” for withdrawal. Huckabee says overwhelming force can “be used to accomplish a mission,” such as fighting terrorism. If elected, he plans to renew diplomatic efforts “so that the United States does not have to fight terrorism alone.” He even wants to explore and develop all forms of alternative energy to “achieve U.S. energy independence.” Huckabee’s main priority is to “secure America’s borders and those who are caught trying to enter the U.S. illegally must be deported.”
Even though Huckabee has accomplished many great achievements in his life, he still wants to be recognized for his personality. He normally starts his mornings by running six to ten miles and then reading a chapter of Proverbs. He calls himself “an economic populist on the presidential campaign.” He feels the country needs a “reawakening to address an array of issues.” The Republican party was expected to focus on foreign policy, national security, and other major issues. Huckabee has “moved it to issues of character, religion and personality.” He is out to “show people the American dream is still alive.” Huckabee is said to have and “optimistic vision for what America can become with the right kind of leadership and a clear direction.” All in all, Huckabee’s message reflects “American values and priorities.”
Anna Hulsey
