[txcollegeboy]

How good of a job did he do?

[sherrenee]

Originally Posted by txcollegeboy

How good of a job did he do?

He was horrible! Enough said

[Stormcrow73]

I wasn't living in AR for a good bit of his later years but I saw from afar a lot of good things happening from job creation in high tech industry, education initiatives, programs for small business entrepreneurship, etc. However, there were always little stinks arising around him. Nothing ever major and he claims foul play by democrats. Also, from the time we left AR to moving back recently, the populace funding of government has definitely gone up. Still a lot lower than most other places but during his tenure, people's burden did go up. I'd rate the time of his tenure a B because I think some very fine things happened in AR during that time but I'm not knowledgable enough to know how much he directly impacted those things.

[GetmeoutofAR]

I don't think he was a spectacular governor. He was ok I guess

[DC at the Ridge]

He has a folksy, down-to-earth manner that charms a lot of people. While he was in office he lived in a "manufactured home" for a time while the Governor's Mansion was being worked on. The state's educational system received a great deal of attention, due to the State Supreme Court's rulings about the funding of the system and numerous lawsuits. He pushed very hard on educating people about obesity and improving the offerings of school cafeterias, as well as adding BMI index rating to report cards. There was even some rhetoric about letting your child be obese was akin to abusing that child. My taxes definitely increased while he was in office. There weren't any major embarrassments I can remember while he was in office. I much prefer our current governor, though. Overall, I'd give Huckabee a B-/C+. I wouldn't vote for him as President however. I think he'd try to do a good job, but his knowledge of foreign affairs is far too sparse and his tendency to frame his policies and actions as morality issues reminds me of our current President. I want a President to have a strong character and a solid moral compass, but I also want a President that can separate himself from his faith, recognizing that his faith is only one of the many that Americans follow.

DC

[Sam I Am]

There weren't any major embarrassments? Wayne Dumond ring a bell? THAT is an embarassment.....but I think the Huck came under fire for a lot of stuff that legally he was entitled to do. I think he's pretty down to earth, but I also think a lot of people will compare him to Bill, who is as smooth as silk and with a memory like an elephant (and morals like a billy goat, but we won't go there)...I don't think America is ready for another Arkansan...I know I'm not...

[DC at the Ridge]

Wayne Dumond's release and subsequent criminal acts were terrible, but they were Wayne Dumond's acts. Huckabee misread another human being, we all do that, he came out in favor of Dumond's release, but other people voted for it. A terrible mistake, yes, but I don't hold Huckabee solely responsible. He wasn't a great governor, but he certainly wasn't the worst we've ever had. But I still wouldn't vote for him for President.

DC

[Sam I Am]

Oh, I certainly do not hold Huckabee responsible for a despicable person like Dumond...still, he was so sure. But you are correct, we all misjudge. Some of us more than others! And I wouldn't vote for Huck either, not because I dislike him, but because I can't find anything really super positive that he's done other than the education of people about obesity - but even the BMI is not a true indicator and I think that method of policing people into being "healthy" leaves a lot to be desired. Still, I do admire him for turning his life around and getting healthy - but not enough to vote for him!

[strumpeace]

I remember from living in Arkansas that Huckabee was childish. I also remember that he loved to raise taxes. (IIRC, there's now a $5+ per day tax on nursing home beds; there's also a tax of three percent on your state income tax -- It's insane! Whoever heard of a tax on a tax?) I also remember that he tried to steal furniture from the governor's mansion when he left and was forced to return it. I also remember that he set up a fake marriage registry for himself and his wife in order to get gifts -- despite the fact that he and his wife had been married for three decades. I also remember that he set up a fake organization out-of-state in order for others to funnel money to him.

Other than that stuff, he was ok.

Oh, and btw, despite media reports, he was not all that popular as governor. He came close to losing his office to a no-name little old lady (who had virtually no campaign cash) when he ran for a second term.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow73

I wasn't living in AR for a good bit of his later years but I saw from afar a lot of good things happening from job creation in high tech industry, education initiatives, programs for small business entrepreneurship, etc. However, there were always little stinks arising around him. Nothing ever major and he claims foul play by democrats. Also, from the time we left AR to moving back recently, the populace funding of government has definitely gone up. Still a lot lower than most other places but during his tenure, people's burden did go up. I'd rate the time of his tenure a B because I think some very fine things happened in AR during that time but I'm not knowledgable enough to know how much he directly impacted those things.

What you say, is what we have heard. The biggest complaint, raising of taxes, I am a strong conservative, hate to part with the little money I have, but I also realize it does take money to keep things going. We have an example here of low taxes but total lack of services.

Though all we know is what we have heard, we are willing to listen to what he has to say and offer.

NMNIta