Mike Huckabee’s Presidential Campaign in 2008 Term Paper

Introduction

Mike Huckabee was born Michael Dale, on the 24th of august 1955, in Hope, Arkansas. He is talented in writing, having authored several books; he is also an Ordained Pastor for Southern Baptist Church, a musician being a bass guitarist with Capital Offense Band. He is well versed with Public Speaking having shared many podiums with world re-known public speakers.

Mike Huckabee has a political career spanning more than 30 years, having been elected the Governor for Boys states of Arkansas back in 1972. Later he was to be elected as the Governor of the State of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He is a Republican and well in the United States Presidential Race, announcing his candidacy on 28^th January 2007.

Mike Huckabee Policy Agenda

Some of the policy issues that Mike Huckabee intend to deal with if elected the president of the United States are on:

• Securing American Borders.
• Taxes and Economy.
• Infrastructure.
• Health care.
• Education and Arts.

Secure America Border

This policy is intended to aid in the enforcement of Immigration and American border security. As part of this strategy, a fence, complete with a surveillance camera, will be built along the United States Border by 1^st July 2010. Border patrol will be increased to ward of any illegal immigrants from entering the United States.

Other plans to support this policy include:

• Law enforcement on Employers.
• Amnesty prevention.
• Establishment of an Economic border through the passage of Fair Tax and.
• Empowering of Local authorities.
• Ensuring document Security.
• Discouragement of Dual citizenship.

Taxes and Economy

Mike Huckabee is a great supporter of the FairTax policy, which intends to eliminate all income and payroll taxes. With FairTax, all those below the poverty line will not be taxed, people will be taxed on what they intend to buy not on what they earn as the Internal Revenue Code will be replaced with a Consumption Tax. Under the FairTax, many homegrown American companies will be better off operating from home than overseas and new foreign companies will set up base in the United States as FairTax promote Capital Formation and investment.

On this front, Mike Huckabee is endowed with a vast reserve of knowledge and experience having successfully pushed for tax cuts in the Arkansas States, which saw the elimination of the Marriage penalty, capital gains on home sales, and income tax on poor families.

Infrastructure

Part of Mike Huckabee’s agenda on infrastructure is protecting and preserving what has already been developed. Those parts of the interstates that are dilapidated will be upgraded to improve transportation and productivity. This will create jobs have will have a direct effect on the American industrial income as America’s raw materials and labor will be used.

Under Huckabee, Money will be spent to decongest the highways, deal with corroded bridges and overflowing sewers. The ports of Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa will be expanded as they are major economic drivers for the United States.

Health care

Mike Huckabee believes that Health care should be changed to the Health system, not necessarily by name, but boy it’s operation. He feels that the private sector should be supported in seeking innovative ways to bring the cost of health care down, as these will make the United States health care more competitive in the global market.

Companies are spending more money to provide health care for their staff than they are using to buy raw materials. Individuals also spend more money on health care than on any other expense.

Under the leadership of Huckabee, Americans will have full control of their health needs, as health care won’t be funded by the federal government through high taxes.

Education and Arts

Huckabee believes that every child should have access to quality education, where fundamental skills are developed to enhance global Economic competition. Music and art help people to be creative and competitive. Children with artistic ability will be identified and encouraged to pursue goals in this field.

Being a musician Himself, Huckabee has undertaken many initiatives geared toward encouragements of arts in education in the Arkansas States during his term as a governor. This has helped in leveling the playing field for students from poor backgrounds who do not have high academic skills and exposure.

One of the key Agenda on Education for Mike Huckabee as president of the United States will be coming up with a policy that clearly defines the role of the Federal Government and the States, to meet the educational needs of every student.

Endorsements

Mike Huckabee has received quite a several endorsements. Notable endorsements come from more than five (5) current United States congressmen like Duncan Hunter, who was once a presidential candidate. He has also received endorsement from James Dobson of the Focus on family, chancellor of Liberty University, Mr. Jerry Falwell.

Some of the groups that have endorsed Huckabee include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, a major Labor union. He also has the full support of Dallas morning news, one of Texas’ Largest Newspaper and over 60 African American Religious and political leaders.

Celebrity endorsements come from Chuck Norris and professional wrestler Ric Flair also known as The Nature boy.

Campaign Funding

The Huckabee campaign has been facing financial setbacks to an extent that some of his senior campaign staff have been working without a paycheck, though currently, things are looking good in his camp. He managed to raise less than half a million dollars in the first quarter of 2007 when other front runners were far ahead in terms of cash. To the close of the last quarter of 2007, he had managed to raise over 1.8 million dollars, as more people get to know him and as he intensifies his campaign. By end of January 2008, He had managed to raise over nine (9) Million dollars.

Presidential Debates

Huckabee has performed well in all presidential debates, starting with the first republicans presidential debates held on 3rd May 2007. His support and ideas on FairTax, climate change, Immigration reforms, etc generated quite remarkable reviews from the public and respected political analysts.

He also performed very well on the 15^th may 2007 republican presidential debates receiving some very positive comments, increasing his rating.

Mike Huckabee has on many occasions received scathing attacks from his critics on issues such as Illegal immigration and the Tax cut. Huckabee has always chosen to focus on issues rather than use his time to answer his critics.

Primaries and Caucuses Performance

Mike Huckabee was declared the winner of the Iowa Republican Caucus on 3^rd January 2008 when the delegate selections began. He garnered 34 percent of the vote, taking clear nine (9) points lead ahead of his rival, Mr. Mitt Romney who managed 25 percent.

In the New Hampshire Primary, which took place on 8^th January 2008, Mike Huckabee finished in the third position, behind John McCain at a first position and Mitt Romney who was second. In this Primary, Huckabee received an additional one (1) delegate.

On 15^th January 2008, during the Michigan primary, Mike Huckabee, finished 3^rd with John McCain coming second and Mitt Romney taking the first place. There was an improvement for Huckabee during the South Carolina Primary on 19^th January 2008 where he finished in the second position behind John McCain.

5^th February 2008, was the “Super Tuesday”. It was a defining moment for all candidates. Huckabee won the West Virginia State, taking 52% ahead of Mitt Romney who came second with 47% of the electorates. Other states that Huckabee won on “Super Tuesday” were:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Tennessee

By the end of the day on 5^th January 2008, Huckabee had managed to get 156 delegates, coming third with John McCain leading with 689 delegates and Mitt Romney’s second with a total of 286 delegates.

The Kansas Republican Caucuses were held on 9^th Feb 2008. Huckabee registered a landslide Victory by getting 60% of the total votes. He also won the Louisiana State Republican Primary getting 44% of the votes ahead of John McCain who got 43%.

Reference

Boston goes for Mike Huckabee. 2008. Web.

Endorsements in the United States presidential primaries. Web.

Justine Mott (2008) Republican Debate, Herald tribune. Web.

Mike Huckabee for president. Web.

Mike Huckabee. Web.

Mike Huckabee, The main issues. Web.

N.C. Aizenman, (2007) Border Plan, Mexico line fighting plan, Washington post. Web.

Race for the white house, Huckabee. Web.

Steven Benen (2008) Carpetbagger report, Huckabee financial woes. Web.

United States presidential elections center. Web.