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{{Infobox Officeholder
|name = Mike Huckabee
|image = Huckabee-SF-CC-024.jpg
|caption =
|order = 44th [[Governor of Arkansas]]
|term_start = July 15, 1996
|term_end = January 9, 2007
|lieutenant = [[Winthrop Paul Rockefeller]] (1996-2006)
|predecessor = [[Jim Guy Tucker]]
|successor = [[Mike Beebe]]
|order2 = 12th [[Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas]]
|term_start2 = November 20, 1993
|term_end2 = July 15, 1996
|governor2 = [[Jim Guy Tucker]]
|predecessor2 = [[Jim Guy Tucker]]
|successor2 = [[Winthrop Paul Rockefeller]]
|order3 = [[National Governors Association|Chairman of the National Governors Association]]
|term_start3 = 2005
|term_end3 = 2006
|predecessor3 = [[Mark Warner]]
|successor3 = [[Janet Napolitano]]
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1955|08|24}}
|birth_place= [[Hope, Arkansas]]
|residence= [[North Little Rock, Arkansas]]
|death_place=
|spouse=[[Janet Huckabee]]<ref name="huckybio">{{cite web
|url=http://www.teamhuckabee.com/aboutmike.php
|title=Biography
|work=Team Huckabee
|publisher=Huckabee For President Inc.
|accessdate=2007-12-17
}}</ref>
|children=John Mark, [[David Huckabee|David]], and Sarah
|alma_mater=[[Ouachita Baptist University]]
|profession= [[politician|American Politician]], [[Author]], [[Public Speaker]], & ordained [[Minister (Christianity)|Minister]]
|party= [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|religion=[[Christian]] ([[Southern Baptist]])
|website=http://www.mikehuckabee.com
|signature=Huckabeesig.png
|footnotes=
}}
'''Michael Dale Huckabee''' (born August 24, 1955), is a former [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Governor of Arkansas|governor]] of [[Arkansas]] from 1996 to 2007<ref name="ANB">
{{cite news|publisher=Arkansas News Bureau |url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/11/03/News/330343.html |title=Huckabee remains the highest-rated political figure in the state |date=2005-11-03 |accessdate=2007-10-26 |last=Sadler |first=Aaron}}
</ref> and a [[political commentator]] for [[Fox News Channel]].<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/mike_huckabee_fox_contributor.html Chicago Tribune: Mike Huckabee: FOX 'contributor']</ref> Huckabee finished second in the [[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|2008 United States Republican presidential primaries]];<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=2008&minper=0&f=0&off=0&elect=2 Final GOP delegate count. Last Updated- August 28, 2008]</ref> he announced his candidacy on January 28, 2007. Following losses to [[John McCain]] in the [[Texas Republican primary, 2008|Texas]], [[Ohio Republican primary, 2008|Ohio]], [[Vermont Republican primary, 2008|Vermont]], and [[Rhode Island Republican primary, 2008|Rhode Island]] [[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|primaries]], McCain became the presumptive Republican nominee and Huckabee exited the race on March 4, 2008.<ref name="endrun">{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Huckabee ends presidential run |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/04/huckabee-ends-presidential-run/ |work= |publisher=CNN |date=2008-03-04 |accessdate=2008-03-04 }}</ref>

Huckabee is the [[author]] of several books, an ordained [[Southern Baptist]] [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]] and a [[public speaker]]. He and his wife, [[Janet Huckabee|Janet]], have been married 33 years and have three grown children: John Mark, [[David Huckabee|David]], and Sarah.

==Early life and education==
Huckabee was born in [[Hope, Arkansas]],<ref name = "Barone 136-137">{{cite book |title=The Almanac of American Politics |last=Barone |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors=Grant Ujifusa |year=1999 |publisher=National Journal |location=Washington, DC |isbn=0-8129-3194-7 |pages=136–137}}</ref> to Mae Elder (1925&ndash;1999) and Dorsey Wiles Huckabee (1923&ndash;1996), both natives of Hope. His surname is of English origin. His father worked as a fireman and mechanic, and his mother worked as a clerk at a gas company.<ref>
{{cite news |publisher=ABC News |url=http://abcnews.go.com/WN/WhoIs/story?id=3746628&page=1|title=Get to Know Mike Huckabee;Former Arkansas Governor Hopes to Go From the Pulpit to the Oval Office|date=2007-10-18|accessdate=2007-11-17|last=Wiener |first=Jared}}
</ref> His father was a strict disciplinarian, and left a lasting impression. Speaking to [[Charles Gibson]] of [[ABC News]], he explained with a grin: "My father was the ultimate patriot. You know, he'd lay on the stripes, and I'd see stars."<ref>[[World News with Charles Gibson|ABC World News]], October 18, 2007</ref>

Huckabee's first job, at 14, was working at a radio station where he read the news and weather.<ref>{{cite book |last=Huckabee |first=Mike |title=Character Is The Issue |publisher=Broadman&Holman |year=1997 |location=Nashville |page=72}}
</ref>
He was elected Governor of Arkansas [[Boys State]] in 1972<ref name = "Barone 136-137"/> and is a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Alumnus. He was student council president at [[Hope High School]] in 1973.<ref name="scottparks">
{{cite news |last=Parks |first=Scott |date=1997-02-09 |title=Huckabee's not preaching to choir;Arkansas governor leads largely Democratic state |publisher=Dallas Morning News }}</ref> He has one sister, Pat (Harris) who is a middle school teacher.<ref name="brianlamb">
{{cite news |publisher=CSPAN |url=http://www.q-and-a.org/Transcript/?ProgramID=1010&QueryText=Huckabee|title=Q&A by Brian Lamb interview with Mike Huckabee |date=2005-02-13|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref>

Huckabee married Janet McCain on May 25, 1974.<ref name="brianlamb" /> He graduated [[Latin honors|magna cum laude]] from [[Ouachita Baptist University]], completing his [[bachelor's degree]] in Religion in 2½ years before attending [[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. He dropped out of [[seminary]] after one year in order to take a job in Christian broadcasting.<ref>
{{cite news
|last=Montanaro
|first=Domenico
|coauthors=Lauren Appelbaum
|title=HUCK ON 'THEOLOGY' DEGREE
|publisher=MSNBC
|date=2007-12-14
|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/14/518108.aspx
|accessdate=2007-12-16 }}
</ref><ref name="mikebio">
{{cite web|url=http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=About.Home |title=Official biography|accessdate=2007-10-26}}</ref><ref> {{cite news|last=Chafets |first=Zev |date=2007-12-12 |title=The Huckabee Factor |publisher=New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/magazine/16huckabee.html?_r=2&hp=&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin }} </ref> He has two honorary [[doctoral degree]]s: a Doctor of Humane Letters, received from [[John Brown University]] in 1991, and a Doctor of Laws from Ouachita Baptist University in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccrkba.org/defender1998.htm#May |title=defender of the month 1998<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ccrkba.org |author=Talkers Magazine |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref> url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/mike_huckabee/ </ref>

Huckabee was an Alumni member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

==Pastoral career==
At 21, Huckabee was a staffer for [[James Robison]], a [[television evangelist]].<ref name="scottparks"/>
Robison commented, "His convictions shape his character and his character will shape his policies. His whole life has been shaped by moral absolutes."<ref name="scottparks"/> Huckabee has stated, "Politics are totally directed by worldview. That's why when people say, 'We ought to [[separation of church and state|separate politics from religion]],' I say to separate the two is absolutely impossible".<ref>
{{cite book |last=Huckabee |first=Mike |title=Character Is The Issue |publisher=Broadman&Holman |year=1997 |location=Nashville |page=98}}
</ref> Huckabee believes in [[Biblical inerrancy]].<ref name="scottparks"/>
Prior to his political career, Huckabee served as pastor at Beech Street Baptist Church in [[Texarkana, Arkansas|Texarkana]] from 1980&ndash;1986 and then at Immanuel Baptist Church in [[Pine Bluff, Arkansas]] from 1986&ndash;1992. In both Texarkana and Pine Bluff Huckabee started 24-hour television stations "where he produced documentaries and hosted a program called ''Positive Alternatives''.<ref name = "Barone 136-137"/> He encouraged the all-white Immanuel Baptist Church to accept black members in the mid 1980s.<ref name="scottparks"/><ref name="Isikoff"/> He served as president of a religion-oriented television station. In 1989 Huckabee ran against the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Floyd of Springdale for the presidency of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.<ref>{{cite news
|last=Scudder
|first=James
|title=Southern Baptists face crucial week //Baptist fuss is taking its toll
|publisher=Arkansas Democrat-gazette
|date=1990-06-11}}
</ref> Huckabee won and served as president from 1989 to 1991.

==Early political career==
In 1992, in Huckabee's first political race, he lost to [[incumbent]] Senator [[Dale Bumpers]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]), receiving 40 percent of the vote in the [[general election]].<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE5DE163FF936A35752C1A964958260|title=THE 1992 ELECTIONS: STATE BY STATE; SOUTH|date=November 5, 1992|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''}}
</ref> That same election saw Arkansas Governor [[Bill Clinton]] ascend to the Presidency, making Lieutenant Governor [[Jim Guy Tucker]] the new Governor. Huckabee narrowly won a [[special election]] for lieutenant governor on July 27, 1993. He defeated [[Nate Coulter]], who had been Bumpers' campaign manager the previous year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2519/is_n5_v14/ai_14558214/pg_2 |title=GOP wins one in Arkansas - Republican Party; Mike Huckabee &#124; Campaigns & Elections &#124; Find Articles at BNET.com<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Findarticles.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> (51%-49%).<ref name = "Barone 136-137"/> Huckabee became only the second Republican since [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]] to serve as Arkansas lieutenant governor, the first being [[Maurice Britt]] from 1967 to 1971.

[[Dick Morris]], who had previously worked for [[Bill Clinton]], advised Huckabee on his race in 1993, and again in 1994 when Huckabee ran for re-election.<ref name = "RexNelson">{{cite news|last=Nelson|first=Rex|date=1995-07-02|title=Clinton's Hired Gun Gives Huckabee Hand: Lieutenant Governor Shooting for Senate|publisher=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette}}</ref> Huckabee commented that Morris was a "personal friend".<ref name = "RexNelson"/> A newspaper article reported on Huckabee's 1993 win: "Morris said the mistake Republicans always make is that they are too much of a country club set. What we wanted to do was run a [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]] campaign that would appeal to all Arkansans.'"<ref name = "RexNelson"/>
Morris elaborated, "So we opened the campaign with ads that characterized Mike as more of a [[moderate]] whose values were the same as those of other Arkansans."<ref name = "RexNelson"/>

In April 1994, Huckabee withdrew from a speaking engagement before the [[Council of Conservative Citizens]]. He commented, "I will not participate in any program that has [[racism|racist]] overtones. I've spent a lifetime fighting racism and [[anti-Semitism]]."<ref>{{cite news
|last=Duhart
|first=Bill
|coauthors=
|title=Huckabee won't appear with racist.
|work=
|pages=
|language=
|publisher=Philadelphia Tribune
|date=1994-04-12
|url=
|accessdate=}}</ref>

In 1994, Huckabee was re-elected to a full term as lieutenant governor, beating Democrat Charlie Cole Chaffin with nearly 59 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3929|title=1994 AR Lt. Governor Election Results|publisher=OurCampaigns.com<!--note: |date=??? (says "Last Modified: Site Builder July 13, 2005 11:50pm," but it's for a poll that happened in 1994!)-->}}</ref> While Lieutenant Governor, Huckabee accepted $71,500 in speaking fees and traveling expenses from a [[nonprofit]] group, Action America. [[R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company|R. J. Reynolds]] was the group's largest contributor.<ref name="Isikoff">{{cite news
|last=Bailey
|first=Holly
|coauthors=Michael Isikoff
|title=A Pastor's True Calling: Huckabee's success is due, in part, to right-time, right-place luck. But he says it comes from above.
|publisher=NewsWeek
|date=2007-12-08
|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/74469/output/print
|accessdate=2007-12-14 }}</ref>

In October 1995, [[David Pryor]] announced that he was retiring from the [[United States Senate]]. Huckabee then announced he was running for the open seat and moved well ahead in the polls.<ref name = "Barone 136-137"/> He won the Republican nomination unopposed.<ref name="KevinSack" />

During his campaign, Huckabee opposed in December then-Governor Tucker's plan for a constitutional convention.<ref>{{cite news
|last=O'Neal |first=Rachel
|coauthors=Caldwell, Elizabeth
|title=OBSERVERS SAY ARKANSANS: Arkansas voters didn't like the idea of allowing 26 appointed legislators to serve as delegates to a proposed constitutional convention.
|publisher=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
|date=1995-12-14 }}
</ref> The plan was defeated by voters 20 percent-80 percent in a [[special election]]. In January 1996, Huckabee campaigned in televised ads paid for by the [[Republican National Committee]] and the [[Republican Party of Arkansas|Arkansas Republican Party]] against a highway referendum. Tucker supported the referendum, which included tax increases and a bond program, to improve {{convert|1300|mi|km}} of highway.<ref name="Oneal">{{cite news
|last=O'Neal |first=Rachel
|title=ROAD VOTE
|publisher=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
|date=1996-01-11 }}
</ref> On the referendum, the bond question, which included a sales tax increase and a gas tax increase, lost 13 percent-87 percent. A second question, a five-cent increase on [[diesel]] tax, lost 14 percent-86 percent.<ref name="Oneal" /><ref name="CharacterBook">
{{cite book |last=Huckabee |first=Mike |title=Character Is The Issue |publisher=Broadman&Holman |year=1997 |location=Nashville |pages=65–67}}</ref> Huckabee also opposed Tucker's plan for school consolidation.<ref name="CharacterBook" />

In May 1996 Tucker, involved in the [[Whitewater scandal]], was convicted "on one count of arranging nearly $3 million in fraudulent loans" and he promised to resign by July 15.<ref name = "Barone 136-137"/> Huckabee then announced he would quit the Senate race and instead fill the unexpired term of Tucker.<ref name="KevinSack">
{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9905EEDB1E39F932A05756C0A960958260|title=Arkansan Quits Senate Race to Lead State|publisher=New York Times|last=Sack |first=Kevin |date=1996-05-31}}</ref>

==Governor of Arkansas==
Tucker, insisting he had a strong case for [[appeal]],<ref name="Barone 44">{{cite book |title=The Almanac of American Politics |last=Barone |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors=Grant Ujifusa |year=1999 |publisher=National Journal |location=Washington, DC |isbn=0-8129-3194-7 |page=44}}</ref> rescinded his resignation as Huckabee was preparing to be sworn in, but within a few hours reinstated his resignation after Huckabee threatened to initiate [[impeachment]] proceedings against Tucker.<ref name="scottparks" /> Huckabee was sworn in as [[Governor of Arkansas]] on July 15, 1996. In November 1998, Huckabee was elected to a full four-year term by defeating retired Colonel [[Gene McVay]] in the primary and Jonesboro attorney [[Bill Bristow]] in the [[general election]], becoming the state's third elected Republican Governor since Reconstruction. In November 2002, Huckabee was reelected to his second four-year term by defeating State Treasurer [[Jimmie Lou Fisher]], garnering 53 percent of the vote. By the end of his term, Huckabee owned the third-longest tenure of any Arkansas Governor. Only Democrats [[Orval Faubus]], who served six consecutive two-year terms (1955–1967), and [[Bill Clinton]], who served 11 years, 11 months (1979–1981; 1983–1992), had longer tenures.

===The first years===
In late 1996, Huckabee campaigned for ballot Amendment 1, a plan to adjust property tax rules to make school funding more equal across the state, and Amendment 2, a [[constitutional amendment]] increasing the state [[sales tax]] 0.125 percent to improve the state's park system and natural resources.<ref name="Barone 44"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Jefferson|first=James|date=1996-11-07|title=Huckabee Pleased with Votes on Ark. Amendments|publisher=The Commercial Appeal}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news|last=Duffy|first=Joan|date=1996-09-09|title=Critical Arkansas school funds amendment goes untouted|publisher=The Commercial Appeal}}</ref> As part of the campaign, Huckabee traveled the entire length of the [[Arkansas River]] within Arkansas by boat.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last=Southern Governors Association|coauthors= |title=State Leadership and Best Practices in Conservation |date=2002-08 |publisher=Southerngovernors.org |url=http://www.southerngovernors.org/publications/PDF/StateWhitePaper.pdf |work= |pages= |accessdate=2007-08-13|format=PDF}}{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}</ref> Amendment 1 passed 52%-48% and Amendment 2 passed 51%-49%.<ref>http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/Initiatives_and_Amendments_1938-2006.html</ref>

Huckabee proclaimed 1997 as a year of racial reconciliation by saying "Let every one of us make it our priority to bring reconciliation, not so much that we can force it or legislate it, because we cannot, but that we begin in each of our own lives to purpose in our hearts that we will not harbor anger, hostility, prejudice, bigotry and racism toward any person."<ref name = "scottparks"/><ref name="State1997">
{{cite news|last=Huckabee|first=Mike|date=1997-01-15|title=Text of Gov. Huckabee's State of the State address (part 2 of 2)|publisher=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette}}
</ref>

Huckabee signed legislation to create a health insurance program which extended coverage to children of lower-income families, to be funded in part by [[Medicaid]], [[State Children's Health Insurance Program|SCHIP]], and a tobacco industry lawsuit settlement.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.arkidsfirst.com/home.htm|title=AR Kids First website|accessdate=2007-02-10}}
</ref> The program, [[ARKids First]], reduced the number of uninsured children to nine percent (compared with 12 percent for the nation) in 2003.<ref name="time">{{cite news |title=America's 5 Best Governors |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1129494,00.html |publisher=Time Magazine |date=[[2005-11-13]]}} </ref> Also in his first year as governor Huckabee signed a [[intact dilation and extraction|partial birth abortion]] ban and a $7.6 Million [[Smart Start]] program for primary school students to learn "the basic skills of reading, math, and character." Huckabee vetoed a $140 million bill for capital improvements. The [[Arkansas General Assembly]] overrode the veto.<ref name="Barone 136-137" />

Huckabee signed the Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act in 1997. This bill has provisions which allow religious groups to contract for social services with the state without having to compromise their principles. An excerpt reads, <blockquote>"Provided that the health, safety and welfare of children in the care of a child welfare agency is not endangered, nothing in this act shall be construed to permit the Board to promulgate or enforce any rule that has the effect of: (A) interfering with the religious teaching or instruction offered by a child welfare agency; (B) infringing upon the religious beliefs of the holder(s) of a child welfare agency license; (C) infringing upon the right of an agency operated by a religious organization to consider creed in any decision or action relating to admitting or declining to admit a child or family for services; (D) infringing upon the parents' right to consent to a child's participating in prayer or other religious practices while in the care of the child welfare agency; (E) prohibiting the use of [[corporal punishment|corporal discipline]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/acts/1997/htm/1041.htm |title=F:\inetsrv\ftproot\ACTS\HTM\1041.htm<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Arkleg.state.ar.us |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref></blockquote>

Huckabee made sure that state agencies were compliant with [[charitable choice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/interviews/interview.cfm?id=36 |title=Roundtable Interviews<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Religionandsocialpolicy.org |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> His administration issued guidelines in October 2000, which allow religious groups to offer voluntary religious programs and to leave their religious artifacts on the walls as long as welfare clients are not pressured to convert and tax money doesn't directly underwrite them. Religious groups are allowed to reject a job candidate on religious grounds. The guidelines also guarantee that any client can receive alternative placement if the client objects to a religious provider.<ref>{{citation
|last=Minton
|first=Mark
|title=Under Huckabee administration, faith groups vie with business for government contracts Church, state team up
| newspaper =ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
|date=2001-03-25 }}</ref>

In a February 1998 presidential [[straw poll]] of 65 [[Christian Coalition]] leaders, Huckabee came in second to [[John Ashcroft]] and ahead of [[Steve Forbes]], [[J. C. Watts]] and [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news
|last=Walsh
|first=Edward
|coauthors=
|title=Christian Coalition Leaders Back Ashcroft
|work=
|pages=
|language=
|publisher=Washington Post
|date=1998-02-17
|url=
|accessdate=}}</ref>

On May 22, 1998, the Arkansas Ethics Commission fined Huckabee [[US$]]1,000 for failing to report campaign payments made to himself and his wife.<ref>
Duffy, Joan (May 23, 1998). "Ark. Governor to Pay Ethics Fine". The Commercial Appeal.</ref> In October 1998 the ''[[Arkansas Times]]'' suggested Huckabee used a fund set up for the maintenance of the Governor's Mansion for his own personal use.<ref name="AR blog">{{cite web|url=http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2007/09/golden_oldie_from_the_huckabee.aspx|title=Arkansas Blog: Golden oldie from the Huckabee archives|last=Brantley |first=Max|date=2007-09-06|publisher=Arkansas Times|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref><ref>http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/huckabeemain.doc</ref>
The ''Times'' later reported Huckabee was listed as the recipient of furniture given to the Governor's Mansion and not the Mansion itself.<ref>http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/royalapartment.doc</ref> Tom Mars, Huckabee's attorney, denied any misuse or inappropriate actions.<ref>http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/governorsresponse.doc</ref>

====Wayne DuMond case====
{{main|Wayne DuMond}}
Huckabee has come under criticism for his handling of the case of [[Wayne DuMond]] (also spelled Dumond), a convicted [[rape|rapist]] who was released during Huckabee's governorship. Despite a crude [[castration]] and a professed religious conversion in prison, DuMond subsequently [[sexually assault]]ed and [[murder]]ed a woman in [[Missouri]].<ref name="arktimes">
{{cite web|url=http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=154e1aad-fd18-4efd-8d80-b5dab8559419|title=Arkansas Times article|accessdate=2007-02-10}}
</ref>
DuMond's case had attracted national attention in the mid-1990s from critics of President Clinton who felt that Clinton, Arkansas Governor at the time of the rape, had been too harsh with DuMond because DuMond's victim was a distant Clinton relative. Clinton had recused himself from any involvement in the case. Before taking office, Huckabee met with DuMond's wife and privately announced his intention that DuMond be set free, stating his unhappiness with the way Clinton handled the case.<ref>Dunleavy, Steve (June 2, 1996). "How Gov. Clinton Denied an Innocent Man His Freedom". New York Post</ref>

On September 20, 1996, Huckabee publicly announced his intention of [[clemency|commuting]] DuMond's sentence to time served. DuMond had originally been sentenced to [[life in prison|life]] plus twenty years in prison, but in 1992, Tucker reduced the sentence to 39½ years, which gave DuMond the possibility of [[parole]].<ref>{{cite news |authorlink=AP |title=Huckabee's Record On Pardons Questioned:GOP Candidate Granted 1,033 Pardons And Commutations In 10½ Years As Arkansas Gov.|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/10/politics/main3598831.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_3598831 |publisher=cbsnews|date=2007-12-10|accessdate=2007-12-11 }}</ref> Although there was strong pressure to commute DuMond's sentence from Clinton critics ill-informed by the [[New York Post]] columns of [[Steve Dunleavy]], a close friend and writer for [[Rupert Murdoch]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/07/how-anticlinton-zealots-_n_75833.html|title=How anti-Clinton zealots pushed Huckabee to let a rapist free|author=Sam Stein|publisher=Huffington Post|date=2007-12-07}}</ref> there was also strong opposition to Huckabee's plan from DuMond's victims, female Arkansas legislators, and various law enforcement officials, leaving Huckabee in a difficult situation politically.<ref name="waas">
{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/04/documents-expose-huckabee_n_75362.html |title=Documents Expose Huckabee's Role In Serial Rapist's Release|publisher=Huffington Post|accessdate=2007-12-04}}
</ref><ref name="arktimes" /><ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/05/exclusive-the-complete-h_n_75373.html |title=Exclusive: The Complete Huckabee-Dumond File|publisher=Huffington Post|accessdate=2007-12-06}}
</ref>

On October 31, 1996, Huckabee met privately with the parole board to talk about the DuMond case. The ''[[Arkansas Times]]'' has argued that this closed-door meeting appeared to violate Arkansas' [[Freedom of information in the United States|FOIA]] law.<ref name="DumondRevisited">Waas, Murray S. [http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=154e1aad-fd18-4efd-8d80-b5dab8559419 Dumond case revisited - A reminder of Huckabee's role in his freedom], ''Arkansas Times'', Sept 1, 2005.</ref> On January 16, 1997, DuMond was granted parole, just five months after he had been rejected. Huckabee released a statement saying, "I concur with the board's action and hope the lives of all those involved can move forward. The action of the board accomplishes what I sought to do in considering an earlier request for commutation ...In light of the action of the board, my original intent to commute the sentence to time served is no longer relevant."<ref name="arktimes"/> The parole was granted on the condition that DuMond leave the state. He moved to [[Smithville, Missouri]] in 1999 and was later convicted there of sexually assaulting and murdering a woman who lived near his home.<ref name =waas/>
DuMond was also a suspect in the murder of a pregnant woman in [[Platte County, Missouri]].<ref name =waas/> DuMond died in prison in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2005/09/convicted_murde.html |title=Crime Scene KC<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Blogs.kansascity.com |date=September 1, 2005 |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>
Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley has argued Huckabee granted too many clemencies.<ref>
{{cite news |title=Arkansas clemencies outpace other states |url=http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_08_11_04/huckabee8.html |publisher=Leader Newspapers |date=2004-08-11 |accessdate=2007-12-06 }}
</ref>

In 2005, The ''Arkansas Times'' reported on the role that Huckabee played in the parole board's decision.<ref name="DumondRevisited"/>

When questioned about the case during his presidential campaign in 2007, Huckabee denied pressuring any parole board members to release DuMond, despite three of the parole board members stating that they felt he did pressure them to do so.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/06/huckabee.dumond/index.html Huckabee: Politicization of rape victims' deaths 'heartbreaking'] CNN.com, December 6, 2007</ref> Huckabee's official website states: "Governor Huckabee either denied Wayne DuMond's clemency request, or took no action (which is the same as a denial) on four separate occasions." The website states that it was Governor Jim Tucker who "made Wayne DuMond immediately eligible for parole,"<ref>{{cite web|title=Truth Squad:Wayne Dumond Story|url=http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=TruthSquad.Dumond|accessdate=2008-01-07 }}</ref> which, his website says, is granted by the parole board and not by the governor.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

===First full term===
In January 1999, Huckabee joined the presidential exploratory committee of [[Lamar Alexander]].<ref>{{cite news
|last=Hallow
|first=Ralph Z.
|coauthors=
|title=Alexander gets ready to enter 2000 GOP fray: 3 governors will lead exploratory committee.
|work=
|pages=
|language=
|publisher=The Washington Times
|date=1999-01-08
|url=
|accessdate=}}</ref> Later, Huckabee endorsed George W. Bush. The Washington Post reported in February 2000,
<blockquote>"This is a guy who gets things done," said Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. "The more people get to know George Bush, the more than are going to get to like him."<ref>{{cite news
|last=Edsall
|first=Thomas
|coauthors=
|title=Republican Governors Reaffirm Their Endorsement of Bush
|work=
|pages=
|language=
|publisher=The Washington Post
|date=2000-02-27
|url=
|accessdate=}}</ref></blockquote>

On April 1, 1999, Huckabee signed into law a three cent increase in tax on [[gasoline]] and a four cent increase on diesel.<ref> {{cite news|url=http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/08/04/news/iowa/0b84fa1a84daac668625732d000dd2fb.txt|title=Huckabee cites differences in tax increases|publisher=[[Sioux City Journal]]}}
</ref> Attached to the bill was a bond issue to pay for highway construction. The Commercial Appeal reported: "All the diesel money will be earmarked to pay off the bonds or, if the bond issue fails, to directly finance repairs to the interstates. The gasoline tax money will finance work on non-interstate state roads, notably projects approved in a 1991 road program that without new money remains seven years from completion. Should the bond issue fail, the taxes would remain in place, lessening the chances that the trucking industry will campaign against the bonds." Huckabee commented that the bond issue "won't affect taxes, it will only affect construction acceleration."<ref> {{cite news|last=Duffy|first=Joan|date=1999-04-02|title=Huckabee signs bill to get roads, 'pride' restored success relies on June 15 bond vote|publisher=The Commercial Appeal}}
</ref>

Huckabee led a public relations campaign for the bond program for road reconstruction.<ref>
{{cite news|last=Pierce|first=Ray|date=1999-06-15|title=Arkansas vote today on bond issue for highways|publisher=Arkansas Democrat Gazette}}</ref> Arkansas voters approved Huckabee's program.<ref> Jefferson, James (June 16, 1999). "Voters Back Huckabee's Road Plan: 'Build Now, Pay Later' Parts With Tradition." The Commercial Appeal.</ref> In 1999, the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) was established.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.cgp.upenn.edu/ope_ar.html|title=Arkansas Value Added Assessment|accessdate=2007-10-06}} </ref><ref> {{cite web|url=http://arkedu.state.ar.us/actaap/index.htm|title=Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program|accessdate=2007-10-06}} </ref>
Huckabee modeled ACTAAP after K-12 programs in other states:

<blockquote>
"..I've been fortunate to become friends with Gov. Jim Hunt of North Carolina and Gov. George W. Bush of Texas. They've shared their comprehensive assessment and accountability programs. We now have statewide academic standards that allow us to set clear teaching objectives. We have statewide assessments linked to those standards. We have accountability systems with consequences for schools that fail to perform."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010717234720/www.accessarkansas.org/governor/r08192000.html|title=Governor Huckabee's Radio Address August 19, 2000 Subj: Education |accessdate=2007-10-06}}</ref>
</blockquote>

Subsequent legislation amended ACTAAP to conform to [[No Child Left Behind]].<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://nclb.ecs.org/nclb/rpt_details.asp?survey=684|title=No Child Left Behind |accessdate=2007-10-06}} </ref> Later, in 2005, Huckabee stated, <blockquote>"And one thing I salute about [George W. Bush] is No Child Left Behind, and no matter what you've heard about it let me tell you it's the best thing that ever happened in education because it says we're not going to let children spend years and years and let taxpayers spend thousands and thousands of dollars only to find out when the kid graduates high school that he's basically a functional illiterate, that we're not going to leave him lingering back in those classrooms and that he or she will get a decent education and we will hold accountable those who are responsible for getting that child a good education."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/huckab082705spt.html |title=Gov. Mike Huckabee-Strafford County Republican Picnic (Dover, NH) Aug. 27, 2005<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Gwu.edu |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref></blockquote>

In July 1999, Huckabee hosted a $500-a-plate fundraiser for [[Rudy Giuliani]]'s campaign for US Senate in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]].<ref>{{cite news
|last=Goodnough
|first=Abby
|coauthors=
|title=In Brief Visit to Arkansas, Mayor Will Tour a Place That the First Lady Called Home
|work=
|pages=
|language=
|publisher=New York Times
|date=1999-07-26
|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE2DA113EF935A15754C0A96F958260
|accessdate=2008-01-09}}</ref>

Rather than funnel 100 percent of the state's tobacco settlement revenues into the general fund, Huckabee campaigned to put it in the state's [[health care]] system.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010718003248/www.accessarkansas.org/governor/r01082000.html|title=Huckabee Radio Address Subj: Improving the health of Arkansans|accessdate=2007-10-07}}
</ref>

On March 7, 2001, Huckabee signed a tax on private nursing homes for $5.25 per day per non-Medicare patient.<ref> Osher, Chris (March 10, 2001). "Huckabee signs bed-tax bill for nursing homes". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette </ref> However, Huckabee was named "Friend of a Taxpayer" by [[Americans for Tax Reform]] for his cut in statewide spending.<ref name="Jennrubin" />

On April 11, 2001, Huckabee signed the "[[Covenant Marriage]] Act," a marriage contract option that compels couples to seek counseling if problems develop during the marriage, provides limited grounds for [[divorce]] or [[marital separation|separation]], and restricts lawsuits against spouses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/2001/scripts/ablr/bills/bills.asp?billno=HB2039|title="Covenant Marriage Act of 2001"|accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwamarriages.org/about/pdf/cov_marriage_app.pdf|title="Covenant Marriage Act 2001 Legal forms"|accessdate=2007-10-08|format=PDF}}{{Dead link|date=October 2008}} </ref> Huckabee said the law, "offers couples a chance to be held to a higher level of marital commitment."<ref> {{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20011005123215/www.accessarkansas.org/governor/r05262001.html|title="Governor Huckabee's Radio Address Subj: Marriage"|accessdate=2007-10-08}}
</ref> He and his wife converted to a covenant marriage in 2004.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6440961/ Ark. governor embraces covenant marriage] MSNBC.com, Nov, 9, 2004</ref>

In 2001 Huckabee urged student districts to allow students to pray and proclaimed October as "Student Religious Liberty Month."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1001038,00.html |title=Letting God Back In - TIME<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Time.com |author=Jodie Morse With Reporting by Constance E. Richards/Asheville, Margot Roosevelt/Los Angeles and Rod Walton/Tulsa Monday, Oct. 22, 2001 |date=October 22, 2001 |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

Later in 2001, his refusal to raise taxes in the face of a budget shortfall sparked criticism from lawmakers and the media. In response to the criticism he created the "Tax Me More Fund", which was a voluntary fund for people who felt that the government needed to raise more taxes.<ref name="taxmemore">
{{cite web
|url=http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/12/3/171750.shtml
|title=Arkansas Governor Creates 'Tax Me More Fund'
|accessdate=2007-10-28
}}
</ref> State Sen. Minority Leader [[John Brown (politician)|John Brown]] called the "Tax Me More Fund" a campaign tactic.<ref name="taxmemore" /> However, the [[Club for Growth]] argues Huckabee increased state spending 65.3 percent (1996–2004) and supported five tax increases.<ref name="CFG">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2006/05/mike_huckabee_is_a_liberal_a_c.php
|title=Club for Growth page on Huckabee
|accessdate=2007-02-10
}}
</ref>
In response, Huckabee said he doubled the standard deduction and the child care tax credit, eliminated the marriage penalty and the capital gains tax on the sale of a home, and reduced the capital gains tax for both businesses and individuals.<ref name="ChipSaltsman"/> Ernest Dumas of the ''Arkansas Times'', a consistent Huckabee critic,<ref>[http://www.arktimes.com/Authors/AuthorViewer.aspx?AuthorID=adefdaad-5bc3-46b8-8f3d-5e74454df9ab Archive of Dumas' articles from Arkansas Times] Arkansas Times</ref> responded most of the tax cuts were small deductions and exemptions initiated by the state legislature, that the broad-based tax cut was proposed by his predecessor and Huckabee was "the biggest taxer and spender in Arkansas history."<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=7ecd2abc-c7b0-4016-8683-adf10e6265ac
|title=Huckabee's record
|accessdate=2007-10-28
|publisher=Arkansas Times
|date=August 9, 2007
}}
</ref> Former Arkansas State Representative [[Randy Minton]] (R) has said; "[Huckabee's] support for taxes split the Republican Party, and damaged our name brand."<ref>[http://opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110010782 Another Man From Hope] ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' October 26, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007</ref> The group has pointed out that Huckabee publicly opposed the repeal of a [[sales tax]] on groceries and medicine in 2002, signed a bill raising taxes on gasoline in 1999, and signed a $5.25 bed-tax on private nursing home patients in 2001.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/08/04/news/iowa/0b84fa1a84daac668625732d000dd2fb.txt
|title=Huckabee cites differences in tax increases
|accessdate=2007-10-28
|author=Dan Gearino
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2007/01/a_report_on_mike_huckabees_fis.php
|title=Mike Huckabee's Record on Economic Issues
|accessdate=2007-10-28
|publisher=Club for Growth
|date=January 29, 2007
}}
</ref><ref name = "ChipSaltsman">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressRelease&ID=188
|author=[[Chip Saltsman]]
|title=Mike Huckabee's Campaign Manager Speaks out Against Club For Growth Ad
|date=2007-08-02
|publisher=Mike Huckabee for President
|accessdate=2007-10-28
}}
</ref>

In 2002, Huckabee ran for Governor and his wife Janet ran for Arkansas Secretary of State. The ''[[New York Times]]'' reported this set off an "avalanche of criticism." A Republican State Representative, [[Jake Files]], commented, "'That's just a lot of power in one family's hands"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A06E1D6103FF932A05753C1A9649C8B63|last=Halbfinger|first=David|date=October 31, 2002|title=THE 2002 CAMPAIGN: THE STATES; Wedding Ring Is a Millstone in 2 Arkansas Races|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''}}</ref> Mike Huckabee later stated that his wife tried to recruit other Republican candidates willing to run for Secretary of State. But no one else was willing, so she ran herself.<ref name="brianlamb" />
Mike Huckabee won his race with 53 percent of the vote, while his wife Janet lost her race by 62% to 38%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2002/11/07/22879.html |title=Arkansas News Bureau - Hard Work Ahead, Governor Tells Lawmakers<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Arkansasnews.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

===Second full term===
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Official Governor Huckabee picture.jpg|left|thumb|An official state portrait of Huckabee as governor.{{deletable image-caption}}]] -->
On November 21, 2002, the [[Arkansas Supreme Court]] declared the state's school funding procedure was unconstitutional and ordered to produce a fair system. Huckabee proposed a plan to consolidate schools districts of less than 1,500 students. The plan would have consolidated 310 schools districts into 107-116 schools districts with a more centralized administrative and governance network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpaag.org/Huckabee%20Quotes%20Then%20and%20Now%20Table.htm |title=Governor's Quotes on Local Control - Past and Present<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Wpaag.org |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> The legislature instead passed a plan in January 2004 to consolidate school districts of less than 350 students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2004/01/28/News/111002.html |title=Arkansas News Bureau - Consolidation measure to become law<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Arkansasnews.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://schoolfunding.info/states/ar/lit_ar.php3 |title=Access Quality Education: Arkansas Litigation<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Schoolfunding.info |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> The issue would resurface when the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled again on school funding in December 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/12/17/News/332102.html |title=Arkansas News Bureau - School administrators balk at governor's plans<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Arkansasnews.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

On April 11, 2003 Huckabee signed a law which mandates annual [[body mass index]] (BMI) measurements for all public school children. The results are reported to parents with information about how to combat [[obesity]]. The law also sets up advisory committees to promote exercise and good nutrition for schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/2003/scripts/ablr/bills/bills.asp?billno=HB1583 |title=Current Bill Status<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Arkleg.state.ar.us |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>[http://www.uams.edu/coph/reports/2004Act12202003Y1Eval.pdf Establishing a baseline to Evaluate, Act 1220 of 2003, An Act of Arkansas General Assembly to Combat Childhood Obesity - UAMS, College of Public Health]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2005/05/01/front/01bmi.txt |title=The Morning News: Front : Questions Surround State's Trumpeted BMI Testing<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Nwaonline.net |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>[http://www.achi.net/become_a_sponsor/BMI_Info/bmi.asp]{{Dead link|date=September 2008}}</ref> On May 8, 2003, Huckabee signed into law increases in cigarette and tobacco taxes as well as a three percent income tax surcharge.<ref>Rowett, Michael and Wickline, Michael (May 9, 2003) "Legislature raises taxes to harvest $100 million". Arkansas Democrat Gazette.</ref>

In July 2003, Roby Brock reached a settlement with Huckabee and the Arkansas Educational Television Network. Brock had filed a lawsuit alleging that the defendants had conspired to remove his television program from the air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=11712 |title=firstamendmentcenter.org: news<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Firstamendmentcenter.org |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=16126 |title=freedomforum.org: Talk-show host wants answers from governor about possible pressure to kill program<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Freedomforum.org |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=16132 |title=freedomforum.org: Arkansas public TV station must air political consultant's show<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Freedomforum.org |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20020802153110/todaysthv.com/news/news.asp?storyid=3875 |title=GOV HUCKABEE GIVES DEPOSITION IN LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM |publisher=Today's THV |date=2002-07-11 |accessdate=2008-12-03}}</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20031008160334/www.swtimes.com/archive/2002/April/24/news/huckabee_aide.html Exec Says Huckabee Aide E-Mailed Him]</ref>
[[Image:Mike Huckabee speaking at HealthierUS Summit.jpg|right|thumb|Huckabee in 2004]]
In his 2005 State of the State address, he talked about a [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] student who was unable to receive financial aid because he was an illegal immigrant. Huckabee said, "...when he applied for financial aid, he wasn't eligible for the various scholarships or grants because of his status, a status that he had no decision in or control over."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stateline.org/live/details/speech?contentId=16585 |title=Arkansas State of the State address 2005<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Stateline.org |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news |first= |last=VDARE.com |coauthors= |title=Rush Limbaugh: How About Talking To Gov. Huckabee—Before GOP Is DOA? |date= |publisher=VDARE.com |url=http://www.vdare.com/bevens/050205_huckabee.htm |work= |pages= |accessdate=2007-08-13 |language=}}</ref>
Huckabee supported a 2005 bill by Arkansas State Representative Joyce Elliott to make some illegal immigrants eligible for scholarships and in-state college tuition,<ref>
{{cite news |first=Seth |last=Blomeley |coauthors= |title=House panel endorses college scholarship bill |date=2005-02-23 |publisher=Arkansas Democrat Gazette |url=http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?paper=adg&section=News&storyid=108762 |work= |pages= |accessdate=2007-11-10 |language=}}
</ref><ref>http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1525.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/2005/scripts/ablr/bills/bills.asp?billno=%20HB1525 |title=Current Bill Status<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Arkleg.state.ar.us |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>
while vehemently opposing a bill sponsored by Arkansas State Senator Jim Holt which would deny state benefits to illegal immigrants, calling it "un-Christian."<ref>
{{cite news |first=Doug |last=Thompson |coauthors= |title=Immigration bill un-Christian, anti-life, governor says |date= |publisher=Arkansas News Bureau |url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/01/28/News/316347.html |work= |pages= |accessdate=2007-08-13 |language=}}
</ref>

In opening remarks among Hispanic civil rights leaders at a [[League of United Latin American Citizens|LULAC]] convention, Huckabee said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base. "Pretty soon, Southern white guys like me may be in the minority," Huckabee said jokingly as the crowd roared in laughter. He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state's capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation. "Your gathering is so very significant for our state," Huckabee said.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/06/30/News/323746.html|title=Huckabee promotes 'open door' policy at LULAC convention|date=June 30, 2005|publisher=''[[Arkansas News Bureau]]''|quote="We are delighted to have you... I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens its heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...," Huckabee said as the audience gave him a standing ovation.}}
</ref>

In April 2005, Huckabee vetoed a bill which would have allowed public drinking of alcohol in entertainment districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/2005/scripts/ablr/bills/bills.asp?billno=SB1174 |title=Current Bill Status<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Arkleg.state.ar.us |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2005/public/SB1174/SB1174-030720051544.pdf</ref>

After [[Hurricane Katrina]] made landfall in August 2005, an estimated 70,000 evacuees fled to Arkansas and Huckabee ordered state agencies to take care of them. State parks offered discounts, waived pet restrictions, and bumped other reservations in favor of evacuees. Pharmacists were given emergency authority to dispense prescriptions and provide access to dialysis machines. Shelters opened up in nearly every portion of the state, and Huckabee requested that the entire state be declared a disaster area. It was not. Many of these shelters, either closed or set to close, were reopened or kept open to process a "second wave" of Katrina evacuees moved from [[Texas]] in the wake of arriving [[Hurricane Rita]]. (See also [[Hurricane Katrina disaster relief]]).

In 2005, Huckabee, supported by then-Arkansas Attorney General [[Mike Beebe]], opposed efforts by Oklahoma Attorney General [[Drew Edmondson]] to reduce water pollution.<ref>{{cite news
|last=AP
|title=Industry agrees to register farms
|publisher=News Star
|date=2002-07-10
|url=http://www.news-star.com/stories/071002/New_37.shtml
|accessdate=2007-12-16 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last=Nelson
|first=Melissa
|coauthors=
|title=Covertly placed monitoring devices cause friction between Arkansas and Oklahoma
|publisher=SignOnSanDiego.com
|date=2005-05-25
|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20050525-1438-poultrypollution.html
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last=Brown
|first=Wesley
|title=Angry farmers tell lawmakers to toss chicken litter law
|publisher=Arkansas News Bureau
|date=2004-12-17
|url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2004/12/17/News/312344.html
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last=Editorial Board
|title=Oklahoma vs. Arkansas
|publisher=The Leader
|date=2006-03-01
|url=http://www.arkansasleader.com/2006/03/sat-3-1-6-editorial-oklahoma-vs.html
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
|last=Barnes
|first=Steve
|title=South: Arkansas: Poultry And Water Quality
|publisher=New York Times
|date=2005-11-04
|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2D9173EF937A35752C1A9639C8B63
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}
</ref> Edmondson had sued Arkansas poultry companies alleging that chicken waste fouled Oklahoma rivers explaining, "You can't stand on the Arkansas side of the border, dump toxins into the river and wash your hands of the problem."<ref>{{cite news
|last=Moore
|first=John
|title=Poultry Companies Want Oklahoma Suit Delayed
|publisher=The Morning News
|date=2005-11-05
|url=http://www.illinoisriver.org/whatsstirring/stirarchive/120445.aspx
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref> Huckabee accused Edmondson of "political gamesmanship",<ref>{{citation |last=Montgomery
|first=Robert
|title=Water Wars: Oklahoma admits to covert operation in Arkansas streams
| newspaper =BASS Times
|date=2005-08
|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/news/story?page=b_fea_bt_0508_water_wars_OK_admits }}</ref> later Edmondson, in 2006, called Huckabee "a poultry company apologist."<ref>{{cite news
|last=Transcript Staff Writer
|title=Chicken poop, money key ingredients in AG race
|publisher=The Norman Transcript
|date=2006-10-26
|url=http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_299004539
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}
</ref> Huckabee went to Oklahoma to campaign against Edmondson in the 2006 election.<ref>
{{cite news
|last=Editorial Board
|title=Arkansas traveler Huckabee off base with criticism
|publisher=NewsOK.com
|date=2006-10-16
|url=http://www.newsok.com/article/2955632/
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite news
|last=Editorial Board
|title=Huck makes Sooners mad
|publisher=The Leader
|date=2006-10-18
|url=http://www.arkansasleader.com/2006/10/editorialhuck-makes-sooners-mad.html
|accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite video |people= Jack Bowen, Mike Huckabee, Rick Stubblefield, James Dunn|date2=2006-11-06 |title=Drew Edmondson's attack on agriculture|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7053574639658357146|publisher=James Dunn for Attorney General |accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref>

In early 2006, Huckabee{{ndash}} along with fellow governors [[Rick Perry]] (R-[[Texas|TX]]); [[Jim Doyle]] (D-[[Wisconsin|WI]]); and [[Dave Freudenthal]] (D-[[Wyoming|WY]]){{ndash}} went on a week-long visit to the [[Middle East]] and [[South Asia]] as part of a [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]-funded trip to provide the state leaders with an idea of the conditions under which American forces are serving. While visiting [[Baghdad]] and [[Tikrit]], Huckabee and the governors received briefings from Gen. [[George W. Casey, Jr.|George Casey]] and Amb. [[Zalmay Khalilzad]].<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2006/02/02/News/333735.html|title=
Governor sees progress in Iraq |accessdate=2007-02-10}}
</ref>

In November 2006, both Huckabee and his wife drew criticism for creating [[wedding registry|wedding registries]] in the amount of over $6000 at both the [[Target Corporation|Target]] and [[Dillard's]] web sites, in conjunction with a [[housewarming party]] to celebrate a new house they had purchased in Little Rock. The ''[[Arkansas Times]]'', which first reported the story, noted that wedding gifts represent one of the exceptions to a $100 cap on gifts to political leaders under Arkansas law.<ref>
[http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=66831ec8-ba1c-40e9-87fd-8868ec1f8b07 "Gifts solicited for Gov. Huckabee"], [[Arkansas Times]], November 11, 2006
</ref>
Huckabee said that the registries were intended only for those who were invited to the event, that he was not involved in organizing the event, and that they were classified as wedding registries only because those sites did not have separate categories for housewarming parties.<ref>
[http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/173040/ "Huckabee on registry reportage: For shame"], Seth Blomeley, [[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]], November 15, 2006
</ref>

Throughout his tenure as Governor, welfare enrollment declined by nearly half. During his last year in office the state's economy grew 4.4%, beating the national average of 4.2%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1129494,00.html |title=America's 5 Best Governors - TIME<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Time.com |author=Amanda Ripley and Karen Tumulty/Washington Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005 |date=November 13, 2005 |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

Shortly before announcing his candidacy for the President of the United States, Huckabee ordered that the drives of 83 computers and 4 servers be destroyed during his transition phase in leaving office. According to Claire Bailey, director of the Arkansas Department of Information Systems, the governor's office chose a combination of writing over the data and destroying the hard drives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=282516 |title=Drives Destroyed as Governor Exits<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Computerworld.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Huckabee said that the decision to crush the hard drives was made in order to "protect the privacy of those who had personal information on the drives." Critics, however, recalled that early in Huckabee's term as governor, documents, e-mails and memos stored on hard drives formed the basis of embarrassing stories about Huckabee, including the allegations regarding personal use of the Governor's Mansion funds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usnews.com/blogs/erbe/2007/10/29/mike-huckabee-and-ethics.html |title=Mike Huckabee and Ethics - To the Contrary (usnews.com)<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Usnews.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref name="AR blog" />

In 2005, [[Time (magazine)|Time]] magazine named him one of the five best governors in the U.S., writing "Huckabee has approached his state's troubles with energy and innovation".<ref name="time" /> The [[Club for Growth]] accuses Huckabee of being a liberal in disguise, saying Huckabee increased state spending 65.3 percent (1996–2004) and supported five tax increases.<ref name="CFG" /> The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration states during Huckabee's tenure, taxes were cut ninety times for a decrease of $378 million dollars, while taxes were raised twenty-one times for an increase of $883 million dollars.<ref name="arkdemgaz"> {{cite web |url=http://www.nwanews.com/adg/national/203850/ |title=Ten year record on taxes studied |publisher=Arkansas Democrat Gazette |date=January 13, 2003 |accessdate=2007-10-28 }} </ref> Arkansas Health Care Association President Jim Cooper stated the private nursing home tax was necessary in order to avert future huge tax increases as a result of years of mismanagement.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=563
|title=Response to Huckabee Attacks
|author=Jim Cooper, Arkansas Health Care Association President
|publisher=Mike Huckabee for President
|accessdate=2007-10-28
}}
</ref>

On December 26, 2007 the conservative organization [[Judicial Watch]] announced that Mike Huckabee was named to its list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for 2007. They state that Huckabee, as governor, was the subject of "14 ethics complaints and a volley of questions about his integrity, ranging from his management of campaign cash to his use of a nonprofit organization to subsidize his income to his destruction of state computer files on his way out of the governor's office." Judicial Watch further accused Huckabee of attempting to block the state ethics commission's investigations of the allegations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for 2007 |publisher=Judicial Watch |date=2007-12-26 |url=http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007 |accessdate=2007-12-26 }}</ref>

The [[Cato Institute]], a [[libertarian]] non-profit public policy research foundation, gave Huckabee an "F" for spending and tax policy in 2006.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa581/reportcard_table.html
|title="CATO Governors Report Card"
|accessdate=2007-02-10
}}
</ref> Huckabee has asserted he did not raise spending significantly in areas he could control and in those areas spending rose six-tenths of one percent a year during his entire governance.<ref name="ChipSaltsman" /> He also signed the first broad-based tax cut in Arkansas's history.<ref name="Jennrubin"/> For 2006, he says that his state enjoyed a surplus of nearly $850 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Mike_Huckabee_Budget_+_Economy.htm|title=Mike Huckabee on Budget & Economy |publisher=Ontheissues.org|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> In January, 2008, Huckabee repeated this assertion, while also pointing out that at the beginning of his term Arkansas had a $200 million deficit.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/10/01/election-candidates-politics-oped-cz_pmm_1002huckabee.html
|title=Candidate Central: Mike Huckabee
|publisher=Forbes
|accessdate=2007-10-28
}}</ref><ref name="ontheissues">
{{cite web
|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Mike_Huckabee.htm
|title=Mike Huckabee On the Issues
|publisher=On The Issues
|accessdate=2008-02-07
}}</ref> However, during his tenure, the state's general obligation debt increased by almost $1 billion.<ref name="Jennrubin">
{{cite web
|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NmNjMmI1ODhjNGVlZWFmNTlmMGNiZTVjYTg1NTUzMTk=
|title=Taxing Claims: Is Mike Huckabee an "authentic conservative"?
|accessdate=2007-10-28
|publisher=National Review Online
|author=Jennifer Rubin
|date=2007-02-12
}}
</ref>

At the end of his final term, Governor Huckabee pardoned [[Rolling Stones|Rolling Stone]] [[Keith Richards]] of a traffic offense in [[Arkansas]] 32 years prior<ref>http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/11/09/news/111006arhuckabeerichards.txt</ref>.

==Campaign for United States President, 2008 election==
{{proseline}}
{{Main|Mike Huckabee presidential campaign, 2008}}
[[Image:MikeHuckabee08.png|left|thumb|2008 Presidential Campaign logo]]
Huckabee announced his run for the White House on ''Meet the Press'' on January 28, 2007.<ref>
[http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/27/Huckabee.ap/index.html Former Gov. Huckabee to jump into 2008 race]. Associated Press, January 27, 2007
</ref>

At the August 11 [[Iowa Straw Poll]], Huckabee took second place with 2,587 votes, roughly 18 percent.<ref>"[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1652210,00.html What Iowa's Straw Poll Tells the GOP]" Time Online, August 11, 2007</ref> Huckabee spent $57.98 per vote in the Straw Poll, which is the lowest among the top three finishers.<ref>"[http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2007/08/straw-poll-fall.html Straw poll: Huckabee spent just $58 per vote for 2nd place and revived prospects]". ''USA Today'', August 12, 2007</ref> Huckabee drew attention with an unconventional ad featuring [[Chuck Norris]].<ref>{{cite video | people = Mike Huckabee, Chuck Norris |title=[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjYv2YW6azE HuckChuckFacts] | medium = television ad}} {{cite news |last=Patton |first=Christopher |title=Candidate ads play nice |publisher=Politico |date=2007-11-28 |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/7075.html |accessdate=2007-12-21}}.</ref> In a later ad Huckabee wished voters a merry Christmas, and said that "what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ."<ref>{{cite video | people = Mike Huckabee |title=[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xn7uSHtkuA What really Matters] | medium = television ad}}</ref> Critics accused him of exploiting the issue of religion, which he denied.<ref>{{cite news |title=Huckabee defends religious-themed Christmas ad |publisher=Dallas Morning News |date=2007-12-21 |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/DN-huckabee_20nat.ART.State.Edition1.36c953b.html |accessdate=2007-12-21 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/20/politics/main3636407.shtml Politics, Now Wrapped in Holiday Cheer] CBS News, Dec. 21, 2007</ref> According to the ''Associated Press'', on [[NBC]]'s [[Meet The Press]] on December 31, 2007, Huckabee "stood by" a 1998 comment in which he said, "I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ." Huckabee told NBC that his comment was "appropriate to be said to a gathering of Southern Baptists."<ref>Liz Sidoti: [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jVvZcPSHL9_XQajF5pZYfSx-uyNwD8TS1K380 Huckabee Stands by 'Christ' Comment]{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}. Associated Press, December 31, 2007.</ref> Huckabee has credited divine intervention with some of his political success.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Politics/story?id=3960611&page=1 Matter of Faith: Vote God 2008] Dec. 5, 2007</ref>

On January 3, 2008, Huckabee won the [[Iowa Republican caucuses, 2008|Iowa Republican caucuses]], receiving 34% of the electorate and 17 delegates, compared to the 25% of [[Mitt Romney]] who finished second, receiving 12 delegates, [[Fred Thompson]] who came in third place and received three delegates, [[John McCain]] who came in fourth place and received three delegates and [[Ron Paul]] who came in fifth place and received two delegates.

On January 8, 2008, Huckabee finished in third place in the [[New Hampshire primary]], behind [[John McCain]] in first place, and [[Mitt Romney]] who finished second, with Huckabee receiving one more delegate for a total of 18 delegates, gained via elections, and 21 total delegates, versus 30 total (24 via elections) for Romney, and 10 for McCain (all via elections).

[[Image:Huckabee SC concession.JPG|right|thumb|Mike Huckabee giving his concession speech after the 2008 South Carolina Presidential Primary in Columbia, SC.]]
On January 15, 2008, Huckabee finished in third place in the [[Michigan Republican primary, 2008]], behind [[John McCain]] in second place, [[Mitt Romney]] who finished first and ahead of [[Ron Paul]] who finished in fourth place.<ref name="cnn">{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#MI |title=CNN Politics Election Center 2008}}</ref><ref name="politico">{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/miprimaries/miprimaryjan080115.html |title=politico.com}}</ref>

On January 19, 2008, Huckabee finished in second place in the [[South Carolina Republican primary, 2008]], behind [[John McCain]] who finished first and ahead of [[Fred Thompson]] who finished third.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#SC CNN - South Carolina Primary Results]</ref>

On January 29, 2008, Huckabee finished in fourth place in the Florida primary, behind [[Rudy Guliani]] in third, [[Mitt Romney]] in second, and [[John McCain]] in first place.

On February 5, 2008, Huckabee won the first contest of "[[Super Tuesday]]", the [[West Virginia]] GOP state [[convention]], winning 52% of the electorate to [[Mitt Romney]]'s 47%.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0208/Romney_loses_West_Virginia_.html POLITICO: Romney Loses West Virginia!]</ref> Backers of rival [[John McCain]] threw him their support to prevent Mitt Romney from capturing the winner-take-all GOP state convention vote.<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iF8wKRfboqefXRDnYOmCOhaCdrSAD8UKC8OG1 Huckabee Wins W.Va. GOP Convention]{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}</ref> Huckabee also registered victories in [[Alabama]], [[Arkansas]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[Tennessee]] on Super Tuesday, bringing his delegate count up to 156, compared to 689 for Republican party front-runner [[John McCain]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/delegates/index.html |title=Democratic Delegate Counts - Election Guide 2008 - Dem. Delegates - The New York Times<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Politics.nytimes.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>.

On February 9, 2008, Huckabee won the first election following Super Tuesday, by winning 60% of the vote in the [[Kansas Republican caucuses, 2008|Kansas Republican Caucuses]].<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#KS CNN: Huckabee Wins Kansas]</ref>
This was also the first contest to be held without [[Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2008|Mitt Romney]], who was said to be splitting the conservative vote with Huckabee and some pundits suggested it was the reason for Huckabee's landslide victory.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/05/super.exit/?iref=mpstoryview CNN: Romney, Huckabee splitting conservative vote]</ref> Huckabee also won the [[Louisiana Republican primary, 2008|Louisiana Republican Primary]] with 44% of the vote to John McCain's 43% in second. Although Huckabee won the primary he was not awarded any delegates, because of the state party rules that state a candidate must pass the 50% threshold to receive the state's pledged delegates.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#val=LA CNN: Huckabee wins Louisiana]</ref>

On March 4, 2008, Huckabee withdrew from seeking the candidacy as it became apparent he would lose in Texas, where he had hoped to win and that [[John McCain]] would get the 1191 delegates required to win the Republican nomination.

==Post-presidential campaign career==
On June 12, 2008 [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]] announced the hiring of Mike Huckabee as a political commentator and regular contributor to their [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 American presidential election]] coverage, in their New York election headquarters.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

[[Image:MikeHuckabee-BrownUniversity.jpg|right|thumb|Mike Huckabee speaking at [[Brown University]] on [[October 30]], 2008]]

Huckabee recently completed his seventh book, titled ''Do The Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America'' which was released on November 18, 2008.

Even though Huckabee had signed a television contract and a book deal with a pressing deadline, he was mentioned by most to be on John McCain's short list for his [[Vice President of the United States|Vice Presidential]] [[running mate]]. Huckabee was eventually passed over for [[Sarah Palin]]. Before his passing, the popular pundit [[Tim Russert]] even referred to Huckabee as "Vice President Huckabee" several times when he appeared on [[Meet The Press]] May 18, 2008.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24693653/page/7/ Russert: Vice President Huckabee]</ref>

Huckabee also gave a speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota on September 3rd. In the speech, he expressed support for presidential candidate John McCain, giving an account of McCain's experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Huckabee hosts a weekend show ''[[Huckabee]]'' on Fox News. The show premiered Saturday September 27, 2008, at 8 PM EST.

Huckabee filled in for [[Paul Harvey]] in July 2008. A few months later, he signed a deal with [[ABC Radio|ABC Radio Networks]] to carry a daily commentary, ''The Huckabee Report'', beginning in January 2009.<ref>[http://www.abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?ID=999417 The Huckabee Report]. ABC Radio information page. December 2008.</ref>

==Possible 2012 Presidential Campaign==
In a November 19, 2008 article by the [[Associated Press]], Huckabee addressed the possibility of running for President in 2012. He said, "I'm not ruling anything out for the future, but I'm not making any specific plans".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKBzuu0SKZM0-4wwpJ3xfxZmH4XwD94I7SE00 |title=Huckabee won't rule out 2012 run for President |last=Ohlemacher |first=Stephen |work=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=2008-12-05 |date=November 19, 2008}}</ref> Marc Ambinder has identified him as the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.<ref name="ma100208">{{cite web|url=http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/10/huck.php |title=So Why's Huck an Early '12 Frontrunner? |last=Ambinder |first=Marc |work=TheAtlantic.com |accessdate=2008-10-05 |date=October 2, 2008}}</ref>

Amid speculation about a future run for the Presidency, a CNN poll in December 2008 found Huckabee at the top of the list of 2012 GOP contenders, along with [[Alaska]]n [[List of Governors of Alaska|Governor]] [[Sarah Palin]], fellow 2008 Presidential candidate [[Mitt Romney]], and former [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] [[Newt Gingrich]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/05/huckabee-and-palin-top-early-2012-list/ |title=Huckabee and Palin top early 2012 list |work=[[CNN|CNN.com]] |accessdate=2008-12-06 date=December 5, 2008}}</ref>

==Political positions==
{{main|Political positions of Mike Huckabee}}
*'''Immigration:''' Huckabee's immigration plan for the presidential campaign is to build a border fence, increase border patrol, prevent amnesty, enforce the law on employers, establish an economic border, empower local authorities, ensure document security, discourage dual citizenship, and modernize the process of legal immigration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=26 |title=Mike Huckabee for President - Issues<!-Bot-generated title-> His campaign also aired an ad showing him saying, jokingly, "My border protection plan? Two words: [[Chuck Norris]]. |publisher=Mikehuckabee.com |author=Huck PAC |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>. He says the United States' number one priority should be to secure America's borders, and supports building a 700-mile border fence.<ref>[http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=4 Issues - Immigration] MikeHuckabee.com</ref> He said of the border, "Police it, absolutely. Militarize it, no."<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/22/AR2006052201237.html |title=Interview with Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee|publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]''|date=May 23, 2006}}
</ref> Huckabee supports increases in visas for highly-skilled and highly-educated applicants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressRelease&ID=412 |title=Mike Huckabee for President - Newsroom<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Mikehuckabee.com |author=Huck PAC |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Huckabee does not support an end to birthright citizenship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressRelease&ID=484 |title=Mike Huckabee for President - Newsroom<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Mikehuckabee.com |author=Huck PAC |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

*'''War:''' Huckabee supports the ongoing [[War in Iraq]] and the [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007|troop surge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://senate.ontheissues.org/2008/Mike_Huckabee_War_+_Peace.htm|title=Mike Huckabee on War & Peace|publisher=OnTheIssues.org}}</ref>
**Huckabee has expressed concern that [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]] is a distraction from the Global War on Terror.<ref>[http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.Comment&Blog_id=837 Statement on Guantanamo Ba Detention Facility]</ref> Previously, he stated, "[Guantanamo is] more symbolic than it is a substantive issue because people perceive of mistreatment when in fact there are extraordinary means being taken to make sure these detainees are being given really every consideration".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,280457,00.html |title=Huckabee Says Guantanamo Bay Offers Better Conditions to Detainees Than Most U.S. Prisons |accessdate=2007-12-06 |date=2007-06-11 |author=Associated Press |publisher=FoxNews}}
</ref>

*'''Social issues:''' Huckabee opposes [[abortion]], [[same-sex marriage]], and [[civil union]]s. In an interview with ''[[GQ Magazine|GQ]]'', Huckabee said, "There's never been a civilization that has rewritten what marriage and family means and survived."<ref>{{cite web|title=Is this guy for real?|url=http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_6238}}</ref> In 1992, Huckabee indicated that he was against [[homosexual]]s serving in the military, and did not believe that women should be allowed in combat.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316485,00.html Mike Huckabee in 1992: No Gays in Military, No Women in Combat, Don't Kill Saddam] FoxNews.com, Dec. 11, 2007</ref> When asked about the issues of homosexuals in the military during his presidential run, Huckabee said he would not change the "[[don't ask, don't tell]]" policy, which prohibits openly gay personnel from serving. "...you don't punish people for their attitudes," he said. "You punish them if their behavior creates a problem, and it's already covered by the Uniform Code of Military Conduct."<ref>{{cite web|title=June 5 Debate: Mike Huckabee on Gays in the Military|url=http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tl_LTJuGTB4}}</ref> In 1992, Huckabee said that "homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and [[sin]]ful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk."<ref name="hiv" /> As of 2007, his view that homosexuality is "sinful" and "abnormal" had not changed.<ref name="abcaids"> {{cite news |first=Jake|last=Tapper|coauthors=Chupka, Kevin|title=Huckabee Confronts His Past Comments About AIDS: In 1992 Campaign for Senate From Arkansas, Suggested Quarantining AIDS Patients|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3974249&page=1|publisher=ABC News|date=2007-12-09|accessdate=2007-12-09 }} </ref>
**Huckabee supports increasing George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for [[AIDS]] Relief ([[PEPFAR]]) from $15 billion to $30 billion over five years. He also supports more funding to fight [[tuberculosis]] and [[malaria]].<ref>
[http://www.one.org/press/applaudshuckabee11272007.html ONE Vote '08 Applauds Governor Huckabee for Speaking Out on Fighting Against Global Disease] One.org
</ref>
**In a 1992 statement, Huckabee advocated isolating [[AIDS]] patients from the general population.<ref name="hiv">{{cite news |title=Huckabee Wanted to Isolate AIDS Patients|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1692878,00.html}}</ref> In 2007, Huckabee no longer advocates such an isolation, but he stands by his earlier view, saying that in 1992 "there was still a great deal of, I think, uncertainty about just how widespread AIDS was, how it could be transmitted. So we know more now than we did in 1992, all of us do{{ndash}} hopefully."<ref name="abcaids" /> However, by 1992 it was well known that HIV/AIDS could not be spread by casual contact.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael|last=Luo|title=Rapist's Parole and AIDS View From 1990s Follow Huckabee|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/us/politics/09campaign.html?hp|publisher=New York Times|date=2007-12-09|accessdate=2007-12-09 }}</ref><ref name="hiv" /> In the same statement, Huckabee also opposed increasing federal funding for HIV/AIDS research and suggested that Hollywood celebrities should provide additional funds instead. Huckabee now supports additional funding for HIV/AIDS research.<ref name="hiv" />

*'''Gun control:''' Huckabee is against excessive [[Gun politics in the United States|gun control]] and supports [[Concealed carry in the United States|concealed carry]] of firearms.<ref name="issues">{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Mike_Huckabee_Gun_Control.htm|title=Mike Huckabee on Gun Control|publisher=OnTheIssues.org}}</ref>

*'''Death penalty:''' Huckabee supports the [[Capital punishment|death penalty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Mike_Huckabee_Crime.htm|title=Mike Huckabee on Crime|publisher=OnTheIssues.org}}</ref>

*'''Teaching of evolution:''' Huckabee has voiced his support of [[creationism]]. He was quoted in July 2004 on ''Arkansans Ask'', his regular show on the Arkansas Educational Television Network: "I think that students also should be given exposure to the theories not only of [[evolution]] but to the basis of those who believe in creationism." Huckabee also stated "I do not necessarily buy into the traditional [[Darwinism|Darwinian theory]], personally." In his endorsement of anti-evolution film ''Expelled'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://youtube.com/watch?v=IRA9VUra6k0 |title=Mike Huckabee Promotes "expelled - No intelligence allowed" |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2007-04-05}}</ref> he describes evolution as "[[dogma]]."<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/rncse_content/vol25/8118_is_evolution_arkansas39s_h_12_30_1899.asp|title=Arkansas Ask|accessdate=2007-02-10}}{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=http://progressiveconservatism.blogspot.com/index.html|title=www.ncseweb.org/resources/rncse_content/vol25/8118_is_evolution_arkansas39s_h_12_30_1899.asp|title=Arkansas Ask|accessdate=2007-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://progressiveconservatism.blogspot.com/index.html |title=Progressive conservatism article |accessdate=2007-04-05}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/print.aspx?ArticleID=e7a0f0e1-ecfd-4fc8-bca4-b9997c912a91 |title=The missing link|publisher=Arkansas Times|accessdate=2007-08-08}}
</ref> In the third GOP debate in June 2007, Huckabee was asked by [[Tom Fahey]] whether he believed in evolution, and he responded, in part: "I believe there is a [[God]] who was active in the creation process. Now, how did he do it, and when did he do it, and how long did he take? I don't honestly know, and I don't think knowing that would make me a better or a worse president ... if anybody wants to believe that they are the descendants of a [[primate]], they are certainly welcome to do it{{ndash}} I don't know how far they will march that back..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/06/debate-outtakes/ |title=Debate Outtakes - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com |author=Kate Phillips |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{youtube|id=8EkK1vhYYgU}}</ref>

*'''Taxes:''' Huckabee supports the [[FairTax]] as a replacement for the [[Income tax in the United States|current tax system]].<ref>
[http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Issues.View&Issue_id=5 Issues - Taxes/Economy] MikeHuckabee.com</ref>

*'''Space program:''' Huckabee supports [[NASA]], and said in November 2007 that "Whether it's the medical technologies that saved many of our lives and the lives of our families, it's the direct result from the space program. We need to put more money into space and technology exploration."<ref>[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/29/huckabee-floats-idea-of-sending-hillary-clinton-to-space/ Huckabee ats idea of sending Hillary Clinton to space] CNN.com, Nov. 29, 2007</ref>

==Organizations==
Huckabee was made the chair of the [[Southern Governors' Association]] in 1999 and served in capacity through 2000. He has chaired the Southern Growth Policies Board, the Southern Region Education Board, the Southern Technology Council, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and the [[Education Commission of the States]]. He is also a member of the [[Republican Governors Association]] and former chairman of the [[National Governors Association]]. Huckabee is presently the chairman of a conservative [[PAC]] called the [[Vertical Politics Institute]].

==Public image and personal life==
[[Image:Huck-317.jpg|thumb|left|Mike Huckabee greeting an attendee after an address at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club, Jan. 31, 2008.]]Huckabee's personality has been described in positive terms as "gentle and warm",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10309069 |title=Mike Huckabee &#124; Slim chance |publisher=Economist.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> "charming",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/14881/ |title=Should We Fear Faith? &#124; The Jewish Exponent<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Jewishexponent.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> "friendly, teddy-bear",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2007/12/19/opinion/columnists/371867760771375.txt |title=SaukValley.com - Serving Dixon, Sterling & Rock Falls<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Saukvalley.com |author=Clarence PageTribune Media Servicescpage@tribune.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> and "engaging, warm, relaxed, and persuasive".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MWViMGIxMDZkNmQ3ZWVlMDcxYWQ1OTNmNzg4OTIzNGQ= |title=The Corner on National Review Online<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Corner.nationalreview.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Huckabee's personality has been described in negative terms as "petty, thin-skinned, self-righteous,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/12/13/contrary_to_pundits_not_everybody_loves_huckabee/ |title=Contrary to pundits, not everybody loves Huckabee - The Boston Globe<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Boston.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> and "somewhat vindictive".<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22320354/]{{Dead link|date=September 2008}}</ref> Mixed descriptions include "best of leaders and the worst of thin-skinned pols"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/153590 |title=NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas' News Source<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Nwanews.com |author=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition |date=Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> and "charming and aloof".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/22/us/politics/22huckabee.html |title=Charming and Aloof, Huckabee Changed State - New York Times<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Nytimes.com |author=Adam Nossiter And David Barstow |date=Published: December 22, 2007 |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

In 2000, the [[Arkansas Governor's Mansion]] was being renovated and Huckabee moved into a [[mobile home]]. The move became the topic of jokes. "It's not a trailer. It's a triple wide," Huckabee said. Huckabee jokingly told [[Jay Leno]] that the {{convert|2100|sqft|m2|sing=on}}, $110,000 trailer donated by the Arkansas Manufactured Housing Association, "was big enough for your chin." Huckabee said the move saved the state substantial money because support and security staff did not have to move to a new rented location.<ref>[http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=14103 Arkansas Gov To Call Modular Mansion Home - stateline.org - August 23, 2000]</ref>

In 2000, Huckabee commented, "In almost four years as governor, no issue has excited Arkansans as much as the question of where the [[University of Arkansas]] should play its home football games. That debate attracted far more letters, e-mails and phone calls to the governor's office than any other issue we've faced. And those who contacted us felt strongly. I had made my feelings known to the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, and those Arkansans who agreed with me were effusive in their praise. By the same token, some of those who disagreed were downright vicious in their comments."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010717235043/www.accessarkansas.org/governor/r02262000.html|title=Huckabee Radio Address|accessdate=2007-10-07}}
</ref>

===Controversial public comments===
Over the years, Huckabee has made a number of public statements that have drawn criticism,<ref>{{cite news |title=A decade after the madness, Mike Huckabee reflects |first=James |last=Jefferson |publisher=Arkansas News Bureau |date=2006-07-16 |url=http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2006/07/16/News/336891.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/20/huckabee-legalized-abort_n_69225.html |title=Huckabee: Legalized Abortion Is A Holocaust - Politics on The Huffington Post<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=ADL Calls On Governor Huckabee To Refrain From Using Holocaust Imagery |date=2007-10-23 |publisher=Anti-Defamation League |url=http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HolNa_52/5155_52.htm }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Huckabee Compares Safe-Sex Message To Drunk Driving, Domestic Violence |date=2007-10-17 |first=Eric |last=Kleefeld |publisher=Talking Points Memo |url=http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/10/huckabee_compares_safesex_message_to_drunk_driving_domestic_violence.php }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Goldenberg, David |title=Mike Huckabee Exposed |publisher=National Jewish Democratic Council |date=2007-01-30 |url=http://njdc.typepad.com/njdcs_blog/2007/01/mike_huckabee_e.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Greens Must Be Crazy |author=Bergman, B.J. |publisher=Sierra |date=1998-09 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1525/is_n5_v83/ai_21137662/pg_9 }}</ref> including comparing his weight loss to the experience of a [[concentration camp]], for which the [[National Jewish Democratic Council]] chastised Huckabee;<ref>
{{cite news |last=DeMillo |first=Andrew |title=Ark. Governor Criticized Over Joke |work=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News |date=2006-10-20 |accessdate=2007-01-24 |url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2592474 }}</ref> his joking about [[suicide]] while speaking of fundraising efforts by himself and his opponents in the Republican primaries, for which he was criticized by various suicide awareness groups;<ref>{{cite news |title=Huckabee Says Joke Was Not About Suicide |work=Associated Press |publisher=CBS News |date=2007-10-11 |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/politics/main3357807.shtml }}</ref> and his asking "Don't [[Mormons]] believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?" when discussing [[Mitt Romney]]'s religion.<ref>{{cite news |first=Rick |last=Pearson |coauthors=Chase, John |title=Huckabee apologizes to Romney |date=2007-12-13 |accessdate=2007-12-13 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/thursday/chi-debate_thurdec13,0,4209655.story?coll=chi_technology_util }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Huckabee winning support by highlighting Romney's Mormonism |date=2007-12-12 |accessdate=2008-01-07 |publisher=The Salt Lake Tribune |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7704812 }}</ref>

In all three cases, Huckabee and his campaign publicly apologized. Commenting on another incident comparing Arkansas journalists critical of his policies with disgraced reporters [[Jayson Blair]] and [[Janet Cooke]], Huckabee said "You'll see it{{ndash}} one of the things that gets me in trouble is my love of [[metaphor]]s. I use [[hyperbole]] in the course of trying to paint a word picture. I pay a dear price for it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vote-smart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=322527&keyword=&phrase=&contain= |title=Project Vote Smart - Michael D. 'Mike' Huckabee - The New Republic - The Bearable Lightness of Mike Huckabee<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Vote-smart.org |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Huckabee stirred controversy again in October 2007, likening abortion to a "holocaust".<ref name="ticker">{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/21/huckabee-likens-abortion-to-holocaust/ |title=Huckabee likens abortion to holocaust |first=Jamie |last=Crawford |publisher=CNN |date=2007-10-21 |quote=''Sometimes we talk about why we're importing so many people in our workforce. It might be for the last 35 years, we have aborted more than a million people who would have been in our workforce had we not had the holocaust of liberalized abortion under a flawed Supreme Court ruling in 1973.'' }}</ref> The non-partisan [[Anti-Defamation League]] called on Huckabee and all candidates to resist using such "disturbing and offensive language."<ref>[http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HolNa_52/5155_52.htm ADL Calls On Governor Huckabee To Refrain From Using Holocaust Imagery] ADL.org, October 23, 2007</ref>

In December 2007, Huckabee was criticized for his comments subsequent to the assassination of former [[Pakistan]]i Prime Minister [[Benazir Bhutto]]. He said that Pakistan has more [[illegal immigration|illegal immigrants]] to the United States than any country but [[Mexico]]. However, [[INS]] data indicates that Pakistan is nowhere near the top of the list. Moreover, some questioned why he made a connection between Bhutto's death and immigration.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/us/politics/28cnd-campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin |title=Huckabee Sees Pakistan as Reason for Border Fence |first=Katherine Q. |last=Seelye |coauthors=Kirkpatrick, David D |publisher=The New York Times |date=2007-12-28 |quote=''When I say single them out I am making the observation that we have more Pakistani illegals coming across our border than all other nationalities except those immediately south of the border. And in light of what is happening in Pakistan it ought to give us pause as to why are so many illegals coming across these borders.'' }}</ref> In January 2008, in an interview with the website [[Beliefnet]], Huckabee said "I think the radical view is to say that we're going to change the definition of marriage so that it can mean two men, two women, a man and three women, a man and a child, a man and animal."<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Huckabee: 'The Lord Truly Gave Me Wisdom' |publisher=Beliefnet |url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/228/story_22873_2.html |quote=''Well, I don't think that's a radical view to say we're going to affirm marriage. I think the radical view is to say that we're going to change the definition of marriage so that it can mean two men, two women, a man and three women, a man and a child, a man and animal. Again, once we change the definition, the door is open to change it again. I think the radical position is to make a change in what's been historic.'' }}</ref> Huckabee has been criticized by [[Talking Points Memo]], which interpreted his comment as equating homosexuality with [[paedophilia]] and [[bestiality]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/huckabee_equates_homosexuality_with_bestiality.php |title=Election Central &#124; Talking Points Memo &#124; Huckabee Directly Equates Homosexuality With Bestiality<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Tpmelectioncentral.com |author=Greg Sargent - January 17, 2008, 12:00PM |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

At a [[Michigan]] primary campaign appearance on January 14, 2008, Huckabee said "I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the [[U.S. Constitution|Constitution]]. But I believe it's a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God. And that's what we need to do{{ndash}} to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/15/579265.aspx |title=Huck, the Constitution and 'God's standards' - First Read - msnbc.com<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Firstread.msnbc.msn.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> The statement was in apparent reference to the fact that the United States Constitution does not use the word "God" or make mention of any religion; rather "We the People" form the sole basis of [[national sovereignty|sovereign authority]] in the American system of government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/15/huckabee-amend-constitut_n_81600.html |title=Huckabee: Amend Constitution To Be In 'God's Standards' - Politics on The Huffington Post<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Huckabee's comment was generally poorly received; conservative television pundit [[Joe Scarborough]] commented that while he believes "evangelicals should be able to talk politics ... some might find that statement very troubling, that we're going to change the Constitution to be in line with the Bible. And that's all I'm going to say."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Huckabee_Amend_Constitution_to_meet_Gods_0115.html |title=The Raw Story &#124; Huckabee: Amend Constitution to be in 'God's standards'<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Rawstory.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>

After rejection of the Bailout Bill on September 29, 2008, he appeared on Fox News and repeatedly blamed "Market to Market" rules (presumably meaning 'Mark to Market'). The phrase has a very literal and descriptive meaning (ascribe value (mark) at current (market) value).

===Weight loss and health advocacy===
[[Image:Paige, Huckabee, Rockefeller, and Hutchinson with large check, August 2002.jpg|thumb|left|Huckabee (second from left) in August 2002 before his weight loss.]]
When elected governor of Arkansas, Huckabee was [[obesity|obese]]. In 2003, physicians diagnosed him with [[Type 2 diabetes mellitus|adult-onset diabetes]] and informed him that he would not live more than 10 years if he did not lose weight. Huckabee admits that he has weighed as high as 280-300 pounds (127-135 kg). Prompted by this diagnosis (as well as the subsequent death of former Governor [[Frank D. White]], whose obesity led to a fatal [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]), Huckabee began eating a healthier diet and exercising. He subsequently lost over 110 pounds (50 kg).<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7752179/site/newsweek/|title=MSNBC article|accessdate=2007-02-10}}{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/16/AR2006011601380.html|title=Washington Post article|accessdate=2007-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bmi-calculator/NU00597|title=BMI Calculator from the Mayo Clinic|accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref>
The ''[[New York Times]]'' called the weight loss so rapid that "it was as if he simply unzipped a fat suit and stepped out."<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/us/10weight.html|title=New York Times article|accessdate=2007-02-10}}
</ref>

Although Huckabee has stated that he never smoked nor drank,<ref name="brianlamb"/>
he declared himself a "recovering foodaholic". Huckabee has publicly recounted his previous burdens as an obese man: the steps of the Arkansas capitol from the entrance of the building up to the Governor's office were so long and steep that he would be out of breath and exhausted by the time he reached the top of the stairs. He secretly feared that he would be interviewed by media at the top of the steps, and that he would be too out of breath to respond.<ref>
[http://www.state.ar.us/governor/media/radio/text/r07242004.html]{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}
</ref>

Huckabee has discussed his weight loss and used [[health care]] reform as a major focus of his governorship.<ref>
[[Brian Wansink]] and Mike Huckabee (2005), "De-Marketing Obesity," ''California Management Review'', 47:4 (Summer), 6–18.
</ref>

At an August 2007 forum on cancer hosted by [[Lance Armstrong]], Huckabee said he would support a federal smoking ban, but has stated that he believes the issue is best addressed by state and local governments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/huckabee-about-face-on-smoking-2008-01-16.html|publisher=The Hill|date=January 16, 2008|author=Jeffrey Young|title=Huckabee about-face on smoking}}</ref>

Huckabee has completed several marathons: the 2005 [[Marine Corps Marathon]], the 2005 and 2006 [[Little Rock Marathon]] and the 2006 [[New York City Marathon]].<ref>
{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061105/SPORTS01/611050390/1271/SPORTS|publisher=The Journal News|date=November 5, 2006|author=Jane McManus|title=At NYC Marathon, there's no telling who you may run into}}{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}
</ref>
The 2005 Little Rock Marathon featured an impromptu challenge between Huckabee and [[Iowa]] Governor [[Tom Vilsack]]. Huckabee completed the marathon in 4:38:31, defeating Vilsack by 50 minutes. He wrote a book chronicling his weight-loss experience, ''[[Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork]]''. Huckabee was one of 10 recipients of a 2006 [[AARP]] Impact Award acknowledging his work as a "health crusader."

===Capitol Offense (rock band)===
[[Image:Mike Huckabee's band at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Des Moines.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Capitol Offense performing at the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Day Dinner on April 14, 2007 in Des Moines.]]
Huckabee's band, [[Capitol Offense (band)|Capitol Offense]],<ref>
{{cite web |title=Capitol Offense MySpace Profile |url=http://www.myspace.com/capitoloffense |accessdate=2007-12-12}}</ref> has played for political events and parties, including entertaining at unofficial inaugural balls in Washington, D.C. in January 2001 and later again 2005, both organized and promoted by the conservative website [[Free Republic]]<ref>{{cite news
|last=taylor
|first=Kristinn
|title=Inauguration: Free Republic
|publisher=Washington Post
|date=2005-01-19
|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10286-2005Jan14.html
|accessdate=2007-12-12 }}</ref> as well as the 2004 GOP Convention.<ref> {{cite news
|last=Collins
|first=Glenn
|title=He Knows a Little Rock
|publisher=New York Times
|date=2004-09-02
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/02/politics/campaign/02pink.html
|accessdate=2007-12-12 }}</ref>

==Books==
Huckabee has written or co-authored several books:
*''Character is the Issue: How People With Integrity Can Revolutionize America'' (1997), a memoir (inspired by the crisis surrounding the incidents prior to his taking office as governor)
*''[[Kids Who Kill]]'' (1998), a book about juvenile violence (inspired by the [[Jonesboro massacre]], which took place during his tenure as governor)
*''Living Beyond Your Lifetime'' (2000), a guide for leaving a personal legacy
*''[[Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork]]'' (2005), a health and exercise inspirational guide (based on his personal health experience) Publisher: Center Street
*''From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 Stops to Restoring America's Greatness'' (2007) Publisher: Center Street
* "De-Marketing Obesity" in the ''California Management Review'', (with [[Brian Wansink]]), 47:4 (Summer 2005), 6-18.
*Huckabee also wrote the foreword to ''[http://memoryjournaling.com/ My Story Your Story His Story]'' (2006) by Larry Toller
*''Character Makes a Difference: Where I'm From, Where I've Been, and What I Believe'', by Mike Huckabee (2007)
*''Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America'', by Mike Huckabee (2008)

==Electoral history==

'''Arkansas United States Senate election, 1992 (Republican primary)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=26509 |title=Our Campaigns - AR US Senate - R Primary Race - May 27, 1992<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Mike Huckabee]] - 41,406 (79.16%)
* [[David Busby]] - 10,902 (20.84%)

'''Arkansas United States Senate election, 1992'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3413 |title=Our Campaigns - AR US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1992<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Dale Bumpers]] (D) (inc.) - 553,635 (60.18%)
* [[Mike Huckabee]] (R) - 366,373 (39.82%)

'''[[Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas]] (special election), 1993'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=13505 |title=Our Campaigns - AR Lt. Governor - Special General Race - Nov 07, 1993<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Mike Huckabee]] (R) - 151,502 (50.85%)
* [[Nate Coulter]] (D) - 146,436 (49.15%)

'''Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, 1994'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3929 |title=Our Campaigns - AR Lt. Governor Race - Nov 08, 1994<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Mike Huckabee]] (R) (inc.) - 417,191 (58.58%)
* [[Charlie Cole Chaffin]] (D) - 294,957 (41.42%)

'''[[Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1998]] (Republican primary)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=8734 |title=Our Campaigns - AR Governor - R Primary Race - May 21, 1998<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Mike Huckabee]] (inc.) - 51,627 (90.24%)
* [[Gene McVay]] - 5,581 (9.76%)

'''[[Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1998]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=206 |title=Our Campaigns - AR Governor Race - Nov 03, 1998<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Mike Huckabee]] (R) (inc.) - 421,989 (59.77%)
* [[Bill Bristow]] (D) - 272,923 (38.66%)
* [[Keith Carle]] (Reform) - 11,099 (1.57%)

'''[[Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2002]] (Republican primary)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=161539 |title=Our Campaigns - AR Governor- R Primary Race - May 21, 2002<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Mike Huckabee]] (inc.) - 78,803 (85.44%)
* [[Doyle Cannady]] - 13,434 (14.57%)

'''[[Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2002]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30 |title=Our Campaigns - AR - Governor Race - Nov 05, 2002<!-Bot-generated title-> |publisher=Ourcampaigns.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>:
* [[Mike Huckabee]] (R) (inc.) - 427,082 (53.01%)
* [[Jimmie Lou Fisher]] (D) - 378,250 (46.95%)

'''[[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|Republican Party presidential primaries, 2008]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=2008&minper=0&f=0&off=0&elect=2 |title=2008 Presidential Republican Primary Election Results |publisher=Uselectionatlas.org |date= |accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref>:

''Results by Delegate Count''
* [[John McCain]] - 1,455 (66.2%)
* [[Mike Huckabee]]* - 270 (12.3%)
* [[Mitt Romney]]* - 189 (8.6%)
* [[Ron Paul]]* - 35 (1.6%)
* [[Fred Thompson]]* - 11 (0.5%)
* [[Alan Keyes]]* - 2 (0.1%)
* [[Duncan Hunter]]* - 1 (<0.1%)

''Results by Popular Vote''

* [[John McCain]] - 9,840,746 (47.25%)
* [[Mitt Romney]]* - 4,525,036 (21.73%)
* [[Mike Huckabee]]*<ref>[http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/05/mike-huckabees-concession-speech-on-super-tuesday-ii/ Mike Huckabee's Concession Speech on Super Tuesday II; Foxnews.com, March 5, 2008]</ref> - 4,179,514 (20.07%)
* [[Ron Paul]]* - 1,163,078 (5.58%)
* [[Rudy Giuliani]]* - 591,384 (2.84%)
* [[Fred Thompson]]* - 273,806 (1.31%)
* Uncommitted - 91,504 (0.44%)
* [[Alan Keyes]] - 58,251 (0.28%)
* [[Duncan Hunter]]* - 38,011 (0.18%)
* [[Tom Tancredo]]* - 8,513 (0.04%)
* [[John H. Cox]]* - 3,341 (0.02%)
* [[Sam Brownback]]* - 2,838 (0.01%)

(* - dropped out)

==See also==
* [[Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2006]]
* [[Who Made Huckabee?]]
* [[The Huckabee Report]]

==References==
{{reflist|4}}

==External links==
{{wikisource author}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons}}
;Official sites
*[http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ Mike Huckabee] ''official campaign website''
*[http://www.foxnews.com/huckabee/ Huckabee] ''official [[Fox News]] talkshow website''

;Documentaries, topic pages and databases
* [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20023&c=19473 Follow the Money{{ndash}} Mike Huckabee] campaign contributions for the 2002 Governor race
* [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/mike_huckabee/index.html New York Times{{ndash}} Mike Huckabee News] news stories and commentary
* [http://senate.ontheissues.org/Mike_Huckabee.htm On the Issues{{ndash}} Mike Huckabee] issue positions and quotes
* [http://www.gedview.com/huckabee/ Genealogy of Mike Huckabee]
* [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=108 Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture - Mike Huckabee]
* [http://www.ssrc.org/blogs/immanent_frame/category/religion-american-politics/ Huckabee & Evangelicals] - Leading scholars on Huckabee, evangelicals, and the primaries
* [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071214/ap_on_el_pr/huckabee_profile;_ylt=AheeSOiCh6O59pqFKkAERPys0NUE Huckabee: Another overachiever from Hope]{{Dead link|date=October 2008}} - brief [[Associated Press|AP]] biography of Mike Huckabee.
*{{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Government/Elections/President/2008/Candidates/Huckabee,_Mike}}
*{{wikia|mikehuckabee|Mike Huckabee Wiki}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Jim Guy Tucker]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas]] | years=1993 – 1996<br /><small>'''Served Under: [[Jim Guy Tucker]]'''</small>}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Winthrop Paul Rockefeller]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Governors of Arkansas|Governor of Arkansas]] |years=1996 – 2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mike Beebe]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mark Warner]]<br /><small>''[[Virginia]]''</small>}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of [[National Governors Association]]|years=2005 – 2006}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Janet Napolitano]]<br /><small>''[[Arizona]]''</small>}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{succession box
|before= [[Asa Hutchinson]]
|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] nominee for [[List of United States Senators from Arkansas|United States Senator from Arkansas]]<br />Class 3
|years=[[United States Senate elections, 1992|1992]]
|after=[[Fay Boozman]]}}
{{succession box
|before= [[Kenneth Harris]]
|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas]]
|years=1993, 1994
|after=[[Winthrop Paul Rockefeller]]}}
{{succession box
|before= [[Sheffield Nelson]]
|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] nominee for [[Governor of Arkansas]]
|years=[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1998|1998]], [[United States gubernatorial elections, 2002|2002]]
|after=[[Asa Hutchinson]]}}
{{end}}
{{Governors of Arkansas}}
{{National Governors Association chairs}}
{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{Persondata
|NAME=Huckabee, Michael Dale
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Arkansas politician
|DATE OF BIRTH=August 24, 1955
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Hope, Arkansas|Hope]], [[Arkansas]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Huckabee, Mike}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Arkansas Republicans]]
[[Category:Governors of Arkansas]]
[[Category:Lieutenant Governors of Arkansas]]
[[Category:Delegates to the Republican National Convention]]
[[Category:United States presidential candidates, 2008]]
[[Category:American Baptist ministers]]
[[Category:American protestant conservatism]]
[[Category:Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Ouachita Baptist University alumni]]
[[Category:Creationists]]
[[Category:American memoirists]]
[[Category:American health and wellness writers]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American bass guitarists]]
[[Category:People from Hope, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Republicans (United States)]]
[[Category:Baptists from the United States]]
[[Category:Republican Party (United States) conservatism]]
[[Category:Fox News Channel]]

[[ar:مايك هاكابي]]
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[[yi:מייק הוקאבי]]
[[zh:麥克·赫卡比]]

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