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Thompson Boots Bhutto 'Apology'
December 28, 2007 1:34 PM
ABC News' Christine Byun Reports: Fred Thompson doesn't think much of Mike Huckabee's politics or his sentiments.
Questioning Huckabee's response to the death of Benazir Bhutto, Thompson, R-Tenn., told a Pella, Iowa, crowd, "I am not sure what Governor Huckabee meant when he said we needed to apologize for this assassination. I am more concerned about people around the world would think when they see a presidential candidate was apologizing for assassination of the former Prime Minister Bhutto."
On Thursday in Florida, Huckabee, R-Ark., expressed "apologies" for the situation in Pakistan, and his campaign later clarified that their candidate meant "sympathies"
"I don't want that to be mistaken by other people around the world in terms of implication that the United States somehow owes someone an apology for that situation, that's hard to understand," Thompson added.
Eyebrows have also been raised at another Huckabee comment in the wake of Bhutto's assassination.
At "Meet Mike Huckabee" event Friday morning just down the street from Thompson, Huckabee clarified comments he made Thursday night suggesting that, in the wake of Benazir Bhutto's assassination, the U.S. be on the look out for illegal immigrants from Pakistan attempting to cross our borders.
"In light of what happened in Pakistan yesterday, it's interesting that there were more Pakistanis who illegally crossed the border than of any other nationality except for those immediately south of our border, 660 last year form Pakistan who came into our country illegally because we don't have secure borders," Huckabee said.
During a media availability after the event, one reporter suggested the comments might be seen as "ethnic bating."
Huckabee replied, "When I say single them out I'm making the observation that we have more Pakistani illegals coming across our border than of all other nationalities except those immediately south of the border. And in light of what's happening in Pakistan, it ought to give us pause as to why are so many illegals coming across these borders."
The governor claims his figure -- 660 Pakistani illegals crossing the border last year -- are from CIA and Immigration reports.
What is your reaction to Benazir Bhutto's death? How do you think this incident will influence Pakistan's future? Click here to talk back and join the debate.
And for all the day's politics -- what's happening in Iowa, New Hampshire, and the entire 2008 campaign trail -- read The Note every morning.
ABC News' Kevin Chupka contributed to this report.
December 28, 2007 in Huckabee, Mike, Thompson, Fred, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (16)
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Every time the Huck opens is mouth he puts his foot in it. He is also on the top 10 on the list of Most Wanted Currupt Politicians published by the Washington, DC –Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption.
We need a President to has integrity, a 20 year track record of defending the rule of law, freedom and liberty. Ron Paul is the man.
Posted by: greg | Dec 28, 2007 1:43:49 PM
Carter in a republicans clothes.
Makes ya wonder about the christian faith when lying, and misrepresentation seem to be their norm.
Posted by: Spastic Jack | Dec 28, 2007 4:52:10 PM
But he is such a good Xtian.
Posted by: jakester | Dec 28, 2007 5:19:40 PM
Please, no more charlatans from Arkansas. We have three too many on the national stage.
Posted by: Frank | Dec 28, 2007 9:18:51 PM
Huckster is one of the worst candidates ever running for the Republican nomination. I cannot believe how naive some people are to support this charlatan. I think he rose due to the mainstream media pushing him forward. I noticed that in the debates. The democratic operatives would then get on the shows talking about how Huckabee is so smart, etc. Surely Republicans are not stupid enough to fall for this.
Posted by: doug lominac | Dec 28, 2007 9:23:01 PM
What future leadership is coming from either aisle?
Im a dyed in the wool conservative and I am disgusted by the Huckster and right on down the line.
If we are the party for the outta the beltway normal Americans who is charting the course for the ship? Is this the best we can do? If it is you better strap yourselves in because a friggin socialist is gonna kick our tails next fall. Reagan is probably turning over in his grave.
Lord help this country and show these rif raff for what they really are on both sides.
Posted by: jeff | Dec 28, 2007 10:32:50 PM
Interesting comment by Huckabee. I wouldn't dismiss it so readily. It may come back to bite America in the buttocks.
Posted by: Debbie | Dec 28, 2007 11:36:21 PM
Huckabee gave a speech to a foreign policy think tank (CSIS) in September where he talked more about Pakistan than Iran or Iraq. He was criticized for that then but IF YOU READ IT, you'll find it was prescient.
Thompson and others may quibble about a gaff, but Huckabee understands what is involved and who is a threat as well as, or better than, most.
Posted by: David Knight | Dec 29, 2007 2:16:28 AM
Oh really Debbie? The Huckster doesn't even know where Pakistan is! Didn't you hear what he said the other day on where Pakistan is located??? This guy is making GWB look like the best POTUS we've ever had. Every day it's a new miss-speak, flip flop or out right lie. Thompson is the only true conservative of the bunch and he's got my vote.
Posted by: beyondrightwing | Dec 29, 2007 3:07:22 AM
What a simpleton. His aw shucks mannerisms are great when he is merely talking about the $70,000 in furniture that he wanted to take out of the governor's mansion or the $95,000 in clothes that his wife purchased with taxpayer money or the dozen murderers that he pardoned...people just say, ah shucks governah...no big deal.
But, if he were president and had "apologized" for her assassination yesterday, there would be hell to pay here and abroad. It would be worse than when W said that we were going on a crusade...think before you speak.
Compare what the Huckster said with what Romney said when asked who might have killed her. He urged caution and would not speculate. Even if you know, you don't go spouting off to the press.
Contrast? Absolutely. There is the difference between the guy who is ready to lead the country (Mitt) and the guy who is a great speaker and comedian. The Huckster is not presidential. Mitt Romney is. Period.
Posted by: Apollo | Dec 29, 2007 3:29:47 AM
I was supporting Huck but I have now dropped my support. Our president needs to know much more about the world than Huck does.
Mitt won't cut it either, primarily because his company Bain Capital is responsible for arranging to sell top US Security technology to China. This alone disqualifies Mitt from being president. Mitt will do anything to make a buck. And I don't like the idea of him using his ill gotten money to try to buy his way into the presidency. Also that he is in the process of buying control of Clear Channel Radio. This is too much conflict of interest for me.
So now, I am going to review Thompson and others, and find another candidate I can support.
Posted by: Edwin | Dec 29, 2007 10:15:05 AM
Take a deep breath Edwin and stop reading the left wing nutjob blogs. Romney is NOT involved in the purchase of Clear Channel - He has been disassociated with the management of the VC company that is negotiating that deal for years. He has as much involvement in that deal as GWB has with Texas Ranger baseball, i.e. NONE.
Do yourself and the country a favor, Edwin. Don't vote.
Posted by: jose goldfinger | Dec 29, 2007 10:35:39 AM
Jose, Mitt has changed his positions so many times even he doesn't know where he stands any more. Fred Thompson is the only candidate who isn't running away from his record. He's the only candidate who has proposed concrete solutions for the many problems we face. He's the only conservative running and I won't vote for any of the other pretenders, period.
Posted by: beyondrightwing | Dec 29, 2007 12:39:22 PM
Why does Huckabee continue to do so well in the polls having been outspent 20 to 1? Thompson and Romney come across as entirely fake. Huckabee doesn't. It's that simple. Huckabee strikes me as a smart, sincere person with a very good and very long record of improving one of our poorest states. Saying "apologies" when he intended to say "sympathies" is nothing more than a silly and rare mistake. The guy's public speaking skills are excellent. If he had been born into wealth and attended Harvard or Yale, nobody would be questioning such a minor thing. GW does this stuff daily. And I seem to remember Romney calling Obama, "Osama." But, Huckabee is a Christian from the South and an easy tarket for bigots who have nothing better to do than post hateful, insulting, nonsubstantive comments on blogs. Get a life!
Posted by: Ray Caraway | Dec 29, 2007 3:04:30 PM
Huckabee is a bafoon, ditto for Thompson. We support MITT ROMNEY.
Posted by: Merilyn | Dec 29, 2007 3:49:23 PM
Huck, can you tell me what nationality are those "immediately south of the border"? Can't you say Mexican or would that hurt your Hispanic voter appeal?
Posted by: Sam Deakins | Dec 29, 2007 4:32:09 PM
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