- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
Huckabee on His Cayman Jaunt: 'Nobody Asked Sen. McCain Where He Was Last Weekend'
Email
ShareFebruary 13, 2008 10:42 PM
ABC News' Kevin Chupka reports: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is making an unorthodox campaign move this weekend; he’s not campaigning. For a candidate so solidly in the role of underdog, it may seem odd that he would jet off to the Cayman Islands to deliver a speech at the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards. Huckabee told reporters tonight in Wisconsin (where he is campaigning ahead of Tuesday’s primary there) that this will mark the second such speech to the group. He spoke at the first such awards about 10 years ago.
The speech has purportedly been on his schedule for several months and is part of Huckabee’s non-campaign related schedule that along with his books is the only way he earns a living now that he is off the Arkansas state payroll.
“I'm the only person who doesn't get paid by the taxpayers to campaign," Huckabee said. "Sen. Obama, Sen. Clinton, Sen. McCain, they campaign every day and I'm paying for their campaigns. I'm paying because I'm a taxpayer, and I have to pay for their Senate salaries even if they are not on duty.”
Huckabee bristled at the line of questioning, wondering, “Nobody asked Sen. McCain where he was last weekend when he was gone off the trail. I'm telling you where I'm gonna be. I told you up front. There will be a few more times when I gotta go out an make sure I can make my mortgage payments just like everybody else has to do. I am not independently wealthy.”
Asked by one reporter about a possible conflict of interest in speaking in a place he rails against in his stump speech for providing tax shelters, Huckabee got a little combative, saying, “OK, first of all let’s get something straight: I’m not gonna be taking money and parking it in the Cayman Islands. I’m gonna get enough money to come back and pay about 40 percent in taxes on what I earned. There’s a big difference. My money’s coming back to the U.S. and the IRS is gonna get most of it, so there’s a big difference.”
He even half-jokingly suggested that some of his opponents might have money sheltered there.
“I may go down there," he said, "and visit one of the post office boxes where some of the other candidates have their money, and maybe one of those banks and see what it looks like down there.”
Huckabee was quick to point out that he’ll only be off the trail for one day.
“I’ll be here Friday, be gone Saturday, be back Sunday,” he said.
Huckabee has one event scheduled for early Friday morning, after which he will jump off the trail to head to the islands. He will return with a yet-to-be-announced event Sunday night before continuing a normal schedule in Wisconsin on Monday.
February 13, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (13)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Give me a freaking break!! Could you please get something that's newsworthy??? Like 1) Mike's record on rebuilding the education system in Arkansas, 2) How much better the road & highway system was because of his tenure as governor, or even 3) Mike's ideals and reasons for running for President (being on public display) and having to put up with ridiculous conversations like the one he had to have with the author of this blog? I wish this were all written on paper, then at least I could use it for something!
Posted by: Kansans 4 Huck | Feb 13, 2008 11:11:14 PM
Enough with the hate speech, give this guy credit for what he's done in this campaign. Only a bully picks on the little guy. Why don't you go out there and see what happens when you try to kick sand in McCain's face.
twocanpete
Posted by: twocanpete | Feb 13, 2008 11:28:09 PM
It was a working vacation, guys. If he can't get the nomination, he sure can get a tan. Savages.
Posted by: MileHighVoter | Feb 14, 2008 12:00:48 AM
I think his point about each one of these Senators taking time away from their jobs to campaign is an essential one. While they receive their six-figure salaries to bug out from their tax-payer supported jobs, Gov. Huckabee has no such luxury. How many votes has Senator McCain missed again all in the pursuit of his white whale? Well done Arizonans.
Posted by: X | Feb 14, 2008 7:24:58 AM
Man I wish I had the opportunity to go job hunting for a year and not miss a payday check from my current job.
Posted by: not in | Feb 14, 2008 8:11:19 AM
I think it is kind of nice to know that at least one candidate still has to earn a living. Way back in 1992 Big Bush showed hs disconnect by not being able to relate how a tight economy was affecting anyone he knew. For a Republican, Huck seems to connect with the rest of us.
Posted by: Alan Wasdin | Feb 14, 2008 10:04:54 AM
Ah, the rhetorical tricks, "The speech has purportedly been on his schedule...", "Huckabee bristled.." The first implies the campaign is lying, the second that his vigorous defense hides some guilt. Give me a break. I think Huckabee would be worse even than Bush, but unless he claims he miraculously flew there without a plane, get off his ###.
Posted by: Randy Macon | Feb 14, 2008 10:11:26 AM
Huckabee complains now about how he isn't on the government payroll like his opponents but while in Arkansas - you didn't see him taking an unpaid leave of absence while he campaigned for re-election. While he was governor - he went on many many trips to Iowa and elsewhere - while paid by the State - to prepare for his election. He continues to run just to feed his own bloated ego.
If you want to mention issues - Huckabee raised taxes while Arkansas governor and wants to institute a regressive sales tax on the entire country -
Posted by: hoglawyer | Feb 14, 2008 10:24:18 AM
hoglawyer....You must be a idiot not understand the Fair Tax. Have you researched this or read any books lately?
Try researching Huck's real history.
This guy is the real deal.
Posted by: Notaxman | Feb 14, 2008 10:40:23 AM
In agreeance that the media doesn't want the real issues Huckabee is offering. Huckabee is the real deal in my book. This is no joke I am honored to fight for Huckabee's issues. The fair tax is the way this country was intend to collect taxes, not levy our income. Read the constitution's history and the making of the 16th Amendment and Fair Tax is as close to the original base of taxing. Restore the democracy and view Huckabee as a president not a minister that the MEDIA is harping on, not the candidate. Go Huckabee, enjoy the Cayman Islands.
Posted by: callenfallen | Feb 14, 2008 3:54:27 PM
Give me a break. So what. Who cares what he does for one day. Find something that is newsworthy. Reporting on such trivialities is ridiculous.
Posted by: superlott | Feb 14, 2008 5:02:49 PM
I believe even God rested on the seventh day... Mike Huckabee has not had 2 days off together for a whole year..
Which of you can say that you have worked that long, and that hard, then you can cast the first stone... But, I bet there is not a one of you, no not one...
Why can't you report something positive about this man.. He sure gives you a lot of good things, to report...
Why do you dislike him so much,he is fighting for your rights ,too.... Be fair , give him as much positive air time, as you give Obama, Hillary & sometimes even ,McCain.......
You have a lot of viewers watching, and we want to hear about our nominee, Mike Huckabee, hear his speeches, his issues....
And, quit saying he does not have a chance.... All he has to do is keep McCain from getting to 1191, and then it goes to the convention.... His supporters believe he will make it....and win.........
Don't say it is over, till it is over.......You have not seen nothing, yet....
Posted by: Loretta Neal | Feb 15, 2008 5:40:58 PM
Huckabee gave an INCREDIBLE speech at the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards this Saturday, it was truly inspirational to those of us that took it in.
I encourage all of you to come to the Cayman Islands for yourselves, take it in and see what it's actually like before you use our contry's name in movies referring to fraudulant banking and having money hidden all over the islands.
Peace and love to you all...
Posted by: Cayman Mama | Feb 18, 2008 8:42:22 PM
Post a comment
