Monday, February 14, 2011

Does Mike Huckabee have a Problem separating church and state?

I read this article in The Seattle Times awhile back that went into detail about Maurice Clemmons and what lead up to Mike Huckabee, then Governor of Arkansas, granting him a commutation.

What I found more interesting in the article, was the connection between Huckabee's religious belief system and the 1033 clemencies/pardons/commutations that he granted during his administration.

What I've done is selected highlights from the article that can be read in full HERE.

In 1999, the year before he received Clemmons' plea for mercy, Huckabee became the first Arkansas governor in nearly 30 years to stop an execution, sparing the life of a man who had murdered an 81-year-old farmer and stolen his truck. "I had rather face the anger of the people than the wrath of God," Huckabee said. 
Huckabee called himself a "grace" Christian, not a "law" Christian, and what was clemency but an act of grace? 
In his 10 ½ years as governor, starting in 1996, Mike Huckabee emerged as a political force, an ordained minister who could draw votes from across the political spectrum. 
.....Clemency can be granted in two ways. A commutation reduces a sentence while preserving the conviction; a pardon strikes the conviction altogether.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette analyzed Huckabee's first 111 commutations and found that inmates stood a better chance if they fit one of four categories. The first upheld clemency's historic role: "The justice system has treated them more harshly than most." It was the other three that raised concerns: 
  • "They know a person who has known the governor. 
  • They worked at the Governor's Mansion. 
  • A minister interceded for them."
During his tenure as Governor, Huckabee gave in to 1033 clemency requests. In 17 years his three predecessors approved only 507 clemency requests.
Here are a few of his less notable clemencies:
  • Eugene Fields, a wealthy developer and major GOP donor who had four DUI convictions
  • Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, for a reckless-driving conviction
  • two murderers who worked as trusties in Huckabee's home
If the above group is to lightweight for your taste, lets look at a few of his heavyweight clemencies:
Then there's David Huckabee, his eldest son, but that's another story.

I personally believe in the 3 branches of government. The judicial branch has their own laws and procedures in place to correct any mistakes that may have occurred in any convictions.

I guess that I hold the decisions of juries to a higher level than Mike Huckabee does. I don't believe a Governor has any business interfering with these decisions even if his state's laws gives him the right to. That's what appeals and retrials are all about. I believe it was the Baptist Minister In Huckabee that granted these clemencies/pardons/commutations.

When I consider the qualities that I want in a POTUS, I do want a man who believes in God. That's right, I could never support an atheist. Saying that, I also want a POTUS who can separate church from state and would not govern from a pulpit. I believe Mike Huckabee has a problem in this area and why his appeal is limited to those who want a POTUS to govern from a pulpit.

24 comments:

Right Wingnut said...

Yes he does.

In the know said...

BTW, Mitt Romney & Sarah Palin gave out "0" in their terms as Governor!

ConMan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ConMan said...

This is why he is loved by the SO-CONS and why he will never be President!

Right Wingnut said...

I posted this at Free Republic.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2673454/posts

Noelle said...

I have several issues with Mike Huckabee that make him way down on my list of potential GOP nominees. His history with clemency alone, however, disqualifies him from executive office in my opinion.

Disclaimer. If my only choice is between Huckabee and Obama, I would have to vote for Huckabee, but I wouldn't like it.

T-BIRD45 said...

I don’t know about his separation of church and state logic or reasoning. I do know he used to have trouble separating himself from the dinner table.

Huguenot said...

Huckabee GO AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @#$%$@#%#% you let convicted criminals out of jail and they murder again you %&^%**%$@#$% moron !! Mike, it’s over, forget it.

Revolution 2012 said...

Excellent Post Bos!

As you know from past discussions, this is my biggest beef with Huckabee,

"When I consider the qualities that I want in a POTUS, I do want a man who believes in God. That's right, I could never support an atheist. Saying that, I also want a POTUS who can separate church from state and would not govern from a pulpit. I believe Mike Huckabee has a problem in this area and why his appeal is limited to those who want a POTUS to govern from a pulpit.'

Amen to that!

Anonymous said...

Good article, Bosman.

tim said...

Huckabee is a BLEEDING HEART moderate. That's the worse kind!

He wants to SAVE THE WORLD. I think he should go to it. NOT AS PRESIDENT!

Doug NYC GOP said...

Sharp post!

Anonymous said...

HUCKABEE BLAMED EVERYONE IN ARKANSAS BUT HIMSELF FOR LETTING MAURICE CLEMMONS OUT, WHEN IT WAS HIS FINAL SIGNATURE THAT SEALED THE DEAL. NOW HE'S ALSO CALLING ON THE U.S. TO RELEASE A CONVICTED SPY TO ISRAEL.

Anonymous said...

huckabee has always been soft on crime, he probably would let osama bin ladin go free at the rate he's going.

emily said...

With the U.S. being threatened day in and day out, the last thing we need in the White House is a President who is soft on crime.

There are 3 branches of Gov't. It seems Huckabee has a problem with the judicial Branch.

Anonymous said...

Excellent Bos. You nailed Huckabee!

zeke

Convicts4Huck said...

Common guys,

Have a little sympathy for the downtrodden and lay off the criticism of the Reverend.

Until you've walked in shoes like mine, how can you condemn his actions?

I've been incarcerated almost my whole life. Mostly being in the right place at the wrong time.

The Reverend is my and my friends only hope of seeing the outside of these walls.

I've reformed and found the lord.

I have to go now to an anger management session. I was accused of making a shiv and threatening to use it on a fellow inmate.

These charges of course are false. I'm being framed again.

So lay of the Reverend, our next President and dealer in second chances.

charlieM

Anonymous said...

Yes Huck does have a problem with separation of church and state. And he wants to rewrite the constitution to reflect his version of God's will.

DanL

TexasConservative said...

Bosman,

Most of those pardons were done after the person served their sentence. These people could not get jobs because of their records. So they would then become a burden on society because they could not pay their own way.

Instead of letting that happen, they were pardoned so they could take care of themselves and their families.

Tax Burden vs Tax Contributor. Burden on Society vs Contributor to society.

Your religious hit on Huckabee is just that, a hitpiece.

Socrates said...

Maybe Bosman is just reminding those who keep blaming Obamacare on Romney that it works both ways?

Anonymous said...

Mike Huckabee: I'm fine with an bloated, overweight government

carlo said...

Huckabee would rather take a bite out of a canoli than a bite out of crime.

Anonymous said...

Huckabee is about the LAST Republican I'd want to see in the WH.

zeke

Ann said...

I certainly would not want a President to be making decisions based on the bible.