by Jason George
HENNIKER, N.H. -- In the hours after his Iowa win Thursday, Gov. Mike Huckabee told reporters that he did not plan to change his message for Granite State voters, but he surely tailored at his only appearance on the stump Friday, when he focused his attention on replacing the federal income tax with the Fair Tax, a proposed national sales tax.
Unlike in Iowa, Huckabee also began his speech on the topic of immigration reform – a popular issue here – and transitioned into talking points on states' rights, and applauded New Hampshire's strong local governments.
"That's the government that's most accountable to the people," he said at his rally in Henniker.
The candidate, a former Baptist minister, also only mentioned God a few times, a fraction of such utterances he was known to do in evangelical-heavy Iowa.
One thing that Huckabee didn't change during his first day in New Hampshire was his recent habit of rare public events, punctuated with numerous television appearances –Huckabee spent Friday morning under the lights for 8 network and cable morning shows, where he said his anti-income tax stance should play well with Live Free or Die voters.
"Iowa is a wonderful state and the people are focused a lot on social issues," Huckabee told Harry Smith on CBS's "The Early Show."
"My tax plan, which would completely overhaul the tax system, is connecting with voters in New Hampshire."
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Comments
I love Huck's sense of humor:
Over 500 people and over a dozen press video cameras attended the event at New England College.
"There is a fresh new wind that blows in America," Huckabee said. "It is a wind that blows for change and new America."
When he was introducing Huckabee, Norris said he would never want to run for president.
Huckabee said he was glad because he would likely lose to Norris.
"But how about this," Huckabee said. "Chuck Norris for Secretary of Defense."
The crowd roared.
GO HUCK!
Posted by: Chris Taylor | January 4, 2008 7:37 PM
Hummm....talking about doing something about the tax problem??? Sounds like he has been listening to the Good Doctor, Ron Paul
Ron Paul President 08
Posted by: I can see through the Huckster's smoooth talking | January 4, 2008 8:39 PM
As a Republician I would never vote for Huckabee. He says what he thinks people want to hear. He is deceitful in his message as seen in the cross that panned across the screen in his Christmas message. Also, he said he would not use negative ads against his opponents yet show the ad to reporters where it easily found its way onto blogs.
Huckabee talks about getting rid of the IRS yet consistantly raised taxes as Governor of Arkansas. Huckabee also pardoned a 1000 people in Arkansas including rapists and murderers who promptly comitted the same crimes.
Huckabee also rewarded illegals who broke our laws by making them elegible for state funded college scholarships.
We don't need another right wing religious Republician in the white house. If Huckabee is the nominee, I will not vote for him. 2008 may be the first time I vote Democratic.
Posted by: Eugene Young | January 4, 2008 9:41 PM
I like the Huckster, but can see the media is playing on his religious beliefs and will try to use it against him or us.
Posted by: John Pike | January 4, 2008 9:46 PM
Rich man, Poor man...
and Huckabee's "Fair" tax.
In 2004 some might have called me poor. I worked hard and made $15k to support my wife and kids. We had to spend almost every penny I earned. Fortunately, we paid no income tax.
By 2007 my salary was over $90k. We pay a lot of income tax now, but we still try to live frugally and are able to save money for a rainy day.
Under Huckabee's "fair" tax (a 30-40% national sales tax to replace the income tax), the 2004 me would be taxed out of existence (since I had to spend every penny), while the 2007 me would be living in the lap of luxury paying only a tiny fraction of my income in taxes.
Why is Huckabee considered a compassionate Christian populist when he advocates such a mean tax plan?
Although his plan would benefit me now, I can't help but think of all the "2004 mes" out there who may never become a "2007 me" if Huckabee gets elected.
Posted by: doug | January 4, 2008 10:00 PM
"HUCKABEE SPEAKS"
COMEON JOHN, COMEON MITT, WE BE COMMIN AROUND THE CORNER WHEN WE COME. WE BE COMMIN AROUND THE CORNER WHEN THEY COME.
ISOLATE THEM GAYS.
ISOLATE THEM LESBIANS
ISOLATE THEM IMMIGRANTS.
ISOLATE THEM H2 PEOPLE
ISOLATE THE BORDERS IN THE SOUTH BUT NOT THE NORTH.
ISOLATE OUR FOUR FATHERS.
PLEASE ISOLATE THAT CONSTITUTION.
GIVE IT TO HOMELAND SECURITY, YEA, "THE SECRETARY" OR THE "COMMISSION" OR THE "OFFICE" THOSE GUYS.
WE BE COMMIN AROUND THE CORNER WHEN WE COME...TRUST US LIKE YOU DID THE LAST 8 YEARS, AND WE DEFINITELY BE COMMIN AROUND THE CORNER.
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 4, 2008 11:00 PM
As a former economics major at the U of C, the very idea of a national sales tax scares the hell out of me. Well, good thing Huck is too much of a hick to be elected anyway.
Posted by: Hilary | January 4, 2008 11:11 PM
Hey Doug, your facts are wrong on the Fair Tax. Get a clue, do some research before you spew.
Posted by: Chris Taylor | January 5, 2008 12:50 AM
I don't like the idea of a flat sales tax. Having said that, Mike is still the best candidate for the Republican Party.
At least he won't tailor to the rich and powerful. This guy is truly independent. But, we'll have to review his record in Arkansas.
The problem with Romney is that he can't distance himself far enough from the rich and powerful. So, how can the middle class to like him?
Posted by: Lou | January 5, 2008 2:41 AM
Doug, read the book. Under the FairTax you would have paid 0 tax on your 2004 income. Since you said "wife and kids" I'll pick 2 kids for an example. You would have not paid any effective tax on the first $25,660 of spending. When I say 0 tax I include payroll taxes for social security and Medicare. The 2007 you would not pay tax on the first $27,380 of spending so your tax rate would be about 15%.
Posted by: Duane Neighbors | January 5, 2008 4:00 AM
"My tax plan, which would completely overhaul the tax system, is connecting with voters in New Hampshire."
Snake oil for sale. See Mike Huckabee for details!
Posted by: Huckabee Schmuckabee | January 5, 2008 4:38 AM
Of all of the Hucksters ideas the national sales tax is the best it is 13 percent not 30 to 40 as Doug says.
The delightful thing is the IRS would be closed and these bureaucrats would have to find gainful employment not just prey on all of us.
You would get all your money without withholding and you would only pay tax when you spent it. It is far better than the double taxation we pay now on top of the death tax known as:Taxation without resperation.
Jerry White, Springfield, IL P.S. I'm not for Huckabee because he raised taxes in Arkansas but, I like the end of the IRS.
Posted by: Jerry White | January 5, 2008 9:18 AM
I see a couple of people have challenged Doug's scenario about the unfair tax. They're shooting blanks. This is class warfare, with the rich getting richer on our backs. Anyone who earn less than $100,000 a year and casts a vote for ANY republican is shooting himself in the back, but not with blanks.
Posted by: Bruce Y | January 5, 2008 10:51 AM
Yeah and the truth will set you free! #1 War Video of all time the Video Ron Paul vs Mike Huckabee and the War!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8
Posted by: stan | January 5, 2008 11:09 AM
ROGER, CAPS LOCK TO THE OFF POSITION!!!
I will not read your comments until you learn how to do that. I am not alone in this view
Huckabee shifts the stump?
Hell Huckabee is a stump!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | January 5, 2008 1:05 PM
Go Huckabee! Go FairTax! Both would be great assets to all Americans and the American economy!
Posted by: ELECTIONREFLECTION | January 5, 2008 1:52 PM
I like the Fair Tax concept! It needs to be researched in more depth, but, folks, let us be real here. We are dealing with a Congress that embraces taxation. It is status quo and the mere mention of a major taxation over-haul goes outside the rhelm of our Federal Government's ability to comprehend such a proposal as a Fair Tax. The only difference between Democrats and Republicans is Democrats raise taxes and spend; the Republicans cut taxes and spend. As long as we are constantly in a spend mind-set, we can only think in terms of tax up or tax down. With the Fair Tax, we encourage saving and we, the consumers, will determine how much the Federal Government has to spend.
There will, in all liklihood, not be a new Fair Tax system implemented in the first four years of Mike Huckabee's administraton, however, we will have a President who is forward thinking and innovative in his approach to sound, fiscal economics. Mike Huckabee has my support!
Posted by: Larkin G. Mead | January 6, 2008 7:35 AM
I like the Fair Tax concept! It needs to be researched in more depth, but, folks, let us be real here . . . . Mike Huckabee has my support!
Posted by: Larkin G. Mead
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Just when you think you're listening to someone with a level head, he goes and tilts it.
Posted by: Bruce Y | January 6, 2008 1:55 PM