In 2001, when conservative Republican lawmakers opposed a higher sales taxes and fees the governor supported, [Huckabee] began calling them "Shiites." Huckabee's positions on fiscal policy became indistinguishable from Democrats' positions. A year later, he openly campaigned against a ballot initiative to remove the sales tax on food and medicine. While he and Rockefeller won re-election in 2002, [Republican] Sen. Tim Hutchinson didn't.Some Republicans really like higher taxes.
In 2003, Huckabee not only begged lawmakers for new taxes to make up a budget shortfall, but he rebuffed conservatives' (Republicans and a couple of Democrats) plan to cover the shortfall by tapping one-time money and cutting pork. In 2004, President Bush won re-election, but Huckabee campaigned for some Democrats - even some who had Republican opponents - and Republicans lost state legislative seats for the first time since 1990.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Mike Huckabee: Conservative Republicans Against Tax Increases Are "Shiites"
Club For Growth reports on Mike Huckabee: