December 5, 2007
Posted: December 5th, 2007 01:45 PM ET

Newly published letters are raising questions about how much then-Gov. Huckabee knew about a rapist's history.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - As he surges in polls, Mike Huckabee is facing renewed scrutiny over his role in the parole of a convicted rapist who raped and killed a woman after his release.

The murdered woman's mother, Lois Davidson, said she will "absolutely campaign against" Huckabee, and said she decided to come forward when he started doing well in the polls.

"It's because he is a serious contender," Davidson said. "I didn't think he had a chance, but now he's right up there in Iowa."

Huckabee, during his first term as Arkansas governor, expressed support for the parole of Wayne DuMond in a letter to him.

Full story

– CNN’s Dana Bash and Alexander Mooney contributed to this report

Filed under: Mike Huckabee


High on Cocaine   January 9th, 2008 12:45 am ET

Birds of a feather flock together. He has shown disregard for the legal system. Huckabee is right, Twelve jurors are wrong.

Huckabee, worse than Bush   January 4th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

For those who think this is a fabricated story, made up to undermine a candidate.....you need to take off the rose-colored-glasses. Huckabee has admitted to doing this, but rather than taking responsibility, he placed the blame on someone who had nothing to do with the situation. This is a very sick person who has no business in the white house. He freed countless numbers of rapists, murderers and various other criminals during his time in office...way to go Huckabee. Thanks for making the world a brighter, safer place in which to live.

Here are a few quotes, word for word, from the mouth of Huckabee while in Iowa....
"If you think I am dangerous with a gun, wait till you see me with a knife"
"The election process is much like hunting, if you wait long enough, you'll get your kill"
"Vote with me, you live, vote against me, you die"

These are not acceptable things to say when running for office. He is not an acceptable person for this run.

Robbie, Bellevue, Washington   December 9th, 2007 11:25 pm ET

Yes...Huckabee, a great leader with great decision making skills. America needs an honest compassionate man like this in the White House. The pattern in his record is crystal clear. Impeccable!

Lets see, we have Wayne Dumond – thumbs up...great decision!

How about Glen Green? Another good one Mike.

"Why parole a monster like Green?"

http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_07_21_04/huckabee5.html

Wow, a new record....that was something to be proud of...

"Governor sets record for clemencies"

http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_07_14_04/huckabee4.html

Who should we believe the prosecutors or you Mike?

"Huckabee, prosecutors go on offensive
___They trade jabs over sentencing, pardoning of killers, other thugs"

http://www.arkansasleader.com/frontstories/st_06_23_04/huckabee.html

Well, I say you...I mean you are a baptist minister so surely you are an honest man.........oh, whoops...

"Huckabee's Fiscal Record"

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/huckabees_fiscal_record.html

"# Huckabee claimed he would “abolish the IRS.” He failed to mention that he’d replace it with another big tax bureaucracy.
# Huckabee said he had proposed to make children of illegal aliens eligible for Arkansas scholarships if they "had been in our schools their entire school life.” Actually, the proposal required only three years in Arkansas schools."

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/gop_youtube_debate_flubs.html

Go figure...must have just been some "honest mistakes"...I mean, shucks, we all make em.

Go gettem Mike! You da Man!

Huckabee in 08!! The best candidate for all Rapists and Murderers. Forgive them Mike, they not know what they did....I suppose Barabas was a better choice to be let go as well, eh?

Dems must be loving seeing you surging in the polls....it'll be a cake walk for them if you win the nomination.

WAKE UP CONSERVATIVES! QUIT BEING A BUNCH OF SHEEP AND DO SOME HOMEWORK.....is this the type of Conservative we want representing our party? That's not even getting into the fiscal aspect of Mr. Huckabee's record...how about his immigration record...?

Poster *shakes head*....unbelievable.

Dale Davis, Glendora, California   December 6th, 2007 3:04 am ET

I'm sure that if we as a nation are caught in the throws of an economic tailspin, due to our shakey dollar and faltering housing loans, etc, Huckabee will come through with intellegent skill. I'm just positive he will organize a group of his buddies from his alma mater to tackle difficult and complex domestic and foreign policy issues. After all, he got a Bible studies degree from Ouachita Baptist University. That would be a much better foundation for success in the White House future than Mitt Romney's 2 degrees in both business AND law, of which he recieved top honors at both Harvard University and BYU. Congratulations Iowa voters in your intellegent decisions! I'm sure the recently laid-off employees of Maytag, etc. will be thrilled to pay for the college education of the children of illegal immigrants. The Clinton camp is laughing hysterically.

Alexander, Washington, DC USA   December 6th, 2007 12:31 am ET

I am sure this will go over well with Christian Conservatives... Letting a repeated rapist walk and commit rape and murder again, after countless pleas to keep that monster in prison.

Huckabee is going to go down because of this! I can't wait to see his polls drop like a rock in Iowa!

Joel Joslin - Raleigh, NC   December 6th, 2007 12:14 am ET

I'm not really a Huckabee fan, but the picture of him on the political front page is ridiculous. It's so dark and forboding, makes him look downright evil.

Romney2008   December 5th, 2007 11:10 pm ET

Playing dumb and ignorant doesn't combine well with being liberal. At least take some responsiblity Huckabee.

His downward spiral should be fun to watch.

Liberal Chic   December 5th, 2007 10:29 pm ET

This DuMond story is very complicated and easily manipulated for use in smear campaigns.

It's tragic on multiple levels, not the least of which is Wayne DuMond himself. There is now DNA evidence that he did not commit the crime (though he did commit other heinous crimes) yet was brutalized (with testicle castration) because of corrupt political machinations in Arkansas.

DuMond was first damaged during the Vietnam war. When people are exposed to violence, they become inured to it and sometimes go on to commit it themselves. We also don't want to support prisoners on taxpayers' dime for the rest of their lives. As long as they cannot perform real labor in prison, they need to get out and start making a living. We need to ensure that prisoners are kept safe from one another and not further corrupted in the system.

Let's try not to get vengeance crazy and jump to conclusion that all criminals need to be lockecd up forever.

Tired of the Liberal Spinsters, CT   December 5th, 2007 9:15 pm ET

Whoever thinks this is the end for Mike, think again, If you knew what the American people ignored when they voted Bill Clinton into office, you wouldn't think twice about this. Is this all the Huckabee haters can contrive against Mike? Yeah, I'm sure you'll did deeper to see if you can twist some other facts into a lie. Folks ought to read the whole story and find out who's really at the base of the decision.

Terry, El Paso, TX   December 5th, 2007 9:08 pm ET

"Paroling this criminal who raped a Clinton relative was glee to these haters. Huckabee is indeed unfit to be President" – Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

"Who wants a rapist-sympathizer as President?" – JKap, Schaumburg, IL

Are these people for real? Are they walking around free or are they posting this stuff from some prison rec-room somewhere? I can't read any more. I'm going to go take a tranquilizer.

Tom, Ny   December 5th, 2007 8:35 pm ET

This guy is something, he wants to take away your guns and release murders so they can kill you,

Lily, Phoenix, AZ   December 5th, 2007 8:30 pm ET

You MUST read the very detailed and comprehensive investigation of this case on http://www.huffingtonpost.com. All of the letters sent to Mike Huckabee by the victims of this rapists/murderer are posted for you to read with your own eyes. Read the long list of crimes that this horrible man was CONVICTED for throughout his life. It is criminal that he was released into society, after being sentenced to life +20 years by a jury of his peers. Shame on Mike Huckabee. My heart aches for these women.

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 5th, 2007 7:45 pm ET

Jeb, Austin, Tx

lol it sounds "iffy" how?? all you have to do is some research then that "iffy" feeling just goes away...

AB, Illinois   December 5th, 2007 7:45 pm ET

To Erik, Ventura, CAlifornia

You hypocritical gentile. You have just proven you are a bigot by calling someone else a bigot. Who are you to judge and wright someone off because they don't believe the same you do. Do you even know what a born again christian is? No, because if you did you wouldn't have brought this up. A born again is someone like (unfortunatly) you who just happens to believe Christ is the Savior. A christian TRIES to follow the teachings of Christ. The reason you call us hypocrites is because we end up doing what you do even though we TRY to follow Christs teachings. The reason you aren't a so called "hypocrite" is because you don't have any morals to fall down from.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   December 5th, 2007 7:32 pm ET

this whole sordid issue speaks to Preacher Mike's character: Instead of I made a mistake and I'm sorry, he says "a system failed " ... taking no personal responsibility.

The next pat phrase will be "I don't recall..."

For Jeb in Austin ... this case is not "iffy." It's well documented but Huckabee was hoping it would stay under the rock with all the other GOP secrets.

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 5th, 2007 7:24 pm ET

PinotDrnkr, Sonoma, CA

lol blinders...thats exactly what these huckabee supporters have on. along with republican/bush supporters...blinders

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 5th, 2007 6:58 pm ET

Ca Native

commuted means they changed his sentence from life to 40 yrs. he was a rapist. rapists dont usually get life that would be consider cruel and unusual punishment.....huckabee recommended his parole in a written letter to the parole board AND even a letter to Dumond himself! and when the governer makes a recommendation to a parole board the parole board listens thats just politics......nice try though.

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 5th, 2007 6:48 pm ET

Charles Chastain, a parole board member at the time, told ABC News he felt pressure from Huckabee when the board considered DuMond's parole in 1996.

The Arkansas Times reported in 2002 that two other board members said they were influenced by Huckabee to parole DuMond

read it its all right there in the story!!! he says that the 3 parole board members were appointed by democrats well let me ask you something...SO WHAT!? a democrat appointed someone to be on a parole board why does the people who appointed them's political party matter? the parole board might not even be democrats thats a ridicuolous statement because huckabee DID write the letter! and if the governer writes you a letter its a little more of a factor on your decision then the fact that you were given a job by a democrat!!!!!!! HELLLLO!?!?!

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 5th, 2007 6:35 pm ET

KRS

did you read the story or just skim through it? he WAS convicted THEN released HELLLLLLLLLO!

Ca Native   December 5th, 2007 5:55 pm ET

Gee – how many of your CRYING about this will be shocked to learn that DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS Bill Clinton and Jim Guy Tucker BOTH commuted the rapist's sentence – not Mike Huckabee.

It was the PAROLE BOARD which let the rapist out – not Mike Huckabee.

But don't let facts get in your way... keep belly-aching how Mike Huckabee should be blamed!

Jim Cleveland ohio   December 5th, 2007 5:54 pm ET

you can rape, murder, steal do anything you want and they say Jesus forgives me. This is the scary part. I can do anything I want as long as i bleieve in Jesus.

This is another Bible banger, that wil take us to destruction just like George

Mike USMC 95-99   December 5th, 2007 5:05 pm ET

I love it...

The GoP might as well just skip the next election...They are gonna get schlacked....

PinotDrnkr, Sonoma, CA   December 5th, 2007 5:04 pm ET

"Plus, NO representative from the Huckabee campaign was contacted to present an opposing perspective. Conveniently one-sided reporting, don't you think?"

There's a total lie for you. Obviously you didn't read the story because Huck's campaign is quoted in the story I read.... got your blinders on???

David, Gilbert Arizona   December 5th, 2007 4:36 pm ET

“I concur with the board’s action and hope the lives of all those involved can move forward. The action of the board accomplishes what I sought to do in considering an earlier request for commutation ... In light of the action of the board, my original intent to commute the sentence to time served is no longer relevant.” – Mike Huckabee

The Huckster, whom I actually like very much until this came up, can't deny his own press release which came out directly following the pardon of Dumond. I'd be much more willing to forgive Huckabee if he just owned up to his mistake in judgment. Mike didn't commit the rape and murders and he can't forecast the future events of other people.

He advocated the release of Dumond and it was a mistake. Own it Mike. Denying public record only makes you look worse than you actually are.

Elosie Hall, Albany, Georgia   December 5th, 2007 4:25 pm ET

I think Mr. Huckabee is trying to minimize his role in the release of Mr. DuMond. Even if the two former governors reduced the sentence, he was the governor that recommended that he be released even though he ignored the letters from the other victims and their families and thereby causing another woman to loose her life. The parole board acted under his recommendation and he knows it.

Jim St. Louis MO   December 5th, 2007 4:24 pm ET

It's strange how rape can become a political issue when it is indeed a societal issue. All you have to do is look at what is showing on the tube to understand why more and more of these crimes are happening. It is sad that instead of cleaning up our society, we just look for someone to blame. Look in the mirror America, you can't say no to morals and then expect morality.

Erin Argast - Dallas, Oregon   December 5th, 2007 4:24 pm ET

I've been telling people for months that Huckabee was a no-hoper...now you all know why. Der Scheisenkopf ist gefallen. Huckabee is out of the running.

jw, canadian,ok   December 5th, 2007 4:23 pm ET

In this case, Huckabee was the DECIDER, the parole board succumbed to the ever present Clinton hate faction in Arkansas. Hillary is right, it is always a conspiracy if she or Bill is involved. Word association – Republican = hate.

Margot   December 5th, 2007 4:17 pm ET

From the Crime Library

"Wayne DuMond, a decorated Vietnam veteran, handyman and father of six, was convicted in August 1985 of the rape of a 17-year-old cheerleader from Forrest City, Arkansas. The girl was the daughter of a prominent Arkansas mortician and a distant cousin of former president Bill Clinton."

jaik , chicago, IL   December 5th, 2007 4:16 pm ET

ahhhh Mondaleall over again,apparently the GOP can't walk their talk.

Marsha, Nashua, NH   December 5th, 2007 3:59 pm ET

The online Huckabee supporters making excuses for their candidate are rather transparent. It's sick.

Who in their right mind would support a candidate that did this?

J Houston, TX   December 5th, 2007 3:58 pm ET

You don't parole murderers,child molesters, and rapists. Those three crimes should recieve nothing less than the maximum sentence. If we repealed the death penalty (WWJD? answering anything but no death penalty proves you're a lying politician) we could use the extra money saved from inmates on deathrow and legal expenses to house the worst criminals in the system...which is why it exists. If you're going to let somebody out early, let out petty thieves.

bryce, Los Angeles CA   December 5th, 2007 3:57 pm ET

Bye Mike, was nice knowing you.

Steve, Landing, NJ   December 5th, 2007 3:57 pm ET

A. H. in Texas–

....and, of course, some of you people keep ignoring the fact that he stated his intention to commute the guy's sentence to time served, faced heavy opposition, and then all of a sudden four members of the parole committee said that they felt they had been pressured by him to parole the guy, so he decided he didn't need to commute his sentence.

Look, I'm not passing a judgment on Huckabee, I actually like him more than most of the Republican candidates. But just come out and admit he was at least partly responsible for this mistake and then move on. He influenced the release, and he knew details of the case. Just look up the facts about it. The fact that he didn't personally pardon the guy means very little, he used his influence to affect the parole board's decision.

Chester Seattle, WA   December 5th, 2007 3:56 pm ET

Huckabee was a fine candidate until I saw his ad spot with Chuck Norris. God good that was goofy and juvenile.

Can't these guys address real issues for once without invoking 9/11, gay marriage, or abortion. They're friggin' robots.

A. H. from Texas   December 5th, 2007 3:40 pm ET

Some of you continue to ignore the fact that governors do not have the ability to pardon people in Arkansas, the board does. Not only that, but he either denied or did not respond to the clemency appeal each time it was made (which not responding is the same denying it) He never approved the clemency claim, and he wasn't the one who released the guy.

Duane, Wichita, KS   December 5th, 2007 3:32 pm ET

First you build him up then you tear him down. Make up your minds. It's agood thing Ron Paul has no dirt.

Tsheej, San Jose, CA   December 5th, 2007 3:29 pm ET

Check out the facts: Huckabee never parolled this guy. Governor's do not have that authority. That is the boards decision.

Nat, Wooster OH   December 5th, 2007 3:27 pm ET

Well after all Mr. Huckabee wasn't the one who was raped so why not let the guy out right?? DuMond is so deserving of a 2nd chance. Yeah right! He ended up raping and killing another woman shortly after his release. Besides if you are going to write a letter of recommendation for someone who committed such a serious crime you by God should know all the background on the case before you write a letter for his release. If you didn't Mr. Huckabee then you've abused your power and a 2nd women was raped and lost her life! Besides we already have one in the White House who started a war with another country then later said the same ole tired Republican mantra....I didn’t know all the details! Choose Huckabee for President, as a female citizen of the US....I don't think so!

KRS   December 5th, 2007 3:24 pm ET

I could write a letter claiming to have been raped by the guy, but that doesn't make it true. I have no doubt that he was an evil person, but he needs to have been CONVICTED of the crimes before they should be taken into consideration. If all those people had stepped forward before he was released, filed charges, got him convicted.....he might not have gotten out.

Les WA   December 5th, 2007 3:23 pm ET

It is sad, the GOP blame again former President Bill Clinton, it was the distant cousin of Clinton that was raped by Dumond. Rape victims and their family sent a letters to Huckabee pleading with him not to grant Dumond a parole, he didn't listen to them. When Dumond was released he moved to Missouri, raped and killed two more women.

Why the Republicans can't take responsibility for their ineptness? They always blame somebody.

no vote, midwest   December 5th, 2007 3:16 pm ET

What did he know and when did he know it?
He probably was busy trying to make certain no rape victims were given an abortion option.

Sonya, Phoenix, AZ   December 5th, 2007 3:16 pm ET

I see with old Hucky, it's forgivable to rape but abortion is off limits. What a hypocrite. We can protect the rapist but not the victim, is that how it works?

Roger, Melrose, MN   December 5th, 2007 3:15 pm ET

The young woman that Dumond raped was distant cousin of Clintons. The Republican Right felt that Dumond was innocent and pressured Huckabee to reduce his sentence, which Huckabee did (from life to 39 years).

According to interviews 4 people on the board claim that Huckabee worked very hard to push for his parole. Huckabee denies this.

As Huckabee was being pressured to make sure Dumond's prison time be reduced, the raped victims wrote letters to Huckabee begging him to make sure Dumond stays in Prison and talks about the anguish they felt as rape victims. Huckabee denies he ever received these letters, even though they have been forwarded to press and rape victims acknowledge that they sent them.

These are facts....
But my guess is, if you are a die-hard Huckabee supporter they won't matter.

Carmen, Little Rock AR   December 5th, 2007 3:12 pm ET

This thread illustrates the reason I'll be voting for whichever candidate has the best plan for public education.

Taxhikemike.org   December 5th, 2007 3:12 pm ET

1. Governor Huckabee signed sales tax hike in 1996;

2. Governor Huckabee supported internet sales tax in 2001;

3. Governor Huckabee opposed repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002;

4. Governor Huckabee signed tax increases on gasoline (1999) and cigarettes (2003);

5. Governor Huckabee signed into law a $5.25 per day bed tax on private nursing home patients in 2001;

6. Governor Huckabee proposed sales tax increase in 2002;

7. Governor Huckabee opposed congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003;

8. Governor Huckabee allowed 17% sales tax increase to become law in 2004;

9. Governor Huckabee, by the end of his tenure, was responsible for a 37% higher sales tax in Arkansas, 16% higher motor fuel taxes, and 103% higher cigarette taxes;

10. Governor Huckabee refused to take the pledge to not raise taxes if elected President in 2007;

11. Governor Huckabee is responsible for spending increases of 65.3% from 1996 to 2004;

12. Governor Huckabee is responsible for a 20% increase in the number of state government workers;

13. Governor Huckabee increased and expanded ARKids First which is a massive government program that provides 'free' (i.e. socialized) health coverage for thousands;

14. Governor Huckabee supported the 2003 Republican-initiated (sadly) Medicare prescription drug plan which is a massive and unfunded liability shouldered by us taxpayers. It is the largest new government entitlement program since LBJ;

15. Governor Huckabee raised the minimum wage in April 2006 from $5.15 to $6.25 an hour and encouraged Congress to take the same thereby hurting business and the free market;

16. Governor Huckabee supports 'price-gouging' legislation which is just a veiled threat against free enterprise and the free market;

17. Governor Huckabee called No Child Left Behind "the greatest education reform effort by the federal government in my lifetime," even though it was bloated and stripped schools of local control and increased federal spending on education by 48% without any real reform;

18. Governor Huckabee signed into law Arkansas's first statewide smoking ban against private property establishments. This was a gross violation of private property rights and a huge act of big/nanny government;

19. Governor Huckabee has banned soda from Arkansas public schools and is promoting the big/nanny government agenda of regulating what we eat and drink;

Bottom Line: Governor Mike Huckabee is no conservative and he is no heir to the Goldwater/Reagan legacy of LIMITED GOVERNMENT and INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FREEDOM. Mike Huckabee is a big government tax-and- spender who can't be trusted to uphold the Reagan legacy if elected President.

Zack Gardner, Clarksville, Tennessee   December 5th, 2007 3:07 pm ET

I was looking towards Huckabee as the actual conservative candidate..but then I looked at his tax record, his destroying of public property (hard drives belonging to the government), his phony "charity" scam, his repeated raising of taxes, and his numerous bouts with the ethics committee.

Now this? I'm sorry Huckabee, you may be a good Christian man..but your actions don't show it. I can't vote for you. I'm saddened that a Baptist minister is this morally bankrupt–my grandfather was a Baptist minister and HE was a truly scrupulous and pious man.

Ike Woodbridge VA   December 5th, 2007 3:03 pm ET

None of these Republicans are electable yet they want to argue that Hillary Clinton is not electable. I just think Republicans are afraid to run against Hillary.

John Bouchard, Dodge City, Kansas   December 5th, 2007 3:03 pm ET

This is a serious attempt to discredit someone. Maybe all officials should deny all parole hearings in order to ensure that none of them commit a crime again. Is that what the Huffington Post wants?

Stephanie, Milwaukee, WI   December 5th, 2007 3:01 pm ET

Although I rarely support or back up anything a Republican does or says, I think it is absurd to infer that Huckabee knew that the rapist would re-offend in such a manner. It would be hard pressed for me to believe that any semi-moral human being (yes, even a Republican!) would allow this man to be free if he believed he was capable of this. What this man did was unpredictable–and while unfortunate, Huckabee is not to blame.

RADA, HOUSTON TX   December 5th, 2007 3:01 pm ET

OH YES, IT WAS CLINTON FAULT....

YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!!!!

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 5th, 2007 3:01 pm ET

david from BAY AREA

good post im going to look that up....

MR. AMERICA - USA   December 5th, 2007 2:57 pm ET

MR. AMERICA declares this day GOV HUCKABEE DAY. None of this matters folks. It's a smear tactic, but so what. Huckabee is a joke. This "True Conservative" doesn't have a chance. Mostly because America knows that "True Conservatives" are UnAmerican!

sal lincoln nebraska   December 5th, 2007 2:55 pm ET

Does this story reallt matter? We have more people in prison in this country then anywhere else in the world...Where do we get this false sense of morality? I dont like this guy at all in fact i think religon is useless...About as useless as well people who really care about crap like this...Im sure if you ask huckabee about this he's going tell you that jesus didnt call in time so you cant blame him....Its strange how people are so sympathetic to the fact that its probably just faulty intellgence because thats normal why does that apply to some cases and not others?...A false sense of morality is tell tail sign of christiantiy its all about selective remorse...You know a life sentence for rape does seem about as extreme as the death penalty...All these people who want to throw people away for hundreds of years must have been reincarnated from the spanish inquisition...What happend to trying to figure out why people do the things they do...Morality has nothing to do with religon its hard wired into our brains so why do some people do the things they do? Circumstance? Product of their enviroment..Or maybe its a reflection of society as a whole...Senators getting caught pimping themselves off in bathroom stalls...Blowing up a third world nation becasue of daddy issues...Priests touching little boys, getting moved around, touching some more little boys...Id say its all of us..Looks like the new american tradition

David, Bay Area, CA   December 5th, 2007 2:49 pm ET

This issue is a lot more complicated than just "Huckabee supported the parole of a guy who went on to commit another crime." Huckabee pushed the parole board to grant him parole despite the fact that it had recently denied him parole by a 4-1 decision. Why? A close friend and fellow Baptist minister named Jay Cole had for years insisted that Wayne Dumond's imprisonment was the result of a vast conspiracy by the Clinton family, since the victim ("so called victim", according to Cole) was a distant relative of the Clintons. This is in spite of the fact that Dumond had a long and well-known history of criminal behavior.

This is extremely important because it shows you where Huckabee's trust lies. He took the word of a fellow minister over those of the victim, of the parole board, or even of the public. He had announced earlier that he intended to commute Dumond's sentence, which resulted in a huge public outcry and a public denunciation from several members of the state house of reps. He then went behind closed doors to push for the Dumond's parole so that he could achieve his objective without having to suffer the political fallout (or so he thought) of the decision.

If you really want the whole story search for "Wayne Dumond" on Google and read the exhaustive article from the Arkansas Times, that was written in the context of his reelection as governor.

MD, glenmont, oh   December 5th, 2007 2:49 pm ET

Typical loser politician who can't accept responsibility for his actions....I say that every violent crimminal should spend time in the household of the person that decides it's time to let them out

Anonymous   December 5th, 2007 2:45 pm ET

Of course, the age old excuse, I didn't know a lot about it. So typical. Don't release someone from prison unless you know all the details, it seems pretty simple but apparently not.

Helen J,, Omaha, Nebraska   December 5th, 2007 2:43 pm ET

Huckabee did not grant Dumond his release. The parole board did.

The Governor didn't even grant the commutation that made him parole-eligible, Jim Guy Tucker did. Mike Huckabee had a chance to shorten his sentence even further, but denied it every chance he had.

The role Governor Huckabee DID play in all of this is that he simply made the mistake of supporting his release. After all, Dumond had met or exceeded every bit of criteria that was required for him to be paroled. On paper, it was a no-brainer for the parole board.

I think there's a huge difference between being the person who springs a future killer versus saying "I think this man got a raw deal, he should be considered for release."

There was no pardon, no commutation, no release by Governor Huckabee. These attacks are (and have been) desperate attempts by old political rivals to take Mike Huckabee out at the knees. Unfortunately for them, the voters of Arkansas knew better and paid no attention to these disgusting tactics.

Dean, Atlanta, GA   December 5th, 2007 2:40 pm ET

Mr.Huckabee, I'm glad the media dug out this story. You are VERY WEAK on crime. I don't care how religious or high moral standards you have. you are responsible for that innocent woman's rape and murder. I will NEVER vote for you though I'm a Republican. YOU are a disgrace to human race.

Anom cal   December 5th, 2007 2:35 pm ET

Huckabee the blood is on your hands! Your resposable for over riding the justice system!

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 5th, 2007 2:30 pm ET

why cant we all just accept that these people are going to be running a country of many different ideas and beliefs and nobody is perfect. you see that is the one flaw in the republican conservative party everything is abslolute. right wrong, gay, straight, good, evil. it makes no sense there is more to everything that just black and white! people make mistakes but we hold these candidates to such a highest standard of the dumbest things! romney is firing his lawn service! but in 2 years when immigration isnt a hot topic there probably will be illegals mowing hislawn again. people make mistakes i mean huckabee made a pretty serious mistake here, but its just crazy that these candidates are basically forced to sugar coat and spin everything to seem in touch with the voters....but the voters make the SAME MISTAKES TOO!!! get real

G.I. Castillo-Feliu/ock Hill, SC   December 5th, 2007 2:28 pm ET

English correction: "Huckabee has repeatedly said he wished he HAH HAD more information...." or "Huckabee has repeatedly said he wished HE'D HAD more information..."

Justin Pensacola, FL   December 5th, 2007 2:27 pm ET

It's not slime or smear if it's true. We are also getting access to documents that weren't available during the governor's re-election, as well as people are now speaking up that don't have to worry about Huckabee harming their careers. Hindsight is 20/20 I agree, which is why we should not consider this man for President, by employing a little 20/20 hindsight of our own.

Brian Tampa, FL   December 5th, 2007 2:24 pm ET

Liberals should love this guy for doing this. Isn't this what they preach. I find it interesting that so many libs view Obama as a prospect for "hope and Clinton as an intellectual but Huck {who has a lot in common with booth} as a back woods twit. I guess that little letter after the name makes all the difference!

Karen, Boca Raton, FL   December 5th, 2007 2:23 pm ET

People, please, get your facts straight before posting. It was THAT he was paroled, it was that he served far less than what he was sentenced to. It is likely he would have reoffended if he had served his full term, but Huckabee went to bat to specifically have him released early. The problem is that not only did he single out THIS rapist for early release, but that he's tried to cover that fact up. This is not a smear campaign. Oh, wait, it's a smear campaign when the truth comes to light about a Republican candidate. When a Democrat or Independent candidate gets "Swift Boated" that's just good journalism.

My bad – forgot what the standard is.

When a candidate actually accepts responsibilty for his/her past decisions, I will eat my 3" spike heeled shoe. Thankfully, I know my digestive tract is safe. Unfortunately, I know my digestive tract is safe.

I hate "smear" campaigns and the tactic of "dirty" politics when campaigning – I am so sick of the mud slinging between candidates because the focus is taken away from platforms, records, etc. But it's not a smear campaign to report about an issue such as improper spending by a Mayor, or a flip flop in positions by a senator, or when a presidential candidate is held to account for past decisions/actions. I want to know EVERYTHING there is to know about each and every candidate. How on earth am I supposed to make an informed decision if I am not in full possession of the facts? I can make my own distinction between "smear campaigns" and good reporting.

Happily, I've not been dumbed down and have no intentions to be. Huckabee did a stupid thing – seems all the candidates have at some point in their past political lives. So, take responsibilty and move on – don't try to cover it up ...

sheesh, the concept of atonement seems to be lost on all these "Christian" candidates...

molly ny   December 5th, 2007 2:21 pm ET

The commentor is right about the Clintons starting the parole process on this man. Don't criticize Huckabee when you aren't criticizing the Clintons.

Brian Tampa, FL   December 5th, 2007 2:21 pm ET

When is the last time CNN ran a positive story of any kind on a Republican. This "news network" should change their name to liberal propaganda tool.

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   December 5th, 2007 2:20 pm ET

Robert,Andrew, Ben, and Cathy just proved my point. Because Huckabee is one of them, there is no outrage nor comdenation as there would be if it was a Democrat. Yes, it isjust like Willie Horton but this time it is a Republican Governor who let him out to rape and murder.
Now Huckabee is changing his story about not knowing any facts about the person he paroled. And just because the process was begun when Clinton was Governor does not mean that it ever reached the Governor's office, it could mean that he only became eligible for parole when Clinton was Governor, as does every person in prison.

Daniel, Syracuse, NY   December 5th, 2007 2:19 pm ET

FACT: Mike Huckabee did NOT pardon Dumond. Governors in Arkansas do not have authority to parole anyone; the parole board does.

Plus, NO representative from the Huckabee campaign was contacted to present an opposing perspective. Conveniently one-sided reporting, don't you think?

ALSO, the timing of this story is more than a little convenient, given that (1) this happened many years ago and (2) Huckabee just broke through to the top in polls.

Willy, Chesapeake, VA   December 5th, 2007 2:18 pm ET

Can't be worst than what Slick Willy got away with.

Ryan, NH   December 5th, 2007 2:18 pm ET

Funny how CNN waited til these new polls were out now to write about this. When are you going to talk about the terrorists that Clinton pardoned on his way out of office to secure NY votes for Hillary?

Steve, Landing, NJ   December 5th, 2007 2:17 pm ET

You guys calling this a disgusting smear all agree that the Willie Horton ads were disgusting smears against Dukakis, too, right?

David   December 5th, 2007 2:15 pm ET

Governor Huckabee did not pardon Dumond. He never took action in the DuMond case that made him parole eligible. He either denied the clemency request, or took no action (which is the same as a denial) on four separate occasions.

He also did not parole Wayne Dumond for he had no authority to do that. Governors in Arkansas don't grant parole-the parole board does. The fact remains that Governor Huckabee didn't commutate, pardon, parole or grant any form of clemency to Wayne DuMond.

David Reke, Troy Ohio   December 5th, 2007 2:12 pm ET

Call me crazy, but Huckabee hasn't raped or murdered anyone. Dumond did those despicable deeds.

Heather, Indianapolis   December 5th, 2007 2:08 pm ET

I am a rape victim, and my attacker is still in jail, and I will continue to write his parole board every year to try to keep him there for his maximum sentence. Even so, I think we have to give Huckabee a break. We'll never know the whole truth of what happened, but I don't believe for a second that anyone would release a person into the public if that person was a clear threat. And yes, I would say the same thing if I were directly involved in this particular case. Living in bitterness toward rapists or lawmakers who made mistakes doesn't make our lives any better.

Susan, Chicago, IL   December 5th, 2007 2:07 pm ET

You could have predicted what he would do by having looked at what he had done and honoring the sentence the court had imposed.

josh   December 5th, 2007 2:07 pm ET

Wow! This guy Wayne Dumond sounds like a real piece of work. I wonder how many letters the Clintons recieved. I can't believe that the Clintons initiated the pardoning process for this guy!

JKap, Schaumburg, IL   December 5th, 2007 2:05 pm ET

Who wants a rapist-sympathizer as President?

Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM   December 5th, 2007 2:05 pm ET

This is my third attempt to get posted here, What's the problem? Am I being to critical of this hypocrite. What this man did was to cave in to the christian conservatives. He and this evil cabal of conservatives are so bent on hating and hurting the Clintons that nothing is too much for them. Paroling this criminal who raped a Clinton relative was glee to these haters. Huckabee is indeed unfit to be President

C.A. Texas   December 5th, 2007 2:04 pm ET

I agree with Cathy; being a monday morning quarterback is a scapegoat. This guy was given a chance and he obviously blew it. Why should Huckabee be held responsible for goodwill gone bad. For some reason being proactive is a sin in this country.

Terry, El Paso, TX   December 5th, 2007 2:01 pm ET

Sorry friends. In my post above, I forgot to put Robert Eckert's post in quotes:

"Uh…it might be newsworthy to mention it was Clinton's cousin who was raped and Huckabee released him out of spite"

I do not believe this lie for an instant. I was quoting it as an example of a vicious whispering campaign.

Terry Summers, Morgantown, WV   December 5th, 2007 2:00 pm ET

Truth: Governor Huckabee did not pardon Dumond. He never took action in the DuMond case that made him parole eligible. He either denied the clemency request, or took no action (which is the same as a denial) on four separate occasions.

He also did not parole Wayne Dumond for he had no authority to do that. Governors in Arkansas don't grant parole-the parole board does. The fact remains that Governor Huckabee didn't commutate, pardon, parole or grant any form of clemency to Wayne DuMond.
As Governor Huckabee said in a press conference yesterday, “"It was a horrible situation, horrible, I feel awful about it in every way. I wish that there was some way I could go back and reverse the clock and put him back in prison. But nobody, not me, not Jim Guy Tucker, not Bill Clinton, not that parole board, could ever imagine what might have transpired.”

STL, Mo   December 5th, 2007 1:56 pm ET

In response to Hawk,Texas...
I don't know what being a Christian Republican has to with this situation.
And when you stick Bill Clinton in the same post as "when are these guys going to come clean"...I think you need to review your history books a bit...Old Bill wasn't the most honest President we've ever had...

Lisa Hemply, Keokuk Iowa   December 5th, 2007 1:55 pm ET

Mr. Huckabee should come clean and let everyone know that he no longer can be a god in the The Church of the Firstborn in the Morman's heaven. On the otherhand, Wayne DuMond, should feel comforted that when he dies his time in the Morman Spirit-Prison Hell should only last a little more than a 1000 years. After that time he will have another chance to be paroled back into the Morman's celestial kingdom of heaven. Now that's comforting!

Hal, San Francisco CA   December 5th, 2007 1:54 pm ET

Do we really want another scumbag from Arkansas in the White House?

Annie   December 5th, 2007 1:53 pm ET

I thjink investigative journalism is a crucial part of " keeping them honest". However I always wonder why these individuals don't come forward themselves to tell their story. Huffington could further advance the validaty of this claims by allowing the persons who wrote the letters to shed further light on the circumstance. It is hard to discredit a "first hand" witness, and I hope they agree to share their story.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   December 5th, 2007 1:48 pm ET

Huckabee needs to remain in the pulpit, not in the White House. Next election we'll have every minister believing God has now chosen him to be president as God chose him to be a minister. Where is religion and politics heading in this country; we need to get back on track.

Dan, Federal Way, WA   December 5th, 2007 1:47 pm ET

Huh?? "None of us could've predicted what he could've done when he got out".. Hey Huckabee.. He was convicted of a previous violent rape. That should have made it a little easier to predict...

AJ; Montpelier, VT   December 5th, 2007 1:45 pm ET

Again, unprepared and doing something without enough information to formulate a decision. Do we really need ANOTHER incompetent President?

Jon, Little Rock, AR   December 5th, 2007 1:42 pm ET

It's about time someone has caught onto this! Huckabee all but CAMPAIGNED for Dumonds release – I know, I live in Little Rock and heard it first hand with my own ears while it was happening! This makes Willie Horton look like a chump! The poor girl that was raped (and others as well) pleaded with Huckabee not to release this scum. Several of Dumond's victims pleaded to Huckabee not to parole him. I guess the Baptist Minister couldn't find it in his big heart to listen to them. Now Huckabee says he didn't know all the facts?? Isn't it your job to know the facts before you parole a rapist – who then rapes and murders another person less than a year later?? There were other possible victims as well but the bastard died in prison before he could be tried. The only reason I can fathom is that Huckabee pushed for a parole was to "embarass" Clinton (who was related to the girl). On another note, Huckabee wasted more than 10 years as Governor promoting his own self interests instead of promoting our Natural State and soliciting business. Instead he talks about "road kill" on Jay Leno. Lets all hope for the best interests of our country, Huckabee is sent back to the pulpit instead of the White House....

Blondie Kansas City KS   December 5th, 2007 1:41 pm ET

Wish he would have known more?

Well, how about the well published fact that rapists and child molesters are the toughest to treat and rarely change their ways? Isn't that enough?

Carl, Little Rock, AR   December 5th, 2007 1:40 pm ET

The last person we need leading our country is a soft-hearted person who "could've predicted what he could've done when he got out." Seriously? A man RAPES a woman (or multiple women) and you can't foresee another crime? Is this who we want setting foreign policy for our nation? "I swear President Huckabee, we won't attack the U.S. again..."

PS, KC, MO   December 5th, 2007 1:40 pm ET

This year's Willie Horton. The Republican machine has turned on one of its own. After this brouhaha has served its purpose, it will be forgotten.

Founding Father USA   December 5th, 2007 1:40 pm ET

Dr Ron Paul has a plan: 1. Bring our troops home from Iraq, 2. Bring our troops home from the 500 foreign bases in over 100 countries (we put troops over there to stop the USSR). 3. End the US efforts to run and police the world. 4. With the trillion $/year saved by 1-3 abolish the income tax and the IRS. 5. Stop the inflation tax with sound money. Let's elect Dr. Ron Paul and get America back on the path to Peace, Prosperity and Liberty.

Dawn Piscataway NJ   December 5th, 2007 1:38 pm ET

If it was Huckabee's relative he would have never gotten out. Rapist men or women should be shot dead. What a horrible crime. A complete violation.

tyrone, pa   December 5th, 2007 1:38 pm ET

Robert that is very interesting...i did not know that. I was going to say that people are extremely unpredicatble and i though it was just bad judgement, but what you said about the whole spite thing does sort of make sense to me.

Jay, Greenbelt, md   December 5th, 2007 1:37 pm ET

"Praise the lord and release the rapist." Gee, imagine that from a "Baptist Minister".

Erik, Ventura, CAlifornia   December 5th, 2007 1:35 pm ET

Mike Huckabee's sudden rise is proof that bigotry in this country is alive
and well in the 21st Century. The same people who lathered with venom over the Amnesity Bill in the Senate this year are the ones who are ignoring Mike Huckabee's dismal record on immigration. Huckabee has been caught in flat out lie this week regarding what the immigration bill he was supporting actually was, and now more lies about the case of the released rapist in Arkansas who went on the rape and kill again.The reasoning for the Born Again Christians goes against their own teachings. Don't vote for
Romney, He is a Mormon. No matter how good a man he is, he is a Mormon. Vote
for Huckabee. It doesn't matter what his stances are or that he has already
been caught in numerous lies, he is a Baptist minister!

Kim, Midland MI   December 5th, 2007 1:31 pm ET

A lesson for all governors. A single conviction rarely signals a single crime. As with drunk drivers, who are estimated to have driven drunk 100 or more times for every time caught, rapists rarely do it once. Prosecutors try the cases they know they can win – often leaving many, many victims unaccounted for.

Most of the statistics involving women's issue in Arkansas show them to be near the bottom, compared to other states. This includes births to unwed teens, infant mortality, births to women with little or no prenatal care.

Maybe all the tax and expense cutting the Governor did, he should have left in place. Including money to keep prisoners sentanced for life locked up.

Brian, Houston Texas   December 5th, 2007 1:27 pm ET

Could you please give us some backstory on why Huckabee was so inclined to release this criminal? Without that information this appears to be just another Willie Horton story. Is there more to it?

Cathy Meyers, Grand Rapids, MIchigan   December 5th, 2007 1:25 pm ET

Mr. Huckabee had no way of predicting the actions of the paroled Wayne DuMond. There will always be people who think someone should not be paroled . . . ever.
What's the alternative? Nobody gets paroled . . . ever . . . because we just don't know what they might or might not do? Mr. Huckabee is not a clairvoyant. He made a decision. Hindsight is a gift we wish we all had prior to any decision.

Ben Dribus, Mandeville, Louisiana   December 5th, 2007 1:06 pm ET

Mike Huckabee will win the nomination in spite of this disgusting smear effort, because he is the only candidate who has an optimistic and forward-looking message. This slime campaign is old news; it was used against him during his reelection campaign for governor, and he won anyway. Obviously, the voters decided to ignore the character assassination and look at his record. I hope voters across the country will do the same.

Andrew   December 5th, 2007 1:01 pm ET

Do you have a source that can prove that? We wouldn't want to be spreading false rumors now, would we?

Ben Dribus, Mandeville, Louisiana   December 5th, 2007 1:00 pm ET

Mike Huckabee is a good man. This is a terrible slime campaign, and those involved should be ashamed. It is the responsibility of the parole board, not the governor, to decide parole. The board members who have accused Mike Huckabee of pressuring them to release Dumond are liberal operatives who are cynically attempting to shift responsibility. The only possible result of this sort of character assassination is that no one who has any history or any record will be able to run for office. To hold a governor of 11 years responsible for the crimes of everyone paroled under his tenure is an impossible standard. Whether you like his politics or not, you should be disgusted at how he is being treated.

Peter Armstrong, Siloam Springs, AR   December 5th, 2007 12:56 pm ET

It is helpful to read Governor Huckabee's response to the Wayne Dumond incident:

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=TruthSquad.DumondRes

"For people to say that I was responsible in getting him out makes a few presumptions – number one, it presumes, I had an influence on Bill Clinton and Jim Guy Tucker in 1992. The second presumption, it assumes I had the amazing persuasive power to go into a board of seven people, all of them appointed by Democratic governors before me and persuade them to do something they didn't wish to do."

Carmen, Little Rock AR   December 5th, 2007 12:55 pm ET

I'd like to comment on this "Political Ticker" in general, not just this story in particular.

Could journalists please start demanding that candidates share information that is actually RELEVANT to the office they are running for? The election is almost a year away, and I am already utterly disgusted with the inflammatory nonsense and general sniping that pervades the coverage of every single campaign.

I'm no Republican, so I couldn't care less where Huckabee stands in the primary race. But if he made a mistake in approving the parole of an inmate, SO WHAT? Is the subtext here that Republican voters should be looking for another candidate like George W. Bush and the criminal justice standards he promulgated in Texas? Or is the standard even... ah... higher? Should Republicans be looking for a candidate who never makes mistakes?

Can CNN and Arianna Huffington and all the other political journalists not see the responsibility they have to quit feeding this beast? Voters are counting on YOU to get us the information we need to fulfill our role in this democracy. There are real human beings behind these stories. Intelligent, educated human beings. Do you REALLY want a president - a PRESIDENT– elected based on the public's knee-jerk reaction to "Oh my God he released a rapist into the world"?

Frank Clearwater, Fl   December 5th, 2007 12:53 pm ET

Although I am not a supporter of Huckabee's candidacy for president I am against the "gotcha" mentality bringing up one example of a bad result in the mind set of locking 'em up and throwing away the key.

The Willy Horton debacle ended up closing down an otherwise very successful program.

Let's not take a step backwards. We still need to be compassionate as well as smart on crime. There will always be examples of offenders going wrong. We need to remember all those who do the right thing and become productive members of society.

Dubious about the self-proclaimed righteous Los Angeles   December 5th, 2007 12:52 pm ET

It probably wasn't Huckabee's fault – he just had bad intel. That's the normal excuse, right?

robert eckert seattle, WA   December 5th, 2007 12:51 pm ET

Uh...it might be newsworthy to mention it was Clinton's cousin who was raped and Huckabee released him out of spite...but then again you people don't really do the news anymore...

Hawk,Texas   December 5th, 2007 12:45 pm ET

Another supposedly christian republican trying to cover his own self by accusing bill clinton for starting it. when are these guys going to come clean about them selves.and put the blame where it belongs.

Don, Columbus Ohio   December 5th, 2007 12:42 pm ET

If you're a Republican and won't accept responsibility for your actions–blame Bill Clinton.

AJ, IL   December 5th, 2007 12:39 pm ET

Even though I saw Huckabee rising to top tier status in Iowa about three months ago, Huckabee has his own 'Willie Horton' debacle to contend with. As more and more stories like these come out about the Republican front-runners, the more the Republican chances for the presidency slip away.

Frank Erdman - Austin, Texas   December 5th, 2007 12:38 pm ET

Yeah I saw this. Interesting. I put this on my blog earlier today:

http://blogkinnetic.blogspot.com/

Wade, Appleton Wisconsin   December 5th, 2007 12:35 pm ET

With Huckabee being the ex governor of Arkansas, and the Clinton's having spent time in the governor's house there, imagine the dirt slinging that will take place if and when these two should square off. Both of these people have dirt on their hands that continues to this day! We'll be left wondering how were stuck with two loser candidates...again! Says alot about the "dumbing down" of the American voter.

Mike, New Braunfels, TX   December 5th, 2007 12:29 pm ET

Read Huckabee's response & explanation for this at the site below:

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Newsroom.Article&ID=127

Victoria Gardner   December 5th, 2007 12:29 pm ET

Sadly another victim because someone did not believe the victims words.
Please listen; go to SalonGirlz.com and see how a potential book project could help child and adult victims of crimes, including sexual abuse, abduction, assault or domestic violence. How many more have to die before we do something nationally to educate victims. Project creator is a survivor of child abduction/rape and domestic violence.

AT, san francisco, ca   December 5th, 2007 12:29 pm ET

As hickabee said it right, when you are ahead, you will be kicked from behind. It appears that his behind will be kicked a bit in the near future.

Mike N. Houston, TX   December 5th, 2007 12:27 pm ET

I was living in Arkansas when this went down in '99. Those families begged him not to let DuMond out of prison. Columnists concluded he did it because of spiritual justifications (i.e. Jesus wanted him pardoned). If elected, be afraid – be very afraid.

R. Moore, Raleigh, NC   December 5th, 2007 12:15 pm ET

What a pointless attack. What conclusions does Huffington hope to make from this evidence? Why would letters from victims or relatives of victims play a role in determining whether a person should be put on parole. The horrible actions of DuMond indicate little to nothing of Huckabee's competence as a president.

Jane, Ann Arbor, MI   December 5th, 2007 12:13 pm ET

The process leading to Dumond's release did not begin under Clinton. The Clinton family had a distant connection to the family of Ashley Stevens, Dumond's victim, and Bill Clinton recused himself from consideration of any issues involving Dumond.

Huckabee's handling of the Dumond case shows frightening arrogance in the face of his own total ignorance of the facts regarding not only the Ashley Stevens rape as well as Dumond's lengthy prior violent history. It was and continues to be a level of arrogance that can only be described as, well, George W. Bush-like.

Herb, sauk centre,MN   December 5th, 2007 12:12 pm ET

More examples of hypocrisy! The most "religous" of the republicas is the most soiled by past behavior and the inability to recall what he did. This is news!?

York Durden, Columbia SC   December 5th, 2007 12:09 pm ET

Huckabee should be facing scrutiny for such absurd comments as "I don't believe in evolution."

He'll do well in the early primaries, but then again so did Pat Buchanan.

Frank, San Diego   December 5th, 2007 12:08 pm ET

I'm not sure what the merits of this new criticism are, but at least its a criticism of the right kind.

Its entirely reasonable to hold an elected official responsible for his or her record. Executive decisions, like pardons, are the Achilles heel of governors running for higher office. For Senators, its votes on thousands of obscure legislative items, some of which were nonsense from the start and everybody new it. For Mayors, its how they cover up their zipper problems.

But at least this has nothing to do with the question of whether a particular candidate is sufficiently Christian. Can we please have an end to the Protestant v. Mormon silliness?

Independent in IA   December 5th, 2007 12:02 pm ET

I won't put this in the catagory of 'dirty politiking', but Huckleberry's idiot mentality is showing up in more and more places and if this is an indication of his 'values', I truly pity his supporters. Anyone who thinks a convicted rapist can be reformed and poses no further threat has the mentality of a turkey. Once a rapist...ALWAYS a rapist....it's only a matter of time.

Kate, Stony Brook, NY   December 5th, 2007 12:01 pm ET

My goodness, I just visited the Huffington Post website. If indeed the information posted there is correct, I am heartsick.

In my wildest dreams I could not imagine that political opponents of the Clintons would advocate parole for a violent rapist, using the argument that the rape never occurred because the victim was a distant cousin of Bill Clinton.

Huckabee ought to resign now. I always thought Hillary exaggerated when she talked about a "right wing conspiracy." I'm beginning to believe her now.

Sickening.

Avery, Jacksonville Florida   December 5th, 2007 11:58 am ET

As a native Arkansan who was living in Arkansas when this happened I can assure you Governor Huckabee had ample opportunity to see and speak to victims. Some victims even came to his office at the Capitol, begging not to let DuMond out. This case was well and widely known. Previous governors (Clinton and Tucker) were never in favor of release. Tucker only allowed the parole board to consider DuMond's requests. It was Huckabee who urged clemency and let him go, sending DuMond to Missouri because Arkansas wouldn't allow the man to stay in our state.

Rory, New York, New York   December 5th, 2007 11:56 am ET

This deadly misjudgement will likely be pounced on by cheap political hacks-like Mitt Romney, who will do, say, or believe anything to get himself elected. Romney will likely make what Bush did to Dukakis look like nothing.

Governor Huckabee needs to get ahead of this story and explain to the country what everyone likely already knows: that this decision haunts him and that there is not a day that goes by that he does not regret his decision.

If there is any political candidate who can handle this story, it is Mike Huckabee. I'm an Obama-leaning Democrat and I even like Mike.

Imagine a General Election campaign with Huckabee and Obama as the respective nominees. Articulate and substantive ideas, a respect for one another- America deserves this type of campaign.

Stacie Nealon, Chicago, Illinois   December 5th, 2007 11:55 am ET

Yet another very clear indication that male politicians and judges refuse to recognize the danger posed by rapists and sexual offenders seriously, despite mountains of evidence which tell them quite clearly that men like DuMond are incredibly likely to reoffend.

If men were in the sort of danger that women face every single day of their lives, and had to live with the fear that we live with, these men would stay locked up for life. This is simply more evidence that men simply don't care about women in this society.

Huckabee had letters from the victims describing their horrific ordeals, and any number of studies on recidivisim rates for sexual predators at his disposal- he just chose to ignore them. After all, it's *only* rape, right?

Here's a novel idea. Why don't we put an official end to the "war on drugs" and free up space and resources in the prison system to more effectively deal with criminals like DuMond?

Cat, Costa Mesa, CA   December 5th, 2007 11:55 am ET

It's very interesting how, within a few days of the new posll putting Huckabee near the top, more amd more reports are coming out about his shady past. Where were these stories three weeks ago? The media is completely biased...how can we trust them?

I'm not really a huckabee fan, but I find it obsured and almost offensive how the media will try to manipulate our minds. Or maybe it's just Hillary?

Matt Baker, Chanute Ks   December 5th, 2007 11:53 am ET

He denies receiving a Letter from VICTIMS, let alone ONE OF THEM! HMMMM?

What kind of Morals does a preacher have when he doesnt remember reading a VICTIMS LETTER on a RAPIST that HE IS THINKING of letting loose?

WOW!

THIS is WAY UNACCEPTABLE! AND NOW? His campaign says * He received at least ONE, from a victim. * AT LEAST ONE? WOW!

THIS IS THE GAS that the DEMS/OTHER GOP Candidates was hoping for! THIS IS ABOUT TO BLOW UP in the PREACHERS face!
GOOD THING HE HAS FAITH!

MAYBE JESUS should RUN FOR PRESIDENT, seems to me, he would be the only one without sin, BESIDES Ron Paul!

Kate, Stony Brook, NY   December 5th, 2007 11:52 am ET

This story sounds as if some information is missing. Why would Huckabee advocate parole for a violent offender? Did he know his family? Was it an acquaintance or friend?

Mark Mclean, Detroit, MI   December 5th, 2007 11:51 am ET

Dumond was not serving a life sentence. The previous governor had commuted the sentence significantly.

Here is some of why Huckabee thought Dumond was innocent, from a March 2003 report:

"“No evidence linked DuMond to the teenager’s abduction, forced submission to oral sex, and brief penetration. In the primitive blood-semen testing that had been done (DuMond’s lawyer said a more expensive DNA test wasn’t needed), DuMond’s semen, as a match to a spot on the teen’s jeans, couldn’t be ruled out. (A DNA expert later testified in one of DuMond’s numerous appeals that the spot did not match.)” March, 2003 – http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0110,harkavy,22841,1.html

Jonathan, Florida   December 5th, 2007 11:50 am ET

I guess Huckabee does have a shot at POTUS with the recent attacks increasing. Governors do not "parole" people. The Parole Board does – Governors "pardon" people. Was the guy pardoned? I think not. Good grief...if this is all the liberals can dig up – pretty pathetic. Huffington has an agenda for everything she does. She knows that Huckabee can beat the Clinton machine because he has 4 times already. They are scared of him.

As for the rapist – he is no longer a threat and I am grieved for the women he attacked.

Santosh-Phila   December 5th, 2007 11:49 am ET

This could be a serious problem for Huckabee. I read a lot about this casee and this has the potential to be Huckabee's "Willie Horton" downfall.

Gov. Huckabee has a lot of good traits and his type of compassion is a good thing on issues like what to do with illegal immigrants' children. But this type of story can take his otherwise meritorious quality and stereotype it in a negative twist-showing him as weak or wobbly. That's not going tobe popular with many of the "law & order" conservatives and of course security hawks. I hope he is able to use his gifted political skills to survive this.

chris, Chicago, IL   December 5th, 2007 11:49 am ET

Huck. Seriosly, check the headlines last week. They were talking about what was going to be the next ad that killed the candidate. They used the example of Dukakis. That was last week. Now they are swinging you into this clamshell. Dukakis didn't lose because he gave a party pass to some rapist, he lost because this oil plunder has been on the agenda for 20(00) years, it's just that Bush Sr. couldn't figure out that ya need a little whack in the head to get these Christians on the vigilante spill. Would you tell them that for me?

http://www.golden-lamp.com

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   December 5th, 2007 11:49 am ET

LET'S SEE IF THE REPUBLICANS GET AS UPSET AT HUCKABEE AS THEY DID ABOUT WILLIE HORTON. OR BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THEIR OWN THEY WILL FIND EXCUSES FOR HUCKABEE. BRCAUSE RIGHT NOW THE STANDARDS THAT THE REPUBLICANS CLAIM TO ADHERE TO, SEEM TO APPLY ONLY TO OTHERS.

aj huntington ny   December 5th, 2007 11:48 am ET

Now let's hear some lib who was in favor of pardoning convicted killer Tookie Williams come up with a reason why Huckabee shouldn't have pardoned this guy

Greg, Phoenix, AZ   December 5th, 2007 11:48 am ET

WOW!!!

Add this to the following and you have MAJOR problems:

1) Pro-Amnesty for illegal immigration
2) Poor tax record
3) Doesn't believe in evolution
4) No experience whatsoever in foreign policy

This one should be over fairly quickly.

Anonymous   December 5th, 2007 11:44 am ET

CNN quoting the Huffington Post. Priceless..

Matt, Springfield, MO   December 5th, 2007 11:43 am ET

Sounds like a typical leader of the christian conservatives.

rick h, Pittsburgh, PA   December 5th, 2007 11:42 am ET

This Huckabee-scoundrel let a convicted child rapist serving life out to recommit rape AND MURDER: Huck said "...no one could've known" what he would do. Well, we KNEW what he did and Huckabee is complicent to a MURDER because he caused it! He's just as bad as Hitlery Rodhard Clinton - and neither are remotely qualified to be President of this country!

Beckster   December 5th, 2007 11:41 am ET

Yes, Gov. Huckabee definitely made a mistake on this one. And he is the first one to admit it. But it will not keep me from voting for him. He unfortunately made a bad decision. While it is true that he didn't "officially pardon" the rapist, he did wish for the guy to be freed. After all, the guy had been castrated before he was sentenced by people seeking vigilantee justice, and was already serving a sentence longer than the avg. rapist. I personally would like convicted rapists to serve life in prison. People are going to make a big deal of this but you know he is not going to make the same mistake again, so I am not going to get too worked up over it.

joseph, austin,tx   December 5th, 2007 11:39 am ET

huckabee needs to address this, because this sounds real bad for him, if what is said is true.

Randy S. Lawton, OK   December 5th, 2007 11:38 am ET

Well, there's your pro-life candidate. Too bad he couldn't have been pro-life sentences.

Cory, Pittsburgh, PA   December 5th, 2007 11:35 am ET

... And now to see if he can fall as fast as he rose....

Grant, Rochester, NY   December 5th, 2007 11:35 am ET

The Wayne Dumond story is the biggest challenge that Huckabee faces. Its always been out there, but most people don't know about it.

It will be interesting to see how it affects him going forward, because its not really a story that you can put a lot of spin on.

Ann, Hot Springs, Arkansas   December 5th, 2007 11:34 am ET

There are many other issues regarding Huckabee in the state of Arkansas. I suggest someone do some more digging. I am surprised you have just now found this out. This is just an example of his poor judgement. He made decisions in our state based on his religious philosophy.

Andy DeWitt Cedar Rapids, Iowa   December 5th, 2007 11:33 am ET

Typical politician making decisions about the Criminal Justice System of which they know nothing about. These decisions affect the taxpaying community and the employees in the system. This is why we have all the ridiculous sex offender laws that do nothing to prevent these offenses but instead flood the Criminal Justice System with unproductive policies so less attention is paid to other criminal matters. They should leave these decisions to the professionals and allow these professionals who actually know about offenders the discretion to decide how they handle these people.

rob   December 5th, 2007 11:32 am ET

No official is gonna be perfect, people! If you're expecting perfection, you're ALWAYS gonna be disappointed. I don't support Huckabee but my problems with him are substantive and have basis in reality. If you believe the world should be perfect, you should probably move to North Korea and worship the Dear Leader.

Jim Gregory, bethlehem, Pa   December 5th, 2007 11:30 am ET

Anyone that has ever a Governor at one time or another will always be faced with these types of decisions. Although they might have gotten 99% of them right, they are always attacked for the 1% they missed. Although it is extremely upsetting that this occurred it is far from an isolated incident. The only way to ever stop it from occuring is to not parole prisoners..Ever? That would be insane..
The guy is the only sincere politico out there..It certainly didn't take his opponents long to try to crush him..

J. Williamson, Buffalo, NY   December 5th, 2007 11:30 am ET

Huckabee even offered up the lame excuse that it was the fault of – you guessed it! – Bill Clinton! This Republican crowd has absolutely no shame and, apparently, NEVER makes mistakes. Just taking the cue from Geo. Bush, it seems.

Shawnie - Grants Pass, OR   December 5th, 2007 11:29 am ET

Huckabee is not a winning candidate. If he wins the Republican nomination, Hillary automatically wins the general election.

jt, okc   December 5th, 2007 11:27 am ET

This issue is not as simple as the media is presenting it.

You have take into context the Arkansas politics, the fact that a good majority of people doubted the accounts to begin with, the fact that Dumond was castrated by two attackers while waiting on bond, and the involvement of Clinton, Tucker and other politicians on this issue.

Doug, New Jersey   December 5th, 2007 11:25 am ET

If there is strong undeniable evidence that a person has commited rape or murder, they should never be let out of jail, ever!!!

Hukabee seems to have a liberal streak in him, otherwise this wouldn't have happened. It is the left who likes to release these people so that they can commit the same crime again, we need the right to be the sane party on dealing with such evil people.

Tamica, Houston, TX   December 5th, 2007 11:22 am ET

This man obviously cannot be trusted to listen to the voices of respectable citizens in his community and instead listens to the desires of his friends. If you research this case you will find that Dumond was converted by a minister that is friends with Huckabee. And now Huckabee is LYING about the amount of information he had prior to the release of Dumond: LYING. I've had enough with policitians trying to cover thier butts by lying to the American people. TELL THE TRUTH AND SHAME THE DEVIL, HUCKABEE! You knew this man was dangerous, yet you released him anyway at the behest of your friends!!

Jim, Orange Park, Florida   December 5th, 2007 11:20 am ET

I don't see why there should be any outrage over his parole of a rapist serving a life sentence. We parole monsters like this every day. Just watch any episode of America's Most Wanted. And voters will continue to vote for the people that release these rapists. We must like that sort of thing in America.

Jeb, Austin, Tx   December 5th, 2007 11:19 am ET

This sounds really iffy, and it also sounds like a feeble attempt to undermine a candidate.

Disgusted at Mike Huckabee, Tampa   December 5th, 2007 11:18 am ET

way to go idiot!!! yes that's just what we need a president that pardons rapist! he has my vote!!! I mean that in the most sarcastic way possible.

Marge Hibbing Mn   December 5th, 2007 11:18 am ET

Releasing a murderer because you think he is reformed etc is one thing, but releasing this murderer for the personal reason that you did not like a person, Bill Clinton, is outrageous.

But then look at Bush and his slight of the Special Olympics just because it was an organization sponsored by the Kennedys is another example of the Republican mentality. SPITE, SPITE SPITE.

But guess what this spite by Huckabee is coming back to bite him in the butt and rightfully so.

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