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Wow! Lets build a highway to fix the economy!....what is this? 1950?

One of the most sensible things said by any candidate in any of these debates...sadly it isn't provocative or juicy enough to make headlines.

How many people read these blogs>> the rebate that will be given out is a bad idea. why, one might ask themself is that.?... $1200 for you to spend anyway you want..... this year...

next year you will get a tax statement from the government for the $1200 that you spent this year from the government. putting you in a different tax bracket next year.

what is wrong with the candidates that they can not see into the future or have this rebate tax exempt. you wont get hit so hard with next years taxes

maybe i should run as a write in

I agree with Mike Huckabee on this issue and all of the other issues. He is an innovative thinker, excellent communicator, and a great leader. He was re-elected Governor of Arkansas until his term limits expired. He was their Lt. Gov. prior to that. He was voted one of the Best Five Governors in America by Time Magazine. He is AUTHENTIC!

I keep seeing more and more reasons to vote for this guy. He's got some radical ideas but if they can actually happen, look out. My favorite has got to be the Fair Tax. If he has the guts to bring up a crazy (but wonderful) idea like this, and then get it enacted, I'll vote early – and often. Huckabee sounds like he can handle the job. I look forward to April 15th under a Huckabee presidency.

Am I the only one that has noticed the resemblance between Huckabee and Charles Logan? (The traitorous president from 24)

I agree with Huckabee...once again.

I am from Canada and I know that the election of Obama as President will elevate the image of the U.S. around the world. Once again, Americans will not need to wear Canadian badges and symbols to feel safe and accepted as they travel the world. At long last, America will shed her image as an overbearing bully in Iraq and elsewhere.
I am hoping an praying for the good of everyone, especially Americans, that Barack Obama will become the next President of the world's most powerful country.

John Allan is right. Sadly, Huckabee doesn't understand basic economics: a long-term capital project has absolutely nothing to do with an immediate stimulus to consumer spending. By the time Huckabee's highway expansion project got started — five or ten years from now perhaps? — this recession would be long forgotten about. If something is going to be done, it has to be done now.

Not that a highway improvement or other capital project isn't a good idea. It just doesn't have anything whatsoever to do with preventing a recession.

Jim, Huckabee is pro-NAFTA and free trade (so you economic conservatives, relax) but he's for FAIR trade. Too many countries are dumping cheap goods on our market at a disadvantage to our domestic producers... because our domestic producers pay MORE tax than most developed countries around the world.

The FairTax is one step toward leveling the playing field for domestic manufacturers. Huckabee has nothing against foreign products and firms, but he just wants our local industries to compete on the same terms.

I don't see how anyone could be against that.

Perhaps we should fix all the roadways, and bridges across the country. That is that the New Deal did with the public Works office and after WWII with the Highway act of 1945.

The money is a temporary band-aide that the country can't afford, we are spending too much in Iraq already, that is on of the reasons we are moving towards a recession.

I like Mike Huckabee, but please, no more pesidents from the state of Arkansas for awhile! NAFTA is still to fresh in my mind.

I agree that giving Americans a few hundred bucks won't help anything. Some would save it, others would buy foreign-produced products, and $150 billion is only 1% of the national economy anyway, so it's not much of a boost. It's just a way for politicians to buy votes.

I also agree with Huckabee to the extent that public works projects would benefit Americans both by providing jobs and improving our infrastructure. However, instead of picking one highway arbitrarily, I think it'd be much better to spend a few hundred thousand studying our national infrastructure and allocating the funds to where they are most needed.

Unfortunately, the highway offer has better political resonance, because as Huckabee says, 1/3 of American voters would be close to the proposed project, whether the strip near them actually needed the work or not.

Oh my goodness.. Other than Ron Paul, this is the only candidate that has actually said something worth while and has hit at the root of the problem. My admiration for him has just gone through the roof. Still voting for Ron Paul, but way to go Huckabee.

Got to give credit where credit is due. This is the smartest thing any candidate on either side has said in a while.

AJ, Can you describe why you "dispise" Huckabee?

Someone has to come up with some substance here! It seems that all the Huckabee hating is really just a gut reaction to some distorted attacks on who Huckabee really is. Or, a reaction to his rhetoric, which I admit can be misleading because he doesn't use typical conservative lingo.

Let's stop the despising and look at the issues and the FULL records of the candidates.

A few smears of Huckabee turned into the "conventional wisdom." In the face of the full body of evidence, and supported only by a few cherry-picked facts and distortions, Huckabee has been branded a "liberal" or even a "socialist."

The real Huckabee is *objectively* MORE conservative than Romney, and more consistently so as well.

Check it out for yourself. Look them both up on the independent site OnTheIssues.org, which looks not only at their current positions but also their past statements and records.

Both are fully within the conservative camp but Huckabee is actually dead center conservative.

Don't listen to the pundits and the "conventional wisdom" based on hearsay. Find out for yourself why Huckabee is a true conservative, and why he has the bold ideas, vision, great communication skills, and leadership to lead this country into the 21st century.

Words that came first from the mouth of Ron Paul. But Ron Paul believes them, understands them, and will live by them; Huckabee just parrots them without understanding or any commitment to REALLY reduce our 9 trillion dollar deficit.

Ron Paul is Very Electable–EVERYONE ELSE is Unacceptable.

I like his America FIRST foreign policy, economic policy, and his determination to give us back our freedom in home schooling and other civil liberties.

If you vote for him–he IS ELECTABLE. Don't let the naysayers scare you away, because it is your children's future that counts.

I support this idea better than this supposed stimulus package. I'm not happy with selling out the future generations of americans, just so I can get $600.

This is actually the first rational idea I've heard.

I have to admit, this guy finally said something intelligent. His remarks about China are right on.

"Let's see now… how can I get the people in Florida to vote for me, even if they do believe in evolution?
" – Hey I've got it! We'll just propose a brand new highway straight to Miami! Hey get a load of this: we'll even use that for our Economic Stimulus Plan!"

- Yes folks, the magnificent brain that envisioned the National Sales Tax to replace the IRS is still producing new lightning-bolts of human genius!

Hey Gomer Fudd, it's "American Steel" not "American Steal"

Whoever made that last statement about a stimulous package to build infrastructure didn't do much thinking. New Orleans needs to be rebuilt, and the "wall" to secure the borders is not completed. To talk about what needs to be done to stimulate the economy, how about finishing the jobs that have never been completed. If Huckabee made that statement, then his brain needs to be stimulated to think before he opens his mouth.

You mean American "steel" right? Amazing....

i hate huck – but he's right.

although – with the package as proposed i might now be able to afford that iphone.

i love capitalism

I do not like Huckabee one bit (I mean; how can one vote for a guy who does not believe in science?) but I have to say; on THIS one he is right on the money; what he said was exactly what I was thinking when I found out about this idiotic rebate-check plan.
Let's face it; the checks that are going to be handed out, only serve ONE purpose: To make a completely failed presidency look "good".
And that's a total waste of tax dollars, althouh let's face it, wasting our tax dollars is not exactly a concept this current president is totally unfamiliar with.

I think he's absolutely right, but channeling FDR when everyone else is echoing Reagan isn't I think a good way to win the nomination of the modern Republican Party.

Luckily Huckabee read some of Dr. Paul's writings about China and our economy and used them last night to get an article written about him.

It is a shame that Mike is from the Spanish Inquisition wing of the GOP. He actually says something intelligent once in awhile.

Is Huckleberry still running?

Was that a debate or was it a Softball game.

Huckabee is the answer! Romney is such a joke!

I really dispise Huckabee but in this instance, he's absolutly right.

Huckabee had the guts to not pander to the bail-out junkies. Only he and Paul showed real spines.

There are so many gaps in his arguement it's amazing.

.....at least he didn't say that we'll borrow money from the Chinese and then people will go out and buy Chinese food with their rebate checks. Although, the logic in the argument is the same.

Although, this message probably did well with the welder and truck driver set.

I can't believe Huckabee is still in this race. Our country would be better off with no president than with Huckabee. I'm convinced he is clueless.

Mitt Romney has experience on making money for big corps. That has nothing to do with running this country. Or does it? He is all for big business and making money for his investors. His claims of how to turn a business around mean nothing to those of us looking for a leader of this country. I am not impressed nor do i think his credentials qualify him to be president.

Ron Paul stands behind our constituion. Lets elect someone who knows what our founding fathers believed in and who will stop the big corporations from controlling our lives. Unlike Romney , Ron Paul has been steadfast in his stand on the issues. Ron Paul can bring this nation back to the great nation is once was.

The Public Transportation system would also attract a lot of Tourism to the States!

I think Huckabee was making an 'example', but his idea is a good one. A better example is bulding a cross country transportation system and also at the metro level like they have in Europe, as this would cut down on the need for automobiles and petrol, as the transportation system can all be electric powered.

They do have high speed electric trains in Europe! Anyone ever read the book called 'Who Killed The Electric Car'?

Believe it or not, Huckabee is well versed in Economics!

Huckabee's idea is on the money. I can understand why some of you republicans are upset. He sounds like F.D.R.. His plan worked in the past to get our country out of the great depression of the 1930's. We are in a recession not a depression. Yet we behave as if we don't know the difference. Perhaps Huckabee has an instinct, or better yet, an insight about the future for our economic development. We need to develope our economy through jobs for Americans. Not by throwing a bunch of money on crappy Chinese imports at the local mall.
Put Americans to work to repair our infratructure. Our bridges are collasping, our roads are crumbling, overcrowded and in need of repair, our sewer systems are eroding and the quality of our drinking water is suspect by many users. We desperately need to roll up our sleeves and employ our minds and bodies in the hard work we need to do to free us from the stranglehold of imported oil. We Americans are ready to work. Do not tell us to shop to save our country. Tell us how we can work to save our country. We need a leader!!!!

STEAL is correct. Bush is stealing our money to send to the supporters of terrorism and China. He and the dopes in DC are just using us as the conduit.

Could hardly wait for the debate this evening. As usual, Gov Huckabee was clear, concise, to the point. He amazes me... I have never been this much involved in any candidate but there is just something about this man that makes me want to listen and hear him out... Bottom line... he makes sense. I sincerely believe if he had even 1/2 the funds that most of the candidates are spending in this campaign, he would turn America upside down with enthusiasm... Think about it... He is for real...

Well, I guess it will help the economy of the construction industry, but I don't know about a large cross-section of Americans, overall...

Only $150 million? What a 'steal.'

Even though I'm not a Huckabee fan, I applaud him for proposing a different approach that could actually help America.

Then again, how about instead of borrowing the money so our country goes further into debt, we stop the war that's bleeding us dry and was based on lies (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/23/bush.iraq/index.html), and tax the oil and lending companies that have made record profits this year! Then we'd have the money in hand to fix up our crumbling infrastructure which would be great.

Oops, sorry, now I remember why our country can't do this – the politicians are being paid for by the military contractors, oil companies and lending companies who are growing rich at our expense. Why would the politicians bite the hands feeding them?!

Though I was never going to vote for him, I was impressed with Huckabee a few weeks ago. No matter what he says now, I can't help but to think of him "changing the constitution to reflects God's law".

Obama '08

"Let's see now... how can I get the people in Florida to vote for me, even if they do believe in evolution?
" – Hey I've got it! We'll just propose a brand new highway straight to Miami! Hey get a load of this: we'll even use that for our Economic Stimulus Plan!"

– Yes folks, the magnificent brain that envisioned the National Sales Tax to replace the IRS is still producing new lightning-bolts of human genius!

Ah, once again we see Huckster pandering. You know why don't we just build a giant tower that reaches to the heavens.

Huck never took Economics 101. The problem in this country is NOT unemployment. And this is not the Depression, so we don't need Federal Works projects to get us through. We need to stimulate the economy by making it easier for business people to provide jobs, not use tax money to pay people's wages. Duh! Only Mitt Romney's economic policies make sense to me.

I live in Canada and would love to see Mr. Huckabee become leader of the Republican Party and eventually President of the United States. Watching the Primaries has been very interesting....more so than Canadian politics. Americans are so much more involved in politics. Using this money instead to build infrastructure is a win-win situation for sure.

Who is he giving the no bid contract to?

To Adam.... who do you think should build the country's infrastructure?

Huckabee, nice enough guy but his dead end road is a non starter to save the economy.

Mitt Romney has the know how on the economy and the Olypic experience to bring the Country and the World together.

I'm a republican and I agree w/ public works projects–let the welfare recipiants work for their money. Right now, a lot of people to sit around and collect money and we get nothing in return except more children who will sit around and collect money. I figure, if we're going to be speding the money, we might as well get some roads, bridges, landscaping, painting, schools, ... out of it.

Wait, would expecting someone to work for thieir money violate their right to liberty and hapiness??

Mitt Romney '08!!!

Huckabee, it is over. Be a man and endorse Romney!!!

Mr Huckabee,

As with most Republican based ideas on how to jumpstart the economy, this one would depend on trickle-down economics.

Nope. It wouldn't work. A few large companies would get VERY rich, and a few workers may get a few extra overtime hours, but it won't do anything to fix the problem.

Back to the drawingboard.

The last feeble effort of the Bush administration to win some easy favor with the American public (or pubic as we might as well be called at this point). They destroyed our economy for decades to come & now "here, have $600" or something. What does it matter to Bush? Just tack it onto the trillion he wasted murdering and stealing for the last 8 years. Leave for the next prez, like everything else. Ugh.
What I want to know is why would republicans be receiving any of this "rebate" money? They voted for this garbage. Let them clean up their own mess for once. If anything, taxes for the next 4 years should be doubled for them.

Why is it that a bunch of boomers are using a genX theory of just throw money at it and it will go away. The Boomers have been working on throwing enough money at stuff our whole life. Robing Peter to pay Paul is how we grew up. Why not just fix it once and for all. Social Security does not need fixing, it only needs to stops being a interst free bail out agent. Why can we bail out Delta or AmTrak with tax payer dollars but we cannot bail out tax payers. A welfare check is a welfare check, no matter who you give it to or what you call it.

$150 billion isn't that much when viewed against the many earmark projects on which Congress has no problem spending our tax money. If we extend the President's tax cuts in 2010, it would help the economy greatly.

Public works projects!? Are you kidding? Are you sure this guy is not a democrat? I don't see how taking money from citizens then giving less than you took back to them in the form of wages is supposed to stimulate the economy. I agree that the rebate is not the best idea, but boy...Huckabee talks about Romney pandering! Huck is one to talk!

I'd rather have an extension of the MARTA system in Atlanta than another interstate through the area.

The problem is that people will use the money to pay off credit cards instead of purchasing goods. That's interest that the card companies are not earning, which in turn reduces their profits. And this whole mess was started when banks lost too much money all at once.

I'd rather have that $150 billion be sent to a fund to held stave off subprime foreclosures.

Finally somebody who gets it. We can't just keep throwing money at everything. We need to create jobs in this country. We need to stop importing everything and exporting our industry. We need to develop projects to improve our infrastructure and get people back to work. Tax rebates are nice, but America needs jobs, America needs a new infrastructure and America needs to make and buy American-made goods. That is not wasteful spending; that is how a well-developed nation works.

Build more churches so we can pray you aren't elected president

GO HUCKABEE!

Actually, "steal" is correct. These are Republicans we are talking about, after all.

Who knew Huckabee got his ideas from the callers to NPR's "Talk of The Nation" ? Can't he just get Chuck Norris to deliver a few roundhouse kicks to the economy to get it back in line?

American 'steal'??? Come on Alexander Mooney, buy yourself a new dictionary!

This former Baptist Minister said drug dealers and pimps were not Republicans. He was clearly implying that drug dealers and pimps were Democrats. This offended me a great deal. Immoral acts and lapses in judgement is not concentrated by any single party. Does anyone remember Mark Foley? Thanks!

I agree with Huckabee on this one (even I don't like him). The whole stimulus package is a crap, and it won't help American companies.

Put money into construction, like bridge, road, F-22. That will give domestic companies a boost, and the money will stay here.

I think it's spelled "steel."

Huckabee is right about this one. The multinationals will get money (~70% of the profit from selling goods made in other countries) and the jobs that are supported (cost of those goods bought by us) will be from outside the country. Guess what happens....the multinationals will invest the profits in factories over seas...and the overseas workers will spend the money locally (not in the US). What do American citizens get? more crap that will end up in our land fills within a year.

A better idea....invest the 150 billion in rebates for Americans who put solar panels on thier roofs....and incentives for businesses that hire US citizens to install the solar energy systems. Unfortunitely, Bush will veto this type of plan because the oil companies will give him a hard time.

I get so excited when Mike Huckabee opens his mouth. Romney will chew him up and spit him out with this backward protectionist economic theory. Huckabee is already pushing gov't spend (and gov't tax must follw). Let us have our money back from the gov't so we can use it in the economy however my free choice directs.

Huckabee is acting out the democrat party again. Let Bush do something right, please.

I-95 is right near my home and I drove it from Altanta to Cocoa Beach every weekend for 8 months. I can tell you that we don't need this project especially with Mike's approach.

Romney will climb the polls and delegate votes again due to this article.

08' & 12' are for Mitt!

You misspelled "steel"

This is the most sensible thing that any of these guys have said all night. The only thing he got wrong is that most of us will spend it on gasoline imported not from China but from a country that funds terrorism.

My God! I actually agree with the Minister! That's odd. Now I'm just waiting for pigs to fly.