WASHINGTON (CNN) – An old rivalry flared up again at the annual Values Voter Summit on Friday, when Mike Huckabee took aim at the health care system in Massachusetts that was implemented in 2006 by then-Gov. Mitt Romney.
Huckabee - who did serious damage to Romney's presidential hopes last January by winning the Iowa caucuses and has made clear his disdain for the former Massachusetts governor - told the crowd at the conservative conference that the Bay State health care system is a model for the kind of government-run health care President Obama wants to implement.
"It's going to bankrupt their entire budget," Huckabee said of the Massachusetts system, which requires residents to purchase health care or risk tax penalties. "In fact, the only thing inexpensive about Massachusetts health care bill is that there you can get a $50 abortion."
"Frankly if that's where we're headed with the public option and government run health care, thank you but no thank you, our wallets and our babies will be better off without it," Huckabee said.
Romney's spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom quickly shot back, calling the claims "not true."
"The cost of our health reforms is roughly 1.5 percent of $27 billion state budget, hardly a budget buster," Fehrnstrom said. He said the health care law doesn't mention abortion, "but court precedents in Massachusetts require government-subsidized plans to offer it."
Ferhnstrom also argued that the Massachusetts law proves that health care can be fixed without a government intrusion.
"The lesson from the Massachusetts experience is that you don't need to create a new government insurance option to get more people covered," he said. "What Governor Romney did was to strengthen our private market system."
Both Huckabee and Romney are considering repeat presidential bids in 2012.
But Huckabee isn't the only potential GOP contender to criticize "Romneycare" - in July, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a series of critical statements about the system, saying that costs turned out to be higher than expected, resulting in higher taxes and fees.
From CNN Politics
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Talk about a WOW !!! A Republican health care system that provides for a cheap abortion !!!??
The trouble with all government "estimates" is that they always fail to meet their mark. In the same way, the candidates we elect continue to fail us, fail to meet our mark of decency, honor, and truthfulness. Personally, having lived in Massachussetts for a brief time, I wouldn't trust anything coming out of that state as it is controlled by Big Labor, Big Pharma, Big Insurance, and other lesser Special Interests who put their needs above the needs of our country.
The trouble with American Politics is corruption. There are two factors to corruption–the corrputors, and those capable of being corrupted. It's time to fix these enemies of the state. And, if they won't go away willingly, it's time for voters to act with a real mandate for change–vote them all out of office.
Huckabee won the Iowa caucus by taking a cheap shot (and also untrue) at Romney's religion. In a fair fight, Romney would have won.
As for Massachusetts healthcare, we can all use it as a lesson and learning ground for what works and what doesn't.
Just 2 equally wrong guys starting early to duke it out for the next onslaught upon us poor suffering taxpayers! One raving self-fulfilling Armageddonista against the King of Aquire/Liquidate/Layoff for Profits in the continuing saga of one-ups-manship that has become American politics! Give it a Rest boys! We have seen the enemy and it is folks like you who put capitalism before those you are supposed to serve. All we see is the self-serving. Craig Unger told many of the tales in these wonderful books: "House of Bush, House of Saud" and "The Fall Of The House Of Bush". Even Bandar Bush knew the Real Deal! Check it out peeps! Peace
"In fact, the only thing inexpensive about Massachusetts health care bill is that there you can get a $50 abortion."
"YOU LIE!". And this one is a whopper there Pastor Huck...
Mike Huckabee, president of " The Flat Earth Society ". Shazam Aunt Bea !
Last year, during the campaign, I went to Mike Huckabee's website to check out his positions on the issues.
Mike Huckabee wants to do away with government involvement in healthcare and let the private sector total and complete control of the healthcare industry. He also wants to do away with all employer-based healthcare and move to a 100% consumer-based healthcare system.
If I understand his positions correctly, Mike Hukabee wants to do away with Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, etc.. He wants everyone, including seniors, to have to pay for their healthcare insurance out of their own pockets.
We have 47 million uninsured people in this country right now in spite of the fact that we do have Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and employer-based health care plans.
One can only imagine how much this number would SKYROCKET if Mike Huckabee were ever elected President and was able to push through his completely privatized consumer-based healthcare philosophy.
The only people who would have healthcare insurance would be the people who could actually afford it. The rest of us would be SCREWED.
He's (Romney) not even a real Christian. Vote for me becuase I believe in God and compassion, unless of course you happen to be uninsured, or poor, or a liberal, or a minority. Jesus saves...the one's that pass our rigid critieria.
Obama's plan is essentially Romney's plan, with one important caveat- Obama's plan has a cost-control mechanism, i.e., the public option. If insurance companies think they will be driven out of business by the public option, this must mean that insurance companies think they will have to reduce premiums when there is a public option.
Huckabee, he put a beat down on Miit in the primaries.......Mitt comes back wanting more......so Huck is putting another beat down on the poor sap.......what Mitt lacks in brains, he makes up for in persistence.
I told you, these republican idiots do not care about USA, nor health care...they are fighting for position...thats it...truth...
Health Care IS needed in America...the dialogue going on is what makes the friction.....is it reforming health care that exisit now, making it inclusive? Or is it risking for a plan that will care for all the population? The arguments have been so deep in muck and mud slinging that nothing is getting done while the poor, the marginal are being led to the slaughter. It does make one ponder if this is just political posturing from both sides....imaging to the public: that one is seeking health care, yet reality /perception is there is no way there is going to be health care. It lea ves one scratching their head saying ..Come Lord Jesus Come!
It has started, they are attacking each other. Wait until they bring up Romney's religion.
Wow – RomneyCARE – HUCK-A-CARE – PA-LENTY-CARE..... All of a sudden THEY-ALL-CARE about nothing!! What they should be focusing on is the current HEALTH-CARE in America and what needs to be done to improve it.
Anyway, about time they even attempt to run for President we would already have a HEALTH-CARE Reform bill in place and operating without the But REPUBLI-CAN'Ts. So, WHO-CARES what they think!!
Now they are blasting one another, yet I have not read one health care plan put out by the GOP. At least Romneycare has a plan. What does Huck have? Unless praying to God counts as a health care plan.
I use to agree with Huckabee regarding abortion, but now that our Nation is apparently being controlled by uneducated liberal idiots that favor killing their own offspring I am beginning to warm up to the idea. The Federal Government should fund Free Abortion clinics, they will be located immediately adjacent to all ACORN offices.....
The HC system Mass. WILL NOT work until the insurance reforms are in place.
Any time government undertakes to protect people from the consequences of their own actions, it's going to be expensive.
And, ultimately, it's not going to work either.
Oh goodie, more from the Hypocrits Summit.
Isn't there a nice theocracy that old Gomer Huckabee could rule somewhere? Sorry bud, we don't want to regress, we want to move this country forward.
Huckabee is just jealous that Mitt has the intelligence to come up with a plan to improve our health care system and make everyone accountable for their own costs instead of passing it on to all the other tax payers! If you can afford to pay for your own health insurance then you should pay! I am tired of everyone wanting a hand out! Also why doesn't Huckabee mention that the Dems changed a lot of what Mitt wanted and those changes are what made the costs higher and how the abortions were covered. Those were not in Romney's original plan. Get your facts straight Mike!
Romney 2012!!!!
You go, Huck!
Real Americans don't need none of them know-it-all, elitist doctors anyway. The rest of America ought to be just as patriotic, independent, and backward as your home state of Arkansas.
But I wonder what you would find if you compared health outcomes in Arkansas to those of Massachusetts?
All this name calling does not promote rational discussion of health care reform. I imagine some in the past said things like "Roosevelt socialism, "Truman care, "Johnson Medicare," "Hillarycare" and the like.
Romney, probably an decent man, should announce his bipartisan support of Pres. Obama's goals for health care reform. That way we'd know there are at least some Republicans who put the country's needs ahead of their partisan agenda..
I have nothing to say about Huckabee, except fat!
Government run health care is lousy. Romney is a brilliant executive and even he couldn't put together a plan that would be as good as the private market. Obama isn't anywhere near the same level of business genius as Romney so whatever he comes up with will be much, much worse.
It looks like the Huckster could use a little Romneycare these days.
what an idiot
Its all over for the gop because their approval rating with latinos is at an all time low 14%,their rating with blacks are 3% their ratings with asians are 28%,the gop is going to be very shocked when they only win about 5 seats next year in lose 2 more seats in the senate,and if those numbers continues with minority voters in 2012 the gop is going to have to get 68% of the white vote to squeak by obama because they are getting killed with the minority vote.and the gop chances of getting 68% of the white vote is slim in none,when the right-wing realize they cant ever win again its going to be very dangerous to live in america because these right-wing haters are going to do something very bad i can just feel it,but its the gop fault for dumping their moderate views for very hard conservatives views,which turned off 95% of the minorities.
Why hasn't it occurred to anyone who is SOOOOOO concerned about the budget deficit caused by potential Health Care Reform, that doing nothing will be infinitely more costly? Minor health problems become larger and more expensive when they are ignored.
Good stuff, I like it! On the one hand you have Huck saying it is no good and on the other you have Ole Rom's staffer saying just the opposite. Maybe, just maybe they will be able to prove that our President Obama may just be on the right track to fix this healthcare mess that we are in. I say "Fight to the Finish". Wouldn't it be just great if the fight between these two help to show the American people that the Republican party is just out for what is best for them and not the majority of the USA.
It's good to see Repubs fussing away at each other rather at the President. While I'm not a fan of either Huckabee nor Romney, at least Mr. Romney has tried to work out something for the state health care system. I'm not hearing a word from Huckabee as to any suggestion how to do better; all I hear is whining.....
Can't fully blame Romney (he does get a good chunk of it, though) . After all, the (democrat controlled) state legislature voted it in! However, as it is slowly bankrupting the state, it is absolutely nonsensical that the liberals are actually pointing to this as a success and model for a nationwide program!
Gov. Huckabee, tell me that you can live with yourself knowing that 18,000 Americans die each year because they couldn't afford health insurance. The Values Voter Summit should be called The Lack of Godly, Moral and Ethical Values Voter Summit.
Mitt Romeny's probably the only Republican that I could possibly swallow as being leader of our country and the free world. He's shown (unlike almost ALL other Republicans) that he can comprimise with democrats and succeed in a political environemtn for the bettering of his state.
Too bad the Republicans are too crazy to actually accept that he did the right thing...he's never win their primary in 2012.
Seperation of church and state , can we put Huckabee in a closet somewhere and lock him in.
Huckabee is a jackleg preacher turned politician and doesn't like Romney because he's Mormon. Have you seen Huckabee's wife, they look just alike.
What pray tell would Mr. Huckabee know about health care? He has public insurance, ( paid for by our tax dollars) these guys are the biggest hypocrites! Wake up people... look at their plan, it is amazing what they get and what is paid for. Yet, it's okay for them to scream about paying for health care when they don't pay for it! Good grief, aren't we suppose to help each other... isn't that what Jesus did? He would not have complained about the cost... all that God Bless America crap really means..only if you have a ton of money... otherwise your screwed
My little elephants, you can all fight all you want, but you know, in the end, Obama will still win in 2012. Perhaps in 2016, ya all will have a better chance.
I love it when the witless eat their own. If half of the [R] base would eat just one of their fellow [R] soulmates...think of the improvement to this country. Certainly the average IQ would raise by ~10%.
So what both of them suck.
Just what we need another stooge to go withall the others we already have:MCConell, Kyl, Boner, not enough space to list all.
Let's make sure people, including innocent children, go without health care. That's what Jesus would do, right, Huckabee?
Neither one of these guys has a clue anyway...they're Republicans so what can you expect? I'm sick of Republican whining...no one gives any suggestions...just pointing fingers. Rude, obnoxious, deceitful, whiners, clueless, critical without facts. I've had all I can take of Republicans. I used to like Huckabee...but he has no clue either! He'd let people die rather than make sure they have a right to healthcare. Ask him how many people in Arkansas have great insurance? And I'm not talking about the only a couple very large cities Arkansas has either. There's a BIG difference between governing Arkansas and Massachusetts (even though I don't like Romney...they can hardly compare their states)
I used to like Huckabee , but after watching his show a few times decided , not so much anymore ,he not only slams Dems he does it to his own party members that he thinks are his possible competition , so in other words just another dishonest politician. I found several of his statements incorrect .
good!
at least the Republican heavyweights will destroy eachother before they even have a nominee.
I'm excited to see what Obama will do over his eight years in office!!
Oh Lord, the Baptist and the Mormon....just grab the jawbone of an ass you two and fight it out.
Huckabee should be asked about the illegal Mexicans he welcomed into his state of Arkansas and into their health care system. If any state needed help in controlling their burgeoning health care costs for illegals, it's Arkansas. Huckabee welcomed the Mexicans by giving them a Mexican consulate, located in a state owned bldg, and gave them a helping hand in adjusting to their new Country. Huckabee has never been asked about this issue and I sure wish the media wouldn't be so generous when interviewing him.
The Huckster is a populist – a social conservative and economic liberal who spent more $ and raised more taxes from the people as governor of Arkansas for 9 years than Bill Clinton did in 12 – if it was up to him the government would control EVERYTHING – not a lot of differnce in him and BHO, really.
For him to call himself an economic conservative is akin to anyone in the Democratic Party saying they believe in FREEDOM – both liars.
Mr. Huckabee has demonstrated time and again, that his religion is what he politics with, and religion is not supposed to be a part of government. For that reason alone, I will ALWAYS vote against him.
His position, like all religious maniacs, on abortion, in the face of world wide over population, is just plain ignorance.
Humans are killing this planet so fast, with over population of the species, that it is simply impossible to look beyond 2050, without seeing serious questions about the survival of the planet.
We need no such religious maniacs, running this country.
Talk is cheap, Huckster. What specifically is your plan "to get more people covered"?
You don't have one. It's just easier for you to attack the one your rival set up to help people beat the rising costs, and rationed care, of the private insurers.
"Thanks but no thanks."
Huckabee is the biggest wuss ever...that guy knows nothing
Can’t these people say anything without Fear Mongering along with it??
This has been the biggest holdback to understanding the real issues in healthcare, playing to the wedge issues, and false claims about abortion and illegal aliens ect.
Same old GOP fear peddling..
Does Governor Mike Huckabee have an alternative or is he just saying NO to solutions on Healthcare, statewise or nationallt?
Huck-a-loogie – is always trying to stir the pot...we can thank him for helping Obama get to the white house.
A house divided ...
Mike Huckabee is a poor, silly man.
All he ever loved doing was attacking Romney.
This guy could care less about the USA.
He just doesn't like people of the Mormon faith and it shows.
Unfortunately his ignorance of what Mormons believe also shows.
This man has chosen an unfortunate lifestyle and way of treating others.
Huckabee is no better than Romney. He showed his colors a long time ago. Go home Huckabee, nobody wants to hear from you!
I ALWAYS knew that HUCKABUCK was wolf in sheeps clothing.
He sounds like a total idiot to me and HE IS NOT ALL that nice as
he talks.
He is a total, babbling idiot.
Huckabuck is a evangelist who only cares about himself and his
riches and power.
Mind you, If you call yourself a Republican these days, we know
what you think. Speaks volumes just the name Republican.
what about death panels from Sarah Palin (our grandma
)??
Looks to me like Huckabee is in full 2012 presidential candidate mode!
Huckabee is acting like a typical Repugliklan by yelling lies about Romney. Just like Palin and Grassley lied about death panels. Instead of making attacks on each other for political gain when we have soldiers in harm's way, Repukes should try to do something positive to deal with America's problems. Repukes should reduce the number of abortions by agreeing to adopt crack and AIDS babies before they are born.
Obama, his administration and the congress are neo-socialists (neo-socs). They don't care whether the economy or free markets get tanked. They just care that "the poor" will get something for nothing. And that the government ends up in charge of everything. (Did anyone notice that we're retreating more from national defense every day? Need the money to give to the poor.)
Oh I get it.....we should model our standard of living on that achieved by the great state of Arkansas, as opposed to the healthcare standards of Massachusetts. Frankly, if I needed surgery I'd head to Boston, not Little Rock.
Sit down and shut up Huckabee...it only makes you look silly when you don't know what you're talking about.
Romney was one of the first governors to endorse a policy similar to the public option. So, good luck with him running as president. He shares many views that Obama has.
Why does Joe Sixpack give a ^*&^* about government deficits when it comes to health care, especially when the government is going to be in deficit for any number of reasons (including fighting an unnecessary war like Iraq)?
How the thought-controllers on the right somehow got the average person to work against his/her personal economic interests on issues like health care reform is beyond me.
Much better we should have "Huckabee-Care"; Pray a lot, Die quietly, and Remember, Jesus Loves You.
Here we go again, same old rhetoric, we need to get EVERY ONE of these career politicians OUT, from both parties. Do not give any money to national party, find a candidate you like and can support and donate your time and money to them. We need to elect people who don't want the job, who cannot be bought by lobbyists and corporations. We need both houses filled with people who follow the constitution and not spend their time figuring out how to get around it or just plain ignoring it and hoping it never gets challenged.
Huckabee is a fraud, Romney, did the right thing. I mean, this is an oxymoron to be talking bad about universal health care to values voters?????? What????? What values are these? Huckabee, do a commercial for weight watchers or something. Jesus Christ would care a lot more about making sure the poor and mentally ill are cared for then taxes... wait, I am starting to sound like you, pretending like I would know what Jesus Christ would think. The GOP need Goldwater back, its a bankrupt party built on false morals and obstruction.
Huckabee and Romney need to Play Russian Roulette
Here's my impersonation of Huckabee:
"Jesus Jesus Jesus America Jesus Jesus Jesus"
Thank you, I'll be here all week. Be sure to tip your waitress.
ohoho the game between neocon religoulous is starting, lets have fun with it
Two losers that don't stand a chance against Obama.
Huckabee is not a bad guy, in my opinion. But does anyone remember 2 years ago when he had a fit when Romney attacked his policies?
GOP will abort their chances at the presidential seat in 2012 if they continue to focus their campaign on anti-abortion sentiments. Palin put Obama into the White House. Moderates are not going to vote for Huckabee or Palin because they contradict the conservative concept of less government.
2012 – Let's Not HUCK IT UP!
Huck and Romney–the Dream Team....
....for Democrats!!!
you two can thump your bibles all you want, my relationship with God is none of your business. In 2012 i wont be looking for a priest, im looking for a President. so far, I think i will keep the one i have.
OlduncleTom, thats very funny, but true!!
" Much better we should have "Huckabee-Care"; Pray a lot, Die quietly, and Remember, Jesus Loves You."
As far as I'm concerned Huckabee, Palin, Romney, Guiliani, Boner, Wilson and the rest of them all swim in the same fish tank. They just keep spreadin the same ole crap!
I used to live in MA when Romney was governor...he's a liar, a cheat, and a fraud...and basically ran as a liberal republican. LOOK AT HIM NOW! FRAUD, FRAUD, FRAUD.
3,700 Americans die per day because of abortion. 18,000 Americans die per year due to lack of health care according to D.A. Rueter's comment. If the Obama care system is accepted you might save some of the 18,000 but you will still kill over 1.3 million American babies and get it paid for or subsidized by the government.
Time to stop killing period. Abortion isn't a health problem and allowances for the Government to pay any of it's costs should never be considered.
What gets me is that spending trillions of dollars on a war we were lied about and didn't need to fight, "no problem", money on health care for Americans, Big Problems. As a Christian and a compassionate conservative I just don't see it.
Huckabee doesnt Belive in Healthcare but the Bible and God will pay your Medical bills!
Huckabee is a bigot. What Huck doesn't like is that Romney is a Mormon and that Romney is ahead in the primary polling for 2012 (and that Romney shalacked Huck in the 2008 race.)
I would say to my fellow Republicans, do you want a religious zealot/bigot who was Gov of Arkansas or a tolerant Christian who was able to get elected Governor in a totally blue state?
Oh let what passes for the republican party duke it out – it will be so much fun – can't wait for sarah to enter the race and then there is the woman from connecticut who is a wrestler – fits right in to this group.
If humans are killing the planet, then ALL humans who hold this view should kill themselves and be rid of the guilt you hold inside of you..............remember ,logic is the truth you don't want to admit.
I'll bet healthcare would be more affordable then!!!
Tired, crappy, usual bla bla bla...
AND WHY, OH WHY, didn't this idiot HUCKABEE speak up when the
vote was up for 2 WARS!!!!! Where what the idiot Huckabee and other
Republicans then? Really, they did NOT have "spine" when it came
to dealing with "W". I think they were "afraid to speak up" or, it they
had been against it, we, Americans, did not hear it!!!!!
uckabee, in my opinion ran politically with his pocketbook in mind,
not to care and vote for what Americans need and want. Huckabee
further proved this when his next step was to be a public speaker,and,
by the way, charged for speaking while running for President!!!!!!!
The evangelicals are the only ones that loved him. He did not fool
smart Americans.
Romney is also an self serving idiot who care nothing about Real
Americans who built this country.
The problem here is the wanting, desiring of power. The only
difference between these kind of big wigs and regular, average
American people is not intelligence, but EGO!!! and Huckabee,
has one of the biggest egos of all time. Romney's ego is huge
hiding behind a expensive suit and "hair".!!!!!!!!
These are MORE Politicians, much like some that we have vote
in office, who DOB'T CARE ABOUT THE HARD WORKING MIDDLE
TO UPPER CLASS PEOPLE, WHO STAND A CHANCE TO LOSE
EVERYTHING.
America will become the country of Rich and Poor and the Rich
will and already leaving the country that they cheated Americans
out of!!!!!!!!
Romney's plan was deficit neutral. It was the Dems who control Mass. Congress that added abortion and deficit expanding items.
That said, the plan is pretty popular in MA, with only about 10% not liking it.
Still, I have no interest in a national health care plan, as federal control of health care is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
What States want to do is up to them and the people who live in them.
I started to get a little annoyed by those moron Republicans. They all jump on each other without any good idea of their own whenever one of them says something. These people are sickening.
Mike, slow down. Mitt Romney could not do it. MA congress is with 85-90% democrats so what do you expect? You would not do it AK if you had Democrats in such a majority. Get a life.
While I do not always agree with Mike Huckabee, he strikes me as a genuinely nice person who cares about other people.
I would urge him to push what he thinks is the best answer – why do (ca. 70%) of all personal US bankruptcy filings occur because a hard-working American gets sick, and can't pay medical bills? The only people winning are greedy Washington lobbyists like Abramoff!
Elements of the right should wake up – health care reform is not important, but missile defense batteries in Poland are our most urgent need? Please – wake up!
Huckabee is a loser. I'd take Romney any day over Huckabee. God help us if he ever becomes President.
I like this, maybe the GOP will start to gnaw at itself again.
This is the guy who said that under Obama's health care plan, Ted Kennedy would have been told to go home and kill himself. Why do you people value "free speech" so much if all you get is BS like that?
Wao!! another circus is blewing who is the referee? fox news! I ca't wait
Why does anyone listen to Gomer Pyle Huckabee? As a minister, he is despicable in how he treated Romney...a great conservative who could have easliy beat Obama is the Huckster did not split the conservative vote. Huckabee has a mean streak and he should just stick to playing his bass guitar. He could never win a general election and has only screwed things up for a conservative that could have one (like Romney...from a northern Blue state). The Republican National Committee should ask the Huckster to sit down since he is perceived as a bible thumper who does not practice what he preeches.
Huckabee's divisive politics will keep him out of office.
Has he not read the Bible? "A house divided against itself shall not stand."
An attack on Romney is an attack on GOP ideals and America's chance in 2012 to undo Obama's economic mass destruction.
Huck = CNN's attack dog
Should be muzzled, unlike Joe Wilson.
I love this story. I mean whats better than the Huckster putting another beat down on Mitten Romney. Its like a dad taking his worthless kid to the woodshed and trying to beat a lesson in him and the kid is just too stupid and stubborn to learn his lesson.
I am a Christian. I will never vote for Mitt Romney who is a Mormon. NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER. Nor will any other true conservative.
Now let the conservatives hash it out over Mitt Romney.
Huckabee has shown how creditable he is when he went to work for Fox and started making their kind of ridiculous statements.,
Not that I like Romney any better but he least he isn't in cohorts with
Beck etc.
Hope they keep it up and destroy each other.
Heh! We all know that if Huckabee's wife or daughter were raped and impreganted by a black or Hispanic, he'd be shoving after-morning pills down their throat in the car while speeding toward the nearest abortion clinic quicker than you could say Roe vs. Wade.
????????Value Voters Summit??????????
What in the world?
People voting without looking, listening, thinking?
Bankrupt the system, I thought the system was all ready bankrupt. Bush squandered the surplus.
It's a shame that they feel they must be politicians rather than statesmen.
America's down the drain because no one is willing to compromise and work together.
Dump the GOP and the DEMS
Libertarian all the way
its not about perfection its about new blood and telling the old guys bye bye
If a socialist like Obama can get elected and a doofus like Bush we CAN AND WILL ELECT A LIBERTARIAN
So.... I do believe that it has NOT bankrupted all of the other countries who have similar programs. How does he reconcile his statement with that fact?
I am no fan of Mitt Romney, at least since he has apparently changed many of his positions following the end of his term as Mass. Governor in his desparate attempts to win Republican primaries. I was particularly disgusted with the mean-spirited and divisive tone and content of his speech at the 2008 Republican nationa converntion.
However, credit where credit is due:
1. As Governor of Mass., he made a very good faith effort to tackle the issue of the uninsured in a bipartisan manner, and, although the effort may need tweaking as all initial legislative efforts do over time, it seems to have covered most of the unisured (a goal sought by pretty much all Democrats and hopefully most Republicans) while preserving privately run and insured healthcare (a Republican holy cow).
2. He debunked the much ballyhooed Republican mantra that universal health care can be achieved through tax breaks . . . a ridiculous notion since most uninsured people either make too little to pay income taxes or too little to itemize their deductions.
3. Romney, like his then fellow Mass. politician Senator Kennedy, apparently viewed seeking to provide universal health care to all citizen as a moral, and I suspect a religious, obligation. Apparently, that is not the case for a large number of Republicans, including Huckaby (who is an ordained minister), despite the fact that the Republican Party keeps bragging about its adherence to judeo-christian moral and family values and its alliance with people of faith and their churches. For those Republicans, they only moral and family values they seem to want to talk about and promote is opposition to gay marriage and other rights, and opposition to abortion; they never want to discuss those judeo-christian which may actually cost money to address, such a looking after the less fortunate. And the notion that such issues can be effectively addressed solely through volunteer/charitable action is demonstrably false.
Interesting to see which Republican presidential candidate can sling the most mud, especialy when they publicly wear the mantle of religion and family values.
I think we have all learned that we cannot trust what people say, go and get the facts for yourself. I am tired of politicians twisting words and data to emphasis something they disagree with. Check the facts and report the facts. Look for the good instead of the bad. Huckabee is a creative fellow.
Republicans love to EAT their own whenever it's convenient for them. I bet if you matched Romney and Huckabee they'd eat each other alive and blame the DEMOCRATS for the carnage!! LOL
Huckabee is such a sleaze.
Romney seems to be an intelligent, classy guy with impeccable morals and Huckabee attacks him every chance he gets and then tries to sell himself as a "Christian leader". The man can be downright disgusting. He knows it was the legislature in Massachusetts that added the $50. abortion provision and he knows Romney opposed it but he keeps trying to tie it to Romney hoping he can win over voters. Well, Huck, you just damage yourself when you lie and try to mislead.
BREAKING NEWS....
Mike Huckabee wins Value Voter Straw poll.
Check it out yourself and google: Huckabee Fan Club
Gosh, reps messed up health care? Don't blames the Dems for that. Let us put a plan together that reins in the insurance companies. I will never understand why so many trust the health care industry to make their health care decisions. They are running a business for profits people, not for you!
As a former pastor or what ever his was. Huckabee is a bitter and a lying idiot.
Romney on the other hand deserves the criticism since he constantly criticize universal healthcare but was the first governor to start one.
The GOP hypocracy is unbelievable.
Great ... The Rethuglican main event is about to begin. Get those two into a big old mud pit ... please though, remain clothed
Dennis, that is why they are called "estimates" the federal government's crystal ball into the future is not as clear as yours appears to be.
Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
why don't huckabee and romney just bone and get it over with
What so many of you do not know is that Mike Huckabee got many things passed in his 10 and one-half years as Governor of Arkansas when there was a Democrat-controlled legislature there in that state.
He also got re-elected with 48% of the African-American vote! He also broke down the huge racial barrier that existed in a church that he became pastor of in Arkansas. He is a real, genuine human being who cares about all people.
Huck-a-care, will dispatch thousands of televangalists through out the country to cure the sick, by the "laying on of hands", giving medical advice by "speaking in tongues" and use the Book of Fables to prescribe your meds, view "one burning bush" and call me in the morning!
Geez, I like Huckabee better than Romney, but this kind of talk gives me the willies. It's sick! Abortions, socialism...give me a break! Can't we grow up already?! I am starting to think these two are a couple of nutjob yahoos. How can we take them seriously?
This man has a Gomer Pyle 'character" personality. I am not sure
he is at all smart. Could he be trusted to be Pres. of the United States?
NO
Yes, he reminds me of Gomer Pyle. with a Gomer Pyle mentality.
Not to be mistaken for Jim Nabors, highly respected actor and singer.
And, can you believe Fox gave him his own program?
Who listens????/
This is one of the problems with Republicans: they care more about their dueling Faiths and Egoes than they do about making good policy!
Mr. Rich Guy Huckabee. Do you and your family have Health Care?
No Problem, right????????????
Someone said the plan is popular here in MA. It's not. It has raised all of our health insurace costs - SIGNIFICANTLY. Here in MA we now pay the highest premiums in the nation. My premium went up 18% last year and then 51% THIS year. Think about that. It now costs me $589.00 a month for an individual plan (I am 28) in MA for BCBS and it's not even their best plan (they have higher plans). I shopped the other ones too... Fallon, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts and they were all about the same. The rates are wicked here now.
I am a liberal and have always voted democrat, but this plan was a big fat giveaway to the insurance companies who then – realizing they had a monopoly – stuck it to us all. I also realized that covering the unisured would raise the rates, but THIS MUCH!
Huckabee is little more than a religious bigot who sadly can't stand that Romney actually has experience and substance to his arguments and positions. Bigotry is not acceptable, even in politics.
Same old Republican voices, same old Republican complaints, same old Republican non-solutions that only care about less taxes for the rich and heck with the rest of us.
Can't wait for Palin to chime in on this one! Oh wait.........she's writing 'the book'!