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So Huckabee shows some compassion to a young offender. Itshows conservatives have a heart. Just like the Democrats are showing compassion to the their own criminals now in Congress by not throwing them out.

i wondered what he'd say about this ...

But no responsibility on your part though, right Huck?

ANYONE who contributed to this man's release should be held responcible.
It's time the courts, the lawyers and the parole boards be held responcible for their actions.
Innocent people have rights, murderer's Do Not.
When a jury say's " 95 years " it's 95 years.
Mike Huckaby contributed to these murders.

Isn't this the man that let ,Maurice Clemmons, the killer who did in those 4 policemen in Washington, go free from a 95 year prison sentence for multiple criminal activity. With judgment like that and he wants to be president? Please!

this dufus Huckabee is just trying to cover his behind; after failing the people of Arkansas and letting this convicted felon on the loose!!!

pray Huckabee...this crime would have just gone away!

Way to pass the buck, Mike...

Before the name calling starts, what would you do if you were in his shoes? The parole board makes a recommendation and you see that the guy was sent up when he was seventeen, would you not feel he should be given a second chance?

The guy was primarily a thief that took a gun to school. Maybe he was an armed robber. What would you do?

If you blast Huckabee and try to blame these deaths on him and say he has "blood on his hands" perhaps we should follow what you intimate by your negativity and lock everyone guilty of DUI and anything more serious for life.

Have a nice day!

Somehow, I'm not expecting a Willie Horton ad from Democrats against Huckabee. I suggest fire be fought with fire.

I have yet to hear him apologize to the families of the police officers.

another idiot trying to weasel out....shame on you

well, this idiot will fix it...ok....humbug...and nonsense....GOP you did enough damage to the nation...shut up....idiots...

Excuses from more GOP pond scum....

Notice how everytime a Republican screws up they always find a way to look like the victim and blame it someone, something or somehow!

Wasn't Me.....

Hey Huckabee! Can you say "Willie Horton"?!!!

""If I could have known nine years ago, looked into the future" Nice, wouldn't we all do things differently if we already knew the future? Can Obama now use this stupid excuse? I am guess Huck and the FOX crew will not let him get away with it. I don't have an issue with him letting the guy go after 11 years for something he did when he was 17, but the back tracking I have a problem with.

so typical. when the GOP does something wrong they never own up to it. they always blame it on outside factors all the while they would be all over someone doing the exact same thing. rush limbaugh and his drug problems, Sanford cheating on his wife and fighting impeachment while he thought is was a good idea for clinton, the list goes on and on and on.

Let the Republicans, Huckabee included, think about what they did to Michael Dukakis about this same issue and hang their heads in shame.

Commute a 95 year sentence? It was your call Mike and you blew it. Now go away, you are not Qualified to be President!!! Signed: A grieving resident of the seattle area.

After what the right-wing did to Dukakis over Willie Horton, I think it's safe to assume we will see the double standard applied here in it's full glory. The "justice system" falied this time, in other words, the smarty-pants activist judges from ivy-league institutions have flexed their muscles all the way down in Arkansas. A religious conservative would never be to blame for such a mistake. If they can't pin it on someone else, out pops the "God's plan" defense. Oh, the duplicity.

He was of of the failures in the justice system. He is so toast. Even if he has an "intellectual" argument, he will get shredded by the righties for this and his other parole that ended badly. I suppose it s Gods will ....

That was a lame answer from Huckabee. Looking at his prior convictions should have sent warnings to everyone that this person is a serious risk to the community.

Mike Huckabee: #1 failure point of the Arkansas justice system. Congratulations, sir.

Do these people "EVER" take responsibility?

The Justice system works Huck ... you just granted the wrong guy clemency.

Okay, given the original charges, I can understand why Huckabee would have approved a commutation. What I don't understand is after the parole violation why prosecuters dropped the latter, more violent charges.
And does anyone know in which state these latter charges occurred?

The first failure of the justice system took place when the then Govenor Huckabee announced his decision to commute the sentence of this Clemmons guy. If he had not had his sentence commuted he would not have been released on parole.

That is the reason I have always held and maintained that a person given 20 years should serve the 20 years. If it was intended that the person only serve 10 years then that is what he or she should have been senentenced to.

I don't expect Mike Huckabee to take the blame for that, and he shouldn't. Maybe that's a wake up call for the administration and to President Obama to review their policy and to pay more attention at our local terrorism than some cavemen in Afghanistan, and to use some of the money allocated to the war over there which has nothing to do with us over here, because I just can't find yet an Afghan-American citizen in any kind of a terrorist plot to kill anyone, neither I found an Iraqi in the same situation. Someone like Clemmons, is a terrorist on the loose. In this case the Justice Department failed. As much as Major Hasan at Ft. Hood Texas, where Homeland Security failed, and the Department of the Army. So we have a problem here in our own backyards. Lets take care of our homes first, and then we take care of theirs.

3 strikes and you out ....sad day for everyone ...kill this animal ....

And based on the factors involved, he likely made the right decision at the time. There is no way Huckabee could have foreseen the future for this person....

He should never be held responsible for it.

Having said that, I think we all know that if a Democrat had been the one to release this guy he/she would have been crucified by the right. Fix news would have had a heyday with it...

Can you imagine someone like this having been released by Clinton or Obama (had Obama ever been in a position to do so?)

Bet we won't hear a peep of criticism from the right directed at Huckabee on this. And we shouldn't. But it would be nice if the double standard that exists on both sides in the political arena would disappear..

Mike Huckabee, you FAILED.

Taking the low road here ... If any political opponent tries to make hay with this tragedy, the rightwingers will cry foul.

And yet those same rightwingers hold up as a genius Lee Atwater and his Willie Horton ad that helped defeat Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Lee Atwater ... Karl Rove's mentor ... the dirtiest of political strategists and the force behind the McCain smear campaign in 2000, the Swift Boating of John Kerry in 2004, and the lies and misinformation we unfortunately have come to expect as part of our political process as opposed to reasoned, thoughtful debate.

Thanks, GOP – NOT!

During the 2008 campaign Huckabee was struck down by the amount of Pardons and to whom they were given two. Now Huckabee is the person who single handily contributed to the deaths of 4 heros.

He couldn't have known the future but a person who commits atrocious crimes as a youth will NOT be reformed by our DOC. It just doesn't happen. HE should've known better

You failed miserably Huckabee!!

Gotta love the way Huckabee ducks any responsibility that HE might have screwed up by commuting Clemmon's 100 year prison sentence, blaming it on everyone else.....Spoken like a true republican.....What a CON artist!!!!

Huckabee is still the one who commuted Clemmons' sentence in the first place – Clemmons never would have been able to violate his parole if Huckabee hadn't put the ball in motion.

Given the severity of the crimes for which Clemmons was convicted – as further evidenced by the long prison sentence he received (100 years)- his sentence should never have been reduced by 90%. A better solution would have been to perhaps reduce his sentence by half (50 years instead of 100), with the stipulation of psychiatric monitoring and therapy as a condition of parole.

It sounds like Huckabee was trying to score political points with the commutation, instead of doing the right thing. Makes me wonder what kind of advisors he surrounds himself with, let alone what kind of judgment he has.

Or Huckabee himself bit the dust, in letting Clemmons, the animal, go prematurely, due to his under-age status. Could it mean clouding of consciousness for Mr. Priest, folks?

While this is not quite a Willie Horton moment, it does expose some of the failings of the criminal justice system. Nowhere in the article was there any mention of treatment given to this individual who was clearly in need of psychological attention. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system is more about punishment and less about rehabilitation, even though most of the incarcerated will gain release. Too bad we’re not investing in intervention and remediation. And finally, this incident shoots holes in the argument that more armed citizens would cause pause for deranged shooters. Tragically, the victims were well armed and well trained members of law enforcement. May the shooter never be free again.

Now this man will be working overtime to shift any and all responsibility for his poor decisions solely over to WA State! They'll all be passing the jabs from one to the other. This type of issue should play well for his defeat in any upcoming elections. But then, he is a so-caalled Christian and maybe all will be forgiven. Remember, it was his poor choices that started this ball rolling over to my state. The dropping of the theft and assault charges was also another bad move. Why is a man accused of child rape even out on these streets? It seems like everyone in this affair messed up. Now 4 more are dead! How about giving folks like me a reall job? I guarantee I'd not make this mistake!

Another conservative politician refusing to take personal responsibility for his actions. Had this been a Democrat who commuted the sentence of a man suspected of killing 4 cops, conservatives would be going ballistic 24/7.

Taking personal responsibility for one's actions has nothing to do with morality...or conservatives. It's only about political posturing.

Ok republicans and the tea parties, go ahead and say it. This is President Obama's fault, just like everything esle!

So much for 2012.

Cannot help thinking – this is Mike Huckabee's 'Willie Horton' millstone. Another Mike (Dukakis) was bush-whacked with second-guessing such a parole decision – and I am sure Mike Huckabee will have his fellow Republicans (who know how to do such things well) tear him apart in the primaries if he runs in 2012.

Everybody's fault but your own, huh Huck? If you hadn't of commuted his sentence in the first place – he wouldn't have been let free to continue his criminals activities – some gov'r you are – but at least you finished your term – something hard to do I heard. Either you failed or your advisors failed – either way – you're to blame.

Trying to quence the fires early on are you? I'm sure more 'incriminating' events will turn up on you. But go ahead and run for Pres – it's a career spoiler for any Republican

Willie Horton was USED by Republicans in a successful attempt to derail the Dukakis presidential campaign, opening the door and justifying this kind of campaigning to be used in the future – like NOW!

The "funny" thing is, that Republicans will probably use the "W" model and use this guy to defame Huckabee, long before Democrats will ever get the chance.

I predict that Sarah Palin will be the first to bring up this unfortunate circumstance and (like every other irrelevant issue she raises) ("bump and") grind it into the public eye.

REALLY?!?! The JUSTICE system put him in prison for 95 years.. YOU LET HIM OUT and now 4 cops are dead. Don't you dare try and blame someone else for your own bad decision making.

I would have had more respect for Huckabee if he would have just admitted that he made a bad decision and just gave his rational for commuting his sentence in the first place.

I sure do like Mike Huckabee and I will be very disappointed if he doesn't run in 2012.

It would seem to me that had common sense been applied and a reasonable sentence first imposed on a 17 year old offender, rather than a 95 year sentence, then Governor Huckabee might not have commuted the sentence and Clemmons might have served time in prison and possibly, heaven forbid learned something or at the very least received treatment he was in need of.

Well, there goes his chance to get the rethuglican nomination. Isn't this the second time he let a criminal out early that led to more violence? Sounds like a typical rethuglican, act without thinking.

Well, Mike, I hope it's not held against you like Willie Horton was held against Dukakis. Let's see how THIS one plays out.

He'd still be in jail if you hadn't commuted his sentence, Huckabee. 98 years for multiple – multiple – felony convictions, and you decided it wasn't fair? Go tell the families of the 4 slain officers that.

What a load of crap. Who was the guy who did the pardoning? Ever hear of the the term "the buck stops here"? How about taking some responsibility for your actions. Alarm bells should have been ringing when anyone wanted to parole a guy who is serving a 95 year prison sentence. This is common sense.

Mike, I like you, you're a great guy but on this one you are full of cow dung. Man up and accept responsibility. This guy should have never been left out with parole, let alone a pardon.

Can Anyone say Willie Horton.. Just How Ironic
is it that the architect of the Willie Horton campaign Roger Ailes now Director of News at FOX NEWs is now Gov Hucks boss– Hey gov you are about to get politically fragged by the GOP dirt machine

Uh Mike, I don't think you can blame this entirely on "the system." Does the name "Willie Horton" mean anything to you?

No, Mike, YOU failed miserably.

And now, whatever presidential aspirations you have left will fail miserably. Ever heard of Willie Horton?

Whether the ads are produced by your fellow Repuglofacists or the Dems, you will be the bullseye for the Clemmons ads - and this will make Willie Horton look like a small-time thuglican in comparison.

Huck is this your roundabout way of admitting faulty decision making on your part? Or was the error because of the 'system'? Huck, your chickens have come home to rooooooost...

Interesting that Gov Huckabee is blaming "a series of failures in the criminal justice system." He's right, but it misses the point of the governor being ultimately responsible for his commutation decision. If it was a Democrat who had commuted the sentence, some Republicans would already be shouting "soft on crime" and "another Willie Horton."

As you always do Suckabee. I can understand that the guy was a minor at the time. But hopefully this will further sully this clown that has no business on the national stage. Tax hike Mike!

"...why, as governor of Arkansas in 2000, he commuted the nearly 100-year prison sentence of Maurice Clemmons..."

And there were some who wanted to put him in charge of the country... what would he have done if Osama "found Jesus"?

Yes, the criminal justice system is at fault here, Mike. The Parole board, the correctional facilities, everybody but you, right? Keep covering your butt. You are political toast until you say "I made a mistake that cost the lives of four officers and I am profoundly sorry."

This is why convicted criminals should serve their entire sentence. The death penalty needs to be used more and enforced sooner. Enough treating the criminals better than the public.

I don't blame this on Mr. Huckabee. I'm kind of tired of politicians pointing the finger about law and order when there is no perfect solution. When it comes to justice, you do your best and quite often its the wrong thing. People just aren't predictable.

Huckabee doesn't seem to understand that we humans make mistakes. It is bound to happen. Even he let someone out that was eligible for parole that reoffended (I think that it was a volient attack like rape). There is no system that is completely effective or mistake free.

Another Mike falls victim, politically, to another Willie Horton.

Oh well. So much for 2012. Better hope FOX renews that contract.

This is why you should not throw rocks because it is likely a stone will come back at you......Remeber the golden rule Mr. Huckabee..God has a way of teaching us all

Why is he passing the buck. You failed, Mike. You commuted his 95 year sentence and let him out. Now he has killed four of our local police officers in our greater Seattle community.

This will cost you any shot of the 2012 nomination.

Let's see: The front running (among Republicans polled) Republican Presidential Nominee for 2012 commuted the 100 (Repeat: 100 – must have been some downright serious crimes) year prison sentence for a guy who then went out into the World and became the main suspect in the murder of four uniformed policeman. Oh, oh! Watch Gomer Pyle fall off the cliff ! My condolences to the familes of those four officers. How would I feel toward the person who commuted the 100 year prison sentence, if one of those officers was related to me, or a friend of mine ? Don't ask. You wouldn't print it.

Just another example of our great court system at work. Maybe Huckabee made a mistake. It happens. But it appears that the court system had numerous opportunities to rectify the situation, and didn't. Maybe some of these district attornies and judges who let this guy skate should have to answer for their actions.

The failure began with you, chump, by commuting a prison sentence from 108 years!

Did you get a tweet from Jesus telling you to "let my people go"?

Sounds like he's "passing the buck". Sorry, Huck, the buck stops with you.

Ok, Huckabee could not see what the future holds but you can certainly look at what the past held for this person. Stop thinking that everyone deserves second, third and fourth chances. If they do a series of crimes that warrant a 95 year sentence let them do their time!! Huckabee thought he knew better than the court system and made a life changing decision and 4 families grieve today due to that decision.

oh my...this is ridiculous! The criminal justice system put the man in jail...huckabee released him... enough said.

Yes – Just like HUCK-A-BYE will FAIL as president in 2012!!

Actually, you cannot BLAME HUCK-A-BYE for this man's actions – BUT, you can blame those who continued to LET HIM GO when he committed subsequent crimes!!!

Wait a minute. He was responsible for releasing the guy, so who is he trying to blame. Guess he wants to put a democrat in there some place and blame him.....you know like bush the first. The one who used the fact that the state released a former murder( and not Dukasus) as a tool to flame and slur his opponent. But then that was Lee Atwell, the archetict of every dirty common low down trick the republicans have pulled.

I am no Huckabee fan, with that said I hope this doesn't become a us against them...Demo aganist Repubs....When will we come together for the betterment of our country

Hey mike the spinning is NOT working, You failed to do your job 8 years ago by not taking an hour or so to look this guy up before you let him lose on America,man up dude.Didn't not bother you that this MAN recieved in essence a life sentance by a jury of his piers? And to think the republicans ran heavy crimial justice campain by attacting Dukecacus relentlessly about Willy Horton,typical repulican like demicrat you all speak with forked tounge.Stop playing the Palin blame everyone else card and own up to what you did.BTW sending some flowers and opogize to those famillys' are in order on your side of this deal.You droped the ball big time.

I disagree with Mike Huckabee about almost everything, but he's right about this one. Every time someone is paroled or released, there is a possibility that some day they may reoffend - even commit a heinous crime. But the same could be said about any of us. Trying to blame the governor or the parole board whenever a parolee commits a high-profile crime is the quintessential cheap shot.

Looks like Huckabee has a "Willie Horton" problem. That won't help his 2012 presidential bid if he decides to run.

it's over, Mike. Just like Mike Dukakis in 1988, your Republican demagogues will now view you as soft on crime. stick with radio, just like Rush.

No Huckabee hand waving of his "compassion" for this heinous hate-crime killer can ease the pain of the familes of the victims. Huckabee has always had a reputation for "turning the other cheek" to cold blooded killers in Arkansas, only to see them come back for more hyper crime. He can do it in his personal life, but not on behalf of the people he supposedly represents.

True conservatives will never allow him to be president.

"and in this case it failed miserably on all sides."

Including your side, Mr. Huckabee.

Why can't Republicans live up to their claim that the GOP is the "Party of Personal Responsibility" and that the buck stops at the top? Huckabee was the most-senior member responsible in AR in this debacle. He should step up to the plate, be a big man about it, and assume responsibility for the failures of the system in his state while he was governor.

His sidestepping and blaming others is an absolute joke, but somehow those poor police officers, their families, and their friends in WA aren't laughing.

Mr. Huckabee - quit blaming all the levels of justice - you were in charge and you could have looked at this man's record and seen for yourself that he was a danger to society - instead of blaming everyone else, stand up like a man and take responsibility - see where rubber-stamping gets you? Some of the blood from this tragedy is on your hands!