Full Version: Huckabee-actively worked to free rapist
Unless you've been living under a rock for awhile, you know that Mike Huckabee has recently garnered some challenging press attention in advocating for the release of Wayne Dumond, a man who was accused of raping Ashley Stevens in the 1980s. Stevens was a distant relative of Bill Clinton, and whose case was taken up by Steve Dunleavy of the New York Post. Lately, Huckabee has denied any role in actively working to free Dumond, though Huckabee personally lobbied the parole board and previously wrote to Dumond that he would like to see him paroled.
(See the "paroled" hyperlink)
What is very troubling here is that Huckabee has also insisted that he didn't receive any letters from people against Dumond's conviction, the record shows otherwise. Families of Dumond's other victims have spoken up, though he claims he won't release the written letters to him as they would open up the wounds of the families....yeah, right.
Not only that, but more than a few people felt Dumond was wrongly convicted by Clintonista forces. 
The right wing played a key role in getting Dumond released.
Source
While the matter was left to the pardon's board, Huckabee did appear before them and went to bat for this guy. He was written letters and he was encouraged not to let this guy go free. Because he did, he was allowed to harm more people(see question #4 video.) Michael Dukakis was said to be soft on crime in letting out Willie Horton. Why isn't Huckabee catching similar flak for pressuring the pardons board in releasing Wayne Dumond? Furthermore, I would be interested in hearing how politics did not play a role in this case. I believe our forum republicans have to admit that Dunleavy and Jay Cole did stir up the pot so to speak, about this wronged man being taken down simply for attacking Ashley Stevens, a Clinton relative.
Questions for debate:
1.)Was Dumond's release due to exerted pressure by Huckabee? Why or why not?
2.)What role did conservatives like Jay Cole and Steve Dunleavy play in securing Dumond's relase? Was their role justifiable in any way?
3.)Is Huckabee being honest about his role and contradicting the families when he says he didn't receive any letters arguing against Dumond's relase?
Bonus Qustion: Recently, the mother of a woman killed by Wayne Dumond asked Huckabee for an apology.
4.)Should Huckabee apologize to the mother of the woman who was raped and murdered, solely because Huckabee freed Dumond to kill again? Why or why not?
QUOTE
Charles Chastain, a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, who was on the parole board at the time, told CBSNews.com the governor met with the board to argue on DuMond's behalf.
"He thought DuMond had gotten a raw deal," said Chastain, who calls himself neutral towards Huckabee. "He said he'd been born on the wrong side of the tracks and hadn't been treated all that fairly."
"I don't think the governor quite understood about parole proceedings," added Chastain. "I thought of the parole board as a quasi-judicial body that wouldn't be lobbied or otherwise interfered with by anyone outside of it, so I was a little bit surprised by it."
After the meeting, Chastain said, a number of the board members "switched their vote" from the previous year, and DuMond was paroled.
"He thought DuMond had gotten a raw deal," said Chastain, who calls himself neutral towards Huckabee. "He said he'd been born on the wrong side of the tracks and hadn't been treated all that fairly."
"I don't think the governor quite understood about parole proceedings," added Chastain. "I thought of the parole board as a quasi-judicial body that wouldn't be lobbied or otherwise interfered with by anyone outside of it, so I was a little bit surprised by it."
After the meeting, Chastain said, a number of the board members "switched their vote" from the previous year, and DuMond was paroled.
(See the "paroled" hyperlink)
What is very troubling here is that Huckabee has also insisted that he didn't receive any letters from people against Dumond's conviction, the record shows otherwise. Families of Dumond's other victims have spoken up, though he claims he won't release the written letters to him as they would open up the wounds of the families....yeah, right.
Not only that, but more than a few people felt Dumond was wrongly convicted by Clintonista forces. The right wing played a key role in getting Dumond released.QUOTE
The case for Dumond's innocence was championed in Arkansas by Jay Cole, a Baptist minister and radio host who was a close friend of the Huckabee family. It also became a cause for New York Post columnist Steve Dunleavy, who repeatedly argued for Dumond's release, calling his conviction "a travesty of justice." On Sept. 21, 1999, Dunleavy wrote a column headlined "Clinton's Biggest Crime - Left Innocent Man In Jail For 14 Years": If you want to read Dunleavy' article word for word, click here lest my sources fall into the area of doubt.
"Dumond, now 52, was given conditional parole yesterday in Arkansas after having being sentenced to 50 years in jail for the rape of Clinton's cousin," Dunleavy wrote. "That rape never happened."
A subsequent Dunleavy column quoted Huckabee saying: "There is grave doubt to the circumstances of this reported crime."
"Dumond, now 52, was given conditional parole yesterday in Arkansas after having being sentenced to 50 years in jail for the rape of Clinton's cousin," Dunleavy wrote. "That rape never happened."
A subsequent Dunleavy column quoted Huckabee saying: "There is grave doubt to the circumstances of this reported crime."
Source
While the matter was left to the pardon's board, Huckabee did appear before them and went to bat for this guy. He was written letters and he was encouraged not to let this guy go free. Because he did, he was allowed to harm more people(see question #4 video.) Michael Dukakis was said to be soft on crime in letting out Willie Horton. Why isn't Huckabee catching similar flak for pressuring the pardons board in releasing Wayne Dumond? Furthermore, I would be interested in hearing how politics did not play a role in this case. I believe our forum republicans have to admit that Dunleavy and Jay Cole did stir up the pot so to speak, about this wronged man being taken down simply for attacking Ashley Stevens, a Clinton relative.
Questions for debate:
1.)Was Dumond's release due to exerted pressure by Huckabee? Why or why not?
2.)What role did conservatives like Jay Cole and Steve Dunleavy play in securing Dumond's relase? Was their role justifiable in any way?
3.)Is Huckabee being honest about his role and contradicting the families when he says he didn't receive any letters arguing against Dumond's relase?
Bonus Qustion: Recently, the mother of a woman killed by Wayne Dumond asked Huckabee for an apology.
4.)Should Huckabee apologize to the mother of the woman who was raped and murdered, solely because Huckabee freed Dumond to kill again? Why or why not?
QUOTE(nebraska29 @ Dec 10 2007, 06:58 AM) 
Unless you've been living under a rock for awhile, you know that Mike Huckabee has recently garnered some challenging press attention in advocating for the release of Wayne Dumond, a man who was accused of raping Ashley Stevens in the 1980s. Stevens was a distant relative of Bill Clinton, and whose case was taken up by Steve Dunleavy of the New York Post. Lately, Huckabee has denied any role in actively working to free Dumond, though Huckabee personally lobbied the parole board and previously wrote to Dumond that he would like to see him paroled.
(See the "paroled" hyperlink)
What is very troubling here is that Huckabee has also insisted that he didn't receive any letters from people against Dumond's conviction, the record shows otherwise. Families of Dumond's other victims have spoken up, though he claims he won't release the written letters to him as they would open up the wounds of the families....yeah, right. Not only that, but more than a few people felt Dumond was wrongly convicted by Clintonista forces. The right wing played a key role in getting Dumond released.
Source
While the matter was left to the pardon's board, Huckabee did appear before them and went to bat for this guy. He was written letters and he was encouraged not to let this guy go free. Because he did, he was allowed to harm more people(see question #4 video.) Michael Dukakis was said to be soft on crime in letting out Willie Horton. Why isn't Huckabee catching similar flak for pressuring the pardons board in releasing Wayne Dumond? Furthermore, I would be interested in hearing how politics did not play a role in this case. I believe our forum republicans have to admit that Dunleavy and Jay Cole did stir up the pot so to speak, about this wronged man being taken down simply for attacking Ashley Stevens, a Clinton relative.
Questions for debate:
1.)Was Dumond's release due to exerted pressure by Huckabee? Why or why not?
2.)What role did conservatives like Jay Cole and Steve Dunleavy play in securing Dumond's relase? Was their role justifiable in any way?
3.)Is Huckabee being honest about his role and contradicting the families when he says he didn't receive any letters arguing against Dumond's relase?
Bonus Qustion: Recently, the mother of a woman killed by Wayne Dumond asked Huckabee for an apology.
4.)Should Huckabee apologize to the mother of the woman who was raped and murdered, solely because Huckabee freed Dumond to kill again? Why or why not?
QUOTE
Charles Chastain, a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, who was on the parole board at the time, told CBSNews.com the governor met with the board to argue on DuMond's behalf.
"He thought DuMond had gotten a raw deal," said Chastain, who calls himself neutral towards Huckabee. "He said he'd been born on the wrong side of the tracks and hadn't been treated all that fairly."
"I don't think the governor quite understood about parole proceedings," added Chastain. "I thought of the parole board as a quasi-judicial body that wouldn't be lobbied or otherwise interfered with by anyone outside of it, so I was a little bit surprised by it."
After the meeting, Chastain said, a number of the board members "switched their vote" from the previous year, and DuMond was paroled.
"He thought DuMond had gotten a raw deal," said Chastain, who calls himself neutral towards Huckabee. "He said he'd been born on the wrong side of the tracks and hadn't been treated all that fairly."
"I don't think the governor quite understood about parole proceedings," added Chastain. "I thought of the parole board as a quasi-judicial body that wouldn't be lobbied or otherwise interfered with by anyone outside of it, so I was a little bit surprised by it."
After the meeting, Chastain said, a number of the board members "switched their vote" from the previous year, and DuMond was paroled.
(See the "paroled" hyperlink)
What is very troubling here is that Huckabee has also insisted that he didn't receive any letters from people against Dumond's conviction, the record shows otherwise. Families of Dumond's other victims have spoken up, though he claims he won't release the written letters to him as they would open up the wounds of the families....yeah, right.
Not only that, but more than a few people felt Dumond was wrongly convicted by Clintonista forces. The right wing played a key role in getting Dumond released.QUOTE
The case for Dumond's innocence was championed in Arkansas by Jay Cole, a Baptist minister and radio host who was a close friend of the Huckabee family. It also became a cause for New York Post columnist Steve Dunleavy, who repeatedly argued for Dumond's release, calling his conviction "a travesty of justice." On Sept. 21, 1999, Dunleavy wrote a column headlined "Clinton's Biggest Crime - Left Innocent Man In Jail For 14 Years": If you want to read Dunleavy' article word for word, click here lest my sources fall into the area of doubt.
"Dumond, now 52, was given conditional parole yesterday in Arkansas after having being sentenced to 50 years in jail for the rape of Clinton's cousin," Dunleavy wrote. "That rape never happened."
A subsequent Dunleavy column quoted Huckabee saying: "There is grave doubt to the circumstances of this reported crime."
"Dumond, now 52, was given conditional parole yesterday in Arkansas after having being sentenced to 50 years in jail for the rape of Clinton's cousin," Dunleavy wrote. "That rape never happened."
A subsequent Dunleavy column quoted Huckabee saying: "There is grave doubt to the circumstances of this reported crime."
Source
While the matter was left to the pardon's board, Huckabee did appear before them and went to bat for this guy. He was written letters and he was encouraged not to let this guy go free. Because he did, he was allowed to harm more people(see question #4 video.) Michael Dukakis was said to be soft on crime in letting out Willie Horton. Why isn't Huckabee catching similar flak for pressuring the pardons board in releasing Wayne Dumond? Furthermore, I would be interested in hearing how politics did not play a role in this case. I believe our forum republicans have to admit that Dunleavy and Jay Cole did stir up the pot so to speak, about this wronged man being taken down simply for attacking Ashley Stevens, a Clinton relative.
Questions for debate:
1.)Was Dumond's release due to exerted pressure by Huckabee? Why or why not?
2.)What role did conservatives like Jay Cole and Steve Dunleavy play in securing Dumond's relase? Was their role justifiable in any way?
3.)Is Huckabee being honest about his role and contradicting the families when he says he didn't receive any letters arguing against Dumond's relase?
Bonus Qustion: Recently, the mother of a woman killed by Wayne Dumond asked Huckabee for an apology.
4.)Should Huckabee apologize to the mother of the woman who was raped and murdered, solely because Huckabee freed Dumond to kill again? Why or why not?
I am still reading up on this case, so forgive me for not taking a more solid stance on this thread as of yet. I did do some research, and found this video interview with Wolf Blitzer concerning this issue. I think Huckabee makes some good points. I also think it is important for everyone to hear both sides of the story. He does defend his position by pointing out some facts that are ignored in other stories, and I am sure many will discredit his points, but nonetheless, let's get both sides of the story.
QUOTE
Some of you may already know that Huckabee wrote a letter of behalf of a convicted rapist. He denies that he was deeply involved, but the CBS report argues otherwise.
From nebraska29’s link.I realize that a state governor, like anyone else, has a right to address bodies such as parole boards. Yet Huckabee or any governor is governor 24-hours-a-day. It’s hard for me to imagine the board members as seeing him as anything but Governor Huckabee.
The fact that members of Arkansas Parole board serve staggered, seven year terms, indicates the legislature didn’t want all of them being beholden to any one governor. Staggered terms are designed to take politics out of parole. Huckabee, at the very least, reintroduced the political element.
QUOTE
The current Parole Board is an independent quasi-judicial body, whose members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Chairman of the Board reports directly to the Governor, and serves (by nature of the position) as a voting member of the Board of Corrections.
<snip>
The Parole Board’s mandate is to conduct parole hearings throughout the state of Arkansas and make decisions on conditional release of inmates in correctional facilities. The Board is also responsible for reviewing all pardon and executive clemency applications and making non-binding recommendations to the Governor.
Each member of the Board holds office for a term of seven years.
<snip>
The Parole Board’s mandate is to conduct parole hearings throughout the state of Arkansas and make decisions on conditional release of inmates in correctional facilities. The Board is also responsible for reviewing all pardon and executive clemency applications and making non-binding recommendations to the Governor.
Each member of the Board holds office for a term of seven years.
http://www.arbop.org/html/aboutus.htm
Present terms are set to expire in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014.
http://www.arbop.org/
My question is:
Why was Huckabee lobbying the parole board in the first place?
QUOTE(BoF @ Dec 10 2007, 11:26 AM)
QUOTE
Some of you may already know that Huckabee wrote a letter of behalf of a convicted rapist. He denies that he was deeply involved, but the CBS report argues otherwise.
From nebraska29’s link.I realize that a state governor, like anyone else, has a right to address bodies such as parole boards. Yet Huckabee or any governor is governor 24-hours-a-day. It’s hard for me to imagine the board members as seeing him as anything but Governor Huckabee.
The fact that members of Arkansas Parole board serve staggered, seven year terms, indicates the legislature didn’t want all of them being beholden to any one governor. Staggered terms are designed to take politics out of parole. Huckabee, at the very least, reintroduced the political element.
QUOTE
The current Parole Board is an independent quasi-judicial body, whose members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Chairman of the Board reports directly to the Governor, and serves (by nature of the position) as a voting member of the Board of Corrections.
<snip>
The Parole Board’s mandate is to conduct parole hearings throughout the state of Arkansas and make decisions on conditional release of inmates in correctional facilities. The Board is also responsible for reviewing all pardon and executive clemency applications and making non-binding recommendations to the Governor.
Each member of the Board holds office for a term of seven years.
<snip>
The Parole Board’s mandate is to conduct parole hearings throughout the state of Arkansas and make decisions on conditional release of inmates in correctional facilities. The Board is also responsible for reviewing all pardon and executive clemency applications and making non-binding recommendations to the Governor.
Each member of the Board holds office for a term of seven years.
http://www.arbop.org/html/aboutus.htm
Present terms are set to expire in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014.
http://www.arbop.org/
My question is:
Why was Huckabee lobbying the parole board in the first place?
According to his accounts, he wasn't. According to the interview that I posted above, he claims that he was invited as a new governor to the board meeting and the conversation was on his philosophy on clemency. How true that is, remains to be seen. As he pointed out, the three parole board members making these claims were appointed by Bill Clinton, and Huckabee was the new governor. I think he makes a pretty good point that if a new republican governor can convince three democratically appointed board members, he is pretty persuasive. I have not found any documents pertaining to this guy's parole, but according to Huckabee, the prisoner met all requirements set by the state to be eligible for parole. One of the requirements was that his sentence had been commuted, which it was by Bill Clinton, making him eligible. If that commutation had not been signed, he wouldn't have been eligible.
One thing that I find interesting is that the controversy is from 2002. Why is it that only now, eleven months into this circus we are calling the primary campaign, is this big news?
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 12:12 PM)
According to the interview that I posted above, he claims that he was invited as a new governor to the board meeting and the conversation was on his philosophy on clemency.
How do you know Huckabee is telling the truth? Don't Republicans always do that?
QUOTE
One thing that I find interesting is that the controversy is from 2002. Why is it that only now, eleven months into this circus we are calling the primary campaign, is this big news?
Does this mean that nothing Hillary Clinton did or said before 2002 should surface in the campaign? I suspect that things have been and will be brought up about all ther candidates - Republican and Democrat -that happened before 2002. It's called politics.
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 08:22 AM)
I am still reading up on this case, so forgive me for not taking a more solid stance on this thread as of yet.
That didn't take very long.
QUOTE(BoF @ Dec 10 2007, 12:24 PM)
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 12:12 PM)
According to the interview that I posted above, he claims that he was invited as a new governor to the board meeting and the conversation was on his philosophy on clemency.
How do you know Huckabee is telling the truth? Don't Republicans always do that?
Did I say he was telling the truth? How do you know those that are making the claims are telling the truth? That is why I chose the wording "he claims that he was invited..." Not saying that he is right or wrong, just that he is claiming. Also, if you continue reading my post, I did say "How true that is, remains to be seen." So, to answer your question, I don't know if Huckabee is telling the truth. I also don't know if those that are making the claims against him are telling the truth.
QUOTE
QUOTE
One thing that I find interesting is that the controversy is from 2002. Why is it that only now, eleven months into this circus we are calling the primary campaign, is this big news?
Does this mean that nothing Hillary Clinton did or said before 2002 should surface in the campaign? I suspect that things have been and will be brought up about all ther candidates - Republican and Democrat -that happened before 2002. It's called politics.
My point is that the only reason this controversy is brought up is because he has taken the lead in some polls. No one would know if he was still in the single digits. Of course Billary doesn't hold back. Watch what you say to your kindegarten teacher!**Edited to add: It has been brought to my attention through a PM from one of our own distinguished
members that some might not understand the reference to kindergarten teacher. I recieved a PM from this prominent debater (you know who you are!! 
) apparently confused as to my reference. I was referring to attacks on Obama from Billary:http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007...ergarten-essay/. Sorry for any confusion for that comment. 
QUOTE
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 08:22 AM)
I am still reading up on this case, so forgive me for not taking a more solid stance on this thread as of yet.
That didn't take very long.
What didn't take very long? The fact that I want to get more information before jumping on a bandwagon?
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 12:12 PM)
One thing that I find interesting is that the controversy is from 2002. Why is it that only now, eleven months into this circus we are calling the primary campaign, is this big news?
CNN is saying that the Arkansas Times reported this in 2002. So, it isn’t new news at all. Coming at this time, my guess is that it was dug up by one of Mike Huckabee’s primary opponents. I think he’s probably taking more votes from Mitt Romney than Rudy Giuliani, so my guess is that it came from the Romney camp, but that’s just a guess.
If the allegations are true that Huckabee did intervene on behalf of the parolee, then my question still stands. "Why was he trying to influence the parole board - an independent agency - in the first place."
QUOTE
In 1996, Huckabee sent a letter to DuMond saying parole was the best option for him, the National Review reported.
<snip>
"I've never made a decision about the DuMond case other than the decision to write the letter" to DuMond, Huckabee said. "That was my decision, but I didn't parole him, because governors don't parole people in Arkansas."
<snip>
The Arkansas Times reported in 2002 that two other board members said they were influenced by Huckabee to parole DuMond.
<snip>
"No, I did not," Huckabee said Sunday. "Let me categorically say I did not."
Huckabee said Wednesday his discussion with the parole board in 1996 was a general discussion about clemency, not about the DuMond case.
<snip>
"I've never made a decision about the DuMond case other than the decision to write the letter" to DuMond, Huckabee said. "That was my decision, but I didn't parole him, because governors don't parole people in Arkansas."
<snip>
The Arkansas Times reported in 2002 that two other board members said they were influenced by Huckabee to parole DuMond.
<snip>
"No, I did not," Huckabee said Sunday. "Let me categorically say I did not."
Huckabee said Wednesday his discussion with the parole board in 1996 was a general discussion about clemency, not about the DuMond case.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/05/huc...mond/index.html
Somebody isn't telling the truth. Is it the parole board members or Mike Huckabee?
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 12:43 PM)
My point is that the only reason this controversy is brought up is because he has taken the lead in some polls. No one would know if he was still in the single digits. Of course Billary doesn't hold back. Watch what you say to your kindegarten teacher!**Edited to add: It has been brought to my attention through a PM from one of our own distinguished members that some might not understand the reference to kindergarten teacher. I recieved a PM from this prominent debater (you know who you are!! ) apparently confused as to my reference. I was referring to attacks on Obama from Billary:http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007...ergarten-essay/. Sorry for any confusion for that comment.
members that some might not understand the reference to kindergarten teacher. I recieved a PM from this prominent debater (you know who you are!! ) apparently confused as to my reference. I was referring to attacks on Obama from Billary:http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007...ergarten-essay/. Sorry for any confusion for that comment. That’s fine, but I don't think any of us are clairvoyant. If I missed it, let me know, but I can’t find Barack Obama’s name, or the link you just posted, in any of your previous posts on this thread. Again none of us are mindreaders. Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama are bashing each other, just as the Republican candidates are doing.
BTW: Most of us are attempting to call candidates by their proper names. I have called Huckabee “Huckabee“ and Romney “Romney.” Calling Hillary “Billary” does nothing to enhance your arguments or your credibility. It might sound cutesy to the listeners of Rush Limbaugh, etc., but here on
it’s a train to nowhere.
After a little more research, I would vote in the poll if a fourth option were available. According to this article, it was Jim Guy Tucker that reduced the sentence, not Bill Clinton as I earlier claimed, however, Mr. Tucker was then the Lieutenant Governor under Governor Clinton.
It goes on to describe how due to the lack of DNA evidence which is also illustrated in the article, Governor Huckabee wanted to release DuMond from prison, but later abandoned that plan due to public outrage.
It appears to me that several people are responsible for DuMond's release. First, Lieutenant Governor Tucker, and by relation Governor Clinton. Then the parole board. If it weren't for Mr. Tucker's reduction in sentence, the parole board would have never seen the case. The parole board is also responsible, in my opinion, because they have the authority, not the governor, to parole inmates. But, with that said, since the parole board was acting under the Huckabee administration, he has some responsibility by relation as well. Whether or not he encouraged the board to grant parole for DuMond, remains to be seen. At this point of the conversation it appears that is still a "he said, she said" issue.
CNN is saying that the Arkansas Times reported this in 2002. So, it isn’t new news at all. Coming at this time, my guess is that it was dug up by one of Mike Huckabee’s primary opponents. I think he’s probably taking more votes from Mitt Romney than Rudy Giuliani, so my guess is that it came from the Romney camp, but that’s just a guess.
Very good possibility that it is from Romney. Huckabee and Romney are the two that are fighting over the Christian Right vote, so I am sure you are on to something.
I agree, somebody isn't telling the truth. As I have said, right now it is a "he said, she said" issue. If there are recorded minutes from that meeting, I think that would put this to rest, but I don't know if those meetings are documented.
That’s fine, but I don't think any of us are clairvoyant. If I missed it, let me know, but I can’t find Barack Obama’s name, or the link you just posted, in any of your previous posts on this thread. Again none of us are mindreaders. Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama are bashing each other, just as the Republican candidates are doing.
I added the link after an member PM'd me to verify. In the article, the names of the fueding political camps are evident. I was under the impression that most everyone had heard of this exchange. I have appologized already if it created any confusion. Anything else I can do?
I don't listen to Limbaugh, but if it makes you feel better, I will call her Hillary going forward.
QUOTE
In 1992, former Lieutenant Governor Jim Guy Tucker reduced DuMond's sentence to 39 years, which made him eligible for parole, David Lieb said in an AP Online article.
It goes on to describe how due to the lack of DNA evidence which is also illustrated in the article, Governor Huckabee wanted to release DuMond from prison, but later abandoned that plan due to public outrage.
QUOTE
In 1996, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee planned to release DuMond from prison based on a lack of sufficient DNA evidence related to the rape investigation. However, he "abandoned his plan" after a public outcry and denied DuMond clemency, Stearns said.
It appears to me that several people are responsible for DuMond's release. First, Lieutenant Governor Tucker, and by relation Governor Clinton. Then the parole board. If it weren't for Mr. Tucker's reduction in sentence, the parole board would have never seen the case. The parole board is also responsible, in my opinion, because they have the authority, not the governor, to parole inmates. But, with that said, since the parole board was acting under the Huckabee administration, he has some responsibility by relation as well. Whether or not he encouraged the board to grant parole for DuMond, remains to be seen. At this point of the conversation it appears that is still a "he said, she said" issue.
QUOTE(BoF @ Dec 10 2007, 03:53 PM)
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 12:12 PM)
One thing that I find interesting is that the controversy is from 2002. Why is it that only now, eleven months into this circus we are calling the primary campaign, is this big news?
CNN is saying that the Arkansas Times reported this in 2002. So, it isn’t new news at all. Coming at this time, my guess is that it was dug up by one of Mike Huckabee’s primary opponents. I think he’s probably taking more votes from Mitt Romney than Rudy Giuliani, so my guess is that it came from the Romney camp, but that’s just a guess.
Very good possibility that it is from Romney. Huckabee and Romney are the two that are fighting over the Christian Right vote, so I am sure you are on to something.
QUOTE
If the allegations are true that Huckabee did intervene on behalf of the parolee, then my question still stands. "Why was he trying to influence the parole board - an independent agency - in the first place."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/05/huc...mond/index.html
Somebody isn't telling the truth. Is it the parole board members or Mike Huckabee?
QUOTE
In 1996, Huckabee sent a letter to DuMond saying parole was the best option for him, the National Review reported.
<snip>
"I've never made a decision about the DuMond case other than the decision to write the letter" to DuMond, Huckabee said. "That was my decision, but I didn't parole him, because governors don't parole people in Arkansas."
<snip>
The Arkansas Times reported in 2002 that two other board members said they were influenced by Huckabee to parole DuMond.
<snip>
"No, I did not," Huckabee said Sunday. "Let me categorically say I did not."
Huckabee said Wednesday his discussion with the parole board in 1996 was a general discussion about clemency, not about the DuMond case.
<snip>
"I've never made a decision about the DuMond case other than the decision to write the letter" to DuMond, Huckabee said. "That was my decision, but I didn't parole him, because governors don't parole people in Arkansas."
<snip>
The Arkansas Times reported in 2002 that two other board members said they were influenced by Huckabee to parole DuMond.
<snip>
"No, I did not," Huckabee said Sunday. "Let me categorically say I did not."
Huckabee said Wednesday his discussion with the parole board in 1996 was a general discussion about clemency, not about the DuMond case.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/05/huc...mond/index.html
Somebody isn't telling the truth. Is it the parole board members or Mike Huckabee?
I agree, somebody isn't telling the truth. As I have said, right now it is a "he said, she said" issue. If there are recorded minutes from that meeting, I think that would put this to rest, but I don't know if those meetings are documented.
QUOTE
QUOTE(scubatim @ Dec 10 2007, 12:43 PM)
My point is that the only reason this controversy is brought up is because he has taken the lead in some polls. No one would know if he was still in the single digits. Of course Billary doesn't hold back. Watch what you say to your kindegarten teacher!**Edited to add: It has been brought to my attention through a PM from one of our own distinguished members that some might not understand the reference to kindergarten teacher. I recieved a PM from this prominent debater (you know who you are!! ) apparently confused as to my reference. I was referring to attacks on Obama from Billary:http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007...ergarten-essay/. Sorry for any confusion for that comment.
members that some might not understand the reference to kindergarten teacher. I recieved a PM from this prominent debater (you know who you are!! ) apparently confused as to my reference. I was referring to attacks on Obama from Billary:http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007...ergarten-essay/. Sorry for any confusion for that comment. That’s fine, but I don't think any of us are clairvoyant. If I missed it, let me know, but I can’t find Barack Obama’s name, or the link you just posted, in any of your previous posts on this thread. Again none of us are mindreaders. Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama are bashing each other, just as the Republican candidates are doing.
I added the link after an
member PM'd me to verify. In the article, the names of the fueding political camps are evident. I was under the impression that most everyone had heard of this exchange. I have appologized already if it created any confusion. Anything else I can do?QUOTE
BTW: Most of us are attempting to call candidates by their proper names. I have called Huckabee “Huckabee“ and Romney “Romney.” Calling Hillary “Billary” does nothing to enhance your arguments or your credibility. It might sound cutesy to the listeners of Rush Limbaugh, etc., but here on it’s a train to nowhere.
it’s a train to nowhere.I don't listen to Limbaugh, but if it makes you feel better, I will call her Hillary going forward.
scubatim
That isn't the issue that is being debated. The question for debate has to do with to what extent Huckabee worked for Dumond's release.
scubatim
So far, it's four parole board members(three known, one anonymous) and a former Huckabee staffer who say he played a key role. Furthermore, the staffer's account has been checked.
Looks like it's the former governor who just "says," the others are "proved."
scubatim
But this explanation is problematic as well:
You can find the wonderful quotations I cited in this investigative piece. The newspaper has their reliable sources, they have to-if they don't, they can be sued. It's going to take more than slick talk and pointing the finger at previous governors to get off the hook on this one. Furthermore, why isn't Jay Cole and Steve Dunleavy and other right wingers getting more credit for helping Dumond get released? Either they wrote articles advocating for his release, or they did not. The evidence clearly suggests that they did, and that they had Huckabee's ear.
QUOTE
After a little more research, I would vote in the poll if a fourth option were available. According to this article, it was Jim Guy Tucker that reduced the sentence, not Bill Clinton as I earlier claimed, however, Mr. Tucker was then the Lieutenant Governor under Governor Clinton.
That isn't the issue that is being debated. The question for debate has to do with to what extent Huckabee worked for Dumond's release.
scubatim
QUOTE
At this point of the conversation it appears that is still a "he said, she said" issue.
So far, it's four parole board members(three known, one anonymous) and a former Huckabee staffer who say he played a key role. Furthermore, the staffer's account has been checked.
QUOTE
He provided a detailed account that has been largely corroborated by former and current members of the Post Prison Transfer Board, other Arkansas state officials, court records, Arkansas State Police files, and previously confidential records of the parole board.
Looks like it's the former governor who just "says," the others are "proved."
scubatim
QUOTE
It goes on to describe how due to the lack of DNA evidence which is also illustrated in the article, Governor Huckabee wanted to release DuMond
But this explanation is problematic as well:
QUOTE
He [Huckabee] kept insisting that there was DNA evidence that has since exonerated Dumond, when that very much wasn’t the case,” recalled Long. “No matter that that wasn’t true … we couldn’t seem to say or do anything to disabuse him of that notion.”
In fact, there had never been any DNA testing in the Ashley Stevens case.
In fact, there had never been any DNA testing in the Ashley Stevens case.
You can find the wonderful quotations I cited in this investigative piece. The newspaper has their reliable sources, they have to-if they don't, they can be sued. It's going to take more than slick talk and pointing the finger at previous governors to get off the hook on this one. Furthermore, why isn't Jay Cole and Steve Dunleavy and other right wingers getting more credit for helping Dumond get released? Either they wrote articles advocating for his release, or they did not. The evidence clearly suggests that they did, and that they had Huckabee's ear.
This is a simplified version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.