RINO Alert: Mike Huckabee

There is some dispute about whether Mike Huckabee is a fiscal conservative. Here's what the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, says:

On its annual governor's report card, Cato gave Huckabee an 'F' for fiscal policy during his final term, and an overall two-term grade of 'D.' Only four governors had worse scores, and 15 Democratic governors got higher grades, including well-known liberals like Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania.

Surely we can do better than a candidate who earned an "'F' for fiscal policy."

That's great that he lost 120 pounds and was a Baptist preacher. But at the end of the tax year, I want the candidate who understands that it's my money, and that I don't need the federal government to spend it for me.

Huckabee displays a suspiciousness of the market that makes me wonder why he's not a Democrat. He is the only candidate to oppose school choice, and he is hostile to free trade.

More frightening is the prospect of Huckabee on the world stage. Vladimir Putin (and anyone else, for that matter) would run circles around him. We might as well bring back Jimmy Carter.

I'm still not prepared to commit to a presidential primary candidate. Huckabee, however, needs to be scrapped from consideration by anyone who believes in limited government and lower taxes.