Let me first start by saying that the killing of the four police officers in the state of Washington was a revolting and horrific act. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with all those who are grieving and we trust that justice will be swift and strong.

The following are the details connecting Clemmons and Huckabee:

• Maurice Clemmons is wanted for questioning by police in connection to the killing of four officers in Lakeland, Washington
• Maurice Clemmons was sentences to a 108 year prison term for his actions as a 16 year old youth. These actions appear to be the:

1. 8/89 – Robbery
2. 9/89 – Burglary, Theft of Property
3. 11/89 – Aggravated Robbery, Theft of Property
4. 2/90 – Burglary, Theft of Property
5. 11/90 – Possession of Firearm – School

• Huckabee On May 3, 2000, Gov. Mike Huckabee commuted (lessened) Clemmons’ 108 year sentence to 47 years, 5 months and 19 days, which made him eligible for parole that day. Huckabee lessened 4 of the 8 convictions listed above.
• The Parole Board granted his parole July 13, 2000.
• He was released Aug. 1, 2000.

In light of what appears to be Clemmons killing of 4 officers, would anybody want this guy to ever be free to do that? No.

Is it excessive to sentence a person to a 108 year sentence for a series of robberies committed as a 16-year -old youth? I think so. You may disagree.

Did Huckabee know that Clemmons was going to apparently kill four police officers 9 years after his parole from prison? No.

The question in regards to Huckabee is whether he showed negligent judgment in commuting the sentence of Clemmons.

It is my opinion that Huckabee did not show a serious lack of judgment for allowing Clemmons sentence to be reduced to 47.5 years when considering that these were his first series of robberies and were committed at the age of 16.

We can’t blame Huckabee for a decision that he made without knowledge of future crimes although we can blame him for poor judgment based on what he already knew. Based on that, I think his judgment was within the bounds of reason. You may differ in your opinion and you are welcome to do that.

Download official Arkansas court and clemency documents behind this post at:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2009/11/30/2010388798.pdf

DISCLOSURE: I like Huckabee. I have met him a few times and have found him warm and consistent. I also am a leader of a grassroots group called HucksArmy that supported Huckabee in 2008 and helps advocate for conservatives and common-sense government. While this association may make you think that I only want to defend Huckabee because I like him, I encourage you to make your judgement based on the soundness of this post and not who I am.

UPDATE:

While this does not diminish Huckabee’s role, his actions were following the recommendation of a county circut judge.

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee commuted the sentence of a man suspected in the slayings of four police officers in Washington state after a Pulaski County circuit judge recommended leniency, according to documents released today.

Circuit Judge Marion Humphrey in 1999 urged the Arkansas Parole Board to reduce the 108-year sentence given to Maurice Clemmons, who had been convicted of multiple felonies, including armed robbery.

“I favor a time cut for Maurice Clemmons,” Humphrey wrote to the parole board on July 9, 1999. “Mr. Clemmons was 16 years of age when his cases began in this court. I do not know why the previous judge ran his sentences consecutively, but concurrent sentences would have been sufficient.”

Source: http://arkansasnews.com/2009/11/30/huckabee-releases-statement-on-shooting-suspect/

UPDATE II: Huckabee addresses this personally:

Polls are showing that the American people are far from sold on Obama’s new 1.2 Trillion dollar health care plan. The public has opposed the health care plan since details emerged last July although in new polling by Quinnipiac University, it appears that opposition is strengthening.

QUESTION: Do you approve or disapprove of this health care reform plan?

Favor: 35%
Oppose: 51%

From November 9 – 16, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,518 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

Source: Quinnipiac University Poll, 11/19/2009

As Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, & Barack Obama look to ram through their 1.2 trillion dollar health care bill, they may find their biggest obstacles being the American people, not centrist Democrats or Republicans. While there may be enough votes to get ObamaCare passed, it will be over the opposition of the citizens of the United States. While I do not know why every citizen opposed to ObamaCare objects, I can tell you my problems start with it’s:

1. 1.2 trillion dollar price tag
2. Creation of government insurance company (what is next…government burrito stand? food is just as important as health care)
3. Unconstitutional (in my opinion) mandates
4. Government board that will determine which private health care plans are up to government standards
5. Requirement that every American file proof of health insurance to the IRS with their tax return
6. $100 million dollar a year teen pregnancy provision that I predict will be used to fund the expansion of #1 abortion mill Planned Parenthood. States handle this stuff better anyways instead of a top-down approach.
7. Jail time punishments
8. Centralized federal government control
9. Cuts to Medicaid
10. Politicization of health care. From now on, health care standards and insurance company coverage standards are going to be subject t the dictates of politicians instead of the need of the people and  market.
11. Many grants under federal guidance that reach past state and local governments

So why can’t we just start all over and address access issues related to pre-existing conditions, lawsuit reform, and providing basic care for those too poor to pay for anything without destroying the whole system as know it?

Source: Pew Research Center, Released 11/11/2009