Poll: No Clemency Fallout for Huckabee

Funny how these types of things only seem to hurt Democratic presidential candidates…

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Huck did NOT grant clemency; he commuted the sentence of Clemmons from 108 years to 47 years. Why is it so difficult for you reporters/media to get it right. I guess those who were polled understand the difference.

You know it as well as I do — the guy who does the best in the general election wins the primary.

Huck-haters tried their best to kill him here and now — and failed dismally. Firstly, Huckabee 2012 has the legitimacy, name recognition and platform to defend himself — something Huckabee 2008 never had. He also has the great debating skills and personality that Huckabee 2008 did have — which is why he is still very much on the scene.

Most importantly — the more people see Mike Huckabee, the more they like him. If his rivals continue to give him the spotlight — he will continue to steal it away from them.

Here's why pundits think Maurice Clemmons shouldn't end Huckabee's political career.

• Race Was Likely Involved in Clemmons's Sentencing Kevin McCollough of conservative Townhall.com says the sentence wasn't fair. “For the crimes of theft and burglary, Maurice Clemmons at the age of 16 was sentenced to 108 years. In all likelihood, had the same crimes been committed by a white youth from a middle class family, he would've received 20 years and been out on probation in under ten. What Governor Huckabee did do was reduce the 108 years to a sentence of 47 years.”
• Huckabee Tried to Bring Fairness to the Criminal Justice System The New York Daily News's Errol Louis says Huckabee is a “leader,” and hopes his political career isn't over. “Huckabee could have done the easy, politically safe thing by letting ludicrously heavy sentences stand. Instead, he opted to bring a measure of proportionality, compassion and common sense to a justice system that needs more of it.”
• America Is About Second Chances Townhall's Allen Hunt says Huckabee's “belief in the capacity for life change” makes him a good Christian and a good American.
Those core beliefs certainly stem from his Christian faith, a faith that emphasizes forgiveness and second chances, but those beliefs are not exclusive to Christianity at all. In fact, America has been built on the idea of second chances, from the motley crew of undesirables and convicts who settled Georgia with General Oglethorpe to the lessons in failure and renewal embodied in the stories of Americans as varied as the oft-failing politician, Abraham Lincoln, and the persistent entrepreneur, Tom Monaghan.
• Huckabee Made the Right Decision Jeralyn of Talk Left says “The last thing we need is more Governors hesitant to grant clemency and pardons. We cannot insure that somebody will not re-offend. At the same time, we should not keep others locked up who likely will not because we're afraid of the political consequences.”
• The Justice System Is Still Over Zealous Jill of the Feministe blog isn't thrilled about letting Huckabee off the hook, but says “Governors should be able to check an over-zealous justice system in situations like this one, where a minor was sentenced to a century behind bars for an offense that, as far as I can tell, included no physical harm to other people.”
• What About That Other Unfortunate Pardon? BarbinMD of Daily Kos isn't buying Huckabee's op-ed. “Way to go out on a limb, Mike. Now, any comment on Wayne Dumond?” he asks, referring to a convicted rapist who raped again after being granted clemency by Governor Huckabee.

Here's why pundits think Maurice Clemmons shouldn't end Huckabee's political career.

• Race Was Likely Involved in Clemmons's Sentencing Kevin McCollough of conservative Townhall.com says the sentence wasn't fair. “For the crimes of theft and burglary, Maurice Clemmons at the age of 16 was sentenced to 108 years. In all likelihood, had the same crimes been committed by a white youth from a middle class family, he would've received 20 years and been out on probation in under ten. What Governor Huckabee did do was reduce the 108 years to a sentence of 47 years.”
• Huckabee Tried to Bring Fairness to the Criminal Justice System The New York Daily News's Errol Louis says Huckabee is a “leader,” and hopes his political career isn't over. “Huckabee could have done the easy, politically safe thing by letting ludicrously heavy sentences stand. Instead, he opted to bring a measure of proportionality, compassion and common sense to a justice system that needs more of it.”
• America Is About Second Chances Townhall's Allen Hunt says Huckabee's “belief in the capacity for life change” makes him a good Christian and a good American.
Those core beliefs certainly stem from his Christian faith, a faith that emphasizes forgiveness and second chances, but those beliefs are not exclusive to Christianity at all. In fact, America has been built on the idea of second chances, from the motley crew of undesirables and convicts who settled Georgia with General Oglethorpe to the lessons in failure and renewal embodied in the stories of Americans as varied as the oft-failing politician, Abraham Lincoln, and the persistent entrepreneur, Tom Monaghan.
• Huckabee Made the Right Decision Jeralyn of Talk Left says “The last thing we need is more Governors hesitant to grant clemency and pardons. We cannot insure that somebody will not re-offend. At the same time, we should not keep others locked up who likely will not because we're afraid of the political consequences.”
• The Justice System Is Still Over Zealous Jill of the Feministe blog isn't thrilled about letting Huckabee off the hook, but says “Governors should be able to check an over-zealous justice system in situations like this one, where a minor was sentenced to a century behind bars for an offense that, as far as I can tell, included no physical harm to other people.”
• What About That Other Unfortunate Pardon? BarbinMD of Daily Kos isn't buying Huckabee's op-ed. “Way to go out on a limb, Mike. Now, any comment on Wayne Dumond?” he asks, referring to a convicted rapist who raped again after being granted clemency by Governor Huckabee.