Arkansas Blog: Huck's bucks

We've mentioned Mike Beebe's shakedown of big-money interests to get preferred seating at his inaugural ball for "sponsorships" up to $25,000.

He's a piker compared to The Huckster.

We've just been faxed, by a very reliable source, what appears to be the sponsorship solicitation being sent by Gov. Mike Huckabee for the "Christmas gala" fund-raiser for his Hope for America PAC Dec. 16 at the Statehouse Convention Center. The prices:

Level 1 Host -- $100,000 for a table in the front row, 10 tickets, free access to the late night party with the governor's band and kids, four tickets to the thank-you reception, four tickets to the photo line at the thank you reception, four signed copies of the governor's new book ("not available in stores until January"), five additional late-night party tickets, name in program.

Level 2 Host -- $50,000 Includes a table for four, and two tickets to other events, plus two books.

Level 3 Host -- $25,000 Includes four dinner tickets in "reserved area near the front," two books. No photo line.

Level 4 Host -- $10,000 Includes four dinner tickets in "reserved mid-level area", two books.

The cheap seats for non-hosts are $500.

Huckabee's letter acknowledges the sums are large. "I realize we've just come off a grueling election cycle, and while reluctant to ask for so much so soon, timing is everything in politics and I need to show that the key leaders in my home state support my efforts."

Huckabee's letter says: "The proceeds from this event will be the seed money I will use to continue traveling to places like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to see if my vision for our Nation resonates with our fellow Americans for 2008. If I continue to receive positive encouragement, I will take steps after I leave office next year to make the most challenging political decision of my life."

Sounds like a vehicle to explore a race for president, doesn't it? It happens that they have rules for federal presidential exploratory committees, but this isn't one. In fact, Huckabee's letter helpfully shared a few of the rules governing a 527 committee like his Hope PAC. It is operated, said his letter, "for the purpose of influencing state and local elections. ...The organization focuses solely on state or local elections."

Doesn't this appear contradictory? Huckabee clearly seems to be contemplating a presidential bid while using a financial vehicle that is supposed to be solely about state and local elections. Oh well. As we've said before, Huckabee has generally viewed rules as theoretical constructs malleable to his particular needs and has generally gotten away with it. We hope folks in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina will insist that he talk solely about state and local elections when he visits.

Here's one other interesting rule mentioned in the solicitation : "....no part of the net earnings of the organization will be used for the benefit of, or be distributed to, any director or officer of the corporation, or any other private person except to the extent to which reasonable compensation for services rendered is appropriate in continue of the organization's stated purpose." Do you think the PAC could pay Huckabee for making speeches on the organization's stated aims? Just wondering. After all, he's paid himself before out of a political campaign fund and also through the infamous Action America vehicle, one of his early bits of financial funny business.

Will he rake in the big bucks at the gala? Interesting question. He is a lame duck. His ability to deliver favors any time soon is small. People are tired of politics. Some big backers are reportedly a little tired of Huckabee and his recent gift grabs for his new house haven't made these folks feel more generous. However ... What if he runs and wins? We do know he's not a turn-the-other-cheek kind of guy.

Our source also told us the following, which we cannot confirm: The source said Kelly Boyd, the governor's deputy chief of staff and long-time political operator, has been making calls to drum up sponsorships. Our source said he's talked with three people who've been called by Boyd. At least one of them had caller ID and told our source that the Boyd call came from a governor's office phone. Surely not. Those being solicited also told our source that Boyd had reminded them of past favors by the governor. Surely not.

We sought a comment on this report from the governor's press secretary, the friendly Alice Stewart. She hasn't called or written. We also attempted to call Boyd. A person in the office said he was on vacation this week. We left a message and hope he calls. He has a reputation for colorful language. Remember those smoking e-mails in which he referred to legislators as smelly camels?

PS -- Need a copy of the solicitation? Send your name, telephone and fax number.

Comments

Go ahead and put me down for one of those $100,000 tables...I want to ask the RevBroGuv...

"Why do you play in a band but don't dance?"

I mean, don't you want to see the Hucks shaking it up on the dance floor?

Scratch that...I just gave myself gas...

Posted by: rosso | December 6, 2006 03:23 PM

Clearly Jesus wouldn't be attending...unless, of course, I misread read all that Biblical stuff about his lack of worldly goods. But then I'm sure Huck and the rest of his brethren (political ministers or ministers of politics?) have all sorts of reasons why their words of austerity and sacrifice never seem to apply to their bulging bank accounts.Well I'm not buying their crap. In fact, I think these so-called men of god who enrich themselves from the pulpit while immersing themselves in politics are worse than the CEO's who at least don't hide their capitalistic greed behind God. The hucksterism of piety is disgusting.

Jesus won't be in attendance with these political moneychangers nor will the average Arkansan; so I guess we know whose concerns are going to be listened to or acted upon.

Posted by: zelda | December 6, 2006 04:13 PM

Is there a way to warn your readers before they open the blog that there may be a disturbing picture?
The sight of him does help my diet.

Posted by: Pippin | December 6, 2006 05:01 PM

It is a Huck for President fund raiser, nobody's forced to go, and if rich people want to throw their money way, at least they're getting a book/paperweight for it, vs. just throwing the money off a bridge somewhere.

Posted by: Spirit | December 6, 2006 05:16 PM

Let him plan the party...he won't get any big bucks. I say, why not MOVE to Iowa or the other states listed??? Please do! Perhaps the folks there will foot the bill for his ridiculous thoughts of the WH.

Posted by: ggoggle | December 6, 2006 05:53 PM

Such a deal! Maybe Ma's right and there is too much money in the world today. Ain't much in my bank account, but I can't think of anyone dumb enough to put good money into the Huckabuck Hope for a Great Retirement PAC.

Unless the female Huckabucks are going to give out sex to the top donors, or Huck's band is going to play at your birthday party in 2007, giving the PAC money is a 100% waste. The only one clamoring for Huckabuck to be President is Huckabee himself. And maybe James Boulder....just maybe.

Add to that the big Republicans were sucked dry in order to lose the November 7th election. Their check writing arms have to be dog tired. I can see asking for flowers for Janet's new knees, but whoring without a good cause is just embarrassing.

Thank Allah it will be over in a month. I don't expect to see any members of the Huckabuck family this far west standing in front of Wal-Mart ringing a bell, so maybe they'll just fade off in the mediocre sunset by the time spring flowers start popping up in the Natural State.

One thing for sure....the Huckabucks beat all I've ever seen before! I'm going to tell strangers I'm from Missouri until Huck clears out.....holy moley!

Posted by: Deathbyinches | December 6, 2006 05:54 PM

The only Arkansan that has a
shot at being president is Clark.

Clark and Obama should form
an early alliance and run as a ticket from the very start.

Click on my name below to
read the many comments
urging Clark to run.

Posted by: The Bold and The Blue | December 6, 2006 06:03 PM

Posted by: The Bold and The Blue | December 6, 2006 06:04 PM

Huck has yet another book? I guess there's no end to feel-good topics. When did Rex have time to write this one? I thought he was full time taking care of the poor peoples in the Delta.

Posted by: Wanda Tinasky | December 6, 2006 07:47 PM

Clark had his shot. Why would Obama chose him as a running mate? I like the Hillary / Obama ticket.

Posted by: PsychoticsforBush | December 6, 2006 08:43 PM

Gosh...you are right. Clark really does have a shot in 2008. Those really excellent political skills he brought to the table in 2004 will certainly serve him well again. He's stiff...he has no real people skills, and he wants to be begged to run...that really is the package that works in this day and age. Oh yes...he also has the son with the temper and language problem. Good, please trot him out again.

Look, if you want to beat up Huckabee for doing a local fundraiser...fine. But call Mark Middleton first...he is the local guy who raised Clinton's critical in state money in the early months of the 92 camapign. It worked. Huckabee is following the Clinton model...and it's a feasible model.

And just for the sake of some semblance of balance...if you are going to hammer Mike for raising money....what did Hillary raises this year? Thirty million? And any leftover gets to be used in 2008. Max...if you are going to do these snide references to Huckabee's pricetag on a downfront table....please...give us an update on what Hillary has dragged in this year. What is good for the goose etc....I don't mind Huckabee criticism here...but let's at least try to apply the same standard to our gal Hillary. By the way gang...Frist is gone, Allen is gone....those of you who don't think Huckabee has a shot to be in the game are simply not paying attention.

Posted by: StrangeTimes | December 6, 2006 09:57 PM

What, you're looking for fairness here on the "Bash Huckabee" blog? Max just makes these posts so they'll be on Google News when someone searches. That's why there are umpteen posts trashing Huckabee each week, even though he's a lame duck.

Posted by: Prouster | December 6, 2006 10:24 PM

I think Max was pointing out the legalities of the money raising. I don't think the point was to attack Huckabee for raising money. Hillary is allowed under law to take her senate money and run for President. I personally don't agree with the law but it's the law. If Huckabee wants to raise money, then he needs to form an exploratory committee. Why must he and others play this game? He is exploring a run for President. That's what an exploratory committee is for. He acts like an exploratory committee is something to be afraid of. It makes no sense. Why skirt the law when you don't have to?

Posted by: ArkansasPolitics.com | December 6, 2006 11:05 PM

Clark got into the race too late last time. Who the media decides to cover is also important. Look at Obama for a perfect example. In 2004, they decided to make it Howard Dean. He blew the chance they gave him though. Clark will have more time, more money, and more name id this time.

I think Reagan ran for President at least twice. Bush Sr. ran twice. There's nothing wrong with running more than one time. If you don't then you are basically a quitter anyway. If you think you can make a good president then run, and keep running till you win.

Posted by: ArkansasPolitics.com | December 6, 2006 11:13 PM

Does this mean our date for the gala is off, DBI?
I didn't plan to attend, anyway, except I would like a look at any idiot who would attend such an event. Don't expect I would see many friends there.

Posted by: BlueRidge | December 6, 2006 11:29 PM

My thoughts exactly Blue R. It would be of interest to discover just who would lay out 100K for this clown, other than Jennings but maybe there's a bottom to his well too.

"By the way gang...Frist is gone, Allen is gone....those of you who don't think Huckabee has a shot to be in the game are simply not paying attention."

What turnip truck did you fall off?
Of course anybody whose held any office has a chance at the presidency when NO incumbent will be running. This situation hasn't come around since 1938.
By the way why do you suppose Frist and Allen are no longer contenders? Hint: the same reason Huckster will last about 3 month of prime time... EXPOSURE.
_

Posted by: Lwood | December 7, 2006 12:55 AM

Oh my lord strangetimes....you miss the point that only a dozen deluded people in America are even paying any attention to Mike Huckabee. Clinton may have been a long shot early in 1991, but he was a million times more electable than, more gifted than, more noticed than, Mike Huckabee.

Governor Huckabee is not Clinton, Hillary is not Bill Clinton...actually the problem with every person who might run in 08 is that none of them are Bill Clinton.

If Americans had a lick of sense we'd demand the amendment be struck down that prevents Bill Clinton from running again. What a vast majority of voters really want is Bill Clinton in 2008.

That someone as limited in abilities, talents and appeal as Mike Huckabee ever got to be Governor of a little state like Arkansas is a giant feather in Huck's cap. He should go thank his lucky stars for pulling that off.

But for a guy with all the talents of the head of your local chamber of commerce to think that's enough to make a success on the national stage is pretty far fetched. It's back to me and Ma winning that OK Lottery. Huckabee is fattening his retirement nest egg...nothing more.

If I'm going to throw my money away, I'd rather it be in a pinging dinging machine trying to get 3 cherries, or a fancy meal with the chef preparing it at my table, or a big bag of Ecstasy, a Hummer or an good old fashioned non-political whore with bright red lipstick.

Giving it to a balding former fat man to sock away in NLR is not my idea of a good time. This should be elementary to all, my dear Watson.

Posted by: Deathbyinches | December 7, 2006 02:16 AM

If anyone is looking to fill seats at a table they buy, I'll be looking for a seat. You'll be seeing a lot of me. Cheers! Wayne Dumond

Posted by: bronx | December 7, 2006 09:19 AM

Arkansas Blog

Huck's bucks

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