Huckabee denounces ad on parole case

[ZombieHorde]

By Tim Smith, The Greenville (S.C.) News

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is "appalled" by a television ad by a crime victims' group that criticizes him for the 1997 parole of a rapist who went on to murder a Missouri woman, Huckabee's presidential campaign told The Greenville News on Friday.

The 60-second ad, targeted for various markets in South Carolina Thursday night during the GOP presidential debates, includes a statement by the murdered woman's mother, Lois Davidson, who blames Huckabee for what happened to her daughter.

Huckabee has repeatedly addressed the issue of the rapist, Wayne Dumond, in interviews and on his website. Dumond died in prison in 2005.

"Governor Huckabee feels deep sympathy for Mrs. Davidson's loss," the campaign said Friday. "He is also appalled by this ad, which cynically exploits the profound and private grief of a mother in a truly despicable way, and recklessly abandons the truth of the case."

Huckabee has said the parole board was made up of Democrats appointed by his predecessors and that it was one of those predecessors, former Gov. Jim Guy Tucker, who made Dumond eligible for parole by commuting his sentence from life to 39 years.

Davidson issued her own statement Friday.

"Last night, Mike Huckabee accused me of being exploited and used for political purposes," Davidson said in her statement. "I assure you, Mr. Huckabee, I am not being exploited. I am fully aware of the actions I have taken in attempting to inform the public of your role in my daughter's rape and murder. I have spent over 7 years thinking about this. I am not a dupe. But you, Governor Huckabee, were duped time and again by convicted felons who once released from prison by you began hurting people again."

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More to this story at link:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-12-huckabee-ad_N.htm

[Zynx]

1. I have to say I always detest the politicization of crime.

Even when it targets Republicans.

[Rageneau]

2. Except it was politicization that was behind this parole in the firt place.

Wayne DuMond was a cause celebe among the wingnuts, who were convinced he had to be innocent by reason of the fact that the victim was a distant relative of Clinton's. The whole thing was just another Paula Jones or Troopergate or Kathleen Willey concoction aimed at making Clinton look bad.

So the wingnuts raised a fuss, and Huckleberry, anxious to do their will, freed DuMond over the (initial) objections of everyone involved (except some crazy preachers and reporters.)

Even today, there are old-time Freepers who remember how people at that site were pulling for DuMond's release and hoping it would embarrass Big Dog -- and who are, to the extent it is possible for a conservative, a little ashamed of themselves.

[ZombieHorde]

4. I have to say I always detest the politicization of crime.

What do you find to be the most distasteful thing about it?

[Zynx]

7. Because it tends to simplify complex issues.

[AndyTiedye]

3. We Find YOU Appalling, Mr. Fuckabee

[AnnieBW]

5. Welcome to Presidential Politics, Gov. Huckleberry

This is how the game is played. Nasty. Especially in South Carolina. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the f**king kitchen.

[TwilightGardener]

6. Huckafuck digs himself in deeper by blaming the mom for letting

herself be exploited. Nice. She did this of her own free will, apparently, and who wouldn't? This guy should not have even considered running for President with that appalling incident in his record. How about taking responsibility for your role in releasing the murderer, and stop blaming everybody else, jackass?

[jackson_dem]

8. Huckabee is not ready for national politics