December 10, 2007

GOP Candidate Mike Huckabee's AIDS Controversy

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said that he won’t “run from” his statement 15 years ago that people living with AIDS should be isolated, reports the Associated Press (ap.google.com, 12/9).

“I don't run from it, I don't recant it,” Huckabee said of his statements, adding that he would phrase his position differently if asked the same questions today.

As a Senate candidate in 1992, Huckabee told the Associated Press (AP) that “we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague” in order to end the spread of HIV/AIDS. “It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population, and in which this deadly disease for which there is no cure is being treated as a civil rights issue instead of the true health crisis it represents,” he said.

In a December 8 interview on Fox News Sunday, Huckabee said that his statements were not a call to quarantine HIV-positive people. The AP reports, however, that he did not specify what isolation would mean.

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Previous Comments:

Shawn, Springfield, 2007-12-30 13:58:03
It is just another Egomaniac that cannot admit his short comings and be a grown up man. Does this happen to remind anyone of Baby Bush in office now? We do not need another Ego we need a true leader that has the ability to lead with caring and compassion. Thank You and yes it would be a cold day in hell before I would vote for such a poor excuse of a man to lead any country!!

Jes, Montana, 2007-12-27 08:08:09
As if we are not isolated already... Being open and honest about my condition that was not contracted by drugs or promiscuous sex.... Isolates me from everything... I am afraid to work most jobs because someone is always trying to hook up with me... I disclose and suddenly there are rumours flying everywhere. I get discrimintated by individuals and health organizations as having some horrid drug history. (I did missionary work in Africa by the way... how would huckabee broach that?)

Jay, , 2007-12-20 20:10:36
It's very disturing when a politian will look back and realize he said something wrong and does not retract knowing full well that he was wrong in his statement. Knowing that full well when he made the statement hiv/aids could not be contracted by casual contact. It's just his stupidity of being morally better than others purely...how outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sally, Herndon, Va, 2007-12-20 13:18:59
I was very disheartened to hear Huckabee's comments, particularly since he made them at least 7 years after it was clearly known that HIV couldn't be casually transmitted. I believe he was pandering to a particular segment of society that was and probably is still a significant part of his "base." The only other explanation would be that he's an incredibly stupid man. When it comes to dealing with AIDS-related issues, the entire presidential field is sorely lacking in courage and honesty.

mark ertel, ware, 2007-12-15 15:57:06
What a surprise, an ignorant hillbilly running his mouth and running for the highest office in the land. Huckleberry should be fenced in like a mad dog. I've seen more loving and caring people living lives of dignity with Hiv than the whole lot of evengelicals put together. Evengelical seems like a fancy way of saying evilangels. God I hope this buffoon is shown for the ignorant bigot that he is, lets move on to more important conversations like finding a cure. Peace

tom compton, denver, 2007-12-13 18:40:40
I have HIV and I'm also a gay LDS (Mormon). I think Mike Huckabee has some problems, And he should not be running for office of the president. An ignorant Mormonphobe and homophobe to say the least that has a history of not thinking before opening his mouth, and seems to think scare tactics are the best means to get his way and get weak minded religiious fanatics to follow him and give him their votes. His comments remind me of Lyndon Larouche back in the 1980's who went absolutely nowhere.

Phil Ramsey, Midland City, 2007-12-13 14:10:30
Mike Huckabee is as backward as his buck teeth show him to be. He has that Holier than Thou Souther Baptist attitude. I think a little education would serve him well. He has spent too much time asking for and accepting gifts that educating himself on lifes real issues.

Lew, ASHLAND, 2007-12-12 20:55:38
THROW THE BUM OUT!!!

Patty, , 2007-12-12 16:54:16
This man is speaking out of ignorance...No one I know has signed up for this disease...Stopping the spread will be by education,equal availability of treatment and medications not measured by what kind of insurance you have...understanding and compassion...

JC, , 2007-12-12 06:33:56
In 1992, a lot was still being learned and the death rate was still on an upswing. Take a look at the CDC slides. New medications have changed that. I agree with Tee, he wasn't saying quarantine individuals on an island, he was saying stop the spread. And today it appears that HIV is continuing to spread. We are seeing new patients daily, increasing annually. You can read his comments at race42008.com.

Ujjwal Baral, Kathmandu,Nepal, 2007-12-12 01:49:05
Mr Mike Huckabee don't know the issue and semms to be living in another world.It reminded me Mr Saddam Hussain who dared to put all HIV positive tested Iraqies in prison to erradicate HIv and AIDS from Iraq when he was ruling..We all know that he was hanged to death..so Mr Mike please don't try to follow the footsteps of Mr Saddam Hussain or else you know his fate. Ujjwal Baral Representing all PLHIVs of Nepal.

James Ozmun, Hilo,Hawai`i, 2007-12-11 23:19:24
Oh Mr. Huckabee where do YOU see the light from? The man who infected me never told me he was positive due to opinions like yours.He (that man)obviously has never known a secure self-confidence since being diagnosed because too many people are afraid to co-habitate with positive individuals in this FREE world. Apparently so are you. Do please, sir, take a genuine look at your OPINION. Try to consider a more non-party-political way of thinking. Mr Huckabee I tried to kill myself in May this year.

RANDY, puerto rico, 2007-12-11 21:46:52
THIS MAN IT IS UNSANE, WE'RE HUMANS...AND SOME PEOPLE LIKE THIS PERSON FORGET THAT...WHY WE HAVE TO BE DISCRIMINATED THIS WAY,WE DONT HURT ANYONE...BUT OTHERS FORGOT THAT WE ALL LIVING IN THIS GLOBE THAT BELONG TO ALL OF US I THINK IS UNFAIR....

Saad, , 2007-12-11 20:47:34
Being an Hiv positive man, I am so offended by Huckabee's ignorant comments. I feel that a person like Huckabee is such a disgrace to America. It's prejudice people like him who bring shame to humanity. If I was the president of United States, I would do everything in my power to have this uninformed, insensitive, loose lipped bastard exiled from this country. And I am so sure that will satisfy his quest for isolation.

Tony, Las Vegas, 2007-12-11 20:06:09
What do you expect .... another republican ... the whole bunch not to be trusted