John Burris: Exploring The Huckabee Machine

Former pastor and governor Mike Huckabee has kicked-off his second run for the White House. He’s doing so because, according to him, he is best equipped to take on that so-called dirty “Clinton Machine.” But what about his own “machine?”

Even if smaller than Bill and Hillary’s, Huckabee does have one. Their actions and behavior have never received the scrutiny of the Clinton’s, and probably couldn’t withstand it if they did. We might find them to be more of an Apple Dumpling Gang.

I’ll mention the exceptions before dwelling on the rule. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Alice Stewart are two long-standing aides. I’ve worked with both; they’re pleasant and good at what they do. Tim Griffin –the newbie – is the best at what he does.

It’s downhill from there, and steeply.

Even though Huckabee left the governor’s office almost a decade ago, many that surrounded him then still cling on in politics today. Many of those who presumably learned their skills and honed their talents during Huckabee’s reign have similar characteristics that should cause concern.

Pettiness and vindictiveness describe the defining lingering traits, in my opinion. Insecurity and just plain meanness also come to mind.

From these weaknesses spring a flurry of other flaws that cannot be concealed under the spotlight of state media, let alone national. Constant undermining, personality clashes, and ethical and legal failures have made for constant headlines.

You need look no further than just the last few weeks to find examples. State Treasurer Dennis Milligan’s office dominated the headlines. The characters in these stories are not distant to Huckabee. In fact, they’re quite close.

The Chief of Staff, Jim Harris, is Huckabee’s brother-in-law. Jason Brady, deputy chief of staff, is a long-serving advisor and former campaign manager. Gary Underwood, deputy chief information officer, served in Huckabee’s communication office.

Huckabee served as chairman of Treasurer Milligan’s campaign and made several endorsement videos in support.

Those people and that campaign, according to multiple press reports, have been accused of managing through a non-profit’s email and phone system, of orchestrating third-party attacks against the opponent, and of hiding campaign cash to pay for the attacks.

Two key players have been fired: Rick Meyer, the campaign treasurer who presumably didn’t report the money correctly, and David Singer, the Treasurer’s office employee (a former campaign aide) who handled the third-party attacks. I predict the headlines will continue, and likely get even more troubling.

The lack of ethics, transparency, and competency are frightening. But what bothers me the most is the simple meanness with which Huckabee’s former top aides conduct their business.

Read Jim Harris’ emails to an employee. Snark can be common, but his comes close to bullying.

Read Jason Brady’s multiple and descriptive campaign memos. In one, he proudly boasts of his “yellow journalism” tactics, and then later proclaims them the most important key to victory.

Read how Gary Underwood called a Treasurer’s office vendor and reportedly demanded information he needed that eventually led to an award of a contract to his son, in possible violation of state law.

None of this is surprising, given that they work for a man who attempted to blackmail his opponent out of the Treasurer’s race and then denied it until confronted with the proof. All while Huckabee served as his campaign chairman.

This was all done for an office with virtually no power, and done by people who in the past have been some of Huckabee’s closest advisors. Imagine what they would do with actual power, or even the proximity to it.

If Governor Huckabee wants to hold the “Clinton machine” accountable, he should be prepared for others to do the same to his. The transgressions may not be as big, but only because bigger opportunities have yet to be presented.

These aren’t trivial things, and they can be uncomfortable to confront. But they matter because, as Luke 16:10 says, “He that can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with very much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

I don’t know Governor Huckabee well, but I know the people he has aligned himself with through his political career. That’s enough for me to be concerned. They handle the small things poorly, and that might tell us a lot about him.