Huckabee to congressional Republicans: 'Grow a spine; stand up to Obama'

AMES, Ia. — Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee on Monday blasted President Barack Obama’s plan to use executive authority to tighten gun rules in the United States.

Huckabee, during his first of five Monday campaign stops, also had strong words for Republicans in Congress:

“Grow a spine and stand up to (Obama) and tell him ‘no’ rather than wring (your) hands and say ‘there’s nothing we can do.’ Well, if there’s nothing you can do, resign and send (other) people to Congress who would be willing to oppose it.”

Huckabee’s comments were in reaction to Obama's plans to bypass Congress to tighten gun rules. The move is in reaction to national outrage over recent mass shootings. One option under consideration is a regulatory change that would require more dealers to get a license to sell guns; such a move would require more buyers to undergo background checks, according to media reports.

“None of the mass shootings that we have had in this country would have been prevented by implementing his plan — not one of them,” said Huckabee, who on Saturday began a rigorous campaign schedule of holding 150 events in Iowa in January.

Added Huckabee: “The common denominator with the mass shootings are gun-free zones and, in some cases, terrorism and mental health issues. It’s not that people who are law-abiding citizens have access to guns.”

Violent offenders should be punished with sentences that are effective, Huckabee said. He also said the country’s mental health system needs to be improved to better identify people who have the potential to commit violence.

If Obama issues an executive order Congress should cut “the funding off of whatever part of the Justice Department is supposed to administer it or pass a resolution that the president is forbidden from constitutionally restricting people’s Second Amendment rights,” Huckabee said.

Other issues Huckabee talked about Monday:

• Fixing the VA system: “Make every member of the House and Senate and their families get their health care from the same VA system that our veterans have to use. They will change that real quickly — the third time that they go to the doctor and are told they have to wait three months.”
• On lobbying after leaving Congress: “There should be a lifetime ban on lobbying … Once you finish your House or Senate term, you must never, ever lobby. Ever … Washington has become the Roach Motel. People go in but they never come out.”
• On running for president while still holding an elected seat: “Personally, I find it a little off-putting that many of the people I’m running against in the Republican primary are people who are being paid by the taxpayers to be their senators or governors. They get their paychecks; they get their security detail; they get staff. And I’m helping pay for their salaries. And if they don’t get the job of president, they still have their other job.”

AT THE EVENTS

SETTINGS: Story County GOP Breakfast at Oakwood Road Church in Ames and McGraw Senior Citizens Center in Ogden

CROWD: Between 35 and 40 people at both events

REACTION: Huckabee was applauded in Ames when he talked about executive orders issued by President Obama. “I would repeal every single one of them,” the candidate said.

WHAT’S NEXT: Monday was the third day of Huckabee’s ambitious January campaign schedule that includes 150 stops. He’ll be in Sheffield, Garner, Mason City, Charles City and Parkersburg on Tuesday. For a complete schedule go to DesMoinesRegister.com/candidatetracker.