Huckabee Has Some Explaining To Do

Let's be crystal clear. Mike Huckabee isn't responsible for the murder of four police officers in Washington state.

That responsibility lay with Maurice Clemmons.

However, the former Arkansas Governor has some explaining to do. Clemmons had been serving a 95-year prison sentence for aggravated robbery and other felonies when Huckabee commuted his sentence in 2000 because he had committed these crimes before he was 18.

Huckabee did issue a statement about the shootings this morning. He characterized the murder of the four police officers as "the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington State." Kathryn Jean Lopez of NRO observes that Huckabee's statement "is a bit passive." I agree. The statement minimizes his involvement in those "series of failures" which have led to what happened yesterday. If not for his decision, Clemmons would very likely still be in an Arkansas jail. Huckabee's intentions might have been good but we all know where good intentions can sometimes lead.

Huckabee is in the unusual position of having his own television show. I think he should that pulpit to make a fuller statement regarding his reasons for granting clemency to Clemmons. Assuming his next show has already been taped then he should go on one of the other FNC shows be it Beck, O'Reilly, Hannity or Greta and face the music. If he acknowledges that he played a part in the "series of failures" then that will go a long way. But if he doesn't not only is his political career over but FNC viewers may sour on his show as well.