There has been some sentiment, in browsing around the blogosphere, that somehow the negative stuff that's coming out about Huckabee is somehow unfair. Jonathan Martin in particular seems to be trying to paint a picture that the different stories out about Huck's clemency issues, tax record, thoughts on AIDS or gays, foreign policy credentials, or immigration record are somehow insubstantial or hateful. This is absolute nonsense.

Huckabee had gotten zero scrutiny before November, mostly because his campaign had gotten little traction and he appeared headed for a sure VP nomination. This left little reason to scrutinize his record. Since then, not only has he risen in the polls and submitted himself as a viable presidential candidate, he has done it without scrutiny of his record. Now that such scrutiny is coming fast and furious, he is left to quickly do what other candidates have been doing all year: explain and defend their record. Romney, Giuliani, McCain, and even Thompson have been answering the repeated critiques of their respective records. That Huckabee is subjected to the same standard hardly seems unfair.

Thus, to those bloggers, especially unaffiliated ones, who are trying to generate sympathy for Huckabee for having to go through scrutiny, I say: quit pouting. Huckabee is a seriously flawed candidate. Nothing that is being done to him is unique to him. All serious candidates have had to go through the same process. So take it like a man, Huckabee, and quit yer bellyachin'.