Paul funds Huckabee critics' Iowa trips

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Critics of Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee visited Iowa to challenge the former Arkansas governor's record on rival U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's dime.

"He's a pro-gun, pro-life Bill Clinton," said former Arkansas state Sen. Jim Holt, R-Springdale, "(with) his communications skills, his likability and the way he's governed with taxes and all."

The jaunt to Iowa by Holt and former Arkansas state Rep. Randy Minton, R-Cabot, was funded by Paul's presidential campaign, the Arkansas News Service reported Friday.

"They said, 'We just want you to get the truth out on Governor Huckabee's record,'" Minton said.

Paul, R-Texas, has outdone Huckabee financially, but Huckabee leads the polls in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3.

Paul spokesman Jesse Benton told the Arkansas News Service that Holt and Minton were asked because of their standing in Arkansas politics.

"These guys are pretty respected politicians in Arkansas ... and they worked closely with Governor Huckabee over the years," Benton said. "We think it's very important that voters in early primary states, particularly Iowa, get a full, honest picture of candidates' records."

The move was criticized by a spokeswoman for the Huckabee campaign, which had to apologize to GOP hopeful Mitt Romney for remarks made about his Mormon faith.