Huckabee lauds, slams Obama

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- A Democratic White House would raise taxes at home and risk abroad, ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee told the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

"I want to say with the utmost of sincerity, not as a Republican, but as an American, that I have great respect for Senator (Barack) Obama's historic achievement to become his party's nominee, not because of his color, but with indifference to it," Huckabee said Wednesday evening.

"But the presidency is not a symbolic job, and I fear that his election would elevate our taxes and our risk in a dangerous world."

Besides raising taxes, a Democratic administration would not offer real healthcare or energy reform, he contended.

"But there are some things that we don't want to change: freedom, security and the opportunity to prosper," Huckabee said.

"John McCain is by far the most prepared, the most experienced and truly the most tested presidential candidate. He is thoroughly tested."