Time to pull up a chair and have a nice cup of coffee or hot chocolate while I recite my book report. Please forgive me if this sounds rather childish, as I have not written a book report since high school. How long ago was that? I ain't tellin you.
This chapter is focused around Mike Huckabee taking over the governorship from Jim Guy Tucker who was to resign after he was convicted in the Whitewater Scandal. On July 15, 1996 Mike Huckabee was in his office practicing the televised speech he would be making at 5:15 pm. At this time he would soon be sworn in as the new Governor of Arkansas.
When Governor Jim Guy Tucker announced that he would resign his duties, Lieutenant Governor Mike Huckabee was leading double digits in the senate race. Were he to be elected he would have become the first Republican Senator in Arkansas history.
While Mike Huckabee was practicing his speech he got a call, it was from Jim Guy Tucker. He thought he was calling to wish him well and give him instructions about where certain items were located. Tucker's call was to inform him that he would not be resigning. Tucker had filed a court motion for an appeal. This was five minutes before Mike was to be sworn in as the new governor.
Mike Huckabee reminded Tucker that his people had left their old jobs, sold homes and moved to Little Rock to vote for him. Tucker's staff had found new jobs and readjusted.
While Mike was on the phone he wrote the words "not resigning" on a piece of paper. Janet, Mike's wife, gave him a caring squeeze on the arm. Mike credits her for helping him through this time. After hanging up the phone, he told his staff about the conversation. Everyone was shocked and upset.
As Mike was talking with his staff he simultaneously received a letter and phone call from Tucker. Tucker wanted to know if he received the letter. The letter stated that he would declare disability and "unable to discharge the duties of governor." He wanted another hearing. He claimed a juror in the Whitewater case was prejudiced against him. One the jurors had married a convict that asked Tucker to commute his sentence. Tucker had refused.
Tucker had called a press conference to say that he would not resign. Afterward the people of Arkansas booed and shouted.
Mike Huckabee called into his office, Speaker Bobby Hague and Senate Pro Tempore Stanley Russ. He asked them to talk to Tucker. He said that if Tucker were to resign by 5pm that day he would not use the words impeach. If not he would call for Tucker's impeachment during his 5:15pm televised speech.
Tucker refused to resign. 
What happened next? I don't know. You will have to either buy the book or wait to read my book report on Chapter 2. I hope you will continue to read my book reports. I will also be adding current stories about Mike Huckabee. And God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!
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