Mike Huckabee on Cyber Attack: 'Hack China Back'

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., running once again for the Republican presidential nomination, has a strategy in response to the cyber attack on the federal government which included stealing Social Security numbers and other information on 4 million federal employees: “hack China back.” There are reports that the cyber attack emanated from China. 

"What will it take for President Obama to open his eyes?" Huckabee demanded on Monday. “The way you deal with a bully on the playground is to punch them in the face and put them on the ground because the only thing they respect is power. 

"The Chinese attacked our government and hacked into the lives of 4 million Americans,” Huckabee added. “The response and retaliation to this behavior is simple -- America should hack the Chinese government.  We should hack the cellphones of some prominent Communist Party leaders, hack the bank accounts of intelligence officials, publicly humiliate Chinese families for political corruption, or wipe out a few critical Chinese computer systems.

"When you tolerate bad behavior and bullying, you get more of it. China's attack against 4 million Americans is the largest theft of government data in our nation's history,” Huckabee continued. “As president, I will stand up to China, retaliate with strength, and never apologize for protecting Americans.  The fact that this administration wiretaps our ally, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone, but sits back as the Chinese launch a cyber attack on 4 million Americans is mind-boggling.

"If the Chinese attacked a military base or government facility, the U.S. would respond in kind,” Huckabee said in conclusion. “A cyber attack against America is no different -- we must retaliate proportionately and hack China back."

The Chinese attack comes on the heels of a Russian-based cyber attack that penetrated the White House two months ago.