field dress a squirrel. But is that enough?
Posted on 12/07/2010 2:44:44 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
In 2008, Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee emerged from a crowded field of Republican presidential hopefuls to win the Iowa caucuses and become the preferred candidate of social conservatives. Could Huckabee play the dark horse again in 2012? A sampling of opinions as to how Huckabee presence (or lack thereof) will shape the fight for the Republican nomination:
•Under The Radar Politico's Jonathan Martin and Ben Smith note Huckabee's position right now is similar to where he was at this point in the 2008 cycle, operating in relative obscurity while boldfaced names like Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani gobbled up donors, staffers, and media attention. Huckabee seems "bound once again to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the field," but it's a role he knows how to play. If he decides not to run, Martin and Smith believe the result would be "a vacuum on the right among both religious conservatives and tea party activists that would significantly reorder the race and potentially create a larger opening for Palin."
•Too Late? The Daily Caller's Aaron Guerrero can't shake the feeling Huckabee is skittish about waging another bruising national campaign. His "recent critiques of the presidential process are hardly reflective of someone interested in grinding it out for the prize of party standard-bearer." Unlike Romney and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Huckabee has not amassed the "necessary infrastructure for making a serious run" or won over the "skeptics within the Republican establishment [and] heavyweight voices in talk radio" who had concerns about his first bid for the nomination.
•Limited Audience The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin believes Huckabee's strength as a 2012 contender has been overstated. Yes, he put together a nice run in 2008, but his appeal was limited to a "specific segment of voters--evangelical Christians." As the Tea Party's influence increases, the GOP platform is trending towards a "small government agenda [that] doesn't match up all that well with Huckabee's record as governor." Unless Huckabee demonstrates "greater range than in 2008," his 2012 chances are slim.
•Palin-Stopper Of all the potential 2012 candidate, Huckabee poses the greatest threat to former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's coalition, argues conservative blogger Allahpundit. Huckabee is "poised to hurt Palin by peeling off social cons, blue-collar voters, and women (yes, really), it's him." The one limiting factor is money. Without "evangelical leaders ready to help him pass the collection plate around," Huckabee's fundraising apparatus could be even more limited than the one he had in 2008.
I might vote for Huck...if he were the nominee, against Obama. No way in hades I vote for him in the primary.
And this is about the 5th or 6th time you’ve embarrasedd your ignorant self by swallowing the hype the liberals want to push on us conservatives.
Give it a rest, bud.
He is not the guy for the GOP if they want my vote - I’m not holding my nose again.
Anything to split up the vote. They know this guy is a charmer and knows how to work a crowd. They would love him to play spoiler to get a more moderate GOP nominee.
I would say more of a yawner than a sleeper.
Same here... then again, I’d vote for my dog against Obama...
He's as likely to play the same Judas Goat role for Mitt as he did for Juan. He's less likely to be successful given the availability of far more attractive alternatives.
What’s your dog’s name, I’ll write it in if huckelberry is the nominee.
Since 1900, only one Republican became president by defeating an incumbent. That was Ronald Reagan. Here are four traits that might have helped his campaign, in 1980:
1. He was conservative.
2. He was a governor.
3. He sought the republican presidential nomination, in a previous election.
4. He was from the West.
These Republicans, who might run for president, in 2012, have at least three of those four traits: ex-Gov. Sarah Palin, ex-Gov. Mike Huckabee, ex-Gov. Mitt Romney, and ex-Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. I hope that all of them will run, along with ex-VP Dick Cheney, Rep. Ron Paul, and Gov. Haley Barbour.
I hope that four of those seven will continue campaigning until the convention. If that happens, no one will receive the nomination before the convention, causing the convention to be suspenseful and exciting. More people will watch and hear the great republican ideas.
The left has found their new John McCain. Maybe Norman Bates will have a new hero.
No.
I wish he would take a long nap, and forget about running for president, but the Huckster has the itch, and he is going to scratch it until it bleeds.
They are pushing him hard, as his constituency of evangelicals and home schoolers will otherwise probably go for Sarah...and they are hoping he will split enough off to knock her out...making room for Romney.
Not going to happen, although he still has a devoted following of huckahillbillies here in Iowa.
Huckabee was second. He had 278 delegates, and Romney had 271.
Sad so many were fooled by him the first time.
Was that comment addressed to me?
Sometime in the late fall, 2011 I would think.
.
The way the economy is going, he might fare better emulating George Foreman and selling the Huckabee Squirrel Sizzler Hotplate.
With the optional gopher rotisserie and sparrow spit?
Designated Loser?
How does Mitt Romney meet three of four? He was a governor and he sought the nomination in the previous election cycle but he is neither a conservative nor is he from the West. Correct me if I'm wrong but Myth grew up in Michigan, was educated in Ivy League schools, and served as governor in Massachusetts. He has no permanent connection with the West.
The Dems and the MSM have figured out that Huck (or anyone else) is an easier opponent than Palin—and if he runs, he cuts into her primary vote.
Could work.
He, like the last GOP guy, puts the electorate to sleep....
and Obama wins a 2nd term.
lol
The huckster has NO chance against Palin.
I notice only lefties and rinos are pushing him. Surprised they are giving up on Romney though.
Wish he and others would just disappear into the woodwork.
I think that Romney is conservative, compared to Giuliani and McCain. Romney is conservative, compared to my republican U.S. senator, Mark Kirk, of Illinois.
I don't think many homeschoolers will vote for Huckabee, when his first and largest donations and endorsements in 2008 came from the teachers unions.
Romney is no conservative. He is not a viable candidate.
I, like many other conservatives, cannot support the man - he’s worse (much) than even McCain.
Never ever forget Huck, above just about all others, is responsible for McCain being the GOP candidate last Presidential election, due to the fact that he decided to play the spoiler when it was clear to everyone he had no chance of winning the primary, and that his remaining in the race would only result in a McCain win in Florida.
This more than anything reveals the Huck’s true character. He is in it only for whatever he can deal himself. He would be our Jimmy Carter.
I like that. Her name is Marcie - and she’ll lick her thanks if you ever come by this way... :)
Mike Pence is the sleeper candidate! He shines the more I look at him.
Yeah, without the smarts. I worked for both Presidents Carter and Reagan. Didn't like Mr. Carter or most of his people, but he's not stupid. Misguided, anti-Semitic, hyper-controlling and abrasive, but not a dummy.
I hope you are right.
They were certainly a surprise in the Iowa caucuses in 2008, giving him the upset win no one saw coming.
I’ve tried talking to some of his supporters here, and it is like a cult. They don’t care how many released criminals rape and murder again...he’s a man of God!
Huckester’s and Mitt’s deciples never give up do they?
I didn’t support Romney, in 2008, and I probably won’t support him, if he runs, in ‘12.
Yes true it is! The pundants have begun! Few know how awesome of a team they have been too... I do realize that many have been against both. Neither has been more involved in winning for us than they... and fools will be in their way. Neither may run but both benifit us all. Go Sarah go Mike I sure thank you BOTH
I’ll keep her in mind :>{)
From Wikipedia:
“In late 1996, Huckabee campaigned for ballot Amendment 1, a plan to adjust property tax rules to make school funding more equal across the state”
This is a scheme which has infected at least 35 states, which eliminates the legislature’s (read people’s) ability to set school funding budgets - and allows the courts to do it.
“and Amendment 2, a constitutional amendment increasing the state sales tax 0.125 percent to improve the state’s park system and natural resources”
no need to explain this one
“Huckabee proclaimed 1997 as a year of racial reconciliation”
Sounds important
“Huckabee signed legislation to create a health insurance program which extended coverage to children of lower-income families, to be funded in part by Medicaid, SCHIP, and a tobacco industry lawsuit settlement.”
Ah...remember the tobacco caper?
“Also in his first year as governor Huckabee signed a partial birth abortion ban and a $7.6 Million Smart Start program for primary school students to learn “the basic skills of reading, math, and character.” “
The $7.6 million would be on top of other school funding
“Huckabee has come under criticism for his handling of the case of Wayne DuMond (also spelled Dumond), a convicted rapist who was released during Huckabee’s governorship. Despite a crude castration and a professed religious conversion in prison, DuMond subsequently sexually assaulted and murdered a woman in Missouri.”
An oldie, but a tragedy
“In an unrelated matter, Huckabee also commuted the sentence of Maurice Clemmons, the primary person of interest in the November 29th, 2009, murders of four Lakewood, Washington police officers, because Clemmons was 17 at the time of his offenses”
I really thought this one would put him out of presidential contention.
“On April 1, 1999, Huckabee signed into law a three cent increase in tax on gasoline and a four cent increase on diesel”
Hmmm...This would have been after Billy raised federal fuel taxes. Copycat?
“On March 7, 2001, Huckabee signed a tax on private nursing homes for $5.25 per day per non-Medicare patient”
Did Barry pick up on this idea for his tax plan on luxury health plans?
“Huckabee publicly opposed the repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002”
Ok
“On April 11, 2003 Huckabee signed a law which mandates annual body mass index (BMI) measurements for all public school children. The results are reported to parents with information about how to combat obesity. The law also sets up advisory committees to promote exercise and good nutrition for schools.”
Michelle?
“On May 8, 2003, Huckabee signed into law increases in cigarette and tobacco taxes as well as a three percent income tax surcharge”
Hmmm...
“Huckabee supported a 2005 bill by Arkansas State Representative Joyce Elliott to make some illegal immigrants eligible for scholarships and in-state college tuition,[78][79][80] while vehemently opposing a bill sponsored by Arkansas State Senator Jim Holt which would deny state benefits to illegal immigrants”
Huck has a DREAM
“In 2005, Time magazine named him one of the five best governors in the U.S., writing “Huckabee has approached his state’s troubles with energy and innovation”
With friends like Time...
“On December 26, 2007 the conservative organization Judicial Watch announced that Mike Huckabee was named to its list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2007”
Now that’s an endorsement.
“The Cato Institute, a libertarian non-profit public policy research foundation, gave Huckabee an “F” for spending and tax policy in 2006”
Another one
He seems like a nice enough guy...but really isn’t he just Bill Clinton with a little more religion?
What is a pundant?
I’d say Mike Pence is the sleeper candidate.
Mitch Daniels is dthe lput you to sleeper.
That's a double entrende on a chain.
Fourth. You left out Rooty the NAMBLA stooge. How could you dis “America’s mayor”?
Thanks sport for joining us this year in march. Maybe you will learn to see that all you think isn’t so. Good luck with your posts. Anyway are you a moreman?
Sign me up as the third vote for GOPJ’s dog if Huckabee is the nominee.
I been here since Clinton. I have gone through several computers and for some unknown reason have to log in again. Back when I first joined they assigned you a screen name. I am a Baptist.
You are welcome and thanks for the kind words.
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