The Republican to Watch: Mike Huckabee? (E. J. Dionne Fawns Over Him)

Washington Post Writers Group ^ | January 16, 2007 | E. J. Dionne

[RWR8189]

WASHINGTON -- Mike Huckabee, who just stepped down as Arkansas' governor, is the brightest star among Republican presidential dark horses.

It's not just because he, like a certain other Arkansan, has ties to a town called Hope, nor because he lost 105 pounds and has written a popular diet book. And it's not only because he is mastering a conservative form of triangulation blending religious conservatism with policy pragmatism.

Huckabee, if he chooses to run for president in 2008, has another asset: while front-runners John McCain and Rudy Giuliani have placed large bets on the success of President Bush's Iraq policy, Huckabee has maintained what you might call loyal distance.

This is what Huckabee said in an interview here last week when I asked him about the surge: "The honest answer for me is that I'm not subjected to the same piles of military and diplomatic information and intelligence that he has, and I'm going to have to trust that the advice that he's based his decision on as commander in chief is good. I don't honestly know. I hope it's right. I have to hope that, because there are going to be people from my state that are going to be asked to go and make it right.''

[RWR8189]

I don't have that strong of an opinion on Huckabee either way as of right now, but I do know that E. J. Dionne is worthless.

[x1stcav]

Dionne writing anything positive about a Republican is the kiss of death.

[MinuteGal]

Dionne may be worthless, but he's also stupid.

This flaming liberal scrivener thinks he's very clever fawning over Huckabee because Huck is one of the weakest links in the Republican nominees list.

After he fawns over other Pubbie candidates as time goes by, the one he DOESN'T write about is the one we want and a sure winner.

Leni

[TomGuy]

Huckabee loves those illegals. He would be as disastrous regarding the border issues as Bush has been.

Huckabee couldn't deliver the state to his party's successor candidate.

Huckabee exudes about as much enthusiasm as Jon Carry did.

[Thebaddog]

Poor old Huck. First he sees EJ's beady eyes behind wire rims at the door and next will be Mike Allen. Are there no men in the MSM press?

[rhombus]

Dionne writing anything positive about a Republican is the kiss of death.

In my book, Dionee just dumped a load of stink on Huckabee. If Dionne were smarter I'd say that was his intent. As it is now, Huckabee has a job to do to reassure those of us who distrust Dionne's fawning.

[SueRae]

I like what I've seen of Mike Huckabee. I find him refreshing and down to earth.

[TomGuy]

Are there no men in the MSM press?

Are there not men who exude leadership in the Republican party?

The growing list of wannabes is lacking that regard. America needs a strong leader. Enough with all the appeasing, compromising, lackluster GOP wussies who roll over at every chance.

[Coldwater Creek]

You are exactly on target about E.J., but he is on target as far as Mike Huckabee is concerned.

If he should run, and he is seriously considering it, I will give some very deep thought about voting for him.

At this point, I CANNOT think of any reason not to.

I know that there are some on FR that live in Ark. that don't like Mr. Huckabee, so don't start on me for thinking about supporting him.

[bobjam]

I actually have a better opinion of Huckabee than the other "candidates". He was a two term governor, and he is more conservatvie on social issues than Captain Queeg and Rudy.

Any thoughts on 2nd term Georgia governor Sonny Perdue?

[Coldwater Creek]

What is weak about the ex-Gov.?

[rhombus]

Would E. J. Dionne call Huckabee a "maverick" or maybe a "useful maverick"? ;-) It's not like it hasn't been done before.

[MinuteGal]

I did not say that Huckabee is a weak sister, personally. Au contraire, he's a strong, determined individual.

His chances of taking the nomination at the convention are nil, however. Which is why the too-clever-by-half Dionne uses him as a subject for an article to show that he (E.J.) is so fair and writes good things about Republicans, too. Yeah.

Leni

[Coldwater Creek]

BINGO!

[rhombus]

I'd heard good things from Perdue and would consider Huckabee too. I just distrust the liberal media. My thoughts on any of these candidates involve cash. They better get started. We can't stand around forever hoping some candidate who is pure enough for all our tastes (close to impossible) will arise from the pumpkin patch with enough money and grassroots support to vanquish the Democrats who want the Presidency again at ANY cost.

[KenmcG414]

Check the authors of the WAPO piece, all leftists. They would love to promote Huckabee to be the GOP cnadidate so they could steamroll us.

[TheBattman]

If you like illegal immigration and massive government funding - then Mike is your man...

And yes, he is a nice person.

[TheBattman]

I don't believe Mike would even carry his own state - either in the primary or general election.

I for one am one Arkansas who will not vote for him - period - ever again.

[bobjam]

Well, the old maxim about the GOP is that the party always nominates someone who has been a big name in the party for a long time (Dole, Bush, Reagan, Nixon) whereas the Dems often go for lesser known candidates (Clinton, Dukakis, Carter, McGovern). Unless there is a major shift in approach (which I don't foresee happening) then we're looking at either Captain Queeg or Rudy.

If General Tommy Franks jumps in, then it would be a whole new ballgame.