Is the GOP about to commit "Huckacide"?

Real Clear Politics ^ | December 14, 2007 | Rich Lowry

[darkmatter]

The ghost of Howard Dean haunts the pundit class. As soon as a candidate of either party spikes up in the polls, he is compared with Dean, who had a spectacular boomlet in the second half of 2003 only to deflate as soon as people began to vote in early 2004.

After many false prophecies, Dean circa 2008 has finally arrived. He is former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Not because he will inevitably blow himself up in Iowa. But because, like Dean, his nomination would represent an act of suicide by his party.

Like Dean, Huckabee is an under-vetted former governor who is manifestly unprepared to be president of the United States. Like Dean, he is rising toward the top of polls in a crowded field based on his appeal to a particular niche of his party. As with Dean, his vulnerabilities in a general election are so screamingly obvious that it's hard to believe that primary voters, once they focus seriously on their choice, will nominate him.

[bill1952]

The clintons are licking their chops, hoping for a Huckafeller nomination.

But I suspect that they will settle for the reality that it helps divide the GOP for no gain whatsoever.

[jammer]

The only disagreement I might have with the author is, "...manifestly unqualified to be President..." What qualifies one? Being a career pol who can't do anything else in life except shade the truth to match focus groups' desires?

But the point is made, not just about him, but almost all the rest. Read 'em and weep (for the once-Republic).

[1rudeboy]

I lol'd at the headline. In that vein, who ever thought that the term "arkancide" would or could develop a new meaning?

[keepitreal]

He did stay at a Holiday Inn Express... that makes him eminently qualified, eh?

Those kinds of statements by Huckabee really infuriate me. We live in serious times and jokes about one’s ability to navigate our country through them, especially in the realm of foreign affairs, is a slap in the face to this wonderful country and all who died defending it.

[Dane]

Little Richie Lowry having a hissy fit that Freddy is faltering.

[Hoodlum91]

A co-worker of mine was a Huck supporter until this week. Now she doesn’t want anything to do with him, largely based on the parole/pardon stories.

[hflynn]

Huckabee is MSM creation of their vision of the perfect GOP nominee disaster. It will only happen in their dreams.

[normy]

I have said it before today, he's probably a Clinton plant to run for the 3rd party that gives the beast her crown.

His comments are to over the top to the point of being condescending to Christians to be real. The fact he is from Hope and replaced Jim Guy Tucker, Whitewater buddy of Bill.

Does anyone think that in Arkansas these guys don't know each other very well? How does Huck and Bill come from the same town, both becoming governor of the state around the same time and now he runs for President while Bills wife runs for the other side?

[rocksblues]

Thompson/Hunter!

[Nonstatist]

Huckabee wont get the nomination . There arent enough Baptist wackos in the Republican Party for that to happen.

[Retired Greyhound]

the only qualifications necessary are to be above age 35 and to have been born in the U.S.

Huck is that, but he is also a bad candidate

[KC_Conspirator]

Hucksterbee would be total suicide. They dont call us the stupid party for nothing.

[MBB1984]

I believe that the Huckster will drop like a rock when conservative voters begin to realize the catastrophe that awaits in a Huckster nomination. Look for Rudy or Romney to regain momentum and pass him then. I wish it were Fred, but that is not looking likely.

[Reagan Man]

Rich Lowry and the National Review are backing Romney.

I’d say Mitt Boy is even worse then the Huckster, when it comes to conservatism. Neither one should be the GOP nominee.

[rightazrain]

“Little Richie Lowry having a hissy fit that Freddy is faltering.”

I saw Rich Lowry on Fox the other day and, if I’m not mistaken, he was not touting Fred at all.

Correct me if I’m wrong.

[boomop1]

The clintoon's are looking too far in the future they are going to be torpedoed by their own screw-ups and records.

[Reagan Man]

Dane’s wrong. AGAIN. See #15.

[Rockitz]

God help us!

[gpapa]

huckster (hŭk'stər)

Noun

One who sells wares or provisions in the street; a peddler or hawker.
One who uses aggressive, showy, and sometimes devious methods to promote or sell a product.

Informal.
One who writes advertising copy, especially for radio or television.

Verb:
To sell; peddle.
To promote or attempt to sell (a commercial product, for example) in an overaggressive or showy manner.
To haggle over; deal in.

v.intr.
To engage in haggling.

Origin:
Middle English, probably of Low German origin; akin to Middle Dutch hokester