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How Huckabee Could Rock the 2008 Vote
The Washington Post ^ | 11/4/2007 | Charles Mahtesian

Posted on 11/04/2007 4:11:53 PM PST by dano1

Huckabee is for real -- a man poised to go further on the national stage than any other candidate produced by the Christian conservative movement. Sure, some pundits still write him off, and back home, detractors insist that he's just angling for a plum Cabinet post. But you can spot an awfully convincing blueprint for how the candidate once tagged as "the hillbilly Ronald Reagan" could win the Republican nomination -- or end up as the inevitable vice presidential pick on a GOP ticket led by Rudy Giuliani. That's more than you can say for some of Huckabee's rivals.

(snip)

Huckabee's mere survival through Iowa and New Hampshire would suddenly become a huge political story. Coasting on media attention, Michigan's Jan. 15 GOP primary would become less important to Huckabee as the Republicans' attention turns to South Carolina's Jan. 19 primary: the preacher's chance to shine. While he has yet to win over politically pragmatic Christian conservative leaders who wonder about his electability and worry about his weak fundraising, it's hard to imagine them turning their backs on one of their own at the very moment when Huckabee will be closer to the Oval Office than any other Republican Southern Baptist in history.

Huckabee will move on to another good opportunity with Florida's contest 10 days later, then brace for the major primary payday on Feb. 5, when Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and several other heavily Southern Baptist states cast their votes. When the dust settles on Feb. 6, carrying the South would let Huckabee have a one-on-one duel, possibly with Giuliani, that enables him to showcase his greatest asset: his personality. Could that take him all the way? The abrasive Giuliani, or any other finalist, would rule that out at his peril. (snip)

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; arkansas; huckabee
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To: dano1

Horsecrap.


41 posted on 11/04/2007 5:49:32 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
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To: buccaneer81

Running mate of what ? Not Fred’s.


42 posted on 11/04/2007 5:50:20 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
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To: sruleoflaw

His positions on illegals was the worst. Nevermind he left the state GOP in its weakest state in 36 years. 1 federal officeholder and zero statewide. Dreadful fiasco like Precious Willard of Ratsachusetts.


43 posted on 11/04/2007 5:52:29 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
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To: AzNASCARfan
>>>1) Immigration... See #19

LULAC

>>>3) ONLY True ProLife Candidate

Really?

44 posted on 11/04/2007 5:53:01 PM PST by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
Running mate of what ? Not Fred’s.

No, but if God forbid either Romney or Guiliani get the nod, Huckabee's the regional and idealological (to a point) balance.

45 posted on 11/04/2007 5:53:35 PM PST by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
Here's the REAL Huckster:
Huckabee promotes 'open door' policy at LULAC convention

Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

By Wesley Brown

Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK - In a impassioned speech before hundreds of influential Hispanic civil rights leaders from across the nation, Gov. Mike Huckabee told a captive audience Wednesday that America is great because it has always opened it doors up to people seeking a better way of life.

"I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...," Huckabee said as the largely Hispanic audience gave him a standing ovation.

Huckabee was the keynote speaker, along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens, which is holding its 76th annual convention in Little Rock.

About 10,000 political, community and business leaders, along with exhibitors and speakers are in Little Rock attending the convention at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention started Monday and runs through Saturday.

Although he never actually talked about the U.S. or Arkansas immigration policy, Huckabee made it very clear where he stood on the issue. In his opening remarks, he said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base.

"Pretty soon, Southern white guys like me may be in the minority," Huckabee said jokingly as the crowd roared in laughter.

He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state's capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation. "Your gathering is so very significant for our state," Huckabee said. "We are delighted to have you."

Despite several light moments, Huckabee did not stray away from several controversial issues that made him a target of criticism during the recently ended 85th General Assembly. He said Arkansas needs to make the transition from a traditional Southern state to one that recognizes and cherishes diversity "in culture, in language and in population."

"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."

During the legislation session, Huckabee criticized an immigration bill by Republican senators Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life. Senate Bill 206, which died in the Senate, would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and also force state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally. Holt, R-Springdale, replied later to Huckabee's comments that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.

46 posted on 11/04/2007 5:55:22 PM PST by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
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To: buccaneer81

That’s absolutely right. Scary stuff.


47 posted on 11/04/2007 5:55:29 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
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To: Travis McGee

Huckster, he puts the “Fee” in fiasco.


48 posted on 11/04/2007 5:56:20 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
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To: fieldmarshaldj

THAT was funny.

Bump


49 posted on 11/04/2007 5:59:10 PM PST by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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To: mountainbunny
"I must say that I am less positive about him, but from what I can see, though I would have policy disagreements with him in a number of areas, he seems to be a good man. That counts for a lot with me, so I would vote for him without reservations if he were the nominee."

Like you, I also tend to put a lot of weight on my impression of a candidate's character.

50 posted on 11/04/2007 6:01:24 PM PST by dano1
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To: dano1
"How Huckabee Could Rock the 2008 Vote"

... by going back to Arkansas and running for U.S. Senate

We NEED candidates for the U.S.Senate. We DONT need another tagalong candidate for President.

51 posted on 11/04/2007 6:09:33 PM PST by WOSG (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-strong defense, pro-GWOT, pro-capitalism, pro-US-sovereignty)
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To: dano1

Huckster will never be president.

Have him run for U.S.Senate.

Now is the time for all good Republicans to come to the aid of their party. Let’s get the best candidates running in all the key Senate races.


52 posted on 11/04/2007 6:10:50 PM PST by WOSG (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-strong defense, pro-GWOT, pro-capitalism, pro-US-sovereignty)
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To: Travis McGee
"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."

Sounds like amnesty, or some kind of legalization in place. What else could "accommodate" mean? The guy would give away the farm out of "compassion." Trouble is, it would be our farm, not his. His impulses are statist liberal.

53 posted on 11/04/2007 6:12:49 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: Travis McGee
"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."

Sounds like amnesty, or some kind of legalization in place. What else could "accommodate" mean? The guy would give away the farm out of "compassion." Trouble is, it would be our farm, not his. His impulses are statist liberal.

54 posted on 11/04/2007 6:12:50 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: WOSG

Indeed. If he wants to prove that he’s “really” become a Conservative, he needs to go and knock off Junior Pryor.


55 posted on 11/04/2007 6:13:26 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
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To: AzNASCARfan
No slams here, but what are the top 3 or 4 reasons you see Huck as preferable to the rest of the field?

1) Immigration... See #19-———Seems alright now with a
shaky background
2) Supports FairTax-——————Outstanding
3) ONLY True ProLife Candidate—Come on, most of the other
candidates (excluding
Guliani) are also
proLife. Duncan Hunter has
a 26 year proLife
record.

Godspeed,

56 posted on 11/04/2007 6:26:17 PM PST by thedilg
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To: WildcatClan

I am not to much aware of his record other than the fact that it is good. But, I was just referring to the serious candidates.


57 posted on 11/04/2007 7:07:06 PM PST by bilhosty
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To: fieldmarshaldj

The media is proping up Huckabee to split the conservative vote to enable one of the Rudy McRomney trinity to win the primary. Once of part of the Rudy McRomney trinity gets the nod, the media will immediately tear them down. Huckabee is the Van Hilleary of Presidential elections.


58 posted on 11/04/2007 7:22:20 PM PST by Kuksool
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To: Shermy
"Huckabee is not a Reagan, he’s a George W. Bush."

Man, that's the kiss of death, Shermy. All we need is another big spending RINO in the White House.

Huckabee is charming, articulate, and likeable--dangerous qualities for a RINO, a Democrat, or a George W. Bush clone!

59 posted on 11/04/2007 9:02:41 PM PST by Savage Beast ("History is not just cruel. It is witty." ~Charles Krauthammer)
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To: dano1

I had the pleasure of seeing Huckabee sermonize at Prestonwood Baptist in Plano, Tx, today and he was an impressive guy with a great sense of humor. I don’t know much about his political stands (apparently alot of you don’t like him), but I thought he came across quite well and very sincere. He appeared to be well received by the 5,000 or so in the worship center.


60 posted on 11/04/2007 9:09:46 PM PST by A_Former_Democrat
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