Posted on 08/15/2007 4:36:29 PM PDT by BplusK
The more I think about Mike Huckabee’s stunning 18% showing at the Iowa straw poll the more I’m persuaded that he could be the exciting, unifying conservative standard bearer the GOP base has been craving.
Forget about Fred Thompson--- his long delay in entering the race makes him look increasingly like the Mario Cuomo of the Republican Party. Remember when the New York Governor dithered endlessly about announcing his candidacy in 1992? At the time, he seemed to be trying out a new slogan: “A Mind is a terrible thing…. To make Up.” As an actor, Fred Thompson might like to take a crack at playing Hamlet, but the indecision bit doesn’t work well for a Presidential contender. Moreover, his wife Jeri (described by the New York Times as his much-younger “trophy wife”) has already won a reputation as a controversial “dragon lady” for firing and intimidating staff on his non-campaign. Her glamorous presence seems to re-enforce Thompson’s Hollywood connections, and that’s not a great thing for a Republican candidate.
Moreover, Thompson’s campaign speeches so far have been distinctly underwhelming in their impact, showing none of the folksiness and force of his TV character Arthur Branch or his brief radio commentaries, for that matter.
I challenge any die hard Fred Heads to watch tape of Thompson addressing a live audience and then to contrast it with tape of Huckabee working a crowd – or performing at one of the televised debates. There’s no comparison: Huckabee spontaneously deploys the warmth, humor, gift of gab, accessibility and kindness that we haven’t seen in a GOP Presidential contender since Reagan. He comes across as a regular guy who cares about other regular guys. He also possesses a rare ability to craft catchy phrases that connect with people. As he told audiences in Iowa, “One of the things I think I’ve brought to the process is unapologetically I’m a conservative – but I’m not mad at anybody over it.”
And it’s tough for anyone, from any faction in the party, to feel mad at Mike Huckabee.
Each of the other front-runners have managed to tick off some substantial segment of their fellow Republicans: McCain for his support of campaign finance restrictions and immigration reform, as well as his opposition to Bush tax cuts; Giuliani for his moderate positions on social issues like guns and abortion and his complicated and much-too-colorful personal life; Romney for his slick shifts in position on a range of issues and (unfairly) for his devout commitment to a controversial church. It’s true that some militant secularists will feel uncomfortable with Huckabee’s fervent Christianity and his background as a highly successful Baptist pastor, but those who are put off by his genial brand of religiosity are probably unavailable as GOP voters in any event.
Aside from his likely ability to unify the party, two other factors argue for Huckabee as the strongest possible GOP standard bearer.
First, his distinctly blue-collar, proudly working class background will help to destroy the notion that Republicans are the party of Wall Street and the country club. Mitt Romney may be worth $250 million and is the son of a governor, John McCain’s the son (and grandson) of high ranking admirals, but Huckabee’s the first member of his family ever to graduate from high school. Obama and Romney boast degrees from Harvard, Hillary went to Wellesley and Yale, and McCain graduated (barely) from Annapolis, while Huckabee earned his degree (in two-and-a-half years) from Ouachita Baptist University. During reconstruction on the Arkansas governor’s mansion, the Huckabees (he’s been married to his high school sweetheart for 33 years) lived proudly in a trailer to save the taxpayers money. And speaking of double-wides…. his recent loss of 110 pounds (and completion of numerous grueling marathons) helps him connect with the American majority that fights the daily battle of the bulge. After freakishly fit contenders like the Skull-and-Bones duo Bush and Kerry, it’s refreshing to consider a candidate who’s so much more like the rest of us. The old Democratic class warfare tactics simply won’t work against Huckabee—his personal style and background make it impossible to associate him with some privileged elite.
The second big advantage of a Huckabee nomination involves his ability to suppress any third party vote on the right. A recent analysis by the Rasmussen polling operation suggests that in the likely event that Hillary becomes the Democratic candidate we’re in for another extremely close election. The American people have already largely made up their minds about Senator Clinton --- her name produces very few responses of “undecided” or “don’t know.” Unless she commits some major gaffe after getting the nomination, her vote total won’t fall below 45%, and stands little chance of rising above 50%. This means that the election – like those of ’92, ’96, and 2000 – will almost certainly produce a President with a popular vote minority, with fringe party candidates playing a decisive role. In 2000, Ralph Nader on the left drew nearly three times as many votes as Pat Buchanan on the right; without the Nader factor, Al Gore would have won a clear-cut victory no matter how the votes were counted. In 2008, there will definitely be more third and fourth party candidates – former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (or Nader again) on the left, and Alan Keyes or Minuteman Jim Gilchrist or, conceivably, Tom Tancredo on the right. If Rudy Giuliani became Republican standard bearer, an angry right-winger could draw 3% or more of the vote and easily tilt the election toward Hillary. With a Huckabee candidacy, on the other hand, a self-righteous anti-abortion, anti-immigration, anti-globalism fringe campaign becomes less powerful (and less necessary, for that matter). Those who worry that international conspirators are subverting American sovereignty as part of some CFR or Neo-Con conspiracy will feel far less fearful of Huckabee than of any other major candidate.
Finally, there’s the current press infatuation with the former Arkansas governor – a rare blessing for any conservative. They like Huckabee not only because he’s charming and funny, but because the media love a good underdog story. An under-funded candidate who comes out of nowhere (and Hope, Arkansas is just about nowhere) to challenge the big boys makes a great, inspiring yarn and helps sell newspapers or win TV viewers. The other contenders have all done something (or many things) to alienate the press: Giuliani made enemies of most national media during his tough-guy years as Mayor of New York, McCain looked like he betrayed his cherished “maverick” status when he reached out to conservative Christians, Thompson has delayed and dilly-dallied much too long before entering the race and facing the press, while Mitt Romney has begun to earn a reputation for smiling evasiveness in confronting tough questions.
Of course, the current press infatuation with Huckabee (even from the New York Times) probably won’t last, but the new Man from Hope needs to milk it while he can.
The big negatives the press will no doubt begin to attach to the surging Huckabee campaign involve the notion that he’s just too religious (and doesn’t believe in undirected, random Darwinism) and that he’s got no experience in foreign policy. In response, Huckabee’s defenders might cite a prior Governor of Arkansas who also had no foreign policy background but became a popular two-term president, and a recent Governor of Texas who also entered the White House without a resume of meaningful diplomatic encounters.
Moreover, when it comes to holding elective office, Huckabee served the people of his state for thirteen years – three years as Lieutenant Governor and ten as Governor – giving him more experience as an elected public official than Giuliani, Romney, Thompson, Obama, Edwards, Hillary – or George W. Bush. .
In other words, the arguments in behalf of a Huckabee candidacy remain potent and persuasive while those against his nomination seem easily deflected.
Does this summary of his flavor-of-the-week status amount to an endorsement?
Not exactly, since McCain, Giuliani and Romney also seem to me great and worthy contenders who deserve a chance to make their cases to the people.
But in one sense, I’m ready for an enthusiastic commitment to take one step forward with ‘Aw Shucks Huck: as far as I’m concerned, the former Governor of Arkansas has already earned an endorsement as a first tier candidate for the Republican nomination for the Presidency. His inclusion among the elite survivors of the early winnowing process can only strengthen the campaign, the party and, ultimately, the country.
My problem with Huckabee is that he looks like another “compassionate conservate”. We’ve seen enough of THAT from GWB to last a lifetime.
What do you mean, not standing by?? There's nothing wrong with him as an individual, but as president, no I wouldn't vote for him, ever.
As I would, however my pragmatism makes me know that it isn't going to happen.
The only definite is that whoever is nominated will be facing a fascist government promoting b!tch who has enough sheeple as followers to be a formidable contender.
I'm just sugar coating to be nice. ; )
What would you expect from a classmate of the Clintons?
Frankly, we are no longer.
If Hillary and Bill get their votes, for “free” health care, I will no long consider them Americans.
We will be on our way to being Europe, and I will not stand for it.
Like Bill Richardson on the other side, Huckabee is not running for President, he’s running for VEEP. Unlike Richardson he is passing his audition with flying colors. He would be an excellent VP for either Rudy or Mitt. I hate to break it to you Fredheads, but the Thompson boomlet peaked a couple of months ago. He is going nowhere. His avuncular, doddering persona isn’t ready for prime time with two candidates who have been honing their stuff for almost a year. I don’t iclude McInsane because he has been dead to me since the gang of fourteen (actually since he opposed the meager Bush tax cuts). He is a dead man walking in this campaign and everybody knows it but him.
So there you have it. Face it Freepers. Your next POTUS is Rudy, Mitt or Hildebeast. Personally I think Mitt is the best all around option but I could live with Rudy. WOT trumps all other issues and we can’t let the country fall into the hands of the treasonous Dims.
This election is deadly serious, and we had better start treating it that way.
When Huckabee attended the FReeper Ball in Wash DC, I didn’t read any negative comments. To his face it was palsie walsie. I guess it’s OK to stab your friends in the back - just politics as usual. Actually, the Republicans do it better than the democrats. The dems reward friends and punish enemies. The republicans punish their friends and reward their enemies.
Illegals always follow the free money.
Huckabee supports open borders and should drop out as the GOP will lose the swing and libertarian voters in the general.
I don't agree with him on the issues and don't think he's presidential material.
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a6c8f574584.htm
Huckabee’s band played at the FReeper Ball for Goodness’ sake and everyone was grateful and apparently had a good time. Huckabee used to be a good friend.
For someone like Huckabee, you’d think FReepers would be a little more polite. Silly me.
Huckabee is running for President now. His record is fair game. Who he interacted with on FR or took part in whatever activity is irrelevant.
This is what I’m talking about. FR is losing its heart. Tony Snow is battling cancer for God’s sake.
I was somewhat shocked (although I should have expected it) by all the mean spirited comments about Huckabee, a guy whose band played at the FReeper Ball. That’s all.
MAYBE VP....not Pres.
I have no problem with Huckabee personally (I admire his morals, at least he's not F up like Giuliani is) and I also prayed when Snow had cancer.
There's nothing wrong with healthy disagreement. Huckabee is a do-gooder who wants to regulate other people's lives. He supports open borders, and he admires the Clintons while attacking Bush as not "reaching out" enough, even though Bush reached his ass off out to the Dims when he first became President.
I opposed the amnesty bill that was defeated by the Senate in June. I support the $3 billion that Congress recently appropriated for border security. These funds will be used to train and deploy 23,000 more agents, add four drone airplanes, build 700 miles of fence and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, and erect 105 radar and camera towers. They will be used to end "catch and release" by providing money to "catch and detain" those caught entering illegally and to crack down on those who enter legally, but overstay their visas. These border security provisions will stem the tide of illegals, which is what we must do before we can turn the tide and deal with those who are already here. Before you fix the damage in your house caused by a leaking roof, you stop the leak, which is what this legislation will do.
My number one priority is to have a secure border. Right now, we have too many people entering the country illegally, and this must stop. We can't turn the tide until we stem the tide. We need to know who is coming into our country, where they are going, and why they are here. We need to create a process to allow people to come here to do the jobs - plucking chickens, tarring roofs, picking fruits - that are going unfilled by our citizens. They must have a tamper-proof, scannable I. D. with a finger or retinal scan, so that their employers know they belong here.
Besides stopping terrorists, we must weed out those with a criminal background or a communicable disease. We have to build a fence along our border with Mexico, parts of which will be electronic. We need more well-trained border agents and cooperation agreements with local and state law enforcement officials, so that we have a clear and consistent approach by all jurisdictions.
Those who are caught trying to enter illegally must be detained, processed, and deported. Illegal immigrants who are already living among us and commit crimes must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and incarcerated or deported.
Sorry Kristinn, no sale. Huckabee supports open borders. That was a CYA speech there you posted.
Oh - Happy Birthday too! ROFL
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