Summed up simply in a quote by Huckabee on the stump in Iowa:
"They [the Republican establishment] don't mind having us vote for them. They don't mind having us empower them. They don't mind even coming and patting us on the head and telling us they'll think very seriously about taking to heart the issues we think important. But when they get elected, they forget who we are and they never push the issues we think are important. And they are scared to death that someone who isn't part of them might actually get elected and might actually go to Washington with a view saying 'I do know where I come from and I haven't forgotten where I've been and I go for all those people whose odds are stacked against them 20 to 1.'"
Read the rest of the article by Terry Eastland from the Weekly Standard here.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
McCain Christmas Ad
Although I am obviously a Huckabee supporter, I really liked this McCain Christmas ad. McCain has comported himself with dignity and with respect for his fellow competitors in this campaign so far and I think that says volumes for his character, even if I may not support him for president.
1000 Miles for Huckabee
I am posting this on behalf of a Huckabee supporter that is a part of the Cary, NC Meetup group. His name is David Zannini and he has started 1000 Miles for Huckabee (http://www.1000milesforhuckabee.com).
David was first introduced to Governor Huckabee through a profile on him in a 2005 article of Runner's World and has been a supporter ever since.
He is a runner as well and is pledging to run 1000 miles in a Huckabee t-shirt before the general election. Please go and check out his site and help support David in his effort to spread the word about Huckabee! Thanks!
David was first introduced to Governor Huckabee through a profile on him in a 2005 article of Runner's World and has been a supporter ever since.
He is a runner as well and is pledging to run 1000 miles in a Huckabee t-shirt before the general election. Please go and check out his site and help support David in his effort to spread the word about Huckabee! Thanks!
Huckabee vs. Romney on Judges
Good article here from the Conservative Voice comparing Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee's record on nominating solid, conservative judges.
On Romney:
"Mitt Romney's record in Massachusetts on judicial nominations is abysmal. His conduct was either an abdication of duty or a complete disregard of the importance of a governor's role in that state's nominations process."
On Huckabee:
"By contrast, Governor Huckabee not only left the Arkansas judiciary better than he found it, but he also vigorously supported the President's Arkansas nominees to the federal bench. Excellent nominees, like Leon Holmes who Democrats obstructed for years. As soon as Holmes was confirmed, colleagues elected him Chief Judge."
Good article...the courts are the primary battlefields of the sanctity of life debate right now. This is the primary area of influence that a president has over these issues, along with a host of other constitutional issues. Chances are the next president will nominate at least one if not multiple Supreme Court justices whose influence will extend far beyond any presidential term. When you stack them up the Romney-labeled "liberal" Huckabee shines in this area whereas Romney has, as the article states, an "abysmal" record. More on Romney's record in this area can be found here.
On Romney:
"Mitt Romney's record in Massachusetts on judicial nominations is abysmal. His conduct was either an abdication of duty or a complete disregard of the importance of a governor's role in that state's nominations process."
On Huckabee:
"By contrast, Governor Huckabee not only left the Arkansas judiciary better than he found it, but he also vigorously supported the President's Arkansas nominees to the federal bench. Excellent nominees, like Leon Holmes who Democrats obstructed for years. As soon as Holmes was confirmed, colleagues elected him Chief Judge."
Good article...the courts are the primary battlefields of the sanctity of life debate right now. This is the primary area of influence that a president has over these issues, along with a host of other constitutional issues. Chances are the next president will nominate at least one if not multiple Supreme Court justices whose influence will extend far beyond any presidential term. When you stack them up the Romney-labeled "liberal" Huckabee shines in this area whereas Romney has, as the article states, an "abysmal" record. More on Romney's record in this area can be found here.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
News Roundup 12/20/07
Seems like after several days of downers for us Huckabee supporters, there is a flood of good news and good press today. Here's a sampling of Huckabee in the news!
Pat Buchanan seems to think the the race is down to two competitors...Huckabee and Romney. He believes that winning Iowa will all but seal the deal for Huckabee, and that Rudy and Fred are essential done. Here's a bit from the article:
"In addition to seeing Mike Huckabee suddenly surge in the polls, the nation is also witnessing some of the smartest campaign strategies any candidate has displayed in a long time. The former Arkansas governor has shown he can play the game with the best of them, and better than most."
A slew of new polls look good for Huckabee, too.
National Polls
Rasmussen Daily Tracking: Huckabee 21%, McCain/Romney 15%, Giuliani 13% (ouch!)
Fox News National: Giuliani 20%, Huckabee 19%, McCain 19%, Romney 11%
NBC/WSJ National: Giuliani 20%, Romney 20%, Huckabee 17%, McCain 14%
Note: National polls really don't mean too much at this point, so don't get too excited either way. However, the most important thing to note is that Giuliani's fall and Huckabee's rise is not just limited to the early states. As many predicted, once the Republican electorate got serious about their nominee, Giuliani's support would evaporate.
Early State Polls
Strategic Vision Iowa: Huckabee 31%, Romney 25%, Thompson 16%
ABC/WaPo Iowa: Huckabee 35%, Romney 27% (Look at the internals on this one...Huckabee is pulling over 40% of women, 57% of evangelicals and 42% of conservatives)
CNN Iowa: Huckabee 33%, Romney 25%, Giuliani 11%
Survey USA/Live 5 News SC: Huckabee 28%, Romney 18%, McCain 16%, Thompson 15%
The SC poll also has Huckabee ahead as the best candidate on immigration...so much for your commercials and mailers, Mitt...
CBS News SC: Huckabee 28%, Romney 20%, Giuliani 12%, McCain 11%
CNN New Hampshire: Romney 34%, McCain 22%, Giuliani 16%, Huckabee 10%
You might say, "Why put this negative poll in the midst of the good ones?" Well, just watch McCain...other polls have him within a point or two of Romney. If Huckabee wins IA and McCain squeaks by Romney here, then Romney might just be through. Giuliani is dropping like a rock here and a strong third for Huckabee would be a good finish. Oh, and Romney's home conservative newspaper just endorsed McCain...whoops!
EPIC-MRA Michigan: Romney 21%, Huckabee 19%, Giuliani 12%, McCain 10%
Big news here is that Huckabee is now within the margin of error for the lead in Michigan and Giuliani has dropped a whopping 16 points since the last poll. Couple a MI win with an IA win for Huckabee and it will be very hard for Romney to recover to win SC. Remember, his dad was governor of Michigan in the 60s and ran for president himself until a foolish remark regarding Vietnam dashed his hopes. This is practically a second home state for Mitt...he's gotta win here.
Finally we end with California, which is a Super Tuesday state and one of the ones that Giuliani was banking on to help him recover from losing possibly every single January contest. He might want to look in his rearview mirror...methinks I see the Huckabus on the horizon...
The Field Poll California: Giuliani 25%, Huckabee 17%, Romney 15%, McCain 12%
Huckabee has gained 13 points in the last two months in California...and the state is not winner-take-all so even a strong second place would give Huckabee valuable delegates. But also, we Republicans tend to like to back the perceived frontrunner, so by the time Super Tuesday gets here, whoever can rack up the most wins just might jump ahead everywhere.
Pat Buchanan seems to think the the race is down to two competitors...Huckabee and Romney. He believes that winning Iowa will all but seal the deal for Huckabee, and that Rudy and Fred are essential done. Here's a bit from the article:
"So, two weeks out from Iowa, here are the odds.
Rudy and Thompson each 20-1. John McCain 6-1. He has to win New Hampshire, and even if he wins there, he would be an underdog. Grass-roots conservatives do not like him and would prefer Huckabee.
Mitt Romney 3-2. If he wins Iowa, he is almost unstoppable. If he loses Iowa, he has to come back and beat McCain in New Hampshire. Then it would a Mitt-Mike race through Feb. 5.
And Huckabee? He has to win Iowa. If he does, he will be the favorite in South Carolina and for the nomination, as well."
Michael Reagan, scion of the Great Communicator himself, is generally good for a nice word about Huckabee as well. Today is no different as he compliments the campaign on some smart strategies. He compliments the campaign for the brilliant Christmas ad that every pundit on TV has played a million times, giving Huckabee priceless advertising at no cost to him."In addition to seeing Mike Huckabee suddenly surge in the polls, the nation is also witnessing some of the smartest campaign strategies any candidate has displayed in a long time. The former Arkansas governor has shown he can play the game with the best of them, and better than most."
A slew of new polls look good for Huckabee, too.
National Polls
Rasmussen Daily Tracking: Huckabee 21%, McCain/Romney 15%, Giuliani 13% (ouch!)
Fox News National: Giuliani 20%, Huckabee 19%, McCain 19%, Romney 11%
NBC/WSJ National: Giuliani 20%, Romney 20%, Huckabee 17%, McCain 14%
Note: National polls really don't mean too much at this point, so don't get too excited either way. However, the most important thing to note is that Giuliani's fall and Huckabee's rise is not just limited to the early states. As many predicted, once the Republican electorate got serious about their nominee, Giuliani's support would evaporate.
Early State Polls
Strategic Vision Iowa: Huckabee 31%, Romney 25%, Thompson 16%
ABC/WaPo Iowa: Huckabee 35%, Romney 27% (Look at the internals on this one...Huckabee is pulling over 40% of women, 57% of evangelicals and 42% of conservatives)
CNN Iowa: Huckabee 33%, Romney 25%, Giuliani 11%
Survey USA/Live 5 News SC: Huckabee 28%, Romney 18%, McCain 16%, Thompson 15%
The SC poll also has Huckabee ahead as the best candidate on immigration...so much for your commercials and mailers, Mitt...
CBS News SC: Huckabee 28%, Romney 20%, Giuliani 12%, McCain 11%
CNN New Hampshire: Romney 34%, McCain 22%, Giuliani 16%, Huckabee 10%
You might say, "Why put this negative poll in the midst of the good ones?" Well, just watch McCain...other polls have him within a point or two of Romney. If Huckabee wins IA and McCain squeaks by Romney here, then Romney might just be through. Giuliani is dropping like a rock here and a strong third for Huckabee would be a good finish. Oh, and Romney's home conservative newspaper just endorsed McCain...whoops!
EPIC-MRA Michigan: Romney 21%, Huckabee 19%, Giuliani 12%, McCain 10%
Big news here is that Huckabee is now within the margin of error for the lead in Michigan and Giuliani has dropped a whopping 16 points since the last poll. Couple a MI win with an IA win for Huckabee and it will be very hard for Romney to recover to win SC. Remember, his dad was governor of Michigan in the 60s and ran for president himself until a foolish remark regarding Vietnam dashed his hopes. This is practically a second home state for Mitt...he's gotta win here.
Finally we end with California, which is a Super Tuesday state and one of the ones that Giuliani was banking on to help him recover from losing possibly every single January contest. He might want to look in his rearview mirror...methinks I see the Huckabus on the horizon...
The Field Poll California: Giuliani 25%, Huckabee 17%, Romney 15%, McCain 12%
Huckabee has gained 13 points in the last two months in California...and the state is not winner-take-all so even a strong second place would give Huckabee valuable delegates. But also, we Republicans tend to like to back the perceived frontrunner, so by the time Super Tuesday gets here, whoever can rack up the most wins just might jump ahead everywhere.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Huckabee the Fiscal Conservative
In light of the recent attacks on Mike Huckabee's record in Arkansas, I am going to be using this space to more aggressively defend his record and distribute the truth behind the falsehoods out there.
This is an older article, but a good one nonetheless regarding Huckabee's fiscal conservatism, which has been attacked at various points in the last month. Enjoy!
Mike Huckabee is a Fiscal Conservative
by Dick Morris
This is an older article, but a good one nonetheless regarding Huckabee's fiscal conservatism, which has been attacked at various points in the last month. Enjoy!
Mike Huckabee is a Fiscal Conservative
by Dick Morris
Newsweek: Romney on Huckabee - The Facts
Newsweek has an excellent article where they detail the facts behind Romney's latest attempt to smear Gov. Huckabee, this time on his crime record. It seems he not only misrepresents Huckabee's record, but the reactions of Massachusetts newspapers on his own record as well. This article is well worth your time. Please forward it along to anyone who might be buying into Romney's deceptions.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/80949
(Honestly, Mitt...if you really want to win the nomination, you are going to need to have the support of ALL Republicans...you are on the very cusp of losing any chance that I personally will support you if you are the nominee...)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/80949
(Honestly, Mitt...if you really want to win the nomination, you are going to need to have the support of ALL Republicans...you are on the very cusp of losing any chance that I personally will support you if you are the nominee...)
Responding to Romney
Man, it seems every time Mitt Romney opens his mouth I lose a little bit more respect for the man. Back in the spring, I really thought I'd be supporting him at this juncture, but the anger and the lies he has been spouting about Huckabee lately makes me glad I took my time deciding on a candidate.
I am also glad to see the Huckabee campaign coming out more aggressively to defend their record. Interesting that when Romney attacks, he calls names and puts inappropriate labels on Huckabee and when Huckabee responds, the bulk of the article consists of verifiable quotes and facts exposing the falseness of Romney's assertions.
Huckabee talks alot about "Vertical Politics", which is simply using the political process to move forward and upward, away from the petty "horizontal" focus on attacking and misrepresenting an opponent, toward looking ahead to how we can actually solve problems and give the next generation a better future. However, that doesn't mean you have to take dirty political attack lying down. The Official Blog has a great new post addressing some of Romney's misguided criticisms of Huckabee's assertion that the Bush Administration has some "arrogant" policies.
Here's the link...please share this with as many folks as you can!
I am also glad to see the Huckabee campaign coming out more aggressively to defend their record. Interesting that when Romney attacks, he calls names and puts inappropriate labels on Huckabee and when Huckabee responds, the bulk of the article consists of verifiable quotes and facts exposing the falseness of Romney's assertions.
Huckabee talks alot about "Vertical Politics", which is simply using the political process to move forward and upward, away from the petty "horizontal" focus on attacking and misrepresenting an opponent, toward looking ahead to how we can actually solve problems and give the next generation a better future. However, that doesn't mean you have to take dirty political attack lying down. The Official Blog has a great new post addressing some of Romney's misguided criticisms of Huckabee's assertion that the Bush Administration has some "arrogant" policies.
Here's the link...please share this with as many folks as you can!
New Polling Data
The race continues to tighten in Iowa as people begin to settle into their candidates right before Christmas:
Rasmussen Iowa
Huckabee 28%
Romney 27%
McCain 14%
Giuliani/Thompson 8%
(It should be noted that Giuliani has pretty much pulled out of Iowa and McCain has recently decided to return and ramp up his campaign there. The question is, if McCain surges, where does his support come from?)
It seems that Romney's attacks have had some effect in Iowa, but with that campaign showing no signs of slowing down the Huckabee bashing, at what point do voters become disgusted with the negativity, especially here at Christmas? Will McCain take from Romney? What about Fred, who is launching a bus tour around the state?
Although it looks good for Huckabee in Iowa, there is still work to be done before he wins the caucus there.
Now, on to New Hampshire...
Rasmussen New Hampshire
Romney 31%
McCain 27%
Giuliani 13%
Huckabee 11%
Now, on the surface, things don't look good for Huckabee in the Granite State. But, this is a must-win state for Romney...if he loses IA and NH, he is essentially through. But look at who now sits in second place...McCain. He has surged in the state that was very friendly to him back in 2000. Some key newspaper endorsements have given him new life in NH. The thing is, though, this is really his only realistic shot to win a state in the primaries except for Arizona. So his role here is more of a spoiler to the Romney camp than serious contender for the nomination.
Best case scenario in NH for Huckabee: Coming off a win in Iowa, he surges a bit in NH to third place. Romney now looks shaky after a second in Iowa pushing a few more voters over to McCain. McCain wins a squeaker with Romney in second and Huckabee vaulting past Giuliani in third. No one really expects McCain to do well in SC, Huckabee is seen as a winner and as having a surprisingly strong showing in a very libertarian state, and Romney has now lost two primaries where he has dumped a tremendous amount of money.
Huckabee can go on to win SC and possibly MI. If he wins MI, then Romney is truly and thoroughly done. The momentum of being a winner can carry Huckabee into a win in FL where polls show him now overtaking Giuliani. So now, we enter Super Tuesday. It is basically Huck vs. Rudy. The down side is, Rudy has won nothing to this point. People will tend to at this point vote for the perceived winner. Rudy may take NY, NJ or other Northeastern states, but Huckabee sweeps the South and Midwest and either wins CA outright or has a strong enough showing there to take enough delegates that Rudy is pretty much done.
So, on the morning of February 6th, Mike Huckabee, for all intents and purposes, is the Republican nominee. Sound crazy? :)
Rasmussen Iowa
Huckabee 28%
Romney 27%
McCain 14%
Giuliani/Thompson 8%
(It should be noted that Giuliani has pretty much pulled out of Iowa and McCain has recently decided to return and ramp up his campaign there. The question is, if McCain surges, where does his support come from?)
It seems that Romney's attacks have had some effect in Iowa, but with that campaign showing no signs of slowing down the Huckabee bashing, at what point do voters become disgusted with the negativity, especially here at Christmas? Will McCain take from Romney? What about Fred, who is launching a bus tour around the state?
Although it looks good for Huckabee in Iowa, there is still work to be done before he wins the caucus there.
Now, on to New Hampshire...
Rasmussen New Hampshire
Romney 31%
McCain 27%
Giuliani 13%
Huckabee 11%
Now, on the surface, things don't look good for Huckabee in the Granite State. But, this is a must-win state for Romney...if he loses IA and NH, he is essentially through. But look at who now sits in second place...McCain. He has surged in the state that was very friendly to him back in 2000. Some key newspaper endorsements have given him new life in NH. The thing is, though, this is really his only realistic shot to win a state in the primaries except for Arizona. So his role here is more of a spoiler to the Romney camp than serious contender for the nomination.
Best case scenario in NH for Huckabee: Coming off a win in Iowa, he surges a bit in NH to third place. Romney now looks shaky after a second in Iowa pushing a few more voters over to McCain. McCain wins a squeaker with Romney in second and Huckabee vaulting past Giuliani in third. No one really expects McCain to do well in SC, Huckabee is seen as a winner and as having a surprisingly strong showing in a very libertarian state, and Romney has now lost two primaries where he has dumped a tremendous amount of money.
Huckabee can go on to win SC and possibly MI. If he wins MI, then Romney is truly and thoroughly done. The momentum of being a winner can carry Huckabee into a win in FL where polls show him now overtaking Giuliani. So now, we enter Super Tuesday. It is basically Huck vs. Rudy. The down side is, Rudy has won nothing to this point. People will tend to at this point vote for the perceived winner. Rudy may take NY, NJ or other Northeastern states, but Huckabee sweeps the South and Midwest and either wins CA outright or has a strong enough showing there to take enough delegates that Rudy is pretty much done.
So, on the morning of February 6th, Mike Huckabee, for all intents and purposes, is the Republican nominee. Sound crazy? :)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Huckabee on Larry King Live 12/17/07
Yet another great interview with Mike Huckabee with Chuck Norris thrown into the mix as well. Great responses to some of the ridiculous stuff the Romney attack machine has been throwing his way as well. This video is well worth your time to watch!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Great New Huckabee Christmas Ad
This is playing in IA, NH and SC and I think it will play well to the folks who are tired of the constant stream of political commercials. Even Mike's critics think it is a brilliant ad!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Huckabee on Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer 12/16/07
I admit, I have not spent much time in this space addressing and shooting down every ridiculous piece of dirt the "conservative" elite and certain Republican candidates has dredged up against Mike Huckabee. I believe that the candidate is doing a great job of taking care of these issues on his own and his website has a section devoted to presenting the truth behind the lies of his opponents.
However, with the hiring of the experienced Ed Rollins as his new National Campaign Chairman, I have noticed that Huckabee has been even more direct in addressing the criticisms of his tenure as governor of Arkansas within the media. What follows is a video of him on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. Ironically, CNN and MSNBC are being considerably fairer to the candidate than the so-called "conservative" Fox News and the talking heads out there in Talk Radio Land. Weird, huh?
However, with the hiring of the experienced Ed Rollins as his new National Campaign Chairman, I have noticed that Huckabee has been even more direct in addressing the criticisms of his tenure as governor of Arkansas within the media. What follows is a video of him on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. Ironically, CNN and MSNBC are being considerably fairer to the candidate than the so-called "conservative" Fox News and the talking heads out there in Talk Radio Land. Weird, huh?
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