Posted on 10/26/2014 6:02:48 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
When Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee were asked to deliver dueling speeches at a secret gathering of America's most influential socialconservatives, both camps knew what the invitation represented: a private audition to be the evangelical movement's presidential candidate in 2016.
They prepared accordingly, and on back-to-back nights in mid-September, the White House hopefuls delivered impassioned addresses to the Council for National Policy's clandestine conference in Atlanta.
The courtship of Christian leaders by White House contenders—"the evangelical primary," as some call it—has become a staple of Republican presidential politics. But this year is different.
After back-to-back cycles in which social conservatives failed to coalesce around a single candidate—resulting, they believe, in the nomination of moderates who haven't mobilized the Christian base to vote in November—evangelical leaders are acting early and with unprecedented urgency. In a series of private meetings over the past two months in Washington, Iowa, Florida, and elsewhere, Christian political leaders have emphasized narrowing their options sooner than ever and uniting behind one candidate to defeat the establishment favorite.
The Atlanta event, then, signaled not just that the 2016 evangelical primary is well underway but that for many leading social conservatives, the field is already winnowing.
"Those are the two," Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said of Cruz and Huckabee. "And they share the same core base, so I do think there's probably only room for one of them to be successful."
Perkins is not alone in this view. Conversations with some of the country's most influential and well-connected evangelical power-brokers suggest an emerging consensus—out of private gatherings like CNP as well as public events like the Values Voters Summit—that 2016 is shaping up as a two-horse race.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...
At the rate we’re going, most evangelicals will be in prison camps by 2016
I just love it when the liberals underestimate Ted Cruz (and over estimate Mike Huckabee for that matter).
What idiots. Huck will not be a factor. Cruz will. Big time.
Whether he admits it or not now, Huckabee was at one time an open-borders guy. He’d have to do a lot to convince me he isn’t one now.
For me, at the stage we are at now, that is a no-go.
For me its pretty much Cruz or Cruz.
I can’t wait to see what dud the 30% ‘vote for whomever talks the most socially conservative’ Iowa Caucus-goers choose in 2016. Huckabee, Santorum, a strong second for Pat Robertson in 1988...
Cruz will flatten Huckabee like a steamroller.
Fat boy should take a powder.
I don't think Cruz will be a "big time" factor either, but I hesitate to say that because I don't want to get jumped on by his fans here.
I think it's going to be an establishment type (Bush) versus a conservative Governor, whom I hope is Walker, but it's still too far out.
Neither one. I like Ted, but would prefer you stay in the SENATE.
And Mike? Puh-leaze.
Well if they’re on a collision course, to bad for huckleberry! It would be like a freight train (Cruz) running over a yugo (Huckabee). But you know what it might be fun to watch, unless of course you’re huckleberry.
If the Huckster jumps in he will split the conservative vote like last time
and we will end up with Bush or Romney.
And that is what the GOPe’s want. Make no mistake about that.
Has Huckster done anything useful in the last 10 years? His TV show is lukewarm whatever. I don’t get it
Iowa is not big on social conservatives. Huckabee barely edged Romney in 2012 because arrogant Romney didn’t bother much with a ground game. Huckabee backers didn’t do much follow-up and let Paul backers control the convention delegates and state organization. More mainstream GOPers have retaken party control.
How about a Huckster-Christie ticket? (Governor Krispy Kreme)
No to any Christie on the ticket or Bush.
I have a slogan for that ticket
“A Metric Ton of RINO!”
“America needs some heavy hitters!!!”
Huckster: Judas goat for McCain in 2008. No thanks.
Ted and Huckleberry aren’t in the same league.
I just wish Cruz had more executive experience. We’re right now seeing what a Senate-experience-only President can do.
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