Posted on 04/11/2008 8:30:49 AM PDT by Daniel T. Zanoza
GOP Vice-President Slot Still Open, But Is Huckabee Getting Serious Cconsideration?
RFFM.org Commentary by Daniel T. Zanoza
Yes, I know. Supposedly there are no bosses in the Republican Party any longer. But even though the smoke-filled back room may be a thing of the past, there is an elitist faction of the GOP who makes decisions for all who believe in the Republican brand.
Well, they try to make decisions. But as an institution starts to crumble, power brokers have less and less command over what goes on. Such was evidenced during the past presidential primary season.
I believe Party big shots wanted Mitt Romney to be the Republican nominee. For a back-up, Fred Thompson was talked into making what turned out to be a half-hearted run for the presidential nomination. And, in a ridiculous demonstration of Republican hubris, Rudy Giuliani was told he had a chance to head the ticket, too.
Party insiders and individuals--like Rush Limbaugh and Roger Ailes--thought they had all the bases covered with this group. But along came John McCain and Mike Huckabee to spoil their plans. Even Ron Paul threw a monkey wrench into the political mechanism by soaking up great gobs of available cash that individuals like Karl Rove thought would stay in the family, so to speak.
Things went awry when Romney flip-flopped his way right out of contention. Thompson slept through almost every debate and, by the time he woke up, the rest of the field was heading into the home stretch. Oh, I forgot Giuliani. Well, so did everybody else and that great political surge, which was supposed to begin in Florida, never got much further than South Beach.
The last two people standing were McCain and Huckabee. The so-called conservative radio talk show hosts cried and stomped their feet, like seven year old brats in the midst of very serious hissy fits. Some, like Ann Coulter, even said they would take their ball and go home. In Coulter's case, the ball was her support and home was Hillary Clinton. It was all a very sad display and adults, like myself, suggested these self-proclaimed Republican conservatives take a nice long time-out.
But after McCain became the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee, the speculation over who would be his vice-presidential running mate began. Once more, the flip-flopping former Governor of Massachusetts' name started to come up. However, organizations formed solely to stop Romney's v-p bid...that's amazing! Then, we started to hear about Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's hat being thrown into the ring. But some claim Crist's hat may have too many frills on it, if you know what I mean. So the Party elite is giving that possible v-p choice more careful scrutiny.
It truly would be an historic year, if the Democrats nominated a female presidential candidate and an African-American vice-presidential candidate. Then the Republicans countered with a man who would be an octogenarian after two terms and a running mate who was leading a homosexual lifestyle. Now that would be stirring things up, wouldn't it?
Here's a wild suggestion for an alternative to Romney or Crist. How about Republicans choosing former Governor Mike Huckabee? Yes, I know this is a ridiculous idea. The only thing Huckabee has going for him is the fact he would be supported by the Party's conservative Catholic and Evangelical base. This population only represents 30% of the electorate--that's Democrat and Republican. Plus, choosing Huckabee would be foolish for the following reasons. Huckabee is pro-life, he supports the idea that marriage should be solely between one man and one woman. He supports Second Amendment rights and he would like to get rid of the IRS. Huckabee would also build a fence along the U.S. / Mexico border and start sending immigrants who were here illegally back to their home countries. This all sounds very radical. There's no way such a man could benefit the Republican ticket, is there?
And there's one more thing. The conservative base is what energizes the GOP. These are the "irritating" people who stick fliers under windshield wipers in church parking lots. These are the people who canvass neighborhoods and do the heavy lifting in the political world. The social conservative component of the Republican Party would match the highly motivated Democrats who want the White House back very badly and will do practically anything to get there.
Wait a minute. I'm running a slight fever and I have a sore throat. I really haven't been feeling very well the last couple of days and it is having an effect on my thinking. Even though Huckabee would bring all these positives to the Republican ticket, the so-called big shots would never let that happen. I've been told social conservatives no longer represent the GOP's base. Therefore, it will have to be a fiscal conservative to fill out the presidential slate--which will be a formula for disaster.
Perhaps in a few days, when I'm feeling better, the Huckabee idea will simply fade away. I'll regain my senses and realize someone who more closely embraces the Party's national platform wouldn't cut the mustard in this year's election. In the mean time, I'll watch the media, consider every name in the book for McCain's v-p running mate, including Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, before Huckabee's. You see, the former Arkansas governor was once a Baptist minister and Huckabee's election as vice-president would put him a breath away from the Oval Office. That's too much of a risk to take, isn't it?
On second thought, forget that I ever wrote this column. I wouldn't want to be called a right-wing nut. Anyone have an aspirin?
Huckabee sucks!!
Suckabee probably won’t help McCain - he’ll help keep 3-5% of social conservatives but drive away 15% of independents.
Ya notice that a lib writer NEVER talks about what would be best for the nation - all they care about is which way the political football will bounce. You’d almost think that politics is all they care about.......
You have got to be uh, pooping me.
I am constantly astounded by the level of “maturity” I see from some of those who contribute to the Free Republic blog. “Suckabee”? “Huckabee sucks”? Need I go on? Isn’t there some sort of comic page these juveniles can go to, in the effort to vent this childishness? The saddest thing is they think they’re funny. Mommy’s calling. “Pooping”? LOL.
Dan Zanoza
I disagree.
Huckabee’s another Cino like Romney. A Rino and a Cino. Wow! There’s something to get excited about. /sarc.
Who give’s a rat’s ass who the VP will be, when the presumptive nominee for President of the US is such a mediocre imbecile? Why on earth does anyone even think this arrogant lesser of two moronic evils would even consider the interests of the country - much less his own party, or of conservatives - in the selection of the person he’ll relegate to some closet somewhere during his presidency?
Time and again, McCain has demonstrated one trait: He disappoints. This decision will be no different.
****************
We can only hope.
1. Well - I don’t like Huckabee as VP either, and I’m a Southern Baptist - in the lib world I would vote for McCain - Huckabee because Huck is my kind of folks - in reality I will vote for who I think is best for the country and who the VP is makes little difference. However, Huckabee strikes me as a phony, using his religion as a lure to get identity voters to support him. No sale on my part.
2. Lighten up - this is supposed to be a family-friendly forum, and “pooping” is preferable to the alternative (aka “not pooping” which makes you feel bloated and cranky).
I voted for Huckabee and even donated some ... but I don’t think he would be a smart choice for McCain.
Huck has great political skills, and would certainly help to motivate a good percentage of conservative evangelicals.
But he is high risk with his ex-pastor background. During the primaries I kept expecting someone to turn up an old cache of Huckabee sermon cassettes. And sad to say, anyone who faithfully preaches the word of God over a course of years is bound to say some things that would sink him in a national election.
Plus, there are some elements of the GOP base that dislike Huck almost as much as they dislike McCain.
IMO, the chances of McCain picking Huckabee are practically zero. If he should happen to do so, it would signal that McCain’s polling with the evangelical portion of the base is abysmal ... in which case he is probably toast anyway.
“I believe a lot of Conservatives are looking (hoping) for McCain to pick a very, very Conservative VP candidate as the last hope to have a ticket they can support. Not sure if Huckabee will fit that bill for most.”
Hell no! However, if he picked Hunter, I’d be up poo’s creek without a paddle.
Hunter yes, mclame no...what would a Conservative gal do????
What if he chose Hunter? He’s not....never mind, evil thoughts going though this head of mine.
Just trying to find some kind of “silver lining”.
Aw hell, I don’t care anymore. Give em hell Huckleberry. The GOP is screwed anyway!
“I am constantly astounded by the level of “maturity” I see from some of those who contribute to the Free Republic blog. “Suckabee”? “Huckabee sucks”? “
The huckster is a doodoo bird. Better?
McManiac would lose any chance, whatsoever, of gaining my vote should that happen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.