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The Rush Fallout for Huckabee: Fatal, or Missing the Target?
The Campaign Spot ^ | 12/21/2007 | Jim Geraghty

Posted on 12/21/2007 12:05:13 PM PST by Checkers

After today, Rush Limbaugh is in reruns until January 3, the day of the Iowa caucuses.

Highlight from a moment ago: "The drive bys are doing everything they can to influence the Republican primary. Mike Huckabee has been getting a pass from the drive-bys... They don't want Rudy because they think he can beat Hillary. They don't want Romney because of the same thing. They don't want Fred Thompson because of the same thing."

Can a guy who's been slammed as hard as Mike Huckabee has by Rush Limbaugh, the most popular conservative radio talk show host in the country, go on to win the Iowa caucuses? Anybody think Rush will have dropped this issue by the third of January?

My instinct is to say, "no way, a thumbs down from Rush is fatal," but a guy on another campaign cautions me. "An Iowa pastor who has been talking up Huckabee isn't going to change his mind because Rush Limbaugh doesn't like him." He points out that a pastors and religous leaders deal with people who fall short of their ideals all the time; hearing that Mike Huckabee was too merciful in dealing with Wayne Dumond is not going to be a dealbreaker for them. They'll probably go, no pun intended, "there but for the grace of God go I."

So... if a certain significant chunk of Huckabee's supporters back him because he's the most vocal Christian in the race, not because of the conservatism of his record or policy stances.... if the moment comes where the race needs a Huck Slayer (as social conservatives thought the race might require a Rudy Slayer)... can anybody in the race go after Huckabee on that ground? Can anyone make the argument to that Republican plurality, "Okay, nevermind conservative policy choices - he's not the good Christian leader you think he is"?

Tough ground to fight on. Just thinking out loud here, can a rival point out the ethics questions from Huckabee's Arkansas days? Is Huckabee's "innocent" question about Mormon beliefs the act of a good Christian? Is there something borderline blasphemous to compare opponents' direct mail to a Biblical verse describing "weapons" deployed against the righteous, or comparing one's campaign fundraising to the miracle of loaves and fishes?

Would Jesus hire Ed Rollins?


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; gitmo; huck; huckabee; rush; talkradio
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To: LibLieSlayer
"I think Rush confirmed today for all true ditto heads... that Fred Thompson is the only Conservative in the top four... and that he (Rush) is a Conservative before he is a Republican... and he has pointed out the obvious liberalism in rootie, mitt and huckster. Deductive reasoning on the lowest level points to where Rush’s heart lies... and that is with Fred. That is my opinion... and I also think he might break his rule about primaries, for the good of the Nation."

LLS,

It is funny, Rush has been tormenting the libs especially after the heat he took on what he said about Hillary that this is his sandbox so to speak, you only play in it.

In a sense they have been feeding us Huck, Rudy, McCain and Romney.

It would be just like him to show them that yes it is his sand box and thwart their moves to be king maker by being one himself !

Oh the irony of that is just to delicious!

It is Rush saying wake up America you half time listeners, it is time to get back to the party of Reagan and I am not carrying your water.

Fred will carry his own....

141 posted on 12/21/2007 5:47:38 PM PST by taildragger
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To: mcjordansc
He can win without Rush’s blessing. Rush does not have that much power.

Wanna bet? Twenty million listeners a week? It appears you are a Huckabee supporter. Fair enough. That being the case perhaps you can enlighten me as to why a former GOP governor from Arkansas can't get the endorsement of his state's Republican party.

Huckabee is train wreck. And, in light of recent comments, i.e. his BS explanation regarding the taxes videos, his statements about GWB arrogance and his own statements about the Iraq War (which sounded like Jimmy Carter) Huckabee is also an idiot.

Sadly, other idiots may get this fool nominated where he will promptly lose his ass to Hillary.

Gee, thanks.

142 posted on 12/21/2007 5:53:38 PM PST by blake6900
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To: PAR35
I’d describe Rush as ‘frequently right, always arrogant’. I don’t need him to tell me what to think.

Perhaps but Limbaugh is not the only conservative questioning Huckabee. Ann Coulter and Pat Buchanan also see him as problematic.

143 posted on 12/21/2007 5:59:36 PM PST by blake6900
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To: mcjordansc
Fred Thompson 

The Real Conservative

"When I am president, I will build a fence." Amnesty and illegal immigration are not healthy for the U.S. or Mexico. "We need to be a nation of high fences and wide gates."  ..Fred Thompson

"My idea of Gun Control is a good, steady aim."  ..Fred Thompson

  "Saddle Me Up"

 

144 posted on 12/21/2007 6:07:21 PM PST by glmjr
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To: mcjordansc
Fred Thompson 

The Real Conservative

"When I am president, I will build a fence." Amnesty and illegal immigration are not healthy for the U.S. or Mexico. "We need to be a nation of high fences and wide gates."  ..Fred Thompson

"My idea of Gun Control is a good, steady aim."  ..Fred Thompson

  "Saddle Me Up"

 

145 posted on 12/21/2007 6:17:11 PM PST by glmjr
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To: Right Cal Gal
Mike Huckabee Says He Doesn’t Recall If He Wrote Line About Bush ‘Bunker Mentality,’ After Rice Denounces Article

     Yeah,....Right...You convinced me.

       "Saddle Me Up"

146 posted on 12/21/2007 6:28:49 PM PST by glmjr
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To: PjhCPA; mcjordansc
that sounds like some typical, liberal bs...you can bite me

Ditto to that. I'll bet he has never listened to Rush. Probably just like the dims, a self-proclaimed "intellectual."

147 posted on 12/21/2007 6:36:09 PM PST by saminfl (,/i)
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To: PAR35
I don't need him to tell me what to think.

He doesn't tell anyone what to think. He simply says what we have thought before there was even a Rush.

I love you blowhards who think you are more intelligent than Rush.

148 posted on 12/21/2007 6:44:33 PM PST by saminfl (,/i)
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To: mcjordansc

Go serve your liberal trash on another website. Your comments about Rush are unappreciated.


149 posted on 12/21/2007 6:48:34 PM PST by sruleoflaw
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To: Sola Veritas
Rush is an entertainer, first and foremost.

That has been the chant of the left-wing for years. They constantly use that phrase to downplay Rush. His radio show is NOT "first and foremost" about entertainment. He entertains because he agrees with us.

I know, you anti-Rush guys are a lot more intelligent than the 20 million listeners. Ha Ha

150 posted on 12/21/2007 6:57:59 PM PST by saminfl (,/i)
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To: Sola Veritas

“...to one that is more firmly footed on moral absolutes.”

What moral absolutes is Huckabee pushing that the GOP hasn’t been pushing for years? Compassion - as measured by bringing in millions of poor Mexicans? Love - as measured by forgiving over a thousand criminals?

What moral absolutes are you referring to?


151 posted on 12/21/2007 7:00:49 PM PST by Mr Rogers (Amnesty is Huckabee's middle name!)
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To: mcjordansc
He can win without Rush’s blessing. Rush does not have that much power. Most people understand by now that Rush is nothing more than a pill popping, thrice divorced hypocrite laughing all the way to the back because of the sheeple who continue to buy his line of b.s.

Huh. You guys are sooooooooooo predictable, you have no response to the facts Rush outlined, so you attack him personally.

LOL!

What embarrassing pathetic support for Huck.

152 posted on 12/21/2007 7:05:52 PM PST by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the face of the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: Checkers

When winning and losing may be 100 votes, attacking the #1 Conservative voice in America is not smart politics. Look for a big switch in the next 2 weeks. Huck peaked early.

Pray for W and Our Troops


153 posted on 12/21/2007 7:06:44 PM PST by bray (Let's Bring Christ Back to Christmas)
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To: saminfl
who think you are more intelligent than Rush.

I know I'm smarter than Rush, but he's a whole lot richer.

154 posted on 12/21/2007 7:07:56 PM PST by PAR35
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To: Evil_Bok

Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner here.

First let me state that I am a continuing student at the Limbaugh Institute of Advanced Conservative Studies.

There was no criticism of Mitt or Rudy until today. There was no comment when NRO or the ACU or Bob Jones chose expediency over principal when looking at the conservative credentials of candidates. These people have lost a lot of respect in my book.

This is a unique situation. A wide open Republican field and due to campaign finance reform (thank you McCain) the guy with the largest personal fortune can buy the nomination. This is a recipe for disaster.


155 posted on 12/21/2007 7:10:10 PM PST by Little_GTO
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To: blake6900
Ann Coulter and Pat Buchanan also see him as problematic.

As do I, but I'd have no problem voting for him against Obama or Hillary.

156 posted on 12/21/2007 7:10:39 PM PST by PAR35
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To: Checkers
"The drive bys are doing everything they can to influence the Republican primary. Mike Huckabee has been getting a pass from the drive-bys... They don't want Rudy because they think he can beat Hillary. They don't want Romney because of the same thing. They don't want Fred Thompson because of the same thing."

Rush said that?

Is Rush a closet Rudy lover?

157 posted on 12/21/2007 7:11:04 PM PST by tear gas (Because of the 22nd Amendment, we are losing President. Bush. Can we afford to lose him now?)
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To: mcjordansc

Tell me about it.


158 posted on 12/21/2007 7:11:29 PM PST by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon))
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To: PAR35
I know I'm smarter than Rush..

Only in your mind.

159 posted on 12/21/2007 7:15:23 PM PST by saminfl (,/i)
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Comment #160 Removed by Moderator


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