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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: Badeye
Its not just Limbaugh, Coulter has a devastating column up on her website concerning Huckabee as well.

They have something in common as both have pointed out. Gore can't debate global warming, Huckebee refuses to debate Darwinism, as both subjects are phoney. I'd like to add one more: Hillary. She can't debate because she's phoney too.
41 posted on 12/21/2007 12:40:13 PM PST by BerryDingle (Illegitimi Non Carborundum (Don't let the bastards wear you down))
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To: mcjordansc
My point is that it is laughable that people put so much stock in a radio personality who has one goal - make money. He spouts whatever will bring him ratings.

This criticism, often repeated, misses the point - what brings Rush his monster ratings is "spouting" what he really believes in. He is smart enough to know if he deviates from talking about the things he is passionate about his audience will know and he will be done. What I find really interesting is that Rush has actually been extremely easy on Huckabee when he could rip him to shreds on any number of issues, and still the Huckabee crowd is whining and screaming.

42 posted on 12/21/2007 12:40:16 PM PST by coramdeo
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To: BerryDingle

three good points.


43 posted on 12/21/2007 12:41:12 PM PST by Badeye (The two “no” votes were cast by Ron Paul and leftwing nut Dennis Kucinich.)
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To: Checkers; All

The Twelve Days of Mike Huckabee VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ry0xrOsqSQ


44 posted on 12/21/2007 12:41:23 PM PST by restornu (Harry Reid is going to get Daschled! You're on your own, Harry!)
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To: mcjordansc

And your DU screen name is?


45 posted on 12/21/2007 12:42:26 PM PST by ejonesie22 (In America all people have a right to be wrong, some just exercise it a bit much...)
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To: PjhCPA

Boy, now I know how to get a bunch Freepers upset, criticize the great Rush Limbaugh. What is funny is how personal you all get. Nice to see that so many people are able to set aside intellectual curiosity and allow Rush Limbaugh to do their thinking for them.


46 posted on 12/21/2007 12:42:26 PM PST by mcjordansc
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To: PAR35

lol YOU ARE ALL WET!


47 posted on 12/21/2007 12:42:34 PM PST by restornu (Harry Reid is going to get Daschled! You're on your own, Harry!)
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To: Vision

If Rush can get Hairy Screed to use the power of the Senate to draft a letter condemning him, he can bring Huggabee down in just a few comments.

He is that powerful.


48 posted on 12/21/2007 12:43:09 PM PST by Clint N. Suhks (What goes oh, oh, oh? Santa Claus walking backwards!©®™)
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To: Porterville
Rush is Right.

Amen. Methinks this religious "war" in the Repub Party is the work of Dick Morris and Democrats. I even believe he is getting money from the Dems. You can't run a campaign with no money.

Morris was on BOR last night and when he started to bash Romney, BOR stated that Morris was assisting Huck. Morris denied it and BOR repeated it. Made clear Morris with Huck.

49 posted on 12/21/2007 12:46:16 PM PST by Hattie
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To: PAR35

I catch about a half hour a month. I’m not much into talk radio anymore. When I want news I Freep!


50 posted on 12/21/2007 12:47:35 PM PST by liberty or death
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To: mcjordansc
Yeah, I bet you’d get about the same response if said something as stupid about Ronald Reagan.

Hate to burst your fantasy and prejudices, but I’m quite capable of thinking for myself.

51 posted on 12/21/2007 12:47:52 PM PST by PjhCPA (catchy taglines are boring)
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To: liberty or death

agree


52 posted on 12/21/2007 12:49:54 PM PST by PjhCPA (catchy taglines are boring)
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To: mcjordansc
..obviously your not a fan of Rush.
I’ve listen to him for over 12 years and you can’t be more wrong on your assessment. Rush has constantly said...he endorses no one yet...way too early. What you’ve done is bought into the MSM hype about who Rush is...what he’s said...and what the MSM is telling people he’s thinking...which is a dead give away
53 posted on 12/21/2007 12:50:33 PM PST by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
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To: ejonesie22
And your DU screen name is?

See that is what is funny - if a person posts something that seems to not be gospel to the Free Republic regulars, they are immediately accused of being some sort of infiltrator. While not a frequent poster, I have been posting here for eight years. Your problem is that you have no ability to allow dissenting views to be expressed even when they are coming from someone who more often than not is on your side.
54 posted on 12/21/2007 12:51:00 PM PST by mcjordansc
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To: Maynerd

I’d almost assume vote for Hillary than Huckie if he’s that bad. At least then, Republicans couldn’t be blamed for inevitable economic fallout.


55 posted on 12/21/2007 12:52:13 PM PST by rb22982
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To: mcjordansc
Your problem is that you have no ability to allow dissenting views to be expressed even when they are coming from someone who more often than not is on your side.

Well said!

56 posted on 12/21/2007 12:53:40 PM PST by AxelPaulsenJr (Shame on Freepers who use the MSM to attack any Republican)
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To: agere_contra

And 40 million subscribers.


57 posted on 12/21/2007 12:54:01 PM PST by Right Cal Gal (Remember Billy Dale!!!)
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To: mcjordansc

Yeah and maybe that fin knifing toward you is a friendly dolphin just coming by to see if you need help.

I don’t know if you are a Huckster cultist or not, but if you are trashing Rush on this board may not help your guy.


58 posted on 12/21/2007 12:55:03 PM PST by NavVet (If you don't defend conservatism in the Primary, you won't have it to defend in the Election)
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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.]

That is just a flagrantly mindless statement. Rush Limbaugh isn’t perfect, but he absolutely runs mental circles around every other commentator except perhaps Mark Steyn.

Thanks for calling 90% of Free Republic sheeple. Unless you just forgot the sarcasm tag.


59 posted on 12/21/2007 12:55:25 PM PST by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
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To: pgkdan

It’s unchristian of me, but I could never vote for a man that wears a Bible on his sleeve.


60 posted on 12/21/2007 12:55:39 PM PST by ANGGAPO (LayteGulfBeachClub)
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