The Rush Fallout for Huckabee: Fatal, or Missing the Target?

The Campaign Spot ^ | 12/21/2007 | Jim Geraghty

[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?

[restornu]

Rush may seem arrogant to some, and to others he like to make money, yet Rush does a lot of good with his Money and not ashame for it.

What I noticed about Rush is he does have a natural gift from God to discern and cut through garbage that is being dump upon this nation everyday.

But for some reason (really not it is from God)that Rush recognized his inate ability to know the truth and not doubt it.

Not everyone has it and not everyone acts on it, but Rush does and has been able to show how real it is.

I caught that today when he was talking about myths and somehow he just knew it was BS coming from the dirupters of the universe.

He was sharing something with his audience to day about his gift he has known about!

[MattinNJ]

IIRC, Rush crushed McCain in 2000. McCain said something to the effect “What did I ever do to that guy (Rush)?”

[NavVet]

Your saying Fred is your first choice and the Huckster is your second. Is like saying, Ronald Reagan is my first choice, but Hillary is my second. Makes no sense whatsoever.

[mcjordansc]

Thanks for calling 90% of Free Republic sheeple.

Your welcome.

[Isara]

"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."

I think that deep down inside you are a great person. You don't have to demean somebody else to make yourself feel good. This tactic is mainly used by liberals. Destroy the messengers to avoid talking about the messages.

[ejonesie22]

You can dissent all you want, I could care less.

Calling out Rush Limbaugh in the style of DU or Kos wacko, well I will call you on that in a heart beat.

See it works both ways there MC, you dis Rush because he dissed Huck. That means fair is now fair by the standard you just set.

Rush has done more to keep conservatism on the map than anyone else has. 20 Million listeners can’t be wrong.

So if you desire equivocation, rise up...

[aroundabout]

Yeah, really..like your so...ya know, FORCEFUL and..and...hey gimmee summa that stuff yer puffin’ on..atta boy...far out...kewl..ya know?

[Doogle]

...and have you noticed he’s really starting to dance under the leaders spotlight...he’s got one of those quick tongues when responding..sometimes with humor..but it’s those with anger (for which he has to apologize for)that show the “thin skin” that Rush was talking about today.
I don’t know if it’s the “spotlight”, or the recent revealings that have him acting Dean like...but it sure isn’t presidential looking now is it.

[roamer_1]

The best way (and maybe the only way) to cause te Christians to drop their support of Huckabee is to offer them a choice. Huck is the only real thing they have to vote for.

[Right Cal Gal]

Yep - that wasn’t a “dissenting opinion” - it was an ad hominem attack.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Let’s see. Who do I want? Huckster, Paulster. Huckster, Paulster. Huckster, Paulster. Not that the Huckster is remotely similar to Paul. The Huckster seems to be very religious and Paul seems to be very loony. So, I’ll go with Thompson. Thompson/Hunter ‘08!

[Hattie]

I don’t know if it’s the “spotlight”, or the recent revealings that have him acting Dean like...but it sure isn’t presidential looking now is it.

Yes, like how brilliant is it to respond by quoting scripture in response to a stupid political ad? The elevator needs to be checked. I am a committed Christian and I am offended by this kind of nonsense.

[mcjordansc]

I think that deep down inside you are a great person. You don't have to demean somebody else to make yourself feel good. This tactic is mainly used by liberals. Destroy the messengers to avoid talking about the messages.

I have listened to Rush since 1989. In the early days much more than now. He has provided me with a lot of laughs over the years. I simply believe that if "conservatives" are to latch their wagon to someone, they can select someone with more goign for him than Rush Limbaugh. It is beyond me how social conservatives especially can continue to lap up what this guy is serving.

"When I was a child I spoke as a child I understood as a child I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." I Cor. xiii. 11.

[ejonesie22]

Bingo...

[shield]

Huckster is toast...he just don’t know it. Rush is RIGHT...

[mcjordansc]

Yeah, I bet you’d get about the same response if said something as stupid about Ronald Reagan.

Yes, because Rush Limbaugh and Ronald Reagan are so much alike. This was a dumb post.

[FastCoyote]

FC:Thanks for calling 90% of Free Republic sheeple.

MJ: Your welcome.

In before the zot :)

[Doogle]

I am offended by this kind of nonsense.

..don't worry, it will all change back after the 3rd...if the MSM wishes...and people here at FR can stop cutting each others heads off..we'll just have to watch and listen..

[Pharmboy]

Rush is indeed right. He is almost always right.

[Isara]

It is beyond me how social conservatives especially can continue to lap up what this guy is serving.

It seems to me that you are a strong religious guy. It's time for you to forgive Rush and yourself and let go!