Posted on 01/21/2008 12:12:57 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Mike Huckabee tried his best to expand beyond his evangelical base in South Carolina and appeal to what his campaign called "Joe Six Pack" voters. Mr. Huckabee was the only candidate to pander to devotees of the Confederate flag, telling crowds that outsiders should leave the banner flag, now displayed in a corner of the grounds of the state capitol, alone: "If somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole, that's what we'd do." Contrast that with the comments of Mr. Huckabee's fellow Southerner Fred Thompson: "For a great many Americans, [the flag] is a symbol of racism. I'm glad people have made a decision not to display it . . . in a state capitol."
Mr. Huckabee also tried pandering to immigration foes. As governor he had opposed measures targeting illegal aliens. Just before the primary, he signed a pledge that he would use law enforcement to send all 12 million illegal aliens home. He vehemently denied any inconsistency in his views. It didn't work. Among the one-fourth of voters for whom illegal immigration was a top issue, Mr. Huckabee defeated John McCain by only 33% to 24%--a sign that many voters recognize the issue's complexities and view it in context once they get inside the voting booth.
Once again, Mr. Huckabee failed to achieve significant support outside his evangelical base. Only 1 in 7 non-evangelicals voted for him, placing him behind not just Mr. McCain but Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Wise words. Thank you.
“Just before the primary, he signed a pledge that he would use law enforcement to send all 12 million illegal aliens home.”
Now, there’s some shallow reporting for you.
Huckabee’s idea of sending all illegal aliens home is for them to touch back at their nearest foreign soil — consulate or embassy. Even though there is a 3+ year wait of those already in line to legally immigrate, Huckabee is on record as saying all those illegals would be legalized in a matter of weeks.
I liked Huckabee at first, but I think he painted himself into a corner by chasing the Evangelical vote so hard. Yes, he won Iowa, but by playing up his bonifides as a Preacher, he made a lot of other people leery of him. Even if he does manage to get nominated (a long shot), he will have a hard time winning over the largely secular middle. Is it fair? Perhaps not. But then life isn’t often fair. He should have seen this coming.
Hallelujiah.
I don’t share your optimism for a Fred victory, but I must salute you for your uncommon and fierce loyalty. You exemplify the best qualities of the heroes of the Alamo.
Huck Hucklebee. He is the push polling ahole from hell.
He hit Thompson right up to polls closing with robocalls. Claimed Fred supported PBA...what a Hucker
Miss Graham, the Senate's very own Clay Aiken? He put Huckaboob up to running? I had never heard that.
Ping to read later
I hope they're not calling it quits.
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