Posted on 01/28/2008 8:13:56 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee skipped out of campaigning in Florida a day before its primary in hopes of laying claim to Fred Thompson's backers in Tennessee.
He also squeezed in some time in a Music Row recording studio, playing bass guitar with a group of country music stars and session musicians.
Huckabee said those who backed the former Tennessee senator's presidential run should now turn to him because he's consistently shown he's a conservative — supporting anti-abortion measures and tax cuts while governor of Arkansas.
Thompson withdrew from the presidential race last week after a disappointing third-place finish in the South Carolina primary.
On Monday, Huckabee said he was telling Thompson supporters looking for a new candidate to "come home to the only other Southerner in the race, the only other real consistent conservative in the race."
Beside touting his record on taxes, Huckabee contended during a news conference at the state Capitol that he is the candidate who is "frankly, more pro-life than Sen. Thompson was."
While the National Right to Life Committee endorsed Thompson, Huckabee picked up the endorsements state Right to Life organizations in Arkansas and Tennessee on Monday.
Huckabee attended a rally for his supporters in the morning in Florida, where polls currently show him fighting for third place with Rudy Giuliani, behind front-runners John McCain and Mitt Romney.
Huckabee, however, dismissed the idea his campaign is in trouble if he loses the Florida primary and said he hopes to capture wins in several states on Super Tuesday, including Tennessee and his home state.
"Florida is important from a momentum standpoint, but as far as winning the nomination, that's going to happen a week from tomorrow," he said.
Huckabee is also hoping to gather support from Tennessee's significant evangelical Christian population. Nashville is the headquarters for the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination with over 16 million members.
Huckabee, a former Southern Baptist minister, won the Iowa Republican caucuses earlier this month thanks in large part to evangelicals' support.
He pitched his musical talent with a session at Curb Records on Music Row, the famed stretch of studios, publishing houses and offices of Nashville's country music industry.
Huckabee, who plays bass guitar in his own band called Capitol Offense, ran through rock standards like "Mustang Sally," "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Takin' Care of Business."
Country artists Ricky Skaggs and Josh Turner complimented Huckabee's playing. One musician in the crowded room asked if he was free next week.
"If I am, I'm in big trouble," Huckabee replied.
No way from this FRedhead!
In about 8 days he’s going to have plenty of time for this kind of stuff.
Better take the gig...
No thank you Huckaphony.
Huckabee? pppfffttt...
NO...Just something about him turns me off...not sure what...it just does.
What I predicted on FR since SC, but before Fred dropped out:
1)McCain
2)Mitt
3)Rudy
4)Fred/Huck tie - one of these may break out and challenge #3
4)all of the rest
Fred dropping out probably added a little to Huck and he is currently vying for 3rd with Rudy.
The polls swing day by day. They seem almost useless here.
Fortunately, one aspect of the race will be cleared up after tomorrow:
There are no independents or democrat trash crossing over to vote here.
Only Republicans registered at least 30 days in advance with photo ID in hand will be voting.
Don’t know why, but the only signs around here are for Huckabee.
Although first place is not clear, I will stand by my prior prediction.
Fred should not have dropped out. - Nobody knows what is in all of those early vote tallies.
Ah well, tomorrow evening tells the tale, no?
“Consistent conservative”?
I’ve heard that phrase before. Hmmm, did Huck come by it in the same way he came by his immigration plan?
I laugh that he attempts to take up that slogan. “Consistent Conservative Since 11/15/2007.” That’s a better slogan.
oh Huck go away
Satan goes to Heaven to see if anyone wants to switch sides.
I think Fred himself said it best:
“On the other hand, you have the direction that Governor Huckabee would take us in. He would be a Christian leader, but he would also bring about liberal economic policies, liberal foreign policies.
“He believes we have an arrogant foreign policy and the tradition of, blame America first.
“He believes that Guantanamo should be closed down and those enemy combatants brought here to the United States to find their way into the court system eventually. He believes in taxpayer-funded programs for illegals, as he did in Arkansas.
“He has the endorsement of the National Education Association, and the NEA said it was because of his opposition to vouchers.
“He said he would sign a bill that would ban smoking nationwide. So much for federalism. So much for states’ rights. So much for individual rights.
“That’s not the model of the Reagan coalition, that’s the model of the Democratic Party.”
Bottom line Gov. Huckabee: I don’t think Fred agrees with you.
All Tennessee FredHeads, please greet Huck with a bunch of broccoli bouquets, and subsequently toss them at him.
I’m a Tennessean and have accepted Romney as my candidate.
What, Hee Haw isn't on any more? Aw, shucks.
I just wanted to see him in bib overalls poppin' up from the corn rows. I think he'd look like Junior Samples.
Hey, maybe he IS Junior Samples......
Leni
Junior was a cool guy. Don’t remember him with a huckleberry reference.
Good luck, Schmuck Huckabeast.
The more time you waste in such vain pursuits, the more you campaign suffers.
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