Ark. Gov. Huckabee Won't Run for Senate

AP (Yahoo) ^ | 8/27/03 | JAMES JEFFERSON, Associated Press Writer

[Koblenz]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Gov. Mike Huckabee said Wednesday he would not challenge Sen. Blanche Lincoln next year, leaving Arkansas' Republicans without a high-profile Senate candidate for 2004.

Huckabee, in the first year of his second full four-year term, said he needed to concentrate on state issues, including a heated fight over efforts to improve Arkansas' public school system.

"I need to be focused on what's best for the children of Arkansas," Huckabee said in a news conference called on short notice.

Huckabee, 48, had been leaning against a run against Lincoln, D-Ark., but until Wednesday had not firmly ruled it out.

Lincoln, a former two-term congresswoman who is in her first term as a senator, said she looked forward to working with Huckabee on issues important to Arkansas.

"I respect Governor Huckabee's decision to continue serving Arkansas in his current position," she said in a statement from Washington.

With his wife, Janet, standing at his side, Huckabee said he did not want to leave the job he inherited from former Gov. Jim Guy Tucker in 1996.

"This is not the time to abandon the job that I have," Huckabee said.

He cited a recent newspaper poll showing him trailing Lincoln only slightly in a hypothetical race and said he feared winning the contest and having to commute to Washington weekly.

Huckabee suggested that Lt. Gov. Winthrop Paul Rockefeller run against Lincoln, but noted that Rockefeller has expressed no interest. "He's a strong candidate if he chooses to do it," the governor said.

Huckabee was lieutenant governor in 1996 when he aborted a front-running bid for the U.S. Senate and became governor when Tucker left because of his Whitewater convictions.

In his second full term, Huckabee will be prohibited from running for re-election as governor in 2006. He could have run for the Senate without giving up the governor's office.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I just think [Bush's] voting total will be much closer to 55% (although higher than 2001's 51%)."

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In the last pre-Clinton presidential race (1988), W's daddy got 56.4% in Arkansas against Michael Dukakis. Given the fact that both Kerry and Dean are more liberal than Dukakis, that W. is a popular president running for reelection (not just a VP viewed as a "wimp"), that social issues such as abortion, gays and guns (on which most Arkansans are conservative) are more important today than in 1988, and that W. has more of a home-field advantage in Arkansas than his New England-raised dad ever could, I think W. will get a higher total than his dad's 56.4%. If I had to make a prediction today, I would predict 58% for W. in Arkansas next year (which is between 55%-60%).

[AntiGuv]

Oh, and BTW, Hutchinson is no longer with the DEA Administrator, he's Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security...

[AntiGuv]

Oh, and BTW, Hutchinson is no longer with the DEA Administrator, he's Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security...

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Don't you think it's curious that Huckabee would suggest Rockefeller if there were much chance Hutchinson will run?"

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If I were Huckabee, I wouldn't mention Asa either. If Asa wants to keep his plans mum, that's his prerogative.

DJ, in the past you have expressed support for Win Rockefeller running for the Senate, right? Have you found out more on Rockefeller's positions on social issues? If he's pro-abortion, we're definitely better off with Asa.

[Pubbie]

Asa is also very interested in running for Governor in 2006 (Huckabee is term limited out).

So I think Asa could do what I thought Jim Gibbons was going to do: Run for Senate in 2004,to raise your profile in the state, then run for Governor in 2006.

If he wins the Senate seat, and he becomes Governor in 2006, he can then appoint anyone he wants to fill his seat.

[Coop]

In the last pre-Clinton presidential race (1988), W's daddy got 56.4% in Arkansas against Michael Dukakis.

Good point, although a lot changes in 16 years. But the change in the South has generally been to the GOP's advantage.

And if the Dems are kind enough to let a lib take the nomination, Dubya will be IMHO kicking some butt. But I'm still waiting for the DLC and other powerful Dems to torpedo Dean.

Has anybody seen a poll on this race? I haven't seen a single one.

[Kuksool]

Asa, Win Rockefeller, and Mike Huckabee have declined to run for the Senate. The list of 1st tier candidates in the AR GOP is remarkably short. I don't like the idea of a RAT Senator getting a free ride in a Red State, especially with Bush on top of the ballot. Perhaps, Rep. John Boozman (AR-03) or former Congresscritter Jay Dickey (AR-04) could challenge Blanche Lincoln.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Asa, Win Rockefeller, and Mike Huckabee have declined to run for the Senate"

---

As I wrote earlier, I don't believe Asa has actually declined to run, he has merely said he is not presently inclined to run. We'll find out soon whether that was an attempt to give Huckabee enough space to make up his mind.

I think running Boozer or Dickey (especially Dickey) would guarantee Lincoln's victory. We need Asa---or at least Rockefeller---to run.

[Kuksool]

***I think running Boozer or Dickey (especially Dickey) would guarantee Lincoln's victory***

After Asa and Huckabee, the quality of AR GOP candidates is less than stellar.

[JohnnyZ]

I think running Boozer or Dickey (especially Dickey) would guarantee Lincoln's victory. We need Asa---or at least Rockefeller---to run.

Well I'm lucky politics isn't my job 'cause I've just blown calls on Gibbons and Huckabee, both of whom I thought would run. Oh well.

Lincoln beat the other Boozman to win her seat; I don't think that'd fly. Rockefeller is probably the best bet at this point, although he IS a social liberal. His intention is/was to run for governor in 2006.

Probably best -- for Huckabee -- that he waited. He's set up for a run vs. Pryor in 2008, when some of his more questionable gubernatorial decisions will be old news.

There's a state senator interested in running. Also that sheriff, the colorful one. He'd be fun :)

[zebrahead]

Twice in one week! We may end up only gaining a seat or two after it's all said and done.

[Proud Legions]

I would be a bit surprised if we only gained a couple of seats. Still a bit of time to sort out who the final candidates will be, but I would not get depressed...

[lasereye]

Yeah there's Republican seats in play in Alaska and Illinois.

[afuturegovernor]

Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota --- does anyone who could actually win these want to run??? I really think we need to get our act together and force Democrats to as many tough races as possible.

[lasereye]

I really think we need to get our act together and force Democrats to as many tough races as possible.

Especially with the GOP fundraising advantage. The RNC should spread as much resources around as possible. Even relatively unknown candidates could make a credible race if they have decent funding. I think trying to focus all the resources on the races deemed most winnable based on early polls would be a mistake. Chances are though that's what the RNC will do.

[Pubbie]

In Nevada there's apparently a Las Vegas Real Estate Mogul named John Woodcock who has said he might run.

In Nodak, unless Ed Schafer changes his mind, or we can find a businessman who's loaded with cash and willing to run, we're screwed.

In SoDak I've read that John Thune WILL run, that's why Daschle has been campaigning so early and has acting paranoid.

[Pubbie]

John Woodcock = Jack Woodcock

[Pubbie]

See my post on #36

[Dan from Michigan]

How strong would Jay Dickey be? He lost his congressional seat, but wasn't that the most dem part of the state?

[Kuksool]

Yes, the AR-04 is the most Democratic part of the state. Jay Dickey did represent the district from 1992-2000. I sugguested Jay Dickey, because our options in AR are very limited.