Posted on 12/07/2010 2:44:44 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
In 2008, Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee emerged from a crowded field of Republican presidential hopefuls to win the Iowa caucuses and become the preferred candidate of social conservatives. Could Huckabee play the dark horse again in 2012? A sampling of opinions as to how Huckabee presence (or lack thereof) will shape the fight for the Republican nomination:
•Under The Radar Politico's Jonathan Martin and Ben Smith note Huckabee's position right now is similar to where he was at this point in the 2008 cycle, operating in relative obscurity while boldfaced names like Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani gobbled up donors, staffers, and media attention. Huckabee seems "bound once again to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the field," but it's a role he knows how to play. If he decides not to run, Martin and Smith believe the result would be "a vacuum on the right among both religious conservatives and tea party activists that would significantly reorder the race and potentially create a larger opening for Palin."
•Too Late? The Daily Caller's Aaron Guerrero can't shake the feeling Huckabee is skittish about waging another bruising national campaign. His "recent critiques of the presidential process are hardly reflective of someone interested in grinding it out for the prize of party standard-bearer." Unlike Romney and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Huckabee has not amassed the "necessary infrastructure for making a serious run" or won over the "skeptics within the Republican establishment [and] heavyweight voices in talk radio" who had concerns about his first bid for the nomination.
•Limited Audience The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin believes Huckabee's strength as a 2012 contender has been overstated. Yes, he put together a nice run in 2008, but his appeal was limited to a "specific segment of voters--evangelical Christians." As the Tea Party's influence increases, the GOP platform is trending towards a "small government agenda [that] doesn't match up all that well with Huckabee's record as governor." Unless Huckabee demonstrates "greater range than in 2008," his 2012 chances are slim.
•Palin-Stopper Of all the potential 2012 candidate, Huckabee poses the greatest threat to former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's coalition, argues conservative blogger Allahpundit. Huckabee is "poised to hurt Palin by peeling off social cons, blue-collar voters, and women (yes, really), it's him." The one limiting factor is money. Without "evangelical leaders ready to help him pass the collection plate around," Huckabee's fundraising apparatus could be even more limited than the one he had in 2008.
I’ll keep her in mind :>{)
From Wikipedia:
“In late 1996, Huckabee campaigned for ballot Amendment 1, a plan to adjust property tax rules to make school funding more equal across the state”
This is a scheme which has infected at least 35 states, which eliminates the legislature’s (read people’s) ability to set school funding budgets - and allows the courts to do it.
“and Amendment 2, a constitutional amendment increasing the state sales tax 0.125 percent to improve the state’s park system and natural resources”
no need to explain this one
“Huckabee proclaimed 1997 as a year of racial reconciliation”
Sounds important
“Huckabee signed legislation to create a health insurance program which extended coverage to children of lower-income families, to be funded in part by Medicaid, SCHIP, and a tobacco industry lawsuit settlement.”
Ah...remember the tobacco caper?
“Also in his first year as governor Huckabee signed a partial birth abortion ban and a $7.6 Million Smart Start program for primary school students to learn “the basic skills of reading, math, and character.” “
The $7.6 million would be on top of other school funding
“Huckabee has come under criticism for his handling of the case of Wayne DuMond (also spelled Dumond), a convicted rapist who was released during Huckabee’s governorship. Despite a crude castration and a professed religious conversion in prison, DuMond subsequently sexually assaulted and murdered a woman in Missouri.”
An oldie, but a tragedy
“In an unrelated matter, Huckabee also commuted the sentence of Maurice Clemmons, the primary person of interest in the November 29th, 2009, murders of four Lakewood, Washington police officers, because Clemmons was 17 at the time of his offenses”
I really thought this one would put him out of presidential contention.
“On April 1, 1999, Huckabee signed into law a three cent increase in tax on gasoline and a four cent increase on diesel”
Hmmm...This would have been after Billy raised federal fuel taxes. Copycat?
“On March 7, 2001, Huckabee signed a tax on private nursing homes for $5.25 per day per non-Medicare patient”
Did Barry pick up on this idea for his tax plan on luxury health plans?
“Huckabee publicly opposed the repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002”
Ok
“On April 11, 2003 Huckabee signed a law which mandates annual body mass index (BMI) measurements for all public school children. The results are reported to parents with information about how to combat obesity. The law also sets up advisory committees to promote exercise and good nutrition for schools.”
Michelle?
“On May 8, 2003, Huckabee signed into law increases in cigarette and tobacco taxes as well as a three percent income tax surcharge”
Hmmm...
“Huckabee supported a 2005 bill by Arkansas State Representative Joyce Elliott to make some illegal immigrants eligible for scholarships and in-state college tuition,[78][79][80] while vehemently opposing a bill sponsored by Arkansas State Senator Jim Holt which would deny state benefits to illegal immigrants”
Huck has a DREAM
“In 2005, Time magazine named him one of the five best governors in the U.S., writing “Huckabee has approached his state’s troubles with energy and innovation”
With friends like Time...
“On December 26, 2007 the conservative organization Judicial Watch announced that Mike Huckabee was named to its list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2007”
Now that’s an endorsement.
“The Cato Institute, a libertarian non-profit public policy research foundation, gave Huckabee an “F” for spending and tax policy in 2006”
Another one
He seems like a nice enough guy...but really isn’t he just Bill Clinton with a little more religion?
What is a pundant?
I’d say Mike Pence is the sleeper candidate.
Mitch Daniels is dthe lput you to sleeper.
That's a double entrende on a chain.
Fourth. You left out Rooty the NAMBLA stooge. How could you dis “America’s mayor”?
Thanks sport for joining us this year in march. Maybe you will learn to see that all you think isn’t so. Good luck with your posts. Anyway are you a moreman?
Sign me up as the third vote for GOPJ’s dog if Huckabee is the nominee.
I been here since Clinton. I have gone through several computers and for some unknown reason have to log in again. Back when I first joined they assigned you a screen name. I am a Baptist.
You are welcome and thanks for the kind words.
Of course Huck is a “sleeper” Candidate....everytime I hear him, he puts me to sleep (zzzzzzz).
Maybe they’re hoping Huckabee can win Iowa and Romney take New Hamshire and Sarah Palin just go away?
As for poor Rudy, his high water mark was Florida, where he couldn't even crack 15% and walked away with zero delegates. Florida, like too many other states, uses a winner-take-all system in delgates. Pretty hosed, if you asked me, but that's the way it is.
The only conservative who won more than a single delegate was poor Fred Thompson, who managed to get 5 from Iowa and 3 each from Nevada and Wyoming. You can look it up here.
Not a problem, and I hope I did not imply you did support him. I think conservatism is a non-negotiable characteristic at this point. Lib-light isn’t working.
Oh I am well aware of the fact that he won’t win the nomination. And I am very happy to know that. I was simply adding that it doesn’t matter who wins the GOP nomination, that person will get my vote in the general.
Unlike McCain.
You're not exactly raising the bar very high. There are some Democrats who would qualify as conservative on those standards.
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