Posted on 05/06/2015 12:19:02 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Mike Huckabee is not the evangelical candidate. Oh sure, he’ll get a hefty amount of the evangelical vote even though there is a much more competitive field this time around. But if you think he’s a one-trick pony then you miss the larger story. The easy media narrative will be that Huckabee must appeal to evangelicals to do well. And there’s no denying that will be a part of his potential winning equation. But what Huckabee has that no other candidate possesses is an, “aw shucks,” bless your heart, southern charm. That will play well in the heartland of this country. It will play well with those “Reagan Democrats.” His populist, flag waving overtones and exceptional communication skills set him up as a candidate that can definitely win the nomination. What he really needs is the mother’s milk of politics: money. It was the famous philosopher Jerry Maguire who famously yelled, “Show me the money.” Well, Huckabee better start yelling.
As for the evangelical aspect, Huckabee and Ted Cruz are taking two totally different approaches. Huckabee is making sure (just like in 2008) that evangelicals know that he is actually one of them. He’s the ex-pastor who will be the one to show up at the Sunday church pot lot with the chicken casserole. He’s the regular guy at the Tuesday night Bible study. Ted Cruz is taking more of an intellectual, clinical approach. When you watch him in front of evangelical crowds, he says a lot of the same things as Huckabee but his method is different. He’s making the argument that he has fought issues near and dear to the hearts of evangelicals (marriage, religious liberty, abortion) in the courts, arguing these type cases for a living. Put more simply, Mike Huckabee is saying to evangelicals that he’s fighting the culture wars at Chick fil-A along with the people while Ted Cruz is saying he’s fighting for the people in front of judges. Both are equally compelling.
So who has the advantage between Cruz and Huckabee? Well, look; you have to give the nod to Huckabee at this point for two reasons. First of all, his likeability is through the roof and he’s been through the rigors of a presidential campaign before. He’s been vetted. Oh, and this small thing: He’s won Iowa before! That counts for something doesn’t it? As for Cruz, while he has a passionate following, he hasn’t been fully vetted by the media so he has more potential potholes ahead. Also, Cruz (rightly or wrongly) has been saddled with a reputation that he doesn’t compromise and is looked upon (fairly or unfairly) as someone who is a bit more of an angry conservative. Huckabee has a reputation as a happy warrior. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. Maybe evangelical voters are in the mood for some new blood and the “fire and brimstone” approach of Cruz. Or will they look at Huckabee and simply say, “bless his heart, I’ll vote for him again.”
I envy you having met Cruz. Huckabee reminds me of an Elmer Gantry, snake oil salesman and I’m not in the market for what he’s selling.
It will be a draw. 50-50.
Huckabee is a poseur. He *uses* his faith as political currency. I find that disgusting.There isn't a computer font large enough or bold enough that I could use to express my AMEN to your sentiment. It's tragic that Huckabee will deceive some good Christians and entice them to throw away their votes on a political fraud.
Entropic doom.
Evangelicals were fooled by Southern Preacher Charm and praises like “ PRAISE THE LORD “ with Jimmy and Tammy Baker.
Old Jimmy Swagart has that good old Southern Preacher Charm down pat also.
Huckebee knows how to strike all the right cords in a hymm to get the gullible sheeple to follow the grand master of snake oil.
Didn’t Burt Lancaster make a movie about a preacher like this.
That’s the problem with those who are gullible who are blindly following someone , they can’t be convinced no matter how much you try and talk to them until you are blue in the face.
Your pastor father needs to convince him self or for God to intervien.
Does your father give you good reasons why he’s for Shyster Huckebee and not for Ted Cruz ?
Does give you reasons why he is not supporting Ted Cruz.
Is your father aware that Ted Cruz is a born again Evangelical Christian ? That Ted Cruz’s father is a preacher ?
Keep praying that God would open your father’s eyes.
Realopotic!
The author is confusing “pandering” with Southern charm.
Everyone else is noise.
| Bush | Rubio | Walker | Paul | Cruz | Huckabee | Christie | Carson | Perry | Kasich | Santorum | Graham | Jindal | Fiorina | Spread | |
| RCP Average 4/16 - 4/30 | 15.5 | 14.3 | 12.3 | 10.0 | 8.8 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | Bush +1.2 |
Who lead the polls at this point in 2007 or 2011?
I’m at puke with the “aw shucks” group.
This is WAR .. and when you’re at WAR .. you need a WARRIOR .. not somebody who will bring a casserole to the next pot-luck; and play his guitar.
The “aw shucks” will not make it in a WAR.
Yes, it is.
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