[Redbob]

Huckabee is a “populist” who wants to be everything to everyone.

Or more to the point, he wants to GIVE something to everyone - and he’s going to ask ME to pay for it!

[finnman69]

I clicked on this thinking it might be about something else. But was pleasanlty surprised to read this. In spite of all the third party ruckus talk started by James Dobson,this primary will in fact be an antidote to the chaos. Magnetic north will be re-established to the spinning compass of the GOP. This is so dead on and smart:

Which is why the current Republican race is so interesting - it's a laboratory, in a sense, for determining which interest groups really have clout in the GOP primaries, and which issues really excite the faithful. If Rudy Giuliani wins the nomination, it will tell us a lot about the real influence (or lack thereof) of folks like James Dobson; if John McCain gets the nod, we'll know that immigration and (to a lesser extent) campaign-finance reform are more important to activists than to actual voters; if Huckabee becomes a significent spoiler (or, though it's much more unlikely, an actual contender) then we'll know the Club for Growth doesn't have quite as much clout as most people, left and right, assume to be the case. And if Fred Thompson or Mitt Romney wins, it will reinforce the notion that all of the various issues and interest groups jostling in the GOP tent really are a package deal, and that the best way to take the nomination, now and forever, is to make sure you've checked all your boxes, even if it means flip-flopping like crazy.

Truly this primary season is a barometer recording the strengths and weaknesses of the right, the GOP and conservative leaders.

[libbylu]

Dear Brooks and Barnett: Huckabee will never ever ever be okay...he is too pro amnesty, would like it to be illegal to just come on in one and all, and have everything Americans have worked for taken away to give to them.
Huckabee, another nice guy, no freaking way he can win the presidency.... the illegal problem is way too serious AND WE AREN’T GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!

[MainFrame65]

Huckabee has said some things about amnesty that frankly scare me. I want the illegal invasion stopped, and I want the illegals already here unemployed and ineligible for benefits.

[EternalVigilance]

Who Owns the GOP?

Let's see...hmmm...

I once thought it belonged to conservative Republicans. Not so sure now. At a minimum, it's teetering on the precipice. The chances it's going over the side are greater than I've ever seen them.

[RichInOC]

Masterblaster owns the GOP.

[mojo114]

The buzz on Huckabee started about 48 hrs ago. The media started hitting his name ever so dligently. Now the MSM is completing its buzz. Ridiculous- he’s not going anywhere.

[Grunthor]

“Who Owns the GOP?”

I do believe that is what the current fight between conservatives and whoever it is backing Rudy is going to decide.

[Vision]

Who Owns the GOP?

We the people.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[Kevmo]

Throw in his wetness on immigration
***That’s kinda funny.

[freekitty]

Who are these idiots kidding. They are really trying to put the screws to Americans. Really trying to make us mad with all of these stories trying to insinuate that our own people are turning on us. Keep using that Chinese brainwashing guys because when the rubber finally meets the road; you guys are going to be in for a big surprise. You will be the first to go.

In other words; your guys will turn on you. Think about it; it’s not hard to figure that one out.

[ozzymandus]

I dunno who owns the GOP, but they couldn’t be any worse than the Kos, MoveOn, Code Pink, Soros traitors that own the RATS.

[Rembrandt]

Kudoes to the Atlantic but I think it’s much, much more interesting to explore for bones and skeletons in the Dim candidate closets. After all, there are so many more of them to pause over and much more elaborate scheming. By contrast the GOP is just dull.

Let’s consider the Clinton death list for example; I’m sure the Atlantic blanches at the thought, but there are plenty of entrees to munch on there, enough for a veritable feast of investigating, not that the Atlantic has any interest.

[ellery]

...Huckabee is the one candidate acceptable to all factions,"...

I don't think this is at all true -- Huckabee has a poor record across the entire small-government spectrum, from taxes and spending to nanny-state laws and endorsement of big federal government programs. I will never vote for Huckabee; I'm interested in seeing what other small-government conservatives think about this.

Which is why the current Republican race is so interesting - it's a laboratory, in a sense, for determining which interest groups really have clout in the GOP primaries, and which issues really excite the faithful.

This is exactly right, which is why the choice of nominee will affect the overall direction of the GOP long past 2008 -- especially if that nominee wins.

[ALASKA]

The answer to the question is..............ME.

[George W. Bush]

So according to the article the race is either:

1. Hitlery vs. Rudi (Battle Of Gotham between two New Yorkers)
2. Hitlery vs. Huck (Hatfields and McCoys between two Arkansans)

I think we should pay attention. The libmedia is just trying to help us poor Republicans pick our best candidate. Some mean FReepers will probably say bad things about them too but they're just trying to help us out.

[Lancey Howard]

(( ping ))

Over here.... Check this out.

[SoConPubbie]

<"Throw in his wetness on immigration and his various rhetorical forays toward a "conservatism of the heart" on trade and inequality and so forth, and you have a candidate with as many deviations from GOP orthodoxy as John McCain and Fred Thompson,"

This clown lost me right there with this ridiculous statement!

[Manic_Episode]

Hmmm, who owns the Gop? Now let's see, who could that be?
Could it be SATAN SATAN SATAN SATAN?