Huckabee's OK With 3rd or 4th in N.H.

(CBS)
ON THE ROAD BETWEEN MASON AND CONCORD, N.H. -- Since Labor Day, Mike Huckabee has spent at least 24 days – almost as many days he spent in Iowa – campaigning in New Hampshire. And on the day before the primary, Huckabee says he’d be satisfied with any kind of finish.
“Right now, the polls show us going into third. I don’t know where it’s going to end up,” Huckabee told reporters on his campaign bus. “I think if we’re third or fourth, we’re still in the game. Even if we don’t end up third or fourth, we’re still in the game ’cause we got a great situation going on in South Carolina. That’s a big state for us ... We’re going to a place where we’ve got strong organization, good staffing, huge support and Florida: the same thing. We’re going to do well here, and that’s good, but the Iowa win put wind to our back and we’ll build on that.”
Asked by a reporter about his performance at Sunday night's Fox News Channel debate, Huckabee stewed over the “awkward and uncomfortable” debate format and complained people weren’t given “adequate opportunity” to follow up on “things that were thrown at us.” He then took the opportunity to show reporters on his bus how he would have taken on Romney.
“You know, Romney was very defensive of his record as saying that he did support Bush’s tax cuts but the record reflects otherwise. If you go back and look at the statements he made in 2002, he did not support them. The only statements that were being made were not supportive."
Huckabee said the discrepancy was “characteristic” of Romney. He went into depth about a comment Romney made on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," where the host showed Romney his own campaign ad after the former Massachusetts governor denied ever calling McCain’s immigration plan “amnesty.”
When he heard about this, Huckabee said, he thought to himself, “You came on camera and you said, I’m Mitt Romney and I approve this message. Did you approve the message? Did you approve it and not know what you said? Or did you not approve it and it went out anyway? That’s a real issue. That’s a serious thing to say: I didn’t watch my own television spot. I can manage the whole country but I’m not sure what I’m spending millions of dollars to say on TV. And I just thought that lacked all credibility – to say I’m Mitt Romney and I approve this message -- don’t know what it said, but by golly, I approved it.”
Huckabee also said it was “interesting” that Romney defended airing “negative attack ads” by saying they are “just record comparisons.” Meanwhile, Huckabee noted, “If anyone says anything about his record, [Romney says], it’s a personal attack. They’re just attacking me personally.”
“Well, you can’t have it both ways,” said Huckabee, "It’s either a personal attack or a record comparison and I just felt like he was able to get away with it [yesterday].”
Huckabee said he was not attacking Romney but simply answering a “specific question about the debate” to which he was giving an “honest answer.”
Huckabee made three campaign stops in New Hampshire this morning. With Chuck Norris in tow, Huckabee packed a pancake house, dropped by a bakery, and attended the launch of the “Huckaburger” at a restaurant in Concord. At the burger stop, Huckabee had to maneuver through a leering crowd of Ron Paul supporters chanting “Tax Hike Mike” and “Tax Like Mike.”
Around 1pm, he boarded a private jet bound for New York. There, he’ll be a guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman" before returning to New Hampshire for a rock band performance tonight.
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See all 43 CommentsI beg to differ.
The fact is, Mike Huckabee is on the defense and wants to take the attention off of his liberal record as the governor of Arkansas.
FACT: Huckabee accepted more than 300 gifts worth at least $130,000, ranging from $3,700 cowboy boots to a $600 chainsaw. (Source: POLITICO, Huckabee rivals unearth ethics complaints Kenneth P. Vogel Nov 21, 2007)
FACT: Mike Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers, one of which "Wayne DuMond" shortly after his release moved to Missouri where he raped and murdered Carol Sue Shields. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in Clay County, Mo., in 2003. He died in prison in 2005. (Source: The Leader, Arkansas clemencies outpace other states, Garrick Feldman, 2004)
FACT: Mike Huckabee''s substantial tax hikes far surpassed his modest tax cuts, with the average tax burden increasing by a whopping 47% over his tenure. (Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003. (Source: Arkansas News Bureau, 11/21/03)
FACT: Mike Huckabee in 2004, he allowed a 17% sales tax increase to become law. (Source: The Gurdon Times, 03/02/04)
FACT: Mike Huckabee stole over $70,000 worth of furniture from the Arkansas governors mansion. (Source: Arkansas Times Counting the Furniture, 12/14/06 Leslie Newell Peacock)
FACT: During the 2001 regular session of the Arkansas Legislature, Mike Huckabee supported giving driver''s licenses to illegal aliens. (Source Arkansas Journal, Mike Huckabee Supported Bill to Give Driver''s Licenses to Illegal Aliens, Henry Rearden, 11/22/2007)
FACT: Mike Huckabee supported in-state higher education benefits for children of illegal immigrants. (Laura Kellams, "Senators research U.S. law on aliens," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/27/05)
FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote in his own state. (Source CNS NEWS, Some GOP Concerned about Huckabee''s Immigration Views, Fred Lucas, 12/04/2007)
FACT: Mike Huckabee says he has degree in theology, further investigation discovers he does not. (Source: The Carpetbagger Report, Mike Huckabee has a theology degree -- or does he?, 12/14/2007)
Look through his "Awe Schucks" act and see him for what he really is. Mike Huckabee is a liberal in conservative clothing.
Anyone that believes the Constitution can be amended to stop abortion is living a fool''s dream. When Huckabee says the solution to ending abortions in the US is a Constitutional amendment, he is playing us like fools. It can''t be done. Why do you think no one has ever tried?
It is not within the President''s power to amend the Constitution - Huckabee suggests that as the solution to avoid any responsibility for his intended inaction.
Only Thompson is serious about bringing abortion under control. He knows that the key is to appoint one more strict constructionist to the Supreme Court. The pro-abortionist know it, too. To confirm the right candidate will be the fight of the century. It will take every ounce of a President''s political capital to win the fight. A compromise will allow abortion to continue unchecked for another generation.
Huck has shown repeatedly that he will compromise or shift positions whenever advantageous. The only one that will NOT compromise his principles %u2013 or fail us - is Fred Thompson. If you really want the ongoing massacre of the unborn to stop - get serious. Look at the facts. Fred Thompson is our ONLY prayer.
Huckabee raised taxes 21 times and granted clemency to 1033 convicted felons, 12 murderers and rapists. Try to improve his tough on crime image with Chuck Norris. (Give me a break! If they were selling weight lose machine it would be more convincing!)
He has a 2 1/2 year of religious higher education and as a minister selling religion for a living with people''s donation for 12 years. No one should trust Huckabee to run the country!
I want people to realize all of the negative ads that have been put out against Romney by not only McCain but Huckabee as well, and what Romney%u2019s response has been. Huckabee has an average of using the word %u201Cdishonest%u201D in interviews against Romney 2 to 3 times per interview. While McCain calls Romney a %u201CPhony%u201D! After these personal attacks occur what has been Romney%u2019s response each time? ( Something time and time again such as the following ) %u201CI feel sorry that they are resorting to personal attacks, they are both good men, but we just differ in political opinions.%u201D Who then, I ask, is the better man of the three? Who is being more %u201CChristian%u201D I wonder, to turn the other cheek rather than to retaliate with personal attacks? I believe Mitt Romney is a great man, and would make a great President, and that he shows it by staying true to his beliefs, no matter how popular or unpopular the media makes it out to be, and being enough of a man to campaign fairly and honestly. Romney should win this campaign, and even if he doesn%u2019t, it will be because he is the better man.
Mike Huckabee was named as one of Americas top 5 governors in Time magazine!
Mike Huckabee consistently reduced taxes and left Arkansas with a billion dollar surplus!
Mike Huckabee was the most successful governor in Arkansas for over 10 years!
Mike Huckabee beleives in some things, and he stands for some things! And those things are what we common Americans believe in!
Mike is an authentic conservative, but more importantly, an authentic human being!
Mike Huckabee is from the people, for the people!
Mike Huckabee spent 1 doallar to Mitt Romney''s 20 but still took more than 10,000 votes for a first place fisnish in Iowa!
Mike Huckabee has the largest support of military members!
Mike Huckabee wants to honor America and finish the job in the war on terror!
Mike Huckabee is a great guy, and the best choice for president I have ever seen!
We like Mike!
Dan Campbell
Sgt., USMC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiFsxp5qOpM
Mike Huckabee was named as Americas top 5 governors in Time magazine!
Mike Huckabee consistently reduced taxes and left Arkansas with a billion dollar surplus!
Mike Huckabee was the most successful governor in Arkansas for over 10 years!
Mike Huckabee beleives in some thing, and he stands for some things!
Mike Huckabee is from the people, for the people!
Mike Huckabee spent 1 doallar to Mitt Romney''s 20 but still took more than 10,000 vote for a first place fisnish in Iowa!
Mike Huckabee has the largest support of military members!
Mike Huckabee want to honor America and finish the job in the war on terror!
Mike Huckabee is a great guy, and the best choice for president I have ever seen!
We like Mike!
Dan Campbell
Sgt., USMC
If Huckabee gets 17% in NH that will be a HUGE Positive for his campaign.
Governor Huckabee has my vote--I see past what the mainline mass media mind manipulators and the brainless bloggers WANT us to believe, but when I listen to the Governor UNFILTERED...I come away thinking...I LIKE MIKE!! He is alright by me!
So, when you compare how Mr. Huckabee''s visionary FairTax advocacy ( http://snipr.com/nextrung ) compares to Romney''s interest in the current tax system, it''s pretty easy to see who will lead us out of tax slavery ( http://snipr.com/taxburden ) - $265 billion annual tax code compliance costs representing 5 billion wasted hours, annually.
On the other hand, Huckabee''''s likeability, his honesty, his optimism, his humbleness, his trustworthiness are all character traits that define him.
American voters are thrilled to have a presidential candidate who not only has experience on running a government, but also someone who has integrity and charm.
That''''s why Huckabee is skyrocking in the polls and now taking over # 1 position in the nation. Everybody can feel the energy when Huckabee talks, they feel at ease when he speaks with them.
Huckabee is like no other candidate in the last 100 years. His charm, his down to earth speak, his witty style makes people feel good about themselves in side. Someone they want to hang around with and chat wtih.
Huckabee is going to revolutionize America with his optimism for all not just a selected group. Huckabee appeals to all types of groups. He is going to lead this nation up to higher ground creating a new America spirit to be born.
I beg to differ.
The fact is, Mike Huckabee is on the defense and wants to take the attention off of his liberal record as the governor of Arkansas. If you''re reading this and you think that Mike Huckabee is the true conservative candidate of the republican party you need to take a look at the facts;
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