GOP Dark Horse Feels His Oats

Ex-Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee Makes Gains In Iowa, But His Candidacy Faces Major Obstacles

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter David Miller.

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Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee would seem to be a natural to attract the support of social conservatives in the Republican presidential contest.

But the Baptist minister who wows audiences with a mix of down-home folksiness and traditional values has spent most of the year struggling to gain a foothold in the race for the GOP nomination.

Lately, however, there are signs that Huckabee may be catching on.

In the latest Iowa poll by the American Research Group, Huckabee is within striking distance of Mitt Romney, whom he trails 27 percent to 19 percent. Other polls in Iowa, host of the first statewide nominating contests on Jan. 3, also show Huckabee gaining ground.

And Huckabee was the star of a recent gathering of conservative Christian voters in Washington, where a majority of those in attendance said he was their preferred candidate for president - outpacing Romney 5-to-1. Internet ballots put Romney ahead of Huckabee in the overall count, but only by 30 votes.

But with Huckabee's apparent rise come many questions. In terms of dollars raised, he is near the bottom of the GOP field. He has no national finance director. In national polls and statewide polls other than Iowa, his support is often less than the margin of error. Rank-and-file social conservatives may like him, but the leaders of that movement are more pessimistic. And among fiscal conservatives, he is viewed with suspicion.

Yet it's hard to deny Huckabee is making headway. Perhaps the surest sign of that is that Romney has started to criticize him. In a recent interview with Iowa Public Television, the former Massachusetts governor chided Huckabee for wanting to give, he said, "special tuition breaks to the children of illegal immigrants."

But GOP strategist Tony Fabrizio says that while Huckabee is gaining traction, it's not clear that he's really a threat to Romney's first-place status in Iowa.

"Romney has an incredible organization and it may be by sheer force of weight that he hangs on," Fabrizio said. "Sometimes you can't substitute money for passion and enthusiasm. Huckabee has that, but Romney's organization is so embedded and so deep it might be tough for Huckabee to unseat him."

Second place in Iowa, however, might not be so bad. A strong finish there could give him a boost headed into primaries in New Hampshire and, in particular, South Carolina, site of the first southern contest on Jan. 19.

Getting there will not be easy. There is no guarantee that Huckabee's current rise will continue through the final stages of the Iowa campaign, during which his weak fundraising - he pulled in only $1 million between July and September of this year - could render him unable to keep up with the large spending expected of Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson.

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Political Players: CBSNews.com Interviews Huckabee

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Huckabee insists he can raise and spend the money required for a strong showing - the campaign recently reported raising $1 million online in October alone.

"The best way to say it is a lot of those campaigns have spent an enormous amount of money hiring a lot more people than we have," Huckabee told reporters in an Oct. 22 conference call. "We have been frugal, and we make no apologies for that. We've used it very wisely and thoughtfully. We continue to add people to our staff. Other people have had to make layoffs and cut staff, and we haven't had to do that."

On paper, Huckabee's fundraising problems might be surprising. He won two elections in Arkansas, a historically Democratic state. He has been reliably conservative on nearly every issue, yet his language strikes a populist tone, making him sound like the "compassionate conservative" President Bush campaigned as in 2000. He even has a compelling personal story, having lost well over 100 lbs. during his time as governor and becoming an advocate for preventative health care.

[kwbagwel]

Huckabee is rising fast. Time to find out about him here: http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=VerticalDay.Home&l=50F49E7D03868E58F54AA1ED674B0C61

[jerr11]

I like Huck, he could turn out to be another Arkansas favorite of mine, Bill.

Now if only he''s not such a warmonger!!

[nycprophet]

Right alongside the widely-held notion that man is somehow to blame for global warming and that we should therefore pay a global Carbon Tax administered by the U.N., when I think about the myth that is our the "Global War on Terrorism," the following two quotes come to mind:

"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."
- Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propaganda minister

"That propaganda is good which leads to success, and that is bad which fails to achieve the desired result. It is not propaganda''s task to be intelligent, its task is to lead to success."
- Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propaganda Minister

[nycprophet]

Following the Reichstag Fire, a historically-proven act of False Flag Terrorism which Hitler''s own party staged to encite fear in the German population, Hitler promoted the Enabling Act, which is eerily similar, in many ways, to our own John Warner Defense Authorization Act, which gives the President the power to suspend Congress, The Constitution, and to impose Martial Law following any event he or she deems an "emergency." Here''s what Hitler told the German people:

"The government will make use of these powers only insofar as they are essential for carrying out vitally necessary measures...The number of cases in which an internal necessity exists for having recourse to such a Law is in itself a limited one."
- Adolf Hitler

Does that ring any bells? It should, folks. It''s nearly the same promise that George Bush made to us support of the John Warner Defense Authorization Act, one of the many Orwellian Laws which Senators Clinton, Obama and McCain all voted in favor of in the Senate.

"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home."
- James Madison

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself, and those who would exploit our fear for power and their own personal, selfish, cynical gain."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

[afmca]

Hucklebee might be a decent man, but another bible toting pol this country does not need. He at least shows more class than Romney - who as the self-professed pseudo-christian guy - when threatened immediately deploys immigration intolerance and bigotry to demean his opponent. I spent so much time studying the Bible and I have yet to see where Jesus ever displayed the pent-up hate, intolerance, and bigotry that the Republican christian right does. Do I have the wrong Bible?

[jerr11]

I spent so much time studying the Bible and I have yet to see where Jesus ever displayed the pent-up hate, intolerance, and bigotry that the Republican christian right does. Do I have the wrong Bible?

Posted by afmca at 12:58 PM : Nov 05, 2007



The Christian right believes that Jesus is a white guy wearing a suit who lives in the nice air conditioned church down the road.

If the real Jesus showed up at their front door, they''ll be the first to get law enforcement to arrest him and crucify him again.

A homeless self-proclaimed prophet hanging around with a bunch of poor fishermen and a prostitute, that''ll scare the heck out of these self-righteous, warmongering, greedy, and corrupt "christians."

[oscarez]

Huckabee is only starting to looks good because the rest of the Republican field is so bad. He is short on ethics and long on graft. He has never met a gift he did not like. This is a guy when ask how he was going to finance his campaign, said: %u201CI%u2019ve got a map of 7-Elevens, a bunch of blue steel revolvers, and some ski masks.%u201D We have one Republican nut in the White House, we sure don''t need another.

[briannorwood]

Oh dear! What a pickle Carl "The Wedge" Rove has led the poor GOP into!

Having built the party base out of the religious right, they are in a real moral quandry...Do they nominate a "real Christian" (e.g. Huckabee), or do they accept a liberal moderate (Guiliani, Romney, Thompson).

What''s a bible-thumper to do?

[nycprophet]

Since its first meeting over 50 years ago, the Bilderberg Group, a secretive gathering of global power brokers, which includes Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, et.al., has inspired layer upon layer of ridicule. In recent times, the deeds laid at the group''s doorstep have included the creation of the European Union, the invasion of Iraq as well as the group''s current efforts to create a North American Union, which will erase U.S. borders and national sovereignty. All to service its most cherished goal: the creation of a world government. After it was reported that a well-received speech by Senator John Edwards at their meeting in Stresa, Italy, was one reason for his selection as John Kerry''s vice-presidential running mate in 2000, people began to ask, "Is the Bilderberg Group now molding the worldwide political scene?" Over 120 of the world''s most powerful monarchs, politicians and business leaders attend the annual, invitation-only gatherings to discuss global issues and to formulate their own policy objectives. The hotels involved are closed-off to other guests, and to reporters. Guards are placed around the perimeter. Attendees promise to keep quiet about what they hear and say. "They do not have to sign anything, but they understand that they do not talk," said Maja Banck-Polderman, the organization''s Secretary. Tony Gosling, a British reporter who has followed the group says, "I think that a forum where so many rich and powerful people meet should be open to public scrutiny."

[rosesnpearls]

I wanted to get to know the candidates better so I ordered some books. If you read Huckabee''s ''Character IS the Issue'', you''ll see a lot less hypocracy as described in these posts and discover a man who treats people fairly and ethically. I''m leaning more and more to Huckabee, expecially as I learn more about the other candidates. No matter what your beliefts, I recommnend that you educate yourself with something more than what the media throws at us. Decide what issues are most important to you and find out how the candidates really feel and have really voted/acted regarding those most important issues. We don''t have to be Republican or Democrat to use our brain - vote for the individual who most reflects your values. Be a smart voter instead of a stupid party member. For many years I thought I was a certain party because of where I grew up, what little I knew about history, and because my parents were. When I started actually looking at my standards and what I believed to be truly most important, I discovered that most of the time I was actually a different party person. I say most of the time because I vote for the individual, not the party, althought the party can sometimes indicate where a candidate''s values lie.

[gkc99]

Oh yeah, that''s all we need, is a Bornagain Endtimer with his finger on the "nukular" button! "Oh Jesus, if I push this button, all the unbelievers will die in fire but your and your angels will come and take us true believers off to Heaven, won''t you?"

Not to mention that he''s a scientific illiterate, just the person we need to lead in the 21st century. Unfortunately for us, the Chinese are not burdened with Dark Ages preachmen like Huckie!

[mustbright]

it will be a cold day in heaven before i vote for a religious nut.

[mcvett]

All Huckabee has to say is:

"I''m just a man from a small town called Hope"

and based on previous years, liberals should swoon.

LOL

[mcvett]

All Huckabee has to say is:

"I''m just a man from a small town called Hope"

and based on previous years, liberals should swoon.

LOL

[antoniof123]

A homeless self-proclaimed prophet hanging around with a bunch of poor fishermen and a prostitute, that''''ll scare the heck out of these self-righteous, warmongering, greedy, and corrupt "christians."


Posted by jerr11 at 01:06 PM : Nov 05, 2007

The truth about the right wing religous nuts have never been spoken more clearly.

[flipantflaw]

'' ... according to some proverbs, parrots born on earth have a limited chance of survival but a more limited chance of survival if born on mars, and the immortal parrot occupys 99 plus percent more space and time than all mortal parrots combined ... ''

'' ... according to some proverbs, the lioness likes to kill herself for a candy bar while her cubs try as they will to convince her otherwise ... still, her odds forever improve despite herself as most others clearly see the truth ... ''

'' ... if the end result of all this alleged survival is inevitably infinite survival, then what are the odds that such infinite survival was not already won infinitely long ago ... if someday i will say with certainty that i did come before eternity and if that day 99.infin9% will agree with me, but not because we know i am correct but because we know i am not ... because we take comfort in the inevitable infinite bliss that allows us to know no unwanted discomfort nor any unwanted lack of discomfort neither ... ''

[gunownerdan]

Dr. Ron Paul is the ONLY anti-war and pro-liberty candidate running for president.
ronpaul2008.com

[roger_inkart]

The religious conservatives have shown they can place a man in the White House. But, unfortunately, that man is GW Bush, a corrupt, arrogant moron. Not good for the nation.

The moderates and indepedents that were critical to the GOPs success in 00 and 04 will NOT be there in 08. It''s that simple.

[drivelphobe]

Huckabee is a breath of fresh air, with a presidential decorum. He talks the "straight talk" and seems to be right on target for the will of the majority of American citizens. So far, he has my vote.

[drivelphobe]

"I like Mike"

"Pass the buck to Huck"

[tnt1954]

was huckleberry finn from arkansas or missouri
mr. huckabee? is arkansas where noah''s ark is
laid to rest? why did arkies conquer california
after the dust bowl, and then move back to arkieland.
is black oak arkansas your favorite rock group?
how about the song, hot and nasty? your favorite?

[flipantflaw]

'' ... if, as a rule, there is infinite evidence to prove any statement, then, as a rule, is it not the abscense of the statement that tends to result in the absence of the matterial of the statement ... ''

[jerr11]

"GOP Dark Horse Feels His Oats"


Feels his oats?

At least that''s better than sowing them, like that Rudy "family values 3-wifer" Giuliani and Fred "family values cradle robber" Thompson.

[speakinup]

I agree - no presidents with names like Hillary!

Oh, you mean that name isn''t strange enough to qualify for exclusion ? Would someone please explain the liberal logic here - guess I''m just too intelligent to follow it.

[perception5]

And Mitt Romney''s "quiet storm" continues despite the efforts of America''s corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press to de-rail his nomination..........."Today, Paul Weyrich, Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Research and Education Foundation, announced his support for Governor Mitt Romney and his campaign to be our country''s next President. Paul Weyrich is one of the premier leaders in the conservative movement, having founded the Heritage Foundation and the American Legislative Exchange Council. "As he travels across the country, Governor Romney has outlined a blueprint to build a stronger America rooted in our common conservative principles. With a clear conservative vision to move America forward, he will strengthen our economy, our military and our families. More importantly, he already has an exceptional record of putting conservative values to work. Because of his experience, vision and values, I am proud to support Governor Romney," said Paul Weyrich. With today''s announcement, Governor Romney said, "Paul Weyrich has put his stamp on the conservative movement in this country. It is an honor to have his support and counsel. Through our efforts, we can work to ensure that Washington always stands on the side of building stronger American families."

Mitt Romney leads strongly in Iowa, New Hampshire, and now South Carolina.......just the facts!

[rowdytexan2]

Our country needs a leader with ethics and a passion for the GOOD in this country. His faith is his own personal business.

Many of our founders were people of faith and believed that they gained their strength for freedom from the Christian God. Therefore, they put the stamp of their beliefs on this country. And they had a right to. They earned it.

In their wisdom, they separated church and state. They believed that ALL people have equal right to freedom and propserity.

Unfortunately, many who profess faith have absolutely no morals or ethics and use it to garner favoritism from the masses who are of faith. They also believe in their right to the MOST prosperity, and they''ll mouth anything to get it, i.e. our current situation and party.

Fanatics of the Christian faith and the Muslim faith also have quirky beliefs that they have the right to suppress and/or get rid of anybody not of THEIR faith. Those in power will use the quirky beliefs to get what they want. O rise masses and murder the infidels that don''t want us to have the money!

This article sounds like Mr. Huckabee has not paid attention to those watchdogs who would like to control the election, and they''re whining. That could be a good thing. But is he a strong enuff to use the morals and ethics taught by his faith to run this country for the good of ALL? Don''t legislate my life according to your faith! I can take care of my faith, you just keep your eye on my right to equality, freedom and prosperity.

[simonsez40]

Mitt Romney leads strongly in Iowa, New Hampshire, and now South Carolina.......just the facts!



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Posted by perception5

Mitt Romney is a flip-flopper and a YES MAN - he''ll do or say anything to get votes. Ask Mass. citizen''s how much they loved this guy! NOT!

[simonsez40]

I agree - no presidents with names like Hillary!

Oh, you mean that name isn''''t strange enough to qualify for exclusion ? Would someone please explain the liberal logic here - guess I''''m just too intelligent to follow it.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by SPEAKINUP

My liberal logic is Hillary is better than DIICK CHENEY......with a name like that he''s lived up to it well! Explain to me SPEAKINUP how you can vote for a DIICK and BUSH?

[simonsez40]

Huckabee is a breath of fresh air, with a presidential decorum. He talks the "straight talk" and seems to be right on target for the will of the majority of American citizens. So far, he has my vote.


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Posted by drivelphobe

Great all we need now is HUCK sporting a white pompadour hair-do, white shoes and preaching from the White House pulpit - what''s next Tent Revivals on the East Lawn?

Religion and government needs to stay seperate..........I''ve had enough of the Christian Conservatives in the past 7 years!

[merlgrey]

almost up to 5.2 mil in todays cash drive for ron paul at 12:30 mountain time. it''s good to see so many americans are getting away from the mainstream media dribble and options presented and finding out the truth about candidates for themselves. i suspect many are genuinely concerned about thier personal freedoms and liberties anymore, and ron paul is the only candidate who understands the seriousness of this issue and brings this issue to the forefront as well as the voting record to back it up.

[flipantflaw]

'' ... when i was really little, i beat up all the other girls, while the boys stuck close to the teachers and did teachers games, i beat up all the other girls far across the playground or in the woods, and they all grew up journalists and such making fun of people that beat people up, but still sending their baby girls to schools with some little girls to beat all their babys up ... ''

[speakinup]

simonsez40 - another atheist spews his cr*ap. You militant atheist are far worse than those you seek to ''protect'' yourselves from.

Bad news simonize - not all God-fearing folks are like your stereo-type. We''re all around you. But that only proves you''re idiotic. You''ve NEVER recognized us for who we are.

[trillion1]

bush said he''d bring "honor and integrity back to the WH". All he''s brought us is distruction and massive debt. I don''t think most Americans want another man who "talks to God" in the WH.

[condumism]

Posted by speakinup
not all God-fearing folks are like your stereo-type.

Good point. But the majority of Religious types (do you understand the difference between those that beleive in God, but do not beleive in organized religion?) are HYPOCRITS! I have yet to meet a church going so-called Christian in the USA that was not a hypocrit. This is why so-called christains in the USA are also considered to be half nutts.

[pepperp1]

Sooooo if the holier than thou are really the base of the GOP why are they not sending the minister money and why is he not number one in the polls.

[condumism]

Mike Huckabee, RELIGIOUS NEOCON NUTT CASE! Any discussion about Neocon Huckabee shows the world what a pathetic lot are each and everyone of the GOP HYPOCRTITS running for President. Just wait until we unload the dirt that we have on everone of these GOPigs running to continue to bankrupt the USA. The Borrow and Spend Republicons are finished in 2008.

[beckajw]

Condumism

"majority"!!??? That''s like saying the majority of muslims are extremists. It''s rarely the majority that makes the racket.

STOP stereotyping people.

[hillaryin08]

vote for me, vote for me and I will really fight a war for oil vote for meeeeeeee

Just dont trick me ok?

[usayesterday]

"...feels his oats."

I''m sorry, but I just can''t stand that term "feels his oats."

It sounds so much like he is fondling his nuts or just outright playing with himself!

Well.... he is a "Christian" Conservative....



...um, nevermind.

[tylenol6]

VOTE RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT. Besides Gravel and Kucinich
all the other candidates are SCUM!!!!!!! Ron Paul is
the democrats and republicans WORST nightmare because
RON PAUL is for the american people. Check it out for
yourself.

[tmn]

Talk about a candidate that can take us even further back in progress than Bush. That man would be Mike Huckabee. He would be a true nightmare for America...

[antoniof123]

GOP Dark Horse Feels His Oats

Another scandal on its way.

[johnny343sc]

Huck-a-who???

Dude, don''t even waste your time...

;)

P R O G R E S S I V E S
==========================================
Liberal Left Wing Heathens of America
Counting Decay as Advancement!
==========================================

This message board sounds like the Headquarters of the infamous LLWHA

[random_radar]

I will vote for Ron Paul because I want the government to leave me alone. Just reading the insane opinions on these blogs makes me afraid of anyone Americans elect to rule us.

Our nation is possessed by a demonic urge to make people do things. Leave me alone. Ron Paul says no to taxes and government, and I like that.

[myidoncbs]

Religious nutbags: NO THANKS!

[laprophet]

By the way. I''m watching Ron Paul''s site. In just one day (today) he has already raised over $2,000,000 in grass roots donations. Got a letter from his campaign headquartes, and it looks like they''ll beat Romney''s one-day (Republican) record of 3.1 million dollars. Ron certainly isn''t getting any money from the military industrial complex (verify this online if you like), like all the other sold-out NWO ****** on the left and the right who pretend to be his equal. He''s getting support from millions of people like me who share in his Hope For America. Join us in this the 21st Century political revolution. ronpaul2008.com

[homespunlady]

So, what does he think of the chaos in Pakistan? Or does he avoid that issue?

Thought for a minute that there''d be a Ron Paul article on this site but so far Like Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter he''s STILL being ignored. Kucinich with his UFO comment gets more press.
BTW UFO simply means whatever he saw apparently couldn''t be identified - I doubt it''s "Little green men" but I know that there ARE amazing aircraft out there that don''t get talked about by either the companies that build them or the governments that fund them.
So, I''ll give him a break on that.

I''m more interested in platform, effectiveness and which candidate might be able to slow or stop the upcoming American financial upheaval that''s getting more OBVIOUS every day.

[diehardrepub]

He''s too paranoid of the press, that guy. Thats the only thing I don''t like about him. I mean, enough already. You could give a republican all the keys to your house and he''d be complaining you were breathing too heavy.