Suddenly A Contender, Huckabee Scrambles

Despite Shooting To The Top Of The Polls, GOP Hopeful Is Still Running Like A Long Shot

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

---

It was a Tuesday evening in Des Moines in early December, and Mike Huckabee was tired.

The former Arkansas governor, who had been considered a long-shot for most of his GOP presidential bid, suddenly found himself leading in the polls in Iowa, home of the crucial Jan. 3 caucuses. Media outlets were taking a closer look at the candidate, asking tough questions about his role in the parole of a convicted rapist; special interest-groups like the anti-tax Club For Growth were stepping up their attacks; and his GOP rivals, after ignoring Huckabee for most of the campaign, were plotting how to take him down.

Now a reporter was asking Huckabee about the National Intelligence Estimate report, which had found that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program four years ago. The report had been front-page news, and it seemed likely to transform the rhetoric about Iran coming from the presidential candidates.

Huckabee, to the surprise of the reporters gathered around him, was unfamiliar with the report. It was an embarrassing gaffe for a candidate desperate to convince skeptics about his foreign policy bona fides.

The next day, he would explain his lack of awareness to CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

"I had been up about 20 hours at that time, and had not even so much as had the opportunity to look at a newspaper," he said. "We were literally going from early in the morning to late that night, and talking to guys like you."

Huckabee has good reason to spend his time talking to journalists: Lacking the campaign funds of rivals like Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, he relies on free airtime, not advertising, to get his face in front of the public. It has worked: Huckabee now sits atop polls in Iowa and South Carolina, and a new CBS News poll finds him virtually tied with Giuliani for first-place nationally.

Despite the success, however, Huckabee is still running something of a long-shot's campaign. He lacks the on-the-ground organization of Romney in Iowa, for example. Instead, the Baptist minister is tapping into existing networks of religious conservatives, tax reform advocates, and even home-schoolers.

"It's going to be an interesting case study in Iowa caucus history," Bob Vander Plaats, Huckabee's Iowa chairman, told CBSNews.com. "You're going to have an unpaid, volunteer, true believer network for Gov. Huckabee for the January 3rd caucus night versus a well-staffed, well-organized machine for Mitt Romney."

That may be something of an exaggeration: The Huckabee campaign estimates its paid staff in Iowa in at between 14 and 18 people, while the Romney campaign says it has 17 paid staffers in the state. But many of the Huckabee staffers are recent hires, and his campaign lacks the traditional political machinery that Romney long-ago established.

"There are tactical advantage of getting into Iowa early," according to Steve McMahon, media advisor for Howard Dean in 2004. "When you're well known and well regarded and thought to have a really good chance, it enables you to recruit people who will give you a really big advantage later."

McMahon said that Huckabee may be better positioned than Dean, since much of his network is made up of conservative Christians, a relatively politically savvy group. But he says early organization can make a huge difference in Iowa, where the caucus format adds a social aspect to the voting process.

"I still believe that John Kerry went a long way towards winning Iowa a year or two before we even got there," he said.

Huckabee also lacks the type of inner circle that some of his rivals, particularly Giuliani, have relied on to helped craft their public positions. Huckabee's approach to policy has been far more informal. His recently-unveiled immigration plan, for example, wasn't worked out with advisers; Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman told CBSNews.com that it is simply a restatement of "what he's been saying on the campaign trail all along." According to Vander Plaats, Huckabee threw his support behind the FairTax proposal, which would replace federal income and payroll taxes with a consumption tax, after he was asked about it, and given a book on the topic, while on the campaign trail.

That isn't to say that Huckabee doesn't have advisers, among them businessman French Hill, Charmaine Yoest of the Family Research Council, and Janice Cherry, his policy director. But now that he is a legitimate contender, Huckabee is facing more scrutiny of his public-policy positions, particularly when it comes to foreign affairs. And as the National Intelligence Estimate report incident illustrated, he has at times struggled to keep up.

"The whole thing has taken off faster than he anticipated, and he's having trouble riding the rocket," says David Yepsen, chief political correspondent for The Des Moines Register.

Huckabee now faces a crucial moment in his campaign: Romney has begun an Iowa counteroffensive, which includes a new ad contrasting the rivals' positions on illegal immigration, and Huckabee will likely be a big target at Wednesday's Register-sponsored GOP presidential debate. He is also facing new questions about comments he made in 1992 on issues ranging from AIDS to killing Saddam Hussein to women in combat.

But Huckabee is trying to take it all in stride. Asked Tuesday about increasing criticism from his opponents, he was dismissive. “We obviously are scoring and our offense is working," Huckabee said. "And I think that’s what we want to focus on - why I should be president and why somebody else shouldn’t.”

[dutchman57-2009]

Huck will be unfaithful to his oath of office. He clearly does not understand the Christian responsibility of honoring this sacred oath. Ron Paul is the most consistent candidate. Ron Paul honors his sacred oath to support and uphold the constitution. Vote Ron Paul for president.

[skyk-2009]

Huck will be unfaithful to his oath of office. He clearly does not understand the Christian responsibility of honoring this sacred oath. Ron Paul is the most consistent candidate. Ron Paul honors his sacred oath to support and uphold the constitution. Vote Ron Paul for president.


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

Posted by dutchman57 at 08:21 AM : Dec 12, 2007
+ report abuse

I seriously doubt you have to worry about ANOTHER member of the Religious Reich taking the oath of office!

[pepperp1]

I seriously doubt you have to worry about ANOTHER member of the Religious Reich taking the oath of office!


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

Posted by skyk at 08:24 AM : Dec 12, 2007



LOL, exactly NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

[fibonacci_]

"God wants me to be president."

Oh.

[macusweil]

Mike was noted to be among the GOP front runners until it was revealed today he has a concealed tattoo in the middle of his forehead: "L-O-S-E-R!"

[radiob-2009]

The whole thing has taken off faster than he anticipated, and he''s having trouble riding the rocket," says David Yepsen, chief political correspondent for The Des Moines Register.


If he is having trouble managing a campaign how will he manage our government in a time of crisis? His poor character assessment (the rape case) and his comment on aids demonstrate a lack of critical thinking.

[macusweil]

Congressman Ron Paul stands the best chance to win the presidency since his views make the most sense to the most voters. He''s not middle of the road, right wing or left wing or any of that nonsense.

Ron Paul has a clear message: Let''s hold our government accountable, stop the free spending habits of both parties and bring our troops home & out of harm''s way as quick as we possibly can.

Under sound leadership this country will be back on the course of freedom, liberty & prosperity for all out citizens. America will once again be the land of the free & home of the brave where the true patriots are those who question the government not those who blindly follow.

We can all get behind Dr. Paul and his plan for fiscal responsibility that will return the dollar to its rightful place among the global currencies. The US will move forward again as the greatest free nation on earth.

ronpaul4all.com

[grumpas]

This guy is BAD news for this country!!!!!! He is more frightening than Bush was and that takes a lot of doing. I thought in 2004 the American people would vote the slim ball out of office! But, there are so many idiot''s out there who equate morality with wrapping yourself in Christianity! Don''t ask me why they do? I have found more Christian''s who were two faced and will stab you in the back at the drop of a hat than I ever have those who weren''t. In there book abortion is morally wrong but lying, cheating and stealing isn''t! So, I don''t have much faith left in the American people to do the right thing by this country!

[oscar19861]

Huckabee is liked and trusted, which cannot be said of Romney or Guiliani.

Huckabee will win Iowa, S. Carolina, and is ahead also in Michigan, and a competitive second in Nevada and Florida. A poll just came out that he is also leading Georgia too, which votes later.

Huckabee will take the South, and he is disarming. People like him.

[antoniof123]

The Republicans are getting desperate they have no one to run that stands for change. They believe that WE THE PEOPLE want a decider well, we have one and we want to get rid of him.

Sorry neocon party you are a dismal failure.

[wheezel3]

Look at him. He is channelling Richard Nixon. Creepy eyes.

[jgil3]

As a Christian and a southerner from the mountains of North Carolian, I am pleased with the ascendancy of Mike Huckabee in the polls. He represents to me, the American Decency that I find lacking today in our country. No doubt there are many Americans with that genuine sense of gratitude for their many blessings. I would like to see Huckabee a litte more focused on illegal immigration, however. So, I''m still looking by am pleased with the trend. We''ll see how it goes as the campaign heads into next year. Jim Gilley, WMCT am 1390

[gmond]

Are there any snake handling healers running? As long as my vote means nothing, I want to throw it away on someone more entertaining.

[macusweil]

"He represents to me, the American Decency that I find lacking today in our country. "

Yeah, like lots of "Mike Hikes" tax increases, parole for killers, numerous ethics violations, pro-life / pro execution, bed tax for nursing homes, guess it all depends on you definition of "decency" huh?

[mike71067]

"If we American people do NOT want another republican in the White House..."
-Posted by rp44_63 at 09:51 AM : Dec 12, 2007

Sorry, but you lost me and millions of others. We DO want a Republican in the White House, especially now that the Democrats control Congress.

[kj19801]

WELL NOW WE NEED TTO FOCUS MORE ON THE EFFORTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAN THE RAISING OR LOWERING OF TAXES. AND ASFAR AS IM CONCERNED WITH THE IMAGRATION LAWS WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE ONES WE ALREADY HAVE. SET UP MORE MAN POWERED BARRIERS KEEP THEM OUT UNTILL THEY CAN GO THROUGH THE PROPER CHANELS MOST AMERICANS HAD TO. ALSO WE SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH OUR SECOND LANGUAGE IS FRENCH NOT SPANISH. IM TIRED OF THE LANGUAGE CHANGES PEOPLE HAVE TO MAKE TO LIVE IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE U.S.A.AND ON THE NOTE OF THE WAR WE NEED TO FINISH IT AT ALL COST.DONT PULL OUT NOW WHEN WE ARE SO CLOSE.

[gunownerdan]

Separation of church and state helps both.
Without it, you either have one or the other and that''s VERY bad.

[oscarez]

davek455 ... The people who fit your requirements are not crazy enough to run for president. Huckabee, when he left Arkansas, wiped over 100 computer hard drives, in the capital, to remove any evidence of illegal uses in his run for president. Sounds like Richard Nixon.

[micma-2009]

We don''t need another religious fanatic in the White House.

[hwy71so]

"I learned a long time ago to not ever say never - especially when it comes to politics and how people will vote. I don''''t count any of the republican candidates out. They''''re all threats to become president.

If we American people do NOT want another republican in the White House - WE have to insure this doesn''''t happen by FIRST, get registered to vote - SECOND, get involved with a Democratic candidate''''s campaign - THIRD, promote the candidate of your choice and FOURTH, GO VOTE!!!

Too many times people offer up opinions but never get engaged in campaigns and most importantly they don''''t vote. If you do not vote - you have NO room to gripe if a republican gets in the White House!!!

Posted by rp44_63 at 09:51 AM : Dec 12, 2007"

That''s all well and fine, BUT, first find someone who is trustworthy and reliable to run for office. Right now, there is none.

[tessies101]

I must agree with others that say Huckabee scares them, he scares me too. The Republicans and the Democrats have a great candidate they can support right now, but the media is trying their best to keep him out of the race. I just hope America will see through all of this before it is too late and we end up with another war maker in office. We need change in this country and it is going to take someone with integrity, and someone that will obey the Constitution of the United States, and will stand up for "WE THE PEOPLE". The only sensible and logical thinking candidate is Ron Paul, but unfortunately the media has given bad information or no information regarding Ron Paul. Almost 70 percent of the American public still believes we should be out of Iraq and bring our troops home. Ron Paul is the only one brave enough to stand up and say he would do exactly that. So why are they not listening to the American people? Unfortunately war is popular with the media, they make money off of war. Ron Paul has my vote and support, he has the best record in Congress. Ron Paul will do what "WE THE PEOPLE" want. He will bring unity to our country, and put America back on the right track. If you have not read about Ron Paul, please do the research on him. http://RonPaul2008.com

[johale05]

I had an opportunity to meet Mike Huckabee this week in Dallas. He is an exceptional person. I realize that this blog is predominately a sounding board for individuals you prefer to stereotype the Christian faith and cast unfair dispersions on individuals who would dare to be open with and faithful to their values. Mr. Huckabee gives you a standard by which you can measure him as a leader. His compass always points in the same direction. His faith anchors him against the political winds that would blow this country off course. I find it interesting to read that people would attack his character, when he has the moral high-ground. He values life; liberty; and the pursuit of happiness. Other than anarchist and islamic militant perspectives on history, I am not sure who else can find comparisons between the Third Reich of Nazi Germany and the Religious Right movement. I think it is fair to say that this blog is not representative of the general public. Mike Huckabee will emerge as the Republican nominee as more people get an opportunity to hear him speak and the message he brings. I would encourage you to visit his website at www.mikehuckabee.com.

[devans7651]

I cannot vote for a Baptist Minister...because, to me, God is not the answer.

[davek455]

Johale05 - I don''t particularly care what a presidential contender''s religion is. You don''t have to be religious to be a moral person. The problem I have with Huckabee is, among other things, that he believes the earth is 5000 years old, despite all the hundreds of years of science proving otherwise. He throws science out of the window in the name of his faith. That will definitely affect his policies and decisions as president. It is frightening to think that anybody in this day and age would think the earth is 5000 years old. And that is why Huckabee must be stopped from getting to the oval office.

[neoconnie]

I still haven''t decided whether to vote for Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney. Although I am a devout Christian, I do not hold Mr. Romney''s Mormonism against him. But I think it is important in this next election that religion be the main issue. If it wasn''t for the liberal Democrats and the ACLU, we would have an official U.S. religion, and there wouldn''t be as much crime.

[neoconnie]

Davek

Because I am a good Christian I will forgive you for your last remark, and Jesus won''t count it against you when he sends you to hell.

Me and my evangelical friends have determined the past two elections, and we will certainly do what we can to determine the outcome of the next election.

I applaud the fact that Mike Huckabee is campaigning on his "Christian Leadership" platform and is not ashamed to display his high moral principals to voters with matching values.

But I do like Mitt Romney''s stand on immigration better than Huckabee''s, and I like the fact Mr. Romney said "Freedom requires religion." It is nice to know if he''s elected religion will be required if you want to remain free. But I also think Mr. Huckabee would make sure the right religion was put back in America''s classrooms.

[aboz3]

Official Religion??? Not being part of that religion, will I be asked politely to leave or put into concentration camps and gassed?

[mrmazerati]

I have visited Huckabee''s website. At least four of his listed issues are idealogical, not related to national security or domestic issues. I''m sorry, I know this guy is intelligent, but enough religion in politics. Jesus wasn''t for it. I''m not for it, either.

[jomoma7777]

The media needs to give equal editorial coverage to all candidates, both Republican, Democratic and Independent - not just Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama. I can''t stress the significance of this, since the public is confused about how to qualify candidates; thinking that fidelity and religious beliefs are the primary qualifications. It''s sad that as Americans, we don''t evaluate our Presidential candidates the same we would someone being considered for the CEO of the companies we work for. For instance - we should want someone experienced; with years of related experience in both local and federal government who has actually achieved something that has helped our citizen''s without sacrificing something else valuable. Joe Biden is a candidate with years of Senatorial experience, but doesn''t get coverage because he''s low in the polls.

I''d hate to see this country, either in this coming election or in future presidential elections put another dimwitted, stubborn and entitled George Bush clone in the White House as we''ll be paying for his stupidity and misguided actions for the next 50 years or more.

[drivelphobe]

It makes no difference to me what faith an individual has except Islam. As long as the candidate has good values, speaks English and will respect the will of the people and enforce laws, he''s legitimate.

I like Huck, and the majority of people like him too. He is my choice so far and I could care less about his "organization" and his expenditures.

A good candidate doesn''t need to have paid liars and manipulators running around the country spreading his word. The people can spot the man they want without all the deceitful ads and commentary. He has experience, morals, wit and charm. He can do the job. I''m leery of any man that uses hairspray.

[neoconnie]

A very wise author said we should invade the middle east, kill all their leaders, and convert them to Christianity.

I certainly wouldn''t advocate killing people who were unwilling to convert to Christianity, but I think it is important that we convert as many people and as many countries as we can. There are many non-violent techniques for converting people to Christianity that have work over the centuries.

This next presidential election is obviously about conservative Republican Christianity, and I for one and thankful and blessed that our country is finally turning into religious society based on morals, principals, and above all else, Jesus.

[devans7651]

To Davek445

I would like to know if Huckaboom believes in evolution? Evolution is not just a ''theory'' it is a well established scientific theory. The difference is that it is falsifiable. It could be proven wrong and has not been yet despite many brutal attempts by the religious right and others to bury it. The ''Theory'' of Evolution is as close to fact as you will ever get in this world. Do we need a President who believes in ancient religious mythology and endtime gobldygook or do we need a leader who can see the beauty of what really is. Did God create man in his image or did man create God in his image? Much of the world is not Christian and it is time that we put aside our hubristic blief that we are the chosen people. All people are chosen through the remarkable process of evolution and natural selection. We need to grow up as a species. We''ve done the evangelical Christian already let''s not head back in that direction. Those are my personal feelings about it.

[devans7651]

Oh and I do not mean to offend any Christians...I was brought up in a Christian family and many of my friends and family are of the Christian faith. My Gods are love and compassion and, to me, it is that simple really.

[mrmazerati]

Great movie demonstrating religious hysteria: The Mist. Even if you''re not a horror/fiction fan, go see this movie. You''ll discover the scariest monster isn''t outside in the mist.

[sweetness230]

Neoconnie, JMO but I do not believe I have ever heard more stupid comments (and arrogant, holier-than-thou) than you have made here.

A national religion? OMG, help us all. There went freedom. You honestly think you can legislate to me, or anybody for that matter, becoming a southern Baptist, Bible thumping, evangelical nutcase? Should I begin to shake and shiver, then roll on the floor when that "Spirit" hits me? Well, trust me, I am shaking right now just to think anybody in their mind - or religion - could be this, to be nice, "out of it?"

[mrmazerati]

My mother is a pastor. I asked her about religion in politics the other day, and she repeated Jesus''s words about "render unto Caeser." Jesus would never run for president. His kingdom wasn''t on earth. And he would certainly never convert anyone over the barrel of a gun. Such thinking is diametrically opposed to his teachings and his ministry. Any professed Christian who thinks this way is a pretender and a liar.

[neoconnie]

I agree with Drivel somewhat. It makes no matter what religion somebody is as long as it isn''t Islam or the other bad ones. I don''t think Mormonism is one of the bad ones, especially since most of them stopped practicing polygamy.

The fact that Mr. Huckabee is a Baptist comforts me because I was at a Baptist convention last year where the participants carried signs or sold bumper stickers that said "Aids cures ***." This is consistent with Mr. Huckabee''s earlier statements regarding AIDS, and I think we need religios consistency in the White House.

I still think we should show Christian compassion to those who are doomed due to their own sins, like liberal Democrats and other patients with horrible diseases they brought upon themselves.

[aboz3]

neoconnie.... What really scares me the most is that you are not alone in your thought process. My fervent prayer is that the rest of the country is beyond that!

[tessies101]

Neoconnie:
Religion is a wonderful thing to some people, but I must remind you, not all people in he United States are Christian. I happen to be a Christian, but I am not Religious. I treat others as I want to be treated and do not push my beliefs/faith on anyone. Just imagine if the majority of people in the United States were of another faith than you, would you want them to push that on you? I bet not. I do not believe religion should play a role in politics. I believe morals, and setting an example for others should be a guideline when making a decision regarding the next president. My vote is for Ron Paul.

[devans7651]

You know I have been generally more to the GOP side of the equation over the years. Lately I have been thinking that Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate who may really get it and undertands the meaning of the phrase "We the people....." I know he is a bit odd and once saw a UFO but ok...that aside...what other candidate for President really believes that we can and should take our country back.

[sweetness230]

With ever post you make here, you just get dumber and more arrogant and intolerant of anybody "not just like you" - for we now see that you are perfect, just like Jesus. OMG, deliver us and deliver me from your ilk.

And, BTW, I am a Christian who actually loves people, gives them their right to decide for themselves what they believe. You push me, Mr./Mrs. Connie - and I guarantee you I will push back, this time for the good and not hateful way you see things/people. May God bless you, for IMO you most certainly need it.

[davek455]

I think neoconnie''s remarks are so extremist that she is either a liberal blogger wanting to make right-wingers look REALLY bad or she is a mental nutcase that should be locked up with the likes of Senator Larry Craig.

[creeper00]

Looks like the Republican party is going to be hijacked once more by its radical right-wing base. That hard-core 27 percent carries far more influence than it should.

Where are the thinking Republicans?

[dredre2k]

Huckabee is at the top of the polls because the media has been propping him up for the last few weeks.
Ron Paul has gotten a wave of support from the left and the right and they''ve kept him out of the news.
I support Hillary & Obama... and agree with many of Dr. Paul''s arguments, but has anyone else noticed how the media has propped up Huckabee? He''s running on the same tired Christian values campaign that all the previous republicans have used to get into power. Bush said many of the same things and you see how that turned out.

[creeper00]

"I think neoconnie''''s remarks are so extremist that she is either a liberal blogger wanting to make right-wingers look REALLY bad or she is a mental nutcase that should be locked up with the likes of Senator Larry Craig."
Posted by davek455 at 10:54 AM : Dec 12, 2007

I don''t think neoconnie''s a liberal blogger. They''re so paranoid they think people would believe this religious garbage and jump on the Huckabee bandwagon. The last thing they''d want to do is add to any Republican''s numbers.

There really ARE people who think like that. Frightening.

[ashnpete]

Mike Huckabee can''t win nationally. A vote for Huckabee is a vote for Clinton. We love Mike, Go Hillary!

[radiob-2009]

Posted by neoconnie at 10:47 AM

The theatre of the disturbed is playing nonstop in your mind seek help.

[radiob-2009]

Hmmm Rossanna Dana or Gomer Pyle???? Can I vote for my dog?

[radiob-2009]

Problem is here we are entering 08 with no viable candidates from either political party. All candidates are indebted to the purse strings of the lobbyist and none of the candidates are able to address the problems of the US let alone unify the nation.

[oscarez]

neoconnie ... Mike Huckabee will not help you. He is only trying to get elected president. There is no God so he can''t help you. You will be much happier if you become an agnostic and help yourself.