Did you hear about this? According to Rasmussen Reports, Governor Mike Huckabee is down by only 8% points to Hillary Clinton and 9% to Barack Obama when compared head-to-head.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee may have won the first-ever Values Voter Presidential Debate Straw Poll in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but he is more often a runner-up in the Election 2008 presidential race.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of his political strength shows Senator Hillary Clinton leading Governor Huckabee by eight points, 48% to 40%. Senator Barack Obama leads Huckabee by nine, 47% to 38%.
Seems people are impressed by him most when they hear him communicate his vision and his position on the issues, including former White House attorney, Dan Bartlett.
As it happens, the Bush adviser was most enthusiastic about a contender who seems to have even less chance. He called Huckabee the "best candidate," one who seems to most mirror Bush's own vision of compassionate conservatism. "He is the most articulate, visionary candidate of anybody in the field," Bartlett said. Initially, he admitted, he was perplexed that the former Arkansas governor was running. "But the more I watch him, the more impressed I become." When it comes to advocating conservative positions on social issues, "he does it in a very positive, optimistic way."
However, Bartlett can't help but take a swing about his name and geography.
But Huckabee probably cannot win, Bartlett added. "He's got the obvious problems -- being from Hope, Ark., and, quite frankly, having the last name 'Huckabee,'" he said. "I hate to be so light about it, but it is, it's an issue. Politics can be fickle like that. I mean, you're trying to get somebody's attention for the first time. ... 'Huckabee? You've got to be kidding me! Hope, Arkansas? Here we go again.'"
What about the money issue? All these nay-sayers who want to cast Huckabee aside because of lack of funds? To them, Huckabee says this:
Speaking to Tim Russert on MSNBC this morning, Huckabee said he's happy with his placement in the polls right now, and if he were some of the other candidates, he'd be severely depressed.Maybe being a "hick from Hope" isn't such a bad thing after all. And maybe Dan needs to give voters a little more credit. After all, this country did elect presidents (three times) whose last name people equated to a shrub and other risque' things.
"If you look at where we are, even with the national polls, we've spent a nickel to the 100-dollar bill as some of these guys," Huckabee said from Dearborn, Mich. "It's not that I'm depressed thinking where we are. Heck, I'm pretty encouraged. If I were some of these guys who had spent tens of millions of dollars and weren't any further ahead, I'd have to be sitting in a warm tub of water with razor blades in both hands at this point saying how much money does one have to spend to get on track."
Huckabee is a VERY nice man. I dont agree w/ his tax raising ways. He seems to like to play the populist card too which is troubling.
His complaining about CEO salaries is very tired. Could come right out of the Dems playbook.
Basically hes Bush w/o the tax cuts and hes weaker on National Security by default because hes never been in a security situation.
I think the fact that hes another 'bubba' will actually hurt him. This is a 'change' election and Huckabee doesnt seem like that much of a change.
More like re-arraging the chairs on the deck of the titanic.
Then, if people are looking for change, they won't support Hillary since she's the same old Clinton staff.
I like Huckabee, the more I see him the more engaging he appears. I don't however, think he'd beat Hillary and her machine.
I think Bartlett is quite the elitist in his thinking. What's with going after a man's name? And, he also said that Southerners wouldn't vote for a Morman. I guess we're too stupid to do anything like judge the man's political views and not his religion. Geez.
Well said, Karen.
And exactly how is say, Giuliani, different from Bush? I certainly hope he's not different on the SCOTUS appointments.
Giuliani has an abysmal record for judicial appointments.
How are Bush and Rudy different?
Well Rudy can actually talk for starters. Doesnt have a problem going after the media or the democrats when they deserve it.
Unlike Bush who actually said Americans who opposed his bullshit amnesty plan "didnt wanna do the right thing for America" Rudy actually respects people he has legit differences w/.
Rudy has reformed govt that was prior to him out of control. Whats bush reformed??? FEMA is a joke. The border control is in chaos and he still hasnt pacified Iraq.
The Republican 'brand' needs an injection of 'hands on' leadership that will demand results or fire people who underperform.
You wont see a 'your doin a helleva job, Brownie' moment in a Rudy presidency.
As far as Rudy on judges i would refer you to Justice Advisory Committee.
Chairman of Justice Advisory Committee:
Ted Olson, former Solicitor General of the United States
Miguel Estrada, former Assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States
Steven Calabresi, Co-Founder of the Federalist Society
Larry Thompson, former Deputy Attorney General of the United States
There are many many more First rate legal minds on the committee.
see for yourself
http://www.joinrudy2008.com/article/pr/447
Did i mention hes the only republican who can beat Hillary's machine.
I'm not sure what anonymous means by Huckabee's tax raising ways. He's a proponent of the Fair Tax that I strongly support.
Fair Tax:The Fair Tax would replace the federal income tax system with a national retail sales tax. It would provides a "prebate" to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue replacement and, through companion legislation, repeal of the 16th Amendment (in other words, the end of the IRS).
Boortz, Boortz, Boortz, sorry, my tourettes made me say that.
I don't know why I show up as shauna sometimes and pajama momma other times.........weird
Why isnt there a 'debate thread' Belle???
Okay Anonymous. I'm loading both barrels now. Get out the first aid kit.
Rudy can actually talk
True, but his actions speak so loudly I can hardly hear a word he is saying. I don't care who he has on his judicial appointment committee. (I've studied the list, btw when Bush was considering Ted Olsen for AG.) I noticed you didn't debate the abysmal record point, but instead tried to point to his "committee." Allow me to provide a link with some criticism about those appointments.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2957.html
So being a tough talker makes Rudy qualified for being Commander in Chief? Hmmm... I would say being a good communicator would be more accurate.
You wont see a 'your doin a helleva job, Brownie' moment in a Rudy presidency.
That's good. I'm certain we won't see Bernard "I employed an illegal immigrant" Kerik in any Giuliani administration either. After all, Giuliani is so tough on immigration and all. NYC wasn't a sanctuary city or anything. Rudy didn't refuse to deport illegals or give them access to social services (check Executive Order 124). I believe the pc term for Rudy's actions is "changing his tone" on the subject. I call it hypocrisy.
What about the fact that he quit the Iraq Study Group? Or that he made the brilliant decision to put the emergency command center in the WTC after it was a known target.
I don't even have to hit on the already pathetic social issue stances.
You don't have to mention that Rudy is the only one who can beat the Hillary machine. Rudy constantly tells us all, ad nauseum.
So a poll states Huckabee is only 'X' points down to Clinton. And...so what?
It reminds me of the overused "4 out of 5 doctors/dentists/liberals/perverts... prefer brand X to brand Y"
Just a waste of bandwidth.
Belle-
Kerik hiring an illegal is not Rudys' fault, i mean thats totally beyond his control.
As far as Rudy running a 'Sanctuary City' thats just not the case. ICE could only deport 2000 illegals a yr and NYC had over 500,000 of em. What was he supposed to do w/ the 498,000???
Blaming Rudy because he had to deal w/ the fallout of Bush's failed policy on the border is a complete copout.
Bush did nothing when he was Govenor of Texas to stop illegals and hes done nothing as President. Every Mayor and Govenor, State and local Govt, has to deal w/ his incompetence.
Rudy quit the Iraq Study Group....and????
Thank god he did!! I wouldnt want my name attatched to that piece of dogshit. Among its great recomandations is going hat in hand to Iran to help us surrender in Iraq.
Iran, you know, the country that is killing our solders.
As far as not putting the command center in the WTC because it was a target, well geez, why have people WORK there if we are gonna be that afraid.
In fact, the Jihadists want to blow up all of Manhatten, The Sears Tower, and LAX for fucks sake...should we evacuate those as well because they are targets???
Why not just surrender completely and totally therefore we wouldnt need 'command centers' in the first place???
As far as social issues go I would say Rudy is very Pro Life....hes the most aggressive republican in wanting to easedrop on people who would KILL you....when we capture Jihadists he will waterboard them to help disrupt plots to KILL Americans...and hes all for Locking up the dangerous criminals of our society, who again would deprive you of your life.
I think alot of people who describe themselves as Pro-Life have a very narror view of what it means to be 'Pro-Life' and arent very pro life when it comes to the people already here.
Tim, I think the poll is relevant only because Giuliani and supporters say that they are the only ones who can beat Hillary. I don't buy it so when I find something that shows a close margin, I posted it. (Also, it makes for interesting commenting.)
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Anonymous,
I didn't blame Rudy for Kerik's poor decision. The point was to note that Rudy hired staff who violated immigration laws. Your point was Bush hired someone incompetent. My point was that incompetence can be found in all forms, including someone who is breaking the law.
On the sanctuary city issue, Rudy sued the federal gov't in order to maintain welfare benefits for illegals. Did you read E.O. 124? He re-issued it. Do you support a candidate who tells employees NOT to reveal info about immigrants illegal status when they apply for social services? No one denies Bush's record on immigration is awful. So Bush did nothing. Neither did Rudy, but it's okay for you to make excuses like "what was he supposed to do with them."
Where in my statements did I suggest that no people or businesses should remain in terrorist-target locations? (Heck of a straw man, btw) I only suggested that the agency charged with responding to terror attacks, (and where city leaders are to go in case of an attack) should NOT have been put in the biggest terror target in NY. I don't think this is rocket science.
I have not inferred that the GWOT and protecting the homeland was NOT a life issue. I have not suggested Rudy doesn't support strongly these issues. The truth is that the life issue includes the protection of the unborn and Rudy has failed to protect them. You can't say to me "but he's trying to protect the living" and have me believe he is pro-life. The measuring stick doesn't work that way.
Are you saying that other candidates out there on the GOP ticket don't support wire-tapping, interrogating, and preventing terror attacks? I took the time to read Huckabee's views on the GWOT. Have you?
Why can't you believe there can be a president who is willing to protect life in all its forms?
Huckabee is the true conservative, and if the anonymous poster could do the research, Huckabee was ordered by the courts to continue to raising of taxes.
He is for a flat/fair tax.
Anonymous, as a favor to me, could you please try to refrain from the use of profanity in your comments? My mom reads this blog. :) Thanks.