Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Huckabee: "Big Five" Candidate

Gov. Huckabee is included in the top tier of the Republican candidates in this Michael Medved article.

The Worst GOP Field Ever--or the Best?
By Michael Medved
Wednesday, August 29, 2007



If there’s one sentiment that seems to unite desperate Republicans in the run-up to the campaign of 2008 it would seem to be profound discomfort, if not outright disgust, with the current field of Presidential candidates.

I’ve heard literally dozens of demoralized friends and colleagues express their frustration with this crop of contenders in remarkably similar terms. The common mantra usual proclaims that this must count as “the worst group of Republican candidates in all of American history.”

Of course, this grim conclusion raises an obvious question: if this field amounts to the worst clutch of candidates ever, then which year yielded a better array of choices?

Last time (2004) there was no GOP alternative to President Bush. Does this constitute a richer spectrum of choices?

In 2000, the only serious, durable alternative to Bush was Senator McCain – and he’s an alternative once again this time. The other candidates included ego-tripping Senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Smith – who, in the style of this year’s Sam Brownback, ran more for attention and publicity than with any real thought of winning anything.

The 2000 race also brought its share of hard-right fringe candidates: Gary Bauer, Alan Keyes, Steve Forbes and Pat Buchanan (Buchanan eventually left the Republican Party to run on the “Reform Party” ticket, garnering a paltry 0.4% of the vote.) At least this year’s angry fringe candidates (Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter) can point to real political experience, having each won many terms in the House of Representatives. When it came to Bauer, Keyes, Forbes and Buchanan eight years ago, as well as the brief campaign of Elizabeth Hanford Dole, none of them had ever won election to public office before. Why would we consider a field full of seasoned political veterans less formidable than a group of stumbling amateurs?

Going back to other recent elections, the struggle for the ’96 nomination came down to Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, columnist Pat Buchanan, and former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander—with the Buchanan and Alexander campaigns quickly collapsing in the face of Dole’s established position in the party. As in 2000, magazine publisher Steve Forbes and unemployed orator Alan Keyes also tried, without much success, to generate support and other members of the Senate and House (“B-1 Bob” Dornan, Senators Richard Lugar of Indiana and Phil Gramm of Texas) briefly put their names in play before hasty withdrawal. Who, precisely, in that uninspiring field makes it tower over today’s choices of Giuliani, Thompson, Huckabee, Romney and McCain?

Read the full article here:
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/08/29/the_worst_gop_field_ever--or_the_best

Sunday, August 26, 2007

York voters embrace rising star Huckabee

York voters embrace rising star Huckabee


Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was strolling down York’s Main Street last Tuesday wearing a huge grin on his face.

The Republican presidential hopeful was riding the crest of positive media stories following his better-than-expected showing in the Ames, Iowa, straw poll two weeks ago.

Today, Huckabee is a step closer to being a top-tier GOP presidential candidate, giving his campaign new energy and hope.

In York County, Republicans turned out in large numbers to greet the rising Republican star.

Many have been longing for a candidate — a true conservative — they could back with enthusiasm, and they weren’t happy with the top-tier candidates.

The top three — former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — are all suspect, some S.C. Republicans think.

And the unhappy Republicans aren’t sure they can trust former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, expected to jump in the race after Labor Day.

Huckabee walked into the Palmetto Room on York’s Main Street, which was brimming with local Republicans anxious to see the new celebrity and hear what he had to say.

Huckabee wasn’t prepared for the raucous reception he got.

The York Republicans gave Huckabee a hero’s welcome. The applause and cheers were deafening, never seeming to end.

Buoyed by the response, Huckabee charmed his audience for the next 30 minutes with his jokes, down-home personality and resume.

Huckabee also let his listeners know he is a different kind of Republican, one who comes from humble beginnings — a working- class family. His interests and priorities are allied with working people, he said.

In an interview, Huckabee said if Republicans have any hope of winning the election, they have to reach out to voters outside the GOP. “We can’t win without our base (conservative Christians), and we can’t win if all we have is our base.”

Huckabee also said Republicans cannot win the presidency if the party’s interests are aligned more with Wall Street than Main Street.

“I’m convinced if we come across as a wholly owned subsidiary of Wall Street, we’re going to lose. We need to show that we are the party of Main Street America.

“And for that to happen, a candidate has to be somebody who has lived in a place more like York than New York.

“What voters are looking for is somebody they can unite around, and I think we have proven that we could be that candidate.”

Huckabee said his strong showing in Iowa has given his campaign new direction and promise. “People now return our phone calls.”

Huckabee also promised to work hard to win South Carolina’s GOP primary, adding it’s critical to his chances.

Mike Campbell, son of late Gov. Carroll Campbell, predicted the former Arkansas governor will win the GOP nomination.

“We’re going to nail down his nomination in South Carolina,” vowed Campbell, Huckabee’s state co-chairman.

The S.C. Republican primary — the first in the South — is set for January. No one ever has won the GOP nomination without first winning the Palmetto State contest.

“This ought to be about grass-roots,” Huckabee said of the type of campaign he hopes to run in South Carolina.

Since Ames, the Huckabee campaign has seen the number of its financial backers double. His Web site has seen an extra 3.2 million hits.

Ken Dortex, a York official and Huckabee supporter, said he thinks the former Arkansas governor is beginning to pick up S.C. primary voters. “It gets stronger every day.”

Betty and Dick Bartlett were sporting “We Like Mike” T-shirts at Huckabee’s York rally. They had driven from Charlotte to see the candidate. They also had sent out 100 e-mails to friends and neighbors urging them to attend the event.

“The Ames success has given us new life,” Huckabee said. “It certainly has changed the whole process for me.”

Bandy is a retired political writer who covered politics for The State for more than 40 years. Reach him at (803) 771-8648.

Find the story here:
http://www.thestate.com/politics/story/155870.html

Friday, August 24, 2007

Presidential candidate Huckabee to speak at college celebration

Tuesday, 08/21/07

Presidential candidate Huckabee to speak at college celebration

FRANKLIN -- Presidential candidate and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will be the keynote speaker at Williamson Christian College’s 10th anniversary celebration Nov. 5, according to an annoucement from the college.

Huckabee, a Republican, gained traction politically in Iowa on Aug. 11 when he came in second in the Iowa straw poll.

“Gov. Huckabee graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, a private, liberal arts undergraduate college with a mission similar to ours, so he understands the importance and challenges of integrating a faith worldview with academics,” said Kenneth W. Oosting, Ph.D., president of Williamson Christian College.

The event, called A Night at the Museum, will be held at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, and will raise funds for the college’s Single Parent Scholarship program and its annual fund.

Williamson Christian College, with headquarters in Cool Springs, offers accredited degree programs for nontraditional students, with a special outreach to single parents.

Find the story here:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770821028

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Huckabee woos voters at Kingston gathering

Huckabee woos voters at Kingston gathering

By JENNIFER DEPAUL
Sunday News Correspondent
Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007

KINGSTON – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee joined about 100 guests at the 1686 House yesterday afternoon for a bowl of New England chowder at an event sponsored by former state senator Russell Prescott.

"The key issue for us is this. People are joining our effort not because it's the conventional wisdom and I am sort of the favorite son of the national media," Republican Presidential hopeful Huckabee said.

"They are joining it because they are saying he is not speaking to me, he is speaking for me and we're going to help him win."

Since last weekend when Huckabee finished second in the Iowa straw poll, he has seen a dramatic increase of support, especially in the Granite State since his last visit six weeks ago.

He had 1,000 new contributors within 72 hours of the poll. In the past week alone, his Web site has seen 3.4 million hits.

Read the complete story here:
http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Huckabee+woos+voters+at+Kingston+gathering&articleId=2c9bca7b-883f-4584-8c0a-d4c401f3abf0

Gov. Huckabee holding his own

Take a look at the latest from Rasmussen. Gov. Huckabee is holding his own against both Sen Clinton and Sen. Obama. Lets get Gov. Huckabee to the front!!




Rasmussen Reports
Survey of 1,200 Likely VotersAugust 17-19, 2007


Mike Huckabee (R) vs. Hillary Clinton (D)
Mike Huckabee (R)
41%
Hillary Clinton (D)
49%


Mike Huckabee (R) vs. Barack Obama (D)
Mike Huckabee (R)
39%
Barack Obama (D)
48%

The sound of music (and arts)

Globe Editorial

The sound of music (and arts)

August 23, 2007


MIKE HUCKABEE seems like just another nice-guy Republican pitching his conservative credentials in the presidential race. But when the former Arkansas governor starts talking about the importance of the arts and education, he's practically Maria von Trapp harmonizing about the power of music and metaphor.

Huckabee calls the arts and music "weapons of mass instruction." If education touches only one side of the brain, he recently told the Globe editorial board, then it's just "a data download." Rather, schools should use art and music to develop both the left and right sides of students' brains, and to translate and transmit culture.

For Huckabee the issue is personal and political. In 1966, his parents scraped together $99 to buy his first guitar. Today, he is in a band, Capitol Offense, that performed at the recent Iowa straw poll, where Huckabee came in a campaign-boosting second behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

Huckabee's policy point is that schools can and should provide a rigorous arts education even amid the demands of the No Child Left Behind Act. The federal law has sent many school districts scrambling to help students increase their math and English skills in order to pass state tests. But the law also defines the arts as a core subject in which states should have challenging standards. And an NCLB grant program provides funds that school districts can use to develop arts programming or assessment tools.

But since there's no high-stakes testing in the arts, many school districts shrink arts instruction. This creates a negative domino effect. For example, students who don't learn to read music in grade school aren't prepared to play in the high school band.

Huckabee's home state of Arkansas offers evidence of what can be done. A 2005 state law requires elementary schools to offer 40 minutes per week of music and art. The state's high schools are required to offer fine arts courses, including visual arts, music, and dance. To graduate from high school, students are required to take half a year of one of these.

There have also been challenges, such as finding enough art teachers who are certified. Superintendents have complained that there was no dedicated state funding to implement these programs.

The next president could address these issues, calling for a bigger federal investment in state efforts and asking states to do more basic assessments, such as measuring hours of arts instruction, numbers and types of arts classes offered, and numbers of qualified teachers.

Regardless of how the Republican presidential contest plays out, Huckabee is right to bring attention to art and music. The right side of the brain is a terrible thing to waste.

© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.

Find the story here:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/08/23/the_sound_of_music_and_arts/

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Why do I like Mike?

Why do I like Mike?

I like Mike because he shares the same family values that I do. He indentifies with me in my efforts to work, raise a family and attend college full time. He knows, because he has been there before. Attending seminary, pastoring a small church and having small children. What better candidate to support than one that has been in my shoes?

I like Mike because he stands for what he believes in. Great convictions......unwavering. He doesn't change like the weather or to adapt to the current polls. I can believe what he says.


I like Mike because he is a true Conservative. He will stand up for our Conservative values.

I like Mike because I am tired of the negative, doom and gloom politics. Its time for someone with a sense of humor and a sense of hope to step to the front. That someone is Mike Huckabee.

My fellow Tennesseans, I ask you to join me in my efforts to propel Gov. Mike Huckabee to the front, not only in our great state, but also all across the nation. If you would like to join the effort, please visit the links on the right side of the page.

If you would like to add to "Why I like Mike", suggest a news story about Gov. Huckabee, write a Post for Tennessee for Huckabee or join our email list please contact me at tnconservative@gmail.com .

Thanks and God Bless.
Tennessee for Mike Huckabee

Huckabee: a Republican who can lead us back home

Huckabee: a Republican who can lead us back home

James P. Pinkerton
August 21, 2007

Let's compare Mike Huckabee to some of the other presidential candidates.

The former governor of Arkansas is not as rich or handsome as fellow Republican Mitt Romney, nor is he as heroic and tortured as John McCain. And he's certainly not as intense and operatic as Rudy Giuliani.

As for the top Democrats, Huckabee is not nearly as careful and calculating as Hillary Rodham Clinton. Nor is he as dashing and Bobby Kennedy-like as Barack Obama. And he's nowhere near as shiny and pretty as John Edwards. And he certainly doesn't talk as much as Joe Biden.


In an interview, Huckabee comes across as a nice guy, even after 15 years in politics, including 10 years as chief executive of the Razorback State. But don't just take my word for it: David Broder, the veteran columnist, calls him "friendly, down-home," and Steve Kornacki, writing in The New York Observer, describes him as "warm and personable."

Huckabee's warmth extends even to Bill and Hillary Clinton: "You know, I've never hated the Clintons," he told National Public Radio. Huckabee went on to say that Bill "made a lot of mistakes - a lot of personal ones," but noted that Clinton had risen up from a "dysfunctional family" to two terms in the White House.

Read the complete article here:
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-oppin215339883aug21,0,6847992.column

Great article from New Man magazine

Gov. Huckabee is on the cover of the current issue of New Man magazine. It includes a great feature on the best candidate for President in 2008..............Mike Huckabee.

Check out the article here:
http://www.newmanmag.com/display.php?id=15370

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The Next Huckabee Surprise

The Next Huckabee Surprise?

By David S. Broder
Sunday, August 19, 2007; Page B07


Buoyed by his surprise second-place finish in the Iowa Republican straw poll, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is plotting an even bigger coup against Mitt Romney in the first presidential primary, in New Hampshire.

His inspiration for the audacious plot comes from two unlikely people: Pat Buchanan and Bill Clinton

Clinton, the original man from Hope, Ark., Huckabee's home town, was no better known to New Hampshire voters in the autumn of 1991 than Huckabee is today, while Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, leads the Granite State field. But, despite the Gennifer Flowers and draft-dodging scandals that plagued his campaign there, Clinton won enough friends to finish second in New Hampshire to 1992's neighboring candidate, former Massachusetts senator Paul Tsongas.

Thanks to New Hampshire, Clinton proclaimed himself the "comeback kid" and went on to thrash Tsongas in the follow-up contests in Florida, Georgia and the rest of the South.

Huckabee figures that if he can just get past Romney in New Hampshire, he can do the same thing to him when the 2008 battle shifts south to Florida and South Carolina in January.

Read the complete story here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/17/AR2007081701687.html?hpid=opinionsbox2

Huckabee: More to show for himself than Romney?

Huckabee: More to show for himself than Romney?

August 13, 2007

Huckabee: More to show for himself than Romney? by Rick Pearson and John McCormick


AMES, Iowa -- In the aftermath of the Iowa Republican Party's straw poll, the No. 2 candidate -- former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee -- may have more to show for himself than the front-runner, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. While far well outspent by Romney in the party contest, Huckabee still managed to attract a sizeable showing of support in Ames. And, another way to look at the results -- considering the fact that the party's longtime heavyweights, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, weren't participating in the straw poll -- is how many of the 14,000 Iowans voting cast their ballots for someone other than Romney.

Check out the rest: http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/08/huckabee_more_to_show_for_hims.html

Huckabee finally breaks out fightin' words

Huckabee finally breaks out fightin' words
By: Jonathan Martin Aug 21, 2007 06:24 AM EST


MANCHESTER, N.H. – What success Mike Huckabee has found as a presidential candidate stems largely from his homespun charm – a folksy populism that gets heads nodding when he muses about the Lava soap his skin had to endure during a childhood filled with more want than wealth. But if the former Arkansas governor wants to find greater success and become a first-tier player in the Republican primary race, he faces having to turn his wise-cracking image on its head and start trying to turn attack dog. And that transformation has already begun. Without naming names, Huckabee is using his second-place finish at the Iowa GOP’s straw poll Aug. 11 to take aim at Mitt Romney, the winner at Ames.

In media appearances and on the stump, the normally sunny Huckabee is using barbed language to portray Romney as a politically expedient and wealthy spendthrift who can’t relate to the day-to-day problems of average Americans. “Here's a guy who didn't just become pro-life to run for president," Huckabee said of himself at a dinner of 100 Republicans gathered here last week for spaghetti and meatballs and political rhetoric. "Here's a guy who didn't just read the latest issue of NRA magazine and decide he's going to be for the Second Amendment." In an interview after his first Granite State appearance since his surprising showing in Iowa, Huckabee also mounted a fiscal critique of Romney, a multimillionaire former CEO who has already put $9 million of his own money into the race.

Read the full story here:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5462.html