By MICHAEL LUO
Published: November 9, 2007
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Nov. 8 — Mike Huckabee’s field staff had expected a modest crowd for a campaign event at a tiny rural community college near here on Wednesday. But as people began to cram into the shoe-box-size room, campaign organizers scurried to roll back a dividing wall and set up extra chairs.
To the Huckabee campaign, it was another small note in a recent trickle of encouraging moments. His fund-raising is up, the campaign just received its first major Christian conservative endorsement and most of all — to Mr. Huckabee’s obvious delight — opponents are beginning to take potshots at him.
“I’ve always said as a hunter, ‘You never put the cross hairs on a dead carcass,’” Mr. Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, told reporters Wednesday. “You only aim for something that’s alive that you’d like to take home.”
With less than two months until Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, there are signs that Mr. Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor for whom Bible verses flow easily off the tongue, is charming, quipping and sermonizing his way from a long shot ensconced in the second tier of the Republican presidential sweepstakes to a possible contender here.
Finish the story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/us/politics/09huckabee.html?_r=2&ref=politics&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Up and Running again......
I apologize for allowing the website to get behind, but my time has been needed elsewhere for the past month or so; Kids, school, work, family.................
I am way behind on answering emails, sorry. Hopefully I will get caught up over the Thanksgiving Holiday. To those that have sent emails, Thank You!, and you will hear from me soon.
I have received many requests for yard signs, bumper stickers, and other Huckabee items. I have a few(maybe 5 or 6), bumper stickers remaining. I mailed out a bunch a few months back, if you asked for some and did not receive them, please let me know, and I will see what I can do.
I am way behind on answering emails, sorry. Hopefully I will get caught up over the Thanksgiving Holiday. To those that have sent emails, Thank You!, and you will hear from me soon.
I have received many requests for yard signs, bumper stickers, and other Huckabee items. I have a few(maybe 5 or 6), bumper stickers remaining. I mailed out a bunch a few months back, if you asked for some and did not receive them, please let me know, and I will see what I can do.
Chuck Norris' Choice for President
Like most of you, over the summer and into the fall, I've been watching, listening, studying and praying about who could lead this country as our next president.
I won't leave you in suspense. Though Giuliani might be savvy enough to lead people, Fred Thompson wise enough to wade through the tides of politics, McCain tough enough to fight terrorism and Romney business-minded enough to grow our economy, I believe the only one who has all of the characteristics to lead America forward into the future is ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Newt Gingrich called Mike "very effective … if Huckabee can find money, he will be dramatically competitive almost overnight." Bill Clinton called Huckabee the "only dark horse that's got any kind of chance … He's the best speaker they've got." There is even a pro-Huckabee swell rising among the younger generation.
Who he is (before what he can do)
More than anything he has done or can do, however, it is first who Mike is that impresses me most.
Part of our backward culture is reflected in the fact that we measure and value people by what they do, instead of first who they are. As a result, we nominate charisma, cast votes for articulation and repeatedly elect too many paper-thin corrupt politicians. Of course, I want a president who gets things done, but I first want one who has lived a life of integrity, commitment, truthfulness and respect. Mike is that man.
Mike hasn't lived an isolated, out-of-touch life like so many politicians. He was raised in Hope, Ark., with a dad who was a firefighter and always had a second job. Mike and his sister grew up poor, not privileged. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. And he worked two jobs in college and graduated in two-and-a-half years. He is an outdoorsman too – an avid fisherman, hunter and a long-term member of the NRA.
Mike is a committed husband and father. He has always prioritized his family before politics. His wife, two sons and daughter speak his highest praise.
Mike has also faced unique adversity, from helping a young wife endure the trials of spinal cancer to aiding the victims of hurricane Katrina as the governor of Arkansas. He has a heart for helping and will fight for the causes of average citizens. He is known for having a compassionate heart, genuinely caring for all people.
Mike is also a respected and fearless leader, and he does not cower to the cries of any majority or minority. He doesn't abandon his values for what's expedient. Like our Founding Fathers, he's not afraid to stand up for a Creator and against secularist beliefs.
A track record toward the presidency
Mike Huckabee has already proven his ability to lead our citizens as a lieutenant governor for three years in 1993 and governor of Arkansas for the following 10 years. Time magazine called him one of the best governors in America.
As governor, Mike led the citizens of Arkansas through difficult conditions. He balanced the budget each year, enhanced technology in commerce, was tough on crime, used tobacco lawsuit monies to better health care, initiated a toll-free hotline to report tips on government corruption and 16 times had to endure the long nights of the soul before he gave permission for executions to proceed. He also initiated the ARKids First program, cutting the number of uninsured children in half.
It's not a coincidence that four out of the last five presidents we've had were governors because they proved their abilities, perseverance and heart for running our country by serving in those state capacities. As New Man men's magazine (July/August 2007) said, "His proven ability to cast a compelling vision, as he did while governor, that transcends party, ideology and class might enable America to unite and begin to heal, an especially important goal at this point in our history."
Where he stands, and what he will do
Mike Huckabee will fight for the issues that lead us safely, and with prosperity, into the future. Here are several of his positions in his own words (to read or watch Mike speak about the issues, click the title)
Reviving healthcare – "The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken. … As president, I will work with the private sector, Congress, health care providers and other concerned parties to lead a complete overhaul of our health care system."
Implementing a FairTax – "I support the FairTax. As governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380 million. I left a surplus of nearly $850 million, which I urged should go back to the people. Our massive deficit is not due to Americans being under-taxed, but to the government's over-spending."
Creating more choices for education – "I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy. … Test scores rose dramatically when I was governor of Arkansas because of my education reforms."
Stopping illegal immigration –"My number one priority is to secure America's border."
Winning the war on terror – "I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy. … With a focus on renewed diplomacy and inclusion, we can accomplish the goals of our nation without having to go it alone."
Saving marriage – "I support, and have consistently supported, passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. … As governor of Arkansas, I led the successful effort to pass a similar state constitutional amendment in 2002."
Protecting the right to life – "I support, and have always supported, passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life."
Achieving energy independence –"The first thing I will do as president is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence. We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term."
An ordained minister as president?
Does the fact that Mike Huckabee served as an ordained minister create a disadvantage to his election or presidency? Not if one knows Huckabee and history.
First, many may not realize there was an active clergy (Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon) among the signers of the Declaration of Independence – and that two others had been previously ministers. Others were sons of clergy. Virtually all were Protestant Christians.
Signers of the Constitution even included Abraham Baldwin, a minister. "Williamson, Madison, and possibly others, had studied in this field but had never been ordained." And again, most signers of the Constitution were also Protestant Christians, except two, Carroll and Fitzsimons, who were Roman Catholics.
Being honored to share this bi-vocational duty as minister and politician with some of those early patriots, Huckabee has advanced and fine tuned his people and oratory skills. And most of all, it has taught him to put others first. Isn't that what we want in a leader?
Mike is a compassionate Christian conservative. Though solid in his faith and standing for traditional family values, he's not an uncaring extremist. He lives what he believes, and respects others' beliefs even when they disagree with him, committed to a republic that was founded upon the free exercise of religion. In all respects, Huckabee meets our Founders' recommendations for president.
The David among them
The one question that remains is: Can Huckabee win the nomination? The presidency?As with the other candidates, Huckabee has, and will continue to have, his hecklers: "He hasn't raised enough money." "He'll never beat Hillary." "Our society is too prejudice and paranoid to vote for a once Baptist minister." "He'll never out-race the top four Republican candidates."
I was thinking about these types of comments the other day when I recalled another leader in ancient times that didn't match up in the line up: King David. Seven men were poised and paraded for the position of king, but David was left in the field shepherding because he wasn't "a frontrunner in the polls." They overlooked the best because they were too busy judging by outward appearance. But God appointed David king.
It's time to quit choosing our leaders based solely upon charisma or one strong suit, and move back to being a culture which esteems and elects its leaders because of character and qualifications. It's substance, not pizzazz, we should want in a leader. Mike Huckabee is the real deal.
Read the complete story here(Great Magazine!):
http://www.newmanmag.com/newmanreport/2007/11/chuck-norris-my-choice-for-president_06.html
I won't leave you in suspense. Though Giuliani might be savvy enough to lead people, Fred Thompson wise enough to wade through the tides of politics, McCain tough enough to fight terrorism and Romney business-minded enough to grow our economy, I believe the only one who has all of the characteristics to lead America forward into the future is ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Newt Gingrich called Mike "very effective … if Huckabee can find money, he will be dramatically competitive almost overnight." Bill Clinton called Huckabee the "only dark horse that's got any kind of chance … He's the best speaker they've got." There is even a pro-Huckabee swell rising among the younger generation.
Who he is (before what he can do)
More than anything he has done or can do, however, it is first who Mike is that impresses me most.
Part of our backward culture is reflected in the fact that we measure and value people by what they do, instead of first who they are. As a result, we nominate charisma, cast votes for articulation and repeatedly elect too many paper-thin corrupt politicians. Of course, I want a president who gets things done, but I first want one who has lived a life of integrity, commitment, truthfulness and respect. Mike is that man.
Mike hasn't lived an isolated, out-of-touch life like so many politicians. He was raised in Hope, Ark., with a dad who was a firefighter and always had a second job. Mike and his sister grew up poor, not privileged. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. And he worked two jobs in college and graduated in two-and-a-half years. He is an outdoorsman too – an avid fisherman, hunter and a long-term member of the NRA.
Mike is a committed husband and father. He has always prioritized his family before politics. His wife, two sons and daughter speak his highest praise.
Mike has also faced unique adversity, from helping a young wife endure the trials of spinal cancer to aiding the victims of hurricane Katrina as the governor of Arkansas. He has a heart for helping and will fight for the causes of average citizens. He is known for having a compassionate heart, genuinely caring for all people.
Mike is also a respected and fearless leader, and he does not cower to the cries of any majority or minority. He doesn't abandon his values for what's expedient. Like our Founding Fathers, he's not afraid to stand up for a Creator and against secularist beliefs.
A track record toward the presidency
Mike Huckabee has already proven his ability to lead our citizens as a lieutenant governor for three years in 1993 and governor of Arkansas for the following 10 years. Time magazine called him one of the best governors in America.
As governor, Mike led the citizens of Arkansas through difficult conditions. He balanced the budget each year, enhanced technology in commerce, was tough on crime, used tobacco lawsuit monies to better health care, initiated a toll-free hotline to report tips on government corruption and 16 times had to endure the long nights of the soul before he gave permission for executions to proceed. He also initiated the ARKids First program, cutting the number of uninsured children in half.
It's not a coincidence that four out of the last five presidents we've had were governors because they proved their abilities, perseverance and heart for running our country by serving in those state capacities. As New Man men's magazine (July/August 2007) said, "His proven ability to cast a compelling vision, as he did while governor, that transcends party, ideology and class might enable America to unite and begin to heal, an especially important goal at this point in our history."
Where he stands, and what he will do
Mike Huckabee will fight for the issues that lead us safely, and with prosperity, into the future. Here are several of his positions in his own words (to read or watch Mike speak about the issues, click the title)
Reviving healthcare – "The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken. … As president, I will work with the private sector, Congress, health care providers and other concerned parties to lead a complete overhaul of our health care system."
Implementing a FairTax – "I support the FairTax. As governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380 million. I left a surplus of nearly $850 million, which I urged should go back to the people. Our massive deficit is not due to Americans being under-taxed, but to the government's over-spending."
Creating more choices for education – "I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy. … Test scores rose dramatically when I was governor of Arkansas because of my education reforms."
Stopping illegal immigration –"My number one priority is to secure America's border."
Winning the war on terror – "I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy. … With a focus on renewed diplomacy and inclusion, we can accomplish the goals of our nation without having to go it alone."
Saving marriage – "I support, and have consistently supported, passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. … As governor of Arkansas, I led the successful effort to pass a similar state constitutional amendment in 2002."
Protecting the right to life – "I support, and have always supported, passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life."
Achieving energy independence –"The first thing I will do as president is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence. We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term."
An ordained minister as president?
Does the fact that Mike Huckabee served as an ordained minister create a disadvantage to his election or presidency? Not if one knows Huckabee and history.
First, many may not realize there was an active clergy (Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon) among the signers of the Declaration of Independence – and that two others had been previously ministers. Others were sons of clergy. Virtually all were Protestant Christians.
Signers of the Constitution even included Abraham Baldwin, a minister. "Williamson, Madison, and possibly others, had studied in this field but had never been ordained." And again, most signers of the Constitution were also Protestant Christians, except two, Carroll and Fitzsimons, who were Roman Catholics.
Being honored to share this bi-vocational duty as minister and politician with some of those early patriots, Huckabee has advanced and fine tuned his people and oratory skills. And most of all, it has taught him to put others first. Isn't that what we want in a leader?
Mike is a compassionate Christian conservative. Though solid in his faith and standing for traditional family values, he's not an uncaring extremist. He lives what he believes, and respects others' beliefs even when they disagree with him, committed to a republic that was founded upon the free exercise of religion. In all respects, Huckabee meets our Founders' recommendations for president.
The David among them
The one question that remains is: Can Huckabee win the nomination? The presidency?As with the other candidates, Huckabee has, and will continue to have, his hecklers: "He hasn't raised enough money." "He'll never beat Hillary." "Our society is too prejudice and paranoid to vote for a once Baptist minister." "He'll never out-race the top four Republican candidates."
I was thinking about these types of comments the other day when I recalled another leader in ancient times that didn't match up in the line up: King David. Seven men were poised and paraded for the position of king, but David was left in the field shepherding because he wasn't "a frontrunner in the polls." They overlooked the best because they were too busy judging by outward appearance. But God appointed David king.
It's time to quit choosing our leaders based solely upon charisma or one strong suit, and move back to being a culture which esteems and elects its leaders because of character and qualifications. It's substance, not pizzazz, we should want in a leader. Mike Huckabee is the real deal.
Read the complete story here(Great Magazine!):
http://www.newmanmag.com/newmanreport/2007/11/chuck-norris-my-choice-for-president_06.html
Thursday, September 6, 2007
N.H. Debate
Great job in the debate last night for Gov. Huckabee. His candidacy is a breath of fresh air among the usual politicians. I thought he came across very well with his answers, most importantly his fair tax answer.
I am completely turned off by most of the other top candidates. Mitt Romney........fits the mold of the smooth talking politician, does not seem sincere to me. Rudy................did he use the same beginning for every answer? I think so......."When I was"........I just started tuning him out. I was impressed with Sen. Mccain. I think its the best debate he has had in a long time. I love his fiery "wit". He has his issues just as much as any candidate and its hard for me to see him as the nominee.
I also think its time for some of the other candidates to drop out and put their resources behind someone else........hopefully Gov. Huckabee. To all the "lower tier" candidates, do everyone a favor and stop muddying the water. Lets unite and bring a strong candidate to the front. That candidate is Gov. Huckabee.
I apologize for the short post this morning, I have more to say,but I must head off to class. I will close with this. Its time for a change in politics. Its time that we unite as Americans and we need a candidate that offers hope and not the usual doom and gloom politics. That candidate is my candidate, I hope he will soon be OUR candidate. The candidate is Gov. Mike Huckabee. Way to go Gov., lets keep it rolling.
I am completely turned off by most of the other top candidates. Mitt Romney........fits the mold of the smooth talking politician, does not seem sincere to me. Rudy................did he use the same beginning for every answer? I think so......."When I was"........I just started tuning him out. I was impressed with Sen. Mccain. I think its the best debate he has had in a long time. I love his fiery "wit". He has his issues just as much as any candidate and its hard for me to see him as the nominee.
I also think its time for some of the other candidates to drop out and put their resources behind someone else........hopefully Gov. Huckabee. To all the "lower tier" candidates, do everyone a favor and stop muddying the water. Lets unite and bring a strong candidate to the front. That candidate is Gov. Huckabee.
I apologize for the short post this morning, I have more to say,but I must head off to class. I will close with this. Its time for a change in politics. Its time that we unite as Americans and we need a candidate that offers hope and not the usual doom and gloom politics. That candidate is my candidate, I hope he will soon be OUR candidate. The candidate is Gov. Mike Huckabee. Way to go Gov., lets keep it rolling.
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
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
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
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
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