Huckabee 2012?
Oct 22
Larison seems to think so:
It seems to me that Huckabee now starts to look much better to the conservative elites who were ridiculing him as Huckleberry just half a year ago; he becomes the relatively safe governing choice who can also generate tremendous grassroots enthusiasm. Many of his former critics may come to recognize the missed opportunity of running with Huckabee’s pseudo-populism on economics this year, and going forward he may be able to develop a policy agenda that is not limited to praising the wonders of the Fair Tax. Not having been a critic of Palin, Huckabee will not have alienated her supporters, and he will probably carefully avoid doing so over the next few years in the same way that he stayed on good terms with McCain voters. Provided that he never, ever again tells the ridiculous story about how foreign wars make it possible for children to have schooldesks, and provided that he could get someone to give him some money, he could become the presumptive frontrunner. Having spoken out against the bailout early on, he will be well-positioned to satisfy libertarians and populists alike. Given the deterioration of the McCain campaign since it went to war with journalists, the value of favorable free media coverage, which Huckabee was able to attract so effectively during the primaries, cannot be underestimated.
I tend to agree with this. For all the hubbub surrounding Sarah Palin, she never really scared me. Huckabee, on the other hand, scared the bejesus out of me, and not just because he’s a bejesus freak — he’s incredibly charismatic and just plain likable, and is very, very good at hiding his bat-shit crazy side.
#1 by KTK at October 22nd, 2008
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Huh. It doesn’t take much to qualify as “charismatic”, for a Republican, does it?
Huckabee’s a nutter, but he probably doesn’t scare me enough. He just looks like such a joke - a slightly smarter Sarah Palin - that I can’t believe anyone would take him seriously. The problem with that complacent analysis, of course, is that millions of people did take him seriously, and even larger numbers now take Palin seriously.
It really doesn’t pay to overestimate the intelligence of the GOP base.
#2 by tgirsch at October 22nd, 2008
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It’s not really about the GOP base, though. It’s about the dreaded “independents” and “swing voters,” better known as “people who only tangentially pay attention.” If all someone sees is a three or four minute fluff interview with Huckabee, the typical reaction is “he seems like a nice enough guy.” It’s the same mentality that gives us the awful “beer test.”
Neither party’s base is enough to win an election — you need to appeal to that muddled middle, and Huckabee does that in spades.
#3 by Raz at October 23rd, 2008
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I think Huckabee/Palin would be the smart choice for the GOP in 2012 - they can’t win without running on a religious and socially conservative platform. Low tax just isn’t enough.
#4 by Tim C. at October 23rd, 2008
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Yeah, but I can’t get over the way the GOP higher-ups clearly loathed Huckabee after the Iowa caucus. I think that was because he actually MEANS the whole Fundamentalist christian thing. He’s not just pretending like Bush I, Bush II, and McCain. The christian right has always been the willing tools of their corporate overlords, but those same overlords would never never never allow a true believer to get the nomination. They also disliked McCain (remember all the pro Romney stuff from Limbaugh and company) But unless the metaphorical tail starts wagging the dog, Huckabee will never be on a presidential ticket.
#5 by Nelson at November 8th, 2008
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Jinadal/Petraeus ‘12
#6 by Becky at November 16th, 2008
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Why do Palin supporters really believe she has a chance in 2012? They really think she is not only up to the job, but they also think she is qualified.??
I say if you cant name the newspaper you supposedly read everyday; then your too stupid to be president or to be taken seriously.
As for Huckabee: I think he and Romney are going to be the 2 contenders in 2012. I think Romney will end up as Hucks’ VP pick. People really believe Huckabee is the “man” so to speak. Simply because he doesnt strike you as a politician, therefore you listen more closely to him and he comes off as sincere and worthy of your vote. I THINK they interpret sincerity for good ideas, but still people really like this guy.
Any thoughts on whether you believe he will be the Republican nominee in 2012?
Lastly can you imagine Sarah Palin tryingto debate Hillary Clinton? Hillary would spank her ass and send her back into the kitchen to make that baby a bottle.
#7 by myth buster at January 9th, 2009
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Palin is qualified, and so is Jindal. They would make great Presidents after Huckabee leaves office. Let Huckabee run first, since he’s the oldest and most experienced of the three, and then Palin and Jindal can have their turns.
The great thing about America is that we don’t care about where you came from; we only care about what you can do. We believe leaders should come from the people, not to them. The military exemplifies this. You don’t have to be the son of a politician to become a General or Admiral. The son of a single mother in Detroit can become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff if he has the heart and the talent to do so, and puts in 37 years working toward that goal.
#8 by DC at January 15th, 2009
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I am a Huckabee fan! The problem with the GOP is thier inability to relate to others. Huckabee never scared me because I know that his policies were going to be based on morality, which is what America needs in this critical time. I don’t know how anyone can compare him to Sarah Palin who knows nothing about leading and less about life in general. Although I did vote for McCain/Palin, it was very hard to work up the nerve to do so. The political campaign was poorly run and I knew that there were better candidates, much like Huckabee. I encourage all of you to buy his books and read them and then you will not be scared to vote for this incredible leader who is out to not only better himself, but the world!
A Proud Young Republican
Dustin
#9 by Donna at February 6th, 2009
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It’s still too early to tell about 2012, but I have a feeling Obama is in for 8 years anyhow, so it’s probably moot. Either that, or the Mayan aliens will end everything by then.
#10 by Wade at February 21st, 2009
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http://members.verizon.net/~vze3fs8i/air/pres2012.html
Read up on that…it is pretty interesting and more can be found. I hope the ticket is Huckabe /Jindal. I like Palin as a person but am not sold on as a President….Although the more we all say negative things, the more homework she will do so who knows.
I am a Republican who believes that if he were alive today…..JFK would be a Republican too….listen to what he had to say about war, God, and his love of the United States Navy……
#11 by Robert at March 15th, 2009
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I’m with you Dustin! Proud of you too. It is time for the Republicans to change and shed aside the control of the neo-conservative movement that has led the party into the ground with cynicism, ignorant foreign policies, arrogance, hypocrisy, and general incompetence in running government. Everyone is so quick to point out that Huckabee was a Baptist minsiter, but he was governor for ten and a half years! He balanced the budget, the state grew economically, schools improved, roads got paved, health insurance issues were improved thourhg bipartisan efforts. Look at the public records online! Romney doesn’t have a record to run on and Jindal is a joke. Obama would have his hands full with a campaign against the likeable, genuine, smart, inspirational Governor from Arkansas in Mike Huckabee!!!
Robert
#12 by jack at April 12th, 2009
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With all the exposure Huckabee has from his weekly Fox show and his ABC radio show twice daily people are getting to know Huckabee the man. One of his biggest problems last time aside from 24/7 attacks from talk radio was name recognition. Still, even with no money and the above he ran an incredible campaign by any estimate. In 2012 he will be one of the best known candidates in the race. His grass roots are already mobilized and waiting for marching orders. The Fair Tax is sweeping across the nation like a grassfire right now and one guess who will own those voters. Fox will be suportive this time instead of destructive not likely they will eat their own. His charm has won them over I even heard Geraldo say when he and Huckabee were both being interviewed that “Huckabee was his choice for president in the next go around” and “I love this guy” . My estimation is that Huckabee will erupt in the 2012 primaries like a volcano on steroids.