In what could potentially be a huge indication of Huckabee’s future political plans (or lack thereof), Huckabee’s presidential committee Huckabee for President, Inc has filed termination paperwork with the FEC.
The report was filed with the FEC on 1/31/11 at the time other political committees were filing their usual year-end reports, and can be viewed here.
On that same date, Huckabee’s team filed a regular year-end report for Huck PAC — meaning that Huckabee has made the intentional decision to continue Huck PAC operations while ceasing the operations of Huckabee for President, Inc.
Huckabee for President, Inc was founded in April of 2007 and has been filing regular quarterly or monthly reports with the FEC until now.
I must add an important caveat: as I am not thoroughly versed in FEC campaign laws, it is not precisely clear what this filing means – but we will keep digging to find out. Closing this committee could be indicative of Gov. Huckabee retiring old debts incurred in his 2008 presidential run in order to open a new committee for his 2012 campaign, or it could simply be the settling of old accounts. The timing, however, is interesting. Stay tuned for more details and analysis as the situation becomes more clear. As Drudge says, developing…
February 9th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
interesting but what does this mean?
February 9th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
“Huckabee for President, Inc.”
…insert jokes about big-money elections here.
Is this the group that oversaw the actual Presidential Run? And is it possible that the money could be rolled over into a new, more 2012-centric organizaiton?
Those would be my two questions.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Absolutely nothing. Period.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
It’s been reasonably clear for awhile now that Huck’s current plan is to not run. His announcement that he’s going to announce his intentions this summer, indicates that he might get in late….IF….no one has emerged and the water looks just right.
If he was going to run, he’d be raising money….and he hasn’t been.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
3 was for Greg.
February 9th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
LOL! ..is for Dave.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
http://www.facebook.com/mikehuckabee?v=wall
February 9th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
This could be a very big deal. Or, it could be that Huckabee’s forming a new committee for 2012. Either way – it’s definitely interesting news!
February 9th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
[...] via Huckabee for President, Inc. Files Termination Paperwork with FEC | Race 4 2012. [...]
February 9th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Hmmm… interesting. The Governor, to me at least, seems happy where he is; having a TV show, probably making money for the first time in his life, and getting to comment on the issues of the day without trudging through the snow in New Hampshire or Iowa to do it.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Something interesting that I saw in the papers provided by clicking on the link above:
1. HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT, INC.
C/O JPMS Cox, PLLC
11300 Cantrell Road, Suite 301
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
If he decides to run, wouldn’t he want an office closer to his home in Florida to run things for him?
February 9th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
I don’t trust this info. If Huck doesn’t run, it will shake up GOP primary (Palin jumps into lead, Romney 2nd)
February 9th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Also, last time, part of the reason Huckabee vaulted to being one of the top three candidates was that he was something new and fresh. His debate performances were unexpected, his humor refreshing. In other words, Huckabee played the underdog role perfectly. He won’t get to do that in 2012. He’s gone from “Mike who?” to “Mike what?” I don’t know if he’ll be able to play that role as well.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
What happens if Huckabee and Palin didn’t run? Romney would jump into 30s, Gingrich 20s, Pawlenty 10s, rest mid to upper single digits. Then, someone from the middle could rise and move into 1st if they do well in debates.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Iowa would completely change. That’s where movement would happen.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Don’t scare Craig. He might have to see a doctor.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Steven:
A Huckabee-less and Palin-less race would totally scramble the field. It would give Romney the heavy advantage, but also leave a big hole in the field.
That sort of scenario reminds me of 1996. We had one heavy favorite (Dole), who dissatisfied sections of the base, be they socons (Buchanan), ficons (Forbes) or technocrats (Alexander), all of whom found other candidates and gave Dole a fight for the nomination.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Matt Lewis, Whotnaught, Jennifer, Curtis Kalin, Teddy Crane and others. Teddy Crane said: RT @PalinTV: BREAKING: Huckabee Quietly Exiting 2012 Race? http://bit.ly/fg0mUh [...]
February 9th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
11.Granny T Says:
February 9th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Something interesting that I saw in the papers provided by clicking on the link above:
1. HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT, INC.
C/O JPMS Cox, PLLC
11300 Cantrell Road, Suite 301
Little Rock, Arkansas 72212
If he decides to run, wouldn’t he want an office closer to his home in Florida to run things for him?
===
February 9th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Here’s the straight scoop.
All this means is that the first iteration of “Huckabee for President” is closing up shop. There is nothing that is preventing Huckabee from filing paperwork tomorrow for “Huckabee for President V2.0″, nothing at all. He would need to file for a new name, however. Once dead, the first committee stays dead.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
#11 & #19
If all they wanted to do is move offices, they would just have to file an amendment of to their organization filing. That would be no reason to shutdown the old and start up the new.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
“He’s gone from “Mike who?” to “Mike what?”’ – Jonathan
===
Jon,
You then haven’t been paying attention to his ratings at Fox News and ABC radio skyrocketing whenever he is on.
Btw, do you watch or listen to his shows?
February 9th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
21.
How do you know that? Link?
February 9th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
11 & 19:
Huckabee would have to run from Arkansas if he really wants to do it. Floridians don’t look at him as a Floridian. Huckabee has no real favorite son status in the Sunshine State. He was Governor of Arkansas, he should run from Arkansas.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
He will run from Florida. He will build both a brand new home and nearby offices there.
Watch and see, folks.
That’s why he moved there and is why he closed his office (back in Jan) in Arkansas.
February 9th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Very impressive (Live from Israel!) Huckabee ratings from Super Bowl weekend.
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the … more-51995
February 9th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
26 EDIT:
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-scoreboard-saturday-february-5_b51995#more-51995
February 9th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Craig:
And I’m telling you that’s a big mistake. There is no favorite son affection for Huckabee in this state. There just isn’t any. Plus, it would be easy fodder for an opponent to attack him. The ad writes itself:
“Mike Huckabee was Governor of Arkansas for 10 years. But in that time he ____ (insert negative stuff here). How bad did is it now? Mike Huckabee doesn’t even live in Arkansas anymore. Now he’s in Florida. Mike Huckabee not only is running from his record, he’s moved away from it.”
February 9th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Fow News talks about some of our favorites…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udLl89KA75g
Listen for the name, “Huckabee!”
February 9th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
28.
But, Jon.
It’s a done deal. That’s where he lives and will now run his campaign from.
You’re right, we’ll have to see if it pays off especially in the newest Florida polling.
Oh wait! It already has. Huck has surged up from his previous numbers there (and kinda everywhere).
February 9th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Here is the link to the form that is filled out and filed with the FEC to (a)organize a committee and (b)modify the organization of the committee, including changing the committee’s address.
So if all they wanted to do was move the committee from Arkansas to Florida, they would only have to refile one of these forms and check the “Check if address is changed” box on the very first page.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Jon,
Moving to the great key-presidential/delegate-rich/must-win state of Florida is brilliant, imo. Plus it’s near his good buddies and pals, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush!!
And besides, Huck not only has a great record in Arkansas but approval in the 60′s during and after. He’s not running away from THAT.
All THAT accomplished by Governor Huckabee while facing a legislature with 89 Democrats out of 100 legislators in the House and only four Republicans in the 35-seat Senate.
Yet, Huckabee found a way to govern for over 10 years and never quit after only two or four, and as I said above, left the state with amazing high approval ratings that still exist to this very day and have now gone national.
* Cut the state capital gains tax rate by 25%.
* Abolished capital gains taxes on home sales.
* Abolished the state marriage penalty tax.
* Pushed a $90 million tax cut package through the Arkansas legislature in 1997.
* From 1995 to 2005, cut taxes 90 times, returning nearly $400 million to taxpayers.
* Indexed income tax brackets to inflation, thus protecting taxpayers from being pushed into higher tax brackets by inflation.
* Doubled the child-care tax credit.
* Increased the tax deduction for single individuals to $2,000.
* Increased the tax deduction for married couples to $4,000.
* Proposed cutting the executive branch from 50 departments to 10.
* Banned illegal aliens from getting drivers licenses.
* Reduced state welfare enrollment by nearly half.
* Helped pass an unborn child amendment to the state constitution.
* Helped pass a traditional marriage amendment to the state constitution.
* Pushed through a property owners’ bill of rights that limited property tax hikes and protected homeowners from unfair tax assessments.
* Pushed through homeschooling-friendly legislation.
* Limited the increase in the overall rate of state spending to 4.9% (AFI)–not bad, considering that he was dealing with a Democratic legislature.
* Protected gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits.
* Removed restrictions on concealed handgun permit holders.
* Pushed through legislation that allowed the state to fire school boards and school superintendents in school districts that were chronically performing badly.
* When faced with a $227 million deficit for fiscal year 2002, refused to call for a tax increase and instead called for a massive cut in state spending.
Now, who would not run on THAT!
!
No matter where they just happen to move their new home and “business” to.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
This is TOTALLY false. This was to finally close the 2008 campaign and it has taken 3 years due to debts he got stuck with. It has nothing to do with 2012 except that Mike can’t start a 2012 campaign until he closes out the 2008 one.
Randy
February 9th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Thanks, Randy.
And let me add this to Governor Huckabee’s accomplishments among 100′s of others…
–Eliminated the state income tax for families below poverty level.
- Cut welfare rolls by 50%.
- Led efforts to establish the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights for uniform notice and due process.
- Made the interstate road system in Arkansas one of the best in the nation, where it had been among the worst, bringing in more trucking and trade. And the small tax the voters raised was repealed once the roads were complete.
-Carried out 16 executions in his time as governor of Arkansas which refutes his opponents’ claims that he’s soft on crime.
- Signed a ban on partial birth abortion.
- Worked to grant school administrators more flexibility in hiring and firing poor teachers.
- Moved Arkansas from grade “F” to a “C” in Charitable Choice compliance so Arkansas was only one of twelve states to pass.
- Balanced the state budget of Arkansas every year he was governor in Arkansas.
- Left his state with almost $1 billion surplus, a state record.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
The evidence that Huck is not running is beginning to pile up, and vastly overwhelms any slivers of evidence that he may jump in.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Consider:
I’ve heard his wife absolutely forbids another run and he knows how he struggled to raise funds last time. His PAC is the lowest performing of all potential candidates.
He has no money,
his campaign staff have all moved on to work for other people,
he just signed a seven figure contract with FOX,
he has launched a new radio show,
he knows he would be pilloried for the pardons/turned murderers,
he just took out a $2.5 million dollar mortgage for a mansion he is building in Florida
he’s backed out of speeches scheduled in Iowa this summer
he has scheduled a cruise this summer in what could be prime campaign time
…but the number one reason I know he is not running is: he’s gained back about 60 or 70 pounds of the original 100 pounds he lost before he ran in 2008.
Fat and happy with his Fox gig, and needing that high income to pay his mortgage, he isn’t going to run.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Mark,
His new committee could be called “Not Mitt Romney for President, Inc.”
I think Huck is just taking care of details. Why have to use resources to maintain a shell, whether or not he is running. Assuming he is genuinely delaying any substantive consideration of running until summer, including evidently ANY kind of preparation, then keeping a committee open is just extra work. As you say, he can refile at any time that he decides he is going to run. But this prevents him from funding many activities that might be done under the umbrella of “maybe running” under the committee.
Granny T, as far as an address, it’s only an address where the FEC and the state can send official mail. It has nothing to do with where anyone has a physical office.
February 9th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
And Huck has commented in the positive about his last NEW HOMETOWN poll just a few weeks back
Florida Poll Watch:
•Mike Huckabee 23% {15%} [15%] ..HUCKABOOM!!
•Mitt Romney 21% {28%} [31%]
•Newt Gingrich 18% {15%} [23%]
•Sarah Palin 13% {22%} [23%]
Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}
•Mike Huckabee 67% / 20% {+47%} ..HIGHEST OF ALL!
February 9th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
teledude Says:
February 9th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
“Consider: I’ve heard his wife absolutely forbids another run”
===
LOL! LOL! LOL!
I stopped reading your post after that. How would you possibly even know that?
Do you have Mike’s new home bugged?
February 9th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
You can post polls all day and night, it doesn’t change the fact that Huck isn’t running.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Well after Janet was caught on camera humiliating herself by scolding a police officer, I doubt she would want to be in the spotlight again.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
She belittles cops, Huck pardons people who shoot at cops, what is with this family and their hatred of law enforcement?
February 9th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
It would appear the Governor has a lot of these people thinking just what he wants them to be thinking about now….
February 9th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
They are all thinking he’s not running, because he’s not.
Soon all the folks on Huckaplanet will have to face reality; Huck’s only shot was in 2008, and he blew it. He will never get close to the presidency. It’s all over!
February 9th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Well, he’s obviously put on about 60 or 70 pounds of that 100 he’d lost in 2008.
If he runs he’s going to need to get some better fitting suits…the man looks disheveled on TV.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Yes, her confrontation with the police officer should be really embarassing for Huckabee and family.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
43.Randy Davis Says:
February 9th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
“It would appear the Governor has a lot of these people thinking just what he wants them to be thinking about now….”
===
BINGO!
February 9th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Craig,
Once again, you are placing yourself in a position that in order to keep your dreams of a Huckabee run alive, you have to imagine Mike as a deceitful, conniving politician who doesn’t think twice about manipulating people.
And once again I, a staunch Romney fan, seem to have a better opinion of Huckabee’s character than you do.
Do you not find that even a little bit ironic?
February 9th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Looks like Palin will be our nominee.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
48.
See 32. and 34.
That’s what I think about Huck.
Oh, and did you see Randy’s 33.
Just the facts, Mark. Try it.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
It ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings.
Best not to leave during Intermission.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Okay Craig, assuming Randy is correct, why did it take 3 years to raise the money to pay off his debts? If he cannot raise enough money to pay off his debts, then he probably will not be able to raise enough money to fuel a Presidential election campaign…just sayin’
February 9th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
marK,
Mike Huckabee has consistently said that he does not know if he will run or not. But wouldn’t he be quietly setting some things up just in case he does decide to run?
So is there a problem with him closing out one account in order to set up another FEC account later? Is there some ethical problem with that?
Is there some problem with setting up an expectation?
Or is it better to say do what Mitt Romney did?-on the night of Palin’s big speech at the Reagan Ranch, Mitt Romney set up a conference call and told his supporters that he will be running down the road. Mitt Romney set up the conference call to take the limelight off of Palin and give some to himself.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
You don’t have to close out an account to set up another. You can amend an existing account to suit the current electoral cycle. The only reason to close the account is if you are through with presidential politics, which Mike Huckabee has been since his loss in 08.
February 9th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
I wonder what the monthly payments would be on a $2.5 million dollar mortgage?
February 9th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
He never did raise the money. He gave his own campaign $41K so it could pay off all the old debts.
And currently there are NO assets of the committee. None. If he’s planning to run, why not keep at least some money in the bank to avoid any service charges (or to pay them if they’re not that much) and to pay his advisors to file the routine paperwork? Why waste the time and money to create a whole new committee?
February 9th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Honest question.
If it does turn out he is not running, I wonder where his supporters would go? Would they spread out evenly among the other candidates, or do you guys see one or another candidate possibly benefiting more than the rest.
Just curious, what do you think?
February 9th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
TC:“Mitt Romney set up the conference call to take the limelight off of Palin and give some to himself.”
It always amuses me how people who have absolutely no access to a candidate (in fact, they don’t even like a given candidate) can make absolute statements about the reasons why a candidate does something.
Were you in on the strategy meeting between Romney and his advisers? I assume you weren’t. So how can you state categorically the reason they chose to hold that conference call when they did? How do you know that they didn’t set it up weeks ago? These are busy men (and women). You don’t just whistle up a conference call at the drop of a hat because you are bored.
Do you think the world revolves around Sarah Palin? Me, myself, someone who is somewhat active on these political sites was not aware of her address until after the fact. Do you think that Mitt Romney knows every little detail about Sarah Palin’s schedule? Are you making him into another Karl Rove whom the Democrats were convinced was an all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful manipulator?
Besides, this was a conference call to HIS supporters, not Sarah Palin’s. Is it just possible that they might not be all that interested in listening to her?
Oh, and by the way. Mitt did not say he would be announcing that he was running “down the road”, but that the announcement — running or not — was going to be “down the road”. Don’t feel bad. You’re not the only person to get it wrong. Even a large number of Romney supporters got it wrong.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
quidam65,
It’s only something you do if your not running. The only other possible explanation is that Huck is a blithering incompetent who didn’t know there were more efficient ways to set up the committee for 2012. Either way, it lowers his chances dramatically.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
I think some of you are placing too much emphasis on this bit of news. There can be a number of reasons why Huckabee closed this committee. Here are just a handful:
(1) He isn’t running.
(2) He is closing the books on 2008 and opening the books for 2012.
(3) He has a snappy new name to call his 2012 committee.
(4) He is bored and has nothing better to do.
(5) He wants to keep the accounts of the two campaigns separate.
To call this bit of news definitive on whether or not he is running is an overreach, IMO.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
See 32. and 34.
That’s what I think about Huck.
Hey, look – Craig loves Huck enough to incessantly copy and paste! Now that’s devotion right there.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
marK,
He can open the books on 2012 with the same presidential committee. He can also change the name of the committee with a simple amendment form.
It doesn’t make much sense to me to go through the paperwork to close a presidential committee just to turn around and go through all the paperwork and red tape to open a new one a few months from now…
Possible? Absolutely. If so, I feel sorry for his staffers who have to fill out all the forms and reports. Heh. This would not be a very efficient way to run a campaign…
February 9th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Or I could spread nonsense and rumour like some Rombots.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
If Huck wants to run for president, he better starting running or something to drop all the weight he’s gained. Right now it looks like he’s trying to challenge Christie as the biggest man in the gop.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Iowa ’12 and South Carolina ’12 cannot come soon enough.
Don’t be afraid of a little Huck competition.
Let the voters there decide AGAIN!
!
February 9th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Maybe a better way to ask my question would be, who would be the Huckabee supporters second choice?
It appears the concept of him not running is too much for them to handle just yet.
They will have to go through all five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
64.
Something wrong with Christie?
February 9th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
66.
Why? We feel he’s running just like you are 100% Palin is running.
Let them all run! The more the merrier?
What are you afraid of if Romney, Huck, Newt, and Palin all show up?
4th place?
February 9th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
teledude,
As I’ve said before, I will not be looking for another candidate until Huckabee officially says he’s not running. If that happens, I’ll do the voters match quizzes like I did when I chose Huckabee in the first place.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Feelings and facts tend to conflict, since feelings can’t really be quantified and facts are undeniable. The facts point overwhelmingly to Huck not running.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
70.
And that Palin is running? LOL!
February 9th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
General Election: Palin vs. Obama
Polling Data
RCP Average 11/8 – 1/16 — 52.1 36.9 Obama +15.2
===
Oh yeah. She’s running. Obama prays she is.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Granny T, those voters match quizzes are mostly garbage. Bad weighting.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
The conspriacy theorists must love this stuff! The reality is that Huck is going to be back from Israel and will begin promoting his new “policy” book (notice the emphasis on policy). He will traveling nationwide – including Iowa (hmmm….) That doesn’t exactly sound like he is bowing out. Reminds of the quote by Mark Twain “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
February 9th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
As I have mentioned more than once. There is still plenty of time to decide to get in. However, the clock is ticking. It is now officially less than a year before the 2012 Iowa caucus. Each day that goes by without Mike taking some serious steps toward campaign prep, is another day where I become more convinced he isn’t running.
While this little factoid has very little meaning in and of itself (it has even less meaning than his June cruise, IMO), when it is coupled with all the other little factoids that suggest he is sitting 2012 out, it is getting more and more difficult to believe that he is planning on running.
Time is ticking away. Pages are getting torn off the calendar. He is going to have to do something more concrete fairly soon or give 2012 up as a lost cause.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Metro,
But they do give you a fairly good idea on which candidates are closer to your views. I do the quizzes and lots and lots of research. I even call the campaign offices with extra questions. I don’t take voting lightly and want to make sure my vote is cast for the candidate I truly feel is the best. When I find one that agrees with my views more than any other candidate I’ve ever researched – like Huckabee – I’ll work my butt off trying to get them elected.
Besides, from what I hear I don’t have anything to worry about.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Janet looks like Mike in drag.
February 9th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
GrannyT, OK. Given SoCon issues are your #1, our efforts will be cancelling one another out.
February 9th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
“All this means is that the first iteration of “Huckabee for President” is closing up shop. There is nothing that is preventing Huckabee from filing paperwork tomorrow for “Huckabee for President V2.0?, nothing at all. He would need to file for a new name, however. Once dead, the first committee stays dead.”
While possibly true…why now? What is it about February of 2011 which makes it a good time to close down a
Presidential campaign organizaiton? Old debts still have to be paid…and why bother opening up a whole new organizaiton that none of the voters will even recognize as any different? If this organizaiton had no benefit to a future run, it would have been closed back in 2008.
No, if you ask me, Huckabee kept his Presidential machine running long enough to make the decision…now that he doesn’t need it anymore, he’s closing the door on a run.
February 9th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
MattC
What information made you decide to edit the title of your post?
February 9th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
77.
Fred,
Which candidate’s camp do you belong to? And why would you say such a mean thing about a candidate’s family member?
February 9th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Did any of you ever consider the possibility that Gov. Huckabee’s new book may well pay off that mortgage you keep railing about – without ever needing touch his Fox salary?
February 9th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if Huckabee gets in, it has to be at least by June. If he tries after that, he’ll get steamrolled. I still think he will get in. He has a lot of faith in his base.
Frederick, that’s lame. There’s no reason to go after the way a candidate’s spouse looks.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
BSR,
Good point as always.
I’m buying 10 copies then!
!
February 9th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
And I’m sure everyone here will buy at least ONE.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
MattC
Your Original title said:
BREAKING: Huckabee Quietly Exiting 2012 Race?
But other than race42012, I have not seen it on any major political websites?
February 9th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
TexCon,
This story broke here at R4’12, because it is based on original research that I had been doing at the FEC website.
The original headline was altered via an editorial decision from Kavon to reflect some conflicting information we were getting as we dug deeper into the issue. You’ll notice we added a bit to the final paragraph as well. Essentially, we wanted to make sure we were communicating the importance of the information presented while remaining true to what it *might* mean.
Hope that helps.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
I think the original title summed up the sincere wishes of Matt the Rombot.
But the revision was from Matt the FPP.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
“Closing this committee could be indicative of Gov. Huckabee retiring old debts incurred in his 2008 presidential run in order to open a new committee for his 2012 campaign, or it could simply be the settling of old accounts.”
===
Oh thanks for adding that, Matt and Kavon.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
Huckabee has consistently told us that he hasn’t ruled anything out – and that he’s not making a decision until “late summer.” I doubt that anyone will force him to start his race his pace any sooner than he wants to.
Rumor is that Huckabee just returned from Israel today. I’ll give him some time for rest before expecting him to be getting back into full swing. If there is any chance he’s still considering running, I will expect some kind of response in the next few days.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Btw, Mike Huckabee is embarking on a massive media blitz for his new policy book, a sure number one bestseller.
PLUS a book tour that sends him to a dozen cities in Iowa and South Carolina, very soon after he returns from 10 days in the Middle East.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Got a title of that new book?
If it’s coming out soon I should be able to pre-order it on Amazon.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Never mind, I found it.
A Simple Government.
February 9th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don’t!) [Hardcover]
Mike Huckabee (Author)
› Visit Amazon’s Mike Huckabee Page
http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Government-Twelve-Washington-Trillion/dp/1595230734
February 9th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Learn more about A Simple Government: http://www.facebook.com/mikehuckabee?v=app_4949752878
February 9th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Now that Huck 2012 is over, where will the Huckafans turn?
February 9th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
I think Huck has genuinely not yet decided. However, I do think he has probably identified the factors that need to be in place for him to make the jump into the race as well as the factors that will result in him declining.
If he runs, I think it will be a Phoenix-like approach, up from the ashes–they said it couldn’t be done, rescuing the GOP from the lack of a great candidate.
His biggest problem in waiting until June, imo, more than any other issue, is the lack of organizational talent that will be available at that point in time. Sure he’ll have top-notch grass-roots supporters who will give their all for him, but not much in the way of necessary coordination, marketing, fund-raising, leadership.
(Btw, any chance comment 77 Frederick can be deleted? That has no place here.)
February 9th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
These comments are really hilarious. How does anybody know if Huckabee has contacted people by phone??? He could have some organization in play, but remember he wants his entry into the field to be a real surprise. That means he could be doing this kind of stuff to fool everybody.
Do any of you really believe Mike Huckabee would not tell his supporters that he wasn’t running before he announced it? He wants us to be patient, and that’s what we will be until HUCKABEE tells us he isn’t running.
So, Max, you have only stated Huckabee isn’t running a hundred times, and everybody has seen your comments, so you can shut up now! Huckabee fans are very loyal and will wait for him to run (which he is running).
To answer somebody’s question about who Huckabee fans will choose in case Huckabee doesn’t run…I believe it will vary. As for me it will NOT be Romney or Palin or Gingrich for reasons I have stated in these forums. I don’t believe most other Huckabee fans will choose them either!
February 9th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
BTW for all the new commenters that are listed here, please keep your comments civil and don’t make negative personal attacks on anybody’s candidate.
February 9th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
It’s so sad how important the Paul and Romney camps are in winning the straw polls. Straw polls as shown by Ron Paul last year and anybody winning, is that candidates get their supporters to come in and vote. It’ no different than people cheating and voting many times on the online polls. The online polls and straw polls are meaningless!
February 9th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
# Fredrick Says:
February 9th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Janet looks like Mike in drag.
====================================
You’re getting kicks insulting
Huckabee’s wife?What’s wrong with you?!
February 9th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
For everyone saying this means nothing, sadly you are wrong.
If he wanted to change the committee’s name or its location, he simply would have had to file an amended Statement of Organization with the new name and address.
February 9th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
You are all reading too much into it.
They all want to run,even those who
have zero chances.
Until they say NO,like Pence,they are
all running.
February 9th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
101.
and
103.
TEX,
Thanks!
and
BINGO!
-Craig
February 9th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
If I wanted to read uncivil comments about candidate’s family members, I’d go over to C4P or a couple of other hardcore sites.
It has no place here, thanks to Kavon.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Why would Huckabee keep “Huckabee for President” site after the 2008 election?……Romney shut his down in 2008′ and started his PAC site shortly afterward.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
VFT, you really are in denial.
FEC rules require reporting of campaign activities. Huck can’t engage in a professional way (meaning for money) any talent without first raising money and then reporting both the cash received and the cash spent. The real talent in campaigns do it professionally, meaning for money. It’s a job, and one they are good at. They build campaign organizations, create messaging campaigns, and raise money. For an idea how much money this costs, check out the reports of what Whitman paid her people in CA.
Those professionals don’t work for free. So, even now, they are working to hook on with real campaigns. The people Huck had in IA are already signing on with other campaigns in order to pay their bills.
I don’t have any problem with delaying the announcement, but it is a fatal error to delay the preparation. Everything we see says Huck is not only delaying the announcement, but also potentially dismantling the apparatus he would need to raise money and hire people in preparation. For those who think this may not be important, answer this one question, “What vehicles remain for Huck to raise money and begin to retain advisers and consultants that might lead to being prepared to launch a campaign in July? And how much ground would a candidate have lost unnecessarily who only begins to recruit staff and advisors just weeks before IA straw poll. How many really qualified political people are still free agents? (NONE) How many of his followers will have become exasperated and moved on to their second choice? (MANY) How much money and air time will have been used to establish other names as more viable socon candidates, like TPaw and Santorum? (TONS)
What everyone is saying is “this is NO way to run a successful campaign to beat Obama and $1,000,000,000.”
February 9th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Blah, blah, blah… Huck has no chance. Blah, blah, blaw ..your as bad as Max.
“Who should we include as this month’s bonus Republican?” – PPP
Jon Huntsman ..but can he catch the Paul Sr. still? Hope so!
20% 422 votes
Rand Paul
19% 403 votes
Ron Paul
23% 480 votes
Total Votes : 2106
Voting is still open over at PPP as the Paul folks seem to be quite aware of.
But I voted “Huntsman” at } http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/
February 9th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Craig (and other Huck fans),
I’ll just ask one question: can you name one single benefit shutting down Huckabee for President, Inc gives Huck if he is running for the party’s nomination?
Anything?
Bueller?
February 9th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
106.LV Says:
February 9th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
“Why would Huckabee keep “Huckabee for President” site after the 2008 election?……Romney shut his down in 2008? and started his PAC site shortly afterward.”
===
Exactly, LV
February 9th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
109.
See 110.
It’s not needed. Period.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Fredrick; What’s your problem? Can’t you get anyone to pay attention to you without acting like a 12 year old?
February 9th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Craig (#111), LV is talking websites, not FEC presidential committees. Of course they got rid of the websites. MittRomney.com now redirects to Free and Strong America PAC.
Shutting down a presidential committee with the FEC is a whole other ball of wax.
They are, contrary to your assertion, kind of “needed”. Y’know, in a strict legal sense.
So if Mikey’s running, he’s going to have to have his staffers go through the hassle of re-filing all the paperwork to start a brand new committee, jump through all the hoops, and cut through all the red tape. Just a few months after shutting down his old committee.
Please tell me that doesn’t actually make sense to you.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Romney for President, Inc. is still a fully operational and functional FEC presidential committee.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Craig: Are you saying it’s not needed because he’s not running?
It’s just a strange time to shut the site down…this is the to keep it up and running..
February 9th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Matt C: I asked Craig the question before I read your comment in #113….It sounds like a no go for Huckabee.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
33.Randy Davis Says:
February 9th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
This is TOTALLY false. This was to finally close the 2008 campaign and it has taken 3 years due to debts he got stuck with. It has nothing to do with 2012 except that Mike can’t start a 2012 campaign until he closes out the 2008 one.
Randy
February 9th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Whether Governor Huckabee will run for the position of POTUS or not can be debated. He is the only one who can see the big picture and how running would affect his family and would match his own personal goals and beliefs. Mrs. Huckabee is a lovely, strong woman; she would blaze her own trail as a First Lady. If the Governor runs, the primaries will be more lively, in my opinion. It is my hope that he runs, but I trust him to do what is best.
February 9th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Original headline: Huckabee Quietly Exiting 2012 Race? NO
Updated Headline: Huckabee Ramping up for 2012 Race? YES!
February 9th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Be Free Says:
February 9th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
“Mrs. Huckabee is a lovely, strong woman; she would blaze her own trail as a First Lady.”
===
That’s right.
February 9th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
#53. TexCon…..OK, enough is enough.
This is just getting ridiculous. Now Romney has to check with Palin’s scheduling secretary and get permission to hold his own, private, unreported at the time meetings just so he won’t give the Area 51 crowd the impression that some how, his private meeting that only a handful of people know about will take the limelight off of Palin’s highly publicized address?
Good grief…
Thank Goodness the Rombots are not monitoring every move of Palin and Huckabee and interpreting them all as underhanded insults aimed at Romney (notwithstanding that Huckabee does takes stabs a Palin and Romney now and then, but who cares?).
February 9th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
“notwithstanding that Huckabee does takes stabs a Palin and Romney now and then, but who cares?”
==
Jerald,
You couldn’t get through one post without taking a shot at Mike?
Huck takes “stabs”??? What stabs???
February 9th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
As for the issues, well get used to that.
February 9th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Craig (#117) (quoting Randy, #33):
“Mike can’t start a 2012 campaign until he closes out the 2008 one.”
Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is blatantly false. No such move is required.
February 9th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
You might want to update your “breaking news”
HuckPAC responded when asked.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49211.html
February 10th, 2011 at 12:19 am
It appears as though the Politico article shoots a bit of a hole in the theory that shutting down the 08 campaign meant Huck isn’t going to run in 12.
Perhaps there is a reason no other blog/media outlet thought this was worth printing…it’s a non-story.
Although maybe we should thank Matt Coulter for his post. After all, Hogan Gidley’s statement about 2012 is certainly the strongest indication we’ve had out of Huck’s camp so far.
107. I’m intrigued…how is it you know that there are no qualified political people left?
February 10th, 2011 at 12:52 am
I just read the Politico piece and something doesn’t sound right…
Why would Gidley let the cat out of the bag by pretty much saying that Huckabee’s can run now he just had to clear up all the old debts?
February 10th, 2011 at 1:55 am
If anything, it’s an indication he will run. Why other be in such hurry to pay back all the old debts all of a sudden?
And I agree Max will probably be more disappointed if Huckabee does run, than I and other Huckabee fans will be if he doesn’t.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:47 am
YOU GUYS ARE ALL WASTING YOUR TIME! We won’t know ANYTHING about huck until he either:
A. Announces he is not running
B. Comes back home in July and starts gearing up with a staff again.
My money is on……I DON’T KNOW! What am i supposed to do? I know, i’ll support Bachmann until we know. She is a worthy woman…and i won’t feel too bad about leaving her for huck later on if he gets in…cause she don’t have a chance in hell anyways.
I love you guys
February 10th, 2011 at 3:59 am
Lynn Says:
February 10th, 2011 at 12:19 am
“It appears as though the Politico article shoots a bit of a hole in the theory that shutting down the 08 campaign meant Huck isn’t going to run in 12.
Perhaps there is a reason no other blog/media outlet thought this was worth printing…it’s a non-story.”
===
Gotta be more careful in the future.
February 10th, 2011 at 4:02 am
POLITICO:
“It should be obvious why the governor closed his 2008 Huckabee for President committee — it’s not 2008 anymore,” Gidley said. “The expenses and obligations acquired from the ‘08 Campaign had to settled. After all, Governor Huckabee can’t start a campaign for 2012, until he closes out the old one from 2008.”
Theoretically, Huckabee could use the same campaign committee this time around, but candidates who make a second go of it often begin anew.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49211.html#ixzz1DXqRMMHl
February 10th, 2011 at 4:05 am
“It’s not unusual for a candidate to personally pay down money, although for such a small sum Huckabee likely could have raised cash. However, sources noted he ran a basically debt-free effort in 2008 and was surprised to hear there were still a few loose ends, and wanted to get things taken care of.”
===
You might wanna read the comments over there as well!
!
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49211.html#ixzz1DXr2j9vV
February 10th, 2011 at 5:07 am
Mike Huckabee has cleaned up some business from 2008 ahead of a potential 2012 run
Now that’s a headline that fits, Matt!
!
February 10th, 2011 at 5:31 am
Where is the retraction Kavon/Matt?
Come on fair is fair.
February 10th, 2011 at 8:38 am
[...] Huckabee is getting in trouble with supporters and may be leaving the scene. (Note to the Huckster: Don’t let the door hit you on the way [...]
February 10th, 2011 at 10:08 am
““What vehicles remain for Huck to raise money and begin to retain advisers and consultants that might lead to being prepared to launch a campaign in July?”
That’s a crucial question from Still Hurting there. Unless Huck forms a replacement committee soon, I’ve got to conclude that he is strongly leaning against a run.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:24 am
“It should be obvious why the governor closed his 2008 Huckabee for President committee — it’s not 2008 anymore,” Gidley said. “The expenses and obligations acquired from the ‘08 Campaign had to settled. After all, Governor Huckabee can’t start a campaign for 2012, until he closes out the old one from 2008.”
I thought the question was regarding the closing of Huckabee for President, Inc. The name doesn’t indicate anything specific to 2008. I was on board with the comments that the closing of any political entity doesn’t mean anything. Now Gidley’s comments make me wonder what’s going on.
If the entity Huckabee for President, Inc. still hadn’t paid people who had done work for them in 2008–and it’s now 2011, we don’t know whether those who were owed money were getting antsy seeing Huck living the highlife, building a big mansion, while they have bills to pay and families to feed. So, to sweep all that under the rug, they were quickly paid and the entity that owed them is closed along with any records and correspondence about the situation.
Maybe it’s all benign and just part of normal politics.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:28 am
hamaca,
Lots (if not most) Presidential campaigns end the campaign in debt. It often takes years to pay this off (this is often a motivation for signing book deals). But the money is generally owed to a bank in the form of a structured loan, not vendors, consultants, and paid staff.
As for Huck’s intentions, if he doesn’t replace this soon with another committee, odds are he’s not running, or if he is, he is being foolish in his preparation.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:31 am
Matt,
I read that Huckabee didn’t file the paperwork to open his account with the FEC until April 2007. Since you are following FEC filings will you post an article as soon as Huckabee files the necessary paperwork for his next run? Is it true that Romney closed his out in 2008? Has anyone filed for 2012?
February 10th, 2011 at 10:32 am
*Coulter
February 10th, 2011 at 10:42 am
138. Matt “MWS”,
Did he use banks that received TARP or stimulus money? Please tell me that none of his loans were funded with such tainted money.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:51 am
“Please tell me that none of his loans were funded with such tainted money.” Huh? With respect, that is pushing it. There was no TARP when the primary contest begin.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:55 am
If Huck doesn’t run I will likely switch to Pawlenty.
But I think he will run.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:57 am
Don’t websites usually update their article with new information? Will this article be updated?
February 10th, 2011 at 11:24 am
How come Rombots are a such pain in the you-know-what?? Thin-skinned, arrogant, narrow-minded and will chop your head off for the slightest critique of their beloved mormon candidate.
February 10th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Stay tuned for more details and analysis as the situation becomes more clear. As Drudge says, developing…
Still waiting!
February 10th, 2011 at 11:35 am
#145 – There is nothing wrong with separating fact from fiction in defense of your candidate. But why would you even bring up another candidates religion? It says you would rather engage in the politics of personal destruction than have an honest debate on the issues.
February 10th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Rubizone= I was not aware of being thin skinned, arrogant etc. Thank you for such insight. May you have a nice day as well.
Zeek
February 10th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
You too Zeek. I only speak about what I read here, and that is Romney supporters act exactly as I described. As for the mormon throw-in, I believe that 90% of the Romney supporters on this site are mormon. I have nothing against mormons, but lets make sure we nominate a candidate that CAN WIN.
February 10th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
C’mon Kavon.
Well you google Huckabee it directs you to this site.
NOT A GOOD LOOK TO SAY THE LEAST.
February 10th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
142. OJ,
I guess I failed my attempt at being silly (on purpose) with that one.
(I’m sure there’s a case to be made for me being unintentionally silly a good portion of the time.)
February 11th, 2011 at 6:03 am
[...] Twain of Race42012 knows. Steve Deace of WHO Radio in Des Moines knows. Craig Robinson of the Iowa Republican knows. [...]
February 11th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
I hope Hucksters and Romney-ites can get along…. ’cause it looks like they are at the top of the ticket in 2012.