No matter what he actually meant to say or what he truly believes regarding the President, Mike Huckabee has definitely had a miserable week. The media is hounding him over his Kenya gaffe and now about this anti-colonial shtick. Newt Gingrich is having the same problems regarding his… announcement that turned out to be something of a farce. Politico had an article blasting Gingrich as undisciplined. Mitt Romney is not immune to this either; every time a Republican with a title in front of their name says something bad about the Massachusetts health care system, Romney’s name is inevitably brought up.
Now, is this press coverage fair? Really, it isn’t. After all, if Romney, or Huckabee or Gingrich gives a sober, well-thought out speech discussing serious issues, it might get two posts online, if that. So, these would-be candidates could with justification, claim the media is not fairly basing their coverage. To that, I have a simple answer; welcome to being one of the front-runners.
As front-runners, these candidates are going to get analyzed much closer than other candidates, although it will be excruciating for any involved. However, the media has a reason to pick on front-runners, and it has nothing to do with liking them or not. The media’s vested interest in going after the front-runners devolves into their simple desire for something new to write about. This is particularly true with Newt, Mitt and Mike, who have all been around for a while. These three’s views are pretty well known to the media, and to the political junkies looking into the 2012 race. Writing another story about another Republican bashing Obama is, frankly boring to people in the media and to everyone but each candidate’s acolytes.
When the primary and pre-primary campaigns kick off (with the latter starting sooner rather than later), the front-runners in particular are going to have to have masterful control of the words that come out of their mouth. More than trying to appeal to one constituency group or another, all the contenders are going to want to appear Presidential. They are going to be looked at by the American people and the people are going to have to want to listen/see/hear/watch /put up with this person for at least the next four years.
Being able to manage the press is not easy. In fact, it’s incredibly difficult, which is why the ability to do it is so important. For the front-runners and would be front-runners, the game of controlling the press is going to be one of the critical factors to determining how far they are going to get in the race to the White House.
p.s.: I didn’t mention Sarah Palin in this article not because of any personal dislike for her, but because she and the media have their own…umm…unique relationship, one that would take an article of its own to go through.
March 3rd, 2011 at 8:45 pm
The only reason the media liked Huck before was because he was funny and fiscally moderate. They can’t Palinize him because he’s a known quantity, but he’ll get trashed like McCain. It’ll be hard to be the GOP nominee this time around, with the press completely in the tank again for zero. You’ll need a great communications team, discipline and a Hispanic VP to boot.
March 3rd, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Huckabee always said that politics is a contact sport that you shouldn’t get into if you can’t stand the sight of your own blood. He knew what was going to happen when he started polling well enough to be considered a front runner.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Huck now quoted as rippin on Natalie Portman (yawwwwwwn)
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:15 pm
hahaha…i knew that pos Eliot spitzer would be eying nyc mayor gig but you won’t hear a peep from the “elite” media against him. Welcome to subjective outrage amongst these elites, maybe they can all have a bash at Jeffrey Epstein’s pad and fundraiser for Eliot come 2013. Personally, i’d like to see hillary run for the gig and forget the white house. As for how it relates to the GOP in 2012, well the “news” media and entertainment culture will smear any gop’er who will face their chosen pick…not to mention highlight the supposedly good times occurring under obama. I caught a little of rush today and he mentioned the news stories of how bad high gas hurt folks was like 15 times worse when the current prices happened under bush.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Yes. Identity politics among Republicans in comment #1. You should be proud of yourself, Jonathan, for giving “letme” the opportunity to espouse identity politics so quickly.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:32 pm
I guess Ray is not big on Marco Rubio or Susana Martinez.
BUT I AM!
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Will all the negative news coming out about Huckabee this week – there are polling numbers that continue to put a silver lining in all the clouds. Huckabee, Palin, Romney Tie for Lead in GOP ’12 Preferences – Huckabee’s support up six points since September
Their “tie” means Huckabee 18%, Romney 16%, Palin 16%
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:40 pm
And a unique twist on the Gallup poll, Granny
It’s like Santorum never ever worked at Fox in the first place.
And Newt is going to really, REALLY miss Fox News exposure.
http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/bfqnncezve-0hizbosnm0w.gif
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:45 pm
7.
Bachmann beats Barbour, Daniels, and Pawlenty.
Oh, yeah she’s running.
She’s Palin without the unncessary drama, and just as smart.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Granny,
I wish we could see what that looked like on a graph “thingy”.
http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/zlztxildo0mvpkxob8cbiq.gif
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:55 pm
#5–no idea why you latched onto something like that, but you better believe it because Hispanics respond to identity politics. Whites are losing their proportion of the electorate. The GOP is almost completely maxed out on white voters, ie the rest are social liberal and maybe some are economically moderate. Hispanics are social conservative and over time will become economically moderate to conservative as they work themselves up. Either way, you’ve got to buck up and play hard if you want to win.
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:07 pm
I spent a couple years here and elsewhere pushing Huck/Rubio ’12.
But then Huck moves to Florida and screws up my ingenious plan
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Sorry Craig and Let for thinking we were the party of accomplishment and resume and not the party of skin color.
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Craig–this is exactly why I don’t think Huck will run. He abandoned AR to move to FL for tax and beach purposes. Is he going to put his Presidential library in FL, where he’ll be from? Even Romney has stayed in MA when it might help him (politically, fiscally) to move to NH.
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:22 pm
LMEMW,
He did keep his TWO homes in Arkansas, the clever Gov!
Just in case, I think. The Rubio dream lives.
Although i have moves on to..
Huck/Kasich ’12
Huck/T-Paw ’12
Huck/Perry ’12
Huck/Huntsman Jr ’12
Huck/Jeb Bush ..oh wait
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:24 pm
*Although i have moves on to = *Although I have move on to
..I sounded like Max or one of his characters there.
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:25 pm
*moved
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Oh btw, Ray..
What color is Rubio’s skin?
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:34 pm
This article…ha ha ha
Welcome to Governor Palin’s world.
This has only been a couple days…how would Huck handle three years of this?
Oh Granny…no polls have been taken since this dust up. You don’t know what effect a co-ordinated media smear campaign will have on those shiny numbers…which is why I say it is too early to put any faith in them. They are meaningless.
The media is going to go after any Republican perceived to be a threat to Obama.
Those who abandoned Palin because she was just ‘too polarizing’ are nothing but cowards.
It’s okay, you’ll be back when the choice is Palin / Obama.
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Huckabee is going to get what Palin and Romney have received, and his favorables will come down to earth where most of us still live (some have gone to Mars).
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Don’t be so sure, Steven.
The guy beat the Clinton machine (the dirtiest machine in politics who threw every liberal piece of mud available through the media at him for about 13 years) EVERY SINGLE TIME in Arkansas.
As a matter of fact, Huck chewed ‘em up and spit ‘em out.
Romney tried it in Iowa.
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:58 pm
From a scale of 1 to 10, over the past 2 years, this is the level of attacks from news media in general:
Sarah Palin 9.5
Mitt Romney 6
Newt Gingrich 4
Mike Huckabee 1.5
Any comments?
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:59 pm
What a bunch of whiners!
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Huckabee doesn’t have a clue what East Coast media is like. He’s going to feel it now, and it won’t be good.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:01 pm
One year from now, we won’t be hearing you whining because there won’t be a Huckabee in the race.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:09 pm
I’m not in one of the whining group who complain evey time Huck leads Romney/Palin.
That would be the entire Rombot Nation of which you are a proud member.
And of course every hardcore Palinite that walks the earth.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:10 pm
We Huck supporters go with the flow…..
It is what it is ..is our philosophy.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:13 pm
This post gets a big fat WHATEVER!
Huckabee has continued to be attacked since the last Ames Straw Poll. Look where its taken him ——–>FRONT RUNNER STATUS!!
He’s the teflon kid. Get used to it.
In the mean time, Romney’s got Obama all but giving him a big bear hug everytime he mention ObamaCare was developed from RomneyCare and Palin is ….. well just Palin.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Huckabee leads Tea Party Voters (53%) with 27%. Romney and Palin have 14%
Romney leads Non Tea Party GOP Voters (47%) with 32%. Huckabee has 22%, Palin 10%.
Interesting
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:18 pm
Im satisfied with the way the GOP primary is going right now. Many people have their heads in the clouds. I look at reality. This is going to be a fight for the nomination. No gimmes.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:24 pm
29. Thanks, Steven. Love good news.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:25 pm
29.
14% … 10%
Is Palin toast or what?
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:26 pm
They’ll be coming over to Huck’s side when she drops..out.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:28 pm
http://onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=1304460
Huckabee’s timing good for 2012
Chad Groening – OneNewsNow – 3/3/2011 3:55:00
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Steven,
“Huckabee doesn’t have a clue what East Coast media is like.”
I don’t know if you ever watch Fox News, but Huck has been part of the east coast media for about 2 years now.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:53 pm
I think Huckabee’s bashing of unmarried pregnant young women will do LOADS of good in getting him in the good graces of Palin voters. Especially when a reporter or debate moderator asks if his same opinion applies to Bristol Palin.
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:57 pm
FULL ARTICLE: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/03/6180588-nbcwsj-poll-tea-party-supporters-like-huck
March 4th, 2011 at 12:01 am
Jeff,
Is Romney running on a platform of ‘unmarried teenage mothers – what a good thing!’?
News for you: it’s not. And should not be promoted by liberal Hollywood.
I agree with Huck and so will every single red state that Bush won.
March 4th, 2011 at 12:30 am
from what i took from it, Huckabee was pointing out that social issues have a very big fiscal element. I would even say he is the only one that continues to point out that social issues impact the size of government and the cost of government more than any other thing. Also, why the social truce doesn’t work or make sense.
Also, if you read what he said, he didn’t bash the single mother, he bashed hollywood for promoting things in a positive light that have a very different and negative impact for 99.9% of those in the real world.
But again let’s not look at everything he said , just take a word or two, piece them together and create the headline.
March 4th, 2011 at 12:33 am
Jeff,
Single motherhood is one of the biggest problems this country faces. It has an enormous impact on rates of poverty, truancy, school drop outs, crime, gang activity, child abuse, etc… etc….
And you’re suggesting candidates should ignore this because it might upset Palin?
March 4th, 2011 at 12:56 am
Huckabee versus Natalie Portman?!? Really?!?
Where have I seen this before? Oh, yeah… here it is.
Good grief — we need Mitch Daniels’ truce now more than ever. Natalie Portman is 30 years old and freaking engaged to be married. Mike Huckabee is a pathetic man who needs to get a clue.
Actually, I will give Huck some credit: he’s actually making Quayle look good, and that takes talent.
March 4th, 2011 at 12:59 am
Attacking Natalie Portman will do absolutely nothing to solve any kind of single motherhood issues in this nation.
First of all, Natalie isn’t single, she’s engaged.
Secondly, when has singling out somebody and attacking them resulted in positive change?
If Huckabee wants to do something about single motherhood, let’s hear his positive plans. Legislation he would introduce to Congress. Programs he would fund. Something.
Not a personal attack on Natalie Portman. Pitiful. Absolutely below any serious or mature “leader”.
March 4th, 2011 at 1:10 am
39.
“But again let’s not look at everything he said , just take a word or two, piece them together and create the headline.”
—————————————————————
That is exactly what they do to Palin.
Many may have abandoned her, but her ‘negatives’ are made up of just this kind of crap that Huckabee is now experiencing.
And when they drive his negatives up and his overall polling down, they will turn their focus on to the next GOP front runner.
We have to decide if we want to fight, or just let the liberal media pick our candidates. Maybe we should listen to what the candidates are actually saying, not what the media says about them?
If you’re willing to do that, the place to start is with Palin, who has been unfairly maligned. She is not the caricature she has been portrayed to be. You see how they can twist innocent words into a damning headline. You’re just now getting a taste of what she’s gone through for three years…yet she is still in the top three in most of these polls!
Do you think Huckabee can overcome these false representations? Well, so can Palin once the campaign starts. To believe otherwise is to admit lies can overcome truth…I’m not willing to buy that just yet. Truth will win out. It has to or our country is over.
It’s too early to put any faith in these polls, they are all going to change. You’re making a mistake counting Palin out, and shame on those groupthink sheep who parrot the mainstream lies about her.
March 4th, 2011 at 1:37 am
The Party will figure out that the Huckster isn’t ready for prime time. He can run, but he won’t get the prize.
March 4th, 2011 at 1:38 am
ppp tweet..
Add WI to Palin’s Goldwater state list- 19 pt deficit would be worst for GOP there since 1964: http://tinyurl.com/47olzy9
8 minutes ago via web
March 4th, 2011 at 1:42 am
Matt “MWS” Says:
March 4th, 2011 at 12:33 am
“Single motherhood is one of the biggest problems this country faces. It has an enormous impact on rates of poverty, truancy, school drop outs, crime, gang activity, child abuse, etc… etc….
===
Bingo, Matt! Huck is never backing down on this. And the liberals out here in Cali are going craaaaazeeee. Perfect.
March 4th, 2011 at 1:45 am
Let’s get the social issues out front next to the economic ones.
Walk and chew gum at the same time… There is no truce. Period.
March 4th, 2011 at 2:50 am
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50638.html#ixzz1FcAdQGYV
March 4th, 2011 at 3:11 am
You need 65 million votes to be president. One million TV viewers on a weekend night isn’t going to cut it.
March 4th, 2011 at 3:13 am
CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and MSNBC combined plus local news, national newspapers, and the Internet vs. FOX News and Talk radio. Huckabee isn’t going on other networks to try to get others to his opinions. That’s not going to help him in the center.
March 4th, 2011 at 8:10 am
That does it!
he’s unelectable!
March 4th, 2011 at 9:02 am
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/the-fictions-of-mike-huckabee/
Saw this one coming . . .
Also, jay Leno said last night that though some believe Obama is a “secret Muslim” he’s pretty sure huck is a “secret moron”.
I think mike should do more book tours!
March 4th, 2011 at 9:11 am
Huck’s probably flabbergasted that he’s actually being held to account for his regular fibs/mistakes/lies THIS time around compared to last time around.
I even learned some things in that article about the Clemmon’s clemency. Huck’s telling his gullible masses that Clemmon’s was given 108 years in prison for a single assault. Folks, when something SOUNDS like it could never happen, it probably DIDN’T ever happen. I know this is part and parcel for Huckabee . . . but it’s new territory for him and his fans.
March 4th, 2011 at 9:38 am
Being a front-runner is an entirely different experience. Playing the poor, victimized underdog coming out of nowhere suits Huck better–it’s what he milked for all it was worth in 2008. All the publicity now means accountability–you can’t just make irresponsible statements and expect that there won’t be backlash. You can’t then whine that it’s unfair, that it’s just bad people looking for gotcha moments and expect everyone to feel sorry for you.
If he hasn’t decided yet about whether to run, I have to think what he’s dealing with right now factors into his decision process–it’s giving him a taste of what’s to come if he jumps in. Is it really a battle he wants to engage in now that the rules have changed for him?
March 4th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Huckabee has won 1st place in 14 states plus tied for 1st in 1 – broken up by Region: 8 Southern states (KY, VA, FL, TX, NC, WV, GA, TN), 4 Midwestern states (IL, MO, IA, NE), 1 Western state (AK), and 1 Northeastern state plus tied in 1 (PA, tied in NJ)
Palin has won 1st place in 7 states – broken up by Region: 0 Southern states, 3 Midwestern states (OH, WI, SD), 3 Western states (WA, MT, NM), and one Northeastern state (ME)
Thanks, Granny T
I expect Palin to go to 6 when the new WI numbers come out.
And Huck to 15. We’ll see though.
March 4th, 2011 at 11:04 am
And Missouri #’s out any day now will take Huck up to 15-16 winners!!!
Love this Book Tour “thingy”!
March 4th, 2011 at 11:06 am
Especially with all the liberals and opponents complaining and whining about Huck every day now.
Over. The. Target. Indeed.
March 4th, 2011 at 11:08 am
Fuller and the Rombots now have Huck on the brain 24/7.
March 4th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Matt C.
Don’t let the true words of Huckabee get in the way of you twisting them. He mentioned Natalie but blasted Hollywood for glamorizing these issues.
For people worried about Huckabee taking the negative MSM, he was the target of that when he was Gov. of Arkansas, a very Democratic state. The Democratic newspapers in Arkansas were always making negative comments about him, yet he won his 2nd term overwhelmingly. Huckabee had Democrats making up ethic charges that were eventually thrown out of court. He also had an approval rating of over 60% when he left office…unlike Romney who had a very low approval rating when he left office. It’s higher now because the Dems in MA love government run healthcare, so they NOW approve of him so he could get into office if Obama can’t and continue his Democratic ways.
BTW, Huckabee himself never said that Clemmons got 108 years for ONE felony…he knew he had committed several felonies, but never killing anyone or using a gun.
March 4th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
I don’t see the Portman remarks as offensive. He didn’t criticize Portman herself, he merely used her pregnancy as a way to discuss single motherhood/teen pregnancy. You don’t have to be a socon to agree that these are serious issues and worthy of discussion.
This is nothing similar to Huckabee’s real gaffes — especially the Obama-is-unAmerican thing.
March 5th, 2011 at 8:28 am
Clearly, Huck needs a handler. (Oh yeah. He doesn’t have any money to hire political staff and organization.)
He needs some message discipline if he’s not going to self-destruct as a candidate. (see Sarah Palin) If all he wants to be is a culture warrior, then he’s doing just fine. He go off blasting at every hot button issue every time it comes up, kind of like whack-a-mole. But, as a candidate, that behavior will dilute his branding and provide unending opposition material.
The point of waiting until July or August, if there is any sense at all to it besides continuing to collect a paycheck, is to keep a low profile while the rest of the declared candidates take all the fire. Then you come in as a fresh face. It appears Huck is going to draw fire without the benefit of being a candidate.
March 5th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Huck will handle the MSNBC’s and other liberals just fine while watching (from the comfort of his number one rated show on Fox) the Republican candidates cannibalize each other 24/7: April, May, June, and July.
It’s brilliant.