Lately, there have been numerous rumors circulating citing “inside information” and claiming that Gov. Mike Huckabee won’t be running for President. Let’s take a closer look at the claims and whether or not there is any truth or substance to any them:
Rumor #1: Huckabee has decided not to run and has released his South Carolina Team.
That rumor was squashed almost as soon as the so called story was “leaked”. Many reputable sites had updates on their stories immediately after posting them. One of Huckabee’s key supporters and part of the 2008 Huckabee Team in South Carolina posted the debunking of that rumor on Facebook.
An article posted yesterday evening has a few more quotes from South Carolina former Governor Beasley, Mike Huckabee 2012 Run Looking More Likely, Key Supporter Says
Rumor #2: Huckabee can’t raise money and can’t run a campaign without it.
Huckabee has voiced his concerns for fundraising; so we know that can be a real issue. It has been reported that he has talked to possible financial backers.
Huckabee recently presided over a series of meetings with financial backers in New York — where he hosts his popular television show on Fox News — in an attempt to ascertain whether he could generate the resources he would need to persuade him to set aside his comfortable private life in order to spend more than a year on the campaign grind.
According to aides, the takeaway was positive.
I know many of us not so wealthy supporters have been saving in hopes of him running again. So, if Huckabee is getting any kind of interest from some of the more wealthy donors he won’t have near the lack of money he did in 2008. Also, Huckabee still has an army of volunteer grassroots supporters as well as Team Huck that is getting set up across the country. How much money are all of us volunteers worth?
Rumor #3: Huckabee is making good money and building a mansion he won’t want to walk away from.
Even Huckabee admits that his good paying jobs and mansion will have to be part of his decision. But, those of us that know and love Gov. Huckabee know he’s been through that decision before and didn’t let money and a nice house stop him.
From page 5 of Huckabee’s book, From Hope to Higher Ground: My Vision for Restoring America’s Greatness:
By now, Janet and I had achieved a level of comfort neither of us had ever dreamed. We were both thirty-six years old, had three children, a good dog, and lived in a nice five-bedroom home with a pool on a cul-de-sac.
I vividly remember the long walk in the neighborhood we took one winter night. We decided that if we indeed were put on earth to become “comfortable,” then we had hit the target. Ours was an enviable life in many ways, but as we walked and talked and prayed, we decided that the purpose for being on earth is not our personal comfort but to strive to make the world better for our children than when we found it.
I know that book was written a while ago before he started the project of building a new home. So, I’ll include a quote from an article posted this week by KATV in Arkansas, On the Road with Huckabee:
But, it’s Huckabee’s prolonged decision that could be making his biggest employer a little anxious. A report this week claims Fox executives are questioning whether they should have Huckabee on the payroll, while his platform is being used to help his Presidential aspirations. Huckabee was quoted in the report that Fox is not pressuring him to make a decision. His comments to us, suggest if things line up the way he wants, he’s in.
“If I thought I could serve my country, and make this country great again, and help get it back on track by giving it leadership, yeah, I’d do it in a heart beat. I just have to be able to visualize a path to the finish line, and believe that I can do more than the platform that i do have, and it’s a significant one, and i’m not oblivious to that.”
Rumor #4: Huckabee needs to jump in now or it will be too late and his supporters will go elsewhere.
There aren’t many Huckabee supporters that are shopping around for other candidates. Huckabee is still polling very well in polls even with the numerous rumors that he won’t be running again flying around. Many of us are volunteering and working on our own as well as with other volunteers doing whatever we can to prepare to make a Huckabee campaign launch successful if he decides to run again. Huckabee does not have the name recognition problem or the unelectable label he had in the 2008 season. He has repeatedly said he’ll make his decision this summer. In the last video I saw where he discussed when this summer – he said, “Probably June.” Rumor is that is when his FOXNEWS contract is up. Maybe he wants to use the remaining time to think as well as to fulfill his contract commitment.
Here are a few quotes from Huckabee ‘asking folks to keep their powder dry,’ adviser says:
Mike Campbell, who chaired Huckabee’s South Carolina campaign in 2008, told CNN that he called his former boss after a South Carolina blog erroneously claimed that Huckabee had decided against running again in 2012.
The report quickly shot around the web Wednesday and forced Huckabee’s team to knock down the rumor.
Campbell called the blog item “a bunch of bull” but said he decided to call Huckabee anyway.
[clip]
Asked about his presidential intentions, the former Arkansas governor told Campbell, “I am weighing it very heavily and I am considering it as seriously as I have ever been.”
[clip]
Campbell said Huckabee can afford to wait longer than other candidates to enter the race because he has an existing network of supporters in key states ready to help him again, putting him in a “great position” to win the nomination.
Huckabee has said that the last election cycle was too long and people were getting bored with it before it was over. What is wrong with getting things started a little later than last time and being more in tune with previous elections? Do people forget that Ronald Reagan kept his media jobs and didn’t announce until November?
June is NOT too late for Huckabee!
Rumor #5: Huckabee isn’t running he’s just leading people on to sell books and keep viewers.
Quote from On the Road with Huckabee:
“It’s not a decision i’m ready to make yet. I’m getting closer and closer. I’m not playing a game with anyone. I think some people think, oh, he knows what he’s going to do, he’s just playing. I’m very mindful of what it takes to run for president,” Huckabee said.
I’ve read and heard from numerous places that it’s starting to look and sound more like Huckabee is “leaning towards” running again. An article posted on the Washington Examiner last night says:
These days, among the people who have known and worked with Huckabee, there is a growing sense that he’s leaning toward another run for the White House.
Stay tuned. We should know sometime this summer – “probably June.”
_______________________________________________________________
-Please visit Ms. Teubert’s personal blog here.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:10 am
So, Huckabee is running and his NRA speech was a campaign stop. You really can’t have it both ways Donna. This is an exceedingly disingenuous and unethical game that Huck is playing, leading his supporters along with promises that sometime in the near future he will announce, in the meanwhile continuing to work at Fox and sidestep campaign laws in a most unethical manner. I think it is time for the Justice Department to step in and investigate whether or not Huckabee and Fox are breaking campaign laws.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:16 am
Hey Rombot, go suck on a lemon you sourpuss.
GO HUCK! GO HUCK! GO HUCK!
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:23 am
I thought Huck was running – then again why has he allowed himself to get so fat again?
Who knows.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:24 am
Just make a damn decision Huckabee. We are tired of the games. Let the race shape up.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:31 am
TC has a great post, too. She included a video clip on her site. Check it out. Mike Huckabee: That South Carolina Report is an Absolute Lie
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:34 am
Jon Huntsman for Obama,
Didn’t you see Huckabee’s comment in the blockquote under Rumor #5? Maybe you should read it again.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:37 am
Mike “Welcome to Hell” Huckabee displayed just how out of his depth and unpresidential he is with his childish bin Laden comments. I suggest ‘Welcome to Hell’ be the Huck campaign slogan, because that’s exactly where our party will end up if we select such a buffoon as our representative.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:39 am
LOL
HuckaHillbillies trying to convince themselves.
Whatever.
This oily con man has hit his zenith. He will never be more popular than the day he announces.
I think he knows it, but we’ll see.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:42 am
Donna,
Thank you for sending this piece to me.
I purposely gave you a different last name to protect your privacy. I can change it to your actual last name if this is not concern.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:48 am
So why the delay? It can’t seriously take this long to decide. I don’t see any advantaged that is gained by not doing anything to get ready for a win right now, unless you have no desire to win. The idea from his supporters seems to be that he is trying to be some dark horse that comes in and steals the race at the last minute. If he keeps throwing a fit over dumb stuff like the suggestion that he isn’t getting ready for a run (which looks pretty accurate when you look at actions instead of words) I think people are going to be pretty tired of him whether he gets in or not.
Maybe he realizes how annoying he is and doesn’t want people to realize that before the vote. If thatbis the case though, he should be keeping his mouth shut and building a quiet campaign, not shooting his mouth off.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:51 am
For many of us that remember Sept. 11th there is little doubt where Bin Laden ended up when he breathed his last breath.
I agree with the Huckabee Statement On Death Of Osama Bin Laden
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:51 am
Kavon,
Thanks again for keeping Race42012 fair and balanced by posting more Huck articles going forward.
I think the field is close to being set at about 10 going into Iowa..
Huck
Mitt
Newt
Cain
Bachmann
Daniels
Paul/Johnson
Pawlenty
Huntsman
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:55 am
Kavon,
Thank you for being considerate. Go ahead and use my last name. There’s no secret to keep.
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:59 am
14 – Congratulations Granny T, on getting your post on the board. I thought it was a well laid out argument, even though I don’t buy all of it and think Huckabee is protesting a little too much to be taken seriously (see #10). Keep up the good for your candidate. He will need all the help he can get.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:01 am
Do not fear the polls!
Obama will surge ahead…that’s fine.
Even Huck and Romney will be looked at as underdogs in the coming months in these polls…that’s fine..it’s ok.
We are heading toward a double dip brought on by the massaive spending & debt created by our President’s policies.
Obamacare is on the horizon and it is hugely unpopular.
Do not fear the polls!
Obama is a one term President.
Now let’s focus on how TPAW is going to defeat Huck in Iowa…
Let’s go TPAW!!
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:02 am
Rumor #6: With Usama Bin Laden being captured/killed under Obama’s watch, he is going to get reelected now anyway, so it doesn’t matter who the republicans run. (I hope not, but thats how I see it)
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:03 am
Rombot, So why the delay? It can’t seriously take this long to decide.
Huckabee has said numerous times that he doesn’t want to jump in if there is no water. Is Obama beatable? Will there be funding? Does he still have faithful supporters?
Anyone that would jump into the race without getting questions like that answered would be very foolish. Huckabee is not a fool. IMHO he is still testing the water.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:05 am
Obama down quite a bit at this moment in time ..
http://www.intrade.com/
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:09 am
Donna, for your sake, I hope Huck runs. – know how disappointed you will be if he doesn’t.
At the same time, he not doing anything to prepare for a tough battle. He’s far too nonchalant and it seems arrogant, IMO. He seems to think that he can whip up an instant campaign, simply from high poll numbers. Seems naïve and over-confident to me.
The more likely scenario is that he’s not running at all, but wants to extend the speculation. Personally, I’d rather he take the plunge, although I don’t believe he can withstand the scrutiny of a real campaign. If he get this upset about rumors he’s not running, how will he handle everything else?
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:12 am
RUBIOZONE,
How did that second term of George H Bush turn out?
…Oh that’s right….He didn’t win a second term even though he was at 91% after kicking Saddam out of Kuwait.
The econonmy is already slowing down….inflation out of control……..
GROW A PAIR RUBIOZONE!!
We got this..no problem.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:15 am
19.
Like this again?
IOWA:
Mike Huckabee Arkansas Republican 34.41%
Mitt Romney Massachusetts Republican 25.23%
SOUTH CAROLINA:
Mike Huckabee Arkansas Republican 29.84%
Mitt Romney Massachusetts Republican 15.30%
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:16 am
Granny T,
I asked this question before, I’m hoping you can answer it now.
What did Huckabee mean when he said about the 2008 cycle that the process was too long and people were getting bored? (this is out of one of your articles)
Who was getting bored?
Was it Huckabee himself that was getting bored?
Please explain, thanks.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
Great job, Donna–and congrats on a front-page post!
Question for you. If Huck is currently truly undecided, that means, of course, he could decide either way. Say he chooses not to run. What word do you think would best describe his supporters feelings at that point?
Disappointed? Upset? Betrayed? Supportive?
Everyone is different, but just wondering if you have your pulse on what the majority in your circle might feel.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:18 am
It was too long throughout 2007 but not this time
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 am
23.
How would Rombots feel if Romney decided not to run?
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 am
Decisions decisions. Can Huck make them? He’s had 3 years. If he doesn’t know in his heart that has what it takes by now, then he should stay out. We need serious commitment here folks. No dithering allowed. Daniels has a legit reason for delaying. Huck—not so much.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:21 am
How would Palin, Pawlenty, Daniels, Santorum (both of them), or Roemer supporters feel?
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:22 am
Huck has a contract with Fox through June.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:27 am
25:
Glad. Huckabee is a low human being and would just drag the primaries into the gutter.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:28 am
Craig,
“It was too long throughout 2007 but not this time” ??????????
I don’t understand this childish statement..I don’t.
If the process is too long for you Huck then don’t run.
The process needs to be long, we have a big nation. We are electing the GOP nominee for the highest office in the land and Huck says he got bored?
This statement is not something to be proud of Craig..this is embarrassing.
My pace,my race..??
More like, the race is too long, I get bored, so I will start later because I have ADD (Adult Deficit Disorder)
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:29 am
29.
Civil comment as always.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:29 am
25. Surprised.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:31 am
My pace, my race INDEED
Smacks,
Have you ever ran a marathon?
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:32 am
32.
Surprised but not greatly disappointed if Romney didn’t run?
Hmmm… ok.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:34 am
Smacks,
You don’t think it started waaaaaaay too early in ’07?
If so, you are the only one on the planet.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:35 am
Smack, Who was getting bored?
IMO it was the everyday people – not political junkies like me. My husband is one of them. He absolutely cannot stand political news 24/7. In our house we compromise. I can watch news when he’s not home (unless I give in to my 3 year old grandson). Hubby and I have matching recliners. When he is sitting in his and watching something on TV that I’m not all that interested in – I’m sitting next to him in my recliner on my laptop with my feet up. I have earbuds in the arm storage area in case I want to listen to something – like the NRA annual meeting. By the way, if you missed it – Bosman has an article up on his Right Speak site that details how to find what you missed. Of course I loved the keynote speech by Gov. Huckabee – but I totally enjoyed listening to Jeff Foxworthy, too. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes and a headache from not breathing properly while laughing. I also enjoyed listening to Michael Reagan’s stories about his dad.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:40 am
Craig,
Have you ever not started to run a marathon because you were afraid you would get bored or tired? Then you shouldn’t run.
4 years of being President too long for Huck as well?…maybe we can shorten the term for him?
Maybe we can pass a law that will keep big bad guys like Beck from saying bad things about Huck.
Maybe we can shut down the Club for Gowth Org, because they called Huck a progressive.
yeah, ok….Huck you jump in any time you want buddy..because we all know the proces is just tooooooo tough for you.
Crybaby!
Huck was my #3 behind TPAW & Daniles now he is off my list.
Bored?
Bored?
Bored?
Give me a break.
Crybaby!
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:49 am
Craig, Granny T
No it did not start too early in “07″
Do you think the people who worked for Obama in “07″ think it started too early?
Obama announced in FEB 07. His people worked in the Spring to get activist in small red/caucus states to support him which gave him the edge over Clinton in the end.
Obama is now passing health care laws that will crush this country.
Obama is spending like crazy, printing money we don’t have, and is nominating Liberal judges that we have to live with for the rest of our lives.
…and you are worried about your husband getting bored?????
I don’t understand this thinking..sorry I don’t.
We have a country worth saving…boredom doesn’t even enter into the conversation.
If Huck thinks it is an advantage too start later so he is not the target early on..ok..fine.
But not to get your people ready, not to hire anybody, too complain about “07′ as being too long..
Boo Hoo!
That is not the toughness we need to defeat Obama.
Stay on Fox News Huck.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:59 am
21 – Where the hell are those numbers coming from? Your own butt?
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:06 am
For the uncivil as most always, hardcore Rombot..
http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2008&fips=51&f=0&off=0&elect=2
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:06 am
ROMBOT
Those numbers were the results of the 2008 elections in Iowa & South Carolina.
I can understand why a Romney supporter would forget those results…
…I also understand why Craig keeps living in the past.
Huck’s electoral future will not be as bright.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:09 am
Granny T: Good post. Re point #4 — I agree that June is probably soon enough, but I don’t think he can wait much past that. The field is forming rapidly now, the best staffers are being grabbed up, and the sources of money are being tapped.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:09 am
Well, at least I’m not hooked on ’07 polls
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:11 am
I would guess it will be late June to early August.
Or after Ames…. Been there done that.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:12 am
Martha #26,
First of all: Welcome back to race.
Huckabee can make decisions. But, as he has said many times he doesn’t want to make this decision lightly. Why would he give up two jobs that he loves if he doesn’t think he can take the campaign all the way to the White House? I remember watching an interview where he said that IF he decides to run he will give it his all until he reaches the finish line. (paraphrase since I can’t find the direct quote)
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:17 am
43, Craig
You got me.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:21 am
It has to be late June if Huck is running because he has his Alaska cruise in the 2nd week of June.
That is not going to get erased from Mike & Janet’s schedule, nor should it.
Mike can’t declare he is in the race in the first week of June and then take off to Alaska.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:22 am
Smack, But not to get your people ready, not to hire anybody
FYI: Huckabee doesn’t have to get his “people ready” or “hire anybody” yet. His grassroots supporters are already doing volunteer work behind the scenes without Huckabee’s guidance. Did you hear about the Team Huck effort going on in Pittsburgh at the NRA annual meeting where thousands of Huckabee fliers printed by individuals were handed out? How about the hundreds of fliers my daughter-in-law and two of my teenage granddaughters handed out at the April statewide Tea Party in Springfield, IL? Maybe you’re unaware of the “stuck on Huck” campaign and weekly online radio broadcast? Some people have to hire the type of people that Huckabee has volunteering. We don’t even know if Huckabee will run for sure or not – but we believe it is worth our time and effort just in case.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:28 am
45. Why?
Many believe this nation is on the brink of disaster. Obama’s policies have been poisonous and whether he was intentionally trying to destroy us or doing so out of incompetence, he needs to go and we have to right this ship of state.
It is always said; but facing a 14.5 Trillion dollar debt and ten times that in unfunded mandates, THIS election is the most important one in our lifetime.
This is not a time for politics as usual.
Someone who has to weigh his personal fortunes and impact on his financial well being is the last person we need as a leader in times like this. Talk about shallow.
No whey José, listen to Janet. Stay on TV playing your invented role of political evangelist. The Little Rockers need you, we don’t.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:32 am
#47,
hmmmm an Alaskan cruise the first part of June…aren’t people that go on cruises normally wealthy enough to donate to campaigns if they like someone enough? Might not be a bad place to find a few potential supporters just before a final decision…
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:32 am
48. Granny T
“but we believe it is worth our time and effort just in case.”
I commend you and all Huck’s volunteers for this type of thinking.
I volunteer for the TPAW campaign in Iowa and I know you do much of your work based upon faith because sometimes that is all you have.
So Bravo to you and your family.
But as for Mike Huckabee himself, I don’t believe he wants to do it.
Iowa Republican chairman Matt Strawn has not seen evidence of any happening in Iowa for Huckabee.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53935.html
He who hesitates is lost.
Mike is not hesitating because he thinks it’s good campaign strategy…”my pace, my race”
He is hesitating because he can’t get himself/wife to say yes.
It’s not in his heart this time…and that’s ok.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:32 am
I don’t see why we’re debating whether Huckabee is running or not.
Why don’t we debate whether he can win or not?
That is the question Huckabee has to ask himself.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:40 am
52. Jon, we arent debating that because it isnt a question. No one can provide evidence that Huck CANT win. They could make arguments to why someone else might be as strong or stronger, but the consistent polls with Huck leading, his name recognition being over 90%, the fact that he is one of only a few that have done this before (romney, paul….its a short list), etc makes it IMPOSSIBLE to argue against him being able to win. So, the discussion really is solely whether or not he will run.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:43 am
teledude,
Huckabee has a HUGE following on both his TV show and radio bits. IF he decides that he can help America more by continuing those broadcasts than jumping in a race he can’t win – wouldn’t it be foolish to take that plunge? That is why he’s taking his time to see whether or not Obama is beatable and whether or not he has enough people behind him so that he can be the one to defeat Obama. As I pointed out in my article under Rumor #3 – Huckabee has proved he is willing to give up money and a nice house because he has done it before. What about this quote from the same point?
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:44 am
Late June is pushing it, but could work. Much later than that will be too late, I think.
“Some people have to hire the type of people that Huckabee has volunteering.”
I’m a fan of musical theatre. I’ve seen shows on Broadway and seen the same shows in local amateur productions. I enjoy both for what they are, but it would be foolish to pretend that the amateur shows are of the same quality as Broadway; an amateur production is just that — amateur.
Every election cycle there are ‘grass-roots’ efforts that generate great excitement — but they don’t win. Grass-roots support is wonderful, but it isn’t enough by itself. Pros win because they’re pros, and if Huckabee doesn’t start signing some of them up soon, he’ll have big problems down the road.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:44 am
53
Whether Huckabee can win is a BIG question. Huge.
Many smart people argue that Huckabee is a regional candidate and could not win the primaries based on that fact.
Also, Huckabee’s regional status would severely damage him in the general election.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:45 am
#52,
That IS the question he’s been asking himself! That is the main reason he hasn’t made a final decision yet. Read my comment #54
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:50 am
Bob,
Some of our Team Huck members are professionals that have worked on other campaigns.
Jon Huntsman for Obama,
Huckabee’s regional status would severely damage him in the general election.
Which region are you talking about? Check out the latest 2012 GOP Presidential Polling Map
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:51 am
56. Jon, Huckabee was a Fred Thompson screw-over away from heading into florida with wins in Iowa and SC last time, momentum that easily could have carried him to a florida victory as well. Last time I checked every candidate has an area of the country that they poll better in. The Bible belt happens to be a big supporter of the former preacher. Its the same group that won Bush 2 terms, so I dont think being a “regional candidate” is an issue for whether or not he can win. He certainly can win.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:52 am
Bob Hovic,
Exactly.
In the best of worlds, as a candidate, you want both. The grass-roots is the engine that drives you forward, but you need to put gas in the car for the engine to work.
Huckabee can get some grass-root support the first day he announces. But in many ways he has already waited too long to get the gas can ready.
Romney has the gas ready to go…now he is trying to find enough grass-root support…i.e..NRA..Pro-Life
Romney has started to work on his weaknesses. TPAW has worked on his weaknesses.
Other candidates are working on building their low NAME ID #’s.
Huck is doing nothing…so if he starts late and loses….well..
…My pace, my race….my loss.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:53 am
You will notice from the map that Huckabee and Romney are the only candidates that have won the poll in at least one state of every one of the four regions. Huckabee is also tied for first place in all of the 3 states that are colored purple.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:55 am
58. And that map obviously doesnt include states where polling hasnt taken place, but where I am guessing Huck would do quite well. Seeing as Huck won Arkansas, LA, Alabama, and Kansas the last time around (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)_presidential_primaries,_2008) I’d add those to the list.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:03 am
54 – I don’t know if HUGE is the right word.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:04 am
Maybe “a decent following” would be more accurate. His ratings don’t even approach the other shows on Fox or most of conservative talk radio.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:06 am
55 – Very hard to run a grass roots dark horse campaign two election cycles in a row too. He isn’t a dark horse anymore.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:11 am
Rombot, his show hasnt been around long enough to have those type of ratings, however it was the fastest growing radio show of all the past decade….so, i’d say it has a HUGE following for its age (the show that is).
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:12 am
Smack #20 (literally). LOL. Well, I hope your’e right- the American electorate is very flaky.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:14 am
Here is the data to back up my claim that Huckabee’s audience is not “HUGE”
Hucakbee’s ratings last Sunday (during the election hype) = 142 @ 8 pm; 90 @ 11 pm
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-scoreboard-sunday-april-24_b63358
Chris Matthews ratings on the next day = 193 @ 5 pm (not prime time); 155 @ 7 pm
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-scoreboard-monday-april-25_b63523
A re-run of Chris Matthews on Monday beats Mike Huckabee. I wouldn’t call that a “HUGE” audience.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:15 am
Why does grass roots have to be dark horse? I’d say that Huck’s support is going to be started with grassroots efforts that started back in 2007 and as Granny T has let us know, are still going! Heck, I had my Huckabee 2012 Hoodie before the republicans picked McCain as their nominee and have been wearing it proudly since. The grassroots is still ready and willing to get fired up!
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:16 am
66 – see 68
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:17 am
69 – Part of Huckabee’s attraction in 2007-2008 was that he was new and seemed refreshing. He is good at making people think he is genuine. A lot of that has inevitably worn off. I don’t see the same strategy working again. Huckabee is going to have to win on substance this time, not cute rhetoric.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:22 am
Granny T
I saw your map.
All those states are ones with large rural and Bible Belt populations.
When you take a look at Huckabee’s national polling numbers, it’s somewhere around 17% or so. Give or take.
But you know what? His polling numbers in New Hampshire, California, Nevada, pretty much all of New England, and the West are abysmally low.
And the GOP needs some of those states to beat Obama.
Romney polls reasonably well in most places, with a few exceptions.
But the south will go GOP regardless if Romney is the nominee. Can’t say the more liberal areas will go for Huck over Obama.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:31 am
“Which region are you talking about? Check out the latest 2012 GOP Presidential Polling Map”
Bingo!
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:34 am
Huck can win all these and be competitive in PA..
Nothing regional about it for Huck. On the contrary, I think Obama is the regional candidate!
http://mjosephsheppardrecoveringliberal.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/snipmap.jpg
And then we could very well have a Huck/Rubio ticket in the White House
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:37 am
Granny,
Huck is tied in Maine and New Jersey?
Huckaboom!
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:40 am
Well I can promise you all right now… Huckabee has absolutely zero chance of being the nominee.
He is not seen as a fiscal conservative, and has very little foreign policy experience. He never even talks about foreign policy.
He’s not gonna win.
It’s gonna be Romney or Daniels.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
“He is not seen as a fiscal conservative”?
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:03 pm
ummm, how exactly does Romney or Daniels (or any US Governor) have foreign policy experience? Huntsman has FP experiance but I wouldnt try to argue for or against any of the top tier governors having a great deal of it.
71/75. Jon, why does the GOP need NH, Nev, Cali, or any of NE? Looking at Kavon’s map the GOP is projected to grab 191 right now. The Huck/Rubio ticket could take FL (obvious reason), Ohio, Virginia, NC, and Iowa and forget about nevada, nh, all of new england, and all of the west coats and we’d win with 272 electoral votes.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:03 pm
77 – Anyone can cherry pick favorable facts. Why don’t you respond to the other facts that seem to point in the other direction, like the net increase in taxes while he was in office or his support for several government programs that many see as having socialist aspects? I never see any Huck supporters responding to those facts. They only change the subject.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:09 pm
78 – You’re right, no one really has foreign policy experience. But Huckabee doesn’t even seem to have a coherent approach to foreign policy. He never talks about it. He is going to have to face those types of questions in the campaign.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Folks, its looking like Daniels more each day.
Daniels-Rubio 2012
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Rombot, “like the net increase in taxes while he was in office or his support for several government programs that many see as having socialist aspects”
It’s in the blockquote above but I’ll repeat it here just for you:
Yes, Huckabee did raise taxes overall, but he raised them for valid reasons, i.e., to pay for badly needed improvements to state highways and the state park system, and to hire more teachers (the state’s population increased substantially during his tenure). Yet, it should also be noted that as of 2005, Arkansas ranked 46th per capita in state and local taxes and 49th in property tax burden. In total tax burden (state, local, and federal), Arkansas ranked 32nd when Huckabee left office. In addition, during his last year in office alone, the state’s economy grew by 4.4%, beating the national average of 4.2%. Michael Medved has observed the following about Huckabee’s fiscal record:
Meanwhile, it’s also worth a few lines here to defend the Arkansan from the claim that he’s a secret “big government liberal” or, in the phrase of the Club for Growth, “Tax Hike Mike.”
According to figures from the non-partisan Tax Foundation (based on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce), Huckabee’s term as governor (1996-2007) led to a modest increase in the overall State-Local tax burden for Arkansas: from 10.1% in the year he became governor to 11.1% the last year he served. In terms of overall tax burden (state-local-federal) Arkansas remained virtually unchanged— from 30.3% (39th among the 50 states) to 30.5% (32nd place).
[clip]
A recent column by Bob Novak excoriated Huckabee for a “47 percent increase in state tax burden.” But during Huckabee’s years in office, total state tax burden — all 50 states combined — rose by twice as much: 98 percent, increasing from $743 billion in 1993 to $1.47 trillion in 2005.
In Arkansas, the income tax when he took office was 1 percent for the poorest taxpayers and 7 percent for the richest, exactly where it stood when he left the statehouse 11 years later. But, in the interim, he doubled the standard deduction and the child care credit, repealed capital gains taxes for home sales, lowered the capital gains rate, expanded the homestead exemption, and set up tax-free savings accounts for medical care and college tuition.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:19 pm
82 – Thank you! That may be one of the first times I have seen someone actually respond to those charges.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:30 pm
I love huck…and part of me really hopes he runs. But it would be difficult for me to NOT support Daniels if he runs. I think he gives us a solid conservative who has the credentials…a lot of executive experience….i think the narrative is great with Daniels, and we can trust him to do what is necessary. He has the pro-life credentials i’m looking for as well. I’d almost bet if Daniels runs…huck stays out. I know that was what Huck was thinking a little over a year ago. He was ready to support his friend, and now he’s probably leaning more towards a run. But if there is a consensus non-romney candidate, with the resources, trust and necessary backing…i think huck will stay out. Daniels is that guy.
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:58 pm
81
Huckabee did not cut spending. Romney cut spending $1.6 Billion.
May 2nd, 2011 at 1:03 pm
84 – Huckabee’s contempt for Romney is disgusting. I agree that the only reason he gets in is if he thinks no one else can stop Romney.
May 2nd, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Jon Huntsman for Obama,
From what I see using the data available at http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/state_summary.php?chart=Z0&year=2007&units=b&rank=aSSState – neither of them cut overall spending in their state.
If I figured correctly:
Massachusetts Gross State Product grew from $297.3 in 2003 to $353.8 in 2007 at an annual rate of 4.75%
Arkansas Gross State product grew from $77.8 in 2003 to $97.6 in 2007 at an annual rate of 6.35%
Now let’s compare the government spending in the state and local government for the two states:
Massachusetts spending grew from $40.7 in 2003 to $64.1 in 2007 at an annual rate of 14.37%
Arkansas spending grew from $13.8 in 2003 to $19.1 in 2007 at an annual rate of 9.97%
Did I figure that correctly? If so – Can someone please explain to me why they think Romney would be better for the economy than Huckabee?
May 2nd, 2011 at 1:53 pm
86
What about Romney’s cut of $1.6 BILLION when he took office? You conveniently leave that out?
When Romney took office in 2002 he closed a massive shortfall, cutting $1.6 Billion.
May 2nd, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Sam,
I’m sorry but the site doesn’t give me that information and I have no clue how it could even if that type of information were available since Romney didn’t take office until January 2, 2003.
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Craig, I want to apologize for my comment in 39. That was inappropriate.
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:37 pm
R,
No problem.
I accept it.
Granny T,
Thanks for the facts as always.
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:24 pm
“This is an exceedingly disingenuous and unethical game that Huck is playing”
If there is anything unethical it is the rule that candidates can’t keep their dayjobs. People who are elected officials are campaigning on the public dole.
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:26 pm
“I think it is time for the Justice Department to step in and investigate whether or not Huckabee and Fox are breaking campaign laws.”
Whaaaa Whaaaa Whaaaa! Another liberal for more stringent campaign laws. Free speech anyone?
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:28 pm
92 – So if you don’t like a rule, it is OK to break it? There is no rule that says you can’t have a job while running for President. You just can’t have the one that Huckabee has without getting your employer into trouble. Pretty selfish of Huckabee to yank Fox’s chain like this if he is really setting up a run.
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Are you accusing him of breaking it?
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I see the Rombotic approach now. On and on about how he is not running. Then once he does decide to run, it was unethical for him not to announce on Rombot’s timetable. You’ve got it all figured out don’t you?
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:43 pm
You really feel sorry for Fox News? They could fire him any day they wanted to if they thought he was misleading him. They did it with Gingrich and Santorum. Maybe they will let him go tomorrow. But that might be your worst nightmare come true.
May 2nd, 2011 at 5:44 pm
“if he is really setting up a run.”
I thought you’ve been saying for months there is no evidence that he is setting up a run? Which is it? He is or he isn’t?
May 2nd, 2011 at 7:24 pm
[...] one of the blog sites that I frequent a few supporters of other candidates questioned Huckabee’s FiCon credentials. On another site a [...]
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Granny T, I very much appreciate the patient and level-headed way you answer criticisms of Huckabee with truth and politeness. Thanks so much for all your research, too. You know whereof you speak. It is refreshing to see real facts given to support a possible candidate, rather than just, “I like him,” or “I hate him.” Most Americans want to know the real records as well as what the policies of a potential candidate would be. From what you have shared on this very fine post, and from your answers to questions, I would say you have done your homework. And I like Huckabee more all the time, realizing that he really did an amazing job as governor. It is hard to deny his success and leadership abilities. It is particularly unfortunate when anyone is unfairly maligned as he has been, even though he has done an excellent job in so many areas. Huckabee is one of the nicest persons you could meet. If we could meet Romney, Pawlenty, or Daniels, etc. we’d probably think they were fine people. Any of them would be better than Obama. But I do see Romney having a big problem because of Romneycare.
May 3rd, 2011 at 10:25 am
Romney had a $3.1 billion dollar deficit which was downgraded to $1.3 billion. He raised fees $500 million. He also passed the buck to local governments by cutting state aid.
The percentages for GDP growth are somewhat misleading because of the relative sizes of the economy. Arkansas is much smaller than Massachusetts so the percentage increases for Arkansas are off a much smaller base.
Huckabee went before the Arkansas state legislature and requested a tax increase and he didn’t care whether it was a sales tax or a surcharge on income taxes. He said it had nothing to do with education and he did not say anything about roads. It was about covering a general fund shortfall.
There were no Democrats twisting his arm. Also the income tax cut was proposed by a Democrat Governor. Democrats rejected Huckabee’s alternative and Huckabee signed it after there was unanimous Democrat support. Huckabee also apparently believes that the federal government should be regulating LOCAL school bake sales. That is small government.
May 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 am
Rombot #68,
I noticed you chose to post the Scoreboard results using the “25-54 demographic” rather than the “Total Viewers” which according to your link has Huckabee’s Sunday night show at 805 and Matthews Monday viewers at 670 @5 and 629 @7. So, Huckabee on Sunday @8 beat either of Matthews on Monday. (Although both of Matthews shows on Monday beat Huckabee rerun @11 on Sunday)
I also noticed that you didn’t bother to post the results for “Huckabee a Tribute to Life” on Saturday where he had 1,170. One of our HucksArmy put Saturday night’s 8 PM viewers in a pie chart that shows Huckabee received over half the viewers among cable news viewers during that time slot. And for the record Huckabee even beat the CNN coverage of the “Royals” on the Sunday night 8 PM slot among “Total Viewers” per scrolling down to that chart on your link @ #68.
I’ve been told that the numbers posted on the Scoreboard are how many million viewers. IF that is true even Huckabee’s lower number you posted among the 25-54 demographics is a HUGE amount (142 million).
May 3rd, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Corrections in my post above. The Scoreboard for Saturday should have been 1.170.
After doing some research the numbers without using the decimal must be how many thousand viewers not million viewers (as in 142 thousand viewers among the 25-54 demographic and 805 thousand Total Viewers for Huckabee @8 PM on Sunday)
He had 1.170 million viewers of his “Huckabee a Tribute to Life” show on Saturday.
I’m sorry for the mistake.