Romney vs Huckabee
We’re taking a closer look at Romney’s strategy.
This article at the Washington Post explains quite well why it is that Romney can’t afford to lose both in Iowa and New Hampshire. His entire strategy is built around victories in both, or at least one of those states. If he doesn’t win, he won’t create the momentum necessary to win the primaries in other states. On the other hand, if he wins one of those states, and especially if he wins both, he’ll have created momentum and he’ll instantly be the frontrunner. Remember: he’s got the money he needs to go all the way.
And then some.
The Romney campaign knew that Romney would probably have a difficult time winning in Iowa. The question was, for a long time, “who would be his main competitor?” It’s now safe to say that Huckabee is his main rival and that he has to fight incredibly hard to prevent him from winning in this socially conservative state (Republican wise at least).
A few days ago, or a week or two ago, polls indicated that Huckabee had created momentum and could very well win Iowa. Romney, the polls showed, had to focus on New Hampshire. During the last week or so, however, the cards have changed somewhat. Huckabee has been attacked and has made life difficult for himself. Suddenly, he’s slightly dropping in the polls, while Romney remains strong. Both could still very well win. In New Hampshire, on the other hand, Romney is truly threatened by McCain’s comeback.
Romney’s got not safe states, that’s the bad news (and reason for concern for his campaign), but he’s still in a position to win in several states that hold their primaries early. Not only that, he and Huckabee have closed the gap with Giuliani in Florida. In fact, the latest Rasmussen poll with regards to Florida showed that Huckabee’s now in the lead there, while Romney is a close second and Giuliani a relatively close third.
Florida, however, is quite a different state than Iowa. Or, the Republicans are quite different there than Iowa Republicans are. Frankly, I don’t think that Huckabee will be able to compete in Florida when people are paying closer attention to his record. Instead, the battle in this state will probably be between Giuliani and Romney - but only time will tell whether I’m right of course.
For now, Romney has one main rival. Mike Huckabee. In many ways, they are each other’s opposites. Huckabee has a long record of social conservatism, combined with fiscal liberalism (or moderation). Romney, on the other hand, has a long record of fiscal conservatism (relatively), but has only become a social conservative in recent years.
It could very well be that Huckabee’s main weakness in Iowa is immigration. Romney knows this and has slammed his rival on several occasions. His campaign even released an ad in which they compare Huckabee’s immigration record and proposals with those of Romney. Romney, of course, is far tougher on (illegal) immigration than Huckabee is.
He should play the immigration card for all it’s worth. If he does, he could very well win. Perhaps he even has to.
I don’t think i’ll have a problem with evangelicals
unless they nominate mike huckabee. 20% of them won’t
vote for mitt because he’s mormon?! In a race this close
they are the deciding vote! Try using that same logic
when electing a CEO and watch how fast the company
declares bankruptcy, no matter how baptist he is.
The only thing Huckabee wants you to think is that he is some how qualified to be president because he used to be a baptist minister and is a so called true "Christian Leader".
MIKE HUCKABEE A REAL CHRISTIAN LEADER?
FACT: Mike Huckabee stole over $70,000 worth of furniture from the Arkansas governors mansion.
Google: Counting the furniture Huckabee takes his office furniture; a conflict on Mansion gift. (Source: Arkansas Times 12/14/06 Leslie Newell Peacock)
MIKE HUCKABEE ON TAXES…
FACT: Mike Huckabee’s substantial tax hikes far surpassed his modest tax cuts, with the average tax burden increasing by a whopping 47% over his tenure. (Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)
FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003. (Source: Arkansas News Bureau, 11/21/03)
FACT: Mike Huckabee in 2004, he allowed a 17% sales tax increase to become law. (Source: The Gurdon Times, 03/02/04)
MIKE HUCKABEE A REAL CHRISTIAN LEADER?
FACT: Mike Huckabee set up a nonprofit entity so he could give paid “inspirational” speeches without having to disclose the donors.
Google: Huckabee’s Boom May Be About Ready to Bust: Margaret Carlson (SOURCE: Bloomberg Dec 12, 2007 Margaret Carlson)
MIKE HUCKABEE ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION…
FACT: Mike Huckabee supported in-state higher education benefits for children of illegal immigrants.
FACT: Mike Huckabee opposed a federal raid of 119 illegal immigrants at an Arkansas Tyson poultry plant, 107 of whom left the country either voluntarily or through deportation.
(SOURCE: Melissa Nelson, "Huckabee Risks Political Fortunes To Denounce Immigration Raid," Associated Press, 8/5/05)
Look through his "Awe Schucks" act and see him for what he really is. Mike Huckabee is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that uses the religion card to push his own agenda.
Oh geez Steve W. you candidate must be in dire straits, other wise you would not stoop so low as to post cherry picked facts.People can read the truth for themselves at mikehuckabee.com,
Mike will win Iowa and the nomination!
Michael, I’m thinking you’re right. Definitionally, we’re all trying to figure out who the GOP will pick as its compromise nominee, as there is no Reagan or even GWB to take the party’s breath away. (As you have pointed out, none of the above seems to be the party’s most popular choice- as all of the candidates bear deep intra-party flaws). Romney seems best-positioned as the compromise choice. The party has toyed with Giuliani and Huckabee- but neither has been able to close. McCain is simply not well liked by party regulars. So the question becomes, who is the least unacceptable conservative pretender? And Romney’s well-positioned in terms of money (financially able to make a nationwide bid) and philosophy.
Never would’ve guessed it 6 months ago- to be honest.
I don’t know why everyone is making such a big issue about religion, I am not a religious person but I do know that America is in deep do do because of corporate greed shipping our jobs overseas and Mit romney is one of them.
There is only one candidate that, if elected, will return this country back to the people.
Yes, there some big business people that are very good at making money
(for themselves), I took the time to dig and look for all the facts, the whole truth about Mike Huckabee and I found out why he was voted as one of the top five governors in the United States.
If people would stop using childish name calling and really take the time to find the whole truths about Mike Huckabee, and be truthful about it they would know why people are in majority about him.
I did.
Ha! It feels good to say that!
No, seriously; I think you’re right on. I don’t see any other good compromise candidate at this point in time. If one of the other candidates wins, by a miracle, it seems to me that the Republican Party will not win the national election, simply because they won’t be able to rally the entire conservative base. Especially not if Obama is the Democratic nominee.
They’re not "in majority about him" according to any of the polls, but he is leading in some polls. Now, I think that he wouldn’t give America back to the people, as you call it: he would give America back to the government (bigger government in all areas, except for home schooling, etc.).
A few of my friends also foresaw Romney’s breakout. I evaluated the same facts and rejected it, largely because of the base’s hesitance re: Mormonism. He’s poised well right now to win the nomination.
More importantly, on the GE front, your prediction is stout- that unless the GOP candidate mobilizes the entire GOP base, it’ll be a Dem victory. Again, since every major Rep candidate has a flaw vis-a-vis the entire base, it’s unlikely to happen- unless Hillary becomes a mobilizing negative factor, I suppose.
Kreiz, yes, I agree. I was thinking though: if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee, the GOP should elect either Giuliani or Romney. Why? Because these people are experienced. What’s more, and this is why I’d say it’s better to nominate Romney, Obama has a message of hope (undetermined what hope, but hope sells). Thompson, for instance, comes across as a grumpy old man. McCain comes across as someone who’ll be a good, solid CEO (read: president) but who doesn’t offer a truly hopeful and energetic picture of America. Of all the Republican candidates, Romney is the one with the most positive message (see how he thinks about globalization for instance). He sees the world as one big opportunity. For himself and for the American people.
If the Democrats nominate Obama, the Republicans must have their own ‘hope guy.’ If they don’t, they’ll lose… by far.
The fact is, Mike Huckabee is the only candidate that has the appeal and ability to pull cross over voers in a National election,
Huckabee used to be my second choice, second to Romney, but I was totally deceived by all of the unethical things he did as governor. Now I would rather have Obama I think. At least it would be an actual wolf rather then a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Huckabee would only continue to deteriorate the party’s image, by saying he is a republican, but acting like an unethical democrat. (Not to mention deteriorating the Christian right’s image.)
If Guiliani wins I just won’t vote. I cannot support that guy. Family is the most important thing in our society. I cannot support a guy who doesn’t fight for the integrity of the family.
Mitt Romney is such an outstanding candidate it amazes me how much petty criticism he gets…his hair is too perfect, he’s family is too perfect, he’s too smart, he’s too successful…give me a break! His opponenets and liberals just can’t find any mud. Romney is the real deal.
Look at his record!
Look up National Review’s article on why they’re supporting Romney, which also has an excellentcritique of the Republican field.VOTE ROMNEY!
From the looks of these comments I’ld say you folks had all spent X-mas eve over Ron Pauls house and the log fire didn’t have wood on it…they called it Columbian something or other, didn’t they? Yeah.
Choose a candidate AFTER you do your homework, not the other way around;
Candidate Research: Take the search out of research
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/entry/candidate_research_know_who_youre_voting_for/
Mitt, Mitt, full of cash.
Will you let me keep my stash?
Savings, Yes, but paychecks, No!
Just another politico.
Hope for tax reform, I see, Will be voting HUCKABEE!