Just read a fascinating article in the New York Times about Huckabee and his efforts to realign the GOP coalition of social and fiscal conservatives into social conservativism and economic populists. Pat Buchanan tried this in 1992 but couldn't quite make it over the hump.
The article quotes Ed Rollins, Huckabee's main advisor, saying that the old coalition is dead. Many establishment GOP folks are scared of this and have gone after Huckabee's attempt to rebrand the party.
Huckabee got the most support in the local GOP fundraiser straw poll recentl, but this was before the media and others had fully vetted his positions. Anybody having second thoughts about him or do you think his "new coalition" will work?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/30/weekinreview/30kirkpatrick.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us
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“It’s gone,” said Ed Rollins, who once worked as President Reagan’s political director and recently became Mr. Huckabee’s national campaign chairman. “The breakup of what was the Reagan coalition — social conservatives, defense conservatives, antitax conservatives — it doesn’t mean a whole lot to people anymore.”
“It is a time for a whole new coalition — that is the key,”
Thanks, David.
Nicely written, though not sure I agree with the quote above totally. No doubt, times have changed in the G.O.P. I personally have not followed or researched Mr. Huckabee's record. Seems like he was a success in AR (depending on who you ask). Don't know if his "new coalition" will work, but, he certainly has some momentum. The Democrats probably want him to win the G.O.P. nod.
Honestly, looking at both parties right now, looks to me like there is a complete DEARTH of real leadership. My opinion. But, then again, got a while to go yet, & perhaps time will tell. I say that advisedly with the thought that all the candidates are leaders, but, are they qualified to be the President of the United States? Huckabee has no money, Romney has lots of $$, McCain has had his problems...etc., etc. I just don't see any Ronald Reagans or George W.'s on the horizon. (on either side of the aisle) I'll wait & see.
knightrules1
Is it Huckabee or "HuckaBOOM"?
Now...on to N.H. Think he'll take it? (diff. state, diff. people)
I know this is supposed to be about the G.O.P., but, I can't help it...Is Senator Clinton's campaign doomed? Goodness, even Edwards beat her. ha
knightrules1
I liked Huckabee more before I found out more about his record. He believes illegals should receive Social Security, he believes illegals should receive drivers licenses, he thinks their kids should recieve tuition breaks. He supported the amnesty bill. He released hundreds of criminals. I'd take him over a democrat, but he's not my first pick. I think alot of people would change their opinion of him if they really researched him. I know Guliani has some issues, but I believe he is the strongest leader and he is my pick. I think people were starting to support Huckabee because they didn't know anything about him.
How can Giuliani be the strongest leader when he can't make up his mind on an issue without flip-flopping? When he was running for office in NY, he was all for things like benefits to same-sex couples and what not. Now, Giuliani only says three things "a noun, a verb, and 9/11" (thanks Biden). Honestly though, I wouldn't get my hopes up about Giuliani considering he finished lower than Ron Paul in Iowa. Of all the Republican candidates I like Huckabee, but hopefully I get the opportunity to vote for Obama in '08. If you're looking for a place that allows you to easily compare candidates, check out www.ontheissues.org
I think 9/11 was a big deal. Everyone wants to write that off as it is over, but it could happen again and hopefully we will have the right man for the job in the office when it does. I'm not for benefits for same sex couples, but I would take that over the immigration issues Huckabee has anyday. Security should be our main focus. And Guilini did alot for New York -- check out his record -- what did Huckabee do for Arkansas again????
I just pray the GOP stays dead during this election. It's time we extended rights to gay couples. Denying rights to a sect of the human population based on religion, which is essentially an unprovable set of ideology, an emotional guess, is illogical. In an educated democracy, this should seem obvious.
We can't allow religion to permeate politics and insistance to do so illustrates ignorance on the New Testament.
Fortunately, I'm pretty certain a Democrat will usher his-- or her-- way into the White House and we can experience some political change. George Bush was an ineffectual leader and a disgrace to our country. The political pendulum is swinging and it's going to knock the GOP right on its butt.
Sometimes these things aren't just religious beliefs -- some of us have somthing called morals? And are we saying Clinton wasn't a disgrace to our country? I think everyone knowing about the intern affair made a mockery out of our highest office. I'll take President Bush over the Clinton's, thanks anyway.
"Sometimes these things aren't just religious beliefs -- some of us have somthing called morals? And are we saying Clinton wasn't a disgrace to our country? I think everyone knowing about the intern affair made a mockery out of our highest office. I'll take President Bush over the Clinton's, thanks anyway."
Ditto!
So are you saying that it's acceptable to categorize a sect of the human population as second class citizens, denying them natural rights available to all other men, based on a subjective moral stance?
Hogwash. Humans are humans.
Bill Clinton's infidelity has no relevance to how effectively he ran the country. That's an Ad Hominem attack and it doesn't confront the real issues: his political policies while in office. But that doesn't even matter in this case, because, *gasp* Bill Clinton is not running for president.
Sometimes these things aren't just religious beliefs -- some of us have somthing called morals? And are we saying Clinton wasn't a disgrace to our country? I think everyone knowing about the intern affair made a mockery out of our highest office. I'll take President Bush over the Clinton's, thanks anyway.
Signed Ditto2,3,&4 I might add, very well set!!!
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