James Carville on Mike Huckabee

Famed political consultant James Carville has a favorite in the GOP presidential race. Says Carville:

"If I was a longshot bettor, I might put two dollars on the nose on [Huckabee],” Carville said. "I’ve seen him on television. He’s a little like President Clinton. He likes people; he knows how to relate to people. His father was a preacher. He can talk the talk. I’m impressed with this guy’s political skills.”

Editorial note to Mr. Carville -- you're not quite right. Gov. Huckabee was a preacher. His father was a fireman.

For the complete text of the article, click HERE.

MUST SEE: Huckabee Videos on YouTube

A MUST SEE six-part series of videos about Gov. Huckabee's 10-plus years as Arkansas Governor has been posted to YouTube. It includes lots of behind-the-scenes, never before seen footage that reveals what kind of man and leader Governor Huckabee is. I'd like to say I don't know who is behind the release of these videos, but thank you to whomever it is.

Part 1: "Determination"
Part 2: Accomplishments
Part 2a: Accomplishments
Part 3: Sense of Humor
Part 3b: Sense of Humor
Part 4: Integrity

BSR

Other Bloggers on Mike Huckabee

One of the reasons I love the blog world is that you can find important little nuggets like this. This blog, called "Inside the Pastor's Mind," is written by the pastor of Raymond Road Baptist Church in Jackson, MS. He knows Gov. Huckabee, and he takes national evangelical leaders to task just a bit for focusing too much on "who can win" and not enough on who is right for the job.

I provide an excerpt and a link to the complete blog posting for you below.

Inside the Pastor's Mind

There's nothing like politics...

This article was featured in the New York Times today. The headline reads, "Christian Right Labors to Find '08 Candidate." ...What got to me appears late in the article. They discuss three of the lesser-known candidates, one of which is former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. After dissecting each candidate's potential, the article states: "Although each of the three had supporters, many conservatives expressed concerns about whether any of the candidates could unify their movement or raise enough money to overtake the front-runners, several participants in the meetings said."

Hmmm...I would think that if they are comprised of born-again Christians, they would seek a candidate who possessed Christian qualities. Instead, they "expressed concerns about whether the candidates could...overtake the front-runners." Here's why it got to me: I know the Christian stance of one of the candidates....Mike Huckabee. In fact, at one time he did what I currently do. Years ago he surrendered to ministry at a Missionary Baptist church in Hope, Arkansas - a church I have preached in before...he wrote a book...entitled "Character Is the Issue," and it presents a pretty good case for living a life on biblical principles and having integrity and character.

No, this isn't a plug for Mike Huckabee for President....but I'm also smart enough to know that voting by Christian principles means voting for a Christian who loves God and the Bible, whether they be a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, or Vegetarian.

For the complete text of the blog post, click HERE.

BSR

U.S. News: Huckabee the Outdoorsman

Here's an article from U.S. News' "Washington Whispers" about Gov. Huckabee's love for the outoors, including hunting and fishing. This will be a huge asset to Huckabee among heartland conservatives as he goes up against the elitist "inside the beltway" and North Eastern "pretty boy" types.

For example, Governor Huckabee is headed to Nashville this weekend where he'll hang with the 40,000 or so attendees at the annual National Wild Turkey Federation convention.

How do you think Romney, who has said he "doesn't line up with the NRA," would go over with that crowd?

For the full article, click HERE.

Growing Trend Good for Huckabee

Here's some news about a growing trend that is not just good for Governor Huckabee, but also good for America. States - in this case Florida -are beginning to replace their traditional presidential straw polls with actual debates between candidates.

Why? Because straw polls have long been known to be easily "rigged" by candidates with the money to spend on buying tickets, renting busses and providing food and booze to people so they can stack the vote in their favor. As a result, the media does not cover such straw polls with much credibility and hence, the straw polls have lost their influence.

Florida's announcement is reported to be a "blow" to the Romney team, which has invested 10 months of work into "building a Florida grass-roots campaign designed to overcome his low name recognition by dominating (read 'rigging') the poll." Instead, Romney will be forced to stand up in front of the cameras with the other candidates, including Mike Huckabee, and debate the issues.

Better to have a rigged straw poll, Team Romney apparently believes, than to be judged on his positions and merits as a candidate.

Hint: They're right.

BSR

New Huckabee Website Launched

Governor Huckabee's exploratory committee launched a new and improved website today that will help his campaign capitalize on the power of the Internet, especially social networking.

Check it out HERE.

BSR

Other Bloggers on Mike Huckabee

Other bloggers are seeing the positives in Mike Huckabee:

RightofTexas at REDSTATE: "There is no other candidate as well rounded as Huckabee... [he]will likely have a solid grassroots base throughout the South.

Monday Morning Clacker at Greenmountainpolitica1: "We suggest that Hiz Honor (Rudy) and Big Love (Romney) start looking over their shoulders."

Mpinkeyes at Wake Up America: "The more I read or hear about Mike Huckabee, the more I like him...we need to get the word out there that there are good, true conservative candidates out there."

TM at Poliblog: "...a dark horse will probably move up. These names are still obscure, but get to know them - lightning will soon strike at least one: Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (our favorite)..."

Mike Mahaffie at Mike's Musings:"I have several colleagues in the GIS world who worked in [Huckabee's] government in Arkansas and report that he is practical, no-nonsense sort."

James at Mr.GOP: "I was just in Manchester, NH and I saw the next President of the USA in Mike Huckabee. He is a class act and a true Christian GOP man."

Captainhandsome at Livejournal: "Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is on Stepanopolous's show this week and he's exactly the sort of Republican I could vote for in an election."

Amba at Ambivia Blog: "Mike Huckabee sounds pretty damn good, especially when he surges to life talking about his passion for music and for his faith. There's real zest and joy in his voice then. He has a folksiness that sounds natural and unaffected. (And of course what he's saying, real live maverick compassionate conservatism, sounds good too...".

Meet Mike Huckabee

Thank you for you interest in learning more about my friend Mike Huckabee.

This blog is a great place to start. First, check out these videos of his recent TV appearances. Then, hop over to our side bar where you will find tons of background info. After that, click on over to the official Explore Huckabee website.

It's all here. We hope to see you back soon!

Hardball - January 2007

Tucker Carlson - January 2007

The Daily Show - January 2007 (Clip 1)

The Daily Show - January 2007 (Clip 2)

ABC News - Huckabee Stump Speech at Southern Republican Leadership Conference

The Colbert Report - February 2005

Presidential announcement speech at National Review - Click HERE.

Official Explore Huckabee site - click HERE!

Iowa Poll: Vote for Huckabee

There's a new candidate preference poll up at Krusty Konservative, an important Iowa blog. Let your voice be heard!

Vote first, then see new posts below this entry!

VOTE FOR HUCKABEE HERE!

Thanks much!

BSR

Happy 2nd Blogiversary to Us!

February 14 is the 2nd blogiversary of Mike Huckabee President 2008.

How far we've come, how far we have to go (and loving every minute of it)!

BSR

New Video: Huckabee Interview With SC Hotline

Governor Huckabee sat down for an exclusive interview this week with SC Hotline, a source for "insider politics from across the state of South Carolina." He talks about his ideas for addressing America's health care crisis, his fiscal record and what it takes to be a leader versus just being a politician.

Check it out HERE.

Insiders: "Its Going to be Huckabee"

UPDATE! See update at the end of this post.

U.S. News & World Report's Washington Whispers column is reporting the following great news for Gov. Mike Huckabee (excerpt):

Evangelical Vote: Down to Two

The race to win the Christian-right vote has already narrowed to a battle between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, say activists. And for many at this month's closed-door summit of the Council for National Policy-a top-secret club of marquee conservative advocates-Huckabee was the 60-40 fave, say attendees. This crowd counts: Members include Focus on the Family founder James Dobson and Left Behind author Tim LaHaye. Huckabee, a Baptist minister, wowed the confab ...What's more, activists say "in-the-pew evangelicals" will most likely gravitate toward Huckabee, who is strong on marriage and antiabortion issues.

UPDATE: Frank Lockwood, Religion Editor of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and blogger at Bible Belt Blogger, has independently confirmed the Washington Whispers tip, saying:

"American Family Association Michigan president Gary Glenn says former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is gaining traction among Christian conservatives -- a key group in the GOP presidential primaries. Glenn, a former Idaho county commissioner and congressional candidate, made the comments in an e-mail published in today's Midland (Mich.) Daily News.

"'My observation is that among national pro-family group leaders, there is a strong movement away from [former Mass. Gov. Mitt] Romney (due to recent exposure of his pro-abortion, pro-homosexual agenda, pro-gun control record) and toward Huckabee because as a former governor, he is considered best positioned among those philosophically acceptable to be viable,[Glenn said.]'"

Of course none of this is a surprise to regular readers of this blog. We've been telling you for almost 2 years "its going to be Huckabee."

BSR

Huckabee on This Week With George Stephanopoulos

For the compelte video of Gov. Huckabee's awesome appearance on ABC this morning (Feb. 11, 2007), click HERE.

Illegal Immigration - Stephanopoulos Interview

Want to know what Mike Huckabee's position on illegal immigration is? Here's an excerpt from his interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week (Feb. 11, 2007):

Stephanopoulos: Let's talk about immigration. I was struck by something in USA Today this morning, a headline that says, "Immigration Becomes KKK Rallying Point." You've said that you believe that there is some racism behind the immigration debate today.
What did you mean by that?

Huckabee: Well, first of all, I didn't mean that everybody who has some anxiety about immigration is a racist. And that was one of those things that suddenly blew up and people said, "Oh, he accused us all of being racists." Absolutely not. There are a lot of people who are concerned. I'm concerned. I'm concerned that our borders are porous and we're allowing people to come in and out without any real check as to who they are, where they're going, why they're here, do they have a communicable disease or a criminal background? We need to know those things.

Stephanopoulos: But you've also said we're going to be judged by how we treat the illegals who are here right now.

Huckabee: We shouldn't have amnesty where we just say, "Fine, everybody's good, we're going to let it go." We should have a process where people can pay the penalties, step up and accept responsibility for not being here legally. But here's the point. The objective is not to be punitive. The objective is to make things right. Right for us. Right for them. And what I have objected to in the past is when we are punishing the children for the laws that maybe their parents have broken. I do have a problem with that.

New Hampshire Blogger on Mike Huckabee

There is a terrific blog out of New Hampshire called GreenMountainPolitics1, written by the "Monday Morning Clacker." I've always enjoyed reading it because it is smart, well-written and based on real "on the ground" local knowledge about the New Hampshire political scene.

Today, the Clacker has a great post up detailing his impressions about Gov. Huckabee after meeting him at an event yesterday.

Titled "Mike Huckabee Brings Hope to New Hampshire," here just a few highlights from the Clacker:

• after meeting Huckabee tonight for the first time, we find ourselves asking ..."What in the hell are supporters of Giuliani and Romney thinking?"


• he is everything that Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are only pretending to be.


• We think that attacks on Governor Huckabee's economic record are baseless. Even the best fiscal conservatives know that there are sometimes circumstances where revenue must be raised in order for government to remain economically sound.


• It's our humble Yankee opinion that so far this Southerner is doing everything right.
  

There's much more, so check out the entire article.

BSR

New Exploratory Committee Website -UPDATED

See New Posts Below This Entry!

UPDATE: We are running about 75% first time visitors through the blog right now, so we're going to keep this post at the top of the listings for a while so they can easily find the new official Explore Huckabee website. Please visit it often and support this campaign to return common sense morality and conservatism to America. Scroll down for new posts.

Click HERE!

BSR

Huckabee to Make "Major Announcement" in South Carolina

Here's the info we have. Governor Huckabee is going to make a "major announcement" in South Carolina on Monday.

Here's the official notice:

Monday, Feb. 12
10 - 10:30 a.m.

Press Conference: Governor Huckabee will make a major announcement regarding his Presidential Exploratory Committee.

Salon B, The Capital City Club
1201 Main Street, 25th Floor
Columbia

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Media Conference Call: Interested reporters who are unable to attend the press conference are invited to join the media conference call. Tel: #: 866-219-5894 (Code: Huckabee Columbia).
Confirmation #: 1042580

Huckabee Lays out Plan

From The Hill:

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee yesterday said he has a lot of work to do between now and the all-important Iowa straw poll in August to join the first tier of Republican White House candidates, comparing the road ahead to the four marathons he has run.

Huckabee told reporters at a roundtable sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor that he is not concerned about his perceived second-tier status. As he sees it, front-runners Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani are leading now because of the money they have raised and their “automatic celebrity status.”

Added Huckabee, “When [front-runners] fall, they make a huge thud and they leave a huge hole in the ground.”

“When you’re in first place right now, there’s only one direction you can go, and it’s not a good one,” he said.

After beating expectations in the straw poll, Huckabee said, he would need to win one of three tickets after the 2008 Iowa caucus and do better than expected in the South Carolina primary.

The former governor said he did not know how much money he has raised since forming his exploratory committee last week, but he said if the race was about only money and name recognition, it could just as well be held on eBay.

“I’m pretty sure in places like Iowa and New Hampshire, they’re not going to let it be that way,” he said.

Huckabee also predicted that the candidates “who might not be in step with the Republican base” will begin to be lose favor with early voters.

Huckabee to New Hampshire

New Hampshire, this is your chance to meet the next president of the United States!

National Leaders Forum Luncheon

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will address business leaders at a Feb. 9 luncheon in Nashua . This event, hosted by Daniel Webster College from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., is part of the New Hampshire’s Chamber of Commerce and the New Hampshire Political Library’s newly created National Leaders Forum, and is sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group.

Daniel Webster College
20 University Dr. Nashua, NH 03063
$20 per person
RSVP to Katherine Tomlinson 603-224-5388 Ex. 116
[Click Here For Directions]


Meet Gov. Mike Huckabee
5:00-6:00
The Merrimack Restaurant
786 Elm St Manchester, NH 03101
Free hors d'oeuvres
RSVP to: DavidHurst@ManchesterYR.com

Or for additional information call Cliff Hurst at 603-540-3390
[Click Here For Directions]

An Iowan's Perspective on Huckabee

Blogger Don McDowell of Cyclone Conservatives was in attendance when Huckabee spoke recently at The Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. He and his friends came away impressed.

Some excerpts:

"Of the people that I brought down to the event from Ames, there was not a single person that didn't come away extraordinarily impressed..."

"I was very impressed with the quantity of the crowd and the set up of the event. I also liked that Huckabee stood in the middle of the crowd and really engaged people. I did not realize how charismatic he was and he is going to do well in the small rooms and meeting places that he'll need to go in order to win the caucuses."

"I think Huckabee is going to be a major player in the next year and I would predict that if he does as well as he did on Tuesday, he could do quite well on that cold night in January in 2008.'

Thanks, Don, for your great report!

BSR