The level of GOP dissatisfaction with the current crop of presidential candidates has created a window of opportunity for Mike Huckabee to enter the race for the Republican nomination.
If he chooses to do so:
Will opponents and their surrogates balk at Huckabee's change of heart? ("All the factors say go, but my heart says no.") Probably, but Mike Huckabee can turn it around by stating that their constant fighting on the debate stage and their lack of focus on reforms has given him heartburn.
Will pundits frame the entrance as too late citing Rick Perry's recent example of imploding on the debate stage? They will try but Mike Huckabee is best known for being an articulate, quick witted debater. While he has not been on the current debate stage, he has been on the hot seat-the HotSeat segment of his show-where he has debated liberals on economic, social, and foreign policy related issues. In addition, Huckabee has hosted conservative guests highlighting topics such as the debt ceiling, healthcare reform, job creation, Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and the FairTax.
Will his opponents place a target on his back like they did with Rick Perry in the last three debates? Hard to say. But given that Mike Huckabee had most of them on his show where they could highlight their platforms and set their records straight, it is highly unlikely that they would attack him right away.
Is there enough time for Huckabee to frame the debate? Yes, Mike Huckabee wrote in his book A Simple Government 12 chapters showcasing underlying principles and solutions to make America strong. All Huckabee has to do is provide additional detail on his reforms. That will allow voters to see that Huckabee's 10 1/2 years of managing a microcosm of the federal government has left him best prepared to take on the challenge.
Is there room for another GOP candidate-a late entry? Yes, the straw poll conducted in Florida is one such poll that shows dissatisfaction with Mitt Romney and Rick Perry--71% of the ballots cast were against the two front runners. Herman Cain won the straw poll earning more than Mitt Romney and Rick Perry combined.
Recent polling continues to show that undecided and not sure is still a preferred option amongst the voters.
Undecided 14%
Mitt Romney 13%
Not Romney or Perry 33%
Not Romney or Perry 33%
Not Sure 11%
Not Romney or Perry 36%
Not Romney or Perry 36%
Someone else 7%
Undecided (vol.) 12%
No one 2%
Don't know 10%
Not Romney or Perry 25%
Not Romney or Perry 25%
None of these 6%
Not sure 10%
Not Romney or Perry 36%
Not Romney or Perry 36%
Someone else/Not sure 8%
Not Romney or Perry 42%
Not Romney or Perry 42%
Other 6%
No preference 8%
Not Romney or Perry 44%
Not Romney or Perry 44%
Unsure 11%
Not Romney or Perry 35%
Not Romney or Perry 35%
Too soon to say 9%
Don’t know 4%
Not Romney or Perry 36%
Not Romney or Perry 36%
As Huckabee supporters continue to pray that their candidate enters the race, the question remains:
Will Mike Huckabee throw his hat into the ring?
H/T The Argo Journal for Survey Data and Compilation
Thanks for writing this very scholarly and on point blog ! You state so well what all of us have known for long time. There is one super star in American politics today who understands who we are as a nation, who Israel is as a nation, and has a vast knowledge of the correct way for the USA to do foreign policy in the world. He understands what will give America the boost in pride and the work place. The hour is late, very late, but I believe grassroots America would absolutely love and immediately support a candidate like Mike Huckabee ! Question is -- Is Mike Huckabee ready to throw his hat into this brutal Presidential race? Does he have the heart for it at this time? America has never needed a ready made super star as she does today ! Time will tell ! I am impressed with Mike's hard core supporters who never give up !
ReplyDeleteIt's like this: I was disheartened when Republicans demonstrated their lack of wisdom in NOT choosing MH in 08, which I believe is why we now have Obama. I was disheartened again when MH decided not to run this time. I now have my heart fixed on Perry and am praying for a miracle. If MH comes back into play, we'll have a better shot at dethroning the O.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I'd love to see him enter the race and I'm confident he would garner an initial surge similar to what Perry experienced. As a seasoned debater and campaigner, I don't believe he would suffer the same reality check that hit Perry after the first few debates. I'm not sure the timing could be better. The other candidates already did an okay job of beating up Obama in the debates early and Gingrich continues to do so (saves Mike some of the blowback from doing the dirty work), most of the other candidates have now turned to beating up each other (tsk, tsk), and there is definitely a "what now" situation with the anti-RHINO crowd now that Perry has somewhat imploded. It appears Cain may be starting to catch that wave (and I hope he succeeds, barring a Huckabee entry), but am confident Huckabee would have no trouble whatsoever sucking up all that wind. He will almost certainly face some disgruntlement from the other candidates for entering so late, but Mike has the skill to iron out most of those wrinkles. I like Cain, but Mike has the experience and record to overcome Cain's biggest shortcomings (foreign affairs experience, executive political experience, and (most importantly) he's already had the bigs guns drawn on him. We don't yet know what the result will be of a heavy assault on Cain. Thanks for sharing. Keep active.
ReplyDelete- Tom
Would totally LOVE to see Mike Huckabee enter the race for President! I have been praying that God would raise up a man after His own heart...I believe Huckabee is that man! Very encouraged just to hear he is even considering it again!
ReplyDeleteTrish
With Huck's experience, wisdom, world knowledge, and common sense, he IS our best choice for turning this nation around! I would be honored to volunteer for his election.... I am ready to start! Run Mike run!
ReplyDeleteGov. Huckabee's outstanding record from his 10+ years as governor of Arkansas convinces me that we can trust him to get the job done. Huckabee shares my values and can lead to implement them. He is also highly gifted at communicating those values, and the principles behind them, to the American people.
ReplyDeleteBefore he died, conservative icon Paul Weyrich told a group of conservative leaders that they should have backed Huckabee in 2008. Weyrich had been a fervent Romney supporter, but he told the group of conservatives, "I want to tell you all before God, I was wrong." He further stated that Huckabee "shares our values more than any other candidate in a generation."
And James Dobson even endorsed Huckabee (speaking as a private individual).
Huckabee "gets it" when it comes to the Middle East, the threat from militant Islam, and what America needs to do.
If Gov. Huckabee gets into the 2012 race, I'll have my boots on the ground before you can say, "Be the Somebody....Do the Something."
Very well written. Thank you for your timely words. Like one of your other bloggers above said I truly believe that had we chosen MH in 2008 as our nominee we today would have him as our President. Obviously that is not what God had in store as does appoint leaders, but I think as a nation we did not do our part in that election and now we are paying the price. It is not too late to do our part now which is why I am praying for wisdom and discernment from above to the governor and that should the Holy Spirit beckon him into this race that he will heed the call and follow the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteI'm very dissatisfied with the GOP field. There's definitely room for Gov. Huckabee. He has the experience and integrity to lead our country forward. We need someone who understands the problems facing us are largely due to a moral crisis. I hope Gov. Huckabee jumps in. Run Huck Run!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%
ReplyDeleteI seriously think Huckabee can get in now! If Perry got to get in after saying no, and if Christie gets to "reconsider" after being so adamant that he wouldn't run(more so than Huck ever was!) then Huck can get in. These candidates are all either pathetic, or just plain don't have a chance... and also none of them have the Charisma Huck has. He has what it takes to face-off with Obama on the debate stage, and that takes more than just facts and debate skill(which Huckabee has), but it takes Charisma and a real genuineness that ONLY Huck has!
Go Huck!