Huckabee’s “Tell”
There are increasing signs that Mike Huckabee is not going to run. This is causing some to begin to opine that he absolutely will not run. This despite that fact he is polling very well. Some are finally beginning to notice the similarities that we have drawn between him and Palin, as “media” candidates all along.
They are both making a lot of media money, but their is one vital difference – Palin does not need to run to keep her “Q” high – Huckabee does. So I think the odds are tipping that he will mount a campaign, but that is a bit different than “running.” He will run, but with an agenda other than actually winning the nomination. That is not news on this blog – we have discussed it all along – he won’t be the only one with an agenda other than the nomination in the race either.
But there is an open question from the last campaign that can be answered by this one. Huckabee’s bizarre behavior in the last primary cycle has always been hard to explain – was it ego? – Q building? – delusion? – or was “Stop the Mormon” in there somewhere? I think this go around we may be able to answer that question.
It is well known that Huckabee and Romney do not care for each other very much, but with Romney as the presumptive “frontrunner” it would be in Huckabee’s best interest, if he gets in the race, to suck up to Romney – that would match his pattern of sucking up to McCain last time. If Huckabee can do so, we will know him to be a reasonable politician able to overcome personal dislike. But if he distances and actively opposes Romney at every turn – then we will know him to be the spiteful jerk many suspect him to be – leaving open only the question of whether the spite is rooted in religious bias or not.
But I think there will be a tell for that too. Last night’s Hugh Hewitt show featured interesting conversations with Dick Morris and Karl Rove. Both offered that health care was Romney’s “Achilles Heel” this time. Not new, but when Karl Rove says it, you HAVE to take it very seriously. Which brings us back to Huckabee.
If Huckbee plays dirty with Romney on the health care issue, as he did on the Mormon issue last time, you will know that “Stop the Mormon” lies somewhere in the heart of the Huckster. Now bear in mind, unlike faith, this is a legitimate issue – it will have to be discussed – the question is how will it be discussed? If Huck approaches the issue directly and straightforwardly, then we do not have a problem, but if he uses it to hurl accusations of disingenuous on Romney’s part, if he uses the snide comment instead of open debate – then we will know.
The same could be said if Huckabee does not run, but does get vindictive on his various media outlets. Watch this space.
Posted in Candidate Qualifications, Electability, Reading List, Religious Bigotry, Religious Freedom | 7 Comments » | 
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Lori on 20 Jan 2011 at 2:00 pm #
Hi John, just a quick note to let you know how I appreciate your columns, your careful analysis, and your writing style. I look forward to reading them everyday. I love the subject matter and also your viewpoint. Particularly this column on Huckabee. Interesting that the blogosphere has not come up with the idea of him running not to win but to keep his popularity bankable. I think you might have something there.
lkm55 on 20 Jan 2011 at 8:03 pm #
If Huck runs he’ll have to give up his TV show on Fox (federal law). I don’t think he’ll be willing o give up the paycheck.
Ian on 21 Jan 2011 at 9:00 pm #
Oh, for Gawd’s sake, this has got to be one of the stupidest articles I have ever read. This political observer, obviously, has a romance going with ‘ol “Off-shore Romney” Huckabee has an ultimate weapon that is ready to “break out” in the next election – and it’s his Top Priority.
JWOODS on 21 Jan 2011 at 9:26 pm #
“Will Huckabee run?” is the question. However, you don’t appear to know much about the character and temperament of Mike Huckabee. Before you write anything else about his character and temperament, I suggest that you get to know him better. When people write about Mike Huckabee, I trust they will get to know the man first !
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TVHall on 25 Jan 2011 at 12:43 pm #
The “character and temperament of Mike Huckabee,” and the utter lack of either, were on clear display for all to see during the 2008 Republican primary. One need only to have been minimally coherent to have recognized it.