Just a friendly reminder: Huckabee could be our next president.

[phantom power]

I hope that in all our mirth over the "GOP predicament," we don't lose sight of the fact that Huckabee could win. We underestimate the religious right at our peril. They're dead serious, highly motivated, there's a lot of them and they know with total certainty that God is on their side.

Taking a cue from Rocky: "He doesn't know its a damn show, he thinks its a damn fight!"

What we are seeing is the three wings of the conservative movement fighting for supremacy: Romney from the money wing, McCain (or Rudy) from the hawk wing and Huck from the God wing. The first two are part of the political establishment and rely on it for guidance. Up until now, the God wing did too. But now they have one of their own and they really don't need the permission of the money boyz or the hawks to vote for him. And they sure don't care what the pointy headed TV gasbags think about it.

Huckabee won big last night with no money and no organization. Maybe he can't replicate it anywhere else. But I think he might. The religious right is the biggest single voting bloc in the GOP --- the people they cultivated and trained to vote en masse for the Republicans. They have a very specific agenda of social issues that they care about and understand very well. They are true believers. And they are the only constituency in the party who actually likes their candidate and feels inspired by him. He's one of them. I think he can win it and win it in spite of the many unforced errors he's bound to make. His followers just don't care about stuff like that. Unless he suddenly goes soft on abortion or gay rights or one of their other signature issues, he's got them.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/real-deal-by-digby-greenwald-catalogs.html

[ccpup]

1. Not sure if Americans can stomach a President Huckabee

but it would be absolutely hilarious to see him run against -- and lose to -- Hillary Clinton especially when he's stated his belief that all women should be taken out of the workforce and placed back in the home, subservient to God first and their husband second.

Now, wouldn't that be a hoot?

[peacetalksforall]

15. Think Huckabee Pres, Cheney Vice Pres meaning Cheney is Pres

Same scenario - Cheney leading Huckabee around by the mouth - fund raiser, hand shakers. The only change is that Huckabee will speak better English, not snort, and tell better jokes and not laught at his own stupid ones. Huckabee might be less prone to accidents.

In the end, Cheney will lead. I am just beginning to understand why they have so many wimps running. It's Cheney all over again. Or maybe Addington will move up to Cheney's spot so Cheney can cut out to Dubai to save himself from prison.

[Yael]

39. Never happen.

Don't underestimate the animosity the "God wing" has for her. You can be damned sure that they will crawl across broken glass to get to the polls if she is the nom.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. He will not. People are so sick and nauseous of evangelicals!!

Evangelicals got us into this mess, every bit of it.

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. I learned that lesson

eight years ago, when I told a friend in Texas that I hoped bush would get the republican nomination, since there was no way that idiot would get elected in the general election. My friend warned me that he was a lot more wiley and dangerous than I was giving him credit for... and man, has she turned out to be right!

From then on, I've tried not to underestimate the enemy.

[Jackpine Radical]

8. I learned that same lesson in 1980

when I figured the only Republican Carter could for-sure beat was Raygun.

[Eurobabe]

10. You are wise Lefta

I have been saying don't discount this guy, he's more dangerous than Bush. And he speaks in full sentences!!

As for those who say, well he has no FP experience, etc. Neither did Bush, and the fact that two of the best FP candidates from the Dem side have bowed out, how important IS foreign policy anyhow (I am being sarcastic here).

[MH1]

13. Sadly, I learned that same lesson.

It still boggles my mind, the number of people in this country who would vote for Bush.

No doubt there was significant fraud, but even with that, a lot of people voted for him. Un-friggin-believeable. Yet it happened and could happen again with Huckabee.

[EFerrari]

28. I laughed when they nominated Junior.

Bitter experience.

[uppityperson]

29. me too. k&r because people ARE that stupid/fearful

[AndyTiedye]

41. I Didn't

They let enough of the real George W. Bush out at Bob Jones "University" so I could see he would be trouble. I tried to warn everyone I could.

Huckabee could be a lot worse trouble than **. These will be the "good old days" if Huckster gets in!

[lumberjack_jeff]

43. Yes. Never cheer for the worst possible Republican nominee.

It always backfires. Those people have no self-respect.

[Turbineguy]

4. And another important reason...

Huckabee will make Bush look good. The Democratic candidate will have to have a 15 percent real margin to offset GOP cheating as well to win with a thin margin.

[Bjorn Against]

5. I agree, the Republicans could still win and we have to be vigilant

Huckabee could win, if McCain is able to take New Hampshire he could win, and if Romney can pull himself back up he could win as well. The Republicans play dirty, and their ability to lie cheat and steal their way to victory should not be underestimated. We are in for a fight, and we should not be so quick to claim victory in 2008 because we have a battle ahead of us.

[Robbien]

6. RedState has said they would rather vote for Clinton than Huckabee

if that was the only two choices they had. And RedState HATES Clinton.

Yes, the religious right is a powerful force but it needs the entire GOPer party to back them up. The GOP elite seems to be in revolt this time around.

[MH1]

18. Curious, cuz I managed to miss this: why?

Why does the establishment GOP hate Huckabee so much? Do they think they won't be able to control him and he might do more damage than a Democrat?

To me he seems like a typical evangelical GOPer with unfortunately a more pleasant manner of speaking. So why do they hate him so? Just because he might take the prize away from their establishment favorite (whoever that is these days)?

[Robbien]

20. GOPer elites want their party to be viewed as a party of fiscal conservatives

and are regretting their support of the fundie crazies and having their party be viewed as a party of moral bigots.

Both Clinton and Obama are more corporate friendly than Huckabee is. GOPer elites want a corporate friendly government.

[PADemD]

25. He's not opposed to raising taxes.

[AndyTiedye]

30. I Don't Think The Establishment Does Hate Huckabee Really

They are making a show of hating him, but do they really?

Surely the Huckster will succumb to bribery or blackmail when the time comes, just like every other Repiglickin'.

Then they will have the best of both worlds: A theocratic regime to keep the population in line, combined with a regime friendly to their bizness.

[phantom power]

33. I think the Village probably does resent him. But then...

what are they going to do if it comes down to supporting Democrat-X (which they all resent by default) or Huckabee? I'll tell you what I think: they'll fall back on habit/SOP and support Huckabee because he's the GOP candidate, "right or wrong."

Or, in the event that they cannot bring themselves to "support" Huckabee, they will by no means turn around and "support" Democrat-X.

[truedelphi]

40. Both sides of the Establishment are bound and determined

To see that the burdens of policy co0ntinue to be enacted on the backs of the working class.

I think Huckabee's tax restructuring scares the be-jesus out of them.

[skipos]

7. Her has the Jesus-Rode-A-Dinosaur voters IN THE BAG!!!

Everyone else, not so much.

[Hepburn]

35. Jesus-Rode-the-Dinosaurs voters!!

LMBO....:rofl:

[90-percent]

9. I have to re-run Friday's Keith

When Huckabee was playing the bass, looking like he knew what he was doing, I was enthralled by the lady singer making some nice moves. We could turn that into Huck's "Dean moment": a preacher regaling in the depravity of that devil rock music!

-90% Jimmy

[old guy]

11. It is too early to know how popular this guy really is.

I believe that Pat Robertson got 25% in Iowa when he ran so I'll wait for a few more states and see how he is doing then. I don't put as much stock in Iowa as a lot of people do, but thats just me.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. Well, I never believed that anybody could be stupid enough to elect Reagan.

"No one in this world, so far as I know—and I have researched the records for years, and employed agents to help me—has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby." H.L. Mencken

[burythehatchet]

14. he could be, but only if Diebold counts the votes

[aquart]

16. 72 million Dems, 55 million Reps, 42 million Inds.

This is not and never has been an issue. The Miracle of the Religious Bigots was a cover story for stolen Democratic votes going to Bush. Which you have swallowed hook, line, and sinker.

Right now, the independents are stampeding for Obama. We only need 13 million independents to carry the election AND NOT ONE REPUBLICAN.

[tekisui]

23. Yep. Fuck the pukes. We don't need 'em or want 'em.

The Indys are voting Democratic this year. Like you said, we need only 13 out of 42 million. The pukes aren't attracting ANY indys, other than paultards.

[phantom power]

27. And yet, I heard that same song in 2004.

"Bush will never win. The GOP over-played their hand. The voters have had a good look at GOP insanity, and there's no way they'll fall for that one twice."

And if your alternative theory is that the GOP successfully stole the 2000 and 2004, what does that imply about 2008? I imagine you will understand if I'm not completely soothed.

[OHdem10]

17. You could be very very right. Huckabee would be formidible

He ran as a Populist challenging the GOP on Fiscal Policy,
challenging the Wall Streeters, chiding them for letting Democrats
carry the Mantle for Poor Health Care.

This, of course has the Establishment in Convulsions just as John
Edwards put our establishment in convulsions. Because the RR spent
years organizing themselves and being excellent footsoldiers,
they cannot simply be closed off Television the way our candidates
can. I am waiting to see how he does in a more secular state(NH
My guess if he comes even close in NH. It is Katie bar the door.
Theoretically, he can win every state G.Bush did. I am waiting
to see what the establishment does.

I can'd help but this type organization is needed on the left.

Added. Huckabee is so smooth and so quick, He can make our
candidates look like Rwers.

Americans will vote for him.

[dmosh42]

19. Funny how the Mormon bashing was passed off as no big thing...

If it were any of the other major religions, there would be hell to pay. That Christian love is a strange thing sometimes..

[brazos121200]

21. The country has just come through what will be eight years

of a far right evangelical in the White House and I don't think the country will vote for another one this time around. Having said that, Huckabee should not be underestimated. He has some very "populist" views on social issues which could appeal to the vast middle ground and independents. I still think the repub establishment will be able to derail Huckabee's campaign and get Mr. 911 or Mitt the nomination.

[TwilightGardener]

22. Not worried.

[bluestateguy]

24. Not all religious righters are enamored with him

Many of these same people are also committed neo-conservatives and economic conservatives. Both of these factions have been unimpressed with Hucklebee. Phyllis Schlafly has spoken harshly of Hucklebee and Pat Robertson saw fit to endorse someone else.

[AndyTiedye]

26. Kicking and Recommending

If it has really come down to Hillary and Obama on our side, then we need to cross over to vote against Huckabee in the Repig primaries, because Huckster could beat either one of them!

[Perry Logan]

31. The Democrats who worry most seem to posit total amnesia on the part of U.S. voters.

The 2008 election is not like the ones we've just seen. I may be too optimistic, but I doubt there's enough Kool-Aid in the world to make people forget which party has marred America beyond recognition.

[phantom power]

34. Maybe. But remember, that's what we all told ourselves in 2004.

[Hepburn]

32. ...

:puke:



OMG.....Gomer Huckabee as POTUS!!!!! :scared:

[leftofthedial]

36. the religiously insane are coming! the religiously insane are coming!

the religiously insane are coming!

actually, they are already here.

[struggle4progress]

37. "No organization" is inaccurate: he's organizing from the rightwing churches

... Huckabee had spoken at dozens of churches on his campaign trail and to prominent evangelical movement leaders such as activist Rick Scarborough and televangelist Kenneth Copeland ...
7 Million Non-Voting Evangelicals the Big Prize
By Michelle Vu
Christian Post Reporter
Sat, Jan. 05 2008 10:00 AM ET
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080105/30747_Author:__7_Million_Non-Voting_Evangelicals_the_Big_Prize.htm

... Mike Huckabee won by harnessing the churches in Iowa ...
Nothing's the same after Iowa
Diane Francis, Financial Post
Published: Saturday, January 05, 2008
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=216164

... Gary Glenn, a Midland social conservative activist and informal spokesman for Huckabee backers, said Friday that supporters will leave leaflets at evangelical churches across the state Sunday, hoping to draw the same surge of conservative Christians who helped carry the Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor to victory in Iowa on Thursday ...
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Huckabee pumps up efforts in Michigan
Gordon Trowbridge and Gregg Krupa / The Detroit News
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080105/POLITICS01/801050345/1008

... he won .. by .. recruiting newly active evangelical interest groups to his campaign. The .. minister reached out to them ... His presidential run didn't stop him from .. speeches at dozens of churches, or from .. meetings with controversial movement figures like televangelist Kenneth Copeland and activist Rick Scarborough. He .. nabbed endorsements from Jerry Falwell Jr. .., Don Wildmon and Tim LaHaye. Last month, the Iowa Family Policy Center (whose president, Chuck Hurley, endorsed Huckabee) planned a barnstorming tour that would fan out across the state in the weeks leading up to the caucuses. Unofficially, the endeavor .. was not designed around a particular candidate. In reality, the effort was packed with Huckabee fans. The tour was ... scheduled to include Janet Folder, a conservative commentator who recently wrote a column suggesting ... Hillary Clinton would put Christians in prison for their beliefs ... The organizers involved have valuable Rolodexes packed with the names of pastors and local activists ...
Analysis: Huckabee taps evangelical enthusiasm
By Rebecca Sinderbrand
CNN Washington Bureau
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/05/huckabee.innovation/

[pamela]

38. Huckabee scares the shit out of me.

I absolutely believe that he could end up being our next president. It frightens me that we are not taking him more seriously.

In the general election, he would have the religious right in a frenzy. Any of the other Repub front-runners would have them fractured and demoralized. But it isn't just the evangelicals we have to worry about. His populist message and debating skills could win over a lot moderate Christians, too. He could easily win over the elderly. Add to all of that the people that like the "Fair Tax" plan and we could be looking at President Huckabee.
:scared:

[ileus]

42. The RR makes up what 4%...the rest are pretenders that will vote hillary.

[SammyWinstonJack]

44. And if he is I am leaving this Country! I swear I will find a way!

:argh:

[bullwinkle428]

45. People will run from him screaming once "Fair Tax" is shown to the light of day!