If the race came down to Clinton vs. Huckabee, who would the Republican media machine smear?

[Marr]

There's been talk for several years now about the 2009 election "tearing the Conservative movement in half", but until now I'd never considered how it might do the same to the left.

If the race came down to Huckabee and Clinton, for example, who would the Conservative establishment back? Something tells me they'd spend more time attacking Huckabee than Clinton. What they care about at the end of the day is the corporate agenda, and it seems to me like Hillary Clinton, and perhaps even Obama, are more reliable corporatists than Huckabee.

The GOP establishment has only ever paid lip service to so-called "moral issues", using them to stir up the Christian right. They don't actually care about them. Similarly, there's a faction of the Democratic Party that pays lip service to progressive social issues while pushing corporate economic policies. The 2009 election could end up tearing the left in half just as cleanly as it's tearing the right in half.

What happens if a social liberal/fiscal conservative squares off against a social conservative/fiscal liberal?

[TwilightGardener]

1. If it came down to Clinton/Huckabee, I'd be praying for a Bloomberg run.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. They'd attack Hucklenuts.

The contribution data shows that Hill is pretty much acceptable to them.

[Bolo Boffin]

3. I think it'd be Clinton.

They would cut their losses with Huckabee and talk about how the "people" have spoken. They would discover just what a "sincere" guy he really is.

It really is funny to watch the meltdown right now, though.

[napi21]

4. I honestly believe the media would trash Hillary. Think about it.

With all the BS that we've read about Huck...pardoning a rapist only to have hi rape and kill soon after, using his power as Gov. to get his son out of trouble, being charged with illegal acts while in office 7? times while in office...have you heard any of that in the MSM?

[Bitwit1234]

5. I be so damn glad Obama didn't win I'd stay in church 24/7

giving thanks. And of course the exact opposite is what the republicans want they know the only damn way they can win is for Obama to be the candidate they run against. HE IS THE ONLY ONE THEY COULD BEAT.

[MADem]

6. Clinton, of course. Huckabee would have to come to terms with the RNC and quickly.

Why? He'll need GOP legislators to implement his policies, otherwise, he sits in the WH for four years with his thumb up his ass. And he isn't going to get them without cooperation with the party. What he brings to the table is Air Force One, the "Fundraiser in Chief" designator, and a bully pulpit.

He'd also be the party leader, and, like it or not, he'd be calling the shots. The party might just do some major shrinking if he can't be a bit accomodating and Big-Tentish.

Power will bring out that magic ability to compromise one's principles, especially if, by holding fast and true, you LOSE that power. Shifting your position becomes easier when you become accustomed to the perks of office.

He'll compromise, and so will they.

[JohnnyLib2]

7. Agreed. Devil's pact before he is ever nominated.

Necessarily.

[BattyDem]

8. Huckabee

The GOP has no problem using the evangelicals, but they don't want them to run the show. An evangelical would pass laws to eliminate the social "problems" that the GOP has been using for years to GOTV. Voters would have no more distractions so they would focus on the issues instead ... and that definitely wouldn't be good for the GOP.

[DFLforever]

9. They'd attack Huckabee

The powers that be don't like populists - even right-wing ones.

[peace13]

10. Always attack the Dem.

With Hillary it is a double bonus round. She is one of them so win or lose they are covered. Repugs win in the event that Hill pulls this one off.