The American Spectator asked me to do a write-up on Mike Huckabee getting some mileage out of contesting the GOP caucuses held this past weekend. You may have heard about them.
Anyway, here it is.
I have to say, I've been a bit startled by the unsolicited comments I've been getting from local Republicans of all stripes who are genuinely irate at how the Huckabee campaign has chosen to handle this situation. Maybe not startled by the fact people are annoyed, but startled by how they're coming out of the woodwork behind the scenes to express dismay and anger.
If Mike Huckabee loses badly here on the 19th, there will be a number of Evergreen State Republicans with big grins on their faces - not necessarily because they love John McCain.
Posted by Eric Earling at February 13, 2008 09:42 PM | Email ThisI'm thinking if they don't pledge the delegates next time there will be a movement to use 100% of the primary results next time.
Posted by: Doug on February 13, 2008 09:59 PMWe might come close to agreeing on this one. I'd prefer a system that pledges the delegates based on the results of the initial caucuses or just report a straw vote and note that it is advisory, not binding.
Posted by: Eric Earling on February 13, 2008 10:39 PMThe caucus allowed a very vocal fringe group, the Huckerbees, some voice in the process.
It wasn't enough to achieve a majority even at that level.
And the primary will no doubt align us more to the mainstream.
It's time the Republican Party renounce wild-eyed Extremists and go with a Conservative...John McCain.
Posted by: John Bailo on February 14, 2008 12:48 AMReagan stuck it out in '76 against Ford and caused a splintering of the party. "I have never known Reagan and I have never seen Reagan, but, you, Huckabee, are no Reagan".
Other than Pride (I recently saw the rerun of the movie- Seven), what does he have going on? He still doesn't have more delegates than Romney, so that has to be grating on him. McCain doesn't seem to be enamored of him anymore that Romney is gone. So, what does he have going on?
Posted by: swatter on February 14, 2008 06:56 AMCato,
I 100% agree with you. Stefan is abusing is position by taking cheap shots and not opening up comments. I can understand he may not have the time, but if this is the case, then don't bother with the cheap shot either. Either step up to the plate and be a man or forget about it.
" It's time the Republican Party renounce wild-eyed Extremists and go with a Conservative...John McCain. "
Actually, I agree with " It's time (for) .... Republican(s) .... (to) renounce wild-eyed Extremists "
It is time for Republicans to renounce the wild-eyed Extremists (read Liberals) that have taken over the 'Party' and " go with a Conservative ". Some who is actually a Conservative in the Republican Party and not another Liberal who calls himself a Republican (read McCain).
As for McCain, military service is neither a prerequisite for being a Conservative and/or a Republican nor does military service make someone a Conservative and/or a Republican. There are many who have been, are now and will be in the military serving with honor who are not Conservative and are not Republicans.
And it is past time for Republicans to stop letting Liberals in the Republican Party define Conservatism and pick our candidates. Whether it is on a national level or in Washington State.
Posted by: Brian Thomas on February 14, 2008 08:16 AMThe point is that the metric that Esser chose to "count" is completely invalid and totally unreliable as a measure of the caucuses.
I wonder, Eric. Who is your preference to win the Republican nomination at this point?
Posted by: Timothy on February 14, 2008 08:45 AMCalling Stefan's comments cheap shots is the classic left intolerance. You could just easily say the same thing about any Goldy post. Again, if you don't like what is said, or you can't handle criticism or "cheap shots" then go elsewhere.
Posted by: Jeff B. on February 14, 2008 09:42 AMJust in case you two forgot. It's Stefan's website. If you don't like the way he runs it. Start your own.
If not, quit your crying or leave.
Gezzz kids.
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on February 14, 2008 09:49 AMRegarding his next president post: I would like to say that the links were interesting. I don't agree with the Faith Healer and Facist comments and believe their are inflammatory. I did regard the teleprompter link interesting, but if you look at Obama's press conferences, like he had earlier in the day on his Seattle visit, he does well there, even though he doesn't have a teleprompter. The Bill/Hillary link is important to raise and hopefully, more will be posted on the two-faced persona that Bill and Hillary have. It is important for the American people to realize this.
I do feel that Stefan's slams on McCain have also been cheap shots. I have no problem with people making sound arguments, but Stefan has went to the one-liners with no real "meat" to his reasoning. This might be fine for long-timers who frequent the blog, but I would think Stefan and the others also look at all times to grow their readership. Cheap one-liners without any rationale or opening of discussion close off readership. It is almost like Stefan doesn't respect his readership, which will turn readership off. I personally think it is cheap and may just well stop commenting because the feeling I get is disparative viewpoints aren't welcome. If you don't agree with Stefan, good riddance. If that is what everyone wants then you are all poorer, since you have closed your minds and are in essence being the facists, instead of claiming the other side is being facist. It is childish.
Posted by: tc on February 14, 2008 10:30 AMWell no s**t sherlock...how long it take you to figure that one out? I just think that if Stephan can take cheap shot, everyone else should be able to agree with him in the comments section.
This site is dull without the big circle jerk republican love fest. What better way to enhance this sites primary attraction than by opening up the comments section to all.
I know everyone here is just itching to take cheap shots at Barack (Che)Obama and John (I was against torture before I was for it) McCain. We can throw Billary under the bus while were at it.
Like I said. Start your own blog/website.
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on February 14, 2008 12:13 PMIf you just have to say something, get your lazy ass over to the SP Public Blog and post it.
Stefan went way beyond what most blogs offer, by providing the opportunity for anyone to say what's on their mind.
And, for about the 100th time, Stefan hasn't been opening the comments because he doesn't want to commit the time to policing the threads.
Posted by: ewaggin on February 14, 2008 12:19 PM....that's why he's still "campaigning":
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/02/13/huckabee-veering-off-campaign-trail-to-give-speech-in-cayman-islands/
Quote: The campaign did not disclose where Huckabee would be delivering the speech, but FOX News found out it will be at the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards banquet in Grand Cayman, where he spoke several years ago.
Asked about the odd timing, Huckabee said he simply needs a paycheck.
"I'm the only person who doesn't get paid by the taxpayers to campaign ... I have to pay for (other candidates') Senate salaries even if they are not on duty. The taxpayers aren't paying a dime for me to campaign and I don't take anything from my campaign so I have to make a living. I do that through my writing and my speaking ... There will be a few more times when I've got to go out and make sure I can make my mortgage payments just like everybody else has to do. I am not independently wealthy." Unquote
The longer that the Hucka-boob-ster keeps his mug in the public eye, the more books he can sell and the more paid speeches he can give.
The phenomenon should be very familiar to local voters. Mike the Mover has been doing the same thing for years.
Say, anyone ever notice that Mike the Mover and Mike the Hucka-boob-ster are never seen together in public? Hmmm.........
Posted by: ewaggin on February 14, 2008 12:27 PMWith Romney throwing in with McCain and asking his delegates to do the same, doesn't that put McCain over the top?
And your comment, Mr. Huckster, about campaigning in the Caribbean is horrible.
Posted by: swatter on February 14, 2008 01:23 PMI'm left with only two options on this thing. The first one is he went off at half-cock and made a mountain out of nothing without understanding what he was talking about, or he we deliberately making a stink for no reason for cynical reasons.
Neither of those options would bode well for his performance as a president.
here's where ya' get a t-shirt that says what I heart
Posted by: JDH on February 15, 2008 09:07 AMYou are a serious and thoughtful man. What in god's name are you doing on this blog ?
If you expect fairness & reason youre in the wrong place.
In most of the letters and arguements you read here the conclusion is exactly the same as the major and sometimes minor premise.
Lots of sloganeering and cheerleading - little logic.
It was refreshing to see your post.
Many of the fringe that post on this blog are analogous to the Gay Left. Very vocal, organized, in full agreement with one another , dillusional in-so-far as as how big a group they believe they are, fiercly loyal to one another, and they have mouth pieces on talk radio (much like gays are disproportionately reprwsented in Hollywood) and they are politically active pushing their minority agenda with letters & phone calls
Thank God for John McCain
First of all, the war will clearly be one of his main campaign planks and polls now show that a growing majority of Americans are now mainly concerned about the economy. Whether you support the war or not(I support it), Americans are tired of this war, largely due to its gross mismanagement which we are still paying a high price for. McCain has said that we'll be in Iraq for 100 years. Is this a prescription for victory in November? I don't think so. One need only look at the FAILED Giuliani campaign to see how well the war is playing with the base.
Secondly, the economy is clearly in crisis. And Mr. McCain is self-admittedly not comfortable with economic issues. In fact, he didn't even cast a vote for the recent economic stimulus package.
Since January, McCain has missed 1 in 3 Senate votes.
Finally, McCain's age and health have to be taken into serious consideration. Huckabee on the other hand is a vibrant campaigner with a great sense of humor(goes a long way to winning crossover voters). Moreover, he speaks for MAIN STREET as opposed to WALL STREET which is largely responsible for the economic mess we're now in.
Personally I'd like to see a Huckabee-Lou Dobbs ticket(Dobbs has an economics degree and is an economic nationalist).
Also, don't be fooled by the polls which show that McCain is more competitive against Clinton or Obama. Most of these polls are liberally biased and the liberals are simply hedging their bets as McCain is the most palatable Republican to them.
Posted by: Eric Reinhardt on February 19, 2008 01:02 PMFirst of all, the war will clearly be one of his main campaign planks and polls now show that a growing majority of Americans are now mainly concerned about the economy. Whether you support the war or not(I support it), Americans are tired of this war, largely due to its gross mismanagement which we are still paying a high price for. McCain has said that we'll be in Iraq for 100 years. Is this a prescription for victory in November? I don't think so. One need only look at the FAILED Giuliani campaign to see how well the war is playing with the base.
Secondly, the economy is clearly in crisis. And Mr. McCain is self-admittedly not comfortable with economic issues. In fact, he didn't even cast a vote for the recent economic stimulus package.
Since January, McCain has missed 1 in 3 Senate votes.
Finally, McCain's age and health have to be taken into serious consideration. Huckabee on the other hand is a vibrant campaigner with a great sense of humor(goes a long way to winning crossover voters). Moreover, he speaks for MAIN STREET as opposed to WALL STREET which is largely responsible for the economic mess we're now in.
Personally I'd like to see a Huckabee-Lou Dobbs ticket(Dobbs has an economics degree and is an economic nationalist).
Also, don't be fooled by the polls which show that McCain is more competitive against Clinton or Obama. Most of these polls are liberally biased and the liberals are simply hedging their bets as McCain is the most palatable Republican to them.
Posted by: Eric Reinhardt on February 19, 2008 01:02 PM