by Jason George
WEST DES MOINES -- In the final days before the Iowa caucuses, Gov. Mike Huckabee is sticking to his themes of faith, character and strength, while casting himself as a frontrunner underdog, "outspent 20-to-1," by Gov. Mitt Romney.
When comparing himself to Romney, Huckabee sometimes uses the David versus Goliath metaphor. Sometimes he's one of the "farmers with muskets versus the guys with red coats and long rifles." Almost always, he now says it'll be a "miracle" if he wins, although it's divine intervention he thinks will happen.
Huckabee refuses to go negative against Romney in the final precious hours on the trail; that is, if you don't count the negative TV ad that he showed the press, but won't run, or Chuck Norris by Huckabee's side on Tuesday, threatening to "choke" Romney. (Norris' appearance as Huckabee's sidekick is not to be confused for Norris' 1992 cinematic masterpiece, "Sidekicks.")
Explaining why he won't run that negative Romney ad, Huckabee said such an attack just isn't what he should be doing: "Some of you will understand, others will not, but what it came down to was, if a man gains the whole world and loses his own soul, what does it profit him? Even the presidency, important as it is, isn't worth having if you can't do it right."
Will Iowa voters buy his sincerity? Who knows. But you can believe that Iowa evangelicals – 40 percent of Republicans caucuses in 2004 – will understand Huckabee's use of a bible verse, Matthew 16:26, in that sentence.
While not showing the anti-Romney ad, Huckabee has created two new 30-second spots this in Iowa and New Hampshire. One that aims to attract social conservatives, while the other goes after fiscal conservatives.
The first, called "Our Values," talks about "family, life and freedom" but it's mostly an anti-abortion ad to rally that evangelical base. "Nobody has a greater level of intrinsic worth or value than another person. Being unborn doesn't make you less valuable," Huckabee says. You can watch the spot here:
The second ad, "Tax Cuts Matter," reports that Huckabee "cut taxes over 90 times. Balanced the budget every year I was governor. Left a surplus of nearly a billion dollars, and did it in the face of an overwhelmingly Democratic legislature. That's a pretty good record." It's a record that Romney has attacked time and time again, which is why it's so important for Huckabee to get this ad out to voters.
You can watch that spot here:
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Comments
"HUCKABEE SPEAKS"
HECKUVA HUCKABEE PLUCKS HIS WAY RIGHT OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
BLAME IT ON THE NUKIE, THE NUKIE OR OXYCONTIN, OR THAT EVANGELICAL STRUT FROM THE KITCHEN CLOSET.
HIS "HAS GOD TOUCHED YOU" CAMPAIGN IS SOON TO COME TO AN END.
SAVE THAT SERMON FOR NEXT SUNDAY, REVEREN, SAVE THAT AND YES GOD HAS TOUCHED ME AND MY VOTING PEN. SORRY!
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 2, 2008 1:51 PM
Huckabee compares himself to the Revolutionary War "farmers with muskets versus the guys with red coats and long rifles."?
The reporter and governor Huckabee show their mutual ignorance of the American Revolution. The "guys with red coats", the British army, used muskets in the war, NOT rifles. For the most part (the exceptions being Patrick Ferguson's British battalion, companies of German Yaegers, and Morgan's American riflemen), NEITHER side used rifles--because rifle technology simply wasn't feasible back then.
Back to school, Mike. And Jason, for not noting the error.
Posted by: Bruce | January 2, 2008 3:12 PM
I'm from Arkansas and I approve Huckabee's message. I have for over 10 years. Christian or not, he was a great leader and was seen as one of the top 5 governors in America. He has more governing experience than all the rest put together. If you take the time to review the facts instead of believing all the slanted liberal news, you will see that I am right. It will also help if your not Christophobic.
Posted by: r smith | January 2, 2008 3:30 PM
The elite media and republican surrogates are “dancing in the street together” as they slam Huckabee every chance they can. It’s like watching someone who came from the wrong side of the tracks crash an elite social party in a well-to-do side of town.
Up with Huckabee! Down with the elite republicans and their talk show hosts attacking their own!
Posted by: David, Oregon City | January 2, 2008 8:34 PM
Romney is a fine tuned swiss watch, not the dollar kind. He will be correct. He is fixed for life but is willing to pay and sacrifice to serve the country. The country needs Romney.
Posted by: Willard Scott | January 3, 2008 2:05 PM