by Mark Silva
Mike Huckabee, the Republican candidate for president who vows not to “walk off the field’’ until his party’s contest is finished, offered some notable remarks today about the front-runner in his party’s contest and the potential leader among the Democrats:
John McCain, and Barack Obama.
People have “underestimated Barack Obama and his capacity to inspire,’’ Huckabee said at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor still underway this morning as polls opened in the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., primaries – where opinion polls portray a strong advantage for Obama among Democrats.
“He has energized an enormous (part) of the electorate,'' Huckabee said.
“Voters, ultimately, when they are thinking of a leader, are not thinking necessarily of someone who can fix the carburetor, but someone who can drive the car,’’ Huckabee said. “That’s where I think Obama has had the distinct advantage.’'
McCain will have trouble rallying Republican "foot-soldiers’’ if he is the GOP's nominee, Huckabee insisted, and Obama just might represent the toughest Democratic nominee for his ability to “inspire’’ people. “I think Obama may present a significant challenge because he is fresh.’’“
"If (McCain) is the nominee, I think the party will eventually coalesce around him,’’ he said. “I don’t think he will be able to motivate’’ the base, “the foot-soldiers.’’
Huckabee insists that he can continue to draw distinctions between himself and McCain, even in contests ahead such as Wisconsin, where independents count.
“It’s a strong pro-life state among Republican voters,’’ Huckabee said. “One of the things that separates me and Sen. McCain is that issue. I support the human life amendment. He does not… He also supports embryonic stem cell research. I do not.
“I think we will have a chance to show contrasts,’’ he told reporters assembled at breakfast. "I think there are a lot of people who welcome the fact that they’ll have a chance to cast a vote that has meaning…. A lot of conservatives are saying, ‘Wait a minute, let’s not have this coronation.’’
And regardless of what happens, he said, yes, he will be carrying delegates to the Republican National Convention, and yes, he will press for issues in the party’s platform such as the constitutional amendment against abortion. “Absolutely,’’ he said.
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Comments
Last 10 Swamp postings: 8 Dems (4 Obama headlines, 4 Clinton II headlines) versus 1 Republican (Huckabee, and only because he talks about Obama).
Which imbalance is really an ordinary day at the office for the Lib-Dems who write for the Swamp.
109 weeks of the Swamp so far. Not one week of the 109 where they reported on the Republican presidential candidates more than the Democrats.
After writing off half their readership, the Tribune bosses shouldn't wonder why the Tribune is losing money.
Posted by: Peter Zenger | February 12, 2008 9:21 AM
I think he is spot on!!!!
Posted by: bill r. | February 12, 2008 9:36 AM
Voters, ultimately, when they are thinking of a leader, are not thinking necessarily of someone who can fix the carburetor, but someone who can drive the car,’’ Huckabee said. “That’s where I think Obama has had the distinct advantage.’'
You don't need to be able to fix carburetors anymore. Everything's fuel injected since 1990. I'd be surprised if Huckabee's ever even purchase a quart of oil. God save us.
Goober
Posted by: Goober Pyle | February 12, 2008 9:38 AM
Peter (Bruce):
Tell us how much time it took you to figure out that 109 weeks of The Swamp favor Democrats. Did you go back and check each week?? Every day??? Because I do remember more than a few days that were dominated by the Republicans. Maybe the reason that there is more coverage of the Democrats is because one of their candidates is from Chicago, and it is the CHICAGO Tribune.
Once again, The Swamp is NOT a news blog. It is posted to draw comments from the readers about the current political climate. That means that they do not have to be evenly balanced in what they present. If what you want is Republican blogs, there are plenty of sites out there for you to post on.
Besides, if they were balanced, what would you and Brucie and the rest of the right wing have to complain about??
Posted by: BobinATL | February 12, 2008 10:15 AM
Pete-
Have you replaced Bruce as the offical RNC representative to the Swamp?
Posted by: Luke | February 12, 2008 10:24 AM
Huckabee's been a pretty good analyst all along. I don't want him as President, but he's always worth listening to. His analogies are generally straight to the point, as this one is.
Posted by: Tom J | February 12, 2008 10:27 AM
It’s a strong pro-life state among Republican voters,’’ Huckabee said. “One of the things that separates me and Sen. McCain is that issue. I support the human life amendment. He does not… He also supports embryonic stem cell research. I do not."
Yep, allowing people to suffer and die from diseases that can be cured from this wondeful research and technologies. That sure is "pro-life" for you.
Oh and "embryonic stem cells", the argument of whether it is human life seems irrelevant. The rabid right would rather have them just be discarded and destroyed instead of using them for the good of society.
Posted by: syj | February 12, 2008 10:35 AM
It's interesting to note that Huckabee offers what 'the base' wants, but can't win enough primaries. Hillary, on the same note, offers a true 'democrat' and yet is struggling to win.
What does this say about what 'the people' want for the next four years? Maybe they're tired of extremism and bickering. Maybe they want reconciliation.
excerpted from: http://www.politicalmaelstrom.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Jesse | February 12, 2008 10:57 AM
I'm surprised any from the right read this Blog anyhow. I thought they were all watching the "fair and balanced" Fox News.
Posted by: Kenneth Janowski | February 12, 2008 11:10 AM
Peter,
Your comments are reflective of a bigger problem that plagues both the left and right. Instead of addressing the message, you shoot the messenger.
You had an opportunity to post your "contrasting" thoughts about the message, but instead you chose to attack the messenger for not following the Republicans.
How do you feel about glowing comments coming from a social Republican about a Democrat? Do you agree? If not, why not?
Posted by: Nelson Rivera | February 12, 2008 11:14 AM
Fixing the carburetor versus driving the car also characterizes the difference between Obama and Bush, who tried to drive the car because he knew he was incapable of fixing the carburettor. But he was also a terrible driver whereas Obama has already proven his capability behind the wheel.
Posted by: Ron | February 12, 2008 11:35 AM
After writing off half their readership_
Posted by: Peter Zenger
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And how did you come up with that number? 25% is more like it, and since you're still here, even that number is too high.
Posted by: Bruce Y | February 12, 2008 11:46 AM
So Bruce has taken on the alter ego of Peter Zenger? How sad and pathetic. What are you afraid of more Bruce? Revealing yourself to be a fool or proving you are the only one who holds your lunatic fringe ideology?
Posted by: janet | February 12, 2008 11:48 AM
But he was also a terrible driver whereas Obama has already proven his capability behind the wheel.
Posted by: Ron | February 12, 2008 11:35 AM
Really? What has he "driven," Ron (besides endless campaigns since 2003)?
Posted by: JB | February 12, 2008 1:21 PM
To syj-
Most of us that are opposed to embryonic stem cell research are in favor of stem cell research in general. There are other ways to get stem cells other than artificially creating and then destroying human embryos. For instance, stem cells can be found in the umbilical cord blood. Your argument doesn't include information like that.
Posted by: SJK82 | February 12, 2008 2:28 PM
SYJ said, "The rabid right would rather have them just be discarded and destroyed instead of using them for the good of society."
Just read that sentence over and over again. Especially, "use them". It shows Nazi-like thinking. Scary. Also SYJs facts are wrong. They are frozen. Have you heard of snowflake babies? Also, have you heard of the advances in Adult and cloned-cell stem cell research without then need to perform experiments on humans? Modern utilitarian ethics remain frightening.
Posted by: Jiles Samson | February 12, 2008 3:07 PM
Oh please!
Huckabee can win the general election... what a sick joke of a sick man!
By the way, 23% sales tax replacing the IRS is a blistering joke...a dumb plan... it will enslave the Americans big time! What is Huckster thinking???
The West dislike Huckabee period! McCain along with Romney would have a better chance!
McCain will just slide to the nomination, anyway... why worry about Huckster!
He has a lot of skeltons that he needed to clear out of his closet anyway... so forget him...
Posted by: Celestina | February 12, 2008 9:27 PM
barack obama mike huckabee vs machine
huckabee obama:
we understand your disgust.
subversion of democracy.
know this:
gravel kucinich paul nader
will fight any ticket
with clinton or mccain on it.
your eyes & ears are open...
Mike Gravel Dennis Kucinich Dr Ron Paul Ralph Nader
united by truth elicit fear smear blacklist.
Too many lies,
democracy rising democracy now.
Rage against the machine.
Honesty compassion intelligence guts.
No more extortion blackmail bribery division.
Divided we fall.
Posted by: gravel kucinich paul nader | February 13, 2008 8:26 PM