The start of the 2012 Presidential Race is about a year off (seriously), but former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (who also hosts the aptly named 'Huckabee' on Fox News) is already receiving some good buzz. After winning the Iowa Caucuses, he immediately became a national figure, although he was eventually defeated by John McCain for the nomination (which may have been the best thing for Huckabee's political career, in a disastrous year for Republicans).
He took some unusual positions for a conservative, such as touting art and music classes in his education policy and having a moderate stance on immigration reform. He also had to defend himself for raising taxes when he was Governor of Arkansas, a story which may come back to haunt him with tax increases generally being anathema to Republican voters.
It is unclear whether he would retain his quixotic positions if he runs again in 2012, but it would be a little surprising if he didn't adjust them a bit if he becomes the frontrunner (remember John McCain saying that he wouldn't support his own immigration proposal at a 2008 Republican debate?).
Considering the massive populist surge that has taken place since the Wall Street meltdown in September 2008, Huckabee is probably better positioned than former venture capitalist Mitt Romney, and possibly better than anyone else in the field. Huckabee once famously said he was the kind of guy "you like" while Romney was the guy who would "lay you off."
Huckabee stuck around the 2008 race longer than many in the party desired, but that didn't seem to bother him one bit. Roger Simon, of POLITICO, wrote this about Huckabee's potential 2012 aspirations on March 4, 2008:
Huckabee knows that none of this will convince the party establishment of his value, but that does not bother him. Again, he goes back to Ronald Reagan to explain why.
“Ronald Reagan was not the guy the Republican establishment wanted,” Huckabee said. “They had the same kind of dismissive attitude towards him: He couldn’t win, he had no experience, and they said he should disappear. What they didn’t understand is that people liked him.”
Huckabee went on: “People forget what a pariah Ronald Reagan was. Now he is the gold standard of the party. But in 1976, people were so angry not only that he was running for the nomination but that he was challenging a sitting president.”
A good point. So if McCain wins the presidency this time, would Huckabee consider challenging him in 2012?
“I am not thinking about that,” Huckabee said. “Today.”
If Huckabee becomes perceived as the primary anti-establishment candidate, that could benefit him greatly in 2012. Republican voters in early primaries and caucuses, who tend to be quite conservative, might believe that the Republicans lost because John McCain was too moderate and too much of an insider. With his strong 2008 showing under his belt (and platform on Fox News), Huckabee is in a prime position to claim the conservative mantle, which could propel him to raise a lot of money and build strength in the polls through 2011.
Finally, he would have a good claim to the nomination due to placing 2nd in the 2008 contest, especially since the eventual nominee was trounced after a campaign that often difficulty wooing the party's base.
Actually, there is an even better reason that he is likely the frontrunner - he was endorsed by Chuck Norris:
Comments
Like the ever-earlier Christmas decorations in the stores, our election cycles seem to end late and then start anew too soon. If Mike("sure I'll raise my hand and affirm that I don't believe in evolution")Huckabee is truely the best hope for the Republicans, running maybe a step ahead of the cute but terminally ditzy Sarah ("I don't feel like staying in office for the remainder of my term")Palin - the Republicans won't be in the White House anytime soon. This country needs a true two-party system, and running these losers won't revive the Republican Party.
mitt twitter is going to be sooooooooo jealous.
Attention - Calling all Huckabee Fans...
1976 Presidential Elections results
* Ronald Reagan came in 2nd place behind Gerald Ford in the Republican Primaries.
1976 to 1980
* Reagan goes on TV, Radio and travels the country using his superior communication skills.
* Reagan Fans work hard to build a gigantic tidal wave of support for Ronald Reagan.
1980
* Ronald Reagan wins the Presidential nomination in a landslide victory winning 49 out of 50 States.
... 28 years later:
2008
* Mike Huckabee comes in 2nd place behind John McCain in the Republican Primaries.
2008 to 2012
* Huckabee goes on TV, Radio and travels the country using his superior communication skills.
* Huckabee Fans work hard to build a gigantic tidal wave of support for Mike Huckabee.
2012
* Mike Huckabee wins the Presidential nomination in a landslide victory winning 50 out of 50 States.
Check out this gigantic 2012 Presidential movement. Just google the words: Huckabee Fan Club
Huckabee's populist rhetoric during the 2008 primary was enough to make me puke. We can do far better after having a communist in the White House than Mike. Besides, Mike Huckabee is a KNAVE! I must admit that if he wins the nomination of the GOP I will have to support him. In the mean time this conservative will do everything in his power to make sure that he doesn't get the nomination including flying to Iowa to knock on doors in frigid temperatures like I did in January, 2008. (Will someone get Mike a years morning delivery of fresh doughnuts so he balloons back up to around 400 lbs and can’t move!!!)
Great article. For those looking for more info about Huckabee, the authentic conservative, please see my blog at mikehuckabeepresident2012 dot blogspot dot com
BSR
I agree. Huckabee 2012!
Lets have a GOP candidate that actually knows what he is doing instead of just blowing hot air. Mitt Romney for President!
Huckabee `has 10 1/2 years experience of leading a state controlled by Democrats. He was able to work with them to get things done fiscally responsibly. He would have been re-elected again if not for term limits.
Huckabee 2012!
As a conservative Republican I didn't vote John McAmnesty and I sure as hell won't be voting for Caribou Barbie or that Arkansas fried goober Huckabee in 2012.
Mitt Romney has forgotten more about economics, business, job creation and finance than Huckabee and Palin combined will ever know.
Mitt Romney was so friggin successful in the private sector his resume glows in the dark.
Huckabee should be doing subway commercials with Jared, telling everyone how he's not a fatass anymore, not running for president.
If Romney is not the GOP nominee I will vote for the constitution party again and the GOP can kiss anther election goodbye.
Even Chuck Norris is waking up. Not to Mike Huckabee. Every time Chuck is on air he talks about Ron Paul and how he is the most honest man in Washington. Look for Chuck to endorse Paul the next go-around if Paul indeeds run. Dr. Paul at this point in time is probably the only one who can save this country.
BREAKING NEWS... HOT OFF THE PRESS...
Mike Huckabee wins the 8th 2012 Presidential poll: Dec 11, 2009:
If the 2012 Presidential Elections were held today, it's highly likely Mike Huckabee will be elected as the new Commader in Chief of the United States of America.
8) PPP Poll (12/10/09)
* Huckabee 45%, Obama 46% (Statistical tie)
7) Iowa 2012 Presidential Poll (11-23-09)
* Huckabee 39%, Gingrich 32%, Romney 32%
6) USA Today Poll (11/05/09)
* Huckabee 71%, Romney 65%, Palin 65%
5) CNN Poll (10/28/09)
* Huckabee 32%, Palin 25%, Romney 21%
4) Rasmussen Poll (10/15/09)
* Huckabee 29%, Romney 24%, Palin 18%
3) PPP Poll (09/24/09)
* Huckabee 41%, Romeny 39%, Palin 38%
2) AOL Poll (10/01/09) ~ 200,000 votes
* Huckabee 25%, Romney 22%, Other (14%)
1) Value Voter Poll (09/19/09)
* Huckabee 28%, Romney 12%, Pawlenty 12%
Check it out for yourself, just google 3 simple words:
Huckabee Fan Club
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