The Val Air Ballroom
EmailAt the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines last night, appearing alongside martial arts expert Chuck Norris, Mike Huckabee implored Republicans to turn out to vote for him and make political history by providing him a win despite being outspent 20-to-1. The Val Air also happens to be the site of the infamous Dean scream four years ago, where another small-state governor spontaneously combusted, having benefited from Iowa’s retail opportunities and risen, then fallen, meteorically. Will Huckabee escape such a fate?
If he does it will be because of the enthusiasm he generates among evangelicals, and his particular brand of witty, empathetic charm.
Huckabee this morning attends events in Fort Dodge and Mason City (the city that inspired "River City," where another smooth-talking salesman won over Iowans, in "The Music Man").
But then Huck hops a shuttle to Los Angeles to be Jay Leno’s first guest since the writer’s strike.
No doubt Mitt Romney will hit him hard for leaving Iowa and "serious" campaigning to go tell jokes. That, after all, is a note he’s been sounding about Huckabee ever since the Baptist preacher’s rise in the polls several weeks ago.
But will it take hold? Huckabee says Romney’s attacks have had an impact. And with his Bizarro press conference this week, foreign policy gaffes post-Bhutto assassination, and having been weakened by Romney’s relentless barrage of negative ads, it’s unclear whether Huckabee’s charm will win the day.
Is a visit to Leno’s couch a yuk too far?
- jpt
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It is not a yuk too far and it is fine for Huckabee to make the visit. Who could turn down that exposure, particularly a campaign that is fighting some very well-heeled opponents?
Once again, I encourage all Republicans to cast their primary ballots for Mike Huckabee.
Posted by: DKNY | January 2, 2008, 8:43 am 8:43 am
All things considered, it makes good sense for Huckabee to go on Leno. It is a great platform for him to spread his “empathetic charm.” But that isn’t going to convince many Leno viewers to vote for him. At the next financial disclosure deadline, I’ll be interested to see what happens with individual donations to Huckabee in the days following his Leno appearance. I predict that he will get a minor bump, but I doubt the appearance will get him many votes directly. But the exposure can’t hurt!
Posted by: polrick | January 2, 2008, 9:31 am 9:31 am
At least one pundit speculated that voters will place a higher premium on competence this time around. If that’s true, Huckabee’s doomed.
Posted by: cordelia525 | January 2, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am
Mike Huckabee may not yet be aware of the intense union sensitivities of the UAW et al. in some of the major population centers in Iowa. Crossing the writers’ picket lines in Burbank, California this afternoon may have a serious negative impact on his “likability” factor. Though many of the union halls in Iowa are used to hold democratic caucuses, there are many Republican union members.
Posted by: Chris | January 2, 2008, 11:00 am 11:00 am
It appears that Romney has the strength of two men. It is taking two men to take him down if they can, McCain and Huckabee. Neither of these men have the records or experience to take Romney down by themselves. Romney is the true social and economic conservative. He is an amazing leader. Romney is on top in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Huckabee is strong in Iowa, but not New Hampshire. McCain is strong in New Hampsire but not Iowa. There is some desparation as seen throughout the long year and now two are united in one cause and that is not getting the Presidency for themselves as much as keeping Romney from winning. Sour Grapes
Posted by: Wendy | January 2, 2008, 11:14 am 11:14 am
Huckabee is prone to mis-speak when he is winging it. Watch him stick his bigotted two feet in his mouth on the Tonight Show with Leno.
Posted by: BEB | January 2, 2008, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Romney the strenght of two men??? More like deep pockets. And clearly Mcain has more experience running for President.
Huckabee has accomplished alot by taking on his opponents with a fraction of the budget. It shows that he has real substance and does not need to rely on propaganda. I saw Romney in on of those debates, he’s far too wishywashy. Trying to please everyone and showing his own lack of conviction. He can’t even decide if he changed his position on certain topics when his record shows contradiction.
Yes without a doubt Huckabee should go on Leno. He’s not crossing the picket line a a writer. He needs the facetime with the people of not just Iowa but the nation.
“Serious” politicing? Not all voters are policical junkies and watch cspan for fun. Face it Leno and the other comedians do talk about real issues. In every joke there is a bit of truth.
btw I do feel that the writers are getting a raw deal and should be given what they are asking for!
Posted by: TK | January 2, 2008, 11:43 am 11:43 am
I think Mike Huckabee’s decision to go on Jay Leno’s show is brilliant. Some California counties will allow voting as early as Jan 7 (either early voting in person at the registrars office or by absentee ballot). And there are several other states with their primaries on Super Duper Tuesday (Feb 5) that will have early voting (most about two weeks prior to the election). The fact that the media is making an issue of this appearance only guarantees an even larger audience.
Posted by: James Danley | January 2, 2008, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
I hope you are correct, James Danley. Run Mike, run!
Posted by: DKNY | January 2, 2008, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
Other candidates may eventually go on Jay Leno’s show (especially when the writers strike ends). But this is Leno’s first live show in a couple of months. So it stands to reason that this could be one of the largest audiences before Super Duper Tuesday.
Posted by: James Danley | January 2, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
DKNY, be careful what you wish for. An average of 6 polls (Rasmussen, FOX News, NBC/WSJ, USA Today, Zogby and CNN) has the following head-to-head polls:
Clinton 48.3% — Huckabee 43.5% with 7.8% undecided (12/06 – 12/20) — Zogby: Huckabee 48% — Clinton 43% (12/12 – 12/16)
Obama 49.4% — Huckabee 39.0% with 8.4% undecided (12/06 – 12/19)
Edwards 52.0% — Huckabee 37.7% with 9.0% undecided (12/06 – 12/14)
Posted by: James Danley | January 2, 2008, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
GOOOOD JOB
Posted by: bam | January 2, 2008, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm
I’m not so convinced that going on Leno was a bad idea, although there is some validity to Chris’ point about “crossing picket lines.” I’m wondering about this “fair tax” thing he’s going on about. He claims that it will stop prostitution, drug rings, and other rackets, but he fails to explain how. One hallmark of a black market is its “immunity” to taxation, since its very existence is illegal. The only way I can see ever having drug pushers or pimps and prostitutes ever pay taxes on their earnings or on their sales (a la “Fair Tax”) would be for those institutions to be legal.
Posted by: Andrew E. | January 3, 2008, 4:59 am 4:59 am
As for Republican candidates, how about none of the above. I’m partial to Ron Paul, because on the whole I agree with him, but he just sounds like a crank and kind of a quack. The others are just loony tunes. But at least Huckabee has a sense of humor and is consistent. Romney seems too serious and his views seem to change with his (sacred) underwear.
Posted by: Andrew | January 3, 2008, 5:03 am 5:03 am
Andrew E., I don’t know about stopping prostitution, drug rings, and other rackets. But at least these individuals would pay their fair share in taxes under the “fair tax” because anyone purchasing something would pay the 23% sales tax (figure Huckabee uses — only Congress could set the actual amount of tax). Under Huckabee’s plan, everyone would receive a rebate check. This rebate check would be a reimbursement of a predetermined amount that would be, in theory, similiar to the current income tax exemption threshold where you don’t pay taxes until you meet that threshold. The current income tax exemption threshold is $7,825 for individuals filing single and $15,650 for couples filing a jointly.
The beauty of this system is that you don’t ever have to fill out a tax return. You can earn as much money as you want and the federal government doesn’t know how much you are making. Only when you purchase something do you pay taxes. So instead of the Internal Revenue Service coming after you for what you owe in taxes, the state collects the “fair tax” using the systems already in place. The Internal Revenue Service will then have only 50 customers — each state.
While I am, personally, in favor of the national sales tax, I really don’t like the idea of sending everyone a rebate check. It will cost millions to send rebate checks to everyone. Instead, I prefer setting up tax free stores so the poor (or anyone for that matter) can shop without paying any sales tax. These tax free stores would sell a variety of food, personal items, clothing and other necessities, including a few large ticket items such as appliances and even automobiles. But these large ticket items would be very limited, and generic in nature without frills. Automobiles would be relatively inexpensive hybrids or even electric cars.
Posted by: James Danley | January 3, 2008, 10:41 am 10:41 am