Video: Huckabee’s new ads
posted at 1:40 pm on December 10, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Both solid, the second more so than the first because (a) I don’t trust him on immigration, although Iowans less familiar with his record probably will, and (b) the personal aspect of the second one calls for sincerity, which Huck has an uncanny ability to project. If I were his campaign manager, I’d jettison the cookie-cutter format of these ads and simply have him give minute-long speechlets while looking into the camera. He’s that good. They’re already doing something like that with the “conversations with Chuck Norris” series, but it’s impossible to take that seriously. Give the guy his own spotlight, wind him up and let him go. Like Obama, you can’t help but find yourself looking for reasons to vote for him.
You have to look hard, though. NRO on the “Holiday Inn Express candidate”:
This is the kernel of Huckabee’s foreign policy. He wants to anthropomorphize international relations and bring a Christian commitment to the Golden Rule to our affairs with other nations. As he told the Des Moines Register the other day, “You treat others the way you’d like to be treated. That’s to me the fundamental issue that has to be re-established in our dealings with other countries.”
This is deeply naïve. Countries aren’t people, and the world is more dangerous than a Sunday church social. Threats, deception, and — as a last resort — violence must play a role in international relations. Differences cannot always be worked out through sweet persuasion. A U.S. president who doesn’t realize this will repeat the experience of President Jimmy Carter at his most ineffectual.
Read Bryan’s post from last week posing war questions for Huck to see what NRO means. Meanwhile, as Drudge messes around with old sermons, the AP runs through some of Huck’s many, many, many clemencies as governor. Some of the speculation, as in the case of Denver Witham, seems too bad to be credible. Besides, as noted in the last clemency post, Huck’s pace wasn’t unprecedented for Arkansas governors, although it was unusual for modern times. According to the AP, the current governor’s working at a clip of less than one clemency per week; under Huck, it was once every four days or so.
Finally, near the very end of this long profile, Newsweek tries to make an issue of his work for Action America while serving as lieutenant governor in 1994. There was nothing illegal about it; the question is simply whether Huck thought he was being paid to drum up interest in politics or to drum up opposition to the proposed cigarette tax that would have helped fund HillaryCare. Why is that important? Because the chief donor to Action America was R.J. Reynolds. Huck says he didn’t know, two directors of AA say he most certainly did and even met personally with an executive from Reynolds. Since there are no allegations of illegality, and since Huck going around stumping against HillaryCare isn’t exactly a strike against him, on the scandal traction-ometer this one registers zero.
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Surely, you are joking?!?
I could see that you might want to sit around and drink a beer with either one, but to look for a reason to vote for them? No way.
LegendHasIt on December 10, 2007 at 1:45 PM
How does an “authentic conservative” get an endorsement as “one of America’s best governors” from Time magazine? By being a liberal open-the-coffers-to-the-vicitcrats fraud.
peski on December 10, 2007 at 1:46 PM
I couldn’t help but laugh at the first one.
amerpundit on December 10, 2007 at 1:49 PM
I agree. Actually, in some ways Huck comes across better. He definitely projects the “average American” persona that Obama does not project.
Maybe he is rising in the polls because people identify with him more than the other candidates?
bnelson44 on December 10, 2007 at 1:49 PM
I think Mitt does these Hallmark ads better.
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 1:50 PM
The Fred!?!zzzz fad when through a popular phase, let’s see what happens to Huckamania.
pedestrian on December 10, 2007 at 1:50 PM
Did that actually say “Authentic conservative”? In what universe is that? Is it the same universe in which I have a goatee and plot schemes of domination?
Frozen Tex on December 10, 2007 at 1:50 PM
Yeah, Obama’s very much the intellectual. Even if you didn’t know he’d gone to Harvard Law, you wouldn’t be surprised to find out. Huck has more of the common touch.
Allahpundit on December 10, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Hey, he doesn’t have to actually BE an authentic conservative–he just has to convince enough people that he is and hope they don’t actually look at his record.
Oh, that’s not you? I must have you confused with someone else. ;-)
aero on December 10, 2007 at 1:55 PM
I can’t bring myself to watch those ads. Its too close to lunch time for me.
Zetterson on December 10, 2007 at 1:56 PM
I judge sincerity not by what the person says, but by body language and facial expressions. In the case of Huck, my gut reaction is “….he dost protest too much”. This is a man with his own agenda.
jeanie on December 10, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Agree. Not that I am tempted to vote for either of them, but I acknowledge that Huckabee and Obama both ooze charm and sincerity. They also both enjoy a likability factor that is in direct contrast to their respective national front-runners, who are both perceived to be cold and/or unlikeable New Yorkers to one degree or another.
aero on December 10, 2007 at 1:59 PM
Gotta agree with Zetterson…the more I am exposed to Mr. Huckabee the more I see Fast Eddie.
Limerick on December 10, 2007 at 2:00 PM
I think Obama v. Huckabee in the primaries might be the only scenario where I’d actually vote Democratic next year. Then again, I’m fairly cynical that Huckabee’s immigration plan had even a smidgen of truth to it. I guess I could still be convinced to him.
CorinthianJest on December 10, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Please Aero. Hillary is not a NY’er. Not that NY’ers are anything special, but Schumer is a NY’er, Spitzer is a NY’er, the Donald is a NY’er, Steinbrenner is a NY’er, Seinfeld is a NY’er.
Hillary is a midwesterner.
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 2:02 PM
me too.
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 2:03 PM
My question is: when are the other candidates going to start hitting Huck on his lousy record on crime, taxes, immigration, etc? They seem to be sitting back letting him portray himself as something he’s not, and it’s obviously working (for Huck).
thirteen28 on December 10, 2007 at 2:06 PM
You know, I wondered why Iowans were so supportive of this guy. If Huckabee can show that much sincerity in his ads, his personal appearances have got to me something to behold.
Slublog on December 10, 2007 at 2:07 PM
LOL! Okay, I defer to you, JD. ;-) I guess I’m just making assumptions about perceptions in “flyover country,” but you’re right. She’s a carpet-bagger, not a genuine New Yorker. She’s still cold and unlikable, though, which was really my point.
aero on December 10, 2007 at 2:08 PM
‘Slow pays, discharged bankruptcy, foreclosures….no problem…we have a program that will get you in that new car today’.
Limerick on December 10, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Huck’s good, but not this good.
Obama’s up in Iowa, and close in NH and SC. Plus, he’s got Oprah on his side, which is HUGE. I’d say he’s got about an even chance to be the nominee, and he’d be tough to beat if he is.
Big S on December 10, 2007 at 2:10 PM
Yes, Huck’s personal appearances must be impressive. I know that I was impressed enough with his performances in the early debates (his charm, humor, easy confidence, good speaking skills) to take a pretty serious look at him for a day or two a couple of months ago (before I rejected him). Unfortunately, most people who are getting as impressed as I was by his communication skills don’t seem to be taking that day or two to look at his record and reject him–they’re just falling in love and not questioning their choice any further. I mean, his ad says he’s an authentic conservative, so why go do any research, right? He’s told them all they need to know.
aero on December 10, 2007 at 2:12 PM
Where/When/How will he learn how to run a successful Pres. campaign? He’s not up, so much as she’s down. Add the big O, and that explains his rise. But hypothetically, once Hil is out, what does he run on but fluff?
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 2:13 PM
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Fluff is enough. He’s got that Reagan-like “shining city on a hill” talk down cold. Don’t underestimate the power of that in moving votes.
Big S on December 10, 2007 at 2:14 PM
Remember Obama has Oprah AND much of Hollywood backing him. But he doesn’t come across as your “average American”. He doesn’t even come across as your average black American and that is why he is having problems with the black vote. Right now he is going against the Hillary / Clinton machine and many Democrats are trying to find a reason not to vote for Clinton. IMHO, if they thought Obama had a reasonable chance, they would vote for him.
bnelson44 on December 10, 2007 at 2:16 PM
I prob. shouldn’t have questioned you. I’ve never heard him speak– not only because he’s a Democrat and philosophically opposed to what I believe, but because I figured he had no real relevant experience and wasn’t to be taken seriously. But I will take your word for it that he is an exciting speaker.
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 2:19 PM
Obama’s going to have a hard time overcoming the perception that he’s just too young and green to be POTUS. I honestly don’t think race is holding him back at all.
aero on December 10, 2007 at 2:19 PM
I disagree. They’re looking for reasons to vote FOR her, despite some of her “heresies.” She’s the ultimate “revenge candidate”, and her election, in the mind of many liberals, would invalidate the past 8 years of Bush.
Big S on December 10, 2007 at 2:19 PM
Obama apparently is a very exciting speaker. He’s been to my city at least once (maybe twice now), and while I didn’t go listen to his speech, I have acquaintances who came away from it all fired up for Obama. They went in as Hillary supporters and/or ambivalent Dem voters who hadn’t decided yet. He can apparently make people feel something akin to a religious awakening through is inspirational vision for the future and sincere delivery.
aero on December 10, 2007 at 2:23 PM
I think that the average Huckabee supporter may not care overmuch about his record, only his relationship with God. Even if they have a problem with his past they will simply forgive him his transgressions. If any of the other candidates, (none of which are viewed to be as Christian as Huck), attack Huckabee, it will only ricochet right back and tarnish them as un-Christian or even anti-Christian.
I think a lot of Huck’s supporters are there for the long haul, although I sure hope not.
FloatingRock on December 10, 2007 at 2:23 PM
Sounds like he’d be really ready to run for Pres. in 8 years, if he gets some serious experience under his belt. I suppose he may end up as President, someday.
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 2:27 PM
Obama vs. Huckabee would be one of the most boring general elections in history. Somewhere I imagine a wrestling announcer for a debate, “TONIGHT ON ABC! PLATITUDE VS. PLATITUDE! WATCH AS BOTH TRY TO AVOID INSULTING EACH OTHER AND APPEAL TO AMERICANS ENTIRELY BASED ON FEELINGS!”
bj1126 on December 10, 2007 at 2:27 PM
I fear you may be right. But mark my words - if they get their wish, they are going to become very well acquainted with the term “Phyrric victory.”
thirteen28 on December 10, 2007 at 2:29 PM
Yes, and he’s a Baptist minister so he couldn’t possibly be lying either. If anybody says otherwise it can only be dirty tricks.
FloatingRock on December 10, 2007 at 2:32 PM
bj1126 on December 10, 2007 at 2:27 PM
That’s exactly why I think Obama would beat Huck soundly in a general election. Huck’s emotional appeal is largely based on his connection with evangelical christians, and is therefore self-limiting in terms of the number of votes ( a minority) it is likely to draw. Obama, on the other hand, does not have that limit. Check out the video I linked above; he leaves it up to you to interpret his Braveheart-like message, but says it forcefully enough to make you believe that he agrees with you. It’s amazing.
Big S on December 10, 2007 at 2:32 PM
Strange, strange times. I’m a Truman baby. Can anyone remember ANY election cycle like this one? The closest I can come to is 76….Carter/Kennedy/Brown
vs Ford/Reagan….and look what that got us. The mood (not circumstances) of the country were similar….change of any kind.
Limerick on December 10, 2007 at 2:34 PM
The truth is, if Huckabee manages to get the nomination, I’ll have to vote for him. I won’t stay home, mainly because of the Supreme Court. I have to assume (hope) that Huckabee would nominate more conservative judges than Hillary or Obama would, and the SCOTUS is critically important right now. Whoever is president next will shape the court for possibly a generation to come. I’m expecting a lot of retirements in the next 8 years, and it would simply be disastrous for a liberal president with the support of a Dem Congress to pack that court with liberal activist justices.
But I really hope Huckabee doesn’t get the nomination. I’m just saying, for all my complaining about him, I’ll hold my nose and vote for him if I have to.
aero on December 10, 2007 at 2:39 PM
I’m sure he will, but I fear they’ll be conservative from primarily a religious perspective, and considering Huck’s record, probably in support of a revived temperance movement.
FloatingRock on December 10, 2007 at 2:50 PM
Nice! The Huck creeps me out.
ronsfi on December 10, 2007 at 2:52 PM
And how does this differ from Ron Paul’s position?
Limerick on December 10, 2007 at 2:55 PM
Gotta agree.
JiangxiDad on December 10, 2007 at 2:56 PM
Good question. I can’t think of anything.
FloatingRock on December 10, 2007 at 2:58 PM
I’ll hold my nose for Romney but for Huck? I’ll have to keep my lunch down.
ronsfi on December 10, 2007 at 2:59 PM
Yep. They’ll have to print the ballots on barf-bags if it’s Hillary vs. Huck in the general.
aero on December 10, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.
- Matthew
MB4 on December 10, 2007 at 3:06 PM
That’s the one.
MB4 on December 10, 2007 at 3:08 PM
You underestimate the strength of the evangelical vote.
bj1126 on December 10, 2007 at 3:18 PM
it’s unfortunate but that’s the EXACT feeling I get with Huck. It’s a faith based more in feeling then critical thinking and while that kind of faith does indeed work on a personal level there’s no way those standards can apply to a government, let alone the biggest boy on the block.
CTDeLude on December 10, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Many principles sound naïve stripped of their implementation detail. Believing that democracy is an innate human quality that will flourish in Iraq is naïve outside a few trillion dollars and decades of hard work. Does that make a belief in democracy naïve? NRO can decide.
The NRO editors also take a rhetorical cheap shot by implying that anyone might reasonably think international diplomacy can be handled in the same manner as a church social. “Countries aren’t people”, but they are run by people and those people need to maintain the support of their people. The U.S. took several steps with Qaddafi to help him save face while turning over his weapons program. To succeed with leaders of places like North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, etc. you need to carry a “big stick”, but you also have to know them well enough to get them to take the carrots.
dedalus on December 10, 2007 at 3:35 PM
This “better America” stuff is frightening coming from someone who self-labels as an “Authentic Conservative.” The “improvements” he’s talking about are government-provided jobs, government education, government health care. Just look at the type flashing on the screen as he tries to lull you into complacency with his soothing voice. If those are the things that make a “better America,” I want no part of it.
Is there any doubt that he’s a right-wing progressive?
Mark Jaquith on December 10, 2007 at 6:08 PM
Same thing I’ve mentioned before - now being voiced over at NRO.
A vote for Huck is a vote for Jimmah Carter 2.0
And with his previous, demonstrated positions on ‘taxes? whatever!’, his advocacy for opening the public coffers for illegals tuition assistance, plus the opening the jailhouse doors…the ‘authentic conservative’ schlock is more than a little ridiculous.
No. A Huckabee presidency would be an unmitigated disaster for this country.
Wind Rider on December 10, 2007 at 8:59 PM
100,000 New Jobs!
For Undocumented Arkansans.
Tzetzes on December 10, 2007 at 10:23 PM
Yeah, Obama’s very much the intellectual. Even if you didn’t know he’d gone to Harvard Law, you wouldn’t be surprised to find out. Huck has more of the common touch.
Allahpundit on December 10, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Ah, but Huckabee’s also a “College Graduate…[and] Intelligent Guy”.
Remember, he’s got a doctorate in God.
Tzetzes on December 10, 2007 at 10:30 PM
D’oh! (Forgot the block quote.)
Ah, but Huckabee’s also a “College Graduate…[and] Intelligent Guy”.
Remember, he’s got a doctorate in God.
Tzetzes on December 10, 2007 at 10:31 PM