Mike Huckabee and the Coming Republican Realignment

[BestCenter]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/11/24/55537/214">A DailyKos journal entry

Does the scenario bear any merit?

[Armstead]

1. Yes and it is a potential minefield

Huckabee represents a form of GOP populism that could be filled with landmines for our side.

In a sense he is the mirror image of Democrats trying to woo reeligious social conservatives.

Huckabee is basically a GOP conservative, but he couches it in terms that would appeal to the populist instinct against Big Power. And it is also gloose over with a degree of humanistic liberalism -- such as in calling for more art and music in the schools.

If the Democratic Party doesn't come out against the Corporate Status Quo, Huckabee could well mount a stealth campaign that could grab the "change" mantle.

[sniffa]

3. i love the DUers praying he somehow gets the nod

thinking he's the easiest opponent. it's wishful thinking at best, and whistling past the graveyard at worst.

he believes in a place called Hope too, y'know.

[AX10]

2. Only if Huckabee wins the Whitehouse and follows through...

on his promises to keep the corporate powers in check.

[zippy890]

4. except that huckabee denies evolution

and thinks the earth is 6000 years old.

great article:

Mike Huckabee Is Not a Sane Man

By Matt Taibbi, RollingStone.com. Posted November 24, 2007.


http://alternet.org/story/68057/

[BestCenter]

6. That only hurts him with some voters

and he doesn't necessarily believe in Young Earth Creationism, only some form of creationism. And that doesn't matter if he can compensate in other ways. For one thing, he's open to anti-global warming measures, he's greener than some other GOPs.

[zbdent]

13. and these same people whom it doesn't hurt his standing with ...

are the ones who wonder why the US children are not stacking up well against other nations in science ...

[BeyondGeography]

9. I've seen him deal with that on Maher's show

He's a reasonable person (says, "it's a mystery to me" and, if you're not careful, you're the one who winds up having to prove how the earth was created). Painting this guy as a loon is misguided at best.

[zippy890]

12. can I paint him as misguided

in my loony way?

:)

read the article, its quite well written

[BeyondGeography]

14. Good read

Thanks for giving me the extra push.

The End of the World scenario is the way I'd go after this guy; much more disturbing to the average Joe than his stance on evolution. I think most people have had enough biblical literalism coming from politicians to last a lifetime in this country.

[BestCenter]

15. "We Stand at Armageddon, and we battle for the Lord!"

Teddy Roosevelt, Progressive Party convention, 1912.

It depends on whether or not Huckabee is truly a dispensationalist End-Timer (or a Rushdoony dominionist). He may say some suspect things, and get the Tim Lahaye endorsement, but is he really in the same class as Bush or the Evangelicals Bush had around him? Huckabee's proposed Israel/Mideast policies will tell.

[BeyondGeography]

17. He'll probably impersonate a moderate...what runs against him, though, is Bush

Prior to him, few would have thought it plausible that a President could have a faith-based foreign policy. People should know better now...

[Warpy]

5. Huckabee will not be allowed to put his economic populism

into action, not while the party is controlled by the wealthy. They will allow him to push his dreadful social policies.

Look carefully at whoever gets his #2 spot. That is the Cheney spot in GOP administrations and that will be who determines the economic policy.

However, if the Democrats don't rein in the Wall Street Democrats, the second part of the scenario might just come true, leaving voters no options whatsoever.

[Fovea]

7. I think that Huckabee Republicanism will play well

in the exurbs, but not out in the boonies, or among the urban. I cannot see a full scale realignment behind a platform that fugues as badly as
the Evangelical Progressive.

[pansypoo53219]

8. he's the one i fear the most

unlike georgie, he can sell a used car.

and sweet talk amerikkka into another stupid move.

[Timmy5835]

11. But remember........

The GOP has a REAL money problem. Huckabee won't be able to fix that.

[Turbineguy]

10. Remember,

Bush needs somebody worse to follow him.

[jwirr]

16. He is pug from Arkansas - Has he done any of these things there?