Thursday, January 26, 2012
Presidential politics The politics of presidential poundage
Posted by Max Brantley on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 7:27 AM
The Gingrich candidacy raises anew an old political issue — will voters choose a pudgy presidential contender over a thin man?
Carl Cannon, for Real Clear Politics, writes that Ed Rollins teed this up squarely for Mike Huckabee in assessing another Huck race this year:
As the 2012 Republican presidential field was assembling, veteran GOP political consultant Ed Rollins gathered the remnants of his crew together in hopes of reprising their 2008 campaign with the same candidate — Mike Huckabee.The former Arkansas governor-turned Fox News host was intrigued, but uncertain, and as he weighed his options at AJ Maxwell's, a New York City steakhouse, Rollins insisted on one prerequisite: "Mike, I've put all these things together for you, but you’ve got to do something for me — you’ve got to lose 40 pounds.”
Rollins added, “Look, I’m a fat man, you’re a fat man, but I didn’t write a book about how I lost 100 pounds. . . . You’ve got to get back to running and back on the diet.”
Huckabee’s response was to order a large steak with carrot cake for dessert, and he did not run for president this time. Judging by their svelteness while commentating on Fox this past Saturday night, both Huckabee and Rollins have been dieting and visiting the gym. That’s good for their health, but the results of the South Carolina primary suggest that Rollins may have been giving his client the wrong advice.
The article delves into research about bias toward fat people (worse for women than men), but suggests that growing obesity among voters might offset this to some degree.
Speaking of...
-
Whose side are you on in 4th District GOP primary?
May 19, 2012The Wall Street Journal today has a feature on the 4th District Republican primary race between Beth Anne Rankin and Tom Cotton (and also, incidentally, John Cowart). /more/
-
Let the eagle soar
May 18, 2012Another week done. Final words: * NO CONFIDENCE: The unions that once represented employees in the Pulaski County School District have voted unanimously a "no confidence" statement on Superintendent Jerry Guess and Arkansas Education Director Tom Kimbrell for busting their unions. /more/
-
They hate him; they really hate him
May 17, 2012How ugly will the presidential campaign get? You can't imagine. /more/
-
Winsome
May 16, 2012In whooping him for vice president in the National Review last week Ralph Reed (remember him?, stayed out of jail somehow) called Mike Huckabee, the former bro. former gov. former Arkie now bigtime media gabbler "winsome." /more/
-
Obama's momentous day edition
May 10, 2012President Obama standing up for civil rights, Mike Huckabee getting attention as a vice presidential candidate Warren Stephens talking like a liberal, central Little Rock neighborhoods talking back to the Technology Park Authority — all covered this week. /more/
-
And speaking of Mike Huckabee
May 6, 2012A former speech writer for George W. Bush writes today in an op-ed that Mike Huckabee is the perfect running mate for Mitt Romney because he'd energize the conservative base. /more/
-
Tom Cotton gets McCain endorsement — so?
May 3, 2012Republican Tom Cotton, who moved back to Arkansas from D.C. so he could go back to D.C. as a congressman from the 4th District, is boasting today about his endorsement by U.S. Sen. John McCain. /more/
-
Guns for everyone
April 25, 2012When he wasn't at the St. Louis zoo getting bit by a penguin last week, Newt Gingrich was across town berating the National Rifle Association for being too timid in its advocacy of gun ownership and gun use. /more/
-
Presidential money trails
April 24, 2012The predictions are that Citizens United will unleash a torrent of largely unaccountable corporate spending on the political process. /more/
-
There he goes again — Mike Huckabee right on student loans
April 21, 2012Credit where due for Mike Huckabee: He endorses President Obama's support for continuation of federal subsidy of college loans against the alternative, doubling the interest rate paid by students for money borrowed to advance their education. /more/
- More »
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
I have a friend who thinks Chris Christie is too big to fail. Maybe Huckabee is thinking the same way.
like
dislike
Large, small..does it really matter(of course it does)?
I'd love to see Huckagoob run. It would be a joy to see the faux preacher dance like a carny freak, dancing and bobbing.
Looks like Rollins said that since Huckabee had written a diet book (looks preachy from title) he needed to lose.
As opposed to hefty can't win.
I get angry with betrayal by the “good guys”.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/obamas…
Good lord! Sunshine is linking to that old lefty, Robert Scheer, to bolster her arguments. While you are spending time on lefty blogs, Sunny, listen to the conversation between Hedges and Lessig at Truthdig. They indulge in a little "How Obama disappointed me today" which will, no doubt, warm your heart, but you actually might learn something from them.
Mike Huckabee why wont you save us???? I have so lost intrest sence you droped out I am sick of voting for the lesser of 2 evils. If you care about the USA you would run........
More by Author
-
The midweek line
Lobbyists invite me to a fund-raiser for Sen. Missy Irvin.
- Feb 29, 2012
-
The Republican war on women advances
Bad as things might seem, we're not at Arizona's level yet. Here's some news on the sex warrior front in the West.
- Mar 13, 2012
- More »
Event Calendar
-
Re: N.C. businessman pays a price for support of gay rights
25-May 2007 Handbills distributed in Harrison warning about corruption of local culture, specifically blasting FedEx…
- on May 25, 2012
-
Re: N.C. businessman pays a price for support of gay rights
I have been polling my clients at the slightly illegal mobile adult beverage emporium at…
- on May 25, 2012
-
Re: Little Rock Zoo gets female tiger for breeding
"After a short acclamation period ... " where everyone gathers to wave palm fronds and…
- on May 25, 2012
Top Commenters
Blogroll
Slideshows
-
Police close the Occupy Little Rock camp, perhaps the last Occupy encampment on public land.
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
