Arkansas Blog: If you cant' stand the heat

You don't want to be in politics without a tough hide. The commentary can be biting.

One of President Bush's closest advisers has a brutally candid analysis of the Republican nomination battle: Fred Thompson is the campaign's "biggest dud," Mitt Romney has "a real problem in the South" because people will not vote for a Mormon, Mike Huckabee's last name is too hick and John McCain could end up repeating 2000 by winning New Hampshire but losing the nomination.

Dan Bartlett, who stepped down as White House counselor in July after working nearly his entire adult life for Bush, gave those frank assessments of the Republican presidential candidates during a recent appearance before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that went unnoticed outside the room. Never before has Bartlett opened up in a public setting with such an unvarnished analysis of the race. And while he no longer formally speaks for the president, Bartlett spent 14 years channeling Bush and remains virtually his alter ego, so his views could be seen as a revealing look into the thinking within the president's inner circle.

...

As it happens, the Bush adviser was most enthusiastic about a contender who seems to have even less chance. He called Huckabee the "best candidate," one who seems to most mirror Bush's own vision of compassionate conservatism. "He is the most articulate, visionary candidate of anybody in the field," Bartlett said. Initially, he admitted, he was perplexed that the former Arkansas governor was running. "But the more I watch him, the more impressed I become." When it comes to advocating conservative positions on social issues, "he does it in a very positive, optimistic way."

But Huckabee probably cannot win, Bartlett added. "He's got the obvious problems -- being from Hope, Ark., and, quite frankly, having the last name 'Huckabee,'" he said. "I hate to be so light about it, but it is, it's an issue. Politics can be fickle like that. I mean, you're trying to get somebody's attention for the first time. ... 'Huckabee? You've got to be kidding me! Hope, Arkansas? Here we go again.'"

Comments

"Huckabee the "best candidate," one who seems to most mirror Bush's own vision of compassionate conservatism. "

There's the kiss of death if I ever saw it.

Posted by: Cato | October 9, 2007 12:47 PM

As I previously mentioned the race will come to a sad, morbid end when the Demo candidate begins airing videos showing the R candidate embracing the Disaster Monkey. I know a few of those pics of Huckabee with the Disaster Monkey exist. Mike can't crush all the evidence. To his credit Huck may have avoided photo ops with the Prince of Darthness unless your files say otherwise.
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Posted by: eLwood | October 9, 2007 12:56 PM

Sweet weeping Jesus!

So it comes down to Huckabee's biggest perceived strength among the Repugs being that HE IS JUST LIKE BUSH IN THEIR EYES!

Lord have mercy!

Posted by: Claude Bahls | October 9, 2007 01:06 PM

Ok, so I'm dense, but I really don't see much of a problem with the name Huckabee (as opposed to the actual candidate). Yeah, you can mouth about the Huckster, maybe now the Yuckster, maybe . . .
Ah fugeddaboutit. They fit too well.
It could be worse I suppose. It could be something like Hickey, Hicks, maybe Hickman. Then you'd really hear the juvenile yucks.
Gee, I wonder how our esteemed prez, Bushie himself, known for bestowing nicknames all over the map, refers to Huck . . . Sounds like Dano mighta been privy to one of those christening sessions.

Posted by: Doigotta | October 9, 2007 06:19 PM

My Gawd he's on MSNBC now......HE'S EVERYWHERE...HE'S EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: jazzy | October 9, 2007 06:24 PM

Huck's still hanging on because the small amount of money that's trickling in is still plenty for his purposes. The reason the media likes him is because of those Republicans running, Huckabee is the only nice guy. Yes...I said it...COMPARED to the other clowns, Huckabee is the only nice guy.

We know he has the values of a small town preacher combined with the values of a pick-pocket...but up against the other stink pots of pure 1000 degree boiling black evil...Huck looks pretty good. Does he have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the nomination? Oh hell no! Will the Republican nominee have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the election. Double hell no!

As far as Huck goes....it pleases him to pretend. He's having a ball pretending he's a big fish too. Plus he can rake a ton of free cash over into the Huckabee Golden Retirement Fund and that pleases the whole family. Huckabee...Not Much Good--No Evil Spawn of Satan! Now there's an honest campaign slogan!

Posted by: Deathbyinches | October 9, 2007 08:41 PM

Hey, DBI , first time in a long time you left out the 'living like a rock star' line. What gives?
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Posted by: eLwood | October 9, 2007 10:34 PM

Arkansas Blog

If you cant' stand the heat

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