Arkansas Blog

This review of Mike Huckabee's speech yesterday to the conservative convention is not unlike commentary you've seen in these parts before, from the observation of his eternal stretch for metaphors to his uncontrollable penchant for potty humor. But, it's important, coming from a leading organ of the right, the Weekly Standard.  Huck may just dismiss this as coming from the publication that pimped Palin, still the leading player for 2012 in the GOP base, according to this poll.

Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor cum candidate cum Fox News host, spoke on the first day of CPAC, using his considerable communication skills to bring the audience through a 30-minute vision of the revitalization of the Republican Party, on everything from nuclear energy to health care.

And, judging by his speech, the Huckabee revolution will be word-smithed and catch-phrased, aggressively. After an oddly off-color opening joke, which finished with— I kid you not— a teacher tasting puppy piddle, Huckabee called for "family conservatives," "fiscal conservatives," and "freedom conservatives" to come together as "competent conservatives."

...

The Republican Party, he said, must communicate that it is the party that believes opportunity in America is a "ladder," not a "stepstool." It believes in life as a "World Series," where the exceptional are allowed to shine, benefiting everyone; not "tee ball," where everyone is forced to play on the same level.

You know what I say? Yes, we can, as soon as we sort out all these metaphors.

And, oh no, the Wash. Post's Chris Cillizza, who provided a mountain of friendly pub for Huck in 2008, doesn't include him on his 10 Repubs to watch list. Act wearing thin?