Huck Uses "The Guy Who Laid Them Off" Line In New Michigan Ad
Mike Huckabee has a new TV spot up in Michigan, pitching himself as the working-class conservative who understands the average Michigan voter's problems:
Conspicuously, Huckabee uses the line that many have taken to be a shot at Michigan's native son Mitt Romney, who is relying heavily on this state for his comeback: "I'm Mike Huckabee, and I approved this message, because I believe most Americans want their next president to remind them of the guy they work with — not the guy who laid them off."
Comments (12)
moondancer wrote on January 9, 2008 4:25 PM:Good ad from the most media savvy guy in the race. Makes Reagan look like a b-actor. Oh yeah, he was. I think this guy could read a phone book and win a debate. Dems need to be careful.
Michael A wrote on January 9, 2008 4:53 PM:I agree moondancer. I actually like the guy and think that he would be formidable in the general. Also, he would beat clinton hands down. He and mccain are the two best general election candidates. Come on mitt the flip or Mr. 9/11, you guys have to turn it on for the good of the country.
David in NY wrote on January 9, 2008 4:55 PM:If Huck wins, the big question will be, "Do reporters view a fundamentalist evangelical as someone they'd enjoy having a beer with?"
Diverik wrote on January 9, 2008 5:07 PM:David in NY - Since Huck's a Baptist, It would have to be a root beer.
eriday wrote on January 9, 2008 5:20 PM:I'm from Michigan. Romney's dad was governor in the 60's. I don't know when Mitt last lived here. I don't know anybody (other than Mitt himself) who considers him a native son.
Because we are a rouge state that scheduled our primary too early, the Democrats have taken away all of our delegates, the Republicans have taken away 1/2 our delegates.
The Republicans in this state are the usual mix of religious, business, and security/gun nuts.
I think Mitt's strategy is flawed: negligible native son effect, and because half our delegates are gone, he'll have to pay double the price for each vote.
Steve wrote on January 9, 2008 5:39 PM:The number of delegates in these early states don't matter. Half of New Hampshire's delegates were also taken away by the Republicans. It's all about getting buzz as someone capable of winning.
As for Romney's dad, my guess is that most people likely to vote in the Republican primary are old, and have at least some familiarity with the name. Those sorts of things are hugely important; it's why Bob Casey is a Senator from PA now, and why George Bush is President.
Jose Izquierdo wrote on January 9, 2008 7:26 PM:Hillary will be winning the totality of the votes of one of the largets delegations (larget than 26 states) without breaking a sweat. The Two factions of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party are negotiating to back Mrs Clinto in toto. They are dividing among themselves the delegates and the Party Office avoiding a primary.
Gregor wrote on January 9, 2008 9:36 PM:An Obama vs Huckaboom election? Bring it on. I too have enormous respect for Huckabee's talent. However, in the general, the edge would go to the guy who, like the rest of us, is living in modernity. Not antiquity.
bob wrote on January 9, 2008 9:38 PM:Polls predict a close race in MI b/t Romney, Huckabee and McCain.
I think Huckabee gets the religious right, Romney gets the moneycons and a few xenophones, as well as those triangulating for someone acceptable to all parts of the party, and McCain gets the neocons and independents.
Which group is biggest in MI? I'm guessing religious right by a nose in the end. I bet there are a lot of evangelical churches all over MI that are skilled at turning their anti-abortion voters out.
mageduley wrote on January 9, 2008 10:24 PM:Huckabee and Obama would be a great race. I disagree when you say Huckabee would get all of the fundamentalist vote. I think quite a few of them are sick of all this crappola too. Check out this religion in politics vid from Obama, it is sure to draw in some of those fundie fish:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid463869411/bctid416343938
greggp wrote on January 9, 2008 10:39 PM:Huckabee is the guy you'd have a beer with, if he's by himself; if there's ANOTHER evangelical around, he won't have one.
Of course, if it's true he had bariatric surgery, rather than lost the weight through just diet, exercise, and faith, then he still won't have one.
Fish Bone wrote on January 10, 2008 8:25 AM:It will be very hard for Mitt and Huckabee to compete with McCain in Michigan. McCain has won here before and without Obama and Edwards on the Democratic ticket, I suspect a lot of registered independents will be voting in the Republican primary.
