Political Punch

Mike Huckabee explains why he will not air negative ads aimed at rival candidates.

Huck the Yuck.
What is this? He did just jump the shark.

Huckabilly says: I won't attack him personally, but if I were to attack him personally, this is how I would do it.

That sounds a lot like OJ Simpson's book "If I did it" where he says I didn't kill them, but if I did, this is how I would have done it.

I thought the good people of Iowa were smarter than this. What a used car salesman! Is he going to have inflatable gorillas at his next campaign stop?

Huck personally attacked Mitt's character. Mitt pointed out political decisions Huck made.
Huck made an actual, ad hominen attack ad. Huck is the one going negative.

Pointing out factual actions taken by an opponent is fair, calling someone names is childish, and is an attack.

We know who the grown-up is in this race!

Huck is not presidential material.

I smell a rat, along with Huckabee's comments for today regarding McCain's heroism:…………..THERE WAS ALSO a weird display of clumsy Machiavellianism Sunday morning. On ABC, McCain claimed to be profoundly disturbed by Romney's attacks on Huckabee, who he called "a good man." At the same time on Fox, Huckabee was claiming to be profoundly disturbed by Romney's attacks on McCain, who Huckabee likewise described as "a good man."

One hopes that the Huckabee campaign will counter Romney attacks by pointing out how, at Bain Capital, Mr. Romney used offshore corporations to avoid U.S. taxation, and fee-milked acquired businesses before firing workers and taking them into bankruptcy to amass his great $250,000,000 wealth. (I have heard nothing about this until I discovered it quite by accident this evening.)

So, when you compare how Mr. Huckabee's visionary FairTax advocacy (compares to Romney's interest in the current tax system, it's pretty easy to see who will lead us out of tax slavery ) - $265 billion annual tax code compliance costs representing 5 billion wasted hours, annually.

It is a sad day when the comments do not even discuss the mis-truths stated by Romney. Regardless of your political leanings and/or support, we all need to hold our officials to standard of honesty, else we are part of the problem.

Romney's a flipper - Huckabee is right on the moral issues, but needs to think them through more thoroughly so as to be able to persurade others to join with him. On fiscal issues, Huckabee's too liberal - I'm voting for Alan Keyes in 2008 - Keyes is the only Complete Conservative!

And the winner is Melissa, who seems to be the only one who figured this whole scam out. Three facts: (1) Huckabee doesn't have the money to buy airtime even if he wants to. This is why Huckabee will never win the election, and in fact, will just go down hill from Iowa. He can't buy advertising in New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina or Florida either. Even if he could raise the money quickly enough, then (2) Huckabee can't find any airtime to buy because Romney, Hillary, Obama and Edwards bought it all 3 weeks ago when Huckabee was a nobody. And (3) he has to go negative because he has no response to Romney's comparison ads. So what do you do in the face of (1), (2) and (3)==>exactly what the guy did, which is to try to trick the media into showing it for you and trying to make it seem like you are the good guy for not running the first truly attack ad of the season.

Also, the only way to argue that cross in that ad wasn't planned is to argue incompetence by the cameraman. I've worked with pro cameramen. They spend hours on lighting and framing a shot like that. I'll bet you the first time that cameraman looked at that shot, he said "Hey, that frame looks like a cross in the background. You want me to bring it up or fade it out?". That was no accident.

Huckabee gives snake oil salesman a bad name.

How's that overpriced book selling, Huck? I saw your "pitch" on Copeland a couple of weeks ago. I get the impression you want to run the country like a Church, will your country allow athiests?

Huckabee might pull-punches, but I don't have to

-Paul

Thank you, Mike Huckabee for deciding not to go negative. It shows you have class. Class is a hard thing to find these days in politics. Tempting, wasn't it. But in the end you made the right decision. You will be our next President.

Huckabee has a very poor record of governing a State.There's no way he can be trusted with the nations economy,immigration and justice issues.

I sure hope the Republicans nominate someone this time who is mentally stable.

I love it.... I'm not going to distribute this negative ad because the people of Iowa deserve better but I'll let you, the media covering me, watch it cause you won't believe I actually made it unless I do show you. Is this guy serious?

Support the real Mike for 2008.
Mike Bloomberg for President 2008

I am so tired of Huckabee saying I'm more honest, more rightous than everyone out there, so vote for me. He seems like a great guy and I would like to have him as a neighbor. I believe both these guys are honest man and honestly doing all they can to win. We need a real executive, a great communicator and Mitt Romney who can beat Hillary.

I'm so proud of Mike for taking the high road. Let the results of Jan. 3 speak for themselves. I'm guessing Iowans can tell the difference between real folk and a dude from Massachusettes.

Until today, I thought the Huckster might be at least worth considering. Now I'm convinced he is not only devious, he's stupid. Okay, I think he's got the acumen for an evangelist preacher, but PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES? Give me a break!

hey huckabee! IF YOU ARE WHAT YOU SAY YOU ARE, THEN YOU WON'T HAVE TO SAY IT! you're so annoying

In spite of everything that has been hammered at him, Huckabee still is the strongest candidate that is running for office. I don't see anything that would want to make me support either McCain, Romney, or Giuliani. Huckabee has great ideas for this nation, and they deserve our support. I commend him for trying to have a sense of decency in his campaign whether he wins or loses. Let's put our votes for Huckabee on election day.

The thing is, all these GOP slams are correct, on BOTH sides of the GOP isle. There is not one single worthy GOP candidate in the lot. I would give Ron Paul kudos but at this point in time I simply DO NOT trust any GOP.

This whole Huckabee ad switch reminds me of when Bob Novak reported that the Clinton campaign had some real serious dirt on Obama a few months ago but that Hillary was just too "good" to use it. Or when her senior campaign stratigist kept using the work "cocaine" on the Chris Matthews program to say that they were are not going to claim that he was a drug user (which he had already admitted). I agree that producing the ad, then pulling it insures that it will be run a millions times for free. His drop in the polls are due in part to the ads, but his responses to the ads have hurt him far more. It hasn't helped him that he is not real clear on where the border is between Pakistan and Afganistan. I now actually suspect that his campaign is behind those phony Christmas cards that have been sent out in SC. I don't know if I could support Romney but this incident does take Huckabee completely off my list!

What a snake-in-the-grass this preacher turned publican is. Mike Huckabee, aka The Huckster, has certainly acquired the political skill to appear to be look directly at you, while actually speaking out the side of his face to someone else.

I guess Mike isn't aware that preachers are especially susceptible to being labeled hypocrites when the employ underhanded political manuevers like this. When it comes to nasty politics, Romney could learn a lot from Mike Huckabee. Mike certainly knew what he was paying for when he hired Ed Rollins, didn't he?

So much for WWJD, huh Mike??

Huckabee is really a pro-life Democrat. Romney is a flip-flopper. McCain sold out the grassroots with McCain-Feingold. Ron Paul talks sovereignty, sovereignty, sovereignty, but is for free trade. Giuliani is bad on moral issues with no national experience. Thompson's got no fire in the belly. I plan to vote for Alan Keyes in 2008 - the complete conservative!

When Gov. Romney took office, he faced a $3 billion deficit. He balanced the budget primarily through spending cuts and reforms.

Fee increases accounted for approximately 10 percent of the solution, and they were not broad-based by any means.

In 2006 when Gov. Romney left office that State of Massachusetts had 700 million in surplus.

Ooops, multiple comments posted in error. :)

There is no doubt Romney is a flip-flopper. I am a staunch conservative, have never voted for a DEM, but would vote for Hillary before I would vote for Romney. I plan to vote for Alan Keyes - the complete conservative. We can have it all, Alan Keyes in 2008!

There is no doubt Romney is a flip-flopper. I am a staunch conservative, have never voted for a Dem, but would vote for Hillary before I would vote for Romney. I plan to vote for Alan Keyes - the Complete Conservative. We can have it all, Alan Keyes in 2008!

There is no doubt Romney is a flip-flopper. I am a staunch conservative, have never voted for a Dem but would vote for Hillary before I would vote for Romney. Huckabee's my 2nd choice, but the candidate I want to win is Alan Keyes! You can have it all! The Complete Conservative in 2008, Alan Keyes!

Huckabee: #6 on below list, right after Giuliani. (G before H, for those Dumpster Huckstermites hiding in the woodworks underground)

Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2007
Washington, DC –Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2007 list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians.” The list, in alphabetical order, includes:
Clinton, Obama, Libby..

No Romney or McCain on this infamous list.

McCain should make the switch to Democrat, 'cause I'd vote for him then, maybe still will, but I'm registered unhappy Democrat. I'd vote for Romney if he would let up on this religion stuff.. Oh! that was Huckabrew stirring up 200 years of Mormon persecution by Self-Righteous Republicans. BTW, Brigham Young was a Democrat.

MIKE HUCKABEE IS MAD BECAUSE IT IS TRUE..

The so-called "Negative Ads" are not "Negative" they are contrast ads that state factual information.

All of the contrast statements in the ad include the source of the statements.

Instead of addressing the statements about his record Mike Huckabee resorts to name calling.

MIKE HUCKABEE A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE

FACT: Mike Huckabee's substantial tax hikes far surpassed his modest tax cuts, with the average tax burden increasing by a whopping 47% over his tenure. (Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/09/07)

FACT: Mike Huckabee raised more taxes in 10 years in office than Bill Clinton did in his 12 years.

FACT: If you counted all the tax benefits extended to corporations under the incentives enacted by the legislature under Clinton — and they were part of his programs, especially in 1983, 1985 and 1989 — the tax cuts would dwarf those under Huckabee.

(SOURCE: The Leader, Who's biggest tax raiser 11/30/2007)

Huckabee is being completely dishonest or he is an idiot. It cost $30,000 to make the ad. Do you spend $30,000 if you don't actually plan to use the ad? No, he doesn't have money to air it, so he told the media to come then lied about changing his mind, and then shows the ad. To top it all off Huckabee then states, "If a man's dishonest to obtain a job, he'll be dishonest on the job. Iowans deserve better."

Does he think we are idiots? Perhaps he's right and Jan. 3rd will show how many of us are idiots.

there is only one candidate who stands the test of time on either party side, and that man is ron paul. i challenge anyone to watch his speeches or rallies on youtube, and find one thing that is wrong with his message.. the states and local government need their powers back, that is the core of his message. when u take the federal government's powers away, you take back more of your freedoms.. its a simple message which is why so many different groups of people flock to him

You do not want Romney as the president of this country. As a Massachusetts resident I have seen first hand how he twists the truth.

example:
He claims that he has not raised taxes...but he has substantially raised the fees on almost everything you can think of (which is still a tax) especially things like driver licenses and inspection stickers.

With records like Willard Romney or the Huckster they should have never broken 1% in the polls if the voters had been paying attention at all;

Candidate Research Made Easy;

"It's never too late to do the right thing!"

That's right America, do the right thing and don't vote for Huckabee. He is not ready to lead the nation, the Democratic nominee would stomp him in a heartbeat.

It seems as if Romney is trying to flood the airwaves with his overwhelming assault against Huckabee and McCain. Almost like how a cult tries to brainwash a nonbeliever.

Please tell me something - you ot Huckabee on one side and the Libs on the other saying change, What change is needed? Do they want higher unemployment? Do they want less security? Higher taxes? on the libs side that is what they want. but what does Huckabee want?

Lets vote out the libs/Socialists in '08
Vote Conservative so we can get back to our Founding Fathers!

Romney's timing with the positive and negative ads in Iowa was just impeccable, and his investment decisions have always been shockingly wise. Mitt Romney is a political and financial genius, and I would love having him as President.

The problem with the Romney is that he seems to feel he can pull out a checkbook and buy himself the White House.
His ads are half-truths, and twisting of statistics and Gov. Huckabee's record.
Do I agree with Huckabee on everything? No. However, the extent that Romney is willing to stretch the truth makes me uncomfortable.

I am sorry that Mike Huckabee felt he needed to defend himself, and I am glad he chose to not run the ad. I am a bit diappointed in how the press in reacting.

What's the big deal with flip-flopping? There is no reason the voters should not flip-flop between candidates they favor as they get to know more about them. I don’t know of anyone that has not changed their position on something when they get more or better information on a subject. Last thing we need is someone driving this country into the ground because they refuse to change their position on a subject. There are too many examples of stubborn politions doing America harm because they stick with bad policy stances.

More GOP Lies! What else is new. Expel the republican party!

GOP... please nominate Romney.

That would be perfect. :)

Muhahahahahahhahaaaaa !

Huckabee's name two year religous studies degree and name calling does not come close to Romney's accomplishments, graduate degrees and proven successes. The choice is not even close. Romney is the only guy in the field who will LEAD this nation towards positive change. God bless America!

Romney is just stating facts. This whole campaign Governor Huckabee has been saying that people should judge the next President on his record. Mitt Romney hasn't been negative toward him at all. He has, as he should, highlighted the weaknesses of his opponent against his own strengths.
Huckabee is just playing the political spin game. (As I think he should, as well.)
He should be trying to make Romney's adds work for him. But anyone can see that this argument, the negative ads are unfair ones, is just ...weak.

FLIP FLOP!! "I won't run negative ads, I will run negative ads, I won't run negative ads...but I'll show reporters so they can run negative ads for me (because I don't have any money)."

Oh, the irony. This was slick.

Perhaps the Huckster should have taken the Flip-Flopper Pheasant Hunting the other day. If both attended the Dick Cheney School of Bird Hunting, we could have one less loser in the GOP Race.

People forget that voters who are bought don't turn out to vote and voters who believe do. This is why polls tell false tales.

Everytime a caucus of voters has had an option of voting online or in person, Mike Huckabee has won because his supporters show up--and pay their own way to get there.

I support Mike Huckabee, and I'll be there to cast my vote and make a difference.

I agree. It's not like Romney is accusing him of sleeping with sheep. He points out his tax hikes as Governor, and his proposals to provide tax-payer subsidized in-state tuition and scholarships to illegal aliens. Those are fair points that Romney has brought up, and Huckabee has not refuted, perhaps b/c he CAN'T refute them.

sucks to be positive

Huckleberry Huckster may well be a Christian but that is no reason to nominate him for President. We have already had one Southern Baptist(Jimbo Carter) in office and he was a very weak President. In the terrorist age, we must have strong man and a business man to lead us and that ain't Huckleberry who loves our open borders.

I don't think Romney has been negative against him. I believe he simply stated how the two differ on key issues that matter to me. I think Huckabee is showing his inexperience. He never denies the content of Romney's ads only the fact that he ran something that made him look bad. Meanwhile the best comeback Huckabee has is to call him names?