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"Don't suck."

January 17, 2008 9:44 AM

The Wall Street Journal's Laura Meckler has a great behind-the-scenes look at the Huckabee campaign today, one that really captures the state-of-play when an underdog campaign suddenly finds itself in the spotlight.

The Journal says campaign manager Chip Saltsman "is trying to figure out what the priorities should be. He worries about spending money too fast, knowing how some campaigns have burned through millions early and wound up nearly broke, a peril Sen. McCain faced last summer. Most of the Huckabee money, Mr. Saltsman believes, needs to be saved for TV ads. Only strategic hires are allowed.

"Another challenge is integrating new people into the fold. 'The hard part,' Mr. Huckabee says, is 'we've always had a very intimate staff and a tightly knit group who've really been through some trials, and [new people] suddenly come on board and they don't even know who people are. I mean I'll go and I'll shake hands with someone and [they'll] say, "I work for you." Oh, OK, I didn't know that ... it's a little embarrassing.'"

The story captures the Huckabee campaign well -- their wit and candor, as well as the scotch-tape-and-rubber-bands nature of it all ...

Read more HERE  -- and don't miss Saltsman's classic pre-debate advice to the former Arkansas governor: "Don't suck."

More in a bit --

- jt

January 17, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (9)

User Comments

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The Huckster is PRO-science.

He bears no grudges against your assorted scientific theories. As far as gravitational theory goes, he's down with that, eventhough Scientists can't fully explain how gravitational forces work way out in some parts of Space. Experiments and studies on gravity are ongoing today.

And Yes he does believe in the Heavens and the Earth. With the Theory of Evolution, he's not gonna disbelieve it outright, he will make room to consider the possibility of a Designer in the process.

He's pretty clear .... ask Bill Maher.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Jan 18, 2008 9:19:03 AM

The Commander: Huckabee has said he does not believe in evolution. He makes no bones about it.

Posted by: DKNY | Jan 18, 2008 9:02:14 AM


As far as the Theory of Evolution goes. Huck has never said that he disbelieves this Theory.

He merely leaves room for the possibility that a Designer was involved at some point along the way.

Huck's got the judgment thing down, man. I mean you want to put up Multiple Choice Mitt or PhonyPhred against the Huck? Seriously, The Huck going to lower the Boom on these guys along 4%Fred's tag team partner McCain.

Csn you say HuckaMENTUM?

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Jan 17, 2008 8:05:37 PM


Whoa....Let's get this real clear Fred is not going anywhere.

I know he's got some joementum going here having increased his vote from 1% in NH all the way up to 4% in MI. But this isn't enough to carry Four Percent Fred to victory. There is not enough redbull in the world to keep him sleepwalking through to the end of this campaign. Put a fork in him, he's done.

If you really like 4%Fred vote for him.

If you want to vote for someone with vision, your choice is clear. And that choice is the Huck. Go Huck!

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Jan 17, 2008 7:44:12 PM

Huckabee does not believe in evolution. Knowing this, how can you trust his judgment on any matter? There is a real likelihood that he will be either too stupid to understand or unwilling to accept the obvious. Ridiculous.

Posted by: DKNY | Jan 17, 2008 4:41:07 PM

OK lets start off You got a Governor from Arkansas, He pardoned or push parole for thousands of criminals, he plays an Instrument on a late show, he sweet talks - who am I talking about? Huckabee or Bill Clinton?

Answer - Both are Identical Democrats the only difference Huckabee is saying hes a Conservative!!

Did I miss something with Fred, I mean only 4 states voted so far and noone won a majority, and looking at delagate Fred is in 4th just put there by Michagan, he did not campaign in iowa but came in third (no matter what the press says)

Do we want a President that says and does anything to be elected or do we want a calm and respectable man like Fred who does not think he deserves it, but wants it to help America!

If the election comes up between hilary and Huckabee - well they are both the same - Clintons

People DO NOT LISTEN TO THE PRESS on the REPUBLICAN PRIMARY becasue they are purposely misleading you to vote Huckabee or McCain two democrats in Republican Clothing.

Posted by: spock | Jan 17, 2008 2:44:36 PM


Ol' Huck just goes out there and let's it rip. He says what he believes and believes in what he says.

Poor old Fred Thompson, bless his heart, has really been worn down by the ongoing writers' strike. He just pales in comparison the real deal.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Jan 17, 2008 1:33:46 PM

I watched Huckabee on Jay Leno, the night before his Iowa win. I found him to be, should I say, quite charming, although I don't agree with any of his politics. Unlike Obama, who becomes boring after you realize his speeches are hollow, Huckabee is fun to watch.

The article in the Wall Street Journal reveals something we all know, i.e., the single most important thing in the presidential campaign is money. Without money the candidates can not even run a effective campaign. This is true for both parties. So much for the "change" and "hope".

Posted by: JL | Jan 17, 2008 12:19:57 PM

Gov. Huckabee actually manifests a personality and a degree of self-deprecating humor in his appearances, where poor Arthur Branch--er, I mean Fred Thompson, looks so somnolent that he seems to be in a coma. Unfortunately, most of his stale, uninspired ideas seem equally comatose.

Posted by: chuck | Jan 17, 2008 11:46:23 AM

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