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Rollins Predicts 5 Point Iowa Victory for Huckabee

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January 03, 2008 8:24 PM

ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports:  Ed Rollins, the campaign guru for former President Ronald Reagan now helping to steer the campaign of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, told ABC News Huckabee predicted a five-point victory in the Iowa caucuses, a number he told ABC News he got "from my gut."

As Huckabee hopped a quick flight to Waterloo to visit a caucus precinct campaign manager Chip Saltsman roamed the slowly filling Des Moines ballroom where his supporters were gathering.

"We're going to win," said the lanky Tennessean, projecting confidence.

That said, Saltsman said even a 3rd place finish would be a victory, he said. "You guys won't tell this story tomorrow, but no matter what, think about how much money we've spent compared to the guys we're running against."

In Iowa, Saltsman estimates former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has spent upwards of $15 million, he said.

Huckabee? Closer to one million.

So when Huckabee says he's been outspent 20-to-1, a constant talking point on the stump, that's not quite right?

Saltsman said that was the ratio a few weeks ago, "but we've caught up a bit since then."

Nationally the disparity is even bigger, Saltsman said. Saltsman guesses Romney has spent about $90 million, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani $75 million, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., more than $50 million.

And how much has Huckabee spent nationally?

"Just a little more than $5 million," Saltsman said.

That's it? In the whole country?

"Yep," Saltsman said.

January 3, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (5)

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Another bible thumper! Yippee! The last one has been soooooo good for our country. Everyone loves us because we luv the baaaby Jesus. Our country is soooo bless by Gawd.

Posted by: James Martin | Jan 3, 2008 9:22:27 PM

I must say, am truly bothered by the attitude displayed here towards people of faith. There is absolutely no need to call other people names or make fun of opposing viewpoints. It shows not only an extreme amount of hatred and intolerance, but does nothing to get the opposing side to listen carefully to the arguments you are making. Stop trying to put people down who view things differently than you do. Believe what you believe----live and die by it----but do not think because others believe something completely different than you do, that it somehow makes you a more intelligent, better person. It is not only arrogance personified, but betrays a fear that the other side could perhaps be correct after all. If you are correct, the other side will eventually know it---as will you, in the end, should they be correct. It is this bullying of one another in the public square and refusal to have a reasoned and thoughtful debate without resorting to personal insults that makes this topic so volatile. Please remember that, everyone has a right to their opinion in this nation--no matter what you may think of it---and it is our willingness to allow for open, public debate and differences that makes this nation so unique. To resort to 'Neanderthal' tactics only shows that you have not yet 'evolved' to the place where you should be admitted into such public forums. The Christians have a right to support whomever they desire for President---for whatever reason they desire him. Let us, as reasoned creatures, at least attempt to respect one another as fellow Americans, even if we disagree completely with each other's viewpoint.

Posted by: Joann Longton | Jan 3, 2008 9:54:27 PM

I too am a Social & Fiscal Conservative and most active in Politics as a Consultant here in New York State working Statewide campaigns.

That being said,

My word and many words of others caution this campaign.

The hiring of Ed Rollins as campaign manager could and will be the end of the Huckster. Rollins has been B Class candidate manager for many years now. (Another Dick Morris Blunder?)

In New Jersey race he advise & bragged to the Press that he paid black voters to sit home and not vote in Governors race. (Bad PR)

Ed Rollins was working down in Florida last year (Kathleen Harris) and left in the middle of her Campaign, receiving negative feed back on that move for leaving a candidate in the mist of a race.......(Bad PR)

Rollins "MO" is being a big mouth and bragging and many leaks to follow. New York "$$" dislikes the man and this WILL have reflections on Governor Huckabee with this lack of New York Credibility.

(NY Bloggers and Media already joke about Rollins involvement in this race)

Last year, Ed Rollins then came up to New York State to take the Reins of:

"I See Black Helicopters Flying by my Window, K.T McFarland".......(What a story that was)

Rollin candidate (McFarland) LOST.....To MY candidate, Mayor John Spencer of Yonkers in a GOP primary ....(Bad PR again for Rollins)

In short, with the Huckster hiring Rollins reflects a lot of Negative to the money people in New York.

I do know from the other presidential campaigns that it will not be Rudy at the end of the day. Rudy could now concede Florida which was his "Firewall"

I wish the Campaign much luck.

Jim - New York Conservative Campaigns


Posted by: Jim Kelly | Jan 4, 2008 10:07:48 AM

Nobody is attacking Christianity or Mike’s beliefs. They’re attacking the fact that he used it as his platform in Iowa. Evangelical Christians in Iowa have blind faith when it comes to politics. They neither look at his platform or his past. They hear him say everything that he says about his faith and that’s good enough for them. I should know I am a Christian and from Iowa. He knew this and used it. It was no surprise that he won here. He has already dumped the cross and mentions of his Christianity in his ads and fliers in New Hampshire that he used to win by such a huge margin in Iowa, but I’m sure that he will pick it up again just before South Carolina. He panders to his audience probably more so then any in the Republican in the field. He’s good at it, but I feel that makes him dishonest. He will find it hard to get the support from the rest of the GOP with his Arkansas record. As far as Ed Rollins- he probably got a pretty good deal on him. You get what you pay for and right now Mike’s fundraising can’t by much of anything.

Posted by: Jared Clark | Jan 4, 2008 11:28:55 AM

The last President was not a bible thumper. I would be proud to have a real man of God running our nation.


We love Mike!

Posted by: Dan Campbell | Jan 30, 2008 10:04:03 AM

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