The HuckPAC, A New Book, What's Next for the Huck?

Mike Huckabee has been busy since his stint as a the runner up for the Republican Presidential Nomination from giving speeches to Christian evangelicals to working on a new book scheduled to come out just after the general election. Currently untitled, the book is being published by Penguin publishers and is said to address “how the conservative movement can return to its principles, unify its factions and take back America.” An interesting prospect seeing as it would seem that the strategy of the Christian Right would be heavily influenced by the outcome of the 2008 General Election—especially with the elderly contingency of the Supreme Court Justices.

While campaigning in Arkansas, McCain lunched with Huckabee Friday at a barbeque restaurant and dodged reporters’ inquiries as to whether they would join forces next fall in hopes of obtaining the Oval Office. However, McCain asserted that “Huckabee could help him carry some of the Southern states and be a great asset to his campaign;” a scary thought for anyone left of the Bible belt…or really anyone slightly liberal at all. In his home state, Huckabee seems to be embracing and literally following the old proverb—the enemy of my enemy is my friend—as he is now supporting Davy Carter in a race for a seat in the House. Although Huckabee and his newly created Political Action Committee (the HuckPAC) are formally endorsing Carter because he is “a young, energetic, very passionate lawyer and strong family man who favors lower taxes and more government accountability,” many suspect it is pay back for the negative comments made by Milton, Carter’s major opponent, during the winter when all anyone could say was “Holy Huckabee"(Times Magazine Cover).

What's Going on With Huckabee? A Lot of Different Things...

In the past week Huckabee spoke at Union College and Cornell University, where he received a standing ovation from the audience. In addition, speaking at the "Engage 2008" a conference for clients of HealthMedia, Huckabee urged Clinton to stay in the race for president, if Obama does not receive the necessary delegates before the convention. Moreover, in regards to the presidential election, well that of 2012, this week it is evident that Huckabee may seek the Republican nomination again. As of now however, Huckabee has recently launced the Huck PAC (www.huckabee.com or www.huckpac.com ), the anticipated April 15th change on his website. This PAC will support conservative candidates, including John McCain. The PAC "is founded on the principles that make America great: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Our Republican Party embodies these ideas and is best suited to lead America forward.Huck PAC is committed to helping Republicans regain control of the House and Senate, regain a majority of governorships and elect John McCain as the 44th President of the United States. Huck PAC will support Republican candidates who are passionate advocates for tax reform, a strong national defense, real border security, life, the family, less government and individual liberty. Huck PAC will identify candidates who hold firm to these principles, promote their campaigns and financially support their efforts."

In other non-political news, Huckabee has signed with one of the Hollywood's biggest talent agencies, Creative Artists Agencies…

Huckabee Remains a Strong Supporter of Pro-life Groups Even After He Renounced His Bid for the White House in 2008

When Huckabee dropped out of the race for the Presidency when John McCain finally achieved the necessary number of delegates and ascertained the Republican Nomination, many wondered what would become of the likeable runner-up. Only a month later and he has already begun to adopt a role as a conservative spokesman and plans to give a speech at an upcoming St. Louis pro-life dinner and has recently spent time getting publicity in Michigan and New York. Since John McCain is not a traditional appeal to the Religious Right on social issues, Huckabee has assumed the role of spokesman for social conservatives claiming that McCain, “understands he has to have the strong, conservative values voters. The fabric of a nation is like that of the fabric of a family.” The former Governor of Arkansas has been very committed to promoting the issues that concerned his white house bid supporters such as abortion. In addition to his St. Louis appearance next month, he has already spoken at several parochial schools to emphasize the importance of pro-life sentiment in the Republican Campaign.
Also, interestingly he recently attacked Obama’s expensive plans showing his loyalty in to the party and acknowledging that Presidential candidates are supposed to be above blunt attacks—filling in for the Vice Presidential Nominee who has yet to be determined. What makes his comment surprising is that just a week or two ago with regard to Obama's minister he told America that “I grew up in a very segregated South, and I think that you have to cut some slack.” In his appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe he explained that he did not defend the extremist content of the statements but he understood what it is like to get “caught up in the emotion of the moment” due to his time as a pastor. Moreover, Huckabee has used his new status as a household name as an opportunity for publicity for the several books he has written and has incorporated them into political addresses at places like colleges in upstate New York.

Huckabee Hears (from God) Its Time to Drop Out of the Race

After “Critical Tuesday,” McCain finally surpassed the 1,191 delegates necessary to win the Republican nomination; leaving Former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, little choice but to withdraw from the race. His announcement came Tuesday night from Irving, Texas where he publicly congratulated Senator John McCain and said it is not the time to ponder what could have been but what will be and how important it is to him that the Republican Party unites to fight for the White House for the next four years. Now that his at the Presidency is over, people have begun to hypothesize his future in politics. It seems he is not interested (nor would he be offered) as spot on this year’s Republican ticket, but analysts expect he will stay in the “public eye. Mike Huckabee leaves this campaign in a much stronger position nationally than when he entered it. I believe that his future is now national.” This quote by the Dean of University of Arkansas’ Clinton School of Public Service pretty much sums up why people are predicting Huckabee to become the major spokesman for Evangelical Christians, wait around for the 2012 or 2016 Republican Nomination or even get his own Tv show. People were even wondering if he would jump into the Arkansas Senate race because the week for candidates to file happened to coincide with his renunciation of his bid for the Presidency. However, Huckabee has stuck behind his February statement that “There's a greater chance that I would dye my hair green, cover my body with tattoos and go on a rock tour with Amy Winehouse” than join the Senate.

Huckabee and Hope?

This past week Huckabee visited Rhode Island to campaign for their upcoming primary. Calling himself the “conservative alternative,” Huckabee seeks Conservative voters to help him beat McCain in the state. As the important Texas primary (for the Democrats) approaches, the American Research group this week claimed a tie between Huckabee and McCain in Texas! However, a CNN poll asserts that Huckabee is behind McCain by 25%. Another significant primary (for the Democrats) is approaching next week: Ohio. Huckabee also visited Ohio this past week.

In other news, Huckabee would normally practices a “positive campaign,” has joined McCain in attacking Obama. Huckabee, commenting on Obama’s plans as President affirmed and laughed, “I hear Barack Obama say that he's going to provide everybody with health care and college tuition and pave the streets with gold. The proposals he's put on the table so far, already are going to cost about $287 billion dollars, so far. Now that's a lot of money.” This statement shows Huckabee’s strong desire to help the Republican party win the presidency. Lastly, Huckabee expressed the desire for another debate with McCain. Maybe Huckabee will finally drop out after next week’s results (even if he wins a state or two)…

Huckabee on Saturday Night Live

Although there have been calls for Mike Huckabee to pull out of the Republican race now that john McCain clearly has the party’s endorsement and it is mathematically improbable that Huckabee’s 217 delegates could catch up to McCain’s 918, he has remained steadfast in his run for the Presidency. Huckabee made an appearance on the weekend update of Saturday Night Live and used the opportunity to explain why he is ignoring his party-men’s pleas to relinquish his bid for the Presidency. Playing his usual comical self, after being told about the “mathematical impossibility” of winning Huckabee ascertained that “When it’s time to go, I’ll know. And I’ll exit out with class and grace.” In true Saturday Night Live fashion, Huckabee sat through two sets of applause ignoring hints to get off the stage. The question on everyone’s mind is, why hasn’t Huckabee dropped out of the race? There are several possible reasons and the most likely is that the former Governor of Arkansas wants to accumulate as much attention as possible to build a base for running in the future. Virtually unknown outside the state of Arkansas until he attracted national press around Thanksgiving which continued through Super Tuesday, his heyday for this election is winding down but now he has foundations to build upon if he chooses to run for a national position again. While there was initially speculation about him receiving the Vice Presidential nomination, it now seems unlikely and “The longer Huckabee stays in, the more likely he won't be vice president." Ironically, in a list of things everyone must know about Mike Huckabee, published in the Dallas Morning News, his wife’s maiden name is McCain—who knows what would have happened if he hadn’t married his competition? In addition, the reporter explained “in college, Mr. Huckabee and his friends used to fry squirrel in a popcorn popper in their dorm room. I should say it tastes a lot like chicken, but it doesn't, [Huckabee] told NBC's Tim Russert recently.” Despite his odd college pass time, who knows when Huckabee will stop praying for a miracle and begin preparing for his next run for the Republican Party’s Nomination?

When will Huckabee drop out?

After news reporters called McCain the winner of the Washington Republican caucus with only 87% of the precincts reported, Huckabee disputed the results. He noted that the state had not counted 1,500 delegates and there were “obvious irregularities” in the Republican caucuses. This prompted the state to count more votes (93% of the precincts reported), but ultimately the state still declared McCain the winner with 25% vs. Huckabee’s 24%. However, the Huckabee campaign remains optimistic. Looking ahead to the important Texas primary, the campaign expects great results and perhaps the ability to stop McCain’s great momentum. Huckabee told reporters “we have a real shot in Texas because Texas is a very conservative state”. However, it is very unlikely that Huckabee who has only 217 delegates (McCain has 830) will become the Republican nomination. Huckabee needs 974 more delegates, while McCain only needs 361 more.

Moreover, this weekend Huckabee spoke at a young leadership award banquet in the Cayman Islands for money. This trip had nothing to do with Huckabee’s quest for the Republican presidential nomination. However, Huckabee defended this trip affirming, “The taxpayers aren't paying a dime for me to campaign and I don't take anything from my campaign so I have to make a living.” In addition, Huckabee claims that he is paying for Senator Clinton, Obama, and McCain’s campaigns asserting an interesting argument, “I’m a taxpayer and I have to pay for their Senate salaries even if they’re not on duty”.


The following question remains constantly on my mind. When will Huckabee drop out of the race for president? Huckabee recently affirmed, “I am still in this race. As I have said all along, I am in this race until someone gets to 1,191 delegates. That has not happened yet, and so I will keep campaigning for the Republican nomination. Period. That’s my ironclad commitment to my supporters.” Will Huckabee honor this commitment, or will he drop out soon, realizing the inevitability of receiving the Republican nomination? We just have to wait and see…