Huckabee Heading into the Iowa Caucus

In keeping with his entire campaign, Huckabee’s strategy in the last few days before the Iowa caucus has been highly unusual; he done little of the traditional reiteration of policies, praise for the party and last-minute attacks on the competition—well he’s done a bit of that. Apparently, Huckabee responded to TV attacks by his major opponent, Mitt Romney, by claiming, “I think we need to get the record straightened up. And get the truth out. … [his] attacks have been desperate, and I think they’ve been dishonest.” He concluded the topic with, “I don’t plan to fight with him. He’s throwing punches and I’m saying Merry Christmas.” On Thursday night in Des Moines, Iowa, the presidential candidate gave a speech full of personal anecdotes that reinforced his focus on moral values. He also asserted that, “I love this country and I love it more than I love the Republican Party…[which] needs to be changed. There are some people who aren't that fond of me for saying it.... They want the right and the left to keep fighting, Democrats and Republicans, the liberals and the conservatives.” In this statement, he appealed to voters frustrated with the constant gridlock in Washington by promising change and highlighting his authenticity by distancing himself from the corruption in Washington. On Friday, Huckabee continued to give speeches in hopes of gaining a few more last-minute votes--including a gathering at the Pizza Ranch in Pella, Iowa. In addition, the former Governor of Arkansas also recently visited Florida to court the Hispanic voters, a group he deemed “crucial in winning” the state. His trip included a talk at the Miami Airport as well as a private fundraiser.
According to a recent poll in Iowa, up to 40% of Republican voters in Iowa have yet to make up their minds as to who they will support in the caucus. However, for those who have decided Huckabee continues to lead the race and has also gained in national popularity—he current ranks in second place, behind Romney, in the New Hampshire polls. Last week, a controversy arose between Huckabee and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over criticism of the Bush Administration’s foreign policy from an article in the journal Foreign Affairs. The statement, “American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out … The Bush administration’s arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad” prompted questions. Huckabee stumbled a little when he claimed that he and his aids had crafted multiple versions of the article and he could not recall whether he had personally penned it; nevertheless, he accepted responsibility for approving the wording. Romney used the opportunity to pressure Huckabee and even proclaimed, “Huckabee’s comments sounded like they were coming from a Democrat.”