[F]or those who have followed Mr. Huckabee as he has traveled across the country these past six months, he has distinguished himself in another way: as a candidate of considerable humor who stands apart in this oh-so-serious field of presidential contenders (think Mr. Giuliani talking about the threat of terrorist attacks). Mr. Huckabee uses humor as a way to court voters, soften rivals, make political arguments and seamlessly slice an opponent.“I was the first governor in America to have a concealed handgun permit — so don’t mess with me!” Mr. Huckabee told a conservative convention in Washington.This blogger says those are incredibly corny jokes... and all the candidates tell some jokes... so really... are you saying it's the damned jokes? I feel like the editors woke up yesterday and realized they had to write something about Huckabee. Uh... he told some jokes that got a laugh...
Or consider this, as he invited Republicans to join in “a Q. and A.” with him in West Des Moines. “What it really stands for is questions and avoidance,” he explained. “I do my best not to say anything that would end my political career.”
Or this, talking about what Mr. Huckabee has described as frequent accusations of political corruption in the state: “It got to be where the five most feared words for an Arkansas politician were, ‘Will the defendant please rise’.”
Mr. Huckabee’s use of humor amounts to a style of politicking that many audiences have found engaging, and that stands out in an era of bloggers and journalists recording a candidate’s slightest slip.
August 13, 2007
We've got to write about Huckabee.
Why did Huckabee do so well in the Iowa Straw Poll?
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13 comments:
I think Huckabee discerned that the country is not ready for another President from Arkansas.
Maybe that prescience will not be lost on others.
I have no idea what you mean, vet66. Perhaps you should explain it.
Keep in mind: humor - broadly-appealing good-natured humor, not risque edgy stuff - worked well for Reagan. Of course, Reagan topped it off with an infectious sense of optimism and a substantive policy agenda that was right, so it's not enough, but it helps ease the way.
I think Huckabee discerned that the country is not ready for another President from Arkansas.
I don't think the country is ready for a President with the name 'Huckabee.'
I'm sure every mention of his name on Leno or Letterman would be accompanied by the ubiquitos banjo strumming.
Half the country will get it. The other half not only won't see the humor in what he says but will take it as evidence of what a - all together now - FASCIST Huck is.
I Like Mike. The slogan writes itself.
Sometimes humor doesn't translate well from in-person to written words. I'll be curious to see how well Huckabeean Humor plays as his stature in the Republican field grows.
This blogger says those are incredibly corny jokes
Yeah but you're a professor of Constitutional Law with a fine arts degree from Michigan. You don't count.
Seriously, madisonman? I thought the obvious slogan was "I [heart] Huckabee"
Huck is extremely vulnerable due to at least one issue, however, because our chatterers happen to also support massive illegal activity, don't expect them to ask him any questions about that. Instead, they'll offer light pieces discussing how he plays in a band and makes jokes.
If anyone wants to do the job the MSM won't do, please go to his appearances and ask Huck some real questions.
Huckabee is a likeable, non-threatening guy. But more important, his politics are perfectly aligned with those of the largest, most important elements in the Republican base. Much more so than any of the big money candidates that have been garnering all the attention from the press. I expected Huckabee to make a strong showing in the straw poll -- and won't be surprised if this kind of strength continues to be in evidence in the future. The only thing that has surprised me is the surprise of the political media. Their concept of the Republican base seems to be about two decades behind the times.
But more important, his politics are perfectly aligned with those of the largest, most important elements in the Republican base.
I disagree. I'm from Arkansas. He's a nanny stater if there ever was one.
The Ames straw poll is about half a step above an online blog poll in terms of validity.
What it tells you is this: who a self-selected group of unusually politically active people from Iowa support, after being directly courted. This tells you approximately nothing about who has a good shot at winning the Presidency.
Howard Dean did well in these little straw polls before getting trounced in the actual primaries, if I recally correctly.
Esmense said...
".....the surprise of the political media. Their concept of the Republican base seems to be about two decades behind the times."
Thanks for clearing that up. All this time I thought the it was the Republican base that seemed decades behind.
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