The following is an article from the Des Moines Register. Go Governor Huckabee!



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Yepsen: Positive, Reagan-like spirit spurs Huckabee's rise
David Yepsen

October 30, 2007

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's been the hot candidate in the Republican race since he finished second in the Iowa GOP's straw poll back in August.

Oh, there was a little time out for some chatter about Fred Thompson, but as he has fallen flat, the talk about Huckabee has resumed.

In recent days, that talk has escalated to a new level of buzz: Huckabee's doing so well in Iowa, he just might be able to win the Iowa Republican caucuses.

Wow. Conventional wisdom dictates former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's going to win Iowa. Ever since that straw poll, the buzzmeisters have slotted Huckabee to take second or third. To suggest he's going to win Iowa is taking it to a new level.

It makes Huckabee people wince. Romney's had a juggernaut in Iowa for months. He's spent millions, runs lots of TV commercials, has made a couple of hundred appearances in the state and has staff all over it, including those in a sprawling suburban office park.

Huckabee's low-budget campaign is, well, the difference between Beacon Hill and a trailer park. He's got only eight full-time staffers and runs his operation out of a low-rent storefront in downtown Des Moines. If homeless people went to caucuses, they'd have great access to Huckabee's campaign.

Like Huckabee, Romney is fond of telling people he ran and won in a Democratic state. It's also true Romney ran as a liberal on social issues such as gay rights and abortion. Had he taken the positions on those issues that he proclaims now, he never would have been elected in Massachusetts.

Huckabee, on the other hand, has been consistent, and GOP stalwarts are noticing that difference between the two men. Huckabee's rallied enough social conservatives to force Sam Brownback out of the race.

While first place is a bit of a stretch, Huckabee's in a good position to win second. His fundraising is improving, and he's going to add staff.

After Thompson's late start, he's lighting no fires in Iowa. His speech at the big Reagan Dinner Saturday night was a boilerplate thing he could have given anywhere. Romney didn't show. Huckabee got the only standing ovation.

Huckabee's success has attracted attacks from conservative groups and news organizations who criticize him for implementing a tax increase the voters also supported. Huckabee said in an interview that some of these attacks are coming from "elitist" conservatives and "ideologues."

He said "you always ought to be governing by your basic principles, but you also have to understand that government has to work." He says the attacks are evidence of his success.

"I'm a hunter," he notes. "You never point the gun at a dead carcass."

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. As we chart Huckabee's success in the 2008 contest, it is most useful now to concentrate on his message. It is a positive, inclusive, good-humored one. As Republicans seek to rebuild from their defeat of 2006 and try to stave off a similar loss in 2008, they might study the Book of Huckabee.

"I'm a conservative, but I'm not mean about it," he tells audiences. He shows up at events with minority groups. His pro-life message also encompasses health care for poor women and a concern for children. His talk about education reform includes developing creative skills through art and music.

He had fun playing the bass guitar in his band at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake - an event that attracted more than 600 people on Friday. A former Baptist pastor, Huckabee peppers his speeches with Scripture and rock-music lyrics.

Unlike some Republican presidential candidates, who grew up in well-to-do families, Huckabee tells audiences his mother grew up in a house with dirt floors, and on his father's side, he is the first male to graduate from high school. That seems to give him a populist bent - and an understanding for poor people - that isn't seen in the Ivy League conservatives.

At a time when GOP candidates are falling all over themselves to rekindle the spirit of Ronald Reagan in their party, Huckabee's coming as close as anyone.

DAVID YEPSEN can be reached at dyepsen@dmreg.com or (515) 284-8545.

For those of you who are still doubting whether or not Huckabee can make it to the top, please read the press release below. His campaign continues to make progress, and a win at the January 3 Iowa caucus is certainly plausible.

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News Release: MIKE HUCKABEE SURGES PAST ROMNEY NATIONALLY
October 26, 2007

LITTLE ROCK, AR – A second Rasmussen Research Poll of likely Republican primary voters released Friday shows Mike Huckabee continuing to gain momentum nationally, surpassing Mitt Romney in the polls and coming within striking distance of John McCain

Today's Rasmussen poll numbers show Rudy Giuliani leading nationally with 20%, followed by Fred Thompson at 19%, McCain at 14%, and Huckabee at 12% -- surging past Romney, who has 11%.

"What we're seeing is the power of message over money and mechanics," said Huckabee. "Our supporters are enthusiastic because they believe in my conservative message."

While the other so-called "top tier" candidates have spent millions of dollars, Huckabee's campaign has spent just $1.5 million dollars, he said.

Huckabee said he will discuss the campaign's momentum and other topics during an exclusive interview on CNN's "Late Edition" with host Wolf Blitzer on Sunday at 12 noon ET.

In other good news, last week's Rasmussen Reports poll of the Iowa Republican Caucus for 2008 found Huckabee virtually tied for second place Thompson in Iowa . His 5:1 victory in the on-site "Values Voter" poll last Saturday also reflects growing support for the former Arkansas governor.

In fact, Huckabee's popularity has risen steadily since the summer, particularly since his strong showing in the Aug. 11 Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll. Support for the other GOP presidential contenders who were included in a Des Moines Register poll taken last May has essentially remained the same or eroded.

For a great play-by-play of the most recent Republican debate, visit "One Mom's" blog. There's a link to the right in my favorite sites list.

Below are two of my favorite debate reviews from the Huckabee blog. Enjoy!

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October 10, 2007
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Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post had this to say:

Judged by who can offer a serious approach to economic policy, the hands-down winner in the Republican race so far is Huckabee, who combines intelligence, candor and comfortable familiarity with the issues and a practical approach anchored in solid conservative beliefs.

If only the political press were as impressed with the quality of a candidate's program as with his name recognition, it would be Huckabee, not Thompson, who was energizing the Republican contest.

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Bull Dog Pundit from Ankle Biting Pundits:

Mike Huckabee: Another good performance. Like McCain he really taps into the economic anxiety that many people feel, especially in Michigan. I almost wish Huckabee had more money, because I think he could compete with the big boys and give them a run. But maybe I’m biased.

Well, I'm guessing that Governor Huckabee wouldn't mind me celebrating the blessing of the American small business on my blog today. Small businesses may not drive our economy, but they're essential none-the-less, and our conservative principles support the middle class guy who takes a risk in order to pursue the American dream.

So, in that vein, I'm happy to announce for my husband the Grand Opening of our new e-store, the Old Country Cellar!!!

My husband and I have an entrepreneurial spirit. Between the two of us, we've started or have been a part of starting, a Christian school, a church, and now, the count is seven business ventures. Call us crazy, but for some reason, we can't seem to help it.

When I married Troy, I had NO idea that he was handy or artsy. In fact, our first Christmas together, when he asked for a power saw, I was afraid someone might actually buy him one, and he'd cut off his hand. As far as I could tell, he was a book man.

However, he's inherited his mom's artistic talents and enjoys creating folk art pieces. For the most part, it's been a hobby, and he's mostly done pieces for us or our extended family. We've recently been considering ways to supplement his income, and rather than take a part-time job somewhere that he wouldn't enjoy, he decided to give a go at selling his wares.

So, today, we are officially launching our new e-store, The Old Country Cellar. Through October 26, we are offering a $10 discount off all online purchases of $50 or more to thank you for helping us get started. Use coupon code thank10you2607 when you check out.

He will continually be updating and adding new creations, so visit often (don’t forget to bookmark the site on your favorites list). If there is something that you wish he had, but don't see, he does consider custom requests.

There's a link to the right, or you can cut and paste the address into your browser:
www.oldcountrycellar.com

Thanks for indulging me today! Somehow, I think it all relates.

I have to laugh at myself occasionally. My last post was unmistakeably sappy. Thanks for your indulgence.

On another note, Governor Huckabee's campaign received great news this week from Iowa voters. Read the excerpts from an article pasted below for details.

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New Poll Shows Mike Huckabee Gains Momentum in Iowa
Former AR Governor Places First Among "Committed" Voters; Third Place Overall
October 07, 2007

Little Rock, AR - Former AR Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee today "welcomed news" that a new Des Moines Register poll ranks him No. 1 among registered Republican voters in Iowa who have "made up their mind" in the 2008 presidential election - and No. 3 among GOP candidates overall.

"This victory is really good news," said Huckabee about the October 7 poll of likely caucus participants. "This poll confirms that the field is wide open - and that my campaign continues to surge among likely voters."

Huckabee scored first among the voters (about one-fourth of those polled) who have made up their mind, with 19 percent, and third place among all potential Republican voters, with 12 percent....

Huckabee has surged since his strong showing in the Aug. 11 Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll. Support for the other GOP presidential contenders who were included in a Des Moines Register poll taken last May has essentially flat-lined or eroded.

"Voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina - and all across America - are looking for a strong conservative leader with a consistent message, results-driven record and positive vision for America's future," said Huckabee. "This new poll reflects what we're feeling on the ground: that my campaign is on an upward trajectory in Iowa and other key battleground states."