In Iowa, one could be mistaken for thinking that we are in primary season already.
But with 12 months to go before the first vote, traffic is already slowing to a crawl, thanks to the influx of candidates, their entourage, the media and the supporters of the wide field who have expressed an interest in the Presidency.
It was Mike Huckabee's turn today. Oh, and also Sam Brownback's. On Saturday and Sunday, it was Hillary Clinton. And Tommy Thompson. Then there is local Tom Vilsack who is always campaigning.
John Edwards has been here at least 17 times in the last 2 years, and you can expect more visits in the coming weeks from Joe Biden and Bill Richardson who have been here nearly 20 times between them since the end of 2004.
And just wait for Barack Obama - could it be bigger than Clinton?
That's just some of the close to 30 candidates who are running, exploring, or actively considering a tilt for President.
Yes, it's a traffic jam.
But a necessary one for all of the candidates.
Much of the millions they spend over the next 12 months will be in Iowa, such is the power of securing an early victory, or polling well. Or so they think.
So expect more school visits, more packed public hall meetings and more meet and greets. This is politics local style.
Well, except for the heavily stage managed events, more press and photographers than the Oscars and the fact that everything you say is being beamed live around the country.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Huckabee is in for Republican Nomination
Mike Huckabee has just declared on Meet the Press with Tim Russert that he will be a candidate for the Republican Nomination for President of the United States.
Huckabee will file papers tomorrow to set up an exploratory committee.
Huckabee said that America needs people who understand what it is like to start life from the bottom of the ladder and climb their way to the top. He said that America loves an underdog.
Mike Huckabee will be on a two day tour to Iowa this week, and no doubt will be following up shortly with visits to other key states like South Carolina and New Hampshire.
While Huckabee has until this point not rated highly in the polls, his style and energy will not go unnoticed by Republican voters. Huckabee is socially conservative, but not in the Sam Brownback style.
The key to the Huckabee campaign will be his electability and his ability to sell his message to America.
He is definitely a candidate to watch.
Huckabee will file papers tomorrow to set up an exploratory committee.
Huckabee said that America needs people who understand what it is like to start life from the bottom of the ladder and climb their way to the top. He said that America loves an underdog.
Mike Huckabee will be on a two day tour to Iowa this week, and no doubt will be following up shortly with visits to other key states like South Carolina and New Hampshire.
While Huckabee has until this point not rated highly in the polls, his style and energy will not go unnoticed by Republican voters. Huckabee is socially conservative, but not in the Sam Brownback style.
The key to the Huckabee campaign will be his electability and his ability to sell his message to America.
He is definitely a candidate to watch.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Huckabee to Announce on Meet the Press?
Mike Huckabee will be on Meet the Press with Tim Russert this Sunday morning, and it is very likely that he will make his announcement.
This from the Meet the Press site.
"With the 2008 presidential campaign season already in full-force, we will have an exclusive interview with the former Republican governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, about his future political plans. Will he make a run for the White House? Find out Sunday."
It seems that Meet the Press have the exclusive on Huckabee's decision to run for the Republican nomination.
As already reported here, Huckabee will be following up with a trip to key state Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by an appearance on Fox News on Thursday.
This will be a good week for Huckabee to announce - the last two weeks the media have been consumed with the Clinton and Obama announcements, the State of the Union Address and the Senate hearings on Iraq. The clear air will work very much in Huckabee's favour.
UPDATE
An anonymous official from the Huckabee camp has confirmed that he will be lodging papers on Monday for an exploratory committee.
This from the Meet the Press site.
"With the 2008 presidential campaign season already in full-force, we will have an exclusive interview with the former Republican governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, about his future political plans. Will he make a run for the White House? Find out Sunday."
It seems that Meet the Press have the exclusive on Huckabee's decision to run for the Republican nomination.
As already reported here, Huckabee will be following up with a trip to key state Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by an appearance on Fox News on Thursday.
This will be a good week for Huckabee to announce - the last two weeks the media have been consumed with the Clinton and Obama announcements, the State of the Union Address and the Senate hearings on Iraq. The clear air will work very much in Huckabee's favour.
UPDATE
An anonymous official from the Huckabee camp has confirmed that he will be lodging papers on Monday for an exploratory committee.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Mike Huckabee in Iowa Next Week
Mike Huckabee will be in Iowa next Tuesday and Wednesday, which we believe is likely to be a precursor to an announcement that he is running for the Republican Nomination.
Huckabee will jointly host a town meeting in Urbandale next Tuesday night, with appearances on local radio as well as at the Iowa Welcome Center.
On Wednesday, he will be in Tipton and Davenport.
Rumor has it that Huckabee's trip will include a visit to some senior local Republicans.
On Thursday, Huckabee is scheduled to appear on the Fox News Network.
Huckabee will jointly host a town meeting in Urbandale next Tuesday night, with appearances on local radio as well as at the Iowa Welcome Center.
On Wednesday, he will be in Tipton and Davenport.
Rumor has it that Huckabee's trip will include a visit to some senior local Republicans.
On Thursday, Huckabee is scheduled to appear on the Fox News Network.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Will Huckabee Announce Next Week?
Reports are emerging that Mike Huckabee will be travelling to Iowa next week, 30th and 31st January, in a move that could precede an announcement of a run for the Republican Nomination for President.
We note that Huckabee is due to appear on the Fox Network the next day, February 1, on the Live Desk With Martha McCullum to discuss his book, "From Hope to Higher Ground", as well as "..other topics of national interest."
In Huckabee's calendar, this appearance on Fox is his last scheduled public activity.
Could this clean diary after February 1 be used to kick off his campaign for the nomination? It is a real possibility.
We note that Huckabee is due to appear on the Fox Network the next day, February 1, on the Live Desk With Martha McCullum to discuss his book, "From Hope to Higher Ground", as well as "..other topics of national interest."
In Huckabee's calendar, this appearance on Fox is his last scheduled public activity.
Could this clean diary after February 1 be used to kick off his campaign for the nomination? It is a real possibility.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Huckabee Yet to Decide on Presidential Run
Mike Huckabee, Governor of Arkansas from 1996 until last week, has yet to decide whether he will be a candidate for the Republican Nomination for President of the United States.
However, leaving us in little doubt that he is seriously thinking about it, Huckabee has engaged on a national tour to promote his new book, "From Hope to Higher Ground".
Huckabee appears to be emerging as a real dark horse in this race, and one that may well be able to step up to the plate if the big guns like McCain and Giuliani fall over.
Huckabee was a southern Governor from Arkansas, only the third Republican in the last 130 years to hold that title. That gives him credibility - he is electable.
Then add the fact that he is socially conservative, he is an Evangelical Christian. He appeals to the conservative GOP base.
And then consider that for health reasons, Huckabee lost over 110 pounds through disciplined dieting. If you look at the before and after photos, the difference is stark - this man knows how to make a commitment and stick to it. In 2006 he ran the New York City Marathon.
Huckabee was notably in the news during the Hurricane Katrina disaster, when Arkansas helped with many of the thousands of displaced people. At a time when disaster relief nationally failed, Huckabee's state of Arkansas was one of the first to step in.
We don't know how long it will be before Huckabee makes a decision. But it would be expected that he will announce something after he concludes the book tour.
If he does run, expect the media to take his candidacy for President a lot more seriously. And expect the same from his opponents in the GOP.
It wasn't that long ago that a former Governor from Arkansas was elected President. Mike Huckabee will be a credible candidate if he runs, make no mistake.
Mike Huckabee appeared on the Jon Stewart Daily Show recently. Huckabee is witty and down to earth. A very polished performance, so its worth a view. Watch part 1 here.
However, leaving us in little doubt that he is seriously thinking about it, Huckabee has engaged on a national tour to promote his new book, "From Hope to Higher Ground".
Huckabee appears to be emerging as a real dark horse in this race, and one that may well be able to step up to the plate if the big guns like McCain and Giuliani fall over.
Huckabee was a southern Governor from Arkansas, only the third Republican in the last 130 years to hold that title. That gives him credibility - he is electable.
Then add the fact that he is socially conservative, he is an Evangelical Christian. He appeals to the conservative GOP base.
And then consider that for health reasons, Huckabee lost over 110 pounds through disciplined dieting. If you look at the before and after photos, the difference is stark - this man knows how to make a commitment and stick to it. In 2006 he ran the New York City Marathon.
Huckabee was notably in the news during the Hurricane Katrina disaster, when Arkansas helped with many of the thousands of displaced people. At a time when disaster relief nationally failed, Huckabee's state of Arkansas was one of the first to step in.
We don't know how long it will be before Huckabee makes a decision. But it would be expected that he will announce something after he concludes the book tour.
If he does run, expect the media to take his candidacy for President a lot more seriously. And expect the same from his opponents in the GOP.
It wasn't that long ago that a former Governor from Arkansas was elected President. Mike Huckabee will be a credible candidate if he runs, make no mistake.
Mike Huckabee appeared on the Jon Stewart Daily Show recently. Huckabee is witty and down to earth. A very polished performance, so its worth a view. Watch part 1 here.
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