CNN/Opinion Research 2012 GOP Nomination
- Mike Huckabee 32% [22%] (26%)
- Sarah Palin 25% [21%] (29%)
- Mitt Romney 21% [21%] (21%)
- Tim Pawlenty 5% [N/A] (N/A)
- Someone Else 10% [10%] (10%)
Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}
- Mike Huckabee 43% [45%] / 26% [25%] {+17%}
- Mitt Romney 36% [42%] / 26% [29%] {+10%}
- Tim Pawlenty 15% / 13% {+2%}
- Sarah Palin 42% [46%] / 51% [43%] {-9%}
Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one applies or doesn’t apply to Sarah Palin.
Qualified to be president
- Applies 29%
- Does not apply 71%
Among Republicans
- Applies 52%
- Does not apply 47%
Is a strong and decisive leader
- Applies 47%
- Does not apply 51%
Generally agrees with you on issues you care about
- Applies 48%
- Does not apply 50%
Shares your values
- Applies 49%
- Does not apply 49%
Is honest and trustworthy
- Applies 55%
- Does not apply 43%
Care about the needs of people like you
- Applies 56%
- Does not apply 43%
A good role model for women
- Applies 64%
- Does not apply 35%
Not a typical politician
- Applies 65%
- Does not apply 34%
Survey of 1,038 adults, including a subsample of 462 Republicans was conducted October 16-18. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points; +/- 4.5 percentage points among Republicans. Favorability results and the questions about Sarah Palin are comprised of all adults surveyed. Results from the poll conducted May 14-17 are in brackets. Results from the poll conducted February 18-19 are in parentheses.
Inside the numbers:
“Sarah Palin has one advantage that many past Republican candidates have not shared – Americans think she cares about people like them,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. “But her biggest Achilles heel is the number who think she is not qualified to be President. Those numbers are similar to what Dan Quayle got in 1993, when only 23 percent thought he was ready for the White House.”
“Huckabee appears to have more support among Republicans than Palin and her unfavorable rating among all Americans is twice as high as Huckabee’s,” Holland says. “Palin may attract a lot of attention but the GOP may be looking elsewhere for their frontrunner.”
The CNN poll also shows Palin has lost support among independent voters over the last year, drawing approval from 41 percent of them now, 10 points lower than that group’s approval last year. She fares even worse with self-identified moderate voters, drawing only a 34 percent approval rating.
But does any of that matter? It’s usually die-hard conservatives who vote in Republican presidential primaries, and Palin’s support among this group remains strong, 62 percent, according to the CNN poll.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:14 am
That’s 4 more years for Obama.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Wow, this Huckabee guy just keeps on keepin on. Got to love it. Go Mike!
And here they come, I can hear it now. “this poll means nothing, it is biased, Huckabee is a liberal, a cheat, and liar, a bigot, etc. This is a democrat poll and they want the easiest one to beat. ”
Bottom Line is he keeps on keepin on…
October 28th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Well James this far out any 2012 poll really does mean nothing. I’m sure Huck,Mitt and Sarah will be going back and forth for the lead.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:25 am
As a Romney supporter, I am impressed with Huckabee’s popularity increase as of late. I don’t quite understand it, but it’s still impressive. As long as all potential 2012 nominees refrain from attacking fellow Republicans and focus on the important races around the country, then I’m happy to see as many popular republicans as possible. As Mitt said, the Republican Party needs many strong voices (especially when we are shut out of all parts of governing in Washington).
October 28th, 2009 at 10:27 am
James,
Not saying any of that. I am saying that 32 % of the 20 % of Americans that say they are Republicans is… 6.4 % and somewhat more independent and Democratic voters must be found to win an election in 2012.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
McDonnell 54
Deeds 41
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2009/virginia/election_2009_virginia_governor_election
October 28th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Well, it is interesting to see Huck leading. If his national numbers are this good then he probably leads in IA by quite a bit. As we already know, currently Romney leads in NH by a huge margin. That sets up a two man race – the winner of IA versus the winner of NH. As a Romney supporter, I feel pretty good about that matchup.
As this is still two years plus away, that thinking of course rests mostly in fairy tale land.
In the next couple of years it will be interesting to see who is running and how well they actually perform (such as my second choice – Pawlenty – how far can he go?).
October 28th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Craigs-I’m not buying that only 20% of Americans identify as Republicans, no credible pollster is showing that. Also lets say it is 20% right now i’m sure that number will be higher come the 2012 election.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Impressive run for Huck. This is light years ahead of where he was in 2005 (HuckaWHO?).
As a veteran Huckanut, though, it remains to be seen if he can:
1. Expand his base.
2. Actually raise money.
3. Build an effective ground game.
4. Avoid the gaffe a little better.
If he can do those things, he will be VERY tough to beat. Polls seem to show that he is doing #1. His show will probably help him avoid #4, but we won’t know about #2 and #3 before the actual campaigning starts.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Aron,
Can you correct the data regarding the past CNN polling? The last CNN poll in June had it at Huckabee 22% Palin 21% Romney 21%
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/02/cnn-poll-no-frontrunner-in-gop-2012-presidential-race/
October 28th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I am waiting for the latest Gallup and Fox News Republican polls. For now, Huckabee is the frontrunner with the Rasmussen and CNN polls, but who is second and third and what is the distance between the candidates in support. Pawlenty is creeping up as the months go by. Plus, that Newt Gingrich support we’ve seen is heading downhill.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:00 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationwide_opinion_polling_for_the_2012_Republican_Presidential_primaries
October 28th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I just hope Mitt stays steady in the polls, but not too much exposure. That can hurt. Keep Huckabee at the top of the polls and let the hype surround him, as long as Mitt stays steady. Without a national tv show, Mitt is doing quite well.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:17 am
There appears to be one problem with this poll. It appears to only poll Republicans for the primary numbers. Does anyone believe that there will be no independents and Democrats voting in the GOP primaries? If that was the case, John McCain would not have won the 2008 nomination.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Hw do Palin’s personal attribute scores square with her favorability rating?
So Palin is scoring well in categories that Republicans typically get destryed: cares about you, honest and trustworthy, role model.
Can you really feel someone is honest and trustworthy, cares about someone like you, is a role model for women and have an unfavorable opinion of the person?
October 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
#14, Youre right. We would be talking about the fabulous job Mitt Romney was doing right now, with about 6% unemployment.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Huckabee and Palin are the darlings of the conservative media, Romney’s doing very well considering he gets very little media..he gets NO media at all on FOX…
If Palin and Huckabee are the face and future of the Republican party, then I’m looking for another party and candidate to support.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Bye lkv.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I predict this:
If Marco Rubio beats Crist in the primary and wins a landslide senate victory in 2010, I predict that in 2011 Rubio will emerge as the GOP golden boy running for president in 2012.
Any attack about serving only 1 year in the Senate before campaigning will be easily rebutted by referencing Obama serving only 2 years in the senate (2005-2006) before basically leaving the senate to campaign for president throughout 2007-2008.
Cuban immigrant family. Solid conservative. Picture perfect family like Obama’s family.
And remember, Florida is an early primary state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Rubio
Bank it!
David
October 28th, 2009 at 11:36 am
“If Palin and Huckabee are the face and future of the Republican party, then I’m looking for another party and candidate to support.”
Yippie! Take Queen Dede with you
October 28th, 2009 at 11:39 am
well, remember, this time in 2007, the national polls had Giuliani in the lead and we all know how well that turned out for him.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Dav,
“Any attack about serving only 1 year in the Senate before campaigning will be easily rebutted by referencing Obama serving only 2 years in the senate (2005-2006) before basically leaving the senate to campaign for president throughout 2007-2008.”
Except………
…..voters are starting to wake up to the fact that they made a mistake, and as Obama botches things up, they might value experience a wee bit more next time.
Don’t get me wrong, I really like Rubio and think he has a great future ahead of him, it just not POTUS in 2012.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:41 am
should have linked this chart of the last round of GOP primaries.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:50 am
otherwise,
I very much agree that polls this far out have little predictive power regarding the final result, ESPECIALLY when the race is this wide open.
On the other hand, Guiliani was way out of step with the base on social issues, and he ran a spectacularly bad campaign.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Furtunately, the GOP has two years to get their heads on straight. I can’t imagine either Huckabee or Palin getting the
nomination. If they do, the GOP is in serious trouble. However, Huckabee and Palin will have to go into the debates a serious
contenders and that will likely cause one if not both to falter.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
And Huckabee is out of step on fiscal issues and other issues with the base. Only on social issues is he in step.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
“And Huckabee is out of step on fiscal issues and other issues with the base.” Yes, but only to a degree. Both the Fair Tax and TARP counter some of his liberal antics.
“I can’t imagine either Huckabee or Palin getting the nomination.” And most of us can’t imagine Queen Dede getting the nomination, but surprise, she did.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
This poll is bad for Mitt. In the last 8 months he has treaded water and lost 6 points in his favorables.
I am not surprised at all from this poll result that the establishment is taking a hard and serious look at Pawlenty while he is in the bullpen.
I cannot believe at this time that the establishment is looking at Huckabee as its favorite son, but of course that could change.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
#27:
“I CAN’T IMAGINE EITHER HUCKABEE OR PALIN GETTING THE NOMINATION”
Well, Ohio Joe, that leaves Romney. And based on the last 4 PPP polls and now this CNN poll he doesn’t appear to be making traction among 2 key groups: conservatives and Republicans. Unless he approves in both these areas or unless Palin and Huckabee split the vote and Romney comes up the middle it will be a tough row to hoe for Mitt.
But it is doable. He still has plenty of time. But with Pawlenty in the bullpen and Palin going hard after conservative voters I am becoming more dubious now that Mitt will be able to pull it off.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Huckabee’s got a good shot at the nomination. I was one of the few that thought he had a good shot in Iowa before he even reach 10% in the polls for the IA primary.
But he’s also the only person on that list that I won’t vote for.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Thunder,
“And Huckabee is out of step on fiscal issues and other issues with the base.”
Really? The base loves TARP, the Stimulus, massive deficits, auto bailouts and ObamaCare???
October 28th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
To be clear bob, I was not the one who originally said that I cannot imagine Mr. Huckabee and Mrs. Palin would get the nomination, I was just making a comparision. However to answer the question more seriously, there are essentially 4 candidates in the race right now and for the record, despite being a Palinite, if I were a betting man, I would put Mr. Huckabee as the front runner now and Mr. Romney would be next. However, the NY-23 fiasco will probably help both Ps to close the gap with M & M.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Mitt is going to have to get out there more and start winning votes. It doesn’t look as if he can afford to wait anymore. Unfortunately, he’s going to have to balance that with the inability to announce for another 15 months.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
“Really? The base loves TARP, the Stimulus, massive deficits, auto bailouts and ObamaCare???” Haha, it is funny how a few (certainly, not all) FiCons around here go after Mr. Huckabee on fiscal matters (rightfully so in some case) yet these same people have no problem the stimulus and ACORN while they thrash TEA parties and Town Halls, nevermind it TARP and Socialized medicine.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
It would seem that Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin continue to trade supporters back and forth. Lately they have been flowing primarily towards Mike.
Beyond that, this is yet another poll that shows Romney, the least publicly active of the big three, continues to holds steady. Pawlenty is now at an even five points. From nothing to five percent — not bad.
Contrary to assertions made by some, Pawlenty’s rise does not appear to be coming at Romney’s expense.
Anyway, it is still extremely early. The poll is interesting, but being this far out it doesn’t really mean a whole lot. Trends are about all it shows, and Palin has the most worrisome trend of all.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
“Romney, the least publicly active of the big three, continues to holds steady”
Which is nice, but little consolation for losing. I think its time Mitt steps up his profile. He needs to do something. At this point, you’ve only got 1/10 undecided. Even winning all of them wouldn’t guarentee a victory for Mitt.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Good for Huckabee. Glad to see him doing well in another poll.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Ohio Joe,
Who, specifically of those you call FiCons have no problem with the stimulus and ACORN, who also thrashes tea parties and town halls?
Btw, if you go to committedtoromney.com you will find that nearly every commenter there are very strong tea party, nearly all of the commenters and posters there have been to them in the last few months.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
marK,
“Pawlenty is now at an even five points. From nothing to five percent — not bad.”
And extrapolating from there, in the next poll, he will be at infinity!!!
October 28th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
“Who, specifically of those you call FiCons have no problem with the stimulus and ACORN, who also thrashes tea parties and town halls?”
I think they know who they are; during the first few months of the year, we were told ‘don’t worry about ACORN, they are nothing’ we now know different. During the next few months of the year, they told us, do not join the Tea parties, they are racist birthers, nuts and a fringe movement. Again the party elite was shown to be wrong. A few weeks ago, we were told ‘oh don’t jump on the Hoffman train, they are too extreme to win and Dede was not all that bad. Wrong again.
“Btw, if you go to committedtoromney.com you will find that nearly every commenter there are very strong tea party, nearly all of the commenters and posters there have been to them in the last few months.” Alright, I’ll go to committedtormney someday. BTW, it is not totally a camp thing. While I know a Romney in my community who is an arrogant left wing elitist, I know some Romneyites who are true grass roots Conservatives and some of them are no more happier than me with NY-23, so I know not to paint all Romneyite with the same brush. However, there is a certain number of FiCons who let’s just say have no interest in promoting Conservatism. BTW, I go to PlanetRomney once in a Blue Moon and even those guys do not seem in agreement with what is happening in NY-23. Thus I realize that not all Romneyites are nutty hacks.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
MarK,
See my post at #10: Palin and Huckabee have both improved since the last CNN poll in June.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Listen, I know everyone supports their candidates (as do I) but let me say a few things in support of the recent Huckabee favorable polls:
1. In 2005 (which is equivalent to where we are now, not 2007), McCain was leading the polls — and we all know how that one turned out — anyone can spin this game, you know
2. While polls early out mean nothing, consecutive polls showing growth and popularity should not be so eagerly dismissed. I have said it before — will repeat — the nomination will be had by either Huckabee or Romney — I bet on Huckabee (but certainly dont’ dismiss Romney).
3. And for all the posters who will absolutely “never” vote for Huckabee — I guess we are going to have to get along without you.
As for me, I will most likely support any nominee if it is any one touted in this poll. Of course, I will be jubilant if it is Huckabee (and believe — as supported by polling — that he has the best chance to beat Obama — even without everyone who “absolutely will not vote” — but remain supportive of any of the others.
So, having said that, let me crow just a little bit — OK?? — we had the Value Voters Straw Poll, the Rasmussen poll (where I am sure establisment guy Scott Rasmussen polled as many fiscal establishment conservatives that he could legitimately include) and seven consecutive PPP polls where Mike is consistently doing better against Obama than the rest (last time he was 4 behind and at one point he was 3 behind). So——- if this was all happening to Romney, Martha would be uncontrollable.
Okay, couldn’t resist — having had my fun — again, I will support any of the nominess in this poll for 2012.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
#39.MWS,
Do you really wish to argue math with me, Miss History Major?
October 28th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
“And extrapolating from there, in the next poll, he will be at infinity!!!” Haha, I did not know you were that enthusiastic.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
“See my post at #10: Palin and Huckabee have both improved since the last CNN poll in June.” Haha, yes I noticed that. So if Mr. Romney is steady, they must be taking from Mr. Gingrich.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I don’t understand why anyone would consider Huckabee not to be fiscally conservative when they consider the huge disadvantage Republicans had in Arkansas.
“A lot of people don’t know this, but my Legislature was the most lopsided in America. We had 11 out of 100 House members who were Republican and 4 out of 35 senators who were Republican when I first took office (in 1996). It was more lopsided than any in the country, including Massachusetts.” -Huckabee said during an interview posted at http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_613768.html
October 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
#41.Tommy:“See my post at #10: Palin and Huckabee have both improved since the last CNN poll in June.”
So it would seem.
Just out of curiosity, if CNN had a poll in May and June, I wonder what happened to July, August, and September?
October 28th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
#47 Huh? CNN only polled in February and June prior to this poll. It seems that they poll every four months.
CNN has not polled 2012 except for the poll in February, June, and today’s poll.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Let me say that Huckabee is the frontrunner so we won’t here any whining from the crowd that no one acknowledges it.
I would have liked to see the answers to the “apply” and “does not apply” questions for the top 3 candidates.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Tommy,
The notes say that the numbers from May are in Brackets. You just said that there are numbers from June that are not reported above.
Are you saying they only polled preference in February, only favorables in May, only preference in June, but both of them in October? If that be the case, that is some pretty sloppy polling IMO.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
It’s pretty clear Romney will be the eastablishment choice if he doesn’t stumble.
Huckabee and Palin are dividing up the populist grassroots segment of the party.
If 2011 looks like 2009, it doesn’t bode well for establishment candidates.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
MarK,
That is exactly what I’m saying.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
“I would have liked to see the answers to the “apply” and “does not apply” questions for the top 3 candidates.”
Me too! Did they choose to ask those questions about Palin because she won the poll in February? http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/27/rel15k.pdf
October 28th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
MarK,
Also, I’m not even making an argument. That’s what CNN reported. I’m just linking to what the news network reported.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I predict Huckabee, Romney, and Pawlenty will be the major three when all is said and done. Palin is damaged goods, and it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure that out.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Tommy,
I am not disparaging you. It is CNN’s sloppy polling I’m criticizing.
Anyway, thanks for pointing out the June numbers.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
#51 Are you forgetting Reagan was a populist the “establishment” didn’t approve of? Reagan took his message directly to “we the people” and won by a landslide.
If the Republicans stand a chance of beating Obama; we have to choose a nominee that can poll well among Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
An observation or two on this poll,
Huckabee is easily in the lead. Of course, at this time four years ago, Rudy Giuliani was in the lead with comfortable margins, and we all know how that turned out.
But Mike is no Rudy. Where Rudy was pretty much content to sit on his hands doing little to advance his cause, Mike has been very active in the public arena. If Mike decides to go for it, it won’t be the half-hearted, laid-back campaign of Rudy Giuliani. It will be a full-out race.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
“If 2011 looks like 2009, it doesn’t bode well for establishment candidates.” That is why Mr.Pawlenty is backing the Conservatives, he is reading the tea leaves.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
#58:
Huck still has to convince people who aren’t populists or evangelicals to rally to his campaign. He’ll need to attract moderates and foreign policy conservatives if he wants to beat Romney, Pawlenty, Palin and the rest and win the nomination.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
marK,
“Do you really wish to argue math with me, Miss History Major?”
That’s “Sir” to you, Mr. .019.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
#60.Jonathan:
You are correct. However, 33% is a great place to start.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
“33% is a great place to start.” haha, if we get enough candidates in the race, it may be a good place to finish, but if we truly have a two person race, then that number would have to grow.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
LOLOLOLOLOL…. 3 yrs out. We might as well toss in the towell, as it appears that Huckabee willb e the nomination, choosing bimbo as his running mate, giving us 4 more of the same Obamamania. too funny. well, the GOP is known for shooting itself in the foot. Why stop now?
October 28th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Just updated the front page with this new info…
Nearly half of all Republicans do not believe Sarah Palin is qualified to be president.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
“willb e the nomination, choosing bimbo” Maybe when you fix your spelling, you can play the bimbo card.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
CBS News Video: Levi Johnston Goes After Palin
Levi Johnston, the father of Sarah Palin’s grandchild, alludes to impropriety during her time as Gov. of Alaska in response to her comments about him. He tells Maggie Rodriguez he has nothing to hide.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5432885n&tag=related;photovideo
Iowa group invites Palin to November event
“We have reached out to Gov. Palin through both official and informal channels and have extended an invitation to keynote an upcoming event,” Iowa Family Policy Center spokesman Bryan English told The Des Moines Register.
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/10/27/register-exclusive-iowa-group-invites-palin-to-november-event/
October 28th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
This poll is BUNK!
Can’t believe we are getting excited over polls in 2009.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
#67:
Shouldn’t they be waiting until Palin responds before going public? Sarah’s schedule won’t allow her to accept every invitation that comes her way. If she turns this down, they will end up looking foolish, and she will look like she snubbed them. If that was their goal all along — to go public so she is forced to accept to avoid looking bad — I hope she does refuse them.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
#68
You mean you’re not on the Huck bandwagon. You must have read the Cillizza column earlier in the week in the Washington Post. According to him nobody in the Beltway believes Huckabee’s frontrunner status is for real.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
#68.Heath,
No, Heath, this poll is not bunk. It represents a snapshot in time of something. What exactly that something represents and how much real bearing it has upon the 2012 election is very debatable. But it is certainly not bunk.
Now if someone is foolish enough to think that it represents what reality will be in January 2012 when the first caucus/primary votes are cast, then they need to get their head examined. Nobody should be popping any corks nor slitting their wrists over this poll. It is just an interesting data point. That is all.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Someone said huck will need to rally “foreign policy conservatives” if he is going to win. What exactly is a foreign policy conservative? I am a conservative, and mostly a conservative on foreign policy…yet i oppose the war in iraq. I oppose an expansion of the war into pakistan or iran. My foreign policy is this: Support Israel by providing whatever arms are necessary for them to defend themselves. Stand as a deterrent to all out war against israel.
Other than that…i want us to stay out of wars as much as possible. I want us to let countries govern themselves. We cannot continue to unseat dictators only to see others take their place. It is too high a price for american taxpayers to pay. We should reserve american soldiers lives for the defense of our own nation.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
“We cannot continue to unseat dictators only to see others take their place.”
When that starts happening, we can talk.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Remember that CNN is democrat,they will do for their 4 more years of Mr.change democrats believe in that the radical and communist friends are in the white house.Mike is their #1favor easy defeat,Sarah is their #2 favor easy defeat,but Mitt is their #1 really don’t want to be the nominee.Republican,never ever crazy for the liberal and democrats poll and their endorsement,just as last election the New york time endorse John,it was a good weapon to destroy republican.Who is the one went to speech at the important event around the country,that person is the real,that one is Mitt,please don’t ignore your high value leader again or you will re-defeat one more time,because only one defeat is not enough for you guy!take the true,support the real,stand for the winner,no more loser.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
ALL coming together. Hucka’ train a comin’ …
October 28th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Eward…that’s an idiotic thing to say. Polls…not just this poll have confirmed that Huckabee is the “closest” person to being able to beat Obama(as of right now). Mitt is the EASIEST general election defeat out of the potential candidates(maybe except for Palin). They will run AD AFTER AD AFTER AD of Romney flipping on Abortion, his position on guns, spending, healthcare, taxes, foreign policy, gay rights…the electorate at large will be so confused they will stick with the guy they think they can understand, obama. Which is absolute idiocy, as romney would make a far better president than obama. But it is a big uphill climb for Mitt in a general election. They won’t need to play any anti-mormon cards to get Mitt off his game. Their gonna go for lights out with abortion first. Hey if they can position Mitt as being the same as Obama, they can say “why change?” Anyone with half a brain could beat mitt in a general….but does obama and his cronies possess half a brain? I think the primaries were far too kind to Mitt last time around. He needs to do a better job of addressing THESE issues with his past. It’s not that he is the wrong person for us necessarily, it’s that his campaign has to be full on ready for everything. He needs to seem more sincere when addressing the abortion issue, rather than smug and arrogant(i don’t think he meant to be, he was just thrown off). He needs to take a strong position on gun rights, rather than waffling and supporting things like the brady bill. He needs to tell people that he was WRONG, rather than pretending that it will just go away. Take responsibility, then people will move on. He hasn’t done that yet. If he doesn’t do that within the next few years, and still manages to get the nomination…he’s gonna get his ass kicked. Although I hope that’s not the case.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
WSU,
It’s already happened. It’s just happening under the banner of democracy. Being a democracy does not guarentee rights to anyone. Iraq has already outlawed much of what would stand for being christianity in their new government. They do not allow religious freedom, they suppress womens rights…hmmmm…calling it democracy doesn’t make it a free country, and it certainly doesn’t make it good enough for us to dump BILLIONS of our money into it. We should’ve either stayed out, or made them into a tributary state. Their oil should be paying for our war to free them(if that’s what you wanna call it).
October 28th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
If this party nominates the squirrel-frying, religion-baiting, tax-raising, big-gov loving, criminal-pardoning, populist panderer – AKA the Huckster, then we really are the stupid party.
Not to worry, though. These polls are merely a reflection of Huck’s high media exposure at the moment. When things get serious, Huck will have his work cut out for him. Measuring strengths against weaknesses, he doesn’t come close to Romney – or even Palin, for that matter.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Instead of bashing Huckabee, why dont you prove why Romney is more conservative then Huckabee and why he would make a better President Martha. Instead of just bashing him, why dont you try winning over some people instead of blatantly dividing the already tense relationship between Romney and Huckabee supporters. Your are playing to the Rombots stereotype.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
You would think by most of the comments on this thread that we were in the middle of the Primary. The fun and games will start in 2011, boys and girls, and in the meantime, I like the way Mitt is positioned.
First, however, we go through the foreplay of the 2010 election cycle, which will determine what the nomination is worth, and get us ready for the main event.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Christopher,
The people here all know Romney and Huckabee well. Anyone who needs an education at this late date on why Huck is entirely, 100% unworthy of national office is basically not interested in the truth.
The large majority of Huckabee’s supporters are the ‘one of us’ crowd who only care about social issues. They close their eyes to his ethical lapses, his religion-baiting, his dishonestly when he claims to be some sort of “Christian Leader”, and the pardoning of 1000 criminals. They want him to remake the Constitution for crying out loud!
Thank heaven, though. Because fiscal cons don’t like the Huckster, and neither do the def cons. Right now, national security/foreign policy, and the economy are top priority/critical. It is vital that we choose the best possible nominee for these areas, as well as a true social conservative. Huck has no credibility on the first 2. He cannot win the nomination.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Martha, that was a much more mature/educated/articulate opinion, and I as well as everyone else on this board (I assume) respects you much more because of it. Lets keep civility. It says alot about a candidate by the way there supporters support them.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
82. Thanks, Christopher.
But Huck supporters cannot be won over. I don’t believe that anyone who comes here is that pliable. We all know who we want, and in the end, some of us are going to have swallow a bitter pill. I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be me.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
‘Going Rogue’ Palin proudly leads GOP parade to its civil war
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/10/column_going_rogue_palin_proud.html
October 28th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
“If this party nominates the squirrel-frying, religion-baiting, tax-raising, big-gov loving, criminal-pardoning, populist panderer – AKA the Huckster, then we really are the stupid party.” You are a day late and a dollar short, the party already proved it is stupid by nominating Queen Dede.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
“It was more like she flipped the bird to her fellow Republicans.” You guys crack me up. IT was the GOP party elite who started the civil war by giving the American people the bird on ACORN, failure to promote the Tea Parties and now NY-23. It is quite entertaining on some levels that the moderates around here blame Mrs. Palin for the mess they made. Mrs. Palin knows where the wind is blowing, the party elite does not and are thus foolish.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
The Palin crowd thinks that the elite GOP vs. the grassroots started with Palin after this election–It actually started with Huckabee in Iowa. I saw it first-hand.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Martha, do we really need to hear you repeat your negative mantra on Huckabee for the next three years. You won’t convince us Huckabee supporters to defect. And I doubt that you are winning over any Romney supporters. But you may be convincing those that are on the fence that Pawlenty would be the best, safe bet.
Martha, I use to read your posts, but now I just skip over them. Which is a shame because you often have good points about politics in general. But your hatred for Huckabee and your lack of respect for Palin has made your posts so negative that they don’t add value to the conversation at large.
If you don’t have anything nice to say, why not just refrain from posting at all. Afterall, we all know how you feel about Huckabee and Palin. Then when you do post about other candidates and politics in general, you will again be a “must read”.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I just hope it’s anyone but Huckabee. I think he’s the favorite right now and like I said earlier–he’s the only one on the list that I won’t vote for.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I still have my doubts that Huckabee will run. He has too cushy of a Media job. Why give that all up in run in a partisan race where half the people you want to influence are determined to undermine your every move?
October 28th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
88. Yes, I am negative, but how is it bashing Huckabee when he has done all those things?
He did pardon 1000 criminals, he did raise taxes, he did play the religion card against Romney, he did admit to frying squirrel, and he does have a reputation for loving bigger government. He is a proud populist.
Texas, why do you support him? Do the pardons bother you? Did it bother you when he used anti-Mormon sentiment among evangelicals against Romney? Did his growing of gov in Arkansas bother you, or the $500 million in new taxes?
Are you a defense and a fiscal con? If so, he’s not the guy.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Someone named Martha will owe us all here an apology on Nov 4th, 2012.
Martha? Do you have the character and humility when that joyous day arrives? Or will your bitterness continue through the Mike Huckabee Presidency? We are praying for you down here in Arkansas. Open your heart and eyes, my friend. : )
October 28th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
#76,you guy just blamed Mitt about abortion and religion,because you hate him,you never listen to him when he speech,educated man!he had explained so many times about how he changed from pro choice to pro life last years and he speech about his faith in the Bush SR.library.You has never experienced in the executive brand how can you blame Mitt? He said he couldn’t kill the innocent babies why he changed from pro choice to pro life,that is the right thing to do in the leadership style that you never knew but you couldn’t do abortion why you blamed him.This great nation had separated politic and religion apart,do you that? we are choosing a president,we are not choosing a church leader or a pastor,if we are choosing a church leader,Mike is qualify and he should campaign for it,because he is a religion discrimination,he is not a national leader,he doesn’t qualify for leadership style,a political leader cover all religions,all race,all gender in the nation at this great country.Now,you guy forgot that the country has high unemployment, high debt,high deficit,high spending,and will much more in the next 3 years,in 2012 American people will talk about the economy,the national security,and the foreign policy,so who is the guy they will talking about? that person is Mitt,Mitt is the successed man,the strongest leader,the smartest person that meet the America dream,so the American people will be with Mitt,because a wealthy leader can make a wealthy country.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Martha,
I have long been convinced that you have a severe case of Huck-derangement syndrome & cannot be reached, but I am such a Platonist that I have to try:
Candidate A raises taxes to build a bridge to nowhere.*
Candidate B raises taxes to repair a bridge and make it safe so that what happened in MN is not repeated there.
Candidate C refuses to raise taxes because he is fiscally conservative.
The Cato Institute gives candidates A & B failing grades because they raised taxes and recommends candidate C for being a good fiscal conservative. Yet was he really the best leader?
*This is not at all intended as a backhand shot at Palin.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Eward,
Are you 12? Come on, that wasn’t intelligent at all. Try harder next time please. I’ve been watching Mitt for a long time. I like him on a personal level, but as a politician i don’t trust him. I’m not opposed to him, as long as he governs as a pro-life, anti-spending, anti-tax conservative. It would also be nice if he would support israel without dragging us into a couple more wars. I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true about Mitt. He WAS pro-choice, that WAS his position. I just believe he has done a poor job of articulating his sincerity on the change from being pro-choice to pro-life. He has also been very anti-gun for a republican. He supports a certain amount of gun control. That’s not acceptable to me. Now, if he gets the nomination i will FULLY support him. Or if he looks like the best bet to beat Obama…which doesn’t look as likely right now. I’m a conservative republican acrossed the board, but i’m not suicidal. I want a conservative candidate, but i also want someone that can win.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:33 am
These national surveys are meaningless. Polls in Iowa and New Hampshire are what matters. And in the expectations games, there are two very high ones:
1. Huckabee needs to win Iowa to continue.
2. Romney needs to win New Hampshire to continue.
There are scenarios for both Palin and Pawlenty to win, but they don’t have high expectations to exceed. A second place finish by either in Iowa or New Hampshire, depending on the circumstances, might be enough to propel them.
Finally, don’t count out Giuliani. He has the potential to knock off Romney in New Hampshire, especially with more independents voting in the GOP primary in 2012. A Giuliani-Huckabee race post-New Hampshire would overwhelmingly favor Rudy.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:49 am
#95.wateredseeds:“He has also been very anti-gun for a republican. He supports a certain amount of gun control.”
While fully agreeing that Mitt does indeed support a certain amount of gun control, I would submit that apart from the most avid weapons freak, most Americans do too. For example, I would love to be able to blow holes in the hillside behind my house with my very own howitzer, but I don’t think those should be sold over the counter. I also think that AK-47s and .50 caliber machine guns shouldn’t be readily available to whoever wants to purchase one.
If you agree with me, then you too support “a certain amount of gun control”, the very sin you are accusing Romney of.
The second amendment talks about the right to bear arms. “Arms” range from spitwads to thermonuclear warheads and the missiles used to deliver them. Obviously a line has to be drawn somewhere. Where would you draw it? Most people who are “very anti-gun” as you claim Mitt to be, draw the line at anything with gun powder. Mitt is pro-sports, hunting, and self-defense. He is against assault weapons. He also rejected the lame attempt of the gun grabbers to include revolvers in the definition of an assault weapon.
He did rate a B+ with the NRA. So how is that “very anti-gun”?
October 29th, 2009 at 9:50 am
94. Huck apologist extrordinaire!
I notice that Huck fans never address his major flaws. Huck has at least 4 dealbreakers:
– Raising 500 million in new taxes, and enlarging government in Arkansas.
– Pardoning 1000 criminals, snubbing his nose at the American system of justice.
– UnAmerican religion-baiting in the 08 campaign.
– Dishonesty/character flaws too obvious to ignore. It’s no accident that Huck had so many ethics complaints.
There are more, but these suffice to disqualified him for national office. I’m not going to ignore these things for the sake of getting along. We don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel in 2012. There are many other leaders from which to choose who don’t have Huck’s bad history.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Martha,
When will you understand that ANY veto Huckabee imposed could be easily overturned by a simple majority in the HIGHLY Democrat state Government in Arkansas. How was it possible that the “tax freedom day” was a few days earlier (April 19 in ‘96 and April 15 in ‘07) after 10 1/2 years of the Huckabee administration if he raised taxes that much? If Romney were as good as you say; why was Massachusetts” “tax freedom day” over a week later (April 20 in ‘03 and April 30 in ‘07) after his 4 year term? http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/22328.html
Huckabee has explained the pardons. He read every file that came across his desk and based his decision on the information. Many of those pardons were for offenses that were keeping people out of work and on welfare. One of the pardons was for a speeding ticket decades before. ANYONE can file an ethnics complaint in the state of Arkansas. Gov. Huckabee was a Republican Governor in a Democrat controlled state. With that little tidbit of information; isn’t it amazing those numerous ethnics complaints didn’t stick?
We are getting sick and tired of your frivolous claims of bigotry. Huckabee apologized and explained. During an interview with Chris Wallace; Huckabee said, “I think people should judge Mitt Romney on his record. Is he consistent? Does he say and believe the things now that he said and believed before? That’s what ought to be the criteria. I don’t think his Mormonism ought to be a factor in it. And I wouldn’t vote for or against somebody because they were Mormon. It simply wouldn’t be that big of an issue for me. If it is for others, they’ll have to explain that. It isn’t for me, and it shouldn’t be for anyone.” http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316253,00.html
Huckabee is supporting a graduate of Brigham Young University that has been consistent in his stands on the issues. http://www.huckpac.com/?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=2870 Get the chip off your shoulder and move on! We’d much rather hear reasons you support your candidate than bashing his competition.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Martha you are a anti-christain bigot!!! Why don’t you just admit you are a liberal Democrat anyone on this board who agrees with are anti-christain bigots as well I would no-way vote for Romney if he won the nomonation at all I would vote for the Constitution party canadate which would mean 4 more years of Obama well I hope Y’all RINO will lean your lesson Socail Issues are important!!!
October 29th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Martha, Martha,
Too worried & anxious to answer my question? It was a little obvious, wasn’t it? The most fiscally conservative candidate is *not necessarily* the best leader, is he? But you apparently recognized that admitting this would be allowing a chink in your armor against him.
Sometimes a good leader *does* spend money – when & where it is needed. Or do you believe that infrastructure & education are frivolous uses of our tax dollars?
To argue that Huckabee is a fiscal liberal who grows govt. without any regard for the context of those taxes is to play the Cato Candidate C game above in #94. (Of course, any road or bridge tragedies in AR would have just given you more ammunition against the pol you love to hate to the point of irrationality)
I have seen many responses to your objections posted on this site time & time again similar to #99 – but you were always too busy accusing his supporters of being anti-Mormon bigots (ironically displaying certain bigotries of your own in the process) to pay attention to minor details.
Nobody says you have to have warm fuzzies for Huckabee, but anyone who professes belief in God should have a higher regard for truth than this.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
100-
Huckabee is definitely the “socail” issues “canadate” who will win the “nomonation” because he’s “no-way” an “anti-christain”
October 29th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
101? What? I don’t understand your question.
Fiscal leaders don’t raise taxes when they don’t need to. It’s not only that, he was a big government guy in many ways.
Huckabee actually was quite conservative when he was first elected. But as time went on, he became more liberal, especially after his last re-election. He made a sharp left turn and immedidately broke his campaign promise to not raise taxes, along with other things. I don’t want to hear any more excuses as to why he raised taxes.
Huck has not explained the pardons to anyone’s satisfaction. He was getting so gung ho on them that Bush had to tell him to cool it. Everyone knows a ticket out of jail in Arkansas was hooking up with one of Huck’s preacher friends and claiming Jesus. What an unbelievable slap at the America system of justice. 1000! Come on, no one can defend it. It is a terrible black mark on Huck’s record that he cannot remove – especially in light of the way he lied about his imvolvement with DuMond, who went on to rape and murder. The truth is that Huck didn’t give a flip about the victims who pled with him to reconsider. He gave them all the cold shoulder. I guess because Huck views himself as a higher power (Christian Leader) more fit to judge than judges and juries. After all, we know he has a habit of comparing himself to Biblical figures all the time, including Jesus.
I suspect that is why many of his evangelical supporters don’t give a rip about the pardons. They must actually believe that Huck has the power to grant redemption/forgiveness and dispense mercy. To hell with justice. Talk about warped!
Some of Huckabee’s supporters were anti-Mormon bigots. Take off the Huck-colored glasses, wake up and see what’s going on around you. It is well-documented. There is no better evidence of Huck’s slime.
I have no bigotries, and have never once in my life judged a candidate by his faith, nor saw a reason to malign another’s faith. Charles Krauthammer was so right when he said Huckabee’s anti-Mormon dirty tricks were UnAmerican. If you can’t see that, I feel sorry for you. You are blinded by your crawl-on-glass devotion for the Huckster.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
100. It’s kind of hard for a Christian to be an anti-Christian bigot, don’t ya think?
October 29th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I just wish Huck supporters would come clean and finally admit that they care more about electing a ‘one of us’ right religion candidate, than they do about choosing a social, fiscal and national security conservative who actually has integrity and true leadership qualities.
Unfortunately for many of these folks, religion trumps everything else.
Mark DeMoss:
“Finally, I’d like to see evangelicals look for competent, qualified candidates who share our values, whether or not they share our faith or theology. I believe it’s wrong to oppose a candidate because of his faith (Mitt Romney), and equally wrong to support a candidate primarily based on common faith (Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin).
Along the campaign trail I met so many people, including pastors and religious leaders, who could tell me only that their choice for president was a “good Christian,” or “one of us.” This, in my view, is a dangerously inadequate approach to choosing our highest leaders. We don’t choose people for any other positions using this test; why would we apply it to one of the most important positions on the planet?”
Why indeed.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Martha,
Read #94 instead of apparently just reacting to it, then #101 might make more sense to you. Did Candidate B raise taxes needlessly? Apparently you think so.
So when candidate B tries to explain to you why he raised taxes, you are going to refuse to listen to his “excuses”? That’s broad-minded of you. Might be why you have yet to “notice” any responses from his supporters explaining those things you object to.
Which highlights the fact that #99 gave you plenty of links to look at that actually SUPPORT what she is saying – I notice that you back up NONE of your accusations with anything more than your animus — and that you have not responded to her either.
Along the campaign trail, I met so many people who could tell me only that their choice for president was a “good businessman” or “fiscally conservative”. This, in my view, is a dangerously inadequate approach to choosing our highest leaders. We don’t choose people for any other positions using this test; why would we apply it to one of the most important positions on the planet?”
Why indeed. That is how Hitler got elected in Germany.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
106. You’ve made my point that most Huck supporters don’t care about having a fiscally conservative nominee.
It takes all three areas – FISCAL, SOCIAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE – to meet the basic minimum requirements of being a conservative. Huck meets only one. And he is severely lacking in moral fiber.
Next.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
In point of fact, Martha, it is you who have made your point – as well as my original one. Against yourself. And quite eloquently. My congratulations on your keen discernment…
October 29th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
My point is that Huck is not fit for national office. I indeed did make my point.
Your point is that it does not matter to you and other Huckabee supporters that he is not fiscally conservative. You just simply don’t care. You indeed did make your point very clear.
Now, it would be nice for you to admit that you vote based on the religion of the candidate. The religion he is, and the religion he is not. but I won’t hold my breath.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
What difference does it make what I say since you are going to interpret everything I say to suit your agenda anyway?
October 29th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Martha,
I noticed you totally ignored my post at #99 and continue to slam the competition rather than give reasons why you support your candidate. If the links I posted above didn’t cover enough; maybe you should check out “The Facts About Mike Huckabee” http://www.mtgriffith.com/web_documents/huckabeefacts.htm
I voted for President Reagan and followed him closely. Gov. Huckabee reminds me of Reagan in many ways. Gov. Huckabee is a true conservative on fiscal, social, and national defense issues and is a populist (like Reagan) that believes “we the people” are the boss. We need a nominee that has the communication and debate skills to get not only Republicans to vote for him but also Independents and moderate Democrats. If Gov. Huckabee continues to take his message directly to “we the people” (using the media like Reagan did) and decides to run again for 2012; he might just be the nominee that can provide the GOP with another Reagan type landslide victory.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I just found another article comparing Huckabee and Romney on the fiscal issue. Check out this quote:
“For those who are interested in the truth, however, the growth of the tax burden in Arkansas under 11 years of Huckabee looks no worse (and actually a tad better) than the growth of taxes in Massachusetts under 4 years of Romney.”
http://townhall.com/blog/g/c6692253-551a-45e4-ba9f-37e740fe9411
I’ll vote for the fiscal and social conservative with the proven record.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Check out the bar graph of the poll results posted at http://hucksarmy.com/new-cnn-poll-huckabee-32-palin-25-romney-21-pawlenty-5/
October 31st, 2009 at 10:02 am
[...] Huck PAC, Mike Huckabee, New York, Republican Party, special election | Governor Mike Huckabee, the winner of yet another poll for the GOP nomination in 2012, expalins his stance on the New York 23rd Congressional District race involving Republican Party [...]
November 1st, 2009 at 11:27 am
Let’s face it, Obama DOES have the gift of communication, even if it IS enhanced by his teleprompter. We will need a Republican who has strong communication skills to go up against Obama and there is NO ONE out there who is a better communicator than Governor Huckabee. Huck has been RIGHT on EVERY major issue since fall of 2007. He was the ONLY Republican speaking against the Bush stimulus checks, saying he was glad Bush was doing something but the checks were only going to cause folks to go to WalMart and buy goods from CHINA. He was against TARP, against the auto bailouts and the Obama stimulus. He is very intuitive and he is clearly in touch with mainstream America. He is the ONLY person, IMO who can go up against Obama and win.
November 1st, 2009 at 11:37 am
For any who say they won’t vote for a Republican, whether it be Huckabee, Romney or any other…..you will be left with 4 more years of Obama. Now, whatever you may think of Huckabee or Romney, I’m sure you wll agree, either is far superior to Obama. When it comes down to it, if you care about your principles you will go with the Republican candidate against the Obama socialist administration.
November 20th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
[...] Take responsibility, then people will move on. He hasn’t done that yet. If he doesn’t do that within the next few years, and still manages to get the nomination…he’s gonna get his ass kicked . Although I hope that’s not the case. ….. maybe you should check out “The Facts About Mike Huckabee” http://www.mtgriffith.com/web_documents/huckabeefacts.htm. I voted for President Reagan and followed him closely. Gov. Huckabee reminds me of Reagan in many ways . Gov. …Continue Reading [...]