Mike Huckabee scares the bejeezus out of me, because I think that crap like getting Flair, Ted Nugent and Chuck Norris on your side is so stupid that it... just... might... work.
Any way you slice it, that this is news makes this republic one scary-ass place.
(edited by Brian P. Dermody on 19.11.07 2355) Reward TV -- TV just got better!
No one's ever won an election in the United States by appealing to the learn-ed. Guys win elections by appealing to your average moron. If the world hasn't learned this lesson in 2004, the lesson will never be learned.
"Wocka Wocka...who wants to hear a funny-ass joke?"
You nay not like their politics or think they are to bright but the are successful in their fields and celebrities people know and recognize. I may not agree with their politics but they are not stupid.
Originally posted by It's FalseNo one's ever won an election in the United States by appealing to the learn-ed. Guys win elections by appealing to your average moron. If the world hasn't learned this lesson in 2004, the lesson will never be learned.
What an arrogant statement. I don't like Bush, but I certainly respect him. He won two presidential elections--first beating the sitting VP of the party that had presided over the most prosperous 8 years in U.S. history, and the second while managing a very unpopular war. Moreover, when he won his first gubnatorial race in Texas, he beat an extremely popular incumbent against whom no one thought he had a chance. So, he obviously has a little something.
Besides, if this has held true over 225+ years in the U.S., what does that tell you about the candidates and strategists and overall Democratic party in 2004?
And, I hate you for making me defend Bush! :)
"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
Originally posted by It's FalseNo one's ever won an election in the United States by appealing to the learn-ed. Guys win elections by appealing to your average moron. If the world hasn't learned this lesson in 2004, the lesson will never be learned.
What an arrogant statement. I don't like Bush, but I certainly respect him. He won two presidential elections--first beating the sitting VP of the party that had presided over the most prosperous 8 years in U.S. history, and the second while managing a very unpopular war. Moreover, when he won his first gubernatorial race in Texas, he beat an extremely popular incumbent against whom no one thought he had a chance. So, he obviously has a little something.
Besides, if this has held true over 225+ years in the U.S., what does that tell you about the candidates and strategists and overall Democratic party in 2004?
And, I hate you for making me defend Bush! :)
As you may recall, Bush did NOT win the Presidency in 2000, it was handed to him by the Supreme Court. Second, if you do a little looking around, you can see where he stole the election in 2004 as well... but this is all besides the point.
His elections campaigns target the easiest people to sway into his favor, the Faithful ,the Rich, and the Elderly. If you look back, you can see him name checking God almost every chance he got. This gave him the Religious vote. He also went after all of his dad's friends by promising 'Tax Cuts' which really only gave the rich people more money to hoard away. He went after the elderly by promising the same tax cuts, but not telling them they would most likely not see any of it.
Some how, he was able to make people not notice he was a washed up cocaine addict and a drunk who went AWOL from the Military, and made himself into this freaky God loving, war-mongering, Man's Man President. Evidently, he did have '...a little something.', he had great public relations people.
DrDirt: How can you say that Celebrities are NOT stupid? Do I need to send you to links about Britney, Andy Dick, OJ Simpson, Jeniffer Lopez, Half of the NFL, Jessica Simpson... the list goes on and on, you know.
(edited by Cerebus on 22.11.07 1844) Forget it Josh... it's Cerebustown.
Originally posted by CerebusAs you may recall, Bush did NOT win the Presidency in 2004, it was handed to him by the Supreme Court. Second, if you do a little looking around, you can see where he stole the election in 2008 as well... but this is all besides the point.
His elections campaigns target the easiest people to sway into his favor, the Faithful ,the Rich, and the Elderly. If you look back, you can see him name checking God almost every chance he got. This gave him the Religious vote. He also went after all of his dad's friends by promising 'Tax Cuts' which really only gave the rich people more money to hoard away. He went after the elderly by promising the same tax cuts, but not telling them they would most likely not see any of it.
This post is rich in irony. Bush must be truly amazing if he is going to steal the 2008 election. Look, if you're going to insult the man's intelligence and say that he doesn't have any substance, at least remove the most glaring and idiotic of your errors.
As far as the rest of the post, if it was so easy, why didn't Gore, Kerry or their advisors figure it out. I really think the Democrats were too arrogant and incompetent to beat a very beatable candidate. And, I'd argue the 2000 election was gifted, but not by the Supreme Court. The way Gore squandered unparalleled prosperity and one of the best politicians in U.S. history should be a case study in what not to do in order to win an election. Sheer incompetence (on the part of Gore and his team) is what put the election in the hands of the Supreme Court.
"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
Huckabee is crazy likable. I disagree with him on most everything and I still find him to be a really charming and funny person. It's probably too late for the Repubs to hitch their horse to his wagon, but if he's not Mitt Romney*'s running mate, they're out of their minds.
*Oh yeah. Trust me. Romney/Huckabee v. Edwards/Obama, you heard it here first.
Originally posted by OFBHuckabee is crazy likable. I disagree with him on most everything and I still find him to be a really charming and funny person. It's probably too late for the Repubs to hitch their horse to his wagon, but if he's not Mitt Romney*'s running mate, they're out of their minds.
I pretty much agree with you, save the last part. The problem with Huckabee the nominee, as the Washington Post article below discusses is he's in a pretty far right camp right now. In order for him to win the whole thing, he really needs to broaden his support, and I'm not sure he can do that.
The poll found that overall, 28 percent of likely GOP caucus-goers support Romney, while 24 percent support Huckabee. Thompson ran third in the poll at 15 percent, with Giuliani at about the same level, with 13 percent. McCain, whose Iowa campaign appeared to derail earlier this year over his stance on immigration, had 6 percent and was tied with Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.), who rose from 2 percent in July.
On the bright side, Huckabee will have the strongest team in case the Republican nomination is decided in WarGames. He can also promise that as president, his administration will cure cancer with Norris' tears.
Romney suffers from the same problem as Kerry --- no matter what they're saying, it seems like they're lying or just being too "politician-y". Hillary sort of suffers from the same thing, but if it comes down to her and Romney, she'll win in a landslide.
And certainly an idiot could be president. Look at your own experience: how many people have you ever worked with (or worked under) that were entirely unqualified for their positions and barely stayed afloat? There are such things as idiot doctors, idiot firefighters, idiot police officers, idiot teachers, idiot soldiers, idiots with 4511 message board posts, etc. Don't underestimate idiocy. It's hard to stop.
Guys...after I post in a thread telling somebody to keep their crap off the board, DON'T add a reply asking that person to bring their crap back into the same thread.
Originally posted by Big BadRomney suffers from the same problem as Kerry --- no matter what they're saying, it seems like they're lying or just being too "politician-y". Hillary sort of suffers from the same thing, but if it comes down to her and Romney, she'll win in a landslide.
Someone like Edwards has this as well, but he's got so much charm and charisma that a lot of people don't notice. Plus, he just seems so sincere; when he talks about two Americas, I almost believe that he lives in the poor side of the Americas. I think he could cry out of one eye, on command
And, Giuliani is kind of the same way, but he has swagger and attitude (and leadership--according to him) that does a good job of covering his adject politicianness (if that's a word).
And, to be honest, those two frighten me more than any other candidate, even the certifiable ones.
Lastly, Leroy had said that Huckabee will have to broaden his support to win. But, with the way the primary system works, I think any candidate will struggle with the same problem. The bottom line is that the platform and issues necessary to win either party's nomination are not the ones which will carry Election Day. That's why the conventions are so important; they'll set the tone for each candidate's general election strategy and tone while separating the candidates from the stuff that characterized the primaries.
"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
Originally posted by CorajudoLastly, Leroy had said that Huckabee will have to broaden his support to win. But, with the way the primary system works, I think any candidate will struggle with the same problem. The bottom line is that the platform and issues necessary to win either party's nomination are not the ones which will carry Election Day. That's why the conventions are so important; they'll set the tone for each candidate's general election strategy and tone while separating the candidates from the stuff that characterized the primaries.
I just think that Huckabee will have a more difficult time crossing that barrier than Giuliani or even McCain. The part of the Republican base to whom Huckabee appeals doesn't take too well having their positions compromised in favor of winning the election.
But aside from that, I think Huckabee is very sincere in his convictions, and I don't see him compromising those positions - which is why he comes across so personable. That's also why I don't believe he can win in the long run.
Cerebus, I am not saying that all celebrities are smart but thay know how to play their celebrity. And O.J. beat a murder rap, Jessica made a fortune being dumb and J Lo has made a mint. Maybe we are the stupid ones for paying attention to them.
Originally posted by CorajudoLastly, Leroy had said that Huckabee will have to broaden his support to win. But, with the way the primary system works, I think any candidate will struggle with the same problem. The bottom line is that the platform and issues necessary to win either party's nomination are not the ones which will carry Election Day. That's why the conventions are so important; they'll set the tone for each candidate's general election strategy and tone while separating the candidates from the stuff that characterized the primaries.
I just think that Huckabee will have a more difficult time crossing that barrier than Giuliani or even McCain. The part of the Republican base to whom Huckabee appeals doesn't take too well having their positions compromised in favor of winning the election.
But aside from that, I think Huckabee is very sincere in his convictions, and I don't see him compromising those positions - which is why he comes across so personable. That's also why I don't believe he can win in the long run.
FWIW, Reuters (news.yahoo.com) today has Huckabee beating Clinton in a hypothetical race, but losing to Obama or Edwards.
Of course, the same poll has Hilary losing to all of the major GOP candidates, while Obama and Edwards beat them, but that's a whole other topic.
Thought it was posted on here, but after searching, I guess I was wrong... Anyhoo -- Maya had a Xanga blog, and the Dem bloggers jumped on it and its content, since she outed herself on there. Once again, fun and frivality in IL politics. :D