Huckabee, Savoring Win and Looking Ahead
By Perry Bacon Jr.
MANCHESTER, N.H.--Flying on a 737 airplane the campaign could not have afforded two months ago, the Huckabees couldn't stop talking, even as they all professed how tired they were on a post-midnight trip from Des Moines to Manchester.

Mike Huckabee speaks to supporters during his caucus night event at the Embassy Suites January 3, 2008 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Getty Images)
Janet Huckabee chatted on and on about how excited she was about her husband's win in Iowa and after a while, curious about the people who were hanging on her every word, she asked each reporter to go and introduce themselves, taking pictures of the assembled pack standing in the aisles. The candidate's daughter Sarah, who had helped lead the Iowa effort, and his son David talked about how they had studied political science and communications in college and spent much of their lives working in their father's campaigns.
And the candidate himself, always eager to tell jokes, was particularly jocular and relaxed. He openly suggested that John McCain would win next Tuesday's primary, though he did have a radical idea about how he could do well in New Hampshire, a state with a much smaller population of evangelicals Christians than Iowa.
"We've got to convert a lot more people in New Hampshire in the next five days," he joked. "We're going to have a big tent revival out on the grounds of the Concord State Capitol, get them all converted to evangelical faith, then we'll win."
After his press secretary had announced last question, Huckabee didn't budge. When a reporter asked how he had prepared for his victory speech, the ex-governor noted he wanted to make sure he didn't scream. Then, he started doing an imitation of Howard Dean's famous 2004 post-Iowa speech, until his campaign manager, Chip Saltsman, told him the press conference was now definitely over.
When he arrived at a Homewood Suites in Manchester, where he will spend the next few days, it was after 4 a.m. But the governor saw something he wanted in the hotel's snack bar area.
"I want all four of these newspapers," he eagerly told the desk clerk. The New York Times, the Boston Globe and two local newspapers had his face on their front pages.
Posted at 7:17 AM ET on Jan 4, 2008
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Posted by: heros34 | January 5, 2008 1:27 PM
I forget to add---why do I want answers to these questions? I want them because Huckabee platform is all about honesty and integrity. I need to know if the man has that in himself
Posted by: manwaringjd | January 5, 2008 1:09 PM
I want some honest answers to these questions without the jokes. Here is what I have read.
-Did Mike Huckabee get his stomach stapled on the sly?
"All diagnosis starts with the medical history the patient provides. Huckabee denies surgery and gives a history of diet/exercise, but is a vague historian. His weight loss performance is world class; he lost 75 lbs, 0.4 lbs. per day, for 6 months. Huckabee attributes his amazing success, after multiple diet failures, to his enrollment in the University of Arkansas Medical Center (UAMS) Weight Control Program, directed by endocrinologist Dr. Philip Kern. The UAMS program involves an initial liquid diet, followed by gradual reintroduction of a normal but caloric restricted diet. Huckabee states he was enrolled in the program, but provides no details of his experience. You'd expect his "How I did it" diet book to divulge a helpful diet technique or two--e.g. estimation of calories consumed and expended. But no, the book is a compilation of homilies bereft of detail, almost as if it was someone else that was enduring a daily deficit of 1400 calories.
Perhaps the UAMS program could fill in the detail? No, the UAMS program is even less specific than Huckabee. The Weight Control Program website has a few expired links to Huckabee media features, but no account from UAMS. Dr. Kern says little, aside from participating in some of Huckabee's media events, praising Huckabee as a model patient and noting that his results were highly atypical for the program.
Huckabee has certainly been appreciative of Dr. Kern's efforts. In 2007, Governor Huckabee allocated $1 million in Arkansas general funds to endow the Dr. Philip Kern Chair at UAMS."
- Huckabee destroyed the drives before leaving the Arkansas governor's office this year.
Why did Huckabee destroy drives before leaving the Governor's office?
- "It is alleged that Huckabee illegally used government funds to crush the hard drive and to help the Mexican government locate a consulate in Little Rock." What is this all about? What does Huckabee say about this?
-"While governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee endorsed and promoted the release of convicted rapist Wayne Dumond, even after his victim begged Huckabee, face to face in the governor's office, to keep him locked up. She insisted "he would rape again". Huckabee ignored the advice. One year later Dumond raped and killed another woman."
In the Dumond case, why did Huckabee not listen to the victim's plea?
-Why does Huckabee think it is better to have more government rather than less?
"It's hard to tell why so many Republican voices, outside of Iowa, seem to despise Mike Huckabee. Frankly, many of them sound positively afraid of him.
I can't tell if it's because they truly believe he's a liberal, tax and spend Dem in a Republican's clothing or there is something else going on here.
But watching him on Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" the other night gave me some insight into what so many might be worried about.
Leno asked Gov. Huckabee about his past career as a Baptist minister and his transition to politics. Huckabee replied that he felt it was time to "get out of the stands" and go to work on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged.
So the ministry is a job "in the stands?" Preaching the gospel and saving souls is something one does from the sidelines? And to REALLY get in the game, one becomes a governmental public servant?
"Perhaps the reason so many are worried about Mike Huckabee's current popularity is because he's actually a guy who believes that the solution to all of our woes is the government, not churches or charities. On Jay Leno's show, he gave us a glimpse into who he truly is, a guy who leaves the ministry ("the stands") and wants to be part of the government because he feels that government is the answer to everything.
That's classic liberalism.
Time will tell whether Americans will figure that out or not."
Posted by: manwaringjd | January 5, 2008 1:03 PM
The Huckabee supporters are aware of the elite media and socialist liberal's continual reference to Governor Huckabee as a "Baptist minister", "preacher", "ordained minister", and other religious titles. They are trying to portray Huckabee as merely an evangelist or snake oil salesman rather than a prior Governor and Government Leader.
The elite media and most talk show hosts are highlighting Governor Huckabee's faith in God to alienate large segments of Americans from Huckabee. For over forty (40) years the elite media and socialist liberals have attempted to remove Christianity from American life and replace it with a more socialist agenda. Rest assured they will not allow Huckabee to destroy their forty year investment of "dark-side" propaganda without a big fight.
Posted by: d_shoup | January 5, 2008 12:41 PM
Wake up America about the truth McCain and Huckabee vs Ron Paul and the Military Truth Video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8
Posted by: stan_h_zx | January 5, 2008 11:10 AM
I'm told Huckabee is a creationist. I am an Australian looking on from the outside. One unsettling possibility is a bunch of people who believe the world will end with a nuclear war in the middle east, in our generation, getting their man elected to the white house. Come on America, you gave us George Dubya Bush! Surely that's enough? Mercy! Mercy!
Posted by: davidhand | January 4, 2008 8:03 PM
Mike Huckabee has overcome some major obstacles, don't bet your farm on him not winning the presidential race, I beleive he can pull this nation together, he done some great things in Arkansas, we're a poor state, basically the only means of support is raising taxes, to build roads, support healthcare and schools, he led without letting his religious convictions, overrule the betterment of the state, he's a Winner
Posted by: sueb3 | January 4, 2008 5:04 PM
Huckabee in front is a sure win for the democrats! Nationwide, he is be the most defeatble candidate on the Republican roster.
Posted by: ALMANOJODO | January 4, 2008 4:44 PM
Here's what Gov. Huckabee has actually said about that:
". . . the important issue that I want to address, because I think when you bring up the faith question, Tim, I've been asked more about my faith than any person running for president. I'm OK with that. I hope I've answered these questions very candidly and very honestly. I think it's important for us to talk about it. But the most important thing is to find out, does our faith influence our public policy and how? I've never tried to rewrite science textbooks. I've never tried to come out with some way of imposing a doctrinaire Christian perspective in a way that is really against the Constitution. I've never done that."
Posted by: JakeD | January 4, 2008 3:45 PM
Hopefully, Huckabee will get elected, and once and for all we can get rid of the Constitution and replace it with the Bible as the Law of the Land. Non-Christians, out of America because you don't belong here. If you worship another god, we don't have room for you here with the true believers. Remember people, that the Constitution is a tool of the devil that gives commoners "rights." That can't be right, no pun intended. Hopefully if the preacher gets elected, church and Bible study will no longer be optional. And just saying that you're a christian won't be enough. All who are allowed to remain amongst those that deserve to be called Americans will have to pass regular tests to prove that they're real Christians. The kind that will lock up abortion doctors and bomb the hell out of brown people. Now that's my kind of president!
Posted by: red2million | January 4, 2008 2:24 PM
Is Huckabee a potential Alf Landon? Anyone have any other potential likenesses?
Posted by: Spectator | January 4, 2008 1:57 PM
We don't need a department of religion for fear that there will come a day when our nation will succumb to religious intolerance leading to another inquisition. I take former Gov. Huckabee's jokes not as jokes but as a warning. I have great respect for my evangical friends within the parameters of personal faith, not political dogma. Huckabee scares the HELL out of me!
Posted by: leonh741 | January 4, 2008 1:46 PM
Iowa's results show they don't have a clue who these candidates are;
Candidate Research - Know Who You're Voting For
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/entry/candidate_research_know_who_youre_voting_for/
Posted by: Winghunter | January 4, 2008 1:45 PM
WP: "evangelical Christian" is not adequate. What your readers deserve to know is that Huckabee doesn't believe in evolution.
While SOME evangelical Christians agree with Huckabee on evolution, the majority do not.
Furthermore, they might feel anyone who holds that belief lacks the intellectual rigor required to lead the most powerful nation on earth.
Posted by: DROSE1 | January 4, 2008 1:07 PM
JakeD-It would NOT surprise me, if they did have two sets of rules! I would also not be surprised if the delegates still ride into Washington on Horseback-er Plow-Horse!
The Iowans make the Iraqi's seem politically advanced!
Onward through the Fog! Iowa IS a Four Letter Word!
Posted by: rat-the | January 4, 2008 12:49 PM
To the rest of you trashing Huckabee:
If he is elected President of the United States, can I get your pledge to finally move overseas?
Posted by: JakeD | January 4, 2008 12:20 PM
rat-the:
You do know that the Republican caucus in Iowa was by SECRET BALLOT, right?
Posted by: JakeD | January 4, 2008 12:19 PM
The "Stand up and be Counted" method that makes fellow Parishoners able to be held in contempt by their Evangelical Neighbors, all two of them, is NOT going to be a factor again! Enjoy your five seconds of fame Huckleberry! When it is all said and done, you have probably secured the VP slot, to bring your sectarian support on board!
Now, try acting like a man of God, and keep it clean!
BTW-Looking at this Guy's Smile, I have to ask:
Is he related to Richard Nixon?
Posted by: rat-the | January 4, 2008 12:09 PM
Christian Right and Home Schoolers made up a large part of Huckabee support. Since these folks choose to pay no heed to the lessons of history concerning the tragic results of mixing religion and government, one can only hope the rest of America avoids the folly of electing members of the Clergy to high office.
As an aside, I have not once interviewed a "Home Schooled" employment applicant that was able to function in the workplace. Each have been woefully unprepared and their parents have done them and society a great disservice.
Posted by: fare777 | January 4, 2008 12:00 PM
"And the candidate himself, always eager to tell jokes, was particularly jocular and relaxed...'We've got to convert a lot more people in New Hampshire in the next five days,' he joked. 'We're going to have a big tent revival out on the grounds of the Concord State Capitol, get them all converted to evangelical faith, then we'll win.'"
--------
Um - you know, when most people tell jokes, there's usually a grain of truth in it somewhere. So that scares the hell out of me.
A candidate that jokes about converting people in the same breath as winning the election? I know we have first amendment laws and such, but there's that whole little "Separation of Church & State" doohickey we got going in this country.
You can worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster for all I care...but you don't make that the cornerstone of your platform.
This is *not* Tudor England, where the muddied succession lines meant your religion was what actually recommended you for the position; being head of the state religion was actually part of the job description. Last I checked in the Constitution, this is not a factor in US Federal Government.
We are not so much a Christian nation, as we are a nation based on freedom of religious faith. So why have the elections devolved into "Who's the best Christian?", instead of "Who's the best Candidate?"
I'm going to weep if this man gets the Republican nomination...
Posted by: Chasmosaur1 | January 4, 2008 10:48 AM
Good for Huckabee
I'm glad voters rewarded his positive message and were turned off by the negative Romney attacks
Posted by: HokiePaul | January 4, 2008 10:37 AM
Now comes the even harder part for Huckabee--to resolve the Second Commandment and Second Amendment tensions in his party well enough to win the nomination and then put them to a national test in the November election:
http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2008/01/second-commandment-and-amendment.html
Posted by: connectdots | January 4, 2008 10:23 AM
Huckabee should savor the moment - because that is all he is going to get - just a moment.
Ohg.
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/01/04/anybody-but-huckabee/
Posted by: glclark4750 | January 4, 2008 9:48 AM
HUCKABEE/NORRIS 2008
President Huckabee...has a certain ring to it...
Posted by: Glimpy | January 4, 2008 8:50 AM
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That these "modern intellectuals" are repelled by a man of Christian faith like Mr. Huckabee reflects an unfathomable depth of ignorance. Since when does an open proclamation of an individual's faith mean our nation and United States Constitution are going to hell in a handbasket. I think one of our greatest presidents - Abraham Lincoln - would take issue with such a premise. But soon, the consensus among many "progressives" will be that only atheists have the intellectual prowess to lead this great nation. In summary, who could be so pitifully naive to rely on the Almighty and his Son when humankind has already solved all its problems? Thank the Lord - I mean ourselves - that we have stopped believing in such nonsense and have evolved.