Florida for Huckabee

Remarkable

2008-03-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

There is no other word to describe the presidential campaign of Gov. Mike Huckabee. His effort has truly been a phenomenon in modern American politics. Tonight marks the end of the campaign to win the 2008 presidential nomination. But it also signals the beginning of a new era of leadership for the social conservative movement in America.

Many pro-family, evangelical leaders that I formerly looked to for direction sat on the sidelines or supported other “more electable” candidates this primary season. Then they switched their support around to different candidates depending on what the polls were saying.

But one man stood strong, unflinching in the face of enormous pressure from the Republican establishment, unbalanced critique from fellow social conservatives and unrelenting abuse and neglect by the media. One leader stayed true to his convictions throughout the campaign and now emerges as the new, strong voice of social conservatives for years to come. Integrity, character, determination and civility defined his presidential bid. That man is Mike Huckabee.

I am proud to have volunteered for such a leader. I am inspired to press on because of his persistence.

Thank you Gov. Huckabee for your tireless effort on behalf of the principles that we all hold dear. God bless you and your family. And just let us know when we can do it all again! We stand-by, ready to serve.

………………………..

Huckabee poised to lead revival of conservative evangelical wing
The Washington Times
March 3, 2008

Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign may be nearing its end, but those around him say he won't disappear and is poised to claim political leadership of conservative evangelicals.

Mr. Huckabee's inner circle says he's the perfect bridge to re-establish the Christian right, which has suffered over the last decade, as a political force that speaks for millions of voters.

"He has become the leader of a new generation of Christian conservative voters," said Rex Nelson, who was communications director when Mr. Huckabee was Arkansas' governor. "The old leadership has either passed on in the case of [the Rev. Jerry] Falwell or become either irrelevant or out of touch — the Pat Robertson endorsement of Rudy Giuliani proves that."

"There is nobody else you can identify outside of Mike Huckabee as a leading person to take on that role, really in a new era where evangelicals care about a lot of things like the environment and working with the poor," Mr. Nelson said. Mr. Huckabee said he will remain in the Republican nomination battle until someone reaches 1,191 delegates to the September convention. Sen. John McCain of Arizona would clinch the nomination tomorrow with wins in Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island.

Several of Mr. Huckabee's close advisers, speaking on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss possibilities, said he does not have an interest in a Cabinet position or in running for the U.S. Senate from Arkansas, but said being on a ticket as vice president would be an attractive alternative.

One adviser mentioned a role as Republican National Committee chairman, while another said he might be best suited for a role outside the party. Mr. Huckabee is a former Southern Baptist pastor who has energized evangelical Republican voters this year, but his camp has been surprised at how little support evangelical leaders have offered and, in fact, how much they worked against him.

That could signal a split between evangelical leaders and their supporters, which Mr. Huckabee's supporters say leaves the field open for him, both among those religious values voters and a broader conservative audience.

"He now has become the voice and face of conservative America. Whether it's conservatism or Christian conservatism, I think the options now are wide open for him to decide how does he want to take advantage in the right way," said former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley, one of Mr. Huckabee's early supporters.

Similar to Mr. Falwell, Mr. Huckabee has been a church pastor, and he has shown the communication skills of Mr. Robertson. But he also brings a new element — he has won repeatedly in primaries and caucuses, carrying eight states: Iowa, West Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and Kansas.

Not everyone is happy with Mr. Huckabee's continued campaign. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, called him last month to ask him to drop out, and some Republican fundraisers privately say he no longer serves a purpose in the campaign.

Some operatives suspect he's staying in the race because money is still flowing on the Internet and it allows him to keep his own profile high. But Mr. Huckabee's inner circle says he feels an obligation to his voters and to the party to stay in the race until someone wins the nomination outright, and Mr. Huckabee himself said he will stay in as long as there's the chance for a brokered convention.

They also say that by not scorching Mr. McCain with attacks and by continuing to draw crowds, he is not damaging himself or the party.

"Normally you would argue he's at that point. But I think because of his humor, his wit, self-deprecation, I think he's fine at this stage, given the excitement that still exists out there for his candidacy," Mr. Beasley said.

Powered in part, if not primarily, by evangelical voters, Mr. Huckabee has won slightly more than 3 million votes — about 20 percent of the total — in the Republican primaries and caucuses, according to the count kept by http://www.thegreenpapers.com/.

Those are voters Mr. McCain will want to reach for the general election — but he has had a difficult time connecting with them and might need Mr. Huckabee's help.

"When the race is all done and Mike is still out there, I think the Republican Party needs to keep Mike around so that all those people over the years who felt the Republican Party moved away from them realize it wasn't the party, it was them," said Robert E. Clegg Jr., a Republican state senator in New Hampshire.

That matters particularly in places such as Iowa, usually a swing state in November. Mr. Huckabee won its January caucuses, while Mr. McCain didn't even campaign in the state.

Mr. Huckabee might have broken the mold for campaigns — proving someone with low fundraising can still compete and win states.

"We are running one of the most cost-effective political campaigns in modern American history, chiefly because of the governor's ability to communicate and the campaign's ability to excel on the earned media front," said Kirsten Fedewa, who has contributed to Mr. Huckabee's media strategy for years.

By one estimate the campaign's earned media is the equivalent of $125 million in paid ads, and that was before his appearance on "Saturday Night Live" last month.

Former Sen. Tim Hutchinson, an Arkansas ally of Mr. Huckabee's, said Mr. Huckabee could write columns and do radio and television the same way Ronald Reagan did between his unsuccessful 1976 Republican primary campaign and his 1980 presidential victory.

"He has enhanced his national reputation enormously and he's relatively young and has a very, very bright future," Mr. Hutchinson said.

Jed Kirby Reports in from the Little Rock Victory Party

2008-02-06T18:36:00.001-08:00

Tampa's Jed Kirby Reports in from his time with Gov. Mike Huckabee at the Little Rock Super Tuesday Victory party:

I am sure that most of you watched the Super Tuesday returns last night, and what a night it was for Governor Huckabee. Katie and I were blessed to be there with him and his family. There is no doubt that prayer was the reason behind these victories.

Governor Huckabee asked us to thank all of you for your prayers and your financial support. This campaign does not have the celebrity name of John McCain or the money of Mitt Romney, but what he does have is the hand of the Lord on him. After seeing the insides of this campaign and having the opportunity to ge to know Governor Huckabee, it is very obvisous that the Lord is doing mighty things to and through him.

None of us know how this election will turn out, whether he become President, Vice President, or even a future candidate for President. But what we do know is that last night he was a heavy underdog, and was written off my all the media, and trailed in all the polls, but in his pocket was not money but 5 smooth stones.

The so called Giants were defeated in the South. This is important because Huckabee won all the states that are crucial to a victory in a general election. John McCain won most of the states that the Republican party will never win in a general election....for more please read this blog:

http://voteforhuckabee.blogspot.com/2008/02/5-reasons-huckabee-can-win-despite.html

Thank you all for all your prayers, and let's continue to pray that the Lord brings us a leader that will protect our values that are so instrumental in our lives of faith.

Jed and Katie

Students Drawn to Huckabee

2008-01-31T20:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a news package I missed from Boca Raton on 1/24/08 that still applies because it demonstrates the strong appeal Gov. Huckabee has been young voters.

Pressing Onward

2008-01-30T04:51:00.000-08:00

Mike Huckabee’s Florida supporters are to be congratulated on a valiant effort. With so little time and money, Gov. Huckabee did remarkably well in the Sunshine state. I was personally told by a campaign staffer that Florida was more organized on the ground than any other state when the campaign team arrived after South Carolina. That is to the credit of the dozens of Meet-up leaders and county volunteer chairs who were in place and providing leadership.

And, as Gov. Huckabee made very clear last night, we are not finished! Let’s do all we can to refocus our efforts now on calling into the Super Tuesday states, sending emails to our friends and family in those states and giving all we can to the Mike Huckabee for President effort. CLICK HERE to make a donation to the campaign.

Congratulations to Sen. John McCain and his team on an impressive come back here in Florida to win the primary.

We just might surprise everybody

2008-01-29T04:32:00.000-08:00

Primary Day is finally here. Mike Huckabee supporters have been faithfully waving signs, making calls and promoting the most conservative leader running for President: Mike Huckabee! He is the only candidate that has been consistently Pro-life his entire career and is the only candidate to support the Human Life Amendment to protect the unborn.

Huckabee is a Jeb Bush type of Conservative Republican Leader

The Huckabee Economic Plan – Additional Analysis

Huckabee Touts Fair Fax in Florida
January 27, 2008
"We take Florida very seriously," Huckabee said. "We understand it is tough state. I think we will surprise some people Tuesday." He also noted that Giuliani had spent much more time campaigning in the state. "I feel like we are going to have a respectable showing," he said. "We are way ahead in states likes Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma and a lot of states on Feb. 5 are very much in play for us."

Huckabee Makes Primary Push
January 28, 2008
Milton resident John Grove doesn't believe the polls that don't give Mike Huckabee a shot at winning the Florida Republican primary Tuesday.

Florida Primary Turnout May Set Record
January 29, 2008

Mike Huckabee is the Leader that America Needs:

Huckabee is a Jeb Bush Republican

2008-01-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

Bold Ideas. Smaller and Smarter Government. Principles over Politics. These are all qualities that former Governors Mike Huckabee and Jeb Bush have in common.

With much of their administrations overlapping, these two men probably got to know each other pretty well. In an interview last fall with the Hoover Institution, Jeb Bush was asked about Gov. Huckabee: “I like him. He's a great speaker and clear-minded about the importance of moral principles.”

While many of us may have hoped Jeb would run for President, Mike Huckabee provides us with another great leader, who has 10 ½ years of executive leadership experience. He has an unwavering resolve to win the war with Islamic terrorists and strengthen our economy and families. Notably, Mike Huckabee has always been pro-life and is the only Republican candidate in favor of the Human Life Amendment.

Source of quote: http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2007/11/jeb-bush-on-the.html

Cream and Sugar, Governor?

2008-01-27T10:07:00.001-08:00

Gov. Huckabee campaigned in Little Havana Thursday with Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, Rep. David Rivera and Sen. Alex de la Portilla.

Florida Schedule

2008-01-27T04:38:00.000-08:00

The following are some of the upcoming Florida appearances that Gov. Mike Huckabee is making. (Events are subject to change and you should check the official website Newsroom for last minute cancellations or changes.)

Sunday January 27, 2008

First Baptist Church of Orlando, Orlando, FL

Fair Tax Rally, Jacksonville, FL

East Brent Baptist, Pensacola, FL

Monday January 28, 2008

Campaign Rally, Pensacola, FL

Florida Appearances

2008-01-27T04:24:00.001-08:00

Monday Campaign Rally in Pensacola

2008-01-27T04:20:00.001-08:00

Come See Gov. Mike Huckabee in Pensacola, Florida on Monday!

Fish House Restaurant
600 S. Barracks St. #11 ♦ Pensacola, FL
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 8:00 am

RSVP to florida@explorehuckabee.com or 407-438-9134

"Rock the Boat" Rally - Jacksonville - Sunday

2008-01-27T04:06:00.000-08:00

A message from the Fair Tax Folks about Gov. Huckabee’s appearance at the Sunday afternoon Fair Tax rally in Jacksonville:

Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008 Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Jacksonville Landing
CLICK HERE for details

This Sunday, January 27 join thousands of your fellow FairTax supporters for a major "Rock the Boat" rally in Jacksonville. Our timing is critical: Sunday's rally is two days before the crucial Florida primary where, the presidential race….. Strong FairTax support will make the difference in the race here, and that could help drive outcome on Super Tuesday the following week.

Our "Rock the Boat" rally will feature music, entertainment, and FairTax speakers. All of the major candidates have been invited to attend, with Gov. Mike Huckabee already confirming he’ll be there.

As you know, the FairTax has become a major issue in the 2008 race thanks to your support. Our huge rally successes in Columbia, South Carolina and Ames, Iowa last year were absolute game changers, drawing national interest to the FairTax, and helping generate support in Washington, and at the grassroots level.Sunday's "Rock the Boat" FairTax rally will prove to be the same, and could be decisive in the 2008 presidential race.

CLICK HERE to reserve your free tickets.

East Brent Baptist - Pensacola

2008-01-26T15:52:00.000-08:00

Florida for Huckabee has also confirmed that Gov. Huckabee will be providing the evening message at East Brent Baptist Church in Pensacola this Sunday, January 27, 2008. The service begins at 6:00PM and the church is located at 4801 North Davis Highway in Pensacola.

First Baptist Orlando this Sunday

2008-01-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

Florida for Huckabee has learned that Gov. Mike Huckabee will be attending First Baptist Church in Orlando this Sunday, January 27, 2008. He will be introduced during both the 9:00AM and the 10:45AM services. CLICK HERE for directions to First Baptist Orlando.

Sen. Mike Likes Gov. Mike

2008-01-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

Florida's Pro-Family Leaders Endorse Huckabee

2008-01-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday January 24, 2008

FLORIDA'S MOST RESPECTED CONSERVATIVE, PRO-FAMILY LEADERS ENDORSE MIKE HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT

(Orlando, FL) Today, the Co-Chairmen of the Florida Huckabee Faith and Values Coalition, John Stemberger and Dr. David Uth, announced that a clear consensus has been reached among pro-family leadership in Florida and that Mike Huckabee is the candidate to back for social conservatives. This was further evidenced by rock solid conservative Congressman, and former presidential candidate, Duncan Hunter's endorsement of Governor Mike Huckabee yesterday.

Stemberger said, "A year ago, several leaders set out to build a consensus around who was the best candidate to stand for conservative, pro-life and pro-family values. While it has taken us a while to get here, we are proud to announce that a consensus has been reached not only around the country, but specifically here in Florida. For conservative pro-family voters, Huckabee is our man!" "I have known Governor Huckabee for 32 years and have found him to consistently represent the Biblical values that we can all hold dear." Said David Uth.

Florida's closed primary is a different ball game than in New Hampshire and South Carolina where independents and liberal democrats can cross over and vote for a candidate like John McCain. Social and religious conservatives comprise upwards of forty percent of the primary voters in Florida and Governor Huckabee can be very competitive and could win Florida as the consensus continues to build.

"One of the primary questions we have to ask is who can we trust to bring us home? Mike Huckabee is the answer." John Stemberger said. While hundreds of Florida pro-family advocates and pastors have endorsed Mike Huckabee, the following high profile leaders are announcing their joint endorsement today:

Art Ally
The Timothy Plan

Frank Attkisson
State Representative
Florida House

Bill Bunkley
Host of Drive Time
Salem Radio Network

Barbara Collier
Christian Coalition of
Broward County*

Ken Connor
Center for a Just Society*

John Grant
Florida Senate, Retired

Janet Folger
Faith2Action*

Terry Kemple
Community Issues Forum*

Tomas Lares
Council on Faith in Action (CONFIA)*

Pam Olson
Florida Prayer Network*

Rep. Marco Rubio
Speaker, Florida House of Representatives

Mat Staver
Liberty Counsel*

John Stemberger
Florida Family Policy Council*

Stephen Strang
Strang Communications

Dr. David Uth
First Baptist Church of Orlando*

Senator Daniel Webster
Florida Senate

* For Identification Purposes Only

# # #

Hunter’s FL Campaign Chief Backs Huckabee

2008-01-24T06:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a letter written by Chuck Winn who served as Duncan Hunter’s Florida Chief of Staff until the congressman dropped out of the race and endorsed Mike Huckabee this week.

Congressman Hunter’s decision to withdraw from the Presidential race was disappointing, but I will always be proud to have served as his campaign’s Florida Chief of Staff. He boldly warned that the hemorrhaging of jobs and technology to China was eroding the economic component of American National power. He also warned that protecting jobs and in U.S. defense, aircraft, ship repair, machine tools, textile, steel, titanium and information technology industries are essential for maintaining our wartime surge capacity. He led the fight for securing our borders and ending the assault on America’s middle class by unchecked illegal immigration.

Significantly, the Congressman did not endorse his Armed Services Committee counterpart in the Senate, and fellow Vietnam Veteran John McCain. Having full confidence in Duncan’s judgment, I must conclude there is a valid reason. Governor Romney's obviously did not sufficiently responded to Duncan's appeal to have him influence the Bain Corporation to drop its strategic partnership with Chinese defense contractor Huawei Technologies in a bid to buy U.S. defense contractor 3Com. Mayor Giuliani maintains his liberal positions on social issues.

Congressman Hunter introduced me to Governor Mike Huckabee at the Univision GOP Candidate’s Forum in Miami, where he made an impressive performance. I had concerns over several of his controversial decisions as Arkansas’ Governor, but he has demonstrated the ability to change course and grow. Duncan Hunter has endorsed him as the “most strongly committed to strengthening national defense, constructing the border fence and meeting the challenge of China’s emergence as a military superpower that is taking large portions of America’s industrial base.” I share that view and urge you to vote for Governor Huckabee on January 29th.

Charles J. Winn
Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret)
Stuart, FL 34994

“I’ll Probably go with Huckabee”

2008-01-23T22:57:00.001-08:00

With Fred Thompson quitting the race for president, his Florida supporters are now moving their support to Gov. Mike Huckabee. It’s a nature switch. Many social, fiscal and foreign policy conservatives were lining up behind Thompson early on when he was the rock star. Now they are gravitating to Gov Huckabee because his pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, and strong national security policy are all so similar to Senator Thompson’s.

Miami Herald - January 23, 2008
''I'll probably go with Huckabee,'' said Barbara Collier, a well-known Christian activist in Fort Lauderdale and Thompson supporter. ``He has a lot of the principles that I stand for, that I would like to see in a president.'' Atlanta-based pollster Matt Towery said Huckabee will get more votes without Thompson siphoning away Christian conservatives.

St. Petersburg Times – January 23, 2008
John Stemberger,[a]…conservative…in Orlando, said Thompson supporters will feel at home with fellow southerner, Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor. He should know; he made the switch a couple of months ago. "I think that Mike Huckabee for social conservatives is the candidate," he said. "Nobody comes close to his credentials."

Vote for Gov. Huckabee in this Online poll

2008-01-23T21:20:00.000-08:00

Go vote in the Florida Virtual Primary:

http://purpleflorida.ning.com/

Make Phone Calls to Florida...Come to Florida

2008-01-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

Attention America: If you want to help Gov. Mike Huckabee win the Florida primary on January 29th, please take action now:

Make Phone calls into Florida: If you can help make calls into the state, please email Katie.Halley@explorehuckabee.com. Tell Katie how many numbers you can realistically call in the next few days and she will email you a list of numbers and a phone script to use.

Come to Florida: If you want to come to Florida and volunteer please email cheriereopro@huckabee.com right away.

Florida Media: Where's Mike?

2008-01-22T13:15:00.000-08:00

Wow, to hear and read the media today, you would think Gov. Mike Huckabee does not know where to find the state of Florida on a map. They are having a good time piling on Gov. Huckabee here, here, here, oh, and here and here.

Truth be told, Mike Huckabee is running a strong campaign in Florida, with grassroots volunteers active all across the state. Gov. Huckabee is running a nationwide, 50-state campaign because he understands that a President of the United States must represent every American…not just citizens in the “early states” or those in the “BIG states.”

CLICK HERE to see the energetic reception Gov. Huckabee received from Orlando supporters yesterday.
CLICK HERE to learn about the exciting Ft. Lauderdale Rally with Gov. Huckabee planned for tomorrow.
CLICK HERE to see a sample of the Meet-up activities going on around the state all week to boost the campaign.
CLICK HERE to read about Gov. Huckabee’s non-political speech to a thousand pastors in Orlando yesterday.

And that is not to mention the half dozen or so fund raiser events going on with Gov. Huckabee around the state this week. Nor does it include the opportunity for Gov. Huckabee to shine on Thursday with the debate from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton (that’s in Florida also…just in case the Florida media is still confused!)

5 things you can do this week to help Mike Huckabee win Florida:

1. Vote Early and take others with you. Early voting allows a strategic advantage for those who will go to the early voting locations and cast their vote this week so that next Tuesday on Primary Day, they can be freed up to help Gov. Huckabee in other ways. CLICK HERE to find early voting locations in your county.

2. Make phone calls as a campaign volunteer. Contact the state headquarters in Orlando at 407-438-9134 to find out how you can help in this effort to connect with Republican voters around the state.

3. Write a Letter to the Editor. You can write a 250-word-or-less letter explaining why you support Gov. Huckabee or highlighting one of his policy positions, like his strong stand against Islamic Terrorism, his promotion of the Fair Tax or his Secure America plan to deal with those entering our nation illegally.

4. Email all of your Florida contacts. A simple tool is available HERE on the main http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ site that allows you to send an email introducing Mike Huckabee and add a personal greeting to your friends.

5. Stand outside the required distance from Early Voting locations and wave signs in support of Mike Huckabee from now through Saturday, Jan. 26th.

And last but not least, CLICK HERE to read about Fred Thompson dropping out of the presidential race today.

On to a Florida victory on January 29th!

Tampa Reception

2008-01-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A RECEPTION IN SUPPORT OF

United States Presidential Candidate
Governor Mike Huckabee (R)

Friday, January 25, 2008
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

1001 East Palm Avenue ~ Tampa, FL 33605

Private Reception and Photo with Governor Huckabee
Contribution: $2,300 per person

General Reception
Contribution: $1,000 per person

Business Casual ~ Heavy Hors D'oeuvres

RSVP by January 22:
813.453.7608 or Petradevelop@gmail.com

Paid for by Huckabee for President, Inc.
www.mikehuckabee.com

Ft. Lauderdale Campaign Rally

2008-01-22T06:19:00.000-08:00

You are invited to join Presidential Candidate
Governor Mike Huckabee
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
For a Campaign Rally
at
Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport/Elite Jet Hangar
2900 NW 59th Street ♦ Fort Lauderdale, FL
RSVP to
Florida@explorehuckabee.com
or
(407) 438-9134

It's Time to Win Florida!

2008-01-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Florida Governor Huckabee! We are with you all the way to a January 29th victory!

Sample of Florida Meet-up Activities this week

2008-01-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

Florida Hispanics for Mike Huckabee Meet-up
January 22, 2008
7:15 PM
CLICK HERE for more details

Pensacola Meet-up
January 22, 2008
7:00 PM
CLICK HERE for more details

Polk County Meet-up
January 22, 2008
6:00 PM
CLICK HERE for more details

Orange Park/Clay County Meet-up
January 24, 2008
7:00 PM
CLICK HERE for more details

Space coast Meet-up – Melbourne
January 24, 2008
7:00 PM
CLICK HERE for details

Gainesville Meet-up
January 26, 2008
12:00 PM
CLICK HERE for more details

For see all Florida Meet-ups, CLICK HERE

Florida Headquarters Grand Opening

2008-01-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 1/22 - Prayer in Orlando

2008-01-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

You are invited to a powerful hour of prayer and worship in Orlando
seeking God’s favor and direction for our nation and our next president.

Tuesday – January 22, 2008
6:30 – 7:30 AM
First Baptist Church of Orlando
Faith Hall

Prayer Leaders:
Becky Hunter
Coach Bill McCartney
Pastor David Swanson
Pastor David Uth

This is an opportunity to petition the Lord for the next President of the United States and to pray specifically for presidential candidate Governor Mike Huckabee and his family according to the power of prayer and the Biblical mandate to pray for other believers. (2 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Timothy 2:1-3).

This is not a political event. Not a fund raiser. No breakfast. No coffee.
Just prayer for the future of our nation.

Please CLICK HERE to RSVP.

Florida Media Coverage

2008-01-15T16:23:00.000-08:00

Huckabee Needs to Expand Base in Florida
Sun-Sentinel
January 15, 2008
As other candidates perform poorly and possibly drop out after today's primary in Michigan and Saturday's in South Carolina, Craig and Dinerstein said Huckabee may face a smaller field of opponents. While he may get the same share, each of the remaining Republicans would be able to get a larger share of the vote.

Huckabee is Difficult for Some to Define
Sun-Sentinel
January 15, 2008
Henry Bayard, Huckabee's volunteer coordinator in Broward, lauds the candidate for talking about protecting the environment, improving education, and the so-called fair tax. The fair tax, a major cause among some conservatives, calls for replacing all federal income taxes with a national sales tax. "He's more of a well-rounded candidate," Bayard said.

Thompson Chucked for Huck by Florida Conservative
Orlando Sentinel
January 14, 2008
“Gov. Huckabee is without question the best candidate to breathe new life and fresh hope into a nation and its people who are fed up with scandal, corruption and big-money power politics”

State Headquarters Opens in Orlando

2008-01-12T06:44:00.001-08:00

The first Florida campaign office for Mike Huckabee opened on Friday in Orlando. Here is the contact information for the office and the new Online Florida Headquarters also:

Mike Huckabee for President
LaQuinta Business Center II
1282 LaQuinta Dr Unit #4
Orlando, FL 32809
407-438-9134
Florida Online HQ

FL Native Ken Connor: Bluebloods vs. the Base

2008-01-11T10:58:00.000-08:00

Florida Native and former Florida gubernatorial candidate Ken Connor wrote an excellent piece describing what is now occurring within the Republican Party.

CLICK HERE for full article

They are the Republican elites, the bluebloods that fund political campaigns. They fashion for themselves quaint little names like "Rangers" and "Pioneers." Raising political capital is their new frontier. They invest in political campaigns as a cost of doing business and they expect a return on their investment. To spread the risk, they often put their money down on more than one candidate. And the returns are good—subsidies, tax breaks, limitations on liability when things go awry. Power is a wonderful way to leverage wealth! They are fiscally conservative and socially liberal. After all, one never knows when the right to abortion might come in handy. An unexpected pregnancy can be so inconvenient!

They expect people to know their place—and to stay in it. Place, after all, reflects one's station in life. It is, therefore, unsettling when one gets out of place.

That's why the candidacy of Mike Huckabee is so unsettling to them. A Baptist preacher who wants to sit at the head of the table! Can't he just pronounce the benediction? A graduate of Ouachita Baptist University—never heard of it. Where is he from? Arkansas? That's where the Ozarks are, right? They make moonshine there and those quaint little dolls with faces made of dried fruit. Governor, you say? Ah, but has he ever run a business? Wasn't Bill Clinton governor of Arkansas? Who is backing Huckabee? Home schoolers? Why would anyone want to teach their kids at home when there are perfectly lovely boarding schools available? Evangelicals? Those are the folks with the red necks and blue collars that carry big black Bibles, right? The ones that don't believe in evolution and want to take the nation back for Christ. They think the earth is flat and object to embryonic stem cell research? I thought so. Oh, they can be useful by winning elections for you, but they are soooo presumptuous! Who do they think they are? Give someone a seat at the table, and the next thing you know, they want to sit at the head of the table!

Here's the bad news for the bluebloods. The blue collars aren't going to go away. The base isn't going to the back of the bus. They've ridden back there for so long, their behinds are sore. They're mad as hell and they aren't going to take it any more. They've found a champion in Mike Huckabee and they intend to fight. They've chafed long enough. For years, they watched as the Republican controlled Congress spent money like drunken sailors. They saw "earmarks" for the business elites elevated to an art form and rise to an all time high under Republican leadership. They watched as the party of family values became embroiled in scandals involving sex and money. They winced as the Republican led Congress gave away tens of millions of dollars to Planned Parenthood, the biggest abortionist in the business. And they became apoplectic when the business elites thwarted efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigration because the bluebloods wanted to maximize profits through the use of cheap immigrant labor at the expense of the American worker.

To borrow a phrase from Hillary Clinton, Huckabee listened to them and found his own voice. And the base is responding to it.

Full story…

Huckabee 1st in FL...Rudy 4th

2008-01-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

A new poll shows Gov. Mike Huckabee solidifying his Florida lead with his main competitor in Florida, Rudy Giuliani, slipping to 4th. From Datamar:

Mike Huckabee 23.9%

Mitt Romney 19.5%

John McCain 17.9%

Rudy Giuliani 16.4%

Fred Thompson 9.4%

Ron Paul 4.8%

Florida Leaders Campaign in NH

2008-01-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Florida leaders like House Speaker Marco Rubio, State Representative David Rivera and State Senator Mike Haridopolos (all pictured here with Mike Huckabee) have been in New Hampshire campaigning for the governor.

Here is the story from the Miami Herald:

Mike Huckabee's staunchest Florida supporters believe his Iowa surprise was enough to catapult him to victory in Florida's Jan. 29 contest -- so much so that they spent a chilly Sunday hitting the pavement for the Baptist minister who has upended the Republican race for the presidency.

Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, swaddled in a dark sweater and a thermal top, and his top lieutenant, state Rep. David Rivera, traded South Florida for southern New Hampshire, calling GOP voters from Huckabee's makeshift New Hampshire headquarters here and thrusting Florida oranges to passing motorists, urging them to vote for the former Arkansas governor.

''I came all the way from Florida to give you this orange and ask you to please consider Gov. Huckabee when you vote Tuesday,'' Rivera said to several startled drivers, as he darted across three lanes of traffic on North Main Street….

Full story…

Rubio and Rivera Bring FL Sunshine to NH

2008-01-06T20:52:00.001-08:00

FL House Speaker Marco Rubio and Rep. David Rivera are in New Hampshire stumping for Mike Huckabee. Here is a report from the Miami Herald blog:

Huckabee backers Marco Rubio and David Rivera spent the day in the Granite State, calling voters and in Rivera's case, nearly getting arrested.

"I came all the way from Florida to give you this orange," Rivera said, plunging into traffic at a Concord intersection near Huckabee's campaign headquarters. "I'm hoping you'll remember on Tuesday to vote for Gov. Huckabee."

Huckabee is giving Mitt Romney a run for his money. He bested him in Iowa last week and is here hoping that a decent showing in New Hampshire will propel him into more conservative South Carolina and then into Florida on Jan. 29. A topsy turvy GOP race - Huckabee takes Iowa, John McCain takes New Hampshire? - could mean Florida gains new relevancy in presidential politics.

Full post…

Port St. Lucie Huckabee Supporters Organize

2008-01-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

Action star Chuck Norris is hosting a barbecue in Port St. Lucie — a virtual one — and about a dozen Treasure Coast residents gathered Saturday morning at a local Dunkin' Donuts to start coordinating the event.

The men and women, grassroots supporters of Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, plan to showcase the Jan. 20 event at Norris' Texas ranch via Web-cam on a large surround-sound screen at the Port St. Lucie home of Nick Manzie, where they're talking about holding a pig roast and pot-luck feast.

In rallying for Huckabee, the group, which includes Okeechobee supporters, is making e-mail contacts throughout the country and pointing voters toward Huckabee Web site.

CLICK HERE to read the full story from the Sun-Sentinel

A New Day in American Politics

2008-01-04T04:55:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Gov. Mike Huckabee and his incredible staff and volunteers in Iowa! What an outstanding victory last night! If you live in Florida and want to help Gov. Huckabee win the Jan. 29 primary, please let us know.

From USA Today:

Long-shot Republican candidate Mike Huckabee declared "a new day in American politics" Thursday after riding strong support from evangelical Christians into a decisive victory in the Iowa caucuses.

Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister and, like Bill Clinton, a native of Hope, Ark., managed to win despite trailing badly in national polls for most of the year. He out-hustled runner-up Mitt Romney and better-known candidates John McCain, Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani with a coalition of pastors, home schooling adherents, gun rights advocates and supporters of a new national tax system.

"This election is not about me. It's about we," the former Arkansas governor told supporters here. He said the victory would ignite "a prairie fire of new hope and zeal."

The victory makes Huckabee a serious contender for the Republican presidential nomination.

Full story…

www.vivamike.com – New Latino Blog from Miami

2008-01-03T05:30:00.000-08:00

Supporters of Mike Huckabee from a Miami Meet-up started a new blog located at http://www.vivamike.com/. This new blog will focus on news and views of special interest to Latino Americans.

New North Miami Meet-up Group

2008-01-02T05:54:00.001-08:00

If you live in north Miami-Dade County or the surrounding area, make sure you take part in the new North Miami Meet-up group in Aventura. The first meeting of the group is tonight, January 2, 2008. CLICK HERE for all the details.

Monday Dec.31 Deadline to Register to Vote

2007-12-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

If you want to vote for Mike Huckabee in the Republican Primary on January 29th, you must be a registered Republican. If you are registered as a Democrat, Independent, or have no party affiliation, you must register at your county Supervisor of Elections office by Monday, December 31, 2007.

Here is an article on this issue from the Orlando Sentinel:

If you aren't registered to vote but want to participate in what could be pivotal primaries for both parties on Jan. 29, only one day is left.

Monday at 5 p.m. is the deadline for people to register to vote in the Democratic and Republican primaries….

The deadline is the same for people who want to switch political parties.

To vote, a person must be 18 years old by Jan. 29 and be a U.S. citizen.

Several options are available:

*Voter registration may be completed at any Supervisor of Elections branch office, public library or drivers license office. The drivers license office is most typically used by people who are otherwise getting licenses.That may be done until 5 p.m. Monday.

*An application may be obtained on the state Division of Elections Web site or the Osceola Supervisor of Elections Web site. It will be accepted if it's postmarked by Monday, said Osceola elections officials.

According to the state, "the date the completed application is postmarked or hand delivered to a drivers license office, a voter registration agency, an armed forces recruitment office, the Division of Elections, or the office of any Supervisor of Elections in the state will be your registration date."

*Applications also are available at many other offices such as city halls. But those aren't official registration locations, so the completed form must be mailed or taken into a supervisor's office by the 5 p.m. Monday deadline.

The same process applies for new registrations and people switching parties.The entire form must be filled out for party switches, and a box indicating the switch should be checked, officials said.

People who miss the deadline will get registered, but not for the Jan. 29 election.

Full story…

Huckabee Coverage in Florida this week

2007-12-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

Romney and Huckabee supporters aren't scared by Giuliani
Sun Sentinel
December 28, 2007
Henry Bayard, the Broward volunteer coordinator for Mike Huckabee and former president of the Davie-Cooper City Republican Club, said he believes Huckabee will draw support beyond the conservative Christian bloc that likes the former Baptist minister. "He's got broad appeal. It's not just evangelicals," Bayard said. "I think he has a broad base of support down here and I think he's going to shock a lot of people when it comes to Florida.”
Full story…

Giuliani, Huckabee battle in Florida
Miami Herald
December 28, 2007
Huckabee has been closing in on Giuliani in Florida.
The Baptist minister has been gaining support from evangelical Christians concerned that Giuliani would be liberal on social issues, such as abortion, and uneasy about Romney's Mormon faith. Huckabee, who raised close to $400,000 after two days of fundraising in Florida, was in Orlando on Thursday after a fundraiser Monday in Miami.
Huckabee supporter Patsy Carpenter of Satellite Beach arrived at the Orlando Executive Airport send-off in a Honda with the message ''Faith, family, freedom'' inscribed neatly across the back windshield just above the candidate's e-mail address.
Carpenter, a retired first-grade teacher, married mother of two and grandmother of three, said she had never donated to a candidate before she made a small contribution to Huckabee.
Full story…

GOP presidential hopeful Huckabee rising in popularity
Palm Beach Post
December 27, 2007
Fundraisers in Miami, the Orlando area and Destin gleaned a much-needed $350,000, campaign aides said.
The tour of the state comes as the former Arkansas governor's poll numbers are rising, with some polls showing him in first place or tied for first among the crowded GOP field that includes Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson.
"If we had as much money, as many consultants, as many employees, as many headquarters, as many focus groups, as many TV ads as some of these other guys, we would be as far behind them as they are behind us," Huckabee chided.
Full story…

GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee visits Orlando to raise cash, pick up endorsements
Orlando Sentinel
December 28, 2007
Huckabee's rapid rise in state and national polls has come at a time when challengers such as former Tennessee U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have faltered.Romney lost at least one Lake County campaign co-chairman Thursday when former state Sen. Dick Langley tore a Romney sticker off his chest for the television cameras, replacing it with one for Huckabee."I wanted a candidate who stood where I stood on the issues," Langley said later. "And I couldn't figure out where Mitt stood."
Full story…

Miami-Dade Co-Chairs Named

2007-12-28T14:39:00.000-08:00

State Representative David Rivera and State Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla were named co-chairmen for Miami-Dade for the Mike Huckabee campaign on Wednesday.

"These two legislators will have an important role in our Florida efforts as we campaign throughout the state," Huckabee Campaign Manager Chip Saltsman said. "They will provide an invaluable asset for our Florida campaign and Speaker Rubio by leading the charge in Miami-Dade County ."

Full release…

Mike Huckabee in Orlando

2007-12-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee picked up campaign cash and endorsements in Orlando on Thursday, riding a surge in the polls that may signal hope for him in the Sunshine State and problems for Republican favorite Rudy Giuliani.

As he has done in Iowa, Huckabee is shaking up Florida Republican politics.

Giuliani, who plans to stump in Orlando today, once held a double-digit lead in Florida, past polls showed. But recent likely-voter surveys indicate the socially conservative Huckabee, thanks in part to evangelical Christian voters, is drawing even with the more moderate former New York City mayor.

"If Huckabee can surge ahead of Giuliani in Florida, that spells the end of Giuliani," said University of Florida political-science professor Daniel A. Smith, noting how important the state is for the GOP's current front-runner. "For Giuliani, it has always been his to lose."

In his Orlando speech, Huckabee spent several minutes condemning the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto but quickly shifted to the domestic issues that underlie his poll numbers.

He talked of his support for a flat tax to replace the existing income tax, and his opposition to abortion rights. And he proudly noted his outsider status, pointing out he never made the "anointed list" drafted by party insiders.

"Our campaign has been one that's confounded the pundits," Huckabee said -- and predicted a first-place finish in Florida's Jan. 29 primary.

The stop was part of a two-day sprint from one end of the state to the other.Huckabee spent the day after Christmas in South Florida, capitalizing on political and fundraising support from his Florida campaign co-chair, state House Speaker Marco Rubio, and his political allies, state Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, and Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami.

Thursday, Huckabee attended two private fundraisers, one in Winter Park and the other in Windermere. Those who came, said to be business executives and social conservatives, were expected to help Huckabee raise about $350,000 during his trip.

Among them were such crucial supporters as Steve Strang, a Christian publisher from Lake Mary, and Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel, an Orlando religious legal-advocacy group. Both are reaching out to a network of pastors and Christian voters around the state.

Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster of Winter Garden, another state co-chairman, helped arrange the rally at Orlando Executive Airport, where a crowd of 150 or so turned out. Some were self-identified Christian evangelicals, sporting T-shirts that said "Home schoolers for Huckabee" and car windows painted: "Faith, Family and Freedom."

Looking over the size of the crowd, Webster added, "The polls helped."

Huckabee then flew to Destin before heading back to Iowa. He'll remain there through Jan. 3, when the state holds its caucuses.

Huckabee's rapid rise in state and national polls has come at a time when challengers such as former Tennessee U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have faltered.

Romney lost at least one Lake County campaign co-chairman Thursday when former state Sen. Dick Langley tore a Romney sticker off his chest for the television cameras, replacing it with one for Huckabee."I wanted a candidate who stood where I stood on the issues," Langley said later. "And I couldn't figure out where Mitt stood."

University of Florida political-science professor Ken Wald, who studies the impact of religion on politics, said many Christian voters liked Huckabee but had wanted to wait and see if he was viable. "They've effectively been without a candidate," Wald said.

Ken and Caron Majors, who attend First Baptist Church in Orlando, said Huckabee -- an ordained minister -- speaks their language. "He shares our values," Caron Majors said.

Webster said Huckabee plans to open and staff a state headquarters in Orlando next month. But it might be some time before any television ads appear, he added, because launching a Florida ad campaign is so expensive.

Huckabee campaigns in Florida

2007-12-27T05:59:00.000-08:00

From the AP:

Presidential contender Mike Huckabee arrived in Florida on Wednesday but was planning on spending less than a day in the state before returning to Iowa, which hosts the leadoff nominating caucuses next week.

Huckabee spoke briefly to reporters Wednesday evening after getting off a plane from Iowa and heading to a private fundraiser for about 60 people at a South Florida home. He said fundraising events the day after Christmas are hard to find.

The former Arkansas governor spent Wednesday morning hunting pheasant in Iowa and said he'd be back in that state by Thursday afternoon.

"We'll be out of Iowa less than 24 hours, and most of that will be nighttime," he said. "While people are sleeping we won't be."

In less than ten minutes speaking to reporters, Huckabee was asked about the importance of Cuban voters to his campaign and talked about ads running against him in Iowa. He was introduced in Spanish and English and joked, "I hope he said nice things there in the Spanish translation.

"He then talked of his support for the U.S. embargo against Cuba and courting Cuban voters.

"They not only make up a very significant portion of the Florida vote, but I think it's also a group of voters that are highly energized and very focused, very politically savvy, and historically have had an extraordinarily high voter turnout," he said. "Obviously we're very interested in making sure that we build good relationships and that we do everything possible to try to win that vote."

He added he plans to be back in Florida again soon.

"I'll trade my winter coat for some Bermuda shorts and sandals and look forward to coming," he said. "As soon as we get through Iowa and New Hampshire, obviously, and then, you know, South Carolina, we're going to be marshaling all of our forces here to Florida."

On Wednesday, Huckabee also picked up the support of Florida State Senate Majority Whip Mike Haridopolos.

He already has the support of Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, who is Cuban-American. Rubio, along with State Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, serves as Florida State Co-Chair for the Huckabee campaign.

Huckabee has spent less time in Florida than other Republican candidates, however, like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Giuliani's campaign in particular has seen Florida's early primary as the key to his campaign success, hoping to use it to build momentum for Feb. 5, when nearly half the states vote.

"We knew that we didn't have the resources early on to try to play in all the states, and our strategy was different. It was to do well in the early states, come to Florida with momentum, and that's what we're hoping to be able to do, and I think we will," Huckabee said.

Haridopolos Endorses Huckabee

2007-12-26T21:59:00.000-08:00

Gov. Mike Huckabee received the endorsement of State Senator Mike Haridopolos tonight at the fundraiser event in Miami. Here is the press release from the campaign:

Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee will receive the endorsement of Florida State Senator Mike Haridopolos this evening while attending a fundraising event in Miami.

"Senator Haridopolos is a great legislator for the state of Florida and I value his work as a long-time advocate for tax reform," Governor Huckabee said. "He is a great addition to my Florida team and I am thrilled to receive his endorsement as I look forward to campaigning throughout the state."

Senator Haridopolos was elected to the Senate in 2003, and re-elected in 2006. He currently serves as Majority Whip and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax. Haridopolos also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2003 and is a Co-Founder of the legislatures Freedom Caucus, which led the effort against tax increases proposed during the 2002 session.

"I support Mike Huckabee because of his positive, optimistic message," Senator Haridopolos said. "He, better than any candidate on either side, is listening to the voter and projecting a message that communicates with all Americans."

Governor Huckabee has been ramping up efforts in Florida leading up to the states primary on January 29. He recently announced the endorsements of Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio and State Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, both of whom now serve as Florida State Co-Chairs for the Huckabee campaign.

Orlando Rally with Gov. Huckabee Dec 27th

2007-12-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

Come show your support for Gov. Huckabee in Orlando on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 11AM (It is suggested that you arrive by 10AM). The Huckabee for President Rally will take place at Showalter Hangar at the Orlando Executive Airport located at 400 Herndon Avenue.

CLICK HERE for directions to this location.

CLICK HERE for Gov. Huckabee’s full schedule of Florida events on December 26-27.

Huckabee in Miami December 26th

2007-12-21T22:25:00.000-08:00

The Honorable Marco Rubio
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
with
The Honorable Alex Diaz de la Portilla

Florida State Senator

and

The Honorable David Rivera
Florida State Representative

Cordially invite you to a
fundraising reception for

Governor Mike Huckabee
Republican Candidate for
President of the United States

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

At the home of Carlos and Michelle Pastor
13770 Old Cutler Road
Miami, Florida

Maximum Contribution: $2,300.00 per person
(Personal or Federal PAC contributions only)

Please make checks payable to: Huckabee for President

Please RSVP to: 786-258-2222

Webster, Rubio FL Co-Chairmen

2007-12-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

Mike Huckabee Announces Co-chairmen of Florida Leadership Committee

From Yahoo News:

Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has named Florida Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster and Speaker of the House Marco Rubio co- chairmen of his Florida campaign organization.

"Senator Webster and Speaker Rubio are incredible assets to my Florida campaign," Huckabee said. "Both are esteemed legislators and have been exceptional leaders for the people of Florida."

Webster is a former state House speaker who has become a nationally respected conservative politician during his 28 years in the legislature.

Rubio was elected Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives in November 2006. His book, 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future, was compiled after Rubio traveled around Florida to gather ideas from citizens. This was done through what Rubio calls "Idearaisers."

Both these prominent legislators recently announced they were endorsing Governor Huckabee.
"Mike Huckabee is our best chance to have a Reagan Republican as our nominee," Rubio said. "For those of us who want the Republican Party to continue to be the party of life, of traditional family values and of limited government, Mike Huckabee is the best choice."

The announcement comes on the heels of the latest Rasmussen Florida poll on December 14, which had Huckabee in first place with 27 percent of the vote compared to Mitt Romney's 23 percent and Rudy Giuliani's 19 percent.

"I am honored to serve as co-chairman for Governor Huckabee's Florida Presidential campaign," Webster said. "Governor Huckabee is a principled, conservative leader who has proven he has the leadership qualities to be the next president of the United States. I intend to work diligently in the days and months ahead to ensure Governor Huckabee is elected as our nation's next president."

The Florida presidential primary election is January 29.

Mike Huckabee Statement on Cuba

2007-12-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

I am committed to being a staunch ally in the cause of a free and democratic Cuba, where Fidel Castro’s communist totalitarian dictatorship has oppressed the Cuban people for nearly five decades.

The United States must continue to lead the world in condemning the human rights abuses inflicted on the Cuban people and isolating Castro’s tyrannical regime both economically and diplomatically.

As President, I will oppose any efforts to lift trade and travel restrictions on the Cuban dictatorship and will veto any legislation seeking to lift these restrictions until three conditions are met: scheduling of free, fair and internationally-supervised multi-party elections, freeing of all political prisoners, and legalization of all political activity and civil liberties.

For 48 years, Cuba’s communist dictatorship has been a destabilizing force in our hemisphere. Fidel Castro has supported and promoted violent revolution as well as terrorist activity. Cuba remains on the U.S. Department of State’s list of nations that sponsor terrorism. Castro’s brand of tyranny is now evident in the dictatorial actions of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez. In sum, the demise of the Castro regime would be a welcomed development for our hemisphere and for the Cuban people.

United States policy toward Cuba is clear. The 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (Libertad Act) provides a road map for America’s goal of expediting a transition to democracy in Cuba and assisting the Cuban people in a post-Castro democratic transition. As President, I will enforce and implement all provisions of U.S. law governing policy toward Cuba including the Libertad Act. I will continue President Bush’s policy of pursuing indictments against any Cuban officials, including Raul Castro, responsible for crimes against U.S. citizens. I will further support efforts to bring to justice any American fugitive criminals receiving safe haven in Cuba. The Castro dictatorship is an outlaw regime. As President, my administration will treat it as such.

Source: http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=935

Florida polls show Huckabee surge

2007-12-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

“Three Florida polls in the past week put Huckabee in first or second place…”

From the Miami Herald:

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's breakneck rise in the national polls has reached Florida, prodding a fledgling band of supporters to throw together a ground game in the nation's fourth-largest state.

Three Florida polls in the past week put Huckabee in first or second place, jockeying with longtime front-runner Rudy Giuliani. That's a stunning turn of events for a candidate who ranked near the bottom just last month and has invested little time and no money in the state.

A strong showing by Huckabee in the Jan. 29 primary could upend Giuliani, who's counting on a rout in Florida to carry him through other large states voting a week later.

Full story…

Recent Video of Mike Huckabee

2007-12-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

Speaker Marco Rubio and State Senator Mike Haridopolos:

New video from a supporter

Iowa Victory Speech

Huckabee on Homeschooling, Education and Teachers:

Mike Huckabee on CNN:

Orlando Supporters Meet the Press

2007-12-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Orlando’s Mike Huckabee supporters were featured by Orlando’s FOX news outlet:

On Sunday, dozens of supporters for presidential candidate Mike Huckabee gathered at Delaney park in Orlando to pass out signs and bumper stickers. It is their hope that they will get more people "on board" to support the Republican candidate and former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee.

“For Mike, this is how he's done what he's done. Basically the “Meet-up Network” has about five thousand people that have signed up to volunteer grassroots efforts for the governor,” said Huckabee supporter Brenda Janssen.

Full story…

Huckabee's Support Triples Among Conservatives

2007-12-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

Since two weeks ago, Giuliani is down 3, Huckabee is up 6, Romney is up 5, Fred Thompson is down 6 and John McCain is flat.

From Survey USA:

In a Republican Primary in Florida for President of the United States today, 12/17/07, six weeks to the vote, Rudolph Giuliani finishes 1st at 29%, Mike Huckabee is 2nd at 24%, and Mitt Romney is 3rd at 20%, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WFLA-TV in Tampa and WKRG-TV in Pensacola-Mobile. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll released two weeks ago, on 12/04/07, Giuliani is down 3, Huckabee is up 6, Romney is up 5, Fred Thompson is down 6 and John McCain is flat.

Giuliani's entire campaign strategy is predicated on a 1st-Place showing in Florida. Among Conservative Republicans, Huckabee's support has tripled over the past 6 weeks, from 11% on 11/06/07, when Huckabee tied for 4th place, to 32% today, when Huckabee is ahead of all challengers. Today, Huckabee leads in NW Florida and is tied with Giuliani in NE and Central Florida. Giuliani leads slightly in SW Florida and leads convincingly in SE Florida. Among voters age 50+, Huckabee, Giuliani and Romney are in a 3-way tie. Among all FL GOP Primary voters, Fred Thompson has fallen from 22% on 11/06/07 to 8% today. John McCain has finished 4th or 5th in all 4 SurveyUSA FL tracking polls to date.

Full report…

What Really Matters…

2007-12-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

A new television ad titled "What Really Matters" was released in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina today. It has received heavy media attention for its message. Check it out HERE.

Another FL Poll with Huckabee #1

2007-12-15T22:20:00.000-08:00

From Datamar:

Huckabee 24.8%

Giuliani 21%

Romney 19.2%

McCain 9.7%

Thompson 9.4%

Paul 4.5%

Full results…

Huckabee Supporters Gather in Tampa

2007-12-15T05:11:00.001-08:00

From the St. Petersburg Times:

They were old and young - a trio of college students arrived just in time for the Bang Bang Shrimp - men and women, mostly newcomers to political activism, from as far away as Bradenton.

"The great thing is all these people came on their own," said Eric Rathburn, a 28-year-old civil engineer from Tampa, his shirt bearing an "I like Mike" button. "I don't know them from Adam. As they say, it's a Huckaboom!"

Rathburn, who organized the meeting via the Internet, expected a dozen people. Instead, 25 jammed a private room in the back of the restaurant on Henderson Boulevard. Bumper stickers and buttons dotted the white tablecloth.

Rathburn's online volunteer corps has more than doubled, to about 90, in the past two weeks. Similar groups have sprung up all over Florida, which holds its primary Jan. 29. Huckabee has virtually no campaign infrastructure, so the grass roots effort is critical.

"What matters is I've found someone I can feel good about when I pull the lever. That's Mike Huckabee. He's the total package."

Full story HERE.

Huckabee First in Florida

2007-12-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

Mike Huckabee now leads in the Sunshine State Primary with 27% of the vote.

Rasmussen Reports Florida Poll:

Mike Huckabee 27%

Mitt Romney 23%

Rudy Giuliani 19%

Fred Thompson 9%

John McCain 6%

From the report:

Those figures reflect a stunning change in the race since November when Rasmussen Reports polling found Giuliani on top with 27% followed by Romney at 19% and Thompson at 16%. Since then, Huckabee has gained 18 percentage points and Romney picked up four points. Giuliani is down eight, Thompson is down seven, and McCain is down four.

Huckabee has shaken up the race for the White House with an amazing surge over the past month. He now leads in Iowa and South Carolina. He is tied for the lead in Michigan and consistently near the top nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

Read the full story HERE.

Huckabee Opens Florida Offices

2007-12-12T06:26:00.000-08:00

Orlando and Miami will be the locations for Mike Huckabee's first two campaign offices in Florida. Here is the report from the St. Pete Times Blog:

Huckabee sets up shop in Florida

Mike Huckabee is getting some Florida digs.

The heretofore cash-starved Republican will open a statewide office in downtown Orlando and one in Miami, according to two of his top supporters, Sen. Dan Webster and Rep. David Rivera.

The Orlando office has not been selected but will house a state coordinator and marshal a swelling volunteer force. Rivera said the Miami shop, at 8th Street and 57th Avenue, is "picked out, cleaned out, ready to go."

They dismissed talk that Huckabee cannot harness his sudden popularity because of little organization in key states. "Think of where he's gotten without infrastructure," Webster said. "Some people do top down; he's done bottom up. And it's really the best way to do a campaign -- it's just nobody believed you could do it in a presidential race. He's going to have the people, he's going to have the staff and he's going to get the money."

Make a Contribution Wednesday to keep the "Huckabus" Rolling

2007-12-11T20:13:00.000-08:00

You can help Gov. Huckabee in a big way today by making a contribution to his campaign and help keep the “Huckabus” rolling!

CLICK HERE to make a contribution right now.

This is the crucial make or break time for the Huckabee Campaign regarding finances. If they have the money needed to buy TV ad time in the early states, then the surge will continue.

Speaker Marco Rubio Endorses Huckabee

2007-12-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Below is the full press release from the campaign. Here are links to news coverage of today’s endorsements from Speaker Rubio and Representative David Rivera.

Huck FL Nod – MSNBC
Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio added his name to endorsers jumping to support the Huckabee campaign.

NBC6.net South Florida: Florida House Speaker Backs Huckabee For President
The highest-ranking Cuban-American in state government made an endorsement in the presidential election on Monday. Florida's House Speaker Marco Rubio introduced former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his pick for president.

Palm Beach Post: Rubio Endorses Huckabee
Rubio said he is backing Huckabee because of his sincerity and because of the former Arkansas governor's staunch anti-abortion stance. Rubio, a conservative Republican, is popular among Cuban Americans in South Florida whose stands include opposition to abortion and gay marriage as well as a hard-line approach to the Castro brothers Fidel and Raul regime in Cuba.

Miami Herald: Florida Speaker Rubio Endorses Huckabee
Coming one day after the Republican field participated in the first presidential debate on Spanish-language television, the endorsement was a coup for a candidate dismissed as an afterthought just two months ago.

Press Release from Campagin: Two Key Florida Endorsements Full text:

Miami, FL – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee announced two key Florida Hispanic endorsements during a news conference in Miami today: House Speaker Marco Rubio and State Rep. David Rivera.

The announcement follows on the heels of the endorsement by another prominent Florida legislator, state Majority Leader Daniel Webster, who voiced his support for the governor on November 28.

Speaker Rubio is Florida's first Cuban-American state House Speaker.

"I'm honored to have the support from Speaker Rubio because we share the same conservative values," Huckabee said. "Everyone running for president wanted his endorsement. I'm glad he chose to join our efforts to seek the Republican nomination.

Rubio began serving Florida's 111th House District in 2000 and has served as a City Commissioner from West Miami. He is a conservative Republican who shares Huckabee's views on pro-life and strong families.

"For those of us who consider ourselves to be Reagan conservatives, Mike Huckabee is our best chance to win the nomination," Speaker Rubio said. "People are looking for genuineness and sincerity in politics. He has those qualities as well as the positive leadership skills needed to run our country."

Huckabee also received an endorsement from State Rep. David Rivera who serves Florida's 112th district, which includes Miami and parts of Naples and Fort Lauderdale. Rivera is chairman of the state House Rules Committee and is former director of the Hispanic Outreach for the Republican Party of Florida.

"Representative Rivera is a great leader and role model for Cuban-American citizens in Florida," Huckabee said. "I'm proud to have the backing from such a respected member of the Florida House."

"Governor Huckabee understands the importance of freedom and democracy for all people throughout our hemisphere and our world," Rivera said. "He is deserving of the support of Cuban- Americans like myself because he has articulated the most pro-active and bold policy geared toward hastening the demise of the Castro regime and promoting the cause of freedom and democracy in Cuba."

Senator Daniel Webster, a Republican member of the Florida state Senate since 1999 who has served as Majority Leader since 2006, has also endorsed Huckabee. Webster, who previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1981 to 1998, officially endorsed Huckabee earlier this year.

"I am honored to serve as co-chair for Governor Huckabee's Florida Presidential campaign. Governor Huckabee is a principled, conservative leader who has proven he has the leadership qualities to be the next president of the United States. As governor, he demonstrated the ability to tackle tough issues and find solutions. I intend to work diligently in the days and months ahead to ensure Governor Huckabee is elected as our nation's next President," said Webster.

Marc Ambinder: Rubio to endorse Huckabee

2007-12-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

From Marc Ambinder's Blog on TheAtlantic.com:

Republicans in Florida confirm that ex-AR Gov. Mike Huckabee will be endorsed Monday by Marco Rubio, the charismatic speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

Rubio, who has gubernatorial and national ambitions, was the driving force behind the move to change Florida's primary date to Jan. 29.

Univision Debate from Miami – Sunday Night

2007-12-08T19:06:00.001-08:00

From Multi-Channel News:

Seven Republican presidential hopefuls have confirmed attendance to this Sunday’s Republican Forum hosted by Univision Communications and the University of Miami. The Forum, which will take place Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center, will be broadcast live on Univision’s television, radio and online platforms.

As of press time, the confirmed Republican candidates were Rudolph Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson. As happened during the Nov. 28 CNN/YouTube Republican debate, immigration is expected to be the hottest topic, more so given the nature of Univision’s mostly immigrant audience.

According to Nielsen’s ratings, Univision’s Sept. 9 Democratic Forum averaged 2.2 million viewers , who tuned in to see seven democratic candidates exchanging views in a sometimes-confusing debate, as the candidates were asked questions in Spanish, which were then translated into English and then translated back into Spanish for Univision’s mostly Spanish-speaking audiences.

The 90-minute Republican Forum will follow the exact same format as the Democratic debate. It will be moderated by Univision’s network news anchors Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas, and will be broadcast in primetime on the Univision Network, Radio Cadena Univision and online at Univision.com.

Huckabee making strides in popularity -- and polls

2007-12-06T06:14:00.000-08:00

This week, Huckabee has been on the phone with Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami, one of the most coveted endorsements in the state.

''For months, Republican leaders across Florida have expressed a strong desire to support Gov. Huckabee if there were even a chance he could win,'' said state Rep. David Rivera of Miami, who is close to Rubio. ``The good thing for Gov. Huckabee is that now these folks are realizing he can actually win this race. I predict a surge of support for him in Florida in the coming weeks.''

Full story...

Bad News for Romney and Giuliani

2007-12-04T21:44:00.000-08:00

During a week that the former “front runners” are in desperate need of a boost, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are left staring out the window muttering, “When it rains it pours.”

I can not believe Romney still had illegal immigrants working at his mansion, the day after his lively exchange with Giuliani on this matter during the You-Tube debate. Even Romney admits that this situation is, “disappointing and inexcusable.” Here’s the FOXnews.com report and the AP story.

For Rudy Giuliani, a Pew Research poll found that 63% of Republican voters believe abortion should be mostly or always illegal. And the study found that only about half of the voters nationwide know about Giuliani’s staunch pro-abortion position:

“More Iowa Republicans are aware of Giuliani's abortion position than are GOP voters elsewhere. Two-thirds of likely Republican voters in Iowa (66%) name Giuliani as the candidate who favors a women's right to choose when it comes to abortion. By comparison, only about half of Republican voters nationwide (48%) – as well as 47% in South Carolina and 54% in New Hampshire – identified Giuliani as the pro-choice candidate.”

Gov. Mike Huckabee has a strong plan to stop illegal immigration and is the only consistent Pro-life candidate in the top-tier.

2nd Tier in 1st Place

2007-12-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

Today’s Rasmussen Poll has Gov. Huckabee tied for 1st in the nation.

Huckabee 18%
Giuliani 18%
McCain 14%
Thompson 13%
Romney 12%

Romney Supporter: ‘Huckabee…our strongest potential nominee’

2007-12-04T06:51:00.000-08:00

This is a great read from Dean Barnett in The Weekly Standard today. Although Barnett admits to supporting Romney he says Huckabee “exudes decency” and “connects with people.” Here are some outtakes:

SO WHAT WOULD a Huckabee nomination mean for the Republican party? First, the good news. Huckabee, as we've all discovered, is quite good at seeking office. As a Romney guy, it pains me to say this, but Huckabee may well be our strongest potential nominee. All of the others have well documented weaknesses as wholesale and retail politicians. Huckabee doesn't.

What's more, Huckabee is the one Republican with a chance of having some crossover appeal to people who are traditionally unlikely to vote for Republicans. As the nominee, he would rebrand a party badly in need of rebranding.

Throughout this campaign, the media and the analysts have underestimated Huckabee. I should know--I've been a guilty of doing so myself. But the time for underestimating him is over.

Right now, the Huckabee campaign is in the best shape. All of the other campaigns would gladly trade places with Huckabee.

Full story…

Good News from Alabama and Georgia

2007-12-01T06:40:00.000-08:00

I am originally from Alabama and I have lots of great friends in Georgia, so I am proud to share these 2 encouraging stories from Florida’s neighbors to the north:

Huckabee Gains in Alabama Poll

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has pushed his way into the small pack of leading Republican presidential contenders favored by Alabamians, according to a new poll.

Huckabee, who recently has gained more national attention with his campaign, was favored by 17 percent of likely Republican voters, up from 9 percent and 2 percent in the October and September polls.

Huckabee is now statistically even with former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said Gerald W. Johnson, director of the polling center. "Alabamians reflect national trends. We are not some aberration here in the South,"he said.

Full story…

Georgia Right to Life Endorses Huckabee

The Georgia chapter of Right to Life has dismissed their national parent organization’s endorsement of Fred Thompson and opted instead to back Mike Huckabee. Here is some of their press release:

“While we appreciate their leadership and support, we believe that Gov. Huckabee is the strongest and most effective pro-life candidate in this race,” continues Lash. “Passing a Personhood Amendment here in Georgia is our key issue in achieving our objective to extend the protections of the law to all ‘persons’ both born and unborn. Support of a candidate who ushered a similar amendment through his own state speaks volumes to us. Mr. Huckabee’s recent surge in the polls, we believe, demonstrates that he is the pro-life movement’s best hope in defeating pro-abortion candidate Rudy Giuliani. When elected, Mike Huckabee will work hard to establish our goal of restoring respect and effective legal protection to all innocent human beings, from the moment of fertilization until natural death.”

Full story…

Only $704.92 more to reach Blog goal

2007-11-30T12:55:00.000-08:00

Help the Florida for Huckabee blog reach our $1,000 goal by midnight tonight! Your contribution of $100, $50, $10 or any amount will go to help elect Mike Huckabee president and reach the overall goal of $2,067,521 set by the national campaign for November.

CLICK HERE to give right now.

Thank you in advance for your generous support for Mike Huckabee and his campaign for president.

Huckabee Wins St. Petersburg Debate Flash Poll – Florida and Iowa Voters

2007-11-29T05:45:00.001-08:00

Now everything has changed. Gov. Huckabee provided probably his best debate performance yet last night in St. Petersburg during the You Tube Debate. And to prove it, he won, in a landslide, a flash poll of 341 undecided Florida voter and 1,035 Iowa voters. Here are the results:

Florida:

Huckabee: 44%
Giulani: 18%
Romney: 13%
McCain: 10%
Thompson: 5%
Paul: 4%
Hunter: 1%
Tancredo: 1%
Rest: undecided

Iowa:

Huckabee: 32%
Romney: 16%
Giuliani: 12%
McCain: 10%
Thompson: 7%
Paul: 6%
Tancredo: 2%
Hunter: 0%
Rest: undecided

“In the media Spin Room, most of the major candidates were left with little if any media attention as virtually all print and broadcast media circled Governor Huckabee.”

Read the full story here.

Here is some more coverage of last night debate in Florida:

Huckabee Wins CNN/YouTube Debate, Instant Poll Shows

Chuck Norris stumps for Huckabee

Huckabee wins

Chuck Norris Works the Spin Room

Senator Webster Endorses Huckabee for President

2007-11-28T05:43:00.000-08:00

From the Palm Beach Post:

Huckabee gets key Florida endorsement
Tuesday, November 27, 2007

ORLANDO — GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee picked up an endorsement from one of Florida's most influential conservative politicians this evening in advance of Wednesday night's Republican debate in St. Petersburg.

State Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, who last week hinted he would support Huckabee, this evening publicly endorsed the former Arkansas governor prior to a fund-raiser in downtown Orlando attended by about 50 potential donors.

"The governor's proved himself to be a leader. Not just someone who sat there and pushed against what was happening but yet became the leader of a state that had a lot of problems. And he did it within an environment that was somewhat hostile not only to his principles but also his party," said Webster, R-Winter Garden.

After enumerating Huckabee's strong points, Webster offered another reason for his support: "He doesn't live in Washington."

Huckabee welcomed the endorsement and praised Webster, a former state House speaker who has become a nationally respected conservative politician during his 28 years in the legislature.
Recent polls indicate that Huckabee's popularity is climbing among Republican voters in the crowded field led by frontrunners Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.

Huckabee had a simple explanation for the turnaround, with the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries just weeks away: "People started paying attention."

Although his fundraising has been eclipsed by that of Romney and Giuliani, Huckabee said that does not concern him because of the effect of the blogosphere on political campaigns.

"Thanks to the Internet, you can raise enough money you need for the entire campaign in one night," he said.

Extraordinary: Huckabee 2nd now in Florida at 17%

2007-11-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

A new poll released just today by the Florida Insider shows that Mike Huckabee is not just surging in Iowa, but also in Florida. The poll placed Huckabee 2nd behind Rudy Giuliani. While 26% of likely Republican primary voters would select Giuliani, 17% now say they will support Mike Huckabee. The rest of the field: McCain had 13%, Romney had 12% and Thompson is down to single digits at 9%.

Here is the complete report from the Florida Insider which described the exciting showdown that this poll now sets up for this Wednesday’s debate:

Huckabee second in Florida GOP race; unprecedented InsiderAdvantage survey to determine winner of CNN debate in St. Pete
Florida Insider, 11/27/2007

Mike Huckabee has moved into second place among Republican presidential hopefuls in Florida, according to a new InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research poll of likely voters in the Jan. 29 GOP Florida primary.

The poll’s results serve to ratchet up the drama as the Republican candidates prepare to debate on CNN Wednesday night from St. Petersburg, and InsiderAdvantage and the Florida Chamber of Commerce get ready to conduct an unprecedented poll that will determine the winner of the debate.

Here are the results of the pre-debate poll, conducted Sunday and Monday nights:

Question: “If the Florida Republican presidential primary election were held today, would you vote for…”

Rudy Giuliani (26%)
Mike Huckabee (17%)
John McCain (13%)
Mitt Romney (12%)
Fred Thompson (9%)
Ron Paul (3%)
Duncan Hunter (1%)
Tom Tancredo (1%)
Undecided (18%)

The poll was conducted Nov. 25 and 26 among 675 likely voters in the January Republican primary. It has a margin of error of about three-and-a-half percent. The data have been weighted for race, age and gender.

Huckabee’s surprise surge into second place in Florida sets the stage for what is expected to be the most critical presidential debate so far. And InsiderAdvantage and the Florida Chamber of Commerce will announce the winner of the debate shortly after its conclusion with a specially designed poll.

Because public-survey phone calls are illegal after 9 pm, InsiderAdvantage placed over 100,000 calls to registered Republicans in Florida over the past week-and-a-half, with the criteria of finding undecided registered Republican voters who said they planned to watch the debate, and who agreed to call a special toll-free number immediately after the debate to answer questions about which candidate won the contest.

Data should be collected by 10:20 pm,” said Jeff Shusterman of Majority Opinion, InsiderAdvantage’s research partners. “We will weight the data for age, gender, and geographic location, and should have results between 10:30 and 10:45.”

The results will be announced by live webcast on www.southernpoliticalreport.com, and www.insideradvantage.com from the debate site in St. Petersburg, and will be released to the media immediately after. Results will also be posted on Florida Insider.

“Mike Huckabee’s sudden traction in the GOP race is similar to the jolt of publicity Fred Thompson enjoyed when he officially announced his candidacy,” said Matt Towery, CEO of InsiderAdvantage and a nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate.

“Now Huckabee must take advantage of the opportunity if he is to separate himself from all the other candidates trying to overtake Giuliani.

“And Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson are now under even more pressure to come up with powerful performances of their own in St. Pete Wednesday,” Towery said.

Whether they do so will be known almost immediately following the debate, with InsiderAdvantage’s poll results.

Gov. Huckabee’s Florida Schedule

2007-11-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to speak with Gov. Huckabee this morning on the Blogger conference call. I told him that we were thrilled he was able to spend more time in Florida, with the Tampa reception last week and several appearances this week. The governor will be in Orlando on Tuesday and St. Petersburg on Wednesday for the CNN/You Tube debate.

To see the governor’s full schedule for this week, click here.

Huckabee Strongest Republican Against Hillary

2007-11-26T19:18:00.000-08:00

In a new Zogby Poll released today comparing potential general election match-ups, Gov. Mike Huckabee faired better against Hillary Clinton than any of the other four top Republicans.

According to the poll, Huckabee would beat Clinton 44% to 39%, a margin of 5%. That is a greater margin than Giuliani (3%), McCain (4%), Romney (3%), and Thompson (4%).

What strikes me most about this new poll is that it only has a 1% margin of error because the sample size was so larger: 9,150 likely voters nationwide.

Full results…

You-Tube Debate – Nov. 28

2007-11-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

More than 3,500 video questions have been submitted to CNN for the debate this Wednesday from St. Petersburg. Here is a story from CNN about the debate:

While the GOP debate will also face a YouTube audience, don't expect to hear the same questions.

"This debate is to let Republican voters pick from among their eight candidates," said David Bohrman, Washington bureau chief and senior vice president for CNN. "We are trying to focus mostly on questions where there are differences among these candidates."

The White House hopefuls -- accustomed to the political tradition of stump speeches followed by queries from journalists -- have no idea exactly what to expect.

Full story…

Giving Thanks

2007-11-21T19:26:00.000-08:00

As supporters of Gov. Mike Huckabee for President, we have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day.

First things first, Florida for Huckabee and our statewide network of Mike Huckabee supporters extends our deepest appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services and their families. Simple words are not sufficient to say how much you and your sacrifice are appreciated. The fact that I could hugs my kids tonight, pray with them and tuck them safely in bed is wholly due to your service to protect my family. Thank you.

Just like the theme says across the top of the official Mike Huckabee website:
Faith. Family. Freedom.
That’s what it is all about and we have so much to be thankful for in America.

Now to the reasons to be thankful as a supporter of Mike Huckabee for President:

1. Florida State Senator Dan Webster endorsed Mike Huckabee

2. Mike Huckabee is tied for second nationally

3. Gov. Huckabee caught up to Mitt Romney in Iowa

4. Another Fundraising goal was met by the campaign this week

5. Gov. Huckabee is tied for 2nd in Texas at 16%

6. Gov. Huckabee is at 12% in South Carolina

7. Gov. Huckabee was the TOP STORY at some point today on the Drudge Report, FOXnews.com, and Google News.

Gaining ground as GOP nominee

2007-11-21T01:34:00.000-08:00

The St. Pete Times provides the first report out of Tampa from last night's fund raiser for Gov. Mike Huckabee:

TAMPA - For months, the pundits have been calling Mike Huckabee a charismatic speaker, an unassuming charmer, a load of laughs and a true social conservative.

But the former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate brought a new description with him as he made his first campaign appearance in Tampa Bay on Tuesday: serious contender.

With polls in Iowa showing the former long shot now in second place and within striking distance of Mitt Romney, Huckabee has emerged as a top-tier candidate with the potential to ride a wave of momentum toward the GOP nomination.

"I love Mike Huckabee," state Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden who is among Florida's most respected and courted conservative leaders and who joined Huckabee in Tampa on Tuesday. "He can articulate the issues, as well as solutions. He's not from Washington, and I think he's a fresh face with lots of great ideas."

The good news for Huckabee, 52, is that he's no longer written off as an also-ran. The bad news is that leading candidates get a lot more heat than long shots, and Huckabee is increasingly fending off critics attacking him as a big government tax raiser.

"If Ronald Reagan were on the ballot today, the Club for Growth would be crawling all over him," Huckabee said of the conservative group that has been relentlessly bashing Huckabee for state spending and tax increases during Huckabee's tenure as Arkansas governor.

In a Political Connections interview to air Sunday on Bay News 9, Huckabee downplayed his role in the early release of convicted rapist Wayne Dumond, who weeks after winning his freedom sexually assaulted and murdered a woman in Arkansas. Huckabee personally interviewed Dumond, publicly advocated for his release, and met on the matter behind closed doors with the parole board.

"Even though I supported the idea that he get parole, I had nothing to do with his parole because parole was not the domain of the governor," said Huckabee. But he acknowledged "terrible regrets."

Compared to Rudy Giuliani and Romney, who have organized and campaigned in Florida for months, Huckabee's Florida operation has been nearly nonexistent. With little money and a minimal campaign organization, he's banking on a strong showing in Iowa to catapult him into Florida's Jan. 29 primary.

Huckabee's low-key trip to Tampa Bay included a few media interviews and a $250-per-person fundraising reception at the South Tampa home of Stewart and Tammy Bertron.
Stewart Bertron, an investor, is one Huckabee's "Team 100" members working to raise at least $100,000 for the campaign. Also on the fundraising team is Byron "Gibbs" Wilson, owner of Tampa's Alpha-Omega Title.

"He's a conservative with a conscience," said Larry Sledge of Tampa, helping organize Huckabee's Tampa appearance. "He seems so genuine compared to so many of the other candidates whose minds you can see turning whenever they're asked a question - 'what's the correct answer here?'"

What's winning over supporters, Huckabee said, is authenticity. And he's not especially bothered by conservative skeptics who deride him as a populist.

"I think I'm a realist. I'm a person who is a conservative but an independent conservative," he said. "I'm not a wholly owned subsidiary of Wall Street. I'm not in the back pocket of the lobbyists on K Street. I never have been. I've never been the establishment's favorite, and that's not necessarily a bad thing."

Huckabee said he would support drilling near the Florida coast and within the Everglades "for a short term solution," but, when pressed, backed off drilling in the Everglades. He also was receptive to the idea of a national catastrophic fund to help spread the risk and alleviate Florida's property insurance fix.

10,000 donations of $100 on November 20th

2007-11-18T05:21:00.000-08:00

Now that’s an exciting vision and goal for supporters of Mike Huckabee to get behind!

One supporter has been promoting the idea to recognize what some have designated as “Children’s Day” by having everyone that can give $100 to the Mike Huckabee campaign that day. Nov. 20th is this Tuesday.

This will be an exciting one day national boost to Gov. Huckabee’s fundraising. It will also send encouragement to Gov. Huckabee on the day that he is in Tampa, Florida for the fundraising event there.

If you are able to give, please participate this coming Tuesday. Let’s send a warm Florida welcome as the future President of the United States visits Florida on Tuesday Nov. 20th. CLICK HERE to donate to the Mike Huckabee campaign.

(And even if you are not able to donate $100, please give what you can on that day as it will all help. Thank you!)

Huckabee Confirms for Miami Spanish-language Debate Dec. 9

2007-11-14T05:44:00.000-08:00

From the Miami Herald:

Tom Tancredo, the Colorado politician who once compared Miami to ''a Third World country,'' is the only Republican presidential candidate who will be absent from the Univisión Spanish-language debate in Coral Gables next month.

It's not likely many Floridians will miss the Colorado congressman, though. He's polling in the single digits -- 1 percent -- and admits his chances of becoming the party nominee are ``a long shot.''

Low poll numbers aren't stopping other lesser-knowns, such as Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter, who followed Arizona Sen. John McCain in September in announcing they would participate in the debate. That led to a domino effect that prompted all the other top-tier candidates to agree to the debate. The other holdout, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, announced Tuesday he will be there.

The debate, to be carried live nationwide by Univisión, will be held Dec. 9 at the University of Miami.

Full story…

Huckabee Ahead of Thompson in new Florida Poll

2007-11-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

A poll just released by the St. Pete Times places Huckabee 4th now among the Republican candidates in Florida. Huckabee now is polling higher than former TN Senator Fred Thompson in Florida.

Click here for the full story…

Positive News for Mike Huckabee

2007-11-09T07:29:00.000-08:00

On second thought, conservatives give Huckabee an amen
LA Times, November 9, 2007
After months of dismissing Huckabee as a nice guy with no chance to win, Iowa's influential social conservatives are giving him a second look. The latest polls give him anywhere from 13% to 19% of the vote in Iowa, up from 2% to 3% a few months ago. Those numbers put him in second place behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Full Story…

From Back of G.O.P. Pack, Huckabee Is Stirring
New York Times, November 9, 2007
With less than two months until Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, there are signs that Mr. Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor for whom Bible verses flow easily off the tongue, is charming, quipping and sermonizing his way from a long shot ensconced in the second tier of the Republican presidential sweepstakes to a possible contender here.
Full Story…

Florida's Primary Lineup Is Official

2007-11-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

From the Orlando Sentinel yesterday:

In a meeting lasting less than 10 minutes, a state panel Tuesday set the field of candidates for Florida's Jan. 29 presidential primary -- officially signalling the start of a battle likely to consume much of the next 10 weeks. Full story...

Gov. Huckabee finishes 3rd in Orlando Hob Nob Straw Poll

2007-11-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

Last night the Orlando Chamber of Commerce sponsored a straw poll event. Many Mike Huckabee supporters showed up. Here are the results of the straw poll:

Rudy Giuliani 20%

Mitt Romney 17%

Mike Huckabee 10%

Fred Thompson 9%

John McCain 6%

Ron Paul 5%

Duncan Hunter 1%

Tom Tancredo 0%

Michael Patterson, a volunteer in Orlando, coordinated the event for the Mike Huckabee supporters. “That is an incredible number when you consider that the campaign doesn't have staff in the state and hasn't advertised,” Michael said. “It gives us a solid foundation to work with. We received a lot of encouraging words.”

Way to go Michael and Team Orlando! Click here to see the full result.

Tampa Reception - November 20th

2007-11-07T04:48:00.000-08:00

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED
TO A RECEPTION
IN SUPPORT OF

United States Presidential Candidate
Governor Mike Huckabee (R)

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

1901 S. Brookline Street ~Tampa, FL 33629

Private Reception, Signed Book & Photo with Governor Huckabee
5:00 to 5:45 P.M.
Contribution: $500 per person

General Reception 5:45 - 7:00 P.M.
Contribution: $250 per person

Business Casual ~ Heavy Hors D'oeuvres

RSVP by November 15
813.223.4995 or huck_nov20@yahoo.com

Paid for by Huckabee for President, Inc.www.mikehuckabee.com

Jeb Bush on Mike Huckabee (Part 2)

2007-11-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

I find it very interesting and encouraging to see Florida's wonderful former governor, Jeb Bush, not only including Mike Huckabee in the top tier but speaking so highly of him. I posted a couple days ago about his initial comments in a web cast interview. Now more glowing remarks come out in the Dallas Morning News:

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee should be included among the GOP field's top tier candidates, along with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, Mr. Bush said Friday after headlining a National Center for Policy Analysis lecture at Dallas' Hilton Anatole hotel.

"He's a great speaker. And I like governors. He's got a great sense of humor. But he should be taken seriously," Mr. Bush said of Mr. Huckabee, who was Arkansas governor from 1996 until earlier this year.

Click here to read the full article.

Florida Republican Presidential Debate – November 28th

2007-11-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

The YouTube debate originating from St. Petersburg, FL is quickly approaching. On November 28, 2007, the Republican Party of Florida in partnership with CNN and YouTube will host a Presidential Debate. Governor Mike Huckabee will have yet another opportunity to have a Florida victory and win the hearts of even more new supporters across the nation.

Start planning your Florida YouTube Debate Party now! This will be a unique and timely opportunity to invite your friends over who do not know Mike Huckabee. You can share some campaign material printed from the http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ site, show a few select video clips of the governor and tell why you are supporting Mike Huckabee for president. Then you and your friends can settle back and watch Gov. Huckabee give the other candidates another lesson in being a statesman, a leader and a communicator. After the debate you can sign people up to help with the campaign here in Florida.

You can also still submit a video question for the debate. CLICK HERE to learn more about how to do that.

Jeb Bush on Mike Huckabee

2007-11-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

Gov. Jeb Bush recently made the following comment about Gov. Mike Huckabee: “"I like him. He's a great speaker and clear-minded about the importance of moral principles. Particularly if you believe in limited government you have to also advocate self government. You can’t untie the two. You can’t be libertarian in a libertine world.”

As reported by the St. Pete Times Political Blog, The Buzz, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush made these kind statements about Gov. Mike Huckabee in an Web cast interview called Uncommon Knowledge produced by the Hoover Institution. CLICK HERE to watch the interview. He speaks about the candidates about 28 minutes into the interview.

Orlando Chamber of Commerce Political Hob Nob

2007-10-31T06:40:00.000-07:00

On November 6 from 4:30 – 7:30 the Orlando Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Hob Nob at Sea World in Orlando. About 2,000 local area business leaders are expected to attend the event and each presidential candidate will have a table. We need Mike Huckabee supporters to show up!

In fact there are 15 tickets still available free that were allotted to the campaign. CLICK HERE to send an email and secure your spot at the Hob Nob. We do not have access to more tickets when these are gone and the regular price of a ticket is $75. (Which would be worth the price if you are able to pay it because you can cast your vote for Mike Huckabee in the Straw Poll).

Floridians Love Mike Huckabee

2007-10-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

Every day I am getting emails at Florida for Huckabee from people throughout the great state of Florida. They want to know what is going on and how they can help support Mike Huckabee.

Here are just a few comments I have received:

“I have been a conservative all my voting life and Mike has the distinction of being the first politician I have ever given money to!”

“I think that I have at least 6 other people that want to form a committee in the area.”

“My husband and I were both registered democrats until a couple of weeks ago, we changed our party so that can vote for Mike! Willing and eager to help!”

“I would like to get as involved as possible in Mike's campaign here in Florida. We really believe in his candidacy and want him to win the Sunshine State in his bid for the presidency.”

“I believe that Mike Huckabee is the candidate for conservatives. Add my name to your volunteer list.”

Now it’s your turn to join the grassroots effort to help Gov. Mike Huckabee in Florida. Just email Florida for Huckabee and we’ll keep you in the loop.

Evangelicals Flocking to Huckabee

2007-10-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a post on RedState.com about how social conservatives are now turning their support to Mike Huckabee:

On the heels of an impressive performance at the Family Research Council's Washington Briefing, Mike Huckabee is starting to attract many evangelicals away from Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson now that Huckabee has proven his viability as a candidate. Full Story...

Mike Huckabee and Christian Leaders

2007-10-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

This Time Magazine article has hit the nail on the head with the baffling relationship between Mike Huckabee and the leaders of the Religious Right.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1674340,00.html

Huckabee's Bid for the Christian Right
By Amy Sullivan

The conflict has been brewing underneath the surface, but the results of the straw poll at Saturday's Values Voters Summit made it official: the real struggle in the 2008 Republican primaries will be not between Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney or social conservatives and fiscal conservatives but between Christian Right leaders and the conservatives in the pews.

Coming off a heady week of endorsements from heavyweights in the Christian Right world, including Bob Jones III and Don Wilton, former president of the South Carolina Southern Baptist Convention, Mitt Romney technically won the straw poll with 1,585 of the total 5,576 votes cast. But it was former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee who lit up the crowd with a fiery sermon as the last candidate to address the gathering. He took second place, just 30 votes behind Romney. When organizers broke the votes down into those cast online and those of summit attendees, the results revealed a true thrashing. In the tally of those present at the summit, Huckabee swamped his opponents, capturing 50% of the vote. By contrast, Romney was the choice of only 10% of on-site values voters.

The outcome was enough to give a serious scare to the GOP frontrunners. Religious conservatives are disproportionately represented in the Iowa caucuses and Huckabee has recently moved into second place in some Iowa polls. (A Rasmussen poll from Oct. 10-14 showed Huckabee in a tie for second with Fred Thompson, seven points behind Romney.) Huckabee is also benefiting from Kansas Senator Sam Brownback's withdrawal from the race, even though Brownback has not yet endorsed any of the remaining candidates. After his speech at the summit on Saturday, Huckabee told reporters that over the previous 24 hours, his Iowa offices "had a lot of traffic from key players in the Brownback campaign who are coming with us."

Huckabee's strong showing wasn't a complete surprise — he attracted attention in early August when he took second in the Ames straw poll. But that impressive finish wasn't followed by an surge of donations or endorsements. His approximately $1 million take in the third fundraising quarter was the most he has raised so far, yet it was still only one-fifth the amount reported by libertarian long-shot Ron Paul. And he has yet to break through outside of Iowa — in national polls, Huckabee tops out around 7%.

Candidates — especially those mired in the single digits — often compare themselves to David in the biblical battle against Goliath and the Philistines. The implication is usually that second or third-tier candidates are more virtuous because they haven't sold out to become frontrunners. Not surprisingly, the rhetorical appeal has a self-justifying tone that rarely works. But on Saturday, in the hands of Huckabee, a Baptist preacher, the David reference became a rallying cry that resonated with social conservatives.

From the moment he took the stage in the Washington Hilton's International Ballroom, Huckabee was in his element. The Arkansas contingent in the front of the hall went nuts, waving low-tech H-U-C-K-A-B-E-E placards. Unlike the other candidates, Huckabee was greeted by a standing ovation throughout the entire cavernous room. He settled in behind the lectern as if it were a pulpit, greeting the crowd "not as one who comes to you, but as one who comes from you."

When Pat Robertson ran for the Republican nomination in 1988, he went out of his way to downplay his identity as a religious leader, emphasizing instead his television network and other business ventures. Nearly 20 years later, it is impossible to listen to Mike Huckabee without picking up on his background of 15 years as a pastor. Huckabee is fond of saying that he's a "conservative — I'm just not angry about it." His mood is usually that of a perpetually cheery youth pastor who just might grab a guitar and rock out with the praise band if the spirit hits him. (Huckabee does in fact play bass guitar with his band, Capital Offense.) At the Values Voters Summit, however, Huckabee started off with more fire and brimstone than he has displayed thus far in the campaign, hitting all the red-meat conservative issues: Islamo-fascism (ignoring the threat "will get us killed"), immigration ("we need to build a fence") and abortion ("a Holocaust").

All good preachers know to give their congregations some breathing space before heading into the main point of their sermon. Huckabee used that rhythm as well with a story about the early 20th century evangelist Billy Sunday. And then he got down to business. Zinging his opponents, Huckabee said that social conservatives need a candidate who speaks "the language of Zion as a mother tongue." And challenging the Christian Right leaders who are lining up behind Romney and, to a lesser extent, candidates like Fred Thompson, he urged: "Let us not sacrifice our principles for anybody's politics."

Hitting his stride, Huckabee compared himself to "the prophets of old, the ones who spoke truth to power." And he set up an altar call for his audience, letting them know exactly what they could do as well to stand up to the powerful. In what has to be the first ever presidential candidate shout-out to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Huckabee made his case for the little guy. "It's a lot better to be with David than Goliath," he declared. Or with Elijah than 850 prophets of Baal. Or with Daniel and the lions than the Babylonians. The point was not lost on the crowd of Sunday school veterans: the Bible is, after all, jam-packed with stories of the seemingly weak who triumph, heroes who shock the naysayers.

"Don't ever let expediency or electability replace our principles," Huckabee urged the crowd. "Come on, Mike!" yelled a man in support. "That's right!" shouted out others.

After his speech, Huckabee was asked whether he was concerned about the disconnect between his showings in the straw polls and the unwillingness of Christian Right leaders to support his campaign. He shook his head. "I'll go with that great horde of people whose names nobody knows rather than the folks whose names everybody knows," Huckabee said. "Their votes are still just one."

Before the straw poll closed, Christian Right leaders milled about in the halls of the hotel: Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, who has made pointed positive statements about Thompson; Gary Bauer, who speaks highly of both Thompson and Romney; and the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins, who recently dismissed Huckabee's chances and criticized him for being too soft on foreign policy and immigration. But the summit attendees who leaped to their feet at the close of Huckabee's address streamed past the heavyweights to cast their votes. If religious voters heed Mike Huckabee's call again once the real voting begins, the battle between the purists and pragmatists in the Christian Right may well be settled in Iowa.

It's About Issues

2007-10-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

This is a simple, but great site that really shows the leading Republican candidates for president in their true light.

http://www.itsaboutideas.com

Recent Coverage of Huckabee Momentum

2007-10-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Big Five vs. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
National Journal – The Hotline
October 23, 2007
“…the GOP field has become a wide open race between five credible contenders: Huckabee, McCain, Giuliani, Romney, and Fred Thompson.”
http://blogometer.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/10/1023_the_big_fi.html

Mitt Romney's ballot-box stuffing
WorldNetDaily
October 23, 2007
There are now two major polls that put Gov. Mike Huckabee in a 5-to-1 lead among values voters: the Values Voter Presidential Debate and the Values Voter Summit. Among summit attendees, who paid the registration, airfare and accommodations, and actually heard the candidates' speeches, Gov. Huckabee won more votes than all the other candidates combined – including Mitt Romney. Huckabee earned 51 percent of the vote compared to Romney's 10 percent, Fred Thompson's 8 percent and Tom Tancredo's 7 percent.
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58278

Take Your Time, Pick Your Candidate
The New York Times
October 23, 2007
Phil Burress, president of the Ohio-based Citizens for Community Values and member of the executive committee of the Arlington Group, declined to talk about the meeting but said he has personally decided to support Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister. Another well-respected Christian conservative leader, Kelly Shackleford, a Texas lawyer, is also expected to come out on behalf of Mr. Huckabee in the coming days.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/take-your-time-pick-your-candidate/

Underdog Huckabee Outshines GOP Rivals at 'Values' Summit
The Christian Post
October 21, 2007
Republican White House hopeful and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee received 51.26 percent of the onsite votes in the Values Voter Summit’s straw poll compared to onsite runner-up Mitt Romney’s 10.40 percent, according to announcement Saturday.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071021/29785_Underdog_Huckabee_Outshines_GOP_Rivals_at_%5C'Values%5C'_Summit.htm

Huckabee Wins the Hearts of Washington 'Values Voters'
Dr. Tony Beam in The Christian Post Column
October 23, 2007
Dr. Dobson took the podium and used it as an opportunity to remind us what really matters come election day. He recalled the time in 1998 when he stood in front of 400,000 prolife supporters in Washington and vowed that he would never again compromise by voting for someone who was not decidedly and demonstrably prolife. As long as Governor Mike Huckabee is in race thank God we don’t have to compromise. We don’t have to hold our nose and vote. We can march into the voting booth, vote Huckabee, and know beyond the shadow of a doubt that we have stood by the things that matter most.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071023/29807_2_Huckabee_Wins_the_Hearts_of_Washington_%27Values_Voters%27.htm

Competent Conservatism
CBSnews.com
October 22, 2007
Like most of the Republicans I chatted with, what she's looking for this year is -- above all -- a non-Bushian level of competence. It's that mantle, above all, that the Republican candidates are competing for in states like Florida. And in their vastly different ways, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and the vastly underrated Mike Huckabee -- the only real contenders now -- have some appeal to these folks on that crucial score. And judging by that same test, the big loser of the weekend was that former great white hope of "common-sense conservatism," Ol' Fred Thompson. His campaign has been an uproarious farce from the get-go, but this weekend in Florida, he just might have managed to shoot himself -- and any chance he might have had of becoming President -- in the foot, once and for all. Thompson's strategy hinged on winning South Carolina and Florida. After this weekend, he'd better make a beeline for Charleston and stay there awhile.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/22/opinion/main3391487.shtml

Recap of Presidency IV

2007-10-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

Due to personal reasons, I had to leave the Presidency IV event a little early and apologize for not covering the event as thoroughly as I had hoped.

For those of you who attended Presidency IV and wondered why Gov. Huckabee was not present at the candidate rally Saturday and why the campaign was not present with stickers, etc, let me offer this explanation. The Republican Party of Florida was charging each candidate $100,000 to participate ($250,000 after a certain deadline!). For better or worse, this was a money grab for the state party and Gov. Huckabee’s campaign had to make a difficult, yet wise, budgetary decision. While obviously the governor participated in the Fox News debate, the Republican Party of Florida would not permit him to actively campaign during the rest of the weekend events. I know I spoke with many people who were disappointed that Gov. Huckabee did not have a presence so I wanted to offer that explanation.

Just for comparison, Fred Thompson did “pay to play” this weekend and brought great disappointment to his Florida supporters. Each candidate was allotted 20 minutes to speak to the crowd, show a video and work the audience. After a short intro video, Thompson only spoke for 4 minutes, 37 seconds. As the Orlando Sentinel political blog points out, this means Thompson paid $22,000 per minute for his brief presentation to the crowd of Republican activists.

(I was there for his speech…it was really bizarre. After walking on stage with his wife Jeri and she exits stage rear, Fred opened his speech with his already-used line, “Don’t you think she will make a better looking first lady that Bill Clinton.” I mean, I can’t believe his handlers are not advising him against that phrase. It had an affect only the first time he used it and it received press coverage and now every time his says it I believe it plays into the impression that he has a young trophy wife…wouldn’t she look gorgeous in the White House, ha ha. So then he starts rambling off some lines thanking the crowd for hanging around to listen to all these politicians…we sure have a lot of issues to work on…I read Conscience of a Conservative when I was young so I am the most conservative candidate, etc. Before I knew it he gave a semi-strong applause line and then walked off stage. Everyone kind of paused, then clapped a little, then the music started playing and people clapped a little more. Finally, after maybe 15 or 20 seconds, Fred walks back on stage and then down into the crowd to shake hands. Like former state chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan said, “Thompson “appeared to be a reluctant candidate.”)

The prayer breakfast Sunday morning was good. Among the speakers were Mark Merrill from Family First in Tampa, Sen. Mike Fasano and a Jewish rabbi from Tallahassee. Prior to the breakfast I stood outside as people entered and simply greeted them and smiled (with my Mike Huckabee button prominently displayed). Many people stopped to ask about the governor and when he would be onsite.

While driving home Sunday night, my wife balanced the laptop in the passenger seat of our van and we were able to listen to most of the debate online at Foxnews.com. As I told many participants earlier this weekend, just wait until the debate and Gov. Huckabee will bring down the house. Gov. Huckabee did not disappoint. There is great coverage of the Orlando debate on the Mike Huckabee campaign site.

I think Florida Republicans are now waking up to the fact that they do have another viable option in Gov. Mike Huckabee. My humble political assessment is that in Florida, Thompson will start to decline and Huckabee and Romney will rise and compete to challenge Rudy's lead.

Rudy Rally

2007-10-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

I just heard Mayor Giuliani speak. He is a good communicator now. He has been coached well because I heard him speak at a political rally back in 2004 and I almost fell asleep.

Social Conservatives Now Clearly Split between Huckabee and Romney

2007-10-20T12:42:00.001-07:00

In a nail biter out of DC, the onsite participants and online voters in the Washington Briefing voted for Huckabee and Romney overwhelmingly in the straw poll. Gov. Romney captured 27.6% of the vote while Gov. Huckabee claimed 27.1% - a virtual tie.

Ron Paul came in a distant 3rd with 14.9% of the vote followed by Sen. Fred Thompson with only 9.8% and then Undecided with 5.7%. CLICK HERE for the full results.

This is really bad news for Fred Thompson.

Of possibly more significance, Gov. Huckabee won 51.3% of the votes from the people who were actually at the event and heard the candidates speak.

…Back here in Orlando, Mayor Giuliani just walked by me while I am sitting here blogging. He waved. I took out my Huckabee bumper sticker and set it so he can see it when he walks back by. :) Oh, and the good mayor received 1.8% from the value voters in that same Washington Briefing poll.

Undecided Voters Abound

2007-10-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

My initial impression here at Presidency IV is that Florida is very much in play.

So many people have come up to me and noticed my Huckabee button and asked, “Where can I get one of those?” People tell me that they really like Gov. Huckabee and are open to supporting him (even if they are currently committed to another candidate.)

Bottom line, people are still searching and that gives Gov Huckabee an open door to win their hearts over tomorrow night during the Fox debate.

Presidency IV Begins

2007-10-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here in the lobby of the Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando and people are arriving for Presidency IV.

Also I am listening to Rudy Giuliani speak online at the Washington Briefing. He is touting his good work of reducing prostitution and pornography while he was mayor of New York. He is telling this crowd of social conservatives that people of faith need to have a voice in the process. He is inviting these people of faith to stay involved and be engaged. How patronizing. (I will give Rudy credit for showing up, but Christians need to recognize his views on gay rights and abortion are the same as Hillary Clinton.)

At 11:30 all the events here begin with the Governor’s luncheon. I will try to give am update this afternoon sometime.

Mike Huckabee, Of Course

2007-10-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

My wife and I were having a conversation in the kitchen the other night about the how things were going with the presidential race. We were talking about several of the candidates, why Mike Huckabee is the obvious choice, why 18% of Iowa Republicans now agree and why more social conservative leaders were not taking a principled stand to support Mike Huckabee.

All of a sudden my 5 year old daughter who was coloring at the table blurts out, “What are you talking about?”

I kind of paused and grinned, knowing the complexity and dynamics of a presidential campaign would be far too grandiose for my little girl to grasp. So I simply replied, “We’ll baby, mommy and I are just talking about the man that we want to be the next president.”

To which my future political analyst replied: “And of course that would be, Mike Huckabee!” :)

We leave for Orlando tomorrow...live blog reports from Presidency IV coming soon.

5 Days - Presidency IV

2007-10-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

My credentials to Presidency IV came by Fed Ex yesterday! I am getting more and more excited as the weekend approaches. Governor Huckabee is going to have a one-two punch into the Republican field this weekend by winning over the Value Voters again up at the Washington Briefing in DC and then winning the Presidential Debate on FOX News from Orlando Sunday night.

And, I learned alos that the American Family Association will be broadcasting the Washington Briefing HERE. So now those of us at Presidency IV can still plug into the events in DC. If you have not had a chance to vote for Gov. Huckabee in the American Values Straw Poll please go do that now: CLICK HERE.

What a great weekend this is going to be – for Florida, for Social Conservatives and for Gov. Huckabee’s campaign!

Presidency IV now only 12 days away in Orlando

2007-10-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

The eyes of the nation will focus on Florida October 20-21 as the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) hosts Presidency IV. This historic event will bring together the Republican presidential candidates in the all-important battleground state of Florida.

The schedule of events for the weekend includes candidate rallies, receptions for both the Federation of Black Republicans and the National Hispanic Association, a prayer breakfast, and a reception for the RPOF Jewish Advisory Council. It will all culminate in the Presidential Debate scheduled for Sunday night on FOX news. This will be another incredible opportunity for Gov. Mike Huckabee to outshine all the rest of the candidates for the Republican nomination.

Florida for Huckabee first confirmed Gov. Huckabee’s attendance at Presidency IV in an exclusive interview on May 29th. Here is a little of what Gov. Huckabee told us then: “I expect to do very well in Iowa and New Hampshire and ride that momentum into Florida. Then I expect to do really well here and, having shown strength in a big state, carry that into the Super Primary. So Florida will be a very important part of our overall strategy. As an authentic, consistent conservative with executive experience, I have a message that resonates with Florida's Republicans”

You can look forward to some live blogging from Presidency IV on Florida for Huckabee.

That upcoming weekend in October will prove to be decisive in the Republican primary because coinciding with Presidency IV in Florida is the Washington Briefing in DC. Sponsored by the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family Action, the Washington Briefing is a gathering of who’s who in the social conservative movement. They will come together and cast votes in yet another Straw Poll. So the candidates will be bouncing back and force between Orlando and DC on this upcoming power-packed weekend. And I believe it may be the moment that we see Gov. Huckabee step onto the national stage in a way we have not seen before.

South Florida Paper Highlights Gov. Huckabee

2007-09-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

This article in The Good News, a south Florida Christian monthly newspaper, highlights the attention that Gov. Huckabee has been drawing lately. Below is an excerpt:

“The biggest political event of the 2007 calendar year gave former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney victory, but the biggest winner may well be” Huckabee, wrote Washington Post reporter Chris Cillizza, in an entry on the newspaper’s political blog about the straw poll.

“Mike Huckabee sucked all the oxygen out of the event with his stunning second-place win,” wrote veteran Iowa political reporter Beverly Davis, on The Huffington Post blog site.

Perhaps more importantly, Huckabee far bested his closest second-tier opponent, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback. Brownback has been a favorite of many social conservatives.

“Huckabee may be the one Republican candidate who has the ability to create a new coalition of Christian backers holding traditional Christian conservatives who care most about abortion and gay marriage while bringing in the new breed of evangelical who is increasingly concerned about social-justice issues,” wrote David Kuo, the former No. 2 official in the White House’s faith-based office, in his Beliefnet blog.

Huckabee's Florida Sweep

2007-09-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

Gov. Huckabee had a successful campaign swing through Florida…

…first with a great Fund Raiser in Ocala…

GOP presidential hopeful attends Ocala fundraiser
Ocala Star-Banner
September 17, 2007

…then with a decisive win at the Value Voter Debate…

Live Blogging during the debate

Christian Broadcasting Network: Brody File Reaction

Townhall.com: 'Values Voters' Hold Debate
http://www.townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2007/09/17/values_voters_hold_debate

See how delegates voted for the candidates during the debate (available 9/18/07): www.valuesvoterdebate.com

Live Blogging - Value Voters debate

2007-09-17T17:30:00.001-07:00

11:09pm
**Breaking**
Mike Huckabee won the straw poll from delegate votes at the Value Voter debate with 63% of the vote! During the post-debate commentary Christian leaders are announcing that they have found their candidate in Mike Huckabee.

10:18pm
OK, the red-green light thing was a little cheesy, but it was refreshing to have so many "real people" ask questions of the candidates. There was probably more than 20 average citizens and grassroots leaders asking questions. I guess the "Missing Four" must feel more comfortable with Chris Matthews and Wolf Blittzer than average Americans.

9:55pm
Thompson was hit on his flip flop duplicity on the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Romney was hit on his former support for gay rights and abortion.

McCain was hit on his trademark legislation (McCain-Feingold) which restricted the rights and freedom of citizens and grassroots organizations to petition the government.

9:48pm
Wow, a young lady just spoke who had survived an abortion attempt on her life. She was saved by some nuns and adopted by loving parents. She asked the absent Rudy Giuliani if he is still pro-choice knowing that his position would have led to her death. The silence from the empty podium (where Rudy should have been) was deafening.

9:24pm
Yes, the "Missing Four" (Romney, Rudy, Fred and McCain) would not have known what to do with this up or down voting technique. These are questions about right and wrong (hate crimes, slavary in the Sudan, abstinence education, religious freedom, national debt, etc.) The media is picking up on the fact that the "Missing Four" are MIA on social conservative issues.

9:17pm
This Red-Green Light session is really boring. They hear a question and then simply turn on a Green light if they answer yes and a Red light for no. Answers having been almost unanimous except for a question on amnesty and a guest-worker program. Only Sen. Brownback answered that some form of a guest worker program would be needed.

8:49pm
I think Alan Keyes joined the race because he did not think Ron Paul was contributing enough hollering to the presidential debates.

8:47pm
Gov. Huckabee greeted a question from Phyllis Schlafly by thanking her for writing “It’s a Choice, Not an Echo” – giving her book and influence credit for leading him to become a Republican many years ago.

8:32pm
Gov. Huckabee has excelled so far as the only 1st tier candidate to show up at the Value Voters Debate. He led off with his trademark humor…musing on how different tonight’s debate has started…with prayer. He could not image that Chris Matthew’s opening a debate with prayer.

He gave solid, articulate answers to the first three questions on Marriage, Sanctity of Life and the War on Terror. Candidates are now each telling about their own faith experience.