Are the 9 points a Huckabee vote or an anti-Romney vote? I think it's too early in the campaign to write in the Huckster as the winner, but it's a dismal prospect to consider in any event. The commentary I've seen attributes the Huckster's win to a strong conservative Christian vote in Iowa which won't exist in New Hampshire.
Less than a week ago, Huckabee and Romney were virtually tied.
During the week, Romney spent like a lottery winner, putting all his cash into negative ads.
Huckabee blithely walked out and showed one which he designated cancelled with a wink.
The negative ads backfired, earning the biggest point spread in all the races.
Romney is now wounded in the most critical area of all--the Christian area, because Huckabee won the God contest over Romney, tonight at least.
Those two wounds--the loss of face by spending huge funds and negative ads plus rearranging the Christian count--might well change Romney's expectations some in N. H.
One other big thing: Hillary and Romney shall a common denominator--they both represent establishment, and tonight both lost to representers of change.
One other big thing: Hillary and Romney shall a common denominator--they both represent establishment, and tonight both lost to representers of change.
I remember voting for Jiimmy Carter, chiefly because he was a fresh face many years ago and look where THAT got us! sigh.
Don't think that Jimmy can hold a candle to Huckabee in terms of wiley coyote politicking.
I do think Huckabee can hold a candle under Romney.
For instance, Huckabee came out with timely criticism of Bush in those remarks about arrogance and bunker mentality, which Romney quickly condemned. Guess he miscalculated and decided to overun the wisdom that all candidates should distance themselves from Bush at all costs.
I think Huckabee laid the bait and Romney bit.
Another little item that cost him.
Probably the most consistent blunder I see is people underestimating Huckabee. He is a clever fellow, and hiring Ed Rollins won't hurt.
I also think the voters are soundly rejecting corporate politics.
Romney spent huge money to buy out everything, and he lost big time.
He keeps holding on to CEO performance programming, spinning here and there until nobody can hold down their lunch. His typical corporate inspired high negative attack ads were also rejected heavilly by Republican voters in Iowa.
Along the same vein, Edwards heavy assault in the last days on corporate greed, and the knowledge coming out that Hillary received more money than anybody from pharmetceutical and defense corporations, provided the compliment to put Hillary in last place.
Sounds like Iowans on BOTH sides of the aisle are hip to the real problem about the problems in Washington, and the causual thread leading back to unchecked corporate greed.
Rejecting Romney is the biggest and most important thing happening, since Romney is corporate America in the waiting room, ready to replace Cheney as figurehead for corporate influence. Defending Bush and hanging out with Blackwater types, running Rovian ads . . . Romney continues to bury his cred because he comes off like a true clone of corporate behavior, and America has had it, if Iowa is any indication.
