Social conservative Mike Huckabee, coming on strong in Iowa,
with action movie star Chuck Norris.
** HAPPY PRE-THANKSGIVING. I hope that everyone drives/flies/snorkels safely in this run-up to a holiday weekend. NWN will have a special Thanksgiving Edition, with commemorative videos you will enjoy, but publishing will, for the most part, be on an as-needed basis. As in … “What?! This must be written about.”
** HUCKABEE CLOSE BEHIND ROMNEY IN IOWA. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has tripled his support in Iowa since the summer and now runs only four points behind Mitt Romney in the latest ABC/Washington Post poll of the first-in-the-nation Iowa Republican presidential caucuses.
Romney leads Huckabee, 28% to 24%, with Fred Thompson at 15% and Rudy Giuliani at 13%. Huckabee’s supporters are more enthusiastic than those of any other Republican candidate and much more likely to stick with their man. But the guitar-playing former preacher, who has been vastly outspent by Romney, is drawing from a narrower spectrum of voters. Can he expand beyond it? Does he need to in a splintered field?
Huckabee certainly has a winning personality. He was on the BBC World News yesterday fielding questions from a correspondent frankly concerned, as she put it, that America might have another administration devoted to pursuing a Christian religious agenda in world affairs.
Accepting the premise of her questioning, Huckabee said that he’s not that kind of Christian, and that there would be “no crusade” by a Huckabee Administration. The correspondent seemed impressed with Huckabee’s matter-of-factness about it, and in the rest of the interview he laid out a compelling personal story.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side …
Barack Obama, seen in this behind-the-scenes NWN video, has
built a narrow lead in Iowa. That’s San Francisco District Attorney
Kamala Harris on the right.
** THE OBAMA CHALLENGE. Barack Obama has built a small lead in Iowa, 30% to 26% over Hillary Clinton, with John Edwards still strong in third at 22%. People are still wondering over the weekend dust-up between Obama and Clinton over conservative columnist Bob Novak’s rather vague report of her camp having personally scandalous information about the Illinois senator but choosing not reveal it.
In his brand new effort, just out this morning to subscribers and not yet on the Net, Novak claims the episode is evidence of “Hillary’s Nixonian tactics.” It could be evidence of quite a few things, as discussed.
Now that he has a lead in Iowa, Obama hopes to sustain and consolidate, maintaing his new generation/new ideas appeal and reassuring about his experience level. Which is still definitely on the thin side.
Hillary Clinton, surrounded by California politicians in this NWN
video, is trying to protect her frontrunner’s mantle with an Iowa win.
** THE CLINTON CHALLENGE. If Clinton can win in Iowa, her national frontrunnership will be affirmed. But if she loses, the floodgates of doubt about her will open, and the victor will be seen as freshly charismatic and an enormous media magnet.
So to stave off that distinct possibility, Clinton has moved about a hundred staffers from elsewhere in the country into the Hawkeye State. And her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who is quite popular there — more popular than any of the candidates — will be doing substantial campaigning there.
Clinton has begun mocking Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience. She has to convince that she has the right blend of change orientation of skilled experience to defeat the Republicans and serve as an effective president.
Obama and Edwards and others will work to undermine her experience angle, which rests more on her tenure as first lady than it does on her seven years in the US Senate, pointing out that none of her papers from the era have been made available to buttress her argument.
** NO ALTERNATIVE BUDGET FROM THE RIGHT. With California’s chronic state budget woes back in full force, some conservatives in the state Senate are saying I told you so. Actually, they didn’t. For months they complained about the budget situation, but never put forth any alternatives. As a matter of “strategy,” as the hyperpartisan Flash Report web site spun it.
Yesterday, state Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman put out a statement along those lines, but this time presented what sounded like an alternative. Some “$3 billion” in programs to be cut. The current problem looks like about $10 billion, a $2 billion shortfall in the current budget, and a projected $8 billion in the next fiscal year.
Ackerman touted something called the California Piglet Book, put out by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. But I’ve been down this particular road before, a few years ago when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger decided not to impose a temporary tax increase to actually balance the budget. I went to the group to hear their alternatives. Which were pretty much what you will see when you click on the book, which is actually a pamphlet. It’s a collection of cullings from various newspapers and other media outlets with examples of seemingly egregious government spending. It’s all mashed together, from all levels of government, not simply state government.
To say that it’s not a program is, as you’ll see, to state the obvious. And the $3 billion in it that Ackerman cites as a solution to the budget woes is a result of all that mashed together spending. Which, in any event, is only a fraction of the problem.
** QUICK HITS. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger induced four big lenders to agree to halt proposed rate increases on so-called subprime mortgages for homeowners in need, a move that appears likely to save tens of thousands of Californians from losing their homes. … California water policy negotiators still haven’t come to an actual agreement, despite the talk from all camps of progress. They’ll keep negotiating, but it looks too late to place a big water bond on the February ballot. This is why I’m weary of reporting various Capitol machinations, which usually come to nothing. … Two competing initiatives to reform the state’s eminent domain procedures look likely to make it onto the June California ballot. One has a stealthy backdoor provision to outlaw rent control. Prospects for neither initiative are good.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel.
You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti.
While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND U.S. ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Crude oil prices are trading in a record range of $97 to $100 per barrel.
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Chuck Norris?
Chuck Norris?
And, meanwhile, Rudy is sinking like a stone in New Hampshire (third now behind McCain) and a non-factor in Iowa. If Huckabee is the story coming out of Iowa – and I’m betting that he will be on the GOP side – there goes South Carolina as well for Rudy as Huckaabee is a better fit. What will Rupert do then?
“Chuck Norris Approved!” Great video.
“Chuck Norris Approved!” Great video.
They’ve got the Walker: Texas Ranger motif going there.
Florida’s always been the key for Giuliani. Stay relevant in the contests before it, try to eke out a win in New Hampshire if possible, then rely on strength in big states.
It’s a risky strategy.
South Carolina is really where Thompson has had hopes to break through.
>richard locicero :
And, meanwhile, Rudy is sinking like a stone in New Hampshire (third now behind McCain) and a non-factor in Iowa. If Huckabee is the story coming out of Iowa – and I’m betting that he will be on the GOP side – there goes South Carolina as well for Rudy as Huckaabee is a better fit. What will Rupert do then?
Nov 21, 2007 09:42 AM
He may not be your star, but he’s a star to a lot of people.
It’s interesting that the first candidate to have a Hollywood star stumping for him is the most conservative one.
>Ann :
Chuck Norris?
Nov 21, 2007 09:39 AM
If CADTS is right about Huckabee, I’ll never live it down. She won’t let me.
I still love that commercial. He needs a follow-up with a biopic commercial.
Bob Novak’s got a lot of gall to talk about somebody else being “Nixonian.”
Walker Texas Ranger?
Walker Texas Ranger?
The BBC World interview with Huckabee was very interesting. The correspondent seemed halfway expecting a yahoo. I’ll bet the audience was impressed and engaged by the guy.
>Brasky :
If CADTS is right about Huckabee, I’ll never live it down. She won’t let me.
I still love that commercial. He needs a follow-up with a biopic commercial.
Nov 21, 2007 10:06 AM
When I asked about Plan B for Pakistan, Bill yesterday said it was “Probably another general.” Is one in the wings? I don’t seem to remember any names being bandied about…
There’s General Ashfaq Kiyani, the deputy chief of staff, former intelligence chief and one-time military attache to Benazir Bhutto, who I brought up when the crisis began.
My relatives in Clinton, Iowa (no joke) have all been lifelong hardcore democrats and Bush haters, but didn’t support Kerry, and are opposed to Hillary big time. They are starting to talk about Huckabee, having dismissed Thompson as uninterested.
The Iowans I know are pretty jazzed about Obama and Huckabee.
Happy thanksgiving to all. We have much to be thankful for, including that NWN is a political home base for many of us junkies.
The Iowans I know are pretty jazzed about Obama and Huckabee.
Happy thanksgiving to all. We have much to be thankful for, including that NWN is a political home base for many of us junkies.
Huckabee is an amiable man. Norris sells the key line, AUTHENTIC conservative.
“NO ALTERNATIVE BUDGET FROM THE RIGHT”
When should we start them on the clock? xx days without a budget proposal.
Unknown.
That’s a sincerely tongue-in-cheek video.
>Len :
Huckabee is an amiable man. Norris sells the key line, AUTHENTIC conservative.
Nov 21, 2007 11:56 AM
Thanks, Hap. You’ll enjoy the actual Thanksgiving stuff.
>Hap Hazard :
The Iowans I know are pretty jazzed about Obama and Huckabee.
Happy thanksgiving to all. We have much to be thankful for, including that NWN is a political home base for many of us junkies.
Nov 21, 2007 11:27 AM
Thanks, Hap. You’ll enjoy the actual Thanksgiving stuff.
>Hap Hazard :
The Iowans I know are pretty jazzed about Obama and Huckabee.
Happy thanksgiving to all. We have much to be thankful for, including that NWN is a political home base for many of us junkies.
Nov 21, 2007 11:27 AM
Democrats for Huckabee?Are they evangelicals?
>Hap Hazard :
My relatives in Clinton, Iowa (no joke) have all been lifelong hardcore democrats and Bush haters, but didn’t support Kerry, and are opposed to Hillary big time. They are starting to talk about Huckabee, having dismissed Thompson as uninterested.
Nov 21, 2007 11:07 AM
Where is Wilbur? I am waiting for his comments on Iowa.
“Democrats for Huckabee?”
I know a Democrat who likes Huckabee.
Consultants like Mike Murphy (remember that guy?) say that likeability isn’t as important in this presidential election. I have to disagree. More than any other elected office, voters want to LIKE their president. Likeability also plays a key roll in deflecting political attacks.
D’oh! That’s right, you did mention him. But is he being positioned to help shunt aside Musharraf? This may be an option but I see no signs Bush’s Team is readying it to happen, versus ineffectual hand-wringing.
>Bill Bradley :
There’s General Ashfaq Kiyani, the deputy chief of staff, former intelligence chief and one-time military attache to Benazir Bhutto, who I brought up when the crisis began.
Kiyani could do that. He’s got the connections, and apparently Musharraf is having some trouble controlling the army.
Kiyani also knows where the bodies are buried. Musharraf made him head of the ISI after Kiyani investigated an assassination attempt against him.
Kiyani could do that. He’s got the connections, and apparently Musharraf is having some trouble controlling the army.
Kiyani also knows where the bodies are buried. Musharraf made him head of the ISI after Kiyani investigated an assassination attempt against him.
… The ISI being the Pakistani intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, which was founded by a British army officer in the 1940s.
If the Bush people are trying to depose Musharraf and install someone they consider a friend, that means Pakistan is doomed. Just look at the shining tactical and strategic successes the Bush people have already had in that part of the world.
>>carole w :Where is Wilbur? I am waiting for his comments on Iowa.
I like corn, and I’m told they grow it there, but I prefer the local stuff from Sloughhouse.
That’s ’bout all I know about Iowa, other than it is finally starting to get interesting…
Happy T-day one and all! Much to give thanks for, including NWN. Thanks, Bill.
The political graveyards are full of presidential wannabee who thought they could skip Iowa and New Hampshire and then win big on Super this or that. Rudy will learn the same hard lesson. Fred Thompson is a dead man walking. He has excited no one and last week several early congressional backers showed misgivings.
Its Romney Vs Huckabee.
Fred has fallen behind Ron Paul in New Hampshire …
Fred has fallen behind Ron Paul in New Hampshire …
Which, BTW, will be on Jan. 8th.
Thanks, Wilbur.
>Wilbur :
>>carole w :Where is Wilbur? I am waiting for his comments on Iowa.
I like corn, and I’m told they grow it there, but I prefer the local stuff from Sloughhouse.
That’s ’bout all I know about Iowa, other than it is finally starting to get interesting…
Happy T-day one and all! Much to give thanks for, including NWN. Thanks, Bill.
Nov 21, 2007 01:53 PM
I think Gates and Negroponte are too smart for that. They’re probably trying to make sure their lines are good with whomever might come next.
>larry :
If the Bush people are trying to depose Musharraf and install someone they consider a friend, that means Pakistan is doomed. Just look at the shining tactical and strategic successes the Bush people have already had in that part of the world.
Nov 21, 2007 01:30 PM
NH is officially Nov 8.
I wonder how many turkey dinners each presidential candidate will have to eat tomorrow?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, especially Bill!
What video are you showing for the holiday?
What video are you showing for the holiday?
Thank God it’s almost Thanksgiving. Then it’s on to Xmas. I ain’t ready for that.
I still think it’s summer.
You don’t want me to spoil it/them …
>vJonas Blane :
What video are you showing for the holiday?
Nov 21, 2007 04:37 PM
The New Hampshire primary is over?
Thanksgiving’s tomorrow. Along with another anniversary …
>Brasky :
NH is officially Nov 8.
I wonder how many turkey dinners each presidential candidate will have to eat tomorrow?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, especially Bill!
Nov 21, 2007 04:23 PM
The New Hampshire primary is over?
Thanksgiving’s tomorrow. Along with another anniversary …
>Brasky :
NH is officially Nov 8.
I wonder how many turkey dinners each presidential candidate will have to eat tomorrow?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, especially Bill!
Nov 21, 2007 04:23 PM
Me thinks Mr. Brasky meant January 8th…
Turkey Eve basketball update…
Sacramento is playing Phoneix…first half just ended…Kings scored 63 points and trial the Suns by 17! Not sure if it’s a basketball game or track meet!
Mr. Bradley:”Kiyani could do that. He’s got the connections, and apparently Musharraf is having some trouble controlling the army”
True. There are problems in army…However, I am not so sure the next leader post- Musharraf will be a general…in fact, I don’t think that is going to happen…
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Mr. Bradley!!!