It's a Huckabee avalanche, and only Joe Biden can save us.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Hillary vs. Huckabee. Cruella DeVille vs. Gomer Pyle... advantage Gomer

Obama vs. Huckabee. Fake preacher vs. real preacher... advantage lovably intolerant Mike

Edwards vs. Huckabee. White male southerner slugfest... advantage authentic redneck

Only Biden has the lovable bullshitter personality to cope with the Huckanator

(This post is both serious and light... what Al Franken calls "kidding on the square")

[jgraz]

1. He'll be a tough opponent

One thing I'm sure of: if we run Hillary against him, we will get our ass kicked.

[cali]

32. all of our candidates would beat the tar out of him

and once you familiarize yourself with his corruption/ethics problems and some of the shit he's gone on record as saying, you'll see why.

[jgraz]

34. Cuz those things really hurt Bush in 2000

I looked up his ethics problems and nutcase beliefs right after his initial appearance on The Daily Show. Yeah, he's a crook and a whack-job. The problem is that none of that seems to matter for Rethug candidates. The MSM just gives them a pass on it.

The only thing that will stop Huckleberry is the corporate wing of his own party. If he gets past them and wins the nomination, Hillary will be handcuffed on challenging his ethics problems. No way will she bring up ANYONE's shady dealings in AK.

[smoogatz]

38. AR. Alaska's AK.

More to the point, it's not so much that the media give Republicans a pass on nutty beliefs and corruption, it's that Republican voters hold the same nutty beliefs and don't think corruption is a big deal if Republicans are doing it: at least the money isn't going into the pockets of, you know, black people. I think progressives consistently understate (or misunderstand) the degree of difference between their political beliefs and the beliefs of social conservatives in particular. We're not just divided on the issues—we're living in utterly different worlds.

[jgraz]

39. D'oh. I have a brain block on that.

The real point is that (in crazy MSM world) Hillary has the exact same ethics problems as Hucklebee. If he ends up running against her, he'll completely skate on his ethics problems.

[smoogatz]

41. Maybe.

Although Hillary's ethics problems have been investigated exhaustively and at great expense to the taxpayer, with no indictments and no established evidence of wrongdoing to show for it. I wonder how the Huckster would hold up under similar scrutiny. I think Hillary's biggest liability against Hucklebee is that he's apparently affable and funny and she's, well, you know. He's also slightly to the left of Clintonism on things like poverty, jobs and immigration, which is interesting. The other interesting phenomenon, should that race materialize, is that Hillary will emerge as the corporate candidate (already a done deal, pretty much) and Huck will be the populist. Just goes to show you how little influence party philosophy (to the extent that such a thing exists) actually has on the individual candidates. Once they decide they really, really want to be president, that is.

[jgraz]

43. See, there you go using thought again

Do you really think actual FACTS are going to matter to these idiots? Remember, these are the people who thought John Kerry was a coward and George Bush was a war hero. The Hillary/Hucklebee comparisons won't require nearly that much disconnect from reality.

[smoogatz]

45. My bad.

You're right, of course. In fact, I heard some "expert" on Wisconsin Public Radio (of all places) a month or so ago talking about all of Hillary's "baggage" being a potential problem for her. A caller challenged him: "what baggage would that be, exactly?" And the guy said, as though the caller was an idiot, "Whitewater, travel-gate, and cattle-futures-gate, of course." The moderator/host said nothing. So you're absolutely correct: the narrative is what it is, and facts are stupid things.

[smoogatz]

36. Good Rolling Stone article on Hucklebee

here: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/17324246/matt_taibbi_on_mike_huckabee_our_favorite_rightwing_nut_job

[JohnnyLib2]

2. I tend to agree, but Hillary has a lot of experience with Bubba/Gomer.

Gotta factor that in, somehow.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

8. Ironically, Huckabee could lose his own State. Speaking seriously, I think

Huckabee would get killed by Clinton but would rob both Obama and Edwards of their strengths.

Obama runs best against Romney (the republican Hillary).

Edwards would do best vs. Thompson (Youth).

Clinton has Giuliani's number.

To beat McCain easily would take Biden.

[Renew Deal]

3. You're going to get beat up for this post.

I agree with you in general. Huckabee would be tough for us. The matchups aren't good. Southern governors have always held up well.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

5. I tried to be equally (un)fair to the top tier. I think Huckabee is beatable, but poses problems

[ilovesunshine]

4. If only he had more hair.

[katmondoo]

6. His eyebrows keep going up and down

I couln't stop looking them

[K Gardner]

7. I'm afraid this has been a terrifying, yet sobering night for me...

I kept wishing all the way through that whole horrible terrible nightmare of evil white men that I could just hear Joe say something, or see his calm, assured, dignified presence. I'm gettin ready to toss my hat, I do believe. (after I lose my cookies over that freak sideshow)

[Exultant Democracy]

9. Hillary wouldn't stand a chance against him, but I think Edwards and Obama are both

affable enough to compete.

[1corona4u]

10. AHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHhahahahaha...

You got that right!!

[Eurobabe]

12. Oh guess I have to take a picture of my Biden sticker

in the pimpmobile. (My beater in the US)

[1corona4u]

20. You all should!! Just do it! LOL...

[DianeG5385]

11. I was thinking the same!

I have committed $40 / mo to Biden's campaign for the duration. I'm trying to figure out how he can get traction, he's drowned out by the top three soap opera. Biden is what this country needs right now and dang it! I hate that the most competent candidates aren't getting the press they deserve, includes Dodd too!

[K Gardner]

13. I think the top three might have a problem in that Hillary and Obama

seem to be in all out bickerfest. After what I saw tonight, and the past 7 years, I don't think the nation can stand anymore of that. I fear they're going to just stomp each other into the mud, media coverage/celebrity endorsements and all. That still leaves Edwards, if he stays even remotely positive and doesn't get in the middle of the HRC/Obama catfight. A calm, nonconfrontational Biden just might emerge in that scenario.

[K Gardner]

15. Responding to myself, because its come to that...

I just lost faith in Edwards after reading his health care plan: Wage garnishments, collection agencies and all.

That would seem to leave only Joe.

[ginchinchili]

14. LOL...you're killing me!!!

I hope Franken wins the Minnesota senate seat. I've sent him contributions.

[BeyondGeography]

16. The Huck should be feared

and, of course, you're wrong about the matchups. Obama does much better against him than Clinton. Reason: authenticity. You can't run a phony against a jes plain folks guy like Mike. That's an obvious disaster in the making. Also, Huck takes the fundy vote but Obama will at least be able to make him fight for the rest of the evangelical vote, plus he gets historic turnout from the base. Hillary might do as well with Democrats, but will have no crossover appeal against Huckabee.

[Blue_In_AK]

17. I didn't watch the debates

but I've always thought Huckabee would be a tough one in a general. He's too damn NICE -- even if he is unbelievably scary in some of his beliefs.

I agree -- Biden is the one to take him on.

[PatSeg]

18. "Lovable bullshitter"???

I think you're right. He has some incredible one-liners, accompanied with those amazing facial expressions.

[1corona4u]

19. Yeah..

beats the shit out of looking at chimp face for the last 7 years. Bush is such a dork. When he tries to joke, he's the only one laughing. Idiot.

[Tejanocrat]

21. I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

I've GOT to be kidding!

[Steely_Dan]

24. LOLOLOLOL n/t

[ruggerson]

22. Americans aren't stupid enough to elect someone named "Huckabee"

but then, they elected Bush.

[femrap]

33. They elected a Hollywood B-rated

actor which just blew me away. They'll elect anything.

[faithfulcitizen]

51. yes, why not- they "elected" Bush & Dick! (And Colon)

:)

[rufus dog]

23. Huckabee does have a likeability factor

He did well with Colbert, comes across as a good down home guy in the debates.

[featherman]

25. Please, God, let the GOP nominate a fruitcake who believes every

word in the bible to be literally true. We could never get that lucky!

(do people here honestly believe that is going to fly in a general election?)

[1corona4u]

27. Uhh... yeah..

I'm pretty sure that's why Bush is where he is now...

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

29. Um... What data suggest it won't fly in a genral election?

[PaDem]

46. You can't be serious?

Of course it'll fly. And his response to that question was a home run too. It didn't bother me in the least (I'm an Evangelical Christian). He didn't say he believes every word in the Bible to be literally true (see his comments about plucking out your eye). His Evangelical background will work for him, not against him.

[TeamJordan23]

26. Huckabee is ten times more authenthic than Hillary. nm

[1corona4u]

28. kick

[IronLionZion]

30. Huckabee is just like Bush

except Huckabee is likable and seems like a decent and genuine guy. I think the evil empire will use him as their front just like they do with Bush.

Giuliani and Romney are genuinely evil and corrupt. I'm sure McCain is too but he and Thompson are too old.

[1corona4u]

31. yeah, but...

too much religion;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-BFEhkIujA

[PatSeg]

49. Too many guns!

Too much crazy talk! But he comes across as a "nice" guy.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

35. He's The (R) Type That Does Well

Still it's a 50-50 election...

What states do you see him winning that the Rs didn't win in 00 and 04?


And I do see a chance for a D to win Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, and Florida...

[hisownpetard]

37. And what Emily Dickinson called "telling the truth, but telling it 'slant.' "

[D-Sooner]

40. Huckabee has one great asset

He knows how to turn a phrase. He's very good at delivering one-liners, but I think Biden is the only Democrat that can compete with him on this front. It would be fascinating to watch a debate between these two, just to see who could win the crowd over, because they're both great speakers.

[PatSeg]

50. He is really funny

and very personable, until you listen to what he's actually saying.

His phone call from god was like a Bob Newhart skit. Very funny if it weren't so offensive.

[BootinUp]

42. Huckabee? Fuck Me

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x72584

I am not anymore worried about Huckabee than I am about Romney or Guiliani. The real issue for Democrats is nominating someone who a majority can have confidence in as a leader and that means someone who can get things done. If we nominate that person they will come.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

44. That's Hilarious

Thank you...

[PatSeg]

48. But God himself "calls" Huckabee on the phone!

In public! On camera!

Huckabee Fuckamee!

[Faryn Balyncd]

47. Biden would be one hell of a candidate...... exactly what we need.

[murbley40]

52. kick

[txaslftist]

53. Huckabee is a flash in the pan.

A sign of Republican desperation, nothing more.

[jillan]

54. Biden vs Rudy, Mitt, Huckabee - it doesn't matter.

Biden will eat them for lunch. yum yum!