Huckabee obviously has the Bill Clinton style potential, but also obviously suffers from the lack of having a similarly capable (and calculating) strategist like the Ragin’ Cajun to give the effective messenger an equally effective message.

If he didn’t become the nominee (I see him doing well here in Iowa, but c’mon, we have to consider the rest of the country, with a smaller Religious Right component in many states’ electorates), I could see him becoming the VP selection, which would likely ensure a decent Religious Right GOP vote next year. (The problem is, in that case, who deserves to be the Presidential nominee? Gulp.)

Look for other establishmentarian sludge like David Broder, George Will, et cetera, ad nauseum, to be downright scummy toward Huckabee if he continues to make progress after February 5, the way Will and Sam Donaldson chose to be scumbags on the air in their openly expressed contempt for Perot in 1992.

But the Democrat whom Huckabee appears to be channeling is John Edwards, who never missed an opportunity to remind voters back in 2004 that he was “the son of a mill worker.”

And is still trying in 2007/8, but has yet to even convince the voters in his home state. On that score, I think Huckabee ought to just channel himself…….he’ll have way more credibility as a populist.

http://www.thoughttheater.com

On one hand, the one person in this election cycle that actually has a message that is potentially hugely ripe for the next era of America’s global psyche tramples the message by delivering it through a messenger that doesn’t have the natural feel for effective delivery.

On the other hand, you’ve got a messenger that does know how to do the retail connection, but he’s badly in need of a message that can captivate.

It is counter-intuitve for a libertarian to come across as didactic and Paul wrote off his mainstream appeal in the early debates with the ranting, and almost whining delivery. While the lack of compelling other choices has boosted Paul’s stock somewhat by consolidating the “anti-establishment” on both sides, I believe it has failed in its ability to convert dissatisfaction into its necessary positive action steps.

Huckabee obviously has the Bill Clinton style potential, but also obviously suffers from the lack of having a similarly capable (and calculating) strategist like the Ragin’ Cajun to give the effective messenger an equally effective message.

And yes, Huckabee already has disturbing dirt out there. Whether there is more to come is anybody’s guess.