A vote for Huckabee is a vote for Hillary. Huckabee sucks votes away from the only two candidates who have a real opportunity to win: Romney and Guiliani. Huckabee doesn't have nearly enough money or the ground organization to compete effectively, either in the primaries or the general election. Hillary would clean his clock. Republicans, please, don't throw your votes away on a slick talking guy wih little administrative skill and no money. Don't let Hillary Clinton in the White House again. I'm going with Romney.

Huck. I'm losing interest in your losing campaign.

http://www.golden-lamp.com

Anyone interested in what Huckabee is really like face to face should
try
this funny (but it actually happened) column:
http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/02/title_14

Hey, I like Huckabee, but where's the coverage of McCain and Richardson and Biden? Maybe if you started covering them, their poll numbers would spike too.

America can not afford a Bush look-a-like in the White House.

Mike Huckabee supports raising taxes 28.5 %
The consumption tax will increase the tax on people about 28.5 %. Instead of individuals paying 60 % of taxes, they will pay 100% of the budget. In FY 2006, corporation income tax was 13.8 % of the federal budget and corporate employment taxes were 14.7 %. Under the “Fairtax plan,” businesses do not pay taxes.

Does anyone want a Mormon faith based initiative?

I would much rather have Mike Huckabee than a man worse than Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani the philanderer. Who wants a president who, with his present wife, have six marriages between the two of them.
Character does count. I would much rather Ron Paul but he can't win the nomination. Character does count.

This is exactly why I won't vote Republican, true republicans would not pick a man like this. The republican party has been highjacked by the evangelical christians with they hate filled messages to anyone that is different from them. I guess we can all look forward to locking the gay people up to seperate them from society, carrying around bibles, and prayer in the middle of the street everyday during lunch time. The religious right in this country scares me to death, pretty soon Al Qaeda won't be the threat to our country, it will be the religious and radical right in our own country.

John from Colorado Springs: Read the Constitution….The FOUNDERS did not intend to have a preacher in the White House. The Huckster is a fraud. Look at the 14 ethics investigations while he served as governor of Arkansas. He and his wife purchased $70,000 worth of furniture for the statehouse at tax payer expense and attempted to take the furniture with them when they left office. And, as governor, he convinced a parole board to release a rapist who went on to murder a second victim and he's lying about his role in it. What's he going to do as President….give us a sermon while he slides his hands in our pockets? NO to Mike "the huckster" Huckabee!

News Release: Presidential Candidate, Governor Mike Huckabee Statement on AIDS Funding December 08, 2007
Little Rock, AR – In the late 80’s and early 90’s we were still learning about the virus that causes AIDS. My concern, as a Senate candidate at the time, was to deal with the virus using the same public health protocols that medical science and public health professionals would use with any infectious disease.

Before a disease can be cured and contained we need to know exactly how and with near certainty what level of contact transmits the disease. There was still too much confusion about HIV transmission in those early years. Recall that in 1991, Kimberly Bergalis testified in front of Congress after contracting HIV from her dentist, and that summer a study was published showing that HIV was transmitted through breastmilk more easily than had been thought. But the federal government provided some guidelines: Also in 1991 the Centers for Disease Control recommended restrictions on the practice of HIV-positive health care workers.

At the time, there was widespread concern over modes of transmission and the possibility of epidemic. In the absence of conclusive data, my focus was on efforts to limit the exposure of the virus, following traditional medical practices developed from our public health experience and medical science in dealing with tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

We now know that the virus that causes AIDS is spread differently, with a lower level of contact than with TB. But looking back almost 20 years, my concern was the uncertain risk to the general population – if we got it wrong, many people would die needlessly. My concern was safety first, political correctness last.

My administration will be the first to have an overarching strategy for dealing with HIV and AIDS here in the United States, with a partnership between the public and private sectors that will provide necessary financing and a realistic path toward our goals. We must prevent new infections and provide more accessible care. We must do everything possible to transform the promise of a vaccine and a cure into reality.

Furthermore, I am proud that the United States has led the global battle against HIV/ AIDS. We have both a strategic interest as the world's only superpower and a moral obligation as the world's richest country to continue to do so until this scourge is a memory.

I supported the current Administration’s proposal to double our initial commitment from $15 billion to $30 billion over the next five years for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR has already done an extraordinary amount of good, by providing drugs for over a million people and care for four-and-a-half million people, but it expires in 2008 and must be reauthorized. I support an increase in our commitment to the Global Fund. Through PEPFAR and the Global Fund, we can do our fair share to meet the Millennium Development Goals we affirmed in 2000, which include universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care.

Leading in poll despite all the scandals and wrongdoings around him? Isn't that very suspicious? What exactly has he done lately to boost up the poll? That little speech at the CFR?

http://www.cfr.org/publication/14335/

By ANDREW DeMILLO, Associated Press Writer
29 minutes ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Mike Huckabee once advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general public, opposed increased federal funding in the search for a cure and said homosexuality could "pose a dangerous public health risk."

As a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 1992, Huckabee answered 229 questions submitted to him by The Associated Press. Besides a quarantine, Huckabee suggested that Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies.

Huckabee said Saturday that his comments came at a time when the public was still learning about HIV and AIDS and promised to do "everything possible to transform the promise of a vaccine and a cure into reality."

In 1992, Huckabee wrote, "If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague."

"It is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population, and in which this deadly disease for which there is no cure is being treated as a civil rights issue instead of the true health crisis it represents."

The AP submitted the questionnaire to both candidates in the 1992 senate race; only Huckabee responded. Incumbent Sen. Dale Bumpers won his fourth term; Huckabee was elected lieutenant governor the next year and became governor in 1996.

When asked about AIDS research in 1992, Huckabee complained that AIDS research received an unfair share of federal dollars when compared to cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

"In light of the extraordinary funds already being given for AIDS research, it does not seem that additional federal spending can be justified," Huckabee wrote. "An alternative would be to request that multimillionaire celebrities, such as Elizabeth Taylor (,) Madonna and others who are pushing for more AIDS funding be encouraged to give out of their own personal treasuries increased amounts for AIDS research."

Huckabee said in a prepared statement released by his campaign Saturday afternoon that he called for quarantine when there was a lot of confusion about how AIDS is spread. He said he wanted at the time to follow traditional medical practices used for dealing with tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

"We now know that the virus that causes AIDS is spread differently, with a lower level of contact than with TB," Huckabee said. "But looking back almost 20 years, my concern was the uncertain risk to the general population — if we got it wrong, many people would die needlessly. My concern was safety first, political correctness last."

When Huckabee wrote his answers in 1992, it was common knowledge that AIDS could not be spread by casual contact. In late 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 195,718 AIDS patients in the country and that 126,159 people had died from the syndrome.

The nation had an increased awareness of AIDS at the time because pro basketball star Magic Johnson had recently disclosed he carried the virus responsible for it. Johnson retired but returned to the NBA briefly during the 1995-96 season.

Since becoming a presidential candidate this year, Huckabee has supported increased federal funding for AIDS research through the National Institutes of Health.

"My administration will be the first to have an overarching strategy for dealing with HIV and AIDS here in the United States, with a partnership between the public and private sectors that will provide necessary financing and a realistic path toward our goals," Huckabee said in a statement posted on his campaign Web site last month.

Also in the wide-ranging AP questionnaire in 1992, Huckabee said, "I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk."

A Southern Baptist preacher, Huckabee has been a favorite among social conservatives for his vocal opposition to gay marriage. In 2003, Huckabee said that the U.S. Supreme Court was probably right to strike down anti-sodomy laws, but that states still should be able to restrict things such as gay marriage or domestic partner benefits.

"What people do in the privacy of their own lives as adults is their business," Huckabee said. "If they bring it into the public square and ask me as a taxpayer to support it or to endorse it, then it becomes a matter of public discussion and discourse."

Rumor has it that Huckabee is considering Lieberman for his VP. This guy is on a mission to destroy the Republican Party, and his smooth voice and glib little comments are fooling all these idiots into believing him.

What is it about Mike Huckabee and this flavor of the week thing?

Does it not matter that he made hate-filled proclamations about real live American citizens who were fflicted with AIDS?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071208/ap_on_el_pr/huckabee_aids

I'm way past sick of the way the media makes a flash in the pan out of every little man with something to say.

I’m a registered Independent and former Republican. If he wasn’t so far off center, I’d vote for Ron Paul. But as for right now Mike Huckabee is my top choice for President. Not because he is a minister or even a Christian, but because he is willing to at least put in writing his beliefs on our federal tax code. I’m completely sold on replacing all income-based taxes with a federal consumption tax. It’s progressive, fair, and rewards personal responsibility – something the Democratic contenders seem to have written off.

If he wasn't so far off-center? What has that to do with anything? Vote your conscience and vote for what is right, which is following the Constitution. A Fair Tax is great, but an even fairer tax would be 0%! Talk about personal responsibility… Huck only talks about it in regards to taxes, but what about education, healthcare, protection of one's family and property, free speech and trade? Ron Paul is all about personal responsibility and self-reliance. Give the man a chance and vote for what you believe, not for who you think might be elected, just so you can say you voted the right way.

Oh yeah, and this article is yet another example of how polls can not be trusted. Way to go, CNN!

His greatest accomplishment is losing 110 pounds. Hillary will beat him easily if he ends up being the nominee.

Posted By Clarissa, Hannover, New Hampshire : December 7, 2007 8:32 pm

Who said that Hillary was ahead of Obama now???

Take this:
*****
Mike Huckabee once advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general public, opposed increased federal funding in the search for a cure and said homosexuality could "pose a dangerous public health risk."

As a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 1992, Huckabee answered 229 questions submitted to him by The Associated Press. Besides a quarantine, Huckabee suggested that Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies.
*****

Too early in the campaign to start handing out "Congratulations" to Mike Huckabee, Dan, Brett and Richard.

I would love to see Obama,Huckabee debate. It would be a good debate indeed…

Why is there no mention of Rudy Giuliani in this report? Isn't he leading in several other states? Maybe the pollsters accidentally combined the tallies for Huckabee and Giuliani to come up with this "commanding lead". ;-P

I really can not believe voters are so dense that they would support Huckabee. This guy spews God from his mouth but his actions are not Christian. He was sued by the AK ethics board for 15 violations, 2 AP reporters sued him, he settled 15k in a law suit by a former employee, was in support of the release of Wayne D. a convicted rapist- as soon as he was released he killed 1 poss 2 women, he supported segregating people with AIDS, he says he is fiscal conservative- yet he raised taxes on the middle class, etc. Check this guy out. HE is NOT the Christian he claims he is.

As a Canadian observer, I can only wonder what took Republicans so long to recognize Mike Huchabee as their only legitimate candidate. He has the experience and character to beat out any of the Democratic candidates should the masses look deep enough. It is character that America needs at this crucial juncture, not flare. As much as a Republican President may seem unthinkable to many, Huchabee is the face America needs to reestablish itself as a global 'good guy' as well as the person to remind America what made it the great nation it has been. Obama, your day will come!

Here comes the Christian Taliban.

I'm from Minnesota. We make "Iowa jokes" here all the time. This must be Iowa's way of getting even with us!

Well, well, well, here we go again. The Religious Right has once again hijacked the Republican Party with another one of its Family Values Candidates who can't see past Roe v. Wade or anything else.

This is a classic case as to why the primary system in this country is in need of reform. It's horribly broken.

atta boy mike,
i knew the doors would finally open up.
keep working hard and being true.
ray

The Faith campaign clearly has no faith for those with HIV or gays. We don't fit neatly into the Huckabee agenda. Maybe Huckabee should create a special island and send all people with a disease or that have a lifestyle that "his platform does not support" and consider that part of his "cleansing process" of our country. Sounds similar to what Hitler believed back in the 1930's, look where that ended up. No vote here from me here. The Republicans need to bring someone with human values and basic decency to the table as right now they are striking out. The Dems could stand to follow this advice as well…

Congrats to Mike Huckabee! If he can take out Mitt Romney in Iowa, then Romney's momentum won't even begin. This is just what America needs to kick Romney to the curb. Romney is a tax raiser, supports government mandates on health insurance, and believes that agnostics and atheists are not deserving of freedom. Anything that thwarts Romney is a good thing.

Romney's a liar and a dolt, and Giuliani is a snake-oil salesman. How can Huckabee NOT look better than these two bozos? I do worry about Huckabees 'flat tax' plan. I theory it sounds good, but putting a 23% tax on EVERYTHING turns a median priced home of $225,000 into $276,000. This will crush the housing market even worse than the current sub-prime crisis!

Huckabee's campaign rose from the dead in three days. Or was it overnight, when the mainstream press decided to start covering him like he was the second coming? With the powerful press behind him, God on his side, and a high profile celebrity endorsement, we now have the ultimate political trinity: Father, Chuck, and Holy Huck.

Of course he took the lead. Chuck Norris doesn't endorse, he tells America how it's going to be.

In light of the fact that Mike Huckabee let a serial rapist go free on parole, it would be much more preferable to have Mr. Romney be elected as a Republican candidate in next GOP convention.
Mike Huckabee's explanation that his decision to let serial rapist go out on parole was not influenced by his opposition to Mr. Clinton, is a bit too simple. This just exposes how little respect Mike Huckabee has for human dignity and gives a clear indication how low he can go to spite a political rival.
I am sure as campaign for 2008 presidential election roles forward, more colorful stories from Mike Huckabee's closet are bound to come to light.
Iowan's supporting Mike Huckabee are certainly blind and short sighted and callous and lack conscience.
Christian Iowan's supporting Mike Huckabee, should explore their conscience: Was Mike Huckabee's decision to let serial rapist go out on parole within the parameters of teachings of Bible?

Bush has been a great president and we can only hope the next president has the same capacity to lead in the face of negative opinion polls and relentless media attacks. He was right on Iraq. Saddam was a cruel brute who broke the conditions of the peace treaty he had signed and our soldiers had died to gain. If, over the next ten years, Iraq becomes a stable democracy that can help protect the world's central energy source and serve as a buffer against the crazy man in Iran, then our national interests have been served. Bush is right about terrorism. He has implemented a compassionate social agenda at home just like he promised he would. He has appointed well qualified conservative judges and in spite of rising oil prices and the mortgage fiasco, the economy is healthy and unemployment stands at an amazing 4.7%. It's not an accident that we haven't had a second terrorist attack on our soil and now we find out that Iran abandoned its nuclear weapon program in 2003 as a result of our strong policy choices in Iraq. Europe has gone to the polls and ousted all three of its Bush haters and Bush has launched a Middle East peace process that has a far greater chance of long term success than any of the mess that Clinton left us with.

We can only hope that Mike Huckabee is another Bush.

Steve… all statistics show that the media is actually conservative biased to the tune of at least 61%.

I am a democrat and frankly even I think Huckabee is the most likeable of all the republican candidates… which is strange because I don't like baptists at all… so go figure.

This is guy is intelligent and seems conversant on the issues and hasn't yet shown that he is going to be a divider instead of a uniter unlike some others that would claim to be a peacemaker.

Great! Another Wannabee wears Jesus on his sleave and therefore deserves to rule. What a joke. Mike Wannabee is just another right-wing conservative moron that thinks he ought to be the next megalomaniac Republican to sit in the White house and force his twisted ideas of morality down our throats. Mike needs to do more than shed a few pounds and pander to theocratic evangelicals to become president. In fact, the only chance ANY Republican has of fairly winning in November '08 is to shed their right-wing, christian-deathsquad, neoconistic attitudes and switch to the Democratic party or register Independent. Otherwise, GAME OVER DEMS WIN !! RUN AND HIDE BUSH- CHENEY. YOUR LIES CAN MAKE IT HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD BEFORE THE TRUTH EVER GETS IT'S BOOTS ON…BUT THE TRUTH HAS A WAY OF CATCHING UP SOONER OR LATER.

I’m a registered Independent and former Republican. If he wasn’t so far off center, I’d vote for Ron Paul. But as for right now Mike Huckabee is my top choice for President. Not because he is a minister or even a Christian, but because he is willing to at least put in writing his beliefs on our federal tax code. I’m completely sold on replacing all income-based taxes with a federal consumption tax. It’s progressive, fair, and rewards personal responsibility – something the Democratic contenders seem to have written off.

Amazing how a "22-point" lead by something as blatantly biased as Newsweek has translated into NO cash support and no campaign support on the ground.

Not to mention the fizzled HuckaBomb and the Huckster's own Willie Horton problem…that and his warmongering and preacher screecher past.

Sorry, the poll is this week's housing bubble–an illusion soon to be exploded.

The Huckster is this week's flavor-du-jour to distract from the only real conservative and patriot in the race: Dr. Paul. The Old Media is desperate to not have Dr. Paul win.

But he will anyway. More voters and supporters than there are Old Media pundits.

This is the work of God! The miracle is working. He is an unapologetic about his faith, speaks about it freely and openly.

This is great news for this republic. A Baptist minister will heal the country. He will talk to the Mullahs because they are all religious! Peace will prevail everywhere and touch the soul of everyone on earth. I love the unfolding scenario. It is going to be a landslide for the Republican party because God wills it!

Obama was going to win the 2008 General Election big time because he is smart, focused, and sharp in judgement. He has outwitted the hithero "invincible" Hillary Clinton But he is secular and doesn't profess his faith enough. Yet, a lot of people like him which surprises me. I believe he was going to beat any of those so-called top tier candidates- Rudy, Mitt, Fred, or John. But God has just intervened on behalf of the Republican party. Obama is done! It is Pastor Huckabee all the way! God is truly great. Go pastor! We are praying for you.

This is BS. Tax hike Mike is the biggest empty-rhetoric filled demagogue I have ever listened to.

He is a snake in the grass and this is great for Ron Paul. More division against the Bush 2.0 neoconservatives.

Huckabee's stance on AIDS in the early 90's is going to come back and haunt him now. His earlier, less presidential position was that all AIDS patients should be quarantined and that Hollywood stars pay for the research, since they were the ones responsible for this "plague." Not a very Christ-like point-of-view at all, and definitely will not play well in 2008. The way that the religion-oriented candidates have "modified" their previous, more strident views in order to broaden their appeal is what makes many people, such as myself, so cynical about politics and politicians.

Raising taxes is not Huckabee's plan. It's actually to eliminate the one of the longest running illegal practices in the United States. The IRS.

Sorry but Iowa is just not very important.

Why do you think no one showed up to their straw poll?

They would rather spend time campaigning in states that really count.

"If Ron Paul does not get this nomination, the Republicans are finished."

Posted By rod : December 8, 2007 9:45 am

I agree. It is vital that all interested in Ron Paul register to vote REPUBLICan for the primaries. He can restore the greatness to this party and this country.

Huckabee and Romney come off as panderers.

It will be interesting to see if this holds up. Iowa is somewhat difficult to poll, because of the caucus set-up, and my guess is that it is a closer race than this implies. And Romney certainly has invested in a solid "ground game" in Iowa. Although I disagree that this means Huck is "lazy;" it just means Romney has money to burn. Remember,, until very recently, Huck and no funding and no traction.

I'm not crazy about a number of Huck's positions, but I don't think it is fair to compare him to Bush. Remember, W was born into privilege and into a political dynasty (in that regard, the candidate he resembles more is Romney). Huck strikes me as alot more genuine about his beliefs, for better or worse.

CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL.

Chuckabee 4 Prez.

You've got to love the YouTube liberals on CNN you just blatantly repeat the same drivel they absorb off of Olbermann every night. If you're genuine Democrat, congratulations. However, almost every post on here is by some "Bush caused Katrina!!!" or "I hate evangelicals!!!" moron who is completely inept and removed from their element when talking about politics.

Re: the article…nobody, and I mean nobody, regards CNN as a legitimate source for polling information. The same can be said for the other cable outlets. Huckabee is making a charge, but the idea that he's legitimately opened up a 22 point lead on Romney is laughable.

POWER TO RULE NATIONS COMES FROM ABOVE….NOT FROM THE PEOPLE…THAT INCLUDES BOTH THE GOOD AND THE EVIL… NO ONE EVER THINKS ABOUT THAT DO THEY….

Where the discussion on Free energy

Search on: Energy from the Vacuum

What would the world be like with an unlimited energy source! The power hungry oil tycoons would not be ruling the world! Want to stop global warming. This technology has been around for many years but has and continues to be suppressed from the power hungry energy companies and their political cronies World Wide! We need to demand our power hungry political leaders stop suppressing this technology and implement it! Global warming, wars over crude oil! Why! Demand OUR government leaders stop letting the power hungry oil rich elite drive the world economy! We'll be cold and starving when the fossil fuels we rely on run out or can't afford to pay for it! NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!

Huckabee needs to be more specific on immigration. For instance, he says he wants to stop illegals from entering the US, but where does he stand on the illegals already in the US? I haven't heard him say.

"Huckabee Opens up Commanding Lead In Iowa"? Are you kidding me. The CNN editors need to be more responsible with their headlines. In fact, this 22 point lead is an unscientific Newsweek poll that is a whopping 20 points off the AVERAGE of 4 other more respectable polls. The Rasmussen poll, for instance, shows Huckabee ahead my a mere 3 points, while the American Resarch Group poll and Zogby poll have Romney leading by 1 point. Huckabee a "commanding" lead? Hardly. The face is actually a dead heat. Go to Real Clear Politics Dot Com to see the stats. Unfortunately for Huckabee, Romney has actually done some WORK in the state. While Huckabee has taken the lazy route and pleaded with local pastors to tell their congregations to vote for him, Romney has actually built a real ground organization that will make sure enough voters get to the polls. Americans everyere, I hope you'll take the time to see Romney's speech. If ever there was a man capable of leading this country back to greatness, it's Romney. Mitt, you've earned my vote.

Huckabee and Romney claim all kinds of public service but neither had the guts to serve their country one day in the Armed Forces. Neither has put their life on the line for their country. They have only lived off the largesse of the American taxpayer. I, for one, do not want either on of them occupying the White House as my Commander-in-Chief. They will both acquiesce and we will all be speaking mexican or farsi in no time at all.

First, let me say: It's just a survey!I manage market research for a large fortune 50 company. I know how easy it is to bias results by filtering the data. You have to look at multiple polls to see a real trend. The way I see it, we have a pretty close race here.

Second, I know there's been a lot of talk lately about religion, but we're not electing a pastor in chief. We need a serious commander in chief with business, government and international experience to make the tough decisions we face as a nation. My sense is that Huckabee would be a Bush repeat. Look at his record. What I want to know is a. who will get the economy back on track by turning around our global competitiveness as a nation, b. get us out of Iraq effectively so we can stop increasing our national debt by spending so much money there, and c. have the morals to serve in the oval office with character. I don't care what religion they are. Who has proven experience in these areas? Talk is cheap. Who has actually succeeded the most in these areas? That's what I think we need!

My political views usually run somewhere between moderate to liberal, and I never vote according to 'party lines'. I don't think the government should have any say in abortion-it is a moral and medical issue-,I believe that homosexual people should be allowed to marry, I believe in immigration reform(and for those of you who don't I suggest you take a trip to south Texas), and I believe that everyone should have access to healthcare. All of that being said, I was in Arkansas when Mike Huckabee was governor. Yes, I didn't agree with his ruling on the WDumond rape case, but I still think overall he was a great governor and is a decent human being. I had no intention of voting republican next year(and for that matter neither did my husband nor daughter)but Mike H. may change our minds!

Huckabee is no good. He was a net tax-hiker and he released a rapist. He gives tax-dollars from American citizens to people who weren't even born here and thinks it's his money to give away.

Look Huck supporters, all your man has is the preacher deal. He can't even see that giving free tuition when it's "not the child's fault" only causes more people to make "mistakes" so their children can benefit.

This man is fiscally irresponsible and belongs in a church where he can give money away for charity, not the White House.

Giuliani did fix NYC, but he can't fix the country if he's pro-war — war is expensive and we have to borrow from China. Thompson is similar, and his campaign is an unenthusiastic dud.

Romney is a flip-flopper. He says religion doesn't matter and that freedom requires religion, but he's too dimwitted to see that Islam is a religion and that middle-east freedom has battles to fight with religion.

There's only one real fiscally-conservative choice left, and that's Ron Paul. Ron Paul even acts the way a Christian should. He's also a fund-raising powerhouse and doesn't take his money from special interests.

If Ron Paul does not get this nomination, the Republicans are finished.

Why do we bother with CNN? It is such a liberal biased media. I get sooo sick of everything being slanted to the left. OK CNN, I have one thing to say for all you dailykooks and moveon borgs….MOVEOUT of the USA, go to liberal Europe to live out your free-for-all society and be taxed 40%.

"Joe, your partisan views are blinding you to the real news of the day." — I noticed that from a lot of Democrats in these posts. They seem to be filled with blind hatred. It's really sad to see.

Iowa is not a barometer for picking the nominee. It doesn't much matter who wins Iowa or New Hampshire for that matter because Rudy Giuliani will win the nomination essentially by the end of Super Tuesday in February. Then, he will be the one taking the oath in January '09 to become our next President.

I was curious about this until I saw the source, Newsweek. Interesting CNN would go along with it. We all know Newsweek is about as ultra conservative as they come. I think they also promote war as well.

I don't think many conservatives pay attention to CNN, so hopefully it shouldn't affect the race.

I do find it strange that "all of a sudden" Huckabee is being promoted, heavily. It's almost like the plan.

I still say Huckabee is the GOPs answer to Ron Paul. We'll have to see if it pays off.

The reason for the rise in the polls is the affect the illegal push-polling tactics are having. You know the ones.

Or maybe America wants more rapists and murderers on the street. I'm not sure.

Another Repugnant-can family values phony. These right wing Christian bs'ers are emerging as America's version of the the Taliban. Just because they havn't beheaded anybody lately dosn't make them any less dangerous for this country.

For those of you who have determined that Romney ,"Made a fool of himself" durin his "Faith in America" speech, you either did not watch the speech or you are so bigoted and twisted with hatred that you are well beyond recognizing truth when you hear it. Romneys speech will go down in history as one of the great speeches of the ages. He has been praised by fan and critic alike.

I can not believe that Iowa would be so "brainwashed" that they would chose a man like Huckabee as their candidate. They are not looking for a President. They are caught up in electing one of their own and in my view that lacks integrity. They will do a great disservice to their country. I have no respect left for the Evangelical right who continually blur the lines between church and state. Who CLAIM to be followers of Christ and yet they are the most bigoted people on the planet.

God help us all.

Huckabee is a disaster! He can preach with the best of them, but he is not qualified to lead the country. Look at his record for all of our sake!

i simply cannot believe this. i feel like someone just crapped in my cornflakes. there is only one candidate that stands for real change, and that's ron paul. with all others it will be business/politics as usual.

The reason the media loves Huckabee and is pushing him is because they KNOW that he can not beat Clinton or Obama – this is who they want to manipulate the public into thinking is the right Republican to choose – Huckabee's record proves he is a duplicate Bush – "Christian with all the right words, but actions speak louder" AMERICA THINK FOR YOURSELF – DO NOT LET THE MEDIA FORM YOUR OPINION – THEY ARE ONLY SUPPOSED TO REPORT THE NEWS – NOT MANIPULATE YOU.

I still can't believe how ignorant evangelicals are. Every time you vote in a Republican none of the things you want gets accomplished. Abortion: Still Here. Gay marriage: No Amendment. Prayer in School: Still Out. Why? Because the Republicans want you for your vote and then could not care less. What do the do instead? Promote unfair tax codes, unfair trade and other shenanigans that increases their power, and leads to the layoffs, foreclosures, plant closings etc. that we see today. WAKE UP!!!

This is another reason to restructure the caucus and primary schedule.

It truly indicates that Iowa does not reflect the desires or opinions of the rest of the nation.

Why Iowa has such a large first voice in selecting the front-runner is beyond me.

Mitt must be fealing pretty bad he spen't like 40 Billion in Iowa in ad's and he is getting railroaded by a Baptist Deacon, hey mit you should be a DEMOCRAT we know how to seperate CHURCH and STATE .!!!

See back in MASS .

—– CLINTON SLEAZE FATIGUE WILL INVIGORATE GOP, DISPIRIT DEMOCRATS AND SINK DEMOCRATIC TICKET—–
—–EDWARDS/RICHARDSON TO WIN—–
It is possible that Senator Clinton is the best candidate. However, even though many may like the policies that Senator Clinton proposes, they should also consider her record, just as Senator Clinton insists.
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The last Clinton Administration, when faced with the fact that protection rackets where assaulting, torturing and murdering people with poison and radiation, chose to avoid its responsibilities to incarcerate the criminals and to protect the citizenry.
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Instead, they made a deal with the criminal gang stalker protection rackets to leave them alone and to consequently abandon the citizenry.
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Do we want a President who sells out the citizenry for votes?
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Do we want a President who sends a "crime does pay" message to society?
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Would you vote for a President who signed nonaggression deals with the KKKlan or the Nazi party? Gangs that torture with poison and radiation are much like the KKKlan and Nazi Party.
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We do not need a sellout President. We need a principled leader President.
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If you are one of the few who do not know what the above refers to, do a web search for "gang stalking" to see the tip of the dirtberg. Please do it before you decide to reply to my post. Here let me make it easy for you: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22gang+stalking%22.

Idiotic remark by Joe from Indy: "This means that now that everyone has heard Romney make a fool of himself with that 'faith' rant…" No reasonable person who read or heard the speach would call it a "faith rant" or say Romney made a "fool of himself." Joe, your partisan views are blinding you to the real news of the day.

This means that now that everyone has heard Romney make a fool of himself with that "faith" rant and Gulliani has been revealed for the adulterer and snake oil salesman that he is, some anxious Republicans are now going with their third choice! I hope he feels better and appreciated now. LOL

Huckabee supported the release of a rapist who later raped and killed a woman. What does that say about his judgement? The only clear candidate in both parties is Joe Biden. Their is no republican that can stand in the ring with Joe.

Huckabee's rise in Iowa comes after intense effort and a very "likeable" campaign. Doubts about just where Romney stands and his Mormon faith continue to contribute to his shrinking numbers.

The question is whether Romney will have any steam left after New Hampshire with Guiliani's strength comes into play.

This is exactly why putting all of the emphasis on Iowa is idiotic. Winning the caucus in Iowa means absolutely nothing. This will be proven if Huckabee wins Iowa and then does his predicted flame-out after that because most Republicans think he is an idiot.

Mike Huckabee has zero chance of getting the nomination.

I am a Republican and there is no way I would ever vote for this clown. The far-right conservatives have taken control in Iowa.

If Huckabee wins the nomination I will leave the party and become an Independent.

Go Huckee and pick Liberman as VP!

Neocon populism isn't what
America needs. Jesus served good examples — but they were just that — examples; not anything done with force or coercion.

In a movie, a ghost asked, "Is this heaven?" the reply was – "no, this is Iowa." With 40% of the caucus voters Evangelical Christians, these poll number are not a surprise.

Give Preacher Mike a few months and he'll be quoting another movie: "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore."

I guess people in Iowa don't care if someone pardons rapists and murderers. A perfect example of the hypocricy we've grown to expect from Republicans.

Huckleberry has no foreign policy experience, has been a life-long tax hiker and has unabashedly created a magnet for illegals by giving their children free tuition. He wants to be the Republican nominee? He has peaked and will fade now that he is, for once, under scrutiny. I'm not a big Thompson fan, but was correct when he said that it seemed like Huckabee is running for Jester in Chief rather than Commander in Chief.

This makes my day. I have been so concerned that the conservatives were letting the media and RNC bigwigs pick their candidate for them – this is a sign that perhaps they are thinking for themselves a little bit. Now if only the liberals can do the same, we'll have ourselves a fun little election!

I AM FROM ARKANSAS AND I WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA IF HE WINS THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET BUT IF HE DOESN'T AND HILARY WINS IT SHE WILL GET MY VOTE – HOWEVER, I WILL VOTE FOR REPUBLICAN MIKE HUCKABEE IF HE WINS THE REPUBLICAN TICKET EVEN IF OBAMA WINS DEMOCRATIC TICKET BECAUSE HUCKABEE WAS A GREAT GOVENOR…I'M CONSERVATIVE AND LOVE HIS VIEWS AND HE IS JUST A GREAT MAN. HE HAS CONVICTIONS AND LIVES HIS LIFE ACCORDING TO THOSE CONVICTIONS WITHOUT PRESSURING OTHERS WITH THOSE SAME CONVICTIONS…HE HAS A GREAT BALANCE

This is great news, just what this country needs again, another evangelical Bush wanna be. So if Huckabee wins in '08 will we have a President with a funny name and we'll also be in the middle of another war. The world is going to think we've lost it, which apparently we will have if this guy becomes president. I'm voting Democrat this time.

"Polling in Iowa is notoriously difficult because of the unpredictable nature of caucus attendance."

NO… Polling ANYWHERE is notoriously difficult due to the fact that it is only a SAMPLE of a larger universe of potential respondents. DUH!

It's the result of only asking ten people out of a field of ten thousand what they prefer.

It's like standing on the side of the road and only seeing two cars go by in five seconds and determinng that there is a factual basis for predicting there are 24 cars a minute, when in fact traffic runs in groups, or patterns. Same with POLLINIG, you only see a small part of the picture, and it peeves me off to no end to think that your reporting is based on the pollings of such a small sample of potential respondents.

There is only ONE WAY to find out what Iowans think, wait until they VOTE! Then tell us what they think.

DUH!!!

This poll reports on a sample of 673 Democratic voters in a universe of 526,207(as of Aug. 1, 2003)registered Democratic voters. You do the math!

That is less than one percent (<1%) of the total possible outcome is being used to tell US what THEY will do!

Rebecca Sinderbrand, John King, and Alexander Mooney, PUH-LEEEEEZ try to make this better!

I am voting for Mike just because he is a pastor. If someone is a pastor it means they can not only lead the country, but also help us understand the truth about God. I like Mike.

I sure hope Huckabee knows something about being a president and leader of the world….I don't care a wit if he is a social conservative or even religious. I am scared to death we will end up with another wienie like Bush.

The title of this post "Huckabee Opens Up Commanding Lead in Iowa" is grossly misleading. The results of this Newsweek poll are highly suspect. It is a full 20 points off the AVERAGE of 4 other polls, including the highly respected Rasmussen poll. So it's obvious there are problems with Newsweek's methodology. To see for yourself, go to Real Clear Politics Dot Com and click on the Iowa link. C'mon CNN, don't support shoddy polling.

Ron Paul…for the long haul…

I can't believe people are backing this anti science guy. No such thing as evolution? If gene frequencies never changed over time why aren't we all spiting images of Adam and Eve?

CNN you sure like to manipulate numbers to make a headline. 540 people polled is nothing.

So, there is the story of two bulls standing on a hilltop, looking down at a field of cows… The younger bull says, let us run down and do a cow… the older, wiser bull says, no let us pace ourselves, walk down there, and do them all, lest we tire before we get there…

Hey Mike, walk, don't run…

YES!

Gack! I can't stand this guy and can't believe that Iowa would embrace a man who would flush their sovereignty down the toilet. I thought they were smarter than that! What a shame.

In a few years we'll all be bankrupt and speaking spanish! Go Huck!

Blame Chuck Norris. I love that man's movies but I can't abide his politics…

Uh, yeah where is Giuliani in this report? So called "saviour" of "moderate" Republicans. Just give it up, your political party will never take the White House in '08. You come in, ruin the country, and it takes a Democrat to come in and fix the situation. Problem is, voters are so quick to forget who cleaned up the Republican MESS.

Wonder why all the media folks immediately refer to Huckabee as a Baptist Preacher like he just stepped from the pulpit directly to the run for the white house. He has been a Lt. Governor and Governor for nearly 10 years. I guess they are going for the negative spin right off the bat in their minds. Unbiased media my foot!

Hey, remember that 'Neck and Neck' story of a couple of days ago? It looks like the front running ponies have slagged off a bit here!

Guess all those attacks and lies about Gov. Huckabee sort of backfired on those folks that wanted to smear his name. The facts just always seem to get in the way of agendas. Go Huck go!

Huckabee’s surge makes me wonder how smart the political talk show hosts really are after they refused to give Huckabee any consideration six month ago. I thought they understood everything about politics. That's why they make the big buck, isn’t it? It shows they understand Washington more than they understand the American people!

Now isn't that special, a fiscally liberal and socially conservative Republican, again. Looks like I'll be voting Libertarian again.

Listen to the guy talk. You can tell he is genuine and not a typical slickster. Poll might be a little tainted, but maybe people are finally listening and not buying the early leader hype of the other candidates.

lets not forget Ron Paul went up to 8% toping McCain and next to Guiliani at 9%.

Huckabee 39 (+33 vs. last poll Sept 26-27)
Romney 17 (-8)
Thompson 10 (-6)
Giuliani 9 (-6)
Paul 8 (+6)
McCain 6 (-1)
Undecided 8 (-13)

Lies, lies, and more lies. Polls are like &%@holes – everybody's got one. You can manipulate a poll's demographics to give you any result you want, and that is why Huckleberry Hound is "winning" in the Iowa polls. Who are they polling? 85-year old grandmothers with Alzheimers? Because those are the only types of people who would think that illegal alien advocate Huckleberry Hound would be a good president. Go Ron Paul!!!

Jujts what the USA needs-another failure at the State level lookin to ruin the entire country with high taxes, far right ideas, anmy narrow-minded thinking. Time to move out of the USA-the next Rome.

The guy doesn't even know what is going on in the world. Hasn't managed to put together campaign offices after 9 months. Has alot to answer for on his clemency and support of paroles while Governor. Hasn't given one good reason to vote for him besides, "I'm a Christian leader." Are the other Republican Candidates so offensive that Huckabee is our only choice? At least pick someone capable of leading our country, steering foreign policy, leading our armed services, growing our economy, and defending the constitution. The guy will be lame duck from day one!

I love watching Mitt burn 20 million of his own money only to see it go up in smoke. Maybe one of his perfect 5 boys can stop him from blowing another 20 mil to boost his ego. Can you say flip-flop? Hang it up Mitt!

Iowa ♥ Huckabee's?

That's it Mainstream Media. Keep promoting Huckabee to steal votes from Ron Paul. What's your plan? Dilute the votes so that neither will win?

Ever since Mike gave his ol' speech to the CFR, you guys are really thumping his drum, aren't you? Oh wait. Silly me. Must be my tinfoil hat is on too tight.

It isn't a surprise, given the unfounded, bigoted comments of his people towards Mormons.

If he truly believes in the Golden Rule, he will tell his people (his supporters) to stop the illegal push polls, the mail hit pieces and the blatantly bigotted litterature.

What will happen if the Huckster wins and becomes the nominee? Will Mormons vote for someone whose supporters have been openly disparaging them for months in the press and in the blogs? From my circles (political Mormons) the answer is NO.

Will that matter? Only in states with large Mormon populations like Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado. Mormons will just not vote. He will need all of those states (plus the fact that Oregon was just a few votes shy in 2000 for Bush and could swing R, but not if the 150,000 Mormons don't vote…)

The open hostility towards a staunch Republican group could cost the party enormously, especially when it comes to congressional seats (and the 750,000 Mormons in California…the 250,000 in Washington– Dave Reichert would lose) and possibly in AZ., as well (McCain does not say anything bad about Mormons…he ain't dumb!)

Yeah, like I've been saying…Romney's "speech" was a huuuuuge letdown.

Is anyone really surprised by the ripple effect of letdown?

Go Huckabee Go!

GEAUX HUCK!! FAIR TAX ALL THE WAY!! TAKE BACK AMERICA PEOPLE STARTING RIGHT HERE!!!

I wonder what percentage of the readers of this article actually believe it?

Another piece of work from Hope, AR. As soon as Huckabee's Tax reform (national sales tax in the 23% range, including all Government spending)becomes common knowledge, he will sink like a rock outside "God's Country."

As a Republican – I truly see the need to foster an all inclusive US….we need a social liberal in office who will support things like gay marriage and abortion (if you are against either…don't do them) – we also need a fiscal conservative (someone to watch out for the purse strings..and not to offer up 800 billion in entitlement spending) – the Dems are running all left…even though I like Obamas honesty – and the Republicans are running mostly right wing (Ron Paul is a libertarian….not a Republican) – so…that leaves Giuliani – I know…divorced a bunch of times…doesn't get along with his kids (don't take child rearing or marital advice from him)…but you have to admit…the only moderate running…in either party

Oh yeah, every religious "conservative" is gonna come crawling out of the woodwork to support this creep, despite his record. Why is this news again in Iowa?

GICE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH. HUCKABEE NOT LIKE THE DEMO LIBERALS THAT WANT TO GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY. THE REBUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!!!! TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY PEOPLE AND VOTE!! START WITH THE FAIR TAX!!

Everybody is not evangelical mike. Relax….

The Democratic numbers from the Newsweek poll have a much closer race, with Obama and Clinton in a toss-up.Another poll released today from Iowa has Obama a bit weaker and Edwards a bit stronger.

I don't understand shock expressed rather poorly in this headline: the evangelical right wing in this country has settled on its candidate, who's been sounding more like Jesus' water boy than anything approaching presidential.

Iowa is filled with conservative Christians, especially farmers. And, Romney and Thompson have been taking turns shooting themselves in the foot.

Here will be the real shock: that, after closely examining Huckabee's over-the-top faith and tax irregularities, that he doesn't fall from grace like Lucifer with an anchor in his belly. I just hope this occurs before the press goes as gushy over Huckabee's transitory lead as they did Hillary's.

People need to be aware of his position on issues. According to his website http://www.mikehuckabee.com

- "To control spending, I believe the President should have the line-item veto"
- "I consistently opposed banning assault weapons and opposed the Brady Bill."
-"I believe in the Powell Doctrine of using overwhelming force to accomplish a mission"
-"I will expand the army and increase the defense budget"

Are these the values our next president of the US should possess?

This nutcase could actually get elected.

I do not understand why he has not been better received before now.
He is the only decent republican running. At least he has not tried to remake himself, fool around with women, and tried to say he is the more "conservative" than the rest, whatever they think "conservative" means.
To me in means nothing, if "conservative" means anything, how come we have practiced VOODOO ECONOMICS FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS AND INCREASED THE MASSIVE "CONSERVATIVE" DEBT BY 3.2 TRILLION DOLLARS.
Bush and most of those who call themselves "conservative" would have to take off their shoes to count pass ten.

There is only two legitimate candidates in the whole presidential race. Huckabee and Romney. Maybe I should move to Iowa

is obama really pulling ahead………i think so

though im not trying to speak to soon

its still a pretty tight race

His greatest accomplishment is losing 110 pounds. Hillary will beat him easily if he ends up being the nominee.

His campaign has been intelligently designed?

What the huck is going on here? Seriously…let's not go nuts. It's only a caucus and it's only Iowa. Don't forget all the others who won in Iowa then went nowhere.

just for a while….

If you believe that our country can be brought out of a possible economic crisis from a person who is affable and country bumpkin sweet and armed with a degree from Oachita Baptist College with a major in Bible studies, then Huck is the one for you.
However, if you think that a candidate who not only looks, acts, and speaks like a president and armed with 2 degrees from Harvard and BYU, with majors in both business and law, with top honors, then Mitt is the one for you.
You decided Iowa.

Wonderful I love it.
Go Huckabee!!!

This is incredible. Absolutely incredible. Just goes to show that the political pundits really can't see anything past tomorrow's news. And that's even rare…

In light of the fact that Mike Huckabee let a serial rapist go free on parole, it would be much more preferable to have Mr. Romney be elected as a Republican candidate in next GOP convention.

Mike Huckabee's explanation that his decision to let serial rapist go out on parole was not influenced by his opposition to Mr. Clinton, is a bit too simple. This just exposes how little respect Mike Huckabee has for human dignity and gives a clear indication how low he can go to spite a political rival.

I am sure as campaign for 2008 presidential election roles forward, more colorful stories from Mike Huckabee's closet are bound to come to light.

Iowan's supporting Mike Huckabee are certainly blind and short sighted and callous and lack conscience.

Christian Iowan's supporting Mike Huckabee, should explore their conscience: Was Mike Huckabee's decision to let serial rapist go out on parole within the parameters of teachings of Bible?

Huckabee may well pull off a win. But like Obama, if he's to be a serious contender he will need to do more than look good on TV, and give straight answers to tough questions. This isn't a popularity contest, and regardless of what grassroots-biased polls say the average American will not vote for a lightweight.

Fair Tax now

Ron Paul got 9%? That's incredible because he's not even included in most of the phone polls. I suspect the media is hyping Huck so he has a chance to win Iowa, which really gives Rudy an advantage everywhere else. If the elections aren't rigged Ron Paul win crash the party.

Newsweek is NOT a credible poll, two major polls this week show Romney back in the lead. Nice try CNN. You're promoting Huckster because you know he'll lose the General election in November.

Mitt Romney is the one who should be considered for the top presidential candidate.
Read up!
He put the Olympics back in the black and straightened out the corruption there; he also put the State of Massachusetts 'back in the black' again, after the big deficit they had.
Huckabee is a 'flash in the pan', because of his glibness. Wake up and read the news, and past news.

Please welcome your new empty-suit President Huckleberry, America!

The only thing this guy has going for him is a sense of humor. Apart from that he's just another straw man candidate that represents the power elite and the agenda of the Council on Foreign Relations. Just like Dillary, Ghouliani, Bombney, Obomba, Dumbson and McKill…

If Mike Huckabee is elected President The U.S. can once again be like it was when Andy Taylor was Sheriff in Mayberry. Those were the days,you can bet your ass we did not have a trade defecit and outsourcing almost unheard of. Protectionism was working wonders for the economy,Illegal immigrants were scarce and nobody knew the Vietman war was going on. Small town life was alive and well along with small farms.
Bring America back to the sixties with out the war and life would be grand.

39 to 17? A 22-point margin? Dang… Huck has come out of nowhere to lead the entire field, Democrat or Republican! Go Huck… put a Preacher back in the White House as the Founders intended.