January 11, 2008
Posted: 04:02 PM ET

DETROIT, Michigan (CNN) – Mike Huckabee put his main street economic populism to a Wall Street test Friday in a speech before the Detroit Economic Club.

He said there are clear indicators the American economy is growing, but urged the audience to look at the "micro economy" and said "instead of talking to the people at the head table, talk to people in the kitchen."

"If you talk to the people driving the cabs instead of riding in them, you might get a different picture of what's happening in this country," he said, drawing scattered, polite applause.

Huckabee echoed but challenged the campaign mantra of John Edwards' 2004 presidential bid: "I don’t believe this idea we can have two Americas. We are one America."

Michigan's economic woes, he said, can be alleviated with more job training programs, less government regulation, and by putting America and other emerging global economies on "a level playing field," though he offered few specifics on how to meet that goal.

"There was a time in this nation's history when Michigan saved America," Huckabee said, describing the state's historically formidable manufacturing base. "And now it may be time for America to help save Michigan."

He also touted the so-called Fair Tax, a plan designed to tax consumption that has drawn strong grassroots support nationwide but is considered by unlikely to pass in Washington.

The appearance in Detroit follows a Republican debate in South Carolina Thursday that was dominated by talk of taxes and job loss. Huckabee was attacked by Fred Thompson, who accused the former Arkansas governor of wanting to institute "liberal economic policies" if elected.

Still, Huckabee's rhetorical swirls about working class and middle class voters appear to be resonating in Michigan given the deep economic anxiety in the state, which boasts an unemployment rate of 7.4 percent according to the most recent government data. The national unemployment rate is 4.7 percent.

Huckabee is polling in high double-digits here, trailing Mitt Romney and John McCain, both of whom have built-in support here.

Romney is a Michigan native and son of a former Governor, while McCain won the state's primary in 2000 and has netted the endorsement of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News.

Huckabee may be far from South Carolina for two days, but he isn't giving up on his electoral bread and butter. Tonight Huckabee will travel west to Grand Rapids, home to a good chunk of the state's evangelical population, where he will hold a pastors breakfast on Saturday morning.

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: Michigan • Mike Huckabee


mike, Columbus ohio   January 11th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

The Fair-Tax is where its at!

Chris, Kalamazoo MI   January 11th, 2008 10:14 pm ET

Mi could definitley use some changes, that's for sure. And I think Huckabee's got what it takes to fix some stuff 'round here.

Val Davydov   January 11th, 2008 10:39 pm ET

This clown can't even seriously talk about the economy - the #1 issue for American people. HE OFFERED FEW SPECIFICS ON HOW TO FIX MICHIGAN'S ECONOMY! This is not a suprise - he doesn't know how to fix it.

Michigan needs Romney - he is the man that will turn Michigan around just like he turned the Olympics and Massachusetts around. Gov. Romney is a genius when it comes to economic issues, domestic and worldwide. Michigan, please make the right choice!

David, Oregon City   January 11th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

Can John McCain pull conservatives together with his prior liberal voting record? Not a chance!

Can Fred Thompson pull conservatives together with his prior record absent of designing and improving programs and systems that improved the every day lives of all Americans? No way!

Can Mitt Romney buy the White House? Maybe!

Avoid the elite media’s “Rush”, study Mike Huckabee’s real record, and support “Huck” early!

John S. Maine   January 11th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

If you are serious about a stronger economy in Michigan run the other way if you see or hear Mike Huckabee comming. He has one of the worst economic records of any Governors. In fact almost every credible Conservative Talk Show host considers him to be a liberal or taking Democrat policy position on taxes and spending and even crime. That translates into higher taxes and less money for your family, and more of an entitlement society!

The real conservative with a plan and the experience to lift Michigan out of its dire shape is Governor Mitt Romney. On top of that he practices what he preaches, married 38 years with five boys and ten grandchildren! A good God fearing man who respects all Americans and all faiths. He is not running for pastor but President. I had the honor of meeting Mitt Romney and his wife and looked him in his eyes and felt his firm handshake. He's got my vote and my wifes.

Roy   January 11th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

Maybe Huckabee could "take Michigan back for Christ" That probably would help.

John S. Maine   January 11th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

Just a note of interest Mitt Romney currently leads in the Delegate Count and Popular Vote becuase his character and ideas resonate with Americans. Mitt Romney is a great man and will be an incredible President. You can take that to the bank!

Jeremy, Ypsilanti, MI   January 11th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

As a Michigander, the only thing I need Romney to do is drop as much of his money in my state as possible and then leave Tuesday night with another defeat.

Mitt Romney knows nothing about how to "save" Michigan and its decaying manufacturing base. Maybe he can hire some of the unemploeyed ex-auto workers to work on his lawn. At least they would be legal.

I'm an Independent and I'm torn between Huckabee and McCain for the primary this Tuesday. I like them both but the more I see of Huckabee the more I think he would make a terrific President. Huckabee practices his religion in a positive, inclusive way. I certainly don't agree with him on many issues, but I respect him.

Which is a lot more than I can say for a chameleon like Romney. I'd rather have someone I don't agree with but has a spine, versus someone who will say anything to get elected and conveniently changes his views when it is politically profitable for him.

John S. Maine   January 11th, 2008 11:26 pm ET

People actually taking Mike Huckabee as a serious candidate makes me laugh!

John S. Maine   January 11th, 2008 11:33 pm ET

The greatest economic plan in America is called elect Mitt Romney as President!

turkey   January 11th, 2008 11:50 pm ET

Spiritual or carnal, you make the decision.

Wilhemina   January 12th, 2008 12:32 am ET

OMG, he is so out of his league, well he will lead us into prayer for deliverance from our debts and debtors, amen.

Hales, West Lafayette, IN   January 12th, 2008 12:42 am ET

America can save Michigan, by electing Romney president. America can America by a similar program.

Clement   January 12th, 2008 12:49 am ET

Huckabee gets it. He actually combines our morals with our economics. Romney will support what he is: corporate executives. He will do nothing for the working man. Mike Huckabee will.

Paul Thompson   January 12th, 2008 1:07 am ET

Huckabee received loud applause and a standing ovation.

The media is really doing their best to keep him out?
Why?

Go Huck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greg West   January 12th, 2008 2:30 am ET

Wanted to say that I was one of the first Internet users to try and lure Fred Thompson into the Presidential race. After his ATTACK toward Mike Huckabee last night, I don't want him to be President at all. He has been lazy and now wants to play dirty politics to gain some support. He's out for me! But, I would consider voting for his wife.

Annie 51 years in Michigan   January 12th, 2008 3:06 am ET

Our savior is finally here. Bring on the Rapture!

Betty Allen, Allegan, MI   January 12th, 2008 3:10 am ET

I doubt Huckabee even knows what "micro economy" means. I really do doubt he know. Don't think you get that in Theology school. Oops - forgot he didn't get a Theology degree after all.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   January 12th, 2008 4:26 am ET

Huckabee received loud applause and a standing ovation.???? yes! for saying, again, that women should submit graciously to their husbands ….

Posted a "gift list" for friends when leaving the governors office, pardoned more criminals than Bill Clinton, pressured the parole board, then denied it. Whined "who could have known" when his buddy the rapist murdered again … after former rape victims pleaded not to release DuMond.

Huck mentioned God in every other word in Iowa and didn't even say God Bless America in NH - that's pandering to the base.

From Fact Check today:

Huckabee escalated his misleading claims about cutting taxes, saying he cut taxes for the first time in the history of the state of Arkansas, which is untrue. Others put through tax cuts before he did. Overall, Huckabee raised taxes.

Huckabee claimed that highways in Arkansas had gone from the "worst road system in the country" to the "most improved" in the ratings of a trucking magazine. He failed to mention that despite the improvement they remained fourth from the bottom on the "worst" list.

Sounds like a true-blue Republican to me - lie, deny and spin the truth.

Jonah, Lincoln MA   January 12th, 2008 7:26 am ET

So … it's all about the economy. If that is really true, then why isn't Romney leading in the polls. McCain and Huckabee have virtually no economic experience. McCain certainly has the least of the three of them. Republicans, do what is best for the economy and to bring about an economic turn-around in this country: vote for Romney.

Tim, Minnesota   January 12th, 2008 8:54 am ET

When the other candidates get feisty at the debates, Huck looks like he wants to run and hide or cry. Anyone else notice that?

Dean   January 12th, 2008 9:43 am ET

yeah, but you can't Suckabee

Joel Persson   January 12th, 2008 10:22 am ET

Whether or not Huckabee can save MIchigan is a question of debate- but I believe strongly that he is the only one who can save the Republican party this time around. The Republicans can't win without the support of the Christian conservatives, and the conservatives will not rally around anyone who has not shown consistency in the abortion, gay, and traditional family issues. That really leaves only Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee. It appears at this time that Thompson is not viable, so it's Huckabee or nothing.

quantumspock   January 12th, 2008 10:27 am ET

I did some research last night and may have discovered the reason why Sean Hannity was such a vocal opponent to Ron Paul's South Carolina Debate win. It's appalling and borders on breaking the law in my opinion.

On August 9, 2007, in Cincinnati, Hannity hosted a $250.00 per person fundraiser for 2008 presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani as reported by nydailynews.com. Evidently, no one has really reported on this subject. It's all been hush, hush.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2007/08/19/2007-08-19_giulianis_foxy_pal_cash_flap.html

John, Lincoln NE   January 12th, 2008 10:53 am ET

You have to love the naiveté of the American public don't you?

Talk about style over substance. Huckabee crossed the Writers Guild’s picket line not two weeks ago just to get some free campaign time on the Jay Leno Show and this week get's the endorsement of both the Machinist and International Painter Unions.

If this is all the better attention people are going to pay the process why bother?

David - Oregon City   January 12th, 2008 11:17 am ET

Michigan & South Carolina,

America’s only choice for President is clear. Don’t be suckered in by the elite media’s propaganda. Tens of millions of dollars was donated by Wall Street to purchase the White House in this election. Some candidates are just too old or too liberal to win. Please remember, the rest of the country is waiting and depending on you (Michigan & South Carolina) to give us the opportunity to elect Huckabee and say no to big government that does not work, Wall Street, and the elite media. Those Americans who never had a set at the table, who don’t have the big money or a voice in this election are waiting to cast their vote for Mike Huckabee. Please provide America’s true conservatives the opportunity to vote with you and elect Mike Huckabee President. No more Presidents from Camelot!

Mary, Michigan   January 12th, 2008 11:35 am ET

It's Saturday morning, and I just received a push-poll call from the Mike Huckabee camp. I reject push-polling and will not vote for any candidate whose supporters resort to it.

I'm an independent who will be voting "uncommitted" on Jan. 15. I urge everyone in Michigan who supports a candidate not on the ballot to do the same. Delegates will end up being represented at the Democratic National Convention.

Mario   January 12th, 2008 11:37 am ET

Mike, you Gomer Pyle lookalike, give it up, MI doesn't need your B.S. they we need a leader, not a cry baby. You are a cry baby.

GoMitt!

John S. Maine   January 12th, 2008 11:53 am ET

Huckabee is not a Republican he is running as a big spending populist "Christian Leader".

If you dont belong to his "Christian Church" he wont represent you. He represents only his "Christians". He was a huge tax increaser in Arkansas and freed 12 convicted murderers because they found his "Christian Leader".

Huckabee equals major loss in 2008 for Republicans.

If we want to win vote for Mitt Romney!

Mrjimbo, TX   January 12th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

Mitt Romney is what this economy needs to bring about better trade practices, improved manufacturing environment, lower taxes and to dump wasteful spending in Washington. The choice is quite clear, even many evangelicals have "seen the light" in that regard.

Look at his record as Governor. He DID exactly as he promised MASS. What other candidate can say that? Mitt in 08……

Susan   January 12th, 2008 1:25 pm ET

I believe the media and probably the GOP establishment are together trying from every way to destroy Huckabee. What a shame! They finally have the right person, a good person, the kind who still stands a chance to win the general election, and yet they just want to destroy him by themselves. The general election will be for either Obama or Clinton to grab, it looks like. McCain looks too status quo and old. Hard to compete with Obama's swift talk.

AJ, Iowa City, IA   January 12th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

The only reason why Huckabee is in the spot light is because the media put him there. If it were not for CNN and FoxNews, Huckabee would be leading an extremist baptist cult to take back Utah for Christ, go there and have no opposition and actually be welcomed and treated with dignity and respect. Oh wait, I think that did happen already (1999). Ok so I guess after this failed campaign, he can work as a shelf stocker in the nearest grocery store, realize his talent for throwing paper towels down the asile, and sign with an NFL team to win the superbowl the next year. Oh wait, that happened too!

I guess he could always pump gas.

bob hilts   January 12th, 2008 2:14 pm ET

let them take a tour of lansing and flint.

Tim T.   January 12th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

To save Michigan they need to produce cars that don't fall apart after leaving the dealers' lots, that have paint that doesn't peel off after one season, that aren't recalled every month, that get 35+ mpg, that do more than just support cupholders, and that
don't rust out after one winter.

JAc   January 12th, 2008 10:20 pm ET

Tim T, your living in the past… even the Editor of Car and Driver will tell you that Detroit has closed the quality gap. If you understood the automobile industry you know that it’s about two things now; cost of production, US vs. China, and an old perception that took years to build and will likely take more to undo. Admittedly, I myself purchased a few of the Big 3's lemons of the past, but things have changed. My 2001 Dodge has 185,000 miles on it, runs great and has no rust, and I have many friends with similar stories. So Tim T, give up the 80's story line. Just incase you were wondering; No, I am not an auto worker, I am freelance Intelligence Analyst who’s customers you would recognize.

That aside, I am also a life long Republican who voted for Reagan, Bush Sr., twice, (sorry Bob Dole, I couldn’t do it) and for Bush Jr. twice (what a mistake). I have listened to Rush since the 80's and to Hanity for the last two years and bobbed my head up and down like a good Ditto-head. I have only recently, during this election cycle, come to the realization that both of them along with the WSR's (Wall Street Republicans) simply do not care much about anyone but themselves, certainly not about average Americans. They have come to represent unashamed greed. Ambition, determination and a good business sense are qualities that should be richly rewarded, that’s the American way, but so is loyalty to my country, something that the large multi-national corporations don't have any of. Here is something that the WSR's need to understand: We will not move the economy and our nation forward without the vast purchasing (consumption) power of the middle class, that's simple economics. Yes, I know that our companies want to sell into the worlds developing economies, and that’s good, as long as it benefits America and Americans, you know, our economy. By the way; what are all these products we sell to China, where is that list published? They’re the growing economy, surly we are exporting more to them than we import, right?

Smart trade policies, like the ones Mike Huckabee speaks about, we need now more than ever. When we trade with a partner like China, that doesn’t respect or honor intellectual property rights, we should be careful, that our "knowledge based economy", the one that many claim will save us, will not leave us holding the short end of the economic stick. The world is a competitive place, China is a competitor, lets act like it. WSRs, ask your selves this; would Ronald Reagan believe that China has our best interests in mind?

The thinking that somehow we don't need manufacturing in this country is short sighted and is going to come back at some point and bite us in the pants, with interest. Mike Huckabee may have been a preacher (who cares?) he has Bill Clinton's charm and ability to communicate, something that Hillery doesn’t. More importantly Huck has old fashioned common sense, something that Fred and Mitt don't seem to have.

Yes, I need to be inspired. I may be a Republican, but I am an American first and this I promise; I and many of my Republican friends will refuse to vote for another George Bush.

Jeremiah Grant, Phoenix, AZ   January 12th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

Vote Romney - the candidate with a very impressive record of decades of achievements in business, as governor of MA, and with the SLC Olympics. Romney is a *proven* leader who has shown time and time again that he can actually get things done. Talk is cheap, accomplishments matter.

What also matters is the manner in which people govern. Huckabee was investigated twelve times for ethics violations during his time as governor. Huckabee had hard drives and computers destroyed before leaving office. Huckabee stole furniture from the governor's mansion upon leaving office.

Huckabee also sought for the release of Dumond who went on to rape and murder again. Is that the kind of judgment you want in your next president?

These are all facts easy enough for any of you to independently verify. Are the negative? Sure, but they're part of his record and therefore fair game.

Jen Cedar Falls, IA   January 13th, 2008 11:14 am ET

Huckabee thinks we're laughing WITH him, when in reality, we're laughing AT him.

He has made a mockery out of the race for President of the USA with his lame jokes.

The USA needs someone who knows what they're doing with the economy, the terrorists (Huck wants to release the prisoners at Gitmo), can reach across party lines and ISN'T TOO OLD (McCain). If you all in Michigan have your head on straight and tight, you'd vote for Mitt Romney. Go check him out.

Milton, Harrisburg, PA   January 14th, 2008 8:12 am ET

The huckatollah has no substance behind his rhetoric. The man thinks the earth is 6,000 years old and that evolution isn't real. He has the scientific literacy of a 1st grader–I'm not kidding–a 1st grader! We can't afford to return to the Middle Ages with respect to science. Remember the enlightenment Mr. Huckatollah?

The American taliban is knocking on the door. This guy likes politicking from the pulpit! Hello. I hope a representative of the IRS is following him and pulling the tax exemption status of these churches that let him campaign. Please keep the Bible out of the Constitution. It soils the value of both documents.

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