Thursday, July 21, 2005
Broder Strikes Again
The Next Man From Hope
By David S. Broder
Washington Post
Thursday, July 21, 2005; Page A23
A couple of weeks ago, Washington Post columnist David Broder made a splash out here by mentioning Asa Hutchinson as a possible nominee for the Supreme Court. Today, Broder focuses on Governor Mike Huckabee as “the next man from Hope.”
Huckabee’s self-righteousness is well known around these parts but he lacks the totally smug, arrogance of the neo-conservative flame-throwers of the far right. The Huck we know genuinely cares about people, even poor folks. As a former Baptist minister, he can be expected to instinctively favor the rich and powerful, but there is also a bit of the true pastor in the man. This is what outsiders, those not fully initiated to the Huckabee aura, will find engaging and refreshing.
The governor has struggled with his weight and who hasn’t? Many will applaud the strength of character, others will resent inference that, if you have a problem with the waistline, you must be somehow weak and inferior. It cuts both ways.
Huckabee has something that might be lost so some, a sincere desire to “win souls” for the Lord. This manifests itself in what may seem to be very soft and politically shrewd answers on abortion and the other hard social issues. He wants to avoid being offensive so that he can preach the Gospel. It is an instinctive thing and enhances his image as a moderate.
Hells bells, the loony right will be mad at him for allowing taxes to be raised for such foolishness as public education. Huckabee permitted the tobacco settlement money to fund health programs instead of providing additional tax breaks for rich Republicans and corporations.
John Brummett used to have a nickname for the governor. As I recall, it was “his poutiness.” I could be wrong. It might have been, “his huffiness.” My theory is that, after so many years of having to deal with the wealthy minority that wields undue influence in so many congregations (otherwise known as Deacons) and absorbing abuse and criticism, Huck’s hide is not tougher, but even more tender. Huckabee hates criticism.
In the world of presidential politics, anything can happen. I was the first Arkansas journalist to foresee a Bill Clinton presidency. That was based on his remarkable personal political skills. The Huckster has some talent and, as Broder observes, a number of darned good networks. The question is, how far will it take this man from Hope. He might go all the way. It is possible, but not likely.
There is Wayne Dumond, and the governor has zero experience with international relations. Of course, neither did Mr. Clinton, although being a Rhodes scholar and leading efforts to bring foreign business home to the Natural State certainly added some luster to his crown. That is why Huckabee is off to Japan and we can expect even more traveling overseas.
Win Paul Rockefeller’s health issues have also created a tremendous void in the Republican gubernatorial race. There is bad blood between the moderates, of which the governor would be included, and the staunch “true believers” of the Asa Hutchinson variety. Could Mike Huckabee take a long-sot chance at the presidency and allow Asa to have a realistic opportunity to become Arkansas’ chief executive? Could Asa be trusted to keep the Mike Huckabee legacy intact?
Yes, Asa can beat Mike Beebe, if he even wins the Democratic nomination. It is very early, gentle readers.
Huckabee can not run for governor himself, but he must be looking for somebody - anybody - to take a turn with Asa Hutchinson.
Questions. Questions. Questions.
By David S. Broder
Washington Post
Thursday, July 21, 2005; Page A23
A couple of weeks ago, Washington Post columnist David Broder made a splash out here by mentioning Asa Hutchinson as a possible nominee for the Supreme Court. Today, Broder focuses on Governor Mike Huckabee as “the next man from Hope.”
Huckabee’s self-righteousness is well known around these parts but he lacks the totally smug, arrogance of the neo-conservative flame-throwers of the far right. The Huck we know genuinely cares about people, even poor folks. As a former Baptist minister, he can be expected to instinctively favor the rich and powerful, but there is also a bit of the true pastor in the man. This is what outsiders, those not fully initiated to the Huckabee aura, will find engaging and refreshing.
The governor has struggled with his weight and who hasn’t? Many will applaud the strength of character, others will resent inference that, if you have a problem with the waistline, you must be somehow weak and inferior. It cuts both ways.
Huckabee has something that might be lost so some, a sincere desire to “win souls” for the Lord. This manifests itself in what may seem to be very soft and politically shrewd answers on abortion and the other hard social issues. He wants to avoid being offensive so that he can preach the Gospel. It is an instinctive thing and enhances his image as a moderate.
Hells bells, the loony right will be mad at him for allowing taxes to be raised for such foolishness as public education. Huckabee permitted the tobacco settlement money to fund health programs instead of providing additional tax breaks for rich Republicans and corporations.
John Brummett used to have a nickname for the governor. As I recall, it was “his poutiness.” I could be wrong. It might have been, “his huffiness.” My theory is that, after so many years of having to deal with the wealthy minority that wields undue influence in so many congregations (otherwise known as Deacons) and absorbing abuse and criticism, Huck’s hide is not tougher, but even more tender. Huckabee hates criticism.
In the world of presidential politics, anything can happen. I was the first Arkansas journalist to foresee a Bill Clinton presidency. That was based on his remarkable personal political skills. The Huckster has some talent and, as Broder observes, a number of darned good networks. The question is, how far will it take this man from Hope. He might go all the way. It is possible, but not likely.
There is Wayne Dumond, and the governor has zero experience with international relations. Of course, neither did Mr. Clinton, although being a Rhodes scholar and leading efforts to bring foreign business home to the Natural State certainly added some luster to his crown. That is why Huckabee is off to Japan and we can expect even more traveling overseas.
Win Paul Rockefeller’s health issues have also created a tremendous void in the Republican gubernatorial race. There is bad blood between the moderates, of which the governor would be included, and the staunch “true believers” of the Asa Hutchinson variety. Could Mike Huckabee take a long-sot chance at the presidency and allow Asa to have a realistic opportunity to become Arkansas’ chief executive? Could Asa be trusted to keep the Mike Huckabee legacy intact?
Yes, Asa can beat Mike Beebe, if he even wins the Democratic nomination. It is very early, gentle readers.
Huckabee can not run for governor himself, but he must be looking for somebody - anybody - to take a turn with Asa Hutchinson.
Questions. Questions. Questions.
