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News analysis: Huckabee's 'likability' gave him the edge over Romney

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way too early | 1:24 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Iowa is only one state so this is way too early to decide. Iowa hasn't elected any president for us in the past if I am not mistaken, so Romney still has a chance. However, he does need to articulate more strongly why he should be elected and what kind of president he would be. This is like a job interview, where you have to connect what you have done and your cababilities with how you would do it in your new role. He has yet to come with any great ideas about how he would reform government which I would expect would be his strong suit.

Romney will also be plagued by his abortion fiip flop in the conservative niche where he is playing. I think he would do far better going up against Giuliani in the moderate space and playing for independents as well. The evangelicals have apparently made their move for a minister (Huckabee) who will have a hard time appealing out of his base of 30%.

Objectivity ? | 1:25 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Honestly aren't you media types taking the Iowa results a little out of context?

In an extremely conservative state where two out of three votors are evangelicals a New England Mormon running against a Southern Baptist Preacher actually gets nearly a third of the vote.

Mr. Romney is doing incredably well.

It's the Laundry, Stupid | 2:21 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Likability? More like familiarity. Isn't Huckabee the guy who plays the Maytag Repairman from those commercials? Well, they do make a fine washer.

Comments continue below

Hawkeye | 3:00 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I disagree that Huckabee has a likeability about him that won over voters in Iowa. What the recent Iowa Caucuses show is that whisper campaigns are very effective when used against certain candidatesï¿½in this case an LDS candidate who is seen as a serious contender. All Republican candidates--McCain, Huckabee, and Giuliani--have established whisper campaigns designed to scare voters off Romney. In front of the cameras these candidates say religion shouldnï¿½t matter and that one should not vote for Mitt because heï¿½s a flip-flopper on key issues like abortionï¿½a valid point in this campaign. However, that same candidate then leans into a pastorï¿½s ear and whispers, ï¿½Do you really want your congregation voting for a member of a cult?ï¿½

Democrats are sure to get involved after seeing the success Republicans had in Iowa. I see them being used against Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton as follows: ï¿½Do you really want to see a black man as president?ï¿½ and ï¿½Seriously, a woman president?ï¿½ï¿½supported by what ever stereotypes the whispering attackers think will work. Whisper campaigns are what will drive shifts in the polls from one candidate to anotherï¿½not ï¿½likeabilityï¿½ or a candidates qualifications and stance on issues. Sad.

Dave | 5:16 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I think if there was one thing the Romney campaign should learn from the Iowa caucus, it was how much the American people hate negative campaigning. He completely lost his momentum and Gov. Huckabee overtook him in the polls when he started taking shots at everyone, especially Gov. Huckabee.

I was on the fence until I watched the debates and listened to the snide, often rude comments made by Gov. Romney. He would only talk about his positions and facts as a mean to attack the other candidates. Completely unprofessional and it hurt him in the end.

James | 6:28 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Nice guy? After some of his snide and obviously planned negative remarks, he seems just like all the rest--determined to say and do whatever it takes to get elected. This is a change?

Morgan - NYC | 6:40 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Is there really any doubt that if Romney was an Evangelical, or even a Protestant, he would have easily won Iowa? Or, is there any doubt that many of the Evangelical pastors admonished their followers (either directly or implicitly) to vote for the Baptist or the Mormon? There is no doubt that Huckabee played the religion card and he won big.

Matt | 6:41 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

It was his likability among Evangelicals who get to preach politics from the pulpit without worrying about their tax-exempt status.
Matt-Des Moines, IA

Andy | 6:48 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

It is not Hukabee's likeability factor that won him the IOWA caucas. It is his honesty, and integrity; something MITT ROMNEY lacks. JOHN McCAIN also has those quality. Not only MITT lost IOWA, he will lose NEW HAMPSHIRE as well to McCAIN; and the wheel will come of the axle of the MITT MOBILE.

JWK | 6:51 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Likability? This guy scares me. I live next to Arkansas and I have read the things he has done. While he is a good man he allows his religious beliefs to influence his decisions. While that may sound good I am concerned that he will be too trusting of our enemies and allow us to be blindsided again.

I am concerned that he will be the Republican version of Jimmy Carter, also a good man who allowed his vision of the world to hurt the USA.

Bobbi | 7:18 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

People should stop making excuses such as can't win because I am a Mormon, I am a woman, I am Black, I have been divorced, I have a funny sounding name, my children are out of control blah, blah, blah. Bottom line is do people connect with you, do they believe in you, do they want the same things that you want? When you dummy it down to these excuses - you are insulting the people's intelligence and integrity. Perhaps that is why people lose - they don't like those politicians that would insult their intelligence to blame the reason that they don't like them is for something so unimportant and overlook the serious flaws.

Marky | 7:21 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Let's see.

Do I want a president who is an expert in fixing problems and making shrewd financial decisions that lead to saving money and growing business opportunities or do I want a charming, bass guitar playing Baptist minister?

Do I want a president who has a proven track record of successful negotiation and compromise of his positions with others who do not believe as he does or do I want a president who has doggedly stuck to his own beliefs, regardless of what others think or believe?

Tough question America. You make the call.

The Research.. | 7:28 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Doesn't validate your claims in this article. The key stat from the caucus is this: The evangelical turnout at the caucuses was at 60% of the total voters. That is huge, and more than anyone ever predicted it would be. It was, in fact, double the turnout of evangelical voters in the 2004 general election.

Romney managed a 60% turnout rate with his organization, which is a great turnout for the unpredictable caucuses.

But Huck managed to pull together a loose organization comprised of mainly evangelical churches to dupe Christians into voting for him, and that made all the difference.

Huckabee is a lousy Republican and an even more lousy conservative who is running on nothing more than identity politics - being a ï¿½Christian leaderï¿½. And the fact that that is enough to win in todayï¿½s Republican Party disgusts me. I donï¿½t think this bodes well for the GOP, or conservatism, if Huckï¿½s success becomes a trend. And I think it reflects badly on undiscerning Evangelicals who vote for a candidate for no other reason than he's part of their tribe.

Dix Dan | 7:29 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Likability had nothing to do with Huckabee's win. With 60% of the Evangelical vote going to him, none of the other candidates could have won. If Huckabee survives New Hampshire, the Evangelical Right Wing of the GOP will have another candidate for the White House. This should cause Utah voters some concern having a candidate who bashs the LDS faith. Will that stop the Utah GOP from endorsing him? I doubt it.

true blue | 7:38 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Maybe Mitt put is eggs in only one basket. He did have a very good finish in Iowa, and he'll get at least second in New Hampshire. McCain and Huckabee aren't necessarily strong candidates out of a handful of states.

Who is Huckabee? | 7:48 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Re: Iowa Caucus

Huckabee hasn't won anything by winning the Iowa Caucus. Iowa is a liberal state. Romney did well given the political demographics and Guliani and McCain paid little attention to it. The little covered fact was Huckabee garned the Baptist/evangelical vote....and the democrats fought it out...that all that happened. Huckabee will have to demonstrate he can go against the front runners....i.e. McCain, Guliani, Romney and Thompson in the many states to follow. The media is making too big of a thing out of Iowa and the upcoming New Hampshire vote in my opinion. The history of these two venues don not justify all the hoopla in the media. Let us give this process more time and see how this plays out.....please.

Iowan | 7:49 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Having listened to both Romney and Huckabee speak in person I would agree that Huckabee is likable. He is a sweet talker but looking at his track record he is as stubborn and hard headed as Bush. It is his way or the highway. Look at Arkansas, even his own state doesn't like him. When he opens his mouth on real issues, like foreign relations, he sticks his foot in it. Granted Romney shot himself in the foot when he ran all of the negative ad campains but the only reason why Huckabee won is because Romney is a Mormon. It wasn't about the appeal of Huckabee but the dislike of Mormons that evangelicals have. Look at exit poll comments by them, that speaks for itself.

Ricki | 7:49 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

This article is spot on about Romney. He is stiff, his movements and expressions do not appear sincere. It is as if his hand gestures and responses to questions are practiced. I am NOT saying that he cannot be trusted, but what I am saying is that when someone is that polished I don't see that person as genuine and I do not trust them.

jgirl18 | 7:54 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

It is getting old to continue to hear about Romney's Mormonism as his excuse for failures in the election. McCain, Thompson, Guillani do not have that excuse, and they do not complain about the votes. They realized that it was their message that did or did not resonate with the people of Iowa. Romney is playing the victim card about how hard it is to get elected as a Mormon - when it isn't true. No body wants to keep hearing this message any more than if we heard the other candidates saying I can't get votes because I'm old, I'm a woman, I am Black, I've been divorced several times, blah, blah, blah. Stop looking for the external excuses and look within for why you turn voters off. To blame it on something else is looking for an easy way to excuse your failure.

its too late | 8:14 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Romney decided to play that he is the "true conservative" of the republicans and he wasn't believed. Now if he tries to adjust himself to be a moderate - he will offend those that he sold on his "true conservative" stance. He forgets that with media and the internet he can't say one thing for one crowd and the opposite for the other crowd without those conflicting messages being heard by the other side.

Karras | 8:17 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

This is the beginning of the end for Romney, he should of played straight, stuck to sound principles and not flip flopped to get votes. He is not sincere and was out to buy this thing. He has lost touch with the ordinary voter.

I am sad that Huckabee is rewarded for his faith and the way Romney has dealt with it, he will be punished.

So long MiTT. Go home to MA.

Spence | 8:20 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Hey, Mitt lived in Salt Lake for almost 3 years and now one got close to him there. I do not believe people think he saved the Olympics, they were on a good track before he came. With his flip flop on issues this campaign is will soon be over. Mitt did not connect with ordinary people.

Curb the ego, Mitt.

Anonymous | 8:28 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Maybe Romney isn't the best candidate. Unspeakable as it is here in Utah and the Mittney news, it's got to be at least considered that we aren't looking at the candidate nearly as much as we're looking at the mormon.

Keith, California | 8:30 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I'm amazed at the comments I read in the media. Does anyone listen to what the candidates say. I've heard Romney state his positions several times. Mitt, don't raise taxes--secure the borders. You'll be elected president.

Carlos | 8:32 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Remember, Clinton and Bush were likable, too....

Richard G. | 8:39 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I'm a hardcore atheist who thinks religion should stay the heck out of poilitics. But the Huckster comes off as likable while the Mittster reminds me of the robot Lincoln at Disneyland. His plastic mechanical fake smile persona just bugs me and a lot of other people.

Alan | 8:51 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

There is nothing likable about Huckabee's tactics, and especially those of his supporters. Last week, Huckabee said Romney had lied about his record, which itself was untrue. (The Romney campaign backed-up Romney with facts on its Web site. And, by the way, changing one's mind on an issue does not make one a flip-flopper. That label belongs to those who go back and forth, and back and forth. Romney has gone FORTH abortion, and he added his position on gay marriage to his existing one on gay rights. Those who can't accept that kind of "flip-flopping" shouldn't vote for ANY candidate.)

And, of course, Huckabee has been two-faced regarding his handling of Romney's Mormon faith. When one labels one's self the "Christian" candidate, that casts a negative, dismissive glance on all the other candidates. It's amazing how Huckabee whined about Romney's "negative" campaigning, which straightforwardly illustrated policy differences in a non-personal way. (One of Huckabee's campaign leaders publicly wished to punch Romney out. How likeable!) Then Huckabee stood by and watched his surrogates mock Mormons while giving only a token denial of religious bigotry.

To non-evangelicals and even to some evangelicals, there is nothing likable about Huckabee's behavior.

liberal larry | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Mitt's natural constituency is the moderate, main street, republican. He also has a stiffness, reminiscent of Al Gore, which doesn't appeal to the personality driven evangelicals. He should have just taken his lumps with the far right, stayed true to his nature and gone after the republican middle.

Kevin | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

He talks like Jimmy Stewart and looks like Kevin Spacey, but he is the end of Barry Goldwater conservatism if he becomes the party candidate. He's very likable, even funny. His acceptance speech was pure fluff. Religious conservatives thrive on fluff. Wall St. can stomach religious conservatives if they are economic conservatives. But it cannot stomach an anti-business Bible thumper. The rest of the country will weigh-in on this very quickly.

timing is everything | 9:11 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

It also played in favor for Huckabee to appear on the Tonight Show w/Jay Leno the night before the Iowa caucus. It was the first night of the return of Letterman/Leno/Conan since the writers strike, and millions of late-nighters were chomping at the bit. Huckabee came out warm, friendly, funny, and even kicked back and played electric guitar with Kevin Eubanks and the band. Politics aside, it did help support the "likability factor".

Bill Arnquist | 9:14 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Romneyï¿½s intense campaigning in Iowa woke up a lot of voters. His efforts, in effect a kind of ï¿½plowing and plantingï¿½, set up the state for Huckabee ï¿½harvestï¿½ the votes at the Caucus.

Romneyï¿½s intelligence and experience clearly qualify him for the job. He does not need to oversell himself. He should focus on sincerity, the moral high ground and the personal likeability he has worked so hard the past year to establish.

Scott E | 9:26 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Whether you like it or not, Romneys religion DOES have a negative impact on voters. You may be tired of hearing about it, but it doesn't change this fact. Many Evangelicals don't believe Mormons are Christians and believe that they are some kind of cult, both of which couldn't be any further from the truth. Dismissing bigotry doesn't make it go away. I think a McCain-Romney ticket would be a winner.

Double Meanings | 9:31 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

To Keith in CA - when it comes to what Mitt says, you have to understand the meanings of the words. He told MA voters that he would not raise their taxes - but he did create thousands of "fees" to pay for services. Fees, taxes - still comes down to more money out of your pocket to pay for what you want. So, before you think you like his message- make sure you understand the small print that explains all the details.

the media rules | 9:43 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

people at least some of you are recognizing the influence..the public is spoon fed the war attrocities yet it is very simple, when a bomb goes off on the other side of the world , does it not effect the children on the other side, the media would have you think not, yet it is our children who are risking dieing in a strange land also never to return.the media rules and is a big machine ran by?

Kevin of Arkansas | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I think it is a scary thing that a Batist Minister won as a presidential candidate. Why does Huckabee not have to defend his religious stance and how it will influence his presidency? I do not think that Huckabee will end up being the republican nominee because other than his religous views, he really isnt a strong candidate. Even if he does become the nominee, I do not think he will win the presidency. Having seen his record in Arkansas, he is as crooked as the others and the democrate (whoever that may be) will dig up all the dirt he did here in Arkansas.

Iowa Voter | 9:46 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

As an Iowan who participated in this unique and interesting process - from the straw poll to rallies to the huge turnout at the caucuses - I was impressed at how well the Romney campaign was organized and run. He should do very well in the all-important long run through the November election. As to Iowa, no one should discount the anti-Romney campaign staged here by the evangelical voters and their pastors: it was very real and obviously very effective.

The Romney | 9:53 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I find the Romneytron2000 quite lifelike at times. There are still giveaways, but overall I find robot technology improving every year.

Barbara | 9:56 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

The fact that Huckabee resembles familiar actor, Kevin Spacey, might play a part in his popularity. If a man who looked like Gene Hackman ran, I might vote for him on that basis alone. (Smile)

Goodbye MITT | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

You will be missed.

Cindy | 10:00 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

IMHO I don't think that Romney's religion would have been an issue if Huckabee stayed out of the race. Huckabee is of evangelical faith, which is probably the harshest critics of anything LDS. I don't think Huckabee had his own presidential aspirations, as much as he didn't want to see an LDS candidate successfuly run.

Cindy | 10:02 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Oops...I had meant to say that if Huckabee had stayed out of the race, I think the issue of Romney's religion would NOT have been an issue at all.

Loosen up, Mitt! | 10:14 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I really like Mitt Romney because he's a financial wizard, he's honest, and his values are right on the money. I saw him on TV after the votes in Iowa, and his hair was falling down over his forehead, and I thought, "I love it! A little more casual is what he needs." Not so stiff. He's a really good candidate, and I hope America is smart enough to put him in the White House.

Mc | 10:20 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

The New Hampshire primary allows voters to register at the polls. Right now McCain is ahead because he is attracting independent voters who might usually vote democrat. A political analyst I heard predicted that a win for Obama in Iowa would draw those independent voters in NH back to vote in the Democratic primary instead of the Republican primary. That would work in Romney's favor, as mostly true Republican will be voting and he is in the lead with that group in NH. Don't count him out yet.

From Iowa | 10:42 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I hardly know where to start on Huckabee because there is so much fodder for the cannon. If everyone came with a lie detector embedded in their head it would be deafening when Huckabee speaks. I know mine sounded like an airplane cockpit going down from 50,000 feet.
When you play the game password and you are trying to get your teammate to say a word but you can't say the word. That was Huckabee's whole evangelizing rally. Evey thing he said was designed to have you thinking something negative about Mitt Romney without actually him actually saying the words "Mitt Romney" When the press got to question him they said how is Mitt Romney not supposed to take everything you say as negative? Then Huckabee said and I quote "They can think whatever they want"

Stewart | 10:42 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

If Romney were to have won in Iowa, it would be comparable to a Huckabee win in Utah. Faced with a choice of an evangelical and a Mormon, the choice was clear to many of the voters and no other issue rose even close to that level. The same will happen in Utah, and not even Huckabee's winning personality will matter. Other issues have less meaning to many of the voters. This is not good or bad, it is just the way it is.

Vern Johnson, Nashua NH | 10:51 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

It is difficult to like Romney. Every negative remark about Huckabee in this comment thread is equally if not more applicable to Romney. He is a lying son of privilege, and totally unrepresentative of the rest of the Mormon people. If there was any religious bias involved in Iowa, it was there because Romney courted it. His speech about faith was a dismal failure and his constant allusion to values was clouded by the lies he cannot cease to employ. Romney lies about himself personally, his record as Governor of MA, the record of his competitors and his endearing connection to the worst president in American history. The Mormons should follow a larger variety of the media more carefully and fact check the garbage Romney slings. We've had liars aplenty in the White House and now is not the time for one more. Romney is headed for another train wreck in New Hampshire, and when that happens it will be time for you Utahns to stop worshiping this loser.

L. Clark | 11:03 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I agree whole-heartedly that there is a big difference between the personalities of Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. The first thing I noticed was that Huckabee had a personal touch and more "human" side than Romney had. Romney cannot approach the road to the presidency with hard-line political views and money. It is all about people- and if he cannot take that perspective he will not win the presidency. He needs to understand people- listen to them, talk WITH them (not just at them), and discover who and what they are. Running big corporations and the Olympics takes a guy like Romney- one who "gets things done." But he needs to make sure he doesn't steamroll people in the process. He needs to value them.

wqr | 11:05 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

"Whether you like it or not, Romneys religion DOES have a negative impact on voters. You may be tired of hearing about it, but it doesn't change this fact. Many Evangelicals don't believe Mormons are Christians and believe that they are some kind of cult, both of which couldn't be any further from the truth."

To apply a religious test to a candidate for US President is a violation of the US Constitution.

What is there to like? | 11:24 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

He is rude and slanderous? Those are not qualities I look for in a President!

Charles | 11:33 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Whether you want to believe it or not, Romney's religion had everything to do with why he lost in Iowa. Excuses such as likeablity and whatever is nothing more than an attempt to cover a "soft" bigotry against Mormonism. To be blatantly bigoted would probably be deemed not politically correct but religious bigotry against Mormons is at the heart and core of most evangelical christians. We as Latter-Day Saints may want to fool ourselves into believing otherwise, but being a former Protestant who later joined the Church, I know that this form of bigotry is alive and real in the hearts of most evangicals as well as many Protestants. As Mormons, we are effectively disenfranchised from both the national Republican and Democratic parties. Those Utah Democratics who believe this bigotry only exists in the Republican party are only deceiving themselves. The Reagan coalition is being dismantled by bigoted republican voters and I fully expect the Democrats to take full advantage of this and be swept into office this November.

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