Deseret News | Huckabee's 'likability' gave him the edge over Romney

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

Page:
< Previous
1
2

In my Opinion | 11:35 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

It will be nice if Rommey start to give his money to poor people instead to dream to became a President.

Just my humble opinion.

a reader and voter | 11:47 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I rather liked Huckabee when I first heard him speak. But as time went on and he kept making those snide little remarks I began to see that he has an agenda and I don't appreciate or trust people who act like he does. I don't see him as the President of this United States. I don't think he could handle it, nor do I trust him with all that power. I do not think he should have 'pardoned' murderers and criminals or some of the other things he did. If they were found guilty by a trial and jury, they are guilty and should pay for their crimes.

Last bastion of bigotry | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

The last bastion of bigotry in Iowa is against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There are "Evangelical ministers" that make their living traveling around the rural areas "preaching" the negative "real truth" about the LDS church. I saw one ad this week where he charged $175 for one session with a "free will offering" or $325 plus a mileage charge figured in there somewhere. One well known "Evangelical minister" lives in Nauvoo and is on TV here in Cedar Rapids Iowa three times a week. His ENTIRE ministry is against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Iowa's little dark secret in uneducated circles is this religious bigotry. Those with college degrees here are offended by this underbelly of Iowa, and speak out against this bigotry. The college educated and "real Christians" of all denominations came out in force to make their voices heard. Fourteen counties in northeast Iowa defeated Huckabee with their votes for other candidates.

Comments continue below

Flitt Romney | 12:38 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Yes. Romney is so hard to like. His persona is smug, condescending, and pious. Not to mention he stands for nothing.

At last! | 12:39 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I am not mormon but i have to listen to some very uneducated remarks from the educated, there does exist a larger anti-anti requiem so to speak about the lds church. I find it great that some are questioning the media because it is powerul..aren't days ahead for the LDS suppose to get harsh?

Iowa for Romney | 12:46 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Iowa has chosen correctly 6 of the last 8 BUT Iowa did not get Reagan. I reminded Romney workers of that numerous times before the caucus and I want to make it very clear here. Iowa did not choose Reagan, arguably the best president of that century. Instead, Iowa chose George Bush with Dupont coming in second. I believe Reagan was third. As an Iowan I am very sorry that the state got it wrong this year and by no means is Romney out of the race.

Anonymous | 12:58 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Well...there ya go...train as a DJ...learn to play the bass guitar...and you're a shoe-in for Iowa.

(Jaye sings...)"You are in I-O-WAY!"

Please vote | 1:03 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Politically polished = Huckabee
Cleverly deceptive = Huckabee
Could use some work = Romney

Is there a politician who doesn't sound negative when they point out differences? Everyone should examine the facts rather than political bantor.

Huckabee goes after religion because he has nothing else to go after. McCain is to smart to do that. Guilani knows that's political suicide. The difference between Romney & Huckabee is that Huckabee has other pastors do his dirty work. By the way, what is the Mormon church doing in support of Romney? Are they going door to door with religious cult fliers? Keep me posted.

Chase | 1:17 p.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."

Thank you for your post. I was waiting to read an honest comment from someone with a first-hand experience with the caucus in Iowa without the slant of the media.

evensteven | 1:37 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

This article is clearly an attempt to paper over the covert bigotry that pushed Huckabee to his win in Iowa.

Let's see, an unusually high turnout (35% above normal), Evangelical Christians made up 60% of caucus attendance (nearly double their voting history), one candidate is a Mormon whom the Evangelicals despise, another is a Baptist preacher who has played the religion card. Yeah, that sounds like religion played no role. Guess they really did 'like' the Huckster better.

On the other hand, for Mitt to have done as well as he did against those odds is really a win for him. Given the demographics of attendees, Huckster should have easily gotten over 50% instead of the 34% he did get. Apparently, even some of his base has problems with him. If likeability were the key, explain Wyoming. Or NH, where Huck is in 5th. Maybe there was some horse trading done to prepare for an eventual McCain/Huckabee ticket?

Less than 120k Reps participated in Iowa. Get real, people. This thing is far from over. Let's see which candidates are still around by the time we get to FL.

Muth | 1:42 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

The Huckabee win proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Iowa Republicans cannot be trusted with the responsibility of weighing in first on the GOP presidential primaries. That a big-government nanny-state liberal from the same small state and town that gave us Bill Clinton - who is weak on taxes, weak on spending, weak on immigration, weak on crime, weak on limited government, and a cipher when it comes to foreign policy - can win handily on the strength of being "folksy" and wanting to "take this country back for Christ" tells us all we need to know about why this situation of Iowa going first can no longer continue.

Michael | 1:43 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

All of you Romney supporters need to move your positive messages out into the national press. We need to support him at the national newspapers as well as the local. Also, he needs volunteers at his website to make calls in New Hampshire on Monday. We need to put our money where our mouth is and get the most intelligent, articulate, honest, and hard-working candidate elected as our next President!

Michael in Texas

Former Huckabee fan | 1:44 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Early on I too fell under the spell of the Huckabee charm. He has a great personality, warm, friendly, appears humble. But I found out he is really a devious, deceptive, manipulator. He attacks the Mormon Church indirectly, and then lies and claims he was just asking an honest question when he knew the answer all along. The ultimate was his press conference when he announced that "I am not going to go negative and tell the whole world that Romney beats his wife. By the way, here is the tape that I won't show anybody." It is sad that Iowans (and I am a former Iowan) bought it. I am not a Romney supporter and he does have a problem appearing genuine. He needs to say what he really feels and damn the consequences like McCain does. But Huckabee really scares me. I have become an "Anybody but Huckabee republican.

Just asking | 1:46 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Romney's religion probably shouldn't come into this debate. But then I can't help wondering...was he selected to "rescue' the winter games because he was the only businessman available in America at the time, or because he was Mormon?

He uses his Olympic experience as a positive while neglecting to mention how he got the job. Then he whines that he could have won in Iowa if he had been a baptist.

Related? Not sure | 2:00 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

He got the Winter Olympics in the same manner that he was involved with the creation of Staples. It's called credentials and having years of experience specializing in that type of work. I don't think being a Mormon hurt his cause since Utah has a large populous, but they didn't need a Mormon, the games needed someone to change the Olympics. He would have been on the short list of candidates to help the Winter games anyways.

Just asking | 2:11 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Did you see this short list? Or are you just speculating?

And you didn't respond to my second paragraph. Great to be a Mormon for Mitt, but woe betide a baptist for using his religion to his personal advantage.

Related? Not sure | 2:26 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Oh yeah, I have the short list right here. Come'on, Romney's business career is well documented. 2nd - It's how Huckabee uses his baptist religion to his advantage. Sending out fliers proclaiming one to be a religious cultist is inappropriate. Using pastors to conduct your negative affairs while hoping it flies under the radar is very clever. I have no problem with Huckabee getting more votes in Baptist country and Romney getting more votes in Mormon country. When Mormon bishops start belittling Huckabee's religion as cultist, I'll change my stance on Romney.

evensteven | 2:31 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Just Asking, you are playing the same game the Husckster did with his 'innocent' question. Mormon or not, without the bona fide credentials he had, Mitt would never have been considered qualified to head the Olympics. That said, because he had those credentials, AND is LDS, he was uniquely qualified to head the SLC Olympics. Who else in the world could have brought the same business and cultural experience? Simply no-one. Mitt knows how to run an organization and, as a Mormon, understood the Utah culture and the vast resource the LDS Church could be to pulling off the Games. His Utah learning curve was practically non-existent, a necessity given the condition of the Games when he took over. He needed to be effective from day 1. If that bothers you, so be it. Mitt stepped into a situation that could have gone either way and directed a very successful Olympic Games. Any way you slice it, that is genuine resume material.

How about a little honesty from now on? Just state your sneering anti-Mormon agenda right up front so everyone knows what you are about.

Pssss....the law... | 2:42 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Yeah, he was "likeable" in Iowa 'cause everyone there was a white Evangelical. Duh. What was his secret, everyone is asking? There is no secret, it's same "secret" Mitt will have with Utah voters. Gimme a break. "likeablity." Good grief.

Alice | 2:45 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Huckabee is the Arkansas Gomer Pile, he look, acts and talks like Gomer Pile.
But he is not the innocent that Gomer Pile represented in the show. I agree with the person who said he scares them. As to Romney flip flopping, who in this forum has not changed his views in the last 5, 10, 15 or even 20 years. People like McCain who use his POW status and Huckabee who uses his past as a minister to get other to vote for him, well, if we choose to vote for them knowing these things then when we don't like what they do when they become President, we need to accept the consequences of voting for someone who was not qualified.

Just Asking | 2:54 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Again, both posters responding to me duck the question: Was it Ok for Romney to be annointed as the savior of the Olympics because he was the best qualified Mormon, or was it wrong for Huckabee to use his Baptist background to sway Iowa voters?

When Romney benefitted from his religious persusion, you say that was right. When Huckabee did the same - in a different setting - you cry foul.

Otis Spurlock | 3:34 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Romney may have been the only one who agreed to lead the Olympics for no pay. As far as I know, his religion was immaterial to him getting the job of saving the Olympics. However, he knows Utah, he was always a very successful organizer and businessman, and he had the financial independence to do it on his own dime. If there was a non-LDS person who was better and willing to do it, nobody was able to come up with a name. Compare Romney to the people heading up the Olympics before his arrival and tell me he wasn't already better qualified than them all.

Just Asking - you've received answers. You just don't like them. Your Romney-Huckabee comparison is a strawman, in my opinion, because your precedent assumptions are inaccurate.

Ducked your question? | 3:35 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Doesn't appear that way to me. It seems like you don't have a reasonable response to their answers.

Romney | 3:48 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Romney used the Olympics as a stepping stone to running for governor. In business and politics everything is done for a reason. Mitt would not have taken the Olympics if he hadn't thought it could help him. I have no problem with this. What I do know, is that Mitt was decided to be the best qualified person available, not Mormon. The Olympics were not interested in getting a Mormon just for Mormon sake. There was too much negativity surrounding it for them to be that stupid. Mitt's Mormonism made him uniquely qualified to understand the needs of Olympics in the area on short notice.
The thing about Huckabee is, if people do their research they can see that he is not the "Christian" candidate. He has very dark, unpresidential actions in his past. Covering all that up, and then saying but I'm Christian, and having the voters not look past the "Christian" is a very sad state of affairs in politics. I'd like to see them both out, so there could be a Republican candidate as the nominee that would actually be electable.

scary! | 4:21 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

The thought of Huckabee becoming president scares me!

Okie | 4:44 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

From where I sit back here in the middle of the country and I have watched all the news coming out about Iowa, I would say that Huckabee being a Baptist minister is using religion to get the votes. Is he qualified for the job as President of our United States. I would say NO. He is using his "likeability" to charm people into thinking he is the one to vote for . If people think the country has gone down hill the last few years, Well, if Huckabee gets in there, who knows what will happen to our country. I don't think he knows what is going on out in the world at all. What kind of mess will he get us into? He has made so many snide remarks about Romney and his religion. I have no faith in Huckabee and if he would happen to be nominated for pres. I will not vote for him!!!!!! It would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Mitt suporter and Mormon | 5:28 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

I have been a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints for some forty eight years. I have never heard of any Ward, Branch, Stake or any group of Latter-Day Saint people going to rally against other relegions or people.

I don't remember Mitt going out and downing anothers way of worship. I have never been contacted by Mitt, or any other person, and asked to vote for someone because that person was a Mormon. I have never been contacted and told that some other religon was a cult, or any other name derogtory to keep me from voting for a person because of his or her faith.

I don't remember Mitt going out and publishing the fact that he was a mormon, before it was broadcast by the media, and other people, yet he is acused of running on his faith. It was not Mitt that kept up the cry for him to explain his faith, it was non Mormons.

come on folks lets look for who is best qulified for president, instead of voting for a person based on what church a person belongs too.

Bill in Sansy Eggo | 6:25 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

"Iowa for Romney" didn't mention the other time: Besides Reagan, Iowa was wrong about Bill Clinton, giving him only 3%. Just shows to go ya!

Popularity contest? | 7:34 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Likability? Charm? Stiffness? Sorry, I was looking for some political discussion but seem to have stumbled into the Miss America pageant here, complete with talent show!

Just say no to Gomer! | 8:53 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Is it just me or does Mike Hukabee look and sound a lot like "Gomer Pile" from the Andy Griffeth show? Gomer was a very nice and likeable guy too.

Do we really want "Gomer Pile" for president?

Now, more than ever we need someone who understands business. If our economy collapeses or our national debt and social security bankrupts us it will affect all of us for the rest of our lives.

Mitt Romney is the best candidate we've had in years in this area. Lets not let him get away!!!

Go Mitt!

read the exit polls | 8:57 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

This is nuts. Did these experts not read the exit polls (or entrance polls)? A majority of those who voted for Huckabee in Iowa said that having a candidate share their faith was very important in their choice of candidate. I don't know how it could be more clear than that, that this was an anti-Romney-because-he's-Mormon vote.

Just say no to Gomer! | 9:23 p.m. Jan. 5, 2008

Imagine 2 years from now, the economy is failing and Leno and Letterman are having a hey day with the Huckser and republicans. Well don't worry because Gomer could never win a general election.

There is good reason why Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck and others obviously don't care for Huck!

If gomer wins the nomination I will vote Democrat for the first time in my life. Then we can blame them for the economy and get the next election!

To: jgirl18 | 12:46 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

Whoa! Hold your horses! You're slamming Romney for blaming his Iowa 2nd place finish on being LDS but I can absolutely GUARANTEE you that Romney has NEVER said his 2nd place finish is due to him being a member of the LDS church! Does he privately believe it? Who knows? I personally do, but I'd bet you a million dollars HE never said that. Why? Because he knows full well that his success in this campaign lies SOLELY in identifying with voters as "a good President and not a good Mormon". For him to complain about religious discrimination would end his campaign faster than a speeding bullet. Sounds to me like you don't like the man BECAUSE he's LDS.

Likeable But Dirty | 1:12 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

Give me a break! While I admit Huckabee does actually come across quite "likeable", his tactics for winning the Presidency are anything but "nice". He makes an attack TV ad, then at the last minute decides not to air it but shows the media the ad anyway? Come on!, that's the same tactic that sleaze-ball lawyers use in court. They PURPOSELY say something controversial in court, knowing full well that the opposing lawyer will "object" and that the judge will agree and order the statement stricken from the records and direct the jurors to not consider the devious lawyer's comments when deciding the case. But the scum-bag lawyer knows that the jurors can never get the "objected" comments completely out of their consciousness. That politicial ploy stinks to high heaven. AND...I recently visited my parents in UT and my mom showed me not one, but 2 letters from two nice "Christian, though non-LDS" organizations urging my mom not to vote for Romney because "he belongs to a cult". (My LDS mom had recently sent them some money to help them in Christian causes). But, nope, I don't see any religious bigotry there.......

Huckabee's likeable but he plays dirty.

I Disagree With... | 1:26 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

"In my Opinion", who said at 11:35 a.m. Jan. 5, 2008:

"It will be nice if Rommey start(ed) to give his money to poor people instead to dream to became a President. Just my humble opinion."

While that they seem like a good idea to "give money away" to the poor, what if they are ill-prepared to handle the money properly? "Free money" is not always a blessing. You must be a Democrat for that is the heart of the Democrat party's philosophy...to give the hungry what they need. The true core of the Republican philosophy (which I hope they don't ever jettison) is to TEACH / HELP the man to fend for himself. One philosophy breeds laziness and dependence, the other develops discipline and self-respect.

Bookaholic | 5:12 a.m. Jan. 6, 2008

At first glance Huckabee seems like an amiable guy, has witty commentary to throw out. But, a closer look is not so appealing.

He has a poor record in Arkansas--raised taxes a lot, supported illegals over citizens, had lots of ethics complaints, etc. For example, Arkansas has a rule that you cannot accept over $100 gifts unless they are wedding gifts. So, when Huckabee was leaving office, he and his wife (married 28 years) put themselves on wedding registries all over town. Tacky! Also, they tried to take $70k worth of furniture with them when they moved out of the governor's mansion. Very white trash--reminiscent of the Clintons.

An October poll done by the University of Arkansas found only 8% of the state's voters were Huckabee supporters. In Iowa, he got 14% of the non-evangelical votes. Huck's going nowhere.

Romney is a much more qualified candidate and that truth will come out in time. LDS bigots may want to sideline him, but when open-minded voters look at the man, his business experience, managerial acumen, good family, and solid conservative values, they will vote Romney. He will be a very articulate voice for the conservative worldview.

Mitt/Rudy or Fred in '08!

Rich | 10:49 a.m. Jan. 7, 2008

The liberal media is making Huckabee their darling. He has been described as a christian socialists. He hasn't really been attacked. The Dems voted far more heavily in Iowa then the Republicans. The huck is riding a "popularity" wave. I'm sure the Democrats and liberal media want this hick in the race. He's a big old target. Research his record and thoughts about governing and you'll see what I mean. A much easier foe to deal with then Romney. After all, if you're going to vote for a socialists, why not a true Dem rather than a psudo Republician?

Illinois | 4:14 p.m. Jan. 7, 2008

Huckabee utilized religious bigotry to win.

Page:
< Previous
1
2

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.