Rubio endorses Huckabee in Miami

Dec. 10 - 10:08 am: As expected, House Speaker Marco Rubio endorsed Mike Huckabee this morning in Miami. So did state Rep. David Rivera.

"Mike Huckabee gives conservatives the best chance at the presidency," Rubio told the Buzz. "It's a combination of conservatism and common sense." Rubio and state Sen. Dan Webster will serve as state co-chairs for the campaign.

Dec. 9 - 5:09 pm: The rumor the Buzz heard earlier about Marco Rubio endorsing Mike Huckabee is true. The two met for an hour today at the Courtyard Marriott in Miami, before the Univision debate. Tomorrow morning, the House Speaker will express support for the once-longshot GOP presidential candidate.

The move underscores Huckabee's ascendancy and Fred Thompson's fall as the conservative choice in Florida. Rubio had been courted by Thompson but never pulled the trigger.

Huckabee's campaign would not confirm the news, but sent out an advisory about Huckabee announcing "two key Florida endorsements" at 9 a.m. at La Carreta, a Cuban restaurant in Miami. Coincidence? Rubio is the first Cuban-American speaker in the Florida House.

The Fred Thompson campaign last night circulated news accounts from 2002 in which then Gov. Huckabee asked President Bush to ease the trade embargo with Cuba.

Stewart told the Buzz, "The governor said this morning that he opposed the embargo as governor of Arkansas because of its impact on the state's rice industry. But while courting Rubio's support in the past year, Huckabee said he began to understand the embargo from the Cuban-American perspective. As a presidential candidate, the Governor will put the interests of the nation before his home state of Arkansas."

Said Rubio, "What he'll do as president is a lot more important than a letter he wrote in 2002. Mike Huckabee has the strongest anti-Castro platform of any candidate in the race."

Comments

We very well know that being Speaker does not traditionally yield much for other elections.

As some examples, Ralph Haben, Johnny Byrd, John Mills.

This is going to have a huge impact among Cuban-American voters, a big deal in a Republican primary. Kudos for Huckabee.

Does Rubio endorse Huckabee's view on AIDS?

Hey now--Johnnie Byrd did it in Tallahassee and now he's doing it in Plant City!

What a wasted endorsement, picking a guy that at best is shooting for a VP nod.

[GOPFL]

What's a Huckabee?

So Rubio has endorsed a person who will guide this nation at this perilous juncture; a person whose formal education consists of dropping out of a Bible college in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

What a brilliant move.

Maybe Marco will think hard and not do it it would be a riduclous move on his part.

Thanks for taking a principled stand for conservatives Marco!

All the smart money is on Huckabee now...

Huckabee a conservative? Really? He loved to raise taxes of all sort and manner while gov. of Ark. - -didn't you watch the YouTube debate where a video of him in love with tax hikes was played?

I watched the youtube debate where Fred Thompson couldn't give us one compelling reason to vote FOR him. No wonder he's at the bottom of the polls...

As an avid Republican supporter for decades, I will tell you that there is nobody --and I mean nobody-- on the Republican ticket than I am less likely to vote for than Mike Huckabee. We would be a global laughingstock with this rube as president. He is a master of the 45-second empty sound bite and nothing else.

Are we so moronic as a party as to even remotely entertain the notion that this snake-handling hick is viable presidential material?

I used to respect Marco Rubio. No longer. And never again.

6:43, you seem to be in the minority. Mike Huckabee is one of the best people the Republican party can nominate and our only chance at beating the Democrats. Huckabee is a conservative who makes government work. He'll rebuild our movement the way Reagan did. I'm sorry you don't want to be a part of that.

The Romney people are getting mighty scared now that they realize they won't have a job in a month. Don't worry, Governor Huckabee will welcome you with open arms. He's really a great guy...!

How can you call a tax and spender like Huckabee a conservative? Get real here. And here at a time of a global fight against terrorism, do you believe a person like Huckabee with zero experience in military affairs and foreign policy is a wise choice?

Huckabee is far from a tax and spender... Cut taxes 94 different times... He did repair the broken roads in Arkansas... He did provide aid to Katrina refugees... He did work with the most Democratic legislature in the nation. Ronald Reagan passed a 1 billion dollar tax increase in California (10 billion in todays dollars). Is Reagan a fiscal liberal?

Huckabee is nothing more than a televangelist who did a poor job briefly running a third-rate state. That statement completely encapsulates his 'qualifications.' He is more qualified to sell weight-loss products on late-night infomercials than he is to be president of the United States.

Ark. has a population of less than 3 million . . .see YouTube videos for Huckabee and taxes -- make up your own mind -- 7:31 is ill informed and/or a paid campaign staffer.

I really like Huckabee. But, if Marco/Rivera support him, I don't think I can. You know, birds of a feather... those two are so evil that I can't support anyone they do. I used to think they were for Romney, so I really disliked him. Maybe I need to revisit him.

[stephen]

He endorses a man that fought to get a violent r a p i s t out of prison. Once out of prison, he r a p e d and killed more women. The Cuban community will not like that one bit.

[UF Student]

Did somebody actually say that Huckabee is the best chance to beat a Democrat? Do you not know what electoral math is? Huckabee as the nominee immediately writes off any New England state, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and leaves Florida and Ohio in serious jeopardy. The Democratic nominee can then spend zero money in those states and spend more in Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Iowa, Missouri, etc. You don't win electoral math by playing on the defensive, just ask Kerry. No, Huckabee would be lucky to win more than 10 states...all in the Old South. And I'm not even talking about his suspect fiscal credentials, his views on evolution and his views on AIDS. He doesn't stand a chance.

Your analysis is flawed... Huckabee is the best communicator in either party. He wins at least 40 states in a Reagan landslide.
If any GOP candidate needs to be compared to Kerry, it's Romney. The two are almost exactly identical.
Giuliani loses states like Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, and others that have been crucial to our coalition. He doesn't stand any chance of actually flipping New York, New Jersey, or California.
National polling shows Huckabee the strongest against Hillary. They also show him as the only GOP candidate that can win Arkansas.
He has a 2-1 lead in Iowa despite being outspent 20-1. That shows the strength of his candidacy and it's what makes him our strongest candidate.
All of the others are guaranteed losers. Huckabee at least gives us a good shot.

[Proud CFR member]

Huckabee will be a real challenge for the democrats with his campaign "warchest" of $651,000.00. The man can't even keep up with the day's news. He hadn't even heard of a NIE report until last week. He must have forgotten to consult with Chuck Norris about the report.

[GOPFL]

8:44-

Huckabee has only raised 2.3 million the entire year. His September 30th FEC report showed 651K cash on hand. That would be fine for a congressional campaign, but not a presidential race. The 2-1 lead in Iowa must be the Newsweek poll of Huckabee supporters. He needs to drastically improve his fundraising if he wants to be competitive outside of Iowa and SC.

I would also expect Huckabee to keep up with the day's news while campaigning. As a presidential candidate, there is no excuse for not knowing what the National Intelligence Estimate is. John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson all had responses for questions regarding the national intelligence estimate. Chuck Norris can't be the answer to every question. I don't think he's going to get him elected.

The report came out at 10 AM and he was asked about it in the afternoon. The reporter was with him all day and knew he didn't have a chance to see the report yet. It was a classic gotcha question from the liberal media.

Huckabee has raised at least 5 million this quarter... which means Mitt Romney will have had to raise 100 million just to be competitive with Huckabee at the 20-1 spending ratio...

I hope all of you guys that are bashing Huckabee will be ready and willing to work for him when he's our nominee.

People from Iowa City to Florida City will all be asking the same question..."Marco Who?"

Let's get a grip here...I like Huckabee..a lot...but to suggest that he will win a "Reagan" style landslide is an insult to the greatness of Reagan and a trip down fantasy lane. Have you not noticed the national backlash against the Republican Party?

Mike Huckabee has about as much in common with Ronald Reagan as Charlie Crist has in common with Jeb Bush.

A good path for a Democratic victory in November is for Huckabee to be the GOP nominee. UF student has got it right.

I will say it again - and I mean no disrespect to the the former President. Mike Huckabee will win with a Reagan style landslide.

[GOPFL]

9:27-

Huckabee won't be the nominee. He can't raise money and had a record of increasing taxes in Arkansas. Perhaps he can go out on the stand-up comedy circuit, or do late night infomercials. He may even be able to get his old preaching job back.

From Fox News:

"But in the 1992 survey, Huckabee suggested several bizarre proposals. To one question, he suggested Hollywood celebrities fund AIDS research from their own pockets, rather than federal health agencies.

"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," Huckabee wrote.

"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."

From Fox News:

WALLACE: For all the talk about cutting taxes, you have come under fire for your record in your 10 years as governor of Arkansas.

Here's what the Cato Institute, which is a conservative think tank, said about your record as governor of Arkansas on taxes. "Mike Huckabee went from being one of the best governors in America to one of the worst. He receives an "F" for his current term and a "D" for his entire tenure."

And Americans for Tax Reform, another conservative group, says you were responsible for a 37 percent higher sales tax, 16 percent higher fuel taxes and 103 percent higher cigarette taxes.

Governor, a tax cutter?

[UF Student]

No 8:44, your analysis is flawed. While Rudy won't win the southern states as convincingly as Bush. Tennessee, West Virginia and Arkansas are going to vote for him. Congrats that Huckabee beats Clinton in the huge electoral treasure that is Arkansas, but he loses two important state (FL & OH) and those Arkansas votes don't balance those losses. Rudy might not win California, Jersey or NY...but he forces Clinton to spend money there. No Democratic electoral game plan has ever had to spend money in those states , its a huge hit to Clinton's budget to have to spend money in those expensive media markets. Offense wins the electoral college, that's what Rudy offers. Huckabee will be on defense the whole time. More negative stuff will come out against him because it is only now the media and the other campaigns are properly vetting him. You can talk about his poll numbers right now, but they can go down just as quick as they rose. I refuse to work for Huckabee if he's the nominee. I won't support some former preacher who thinks Evolution is wrong and begs his state legislature for tax increases. I'd rather sit this election out. Not too mention we've already seen that former Arkansas governors don't translate well into presidents.

GOPFL, you seriously should stop being so negative toward Huckabee. I'm going to love your blogs defending him in a couple of months.

[GOPFL]

Mike Huckabee has another fundraising gimmick called "Gas for the Bus". He is encouraging his supporters to contribute $100 to put gas in his bus prior to a December 18th tour of Iowa. It just shows that he is unable to raise money. This guy thinks he can compete with the Democrats? What a joke!

UF Student... did you work for George Bush. He seems to have the same views on evolution as Gov. Huckabee. And guess what, how many 8th grade science books did George Bush mettle with? I mean is evolution really a huge issue for you? Or is your hatred of Christians so great that it clouds your judgment? Or are you a desperate Romney crony who is horrified that they're not going to be able to give you that job you were promised?

UF Student... did you work for George Bush. He seems to have the same views on evolution as Gov. Huckabee. And guess what, how many 8th grade science books did George Bush mettle with? I mean is evolution really a huge issue for you? Or is your hatred of Christians so great that it clouds your judgment? Or are you a desperate Romney crony who is horrified that they're not going to be able to give you that job you were promised?

[UF Student]

I did work for Bush. I disagreed with a lot of the president's positions at the time, but I agreed with more of them. Evolution is a major deal to me, I think it reflects very poorly on the country to have their leader not believe a very widely accepted and proven theory. I don't hate Christians and I'm not a "Romney crony", you'll see that I'm supporting Rudy. I'm fiscally conservative and socially moderate, the opposite of Huckabee, so I don't support him.

Don't do it Marco!!!

Mike Huckabee is a DISASTER on illegal immigration; and has the foreign policy positions of former President Jimmy Carter.

Huckabee doesn't even have a 4 year degree!!

To read the article in its entirety, click on the link below.

DANGER!!!
Do nit listen to te liberal media.


http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071208/NATION/112080054/1001

Huckabee changes tack on illegals
By Stephen Dinan
December 8, 2007

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, campaigning yesterday in Charlotte, N.C., released a plan to send illegal aliens home and increase checks on workers.

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, seeking to blunt criticism of his record on immigration, has issued an extensive new plan that calls for illegal aliens to return home voluntarily, pushes employers to check workers' status and would end several legal immigration programs.

It marks a major change in tone from Mr. Huckabee's tenure as governor of Arkansas, when he campaigned for illegal-alien students to be eligible for college scholarships and financial aid and complained about federal raids on work sites that employed illegal workers. In his book earlier this year, he also called for a way for illegal aliens to earn citizenship.

In his new plan, Mr. Huckabee makes no mention of a path to citizenship, instead saying illegal aliens should be given a grace period to leave the country or be barred from returning.

Tennessee, West Virginia, and Arkansas will not vote for Rudy. I especially suggest you look at the polling in Arkansas.
Huckabee did not beg his state legislature for tax increases. I bet you haven't watched the whole speech. It was a put-up or shut-up speech.
The northeast is a lost battle for the GOP. Politics is not all about money. It's more about the candidate than money. Huckabee is consistently doing better against Hillary than Rudy. Look at the polling and weep.
Huckabee is the only one who's run against the Clinton Machine. He beat them 3 times in a heavily Democratic state. When Rudy ran against Clinton, he dropped out of a race he was destined to lose.
We can either nominate a pro-choice northeaster liberal or a northeaster Massachusetts flip-flopper. Or we can get serious and nominate the only candidate that can win: Mike Huckabee.

Huckabee is a fiscal conservative.

[UF Student]

I'm not going to argue with you about 3 smaller states...the fact is Rudy puts more states in play for the Republicans than Huckabee. Running a primary in Iowa isn't about the money, but running a 20-state campaign IS about the money, something Huckabee isn't going to be able to generate. I won't even feel bad about not supporting Huckabee if he's the nominee because I know when it comes down to him and Clinton, it'll never be close.

You're right it won't even be close. Huckabee will destroy Hillary in a Reagan landslide. If the race were about money, then why is Huckabee winning in states like Michigan now?

[Huckleberry]

You can repeat the phrase Huckabee is a fiscal conservative, but that doesn't make it true.

[UF Student]

And you can keep repeating that Huckabee will win in a Reagan landslide, that doesn't make it true either.

Americans are looking for honesty, authenticity, change, and people who are concerned about making government work. They are looking for Huckabee. Huckabee is a candidate that got nearly 50% of the black vote in Arkansas. Independents like him. Liberals like him. Conservatives like him. A few cronies of the other candidates are trying to bring him down, but they will disappear after the primaries. The Republican Party that is going to win this next election actually doesn't give a damn you or your support.