Classic Fred

Here is a link to a post on RedState about some "yearbook" questions the AP sent to all of the candidates and Fred Thompson's responses. Its classic Fred like the Michael Moore cigar video and the "no hands show" at the DMR debate last week.

Fred needs a lot of buzz over the next couple of weeks and stuff like this may get him some. You have to give it Fred, win or loose, he's certainly having fun.

Jerome

Fred Surge?

I've pointed out before that political campaigns are all about momentum. About a month ago I posted about whether Fred Thompson was waiting for just the right time to peak. It may be happening -- right on time for Thompson's campaign.

The rave in the last couple of weeks has been about Mike Huckabee. There were even headlines that read "Huck-a-boom" as he surged ahead in polls in Iowa and South Carolina. But since Tuesday, Fred Thompson has captured the headlines.

Fred's rebellion toward the Des Moines Register editor who moderated the debate on Tuesday has been the sound bite from that debate. Fred has been the talk of the town since Tuesday. The American Spectator declared that Fred isn't dead. There is even talk of whether Fred can surge in Iowa. And with Huckabee apologizing to Romney and Hillary apologizing to Obama, Fred decided he should apologize too. Fred's been on his A game this week.

The polls have Thompson running third in Iowa behind Huckabee and Romney. But in South Carolina he has moved back into second place. Although he is a distant third in Iowa, he could really gain some momentum if he closes that gap. Even if he finishes third in Iowa, he could snatch the momentum away by coming in a close third -- much closer than he's polling at now. That momentum could catapult him into either a South Carolina win or a strong second place finish there. Either one would keep his momentum going into the Super Tuesday primaries on February 5. And who knows what could happen then? He may not win enough delegate votes to take the nomination but he might get enough to be a player in a brokered convention.

On a different note, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing What Lies Within by Karen Ball. I hope you get a chance to pick-up a copy of this book.

Jerome

History Made in Madison County

We're watching history being made in Madison County. The filing deadline was yesterday for the county mayor's race and only Jimmy Harris and Don McLeary filed petitions. Both men are running in the republican primary in February. Jimmy Harris was appointed mayor effective July 1, 2007, making him the first republican to ever hold the office. But with Harris and McLeary running in the republican primary, and no other candidates, one of these men will be the first republican elected to hold the office of Madison County Mayor. That will be history.

Jerome

Madison County Mayor Campaign Kickoff

Mayor Jimmy Harris has scheduled a campaign kickoff for tomorrow evening at the Old English Inn in Jackson. Mayor Harris is campaigning to retain the office to which he was appointed earlier this year when the former county mayor was elected mayor of the City of Jackson. His only opponent so far (filing deadline is December 13) is former senator Don McLeary. McLeary has announced his intentions of running for the seat and has begun to campaign, but hasn't yet filed his petition with the election commission.

Harris' invitation boast several local and state dignitaries. These "hosts" of the party are: Republican Caucus Chairman Mark Norris; State Senator Bill Ketron; State Senator Paul Stanley; State Representative Jimmy Eldridge; Madison County Sheriff David Woolfork; Madison County Tax Assessor Frances Hunley; Madison County Register of Deeds Linda Waldon; and Madison County Circuit Court Clerk Judy Barnhill. Also, eleven of the Madison County Commissioners have signed on as supporting Harris.

The special guest at the event will be Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey.

A non-exhaustive list of others who are identified as hosts on the invitation are: Jim Ayers; Scooter Clippard; Carl Kirkland; and Jimmy Wallace. There are even some local democrats who are supporting Harris such as former City of Jackson Mayor Charles Farmer.

Harris has certainly brought out the big guns. I'm not sure where Don McLeary will find his support within the local republican party when it is obvious that the local and state republican leaders are lining up against him. McLeary has announced his plan to run in the republican primary on February 5, 2008. But he hasn't filed his petition yet. Is it possible he will file to run as an independent instead? Although he was one time a democrat, he can't win an election as a democrat again. The local democrats are still livid about him switching paties before the last election. So if he doesn't file to run as a republican, his only alternative is to run as an independent. But would there be any credibility in that? Once a democrat, then a republican and then an independent? I can't see it working.

Perhaps McLeary knows more about local politics than I do, but I still can't figure out his strategy. Particularly in light of this impressive list of supports for his opponent.

Jerome

Basis For Huckabee Surge

This link is to a video of Mike Huckabee explaining his surge in the presidential primary contest.

I also ran across this position paper called Come Let Us Reason Together (click on download PDF) that was put out by a combined group of progressives and Evangelicals. I think you'll find the mix interesting as well as the discussion points. Be sure to read the supporting statements. One is from Dr. David Gushee who was a professor at Union University and is now at Mercer in Atlanta.

Jerome

All Huckabee All The Time

All the buzz the last few days has been about Mike Huckabee . . . and virtually only Mike Huckabee. Here is a video from a Nightline segment on Huckabee. An article in the L.A. Times. Clarence Page has a piece today as well.

And there is always the bad coverage like this column by Byron York.

The knock against Huckabee -- at least from the Club for Growth crowd -- has been Huckabee's record on taxes in Arkansas. Yesterday Joe Carter addressed some of those issues head-on.

Huckabee is routinely asked religious questions like creationism v. evolution; whether Mormonism is a cult; etc. And I think his answers have been splendid like this response he gave to Wolf Blitzer at the debate and this one about Mitt Romney's faith.

What does Huckabee's rise mean to the other campaigns? It must be negatively affecting Romney and Thompson because each have attacked Huckabee recently. But who does he help? Could it be McCain? There has been talk recently about a Giuliani-Huckabee ticket. But what about McCain-Huckabee or even Huckabee-McCain?

Huckabee is kicking up a lot of dust and is currently the man with all the attention. But Dick Morris is convinced that when the dust settles it will still be Giuliani v. Clinton. We'll see.

On a different note, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Bluegrass Peril by Virginia Smith. I hope you get a chance to pick up a copy of this book.

Jerome

What is Driving the Huckabee Surge?

The short answer is "social conservatives". But is there a longer answer? Mike Huckabee has little if any money and certainly doesn't have the infrastructure in Iowa that Mitt Romney has. So how is he getting his message out?

This Washington Post article implies that there is a grassroots network of "pastors, parents who home-school their children, and other Christian conservatives." It appears that there is a broad based support among social conservatives in Iowa for Huckabee. Even Tim LeHaye, co-author of the popular Left Behind series of books is making campaign appearances with Huckabee.

Huckabee has also tapped into the network of Christians that was compiled by Redeem The Vote. RTV has an impressive list of 71,000,000 names and e-mail addresses of Christian voters. 71,000,000! And even though RTV offered access to the list to all candidates -- democrat and republican alike -- only Huckabee took them up on it. And it appears to be paying off for him in Iowa.

Huckabee has recently condemned the push polling by an organization called Trust Huckabee, stating that it doesn't represent what his campaign is about. And the Weekly Standard's Dean Barnett admits that he underestimated Huckabee. Even Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform seems to have softened to Huckabee.

But can Huckabee's momentum last? Assuming he performs well in Iowa (finishes first or second), New Hampshire is a much bigger test. And Huckabee's position on social issues important to evangelical voters won't play as well there as it has in Iowa. Then there is Michigan and Nevada. But after that is South Carolina and Florida. If Huckabee looses his footing in New Hampshire, he very well could regain it in South Carolina before the Super Tuesday primaries on February 5.

A few days ago we were talking about a Giuliani-Huckabee ticket. But will there soon be talk of a ticket with Huckabee on top?

Jerome