Huckabee at the straw poll: ‘America needs Iowa to happen’

Josh Hafner

1:23 PM, Aug 13, 2011
Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and 2008 Iowa caucus winner, softly plucked a bass guitar while candidate and gospel singer Herman Cain bellowed what could be his campaign’s anthem:

“Hold on just a little while longer/Everything’s going to be all right.”

Huckabee stopped by Cain’s Iowa Straw Poll tent today (wearing a Fox News press badge) to perform to a big crowd after jamming with Michigan Congressman Thad McCotter that morning.

Huckabee came out of nowhere to take second in the 2007 straw poll, a shock that helped bolster his campaign toward caucus victory. His Huck PAC has a tent at on the grounds today, but Huckabee said he came out to show his support for the entire GOP field.

“They believe the right things,” he said. “I love them, and whoever it is (that gets the nomination), they’re going to have my support.”

After slinging his guitar off his neck and exiting Cain’s tent, Huckabee said that Iowa is and should be critical of the presidential election process.

“Candidates don’t just come here and pop in and make a speech and collect 35,000 a plate and leave,” he said. “They’ve got to sit and talk to people and they’ve got to answer tough questions, and America needs Iowa to happen.”

Yet for all of the importance that Hucabeek placed on the state’s role, he offered cautionary advice for today’s straw poll winner.

“Don’t assume what happened in the straw poll is tantamount to winning the caucus,” he said. “You’ve got to go from here to build on it. It’s a platform. It’s not a determination point.”

http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2 ... to-happen/

Straw poll: The spirit of Mike Huckabee lingers

Jens Manuel Krogstad

1:38 PM, Aug 13, 2011

Ames, Ia. — The spirit of Mike Huckabee lingers at the Iowa straw poll this year, just above the waft of BBQ, ice cream and political slogans.

Christina Fields, 34, traveled here from Connecticut to visit family and thought she would see what the political festival is all about.

As she wandered around Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State University, someone slapped a “Huck” sticker on her back.

“I was wondering what they were doing here,” she said of Huckabee’s supporters, who helped propel the former Arkansas governor to a second-place finish in the straw poll in 2007.

Huckabee would go on to win the 2008 Iowa caucuses.

Four years later, people lined up all day for a chance to win an autographed Mike Huckabee book at a booth sponsored by the Huck PAC. The political action committee has donated money to several Iowa Republicans, including Sen. Charles Grassley.

Jason Price, 34, of Des Moines and his father, Phil Price, 58, of Illinois said they had no idea which candidate to support.

They didn’t wear a green Pawlenty shirt, a blue Michele Bachmann shirt or red Ron Paul shirt. But they proudly wore “Huck” stickers.

“We’re still hoping he runs,” Jason Price said with a smile. “No, just kidding.”

Phil Price said he admires Huckabee because he reminds him of his father.

“He’s just a good guy,” he said.

http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2 ... e-lingers/

What's the significance of the 12 on their shirts?

Ames — Results just announced put Michele Bachmann as the winner of today’s Iowa Straw Poll. The Minnesota congresswoman earned 4,823 votes to secure her first place finish.

Congressman Ron Paul finished second with 4,671 votes; while former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty came in third with 2,293 votes.
Other vote totals are:

- Fourth place: Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with 1,657 votes
- Fifth place: Retired businessman Herman Cain with 1,456 votes
- Sixth place: Governor Rick Perry with 718
- Seventh place: Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with 567 votes
- Eighth place: Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 385 votes
- Ninth place: Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman with 69 votes
- Tenth place: U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter of Michigan with 35 votes A total of 16,892 votes were cast.

D'oh! I figured it was probably something braindead simple - which would explain why I didn't pick up on it!

Nothing flashy and straight to the point.

Rather like T-Paw!