[Smurf-316]

Is Huckabee Democrats' Biggest Nightmare?

Mike Huckabee's rapid rise in the Republican presidential race is prompting concern among some Democratic strategists who believe that the former Arkansas governor could become a daunting general election foe should he secure the GOP nomination.

Is it Huckabee, not Giuliani, who'd be the toughest candidate for Democrats to beat next year? (AP Photo)
These operatives believe that Huckabee's profile -- former Baptist minister, southern governor, fitness preacher -- and self-effacing style on the stump could prove an appealing combination for moderate and independent voters.
"Mike Huckabee is the Republican that probably worries me the most," said Wooten Johnson, a Democratic strategist based in Louisiana. "Unlike the other Republicans, he isn't flawed in the eyes of the Republican base. But more importantly, he has a record of being a true compassionate conservative. He will be able to attract those suburban voters that don't want to vote for [a] Democrat."

For months, Democrats have been game-planning for what a general election would look like against one of four possible candidates: Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain and Fred Thompson. But Huckabee's recent surge in (and nationally) has forced Democrats to consider the prospect of facing off against him next November.
There is little empirical evidence to help guide their way. The lone poll that matched Huckabee against any of the leading Democratic candidates in a hypothetical general election match-up was conducted by NBC/Wall Street Journal in early September. It showed Hillary Rodham Clinton leading Huckabee 50 percent to 36 percent. (So sparse is polling matching Huckabee against the Democratic field that Real Clear Politics doesn't even include him in its list of potential general election match-ups.)

In 1998, Gov. Huckabee faced attorney Bill Bristow, whose client list included Danny Ferguson, the Arkansas state trooper who was a co-defendant with Bill Clinton in Paula Jones's sexual harassment case. Bristow sought to paint Huckabee as an extremist, arguing that the incumbent favored women being paid less than men for equal work and believed women should be subservient to their husbands. It didn't work, as Huckabee won the governorship in his own right with 60 percent of the vote.

So, there are clearly lines of attack available to Democrats if Huckabee becomes the nominee. But the current trepidation about that prospect speaks to just how much of an unknown variable Huckabee represents in the presidential race.
Huckabee is not easily caricatured -- either as a rabid conservative or a partisan warrior. During the Republican primary so far he has proven himself an adept debater, effective speaker and, perhaps most importantly, someone who has been able to run a strong campaign with very little money or organization.
Should Huckabee wind up as the GOP nominee, the traditional Democratic playbook might well have to be rewritten to cope with his unorthodox approach. That doesn't mean it can't be done, but rather that he poses a unique challenge to Democratic strategists.

[Kalamity Jane]

NO...he's actually his own worst enemy...like Jr.

KJ

[bbkeo]

Naw, the dems worse nightmare is 51% of people being stupid enough to vote republican.

[Smurf-316]

I don't think he will get the nomination. he's more like the flavor of the month.