Today, all eyes are on Iowa. In little more than 48 hours the Iowa caucuses will begin. Governor Mike Huckabee, who was all but written off several weeks ago as a “second tier candidate,” is now in the fight of his political life to win against Mitt Romney who has outspent him 20 to 1. His success is even more remarkable more if you look at the combined expenditures of all of his well-financed opponents. If the current polls are any indication, Mike will finish first, or second.
Already, the highly paid political spin masters are making excuses for their candidates. They are trying to minimize Huckabee’s achievement. For example, “Huckabee’s strong showing in Iowa is understandable because of the many evangelical Christians in the state and the fact that Arkansas is a rural neighbor.” (These guys ought to check a map. Arkansas does not border Iowa.)
The “real test” for Mike will be in these next few weeks. New Hampshire, which does border Romney’s home state of Massachusetts, will be tough. We, as his supporters, MUST maintain an unwaivering, positive attitude. Any measure of success (3rd or even 4th place) in New Hampshire should be considered a victory. South Carolina is shaping up to be an excellent opportunity for Mike, but his limited finances are going to mean that grassroots organizing in that state will be crucial if he is to keep up that elusive political commodity known as “momentum” as he goes father south to Florida with its new early primary. Florida is being touted, by the Giuliani camp, as the first real test of a Republican candidate — a large state, with many electoral votes, that has a growing multicultural population in urban, suburban and rural areas.
Florida is the “lion’s den” for Mike. He’ll be walking into a multi-million dollar political ambush that has been prepared to finish off any opponent that stands between Rudy and the nomination. Even if the results of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina are interpreted as “successes” for Mike and result in a large influx of campaign cash; it may be too late for the Florida primary on January 29th. You cannot create a “conventional” campaign organization, much less successfully campaign, purchase media time slots (most of which will be already taken by Mike’s opponents), etc. in so little time.
The only way to succeed is by a massive grassroots effort that must begin immediately. We are already in the countdown to the final days leading up to the Florida primary. Every day is precious! Attend a meetup group in your area. (Link to “Get Involved” webpage) Put a bumper sticker on your vehicle. (You may have to print it your own computer and tape it to the inside of the window. They are that hard to come by!) Attend any Republican gathering, even if you’ve never gone before, and convince those present that Mike is the only candidate at this point that will mobilize the base in a way that will insure the voter turn out that will be necessary to win. It is up to us!
