Florida’s primary results yesterday were unlike South Carolina’s –  where we wanted to win and expected to win.  Florida was a clear loss for those of us who wanted to put Mike in the Oval Office in 2008.

In South Carolina, Mike’s second place finish with Thompson still in the race and making his best showing ever, combined to give us a “silver” (in Romney-speak) that legitimately could be “framed” as a political victory for us.  Unfortunately, we (as grassroots Huckabee supporters predominantly in Florida) did not handle the South Carolina primary results correctly.  When the mainstream press mischaracterized Mike’s South Carolina finish as a “disappointing loss,” we should have responded with press releases that countered, what eventually became, “conventional wisdom” in Florida.  Signs and banners that would have caught the news cameras attention, etc. would have been grassroots tactics that we could have employed.  We failed our Grassroots Politics 101 midterm. 

In any event, the good news is that we have a chance to redeem ourselves — on the final examination that will come during the Republican Party’s national convention.  Our grade will be determined by the number of delegates that Mike has going into the convention.  Just because the Florida primary is over, we cannot afford a siesta.  For example,  Diana Hernandez’ picked up on an item from Moms for Huckabee that referred to an Alabama for Huckabee blog post.  (Link to blog’s main page.  Link to the post, Alabama, Let’s not roll over and play dead yet!) 

Hat’s off to Diana!  Like her, you can be the eyes and ears for the pro-Huckabee blogosphere.  So-called, “alternative media” (the blogosphere, talk radio, podcasting, viral video, etc.) is only way conservatives can even begin to “level the playing field” in terms of the mainstream media.  During the Florida GOP debate, we saw how Governor Huckabee was treated — in terms of time alloted to speak.  MSNBC, certainly did what they could to stop Mike’s message from reaching a large audience.  It is up to us to bypass the mainstream media, by any means necessary, and deliver Mike’s message.

***Blog Editor: speaking time statistics taken from the following.

 ***Blog Editor: This interview is one of the few that touches on the subject of Mike’s “Southern Strategy.”  Very interesting.

 This interview with Governor Huckabee on Fox News Sunday, in case you missed it, will be one of the last prior to the primary.  Click here to watch the video link.

Yesterday, Governor Huckabee’s interview with Jorge Ramos aired on the program Al Punto, a Spanish-language Sunday morning news program, much like Meet the Press.  The interview was conducted in English, recorded at the Univisión Miami studio, then Spanish-language translations were dubbed over the original audio.  Huckabee was scheduled in between John McCain and Mitt Romney who appeared on the same program.  Originally, efforts were made to have Governor Huckabee appear on a Spanish-language morning news and variety program, much like the US mainstream media’s Today (MSNBC), Good Morning, America (ABC News), Fox & Friends, etc.  However, time constraints and the rapidly approaching primary precluded this.  The Sunday morning news format appearance, while it does allow for much greater depth, has an audience limited to “news junkies” - regardless of the language.   A morning news show appearance would have been much shorter, but it would have reached an entirely different audience.

Ramos, is an excellent journalist (biography) whose high standards reflect well on Spanish-language news reporting in the US.  A native of Mexico City, he pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Miami after immigrating to the United States.  He is also an accomplished, award winning author.  For almost 15 years, he’s been the principal newscaster for Noticiero Univisión.  He did his homework when it came to Governor Huckabee.  His first question was directed at the in-state tuition question.  (See our blog post on the same subject.)  Here’s a partial list of the books that he’s published.   Most interestingly, he released an “audiobook” in 2004 entitled: “The Latin Wave: How Hispanics will Choose the Next President of the United States.”  Perhaps he won’t be ignored by English-speaking media in the next election cycle!  His words, more than astute punditry, seem almost prophetic today.

Click here to watch the entire interview.

Reports that the Huckabee campaign was “abandoning” Florida have been greatly exagerated.  (We wouldn’t be surprised that these reports originated from some of Mike’s opponents.  But that’s OK, he’s the only candidate that has run against and beat the Arkansas Clinton machine twice.  So, he’s used to such tactics — just not from fellow Repulbicans.)

CNN published the article: Huckabee struggles to keep “scrappy little army” in fight.   Coming from CNN, “scrappy little army” is a compliment.  Romney just has to open his checkbook to keep his campaign humming.  In Florida, Mike is turning to us out of necessity.  Let’s not disappoint him — too much is at stake.

John McCain, having “won” in South Carolina with 33% in a field of seven became the ostensible “front runner” for the Republican nomination according to many pundits in the mainstream media.  (McCain’s two “victories” were in states, New Hampshire and South Carolina, where Independents can easily participate in the Republican primary.  Did McCain really win the Republican vote?  As he competes in states with more restrictive rules, his frontrunner status will be a liability.)  The “Palmetto State” was an important state for Governor Huckabee since there was the expectation that he should win due to the large number of evangelical Christians.  It was the “make or break” state for Fred Thompson, who by waiting until after the South Carolina primary to leave the campaign may have, unintentionally, done conservatives a huge disservice in this election.  But what’s done is done, and we have to move on.  January 29th is very close and we must make every day count.

As Huckabee supporters in Florida, what does Mike’s South Carolina 2nd place finish mean, now that it is combined with Fred Thompson’s leaving the race, and a generally left-leaning, somewhat hostile press in the Sunshine State?  Plenty.

First, the facts on the ground for the Florida primary are the following:

1. It is a “winner take all state” in terms of delegates.  Second place means nada in terms of delegates.  However, a second place finish for Mike would still be considered “a victory.” The Republican Party is reducing the number of delegates from Florida as “punishment” for our early primary this year, but we still have a considerable number.
2. Although the reduced number of Florida delegates and the fact that second place equals zero delegates, the political and symbolic importance of Florida is enormous.  Florida, unlike other Southern states, is seen as a more diverse, and liberal, state especially in terms of its Republican primary voters.  This is why Rudy Giuliani thought waiting until our primary was a viable strategy.  (He probably doesn’t think so now.)  If Mike were to do well here, it would enhance his perceived “electability” for the national election enormously — a viable candidate outside of the Southern “Bible Belt.”
3. Florida is a LARGE state, in other words it is EXPENSIVE to campaign statewide.  There are many major media markets, multiple large circulation newspapers, etc.  “Door-to-door” campaigning by any candidate is just not possible at this point with very little time left before the election.  Governor Huckabee’s ability to leverage campaigning at public events has even caught the attention of the of liberal New Republic, in their article: “Huckabee’s Effective Mooching Strategy.”
4. The press is already salivating over the possibility of Governor Huckabee’s abandoning Florida to concentrate on states where his limited financial resources, smaller mass media markets, are more likely to win Huckabee delegates.  Of course, the liberal media would portray this as a conservative “retreat.”  Even if only partially true, this makes our role as Mike’s grassroots supporters even MORE important.  (Miami Herald, PowerLine blog)

So, how should we proceed in these final days leading up to the Florida primary?

1. Go online and contribute, get your family members, friends, etc. to do so — challenge them to do so.  No, you may not be able to contribute enough to offset the huge financial advantages of Mitt Romney and other candidates, BUT DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF A $5, OR $10, CONTRIBUTION.  First, pundits, FEC reports, etc. also report the NUMBER of contributors, not just the amounts.  Large numbers of small contributors are seen as indicators broad grassroots support and increased “electability.”
2. Educate yourself thoroughly about Mike’s record.  Be familiar with the most common attacks and “charges” leveled against Governor Huckabee.  The campaign website position papers are excellent sources as well as the “Truth Squad” reports.  Obviously, it is impossible to know “everything” on every issue.  However, in many cases, just pointing out that Mike was the first Republican governor in Arkansas since Civil War reconstruction which put him in the position of having to lead while dealing with a frequently hostile Democratic legislature for over 10 years makes the point that he had to reach compromises in order to successfully govern — a similar position to what may be the case for Mike on Innauguration Day 2009.  Many times his “tax increases” that he is accused of engineering — were prompted by voter referendum in response to decaying state infrastructure and an educational system that ranked near the bottom of all the 50 states.  He cut, or eliminated, taxes nearly 100 times while governor.  As Latino supporters, be up to date on Mike’s immigration policy and record.  (See our post on in-state tuition for illegal aliens.)
3. Do not be disheartened if Governor Huckabee does not spend every waking moment on winning Florida — a large, winner take all state, as previously mentioned.  The presidential primaries occur in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Gaum.  His advisors have to figure out how to get as many delegates as possible.  At some point, it may be to his advantage (and ours) to concentrate elsewhere.  This should not derail our efforts.  The more delegates that Mike can gather, the better his chances of achieving the nomination.  There is a very real possibility of NOBODY having enough delegates for the nomination outright which will lead to a “brokered” convention.   (Does anybody remember Latino actor Jimmy Smits, playing candidate Matt Santos, and the “brokered convention” episode in West Wing?  It’s worth renting at Blockbuster.)  The more delegates Mike has, the better position he’ll be in at the convention to promote his candidacy and conservative principles.
4. Many of us have concentrated our personal efforts on those people with whom we are most comfortable discussing the volatile subject of politics.  For many of us, these are people we have met and known through church.  This is wonderful.  However, we must stop “preaching to the choir.”  The media has frequently portrayed Governor Huckabee as one-dimensional candidate with support only among evangelical Christians.  A strong showing in Florida would go a long way toward dispelling this image.  Likewise, we must broaden our efforts to reach Florida’s largely secular electorate.  The issue that immediately comes to mind is Governor Huckabee’s support of the “Fair Tax.”  “Eliminating the IRS as we know it” differentiates Mike from the other candidates and has widespread appeal.   Familiarize yourself with the Governor’s tax policy and the Fair Tax.

There’s less than a week to go to the Florida primary.  We cannot stop now.  Now, go make that contribution. 

Mirando lo que está ocurriendo en nuestra nación y lo que se ve en los mercados internacionales parece que nos estamos moviendo vertiginosamente de la R (recession) a la D (depression).

Los miles de millones que se quieren invertir para levantar la economía no pueden hacerlo porque en realidad eso lo que hace es hundirla más. La razón es que ese dinero no existe es “fiat money”.

Cuando el desenlance final ocurra (quizás antes de la inauguración del nuevo Presidente) yo quiero tener de presidente una persona que sea humana, que trate de protegerme de los grandes intereses que en su afán de sobrevivir me van a tratar de exprimir hasta la muerte.

Huckabee probó tener compasión por su pueblo en sus años como Gobernador de Arkansas.

Ninguno, repito ninguno de los otros candidatos tanto en el Partido Republicano como en el Demócrata, se aproximan a Huckabee en esta categoría porque se deben a los grandes intereses que los respaldan.

El pueblo tiene la última palabra, ser manipulados por los grandes intereses y votar por uno de sus candidatos o votar por quien tiene probada preocupación por ellos.

With the rapidly approaching Florida primary election, January 29th, and the even closer South Carolina contest, time is very short.  (Welcome to all of our new online friends in South Carolina!  – Bienvenidos a todos de nuestros nuevos amigos en linea  de Carolina del Sur!)  The news from Michigan tonight was no surprise; but considering that Romney outspent Mike 50 to 1 to win in his homestate, the results were not terribly discouraging, either.

Well, as many of us in Miami (a Latin fashion “Mecca”) know, there’s nothing like some new clothes and Café Cubano to pick up your spirits.  You’ll have to make your own coffee, but we can help with your new clothes — at least if you’re going to be at the Dade County Fair Grounds this weekend.  See our meetup page for more details.  You can take the graphics from our website to make your own iron-on t-shirts.

***Blog Editor’s Update***  Judging by the number of e-mail responses and questions about these t-shirts locally and from across the country; there is a lot of interest in this topic.  It is obvious that the initial estimate of “a couple of dozen” t-shirts for just our own Meetup group was a big underestimation of the interest in Mike Huckabee t-shirts.  Tonight my 11 year old daughter and I hope to put the final touches on the producion of these t-shirts so that we can increase our capacity.  We hope to perfect the process and maybe even post an instructional video.  If time permits Thursday, January 17th, we’ll head up to Rodney Roger’s Meetup Group gathering in Aventura.  Rodney is the Miami-Dade co-chair of Huckabee for President and he’ll be participating in our “caravan” and Dade County gun show activities this weekend.  Also, Huckabee field representative, Daniel Diaz, will be speaking Thursday about how we can help Mike become our next President.

Hoy, otra vez, en locaciones múltiples por Miami, equipos de “Street Rally” (como la foto de abajo) salieron a la calle para demonstrar el apoyo para Mike Huckabee en el Sur de Florida - especialmente en la comunidad hispana.

Again today, in multiple locations throughout Miami, “Street Rally” teams (like the one pictured below) were “taking it to the street” in order to demonstrate the support for Mike Huckabee in South Florida — especially in the Hispanic Community.

Before the January 29^th Florida primary, there are major gun shows in Broward and Dade counties.  These are opportunities that should not be missed by Huckabee supporters.  Yesterday on his website, Mike released a new policy statement about 2nd Amendment rights.  This is one issue where clear differences can be drawn between Mike and other top Republican contenders.  These gun shows are opportunities for us to interact with gun owners who are no strangers to politics and a potential source of support for Governor Huckabee.

January 12 & 13: Fort Lauderdale at War Memorial Auditorium, 800 N.E. 8th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304, 954-828-5380

January 19 & 20: Miami at the Dade County Fairgrounds the Southern Classic Gun & Knife Show, 10901 Sw 24th St. (Coral Way), Miami 33165-2337, (305) 223-3247  (map)

January 26 & 27: Tallahassee at North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 Paul Russell Rd., Tallahassee, FL, (850) 878-3247 (map)

Las personas que apoyan a Huckabee (seculares y no seculares) lo hacen por muchas razones diversas. Ellas conectan con una persona que es como ellas, humano, imperfecto, con limitaciones, que se equivoca de vez en cuando pero que quiere lo mejor para el pueblo y que tiene una historia que lo prueba.

Los centros de poder lo odian a muerte por muchas razones:

a)No es uno de ellos.

b)No le debe nada a ellos (No es “chantageable”)

c)No tiene la prioridad de proteger sus intereses sino la del pueblo.

d)No es “controlable” porque salió del pueblo y no de ellos.

Por supuesto el pueblo le va a ganar a los centros de poder porque ese pueblo está hastiado de los abusos de poder de ellos que lleva décadas destruyendo la clase media para beneficio de sus bolsillos corrompidos.

La última encuesta pone a Huckabee con 21% y por arriba de los otros Republicanos y este número seguirá aumentando cuando el gane otros estados que tienen sus primarias en poco tiempo.

El pueblo harto de la manipulación de los grupos de poder en Washington ha votado.

Huckabee va a ser nuestro candidato.

El dinero de los poderosos no nos comprará ni tampoco nos rentará.

Ganaremos en Noviembre, no para los Republicanos, ganaremos para la nación.

El pueblo ha dicho con la victoria de Huckabee en Iowa…No nos van a manipular nunca más.

Ganaremos en Noviembre porque tendremos el apoyo de muchos Demócratas y personas de color como Huckabee lo tuvo cuando era governador de Arkansas.

On December 27th, State Representative David Rivera and State Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla were named as the Co-Chairs of the Miami-Dade Huckabee campaign effort.  (link to press release)  With Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio’s endorsement of Mike for 2008, the Huckabee campaign (and future administration) will definitely be in touch with the Cuban/Latino community of South Florida.  We hope to post statements or links from all three of these party leaders regarding their plans leading up to the Florida primary.

Supporters of Mike Huckabee have to do their homework — more so than other supporters of other Republican candidates. Why? The rapid rise in the polls that Mike achieved by “unconventional” methods (Solid, consistent debate performances; clear statements of position; “grace” while under attack, etc.) as opposed to hiring a bevy of high-dollar, inside the beltway K Street consultants and spending millions of dollars on media saturation that has left his opponents frustrated with no idea of how to respond effectively. This has lead to a massive disinformation campaign being unleashed. As we attend Republican events leading up to the Florida primary, we may be confronted by these attacks by supporters of Gov. Huckabee’s opponents, or worse, by members of the press corps. If this happens, it is not the time to choke!

The good news is that the Huckabee campaign has made it easy to do our homework and prepare ourselves with its well-organized website. The issues page (link) has many position statements. Furthermore, the “Truth Squad” web page (link) has responses to a number of the more notable negative issues and events that have occurred recently. Together it is a large amount of material, but reviewing it will be well worth the effort and increase your ability to effectively advocate for Mike as the primary draws near.

After reviewing all of the position statements, you may find that you do not agree with everything. Nobody agrees with anybody 100% of the time! However, be ready to explain this, as well. “While I agree with Governor Huckabee on most other issues, I do not share his position on (fill in the blank), but I can respect his sincere beliefs about this. Perhaps he’s more knowledgeable on this subject than I am.”

Also, remember that former Governor Huckabee spent many years as a Republican governor of a very Democratic state. (In many Arkansas counties, the general elections were not held for many years because the Democratic primary determined the winner.) Be careful if you are confronted with a question that begins, “How can you support Huckabee? Are you aware that while he was Governor that he (fill in the blank)?” In order to govern effectively in Arkansas, a state with substandard education, a crumbling road infrastructure, and systemic inefficiencies that were created by decades of political cronyism and not a small amount of corruption – the product of years of “one-party” rule; he had to strike political compromises with the leaders of Arkansas’ Democratic Party machine.

Moreover, Arkansas, during his tenure as Governor, experienced a massive wave of illegal immigration — drawn by jobs in the poultry, lumber, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. This immigration was unimpeded by the federal government. Mike was powerless to stop the influx and mandated by law to provide education and other services to the immigrants. He had to make the best of a bad situation and make decisions that might, at first glance, be an affront to those that support secure borders – like the majority of the Republican Party. However, we should view Mike’s first-hand experience with issues like this as an asset that he’ll take to the Oval Office where he can help solve these important issues.

Now, do your homework!

Como ya puede saber, hay una reunión crítica planificada para el 8 de enero en el sur de Miami.   Para más información, siga esta link.  Si no puede asistir, sea seguro de agregar su dirección de correo electrónico a nuestra lista de envío.   No compartiremos sus datos personales con ninguna otra organización.

As you may already know, there is a scheduled January 8th meeting in Miami.  For further information about the meeting and group follow this link.  If you cannot attend, be sure to add your e-mail address to our mailing list.  We will not share your personal information with any other organizations.

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!