Con 34% de los votos, el gobernador Huckabee ganó los caucus republicanos en Iowa, donde se inició formalmente la carrera para las elecciones presidenciales del próximo 4 de noviembre.

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!

The generally left-wing publication The Nation published an article, “Huckabee’s Secret Weapon — Bloggers in Iowa” that points out the importance of the “blogosphere” in election 2008.

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!