Look out, Huck, Ron Paul's people are gonna be furious

OK, Disciples of Paul, here's the chance you've been waiting for to get Mike Huckabee, the only remaining contender between your guy, Rep. Ron Paul, and the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, that nobody senator from Arizona, John McCain.

Do you know what Huckabee wrote on Tuesday? You won't believe it. Seriously.

Because he needs the publicity and doesn't have the money to buy much advertising to convince the rapidly growing number of Republicans who see the former Arkansas governor as a lingering nuisance who can't take a hint that his presidential hopes are over, smoked, done, dashed, cooked, fried, kaput, finished, completed and hopeless, Huckabee has challenged McCain to a debate. Hey, it only cost a stamp.

Huckabee's letter says: "I believe a Lincoln-Douglas debate so that voters can better understand our views on critical issues such as health care, education, energy independence, terrorism and national security is just what we need."

Of course, the Lincoln-Douglas debates occurred in....

a U.S. Senate race. There were seven of them, each three hours long. (That was in the 1850s before commercials for bathroom breaks.) And, also, the Republican lost that race.

But nevermind, Huckabee wants the spectacle of a debate before next Tuesday's March 4 primaries, when his campaign hopes could become absolute cinders. He'd also like your online signature on the letter for publicity.

But here's the real outrage that will rock the Internet in the next few hours. After paying the now-required tribute to Sen. McCain as "an American hero," Huckabee writes:

"Now that the race for the Republican nomination is down to just the two of us, I believe this is the time for a real discussion about our vision for the future of this great country."

The two of us? As in 2? One more than one and one less than three? Huckabee has no idea what he is in for, dissing the party's other remaining candidate. Just watch the comments section below for a taste. He's completely disregarded the existence of the 10-term libertarian-like congressman from Texas. Who may not have a realistic chance of beating McCain either, but don't tell that to members of the Ron Paul Revolution.

Paul, by the way, has consistently raised more campaign donations than Huckabee for the last year -- five times Huckabee's total in the third quarter of 2007 alone and more than any other Republican last quarter, nearly $20 million.

Paul has been spending a good deal of time recently in his home 14th District where, like Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich, he's facing a serious party primary challenge next Tuesday because he's been spending a lot of time not in his home 14th District.

But that doesn't mean Paul's countless thousands of fervent followers are tied up. Huckabee doesn't know the meaning of evangelical until he runs into Paul proselytizers. First, they will spread word of this Huckabee outrage within their chatrooms, meet-up groups, phone chains and message boards.

They will start leaving hundreds, then thousands of comments on blogs like this. They will, of course, politely remember that this blog has resisted the mainstream media ignorance and written often about their man. So they will direct their displeasure at the Huckmeister.

If the Paulunteers can discover Huckabee's e-mail, he'll get an electronic earful. And once they find Huckabee's campaign schedule on his website and realize that the former governor is also in Texas these days, they will march on Huckabee's campaign events as they did Rudy Giuliani's.

And remember what happened to Giuliani's candidacy.

--Andrew Malcolm

         Typical Ron Paul supporter

Comments

[Jake]

Andrew, not a bad article! I do thank you for continuing to write about the good doctor when many media sources continue to ignore his existence. I personally think that Paul should challenge Huckabee to a debate and leave McCain out. McCain has been parading around as if he is the de facto nominee when in reality he has weak support from the Republican party.

Oh, one more thing. Ron Paul is not in any threat in his re-election bid for the 14th district. He is dominating in the polls by about a 40 point margin.

[Tess]

Mr. Malcolm:

Thank you once again for this write up on Ron Paul.
I sure do enjoy reading your blog. You are one of the few in the media that understands the Ron Paul Supporters, and their determination. We have come a long way. I would make a suggestion to those Ron Paul supporters in Texas to pay attention to the Huckster's schedule as you have suggested, and make a showing at his events with their Ron Paul signs, just like we did to Giuliani. Thanks again Andrew.

[Jett]

It looks to me like McCain must have begged Hucklbee to stay in the race just to run blocker for him against Ron Paul, especially if another debate is scheduled, imagine McCain vs Ron Paul in a debate with no one else in the race,
McCain == Toast

[Chris Bieber]

the use of the word 'facade" is quite accurate...to describe the Potemkin Village-like campaign of the fmr Governor of Arkansas and Council on Foreign Relations member and tool(CFR Leader Richard Haas is Hucks advisor)....and "corporate socialist" is a quite accurate name for hisAND HIS SUPPORTERS economic plans.... mindless UNDEDUCATED and SYCOPHANTIC Skinner rats...whose understanding of Free Markets and Reality of Politics is mutually EXCLUSIVE...

Thanks to the rest of the Party and its approved Candidates "principled" support for the More War, More PRINTING UP WORTHLESS fiat currency, More international entanglments, More Signature Statement UnConstitutional Governance, more wars on the Bill of Rights and MORE LAWS AND SURVEILLANCE we will all get to enjoy these/THEIR "fruits" of labor.....

Huckabee and the marching cohorts/legions/phalanxes of Benito McManiac are shoveling off loads of statism and lies and bankrupt faux patriotism.... their shooting and mocking of the message of freedom, liberty and independence of Congressman Paul's message will rightfully and deservedly help sink the carcass hulk of the Republican Party so the rest of us who care about freedom can rebuild the freedom machine....while fighting off Big Brother....

Thanks MSM and Hucklberry Hounds and McManiacs...you can enjoy your faux coronation in Minneapolis...and "victory" in November.....

[Liberty Gal]

It would be wise to do the math and remember that there were 11 individuals campaigning for the Republican nomination a year ago and now there are three. Dr. Ron Paul is one of them. Whether he advertises, holds rallies or stumps around the country ad nauseum like the other candidates is not the issue. One person can invite another to debate, and the other can accept or reject the offer. There are plenty of other ways to find out where candidates stand on the issues than viewing a 30 second commercial or watching them go at it on TV for 60 minutes.

Dr. Paul's record on low taxes, small government and wise foreign policy is 10 years in the making. Anyone who hears his message can take heart that we do have a choice to vote for change and a return to the guidance of the U. S. Constitution. Please exercise that choice with a vote for Dr. Paul, even if you have to write it in.

It's not over 'til the fat lady sings...and I haven't heard any singing yet.

[Frank N Stein]

Is this a 13 year old's myspace rant or the LA times? Hard to tell, sometimes.

I'm more curious on why journalists are so beholden to big government interests, and so against Constitutional restraint - is it like job security (the more government grows, the more corrupt it gets, the more they can write about the corruption and claim more government is needed to fix it)?

[MWO]

Huckabee is not what this country needs. Anyone who would take the furniture out of the governers mansion when he left office, would not be my first choice . By the way he had to return it. He made the top ten most corrupt politicians for 2007. See judicialwatch.com. When challenged by the ethics comittee of Arkansas, he sued to have the charges dropped rather than respond. The list goes on and on. Adlai Stevenson met a lady while on the campaign stump who said,"every thinking person in this country has your support". Stevenson replied: "that not enough madam I need a majority. Now you know why Huck has more popular votes than Ron Paul.

[Karen]

The Huckster may as well drop out - the money for Ron Paul will never run out - as his message will not run out! There are most certainly 3 candidates in the GOP. The debate should be all three! Ron Paul speaks the truth and people know it as soon as they hear him. That's what McCain and Huckabee fear. The Ron Paul rEVOLution inspires many to carry on because once you hear the truth - there's no going back. The rEVOLution will only get stronger as our country falters. Vote Ron Paul and get our lives back to what our Constitution intended! Freedom & Liberty!

[WILL WORK FOR PEACE]

Hey Huck -

Thanks for inviting us to your events. You can count on us to be there in force.

Always and forever,
A Loyal Ron Paul Supporter

[Doug]

I just wish that everyone who thinks Ron Paul is the best candidate will vote for him in Texas and Ohio and elsewhere, now that McCain has the nomination pretty much wrapped up. The biggest obstacle to Ron Paul earning more votes so far, behind the media bias, is the large number of people who thought he was the best candidate but didn't vote for him because they wanted their votes to matter in determining the winner. Now that the winner is a foregone conclusion, why not vote for Ron Paul?

[Gary]

Andrew ole buddy, I hate to break it to you but there are four candidates still in the Republican race for the presidency. That's right four, 1 more than 3 and 2 more than 2. Interesting that you should forget Dr. Alan Keyes. Interesitng.

[Bill]

Andrew, you're an idiot.

[Talk Show Host]

RON PAUL HAS NEVER LIED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE MORE PEOPLE HEAR HIS MESSAGE, THE MORE WILL VOTE FOR HIM.

America should be ashamed for denouncing him as "nut" or "looney."

HUCK, CAIN, and MSM ARE SCARED TO DEATH OF RON PAUL.

Perhaps if said "Change" and "Hope" as much as Guiliani said 9/11, the truth would be easier to swallow.

[AYE]

Good One mr. writer...WE DONT CARE ABOUT HUCK, he is not a threat. Your paper endoresed MCCAIN, AND THATS WHO WE HATE. Your yesterdays news, and you only mention RP to get some hits (good for you, we dont care). Keep writing to liberals and leave this man alone, because we know you dont care either.

[Talk Show Host]

RON PAUL HAS NEVER LIED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE MORE PEOPLE HEAR HIS MESSAGE, THE MORE WILL VOTE FOR HIM.

America should be ashamed for denouncing him as "nut" or "looney."

HUCK, CAIN, and MSM ARE SCARED TO DEATH OF RON PAUL.

Perhaps if said "Change" and "Hope" as much as Guiliani said 9/11, the truth would be easier to swallow.

[Don]

A constitutionalist third party needs to run a good candidate. Of course, Nader doesn't count. Too bad Ron Paul won't run as a third party candidate. I hope the Constitution Party brings a good man on board and that the Ron Paul supporters will gravitate towards them for the General election. For the primary vote, I hope Paul keeps going and that his message continues to reach out far and wide.

http://www.constitutionparty.com/
http://www.constitutionparty.com

[Ryan]

Is this the same Huckabee that complained about not wanting to be an umpire at the debate? Does he not like being ignored? How hypocritical could he possibly be? He only plays the fair card when it serves his own selfish interests, but at first opportunity, excludes another candidate without even a mention. Wow. I wonder why this guys isn't a pastor anymore.

[Darryl Schmitz]

Huckabee's comments kinda confirm that he's just a wee bit arrogant. Plus he apparently figures he has a score to settle with the Paul campaign over the cross-in-the-background-of-his-video-message controversy.

[Mike]

GOOGLE RON PAUL. What's new? Dr. Paul is not wanted because he'll smoke the other two idiots. He's 10x the candidate of Mike Huckabee and 100x the candidate of John "the slacker" McCain.

[AG in ID]

Been there done that. We are used to being ignored.

I can't wait to see how they ignore us when Ron Paul wins the nomination in September and the election in November.

We the People are working hard under the radar so to speak and we will be heard. The American Revolution was won with less than 3%. The Ron Paul Revolution will see victory as well.

[Bruce Walker]

Mike Huckabee did not disregard Ron Paul; Ron Paul practically dropped out. His campaign is only still active in his congressional district, not in the entire county. If Ron Paul wants to run for President, he needs run in a bigger area than his congressional district. Ron Paul's supporters may be keeping his campaign active, but if Ron Paul isn't campaigning, it is hard for him to debate. Mike Huckabee may not be everyone's first choice, but he deserves to have a chance. Ron Paul has his chance, and what he does with it is up to him. But if he isn't going to campaign in a bigger area than his district, he can't expect to win the election. The best thing for Ron Paul to do is to ask both Huckabee and McCain to debate him. If he isn't willing to do that, then in my oppinion, his campaign has basically stopped and it is down to two candidates.

[MJ]

I am a bit surprised at Huckabee's comments. I say this because the Huckabee folks and the Paul folks should not be fighting presently. There are bigger problems. Both camps should be working against McCain. Paul and Huckabee are both far from McCain's platform and there supporters while in the long run will disagree presently there are larger and more pressing fish to fry.
Why did you say that Huckabee?
I was saving all my special scorn for McCain...don't tempt me and other PATRIOTS to unleash it on you. We need to work against McCain. Watch what you say Huckabee. We may not tolerate this much longer and if Huckabee and Paul start wasting resources on one another then McCain will more easily get his delegates.

Go Ron Paul. I will go contribute a few more bucks please join me!

[AGGOZZUR]

You know... Whenever you write about him its always tainted with sarcasm & belittlingness. When you do that your 'news' stops being 'news' and starts becoming a place to bash or praise people. You are no better then the MSM when you write like this. You will see when this country goes from bad to worse. The things you could have done to make it better but didn't. You will have this on your conscience. Not to mention 1000,s of us at your door.

(This is a blog. Not the news columns. That's where we tell stories in our way and you can read and join in. Wide open for you too. Thanks for visiting.)

[MJ]

We need to concentrate on stopping McCain from getting the delegates.
Are Paul supporters surprised that Huckabee would say such a thing?
NO! But Paul supporters should not waste much time on Huckabee. We need to concentrate on new voters, getting the message out, and driving up contributions to the Presidential and Congressional campaigns.

PAUL FOLKS -DO NOT LET THIS ARTICLE DISTRACT YOU!
We must stay focused. I just wasted a minute responding to this.

[Prija]

Yes, thank you Andrew. We are growing. The Ron Paul Revolution will not be televised.. it will be blogged and youtubed.

Huckabee is running out of money fast. He needs that debate to get free advertising on a grand scale.

Andrew any thoughts of the Freedom March in Washington???

http://people.ronpaul2008.com/campaign-updates/2008/02/26/freedom-march-update/

Please email back on this if you can. Thank you.